Mary lived by the sea,

With a cat she loved,

Who was called Sparky.

Sparky couldn't speak,

He could only "meow."

But Mary knew if he approved,

And I will tell you how.

If he wanted to say "No,"

He stayed quiet and didn't move.

But if he turned around and made a loud "meow,"

That meant that he approved!

One day Mary said to Sparky,

"Help, I've had a fall!

I need to phone for an ambulance,

And go to hospital!"

Sparky didn't know how he would eat,

While Mary was away.

Maybe he could go without his breakfast,

And just have one meal a day?

But Sparky didn't need to worry.

His neighbours were kind and good.

They made sure that every day,

Sparky had a bowl of food.

On Monday Sue at Number 1

Left a bowl of pink salmon.

On Tuesday Sam at Number 2

Left a bowl of beef barbecue.

On Wednesday Lolly at Number 3

Left a bowl of chicken for his tea.

On Thursday Vernon at Number 4

Left some duck outside the door.

On Friday Louie at Number 5

Left a bowl of milk on the drive.

On Saturday Violet at Number 6

Left some ham behind the bricks.

On Sunday Thomas at Number 7

Left some fish at half past eleven.

Sparky was surprised,

but did he like his food?

He turned around

and made a loud "meow,"

to show that he approved!

On Monday Ava at Number 8,

Left some tuna by the gate.

The next morning Mary came home,

And cuddled Sparky all day long.

She said, "I've missed you so much,

I'm glad I'm back where I belong."

Mary said to Sparky,

"I'm not as strong as before.

I cannot climb the stairs,

Or do the housework any more."

"Shall we advertise tomorrow,

For a cleaner right away.

To clean, dust, and hoover,

And start without delay?"

Sparky agreed that Mary,

Needed extra help right now.

So Sparky turned around,

And made a loud "meow!"

Three cleaners said they wanted the job,

But which one should Mary trust?

The first one knocked on Mary's door,

And moaned, "I'll start now if I must."

Sparky jumped down from the chair,

And followed the cleaner around the house.

She didn't notice Sparky watching her,

Because he was as quiet as a mouse.

She just sprayed the polish in the air,

And said, "dusting is such a bore,

This will have to do,

I'm not doing any more."

Mary noticed Sparky didn't move,

And stayed quiet by the door.

So she paid the first cleaner, but told her,

"I don't need you any more."

The second cleaner knocked on Mary's door.

Is this the one Mary should pick?

She moaned, "There is a lot to clean,

Pay me more and I'll be quick."

Sparky jumped down from the chair,

And followed the cleaner around the house.

She didn't notice Sparky watching her,

Because he was as quiet as a mouse.

She just turned on the hoover,

But didn't push it to and fro.

"It sounds like I am working hard,

To Mary in the room below."

Sparky didn't turn around or "meow,"

Because he wasn't impressed.

This cleaner was very lazy,

She really wasn't the best.