Tilly's Trip to the Store

A Rhyming Children's Tale
by Kathleen Hanna



Tilly O'Wiggins, the smallest of piggins,
went to the store one day
for a spool of thread
(As big as her head!)
And a crunchy bale of hay.

Tilly O'Wiggins, the daintiest of piggins'
wore all her finest new clothes
and a white lace hat
(Now, how about that?)
Crowned by a big, red rose.

Tilly O'Wiggins, the vainest of piggins, 
stopped by the makeup bar
to sample the wares 
(Sold by two mares)
Wow! Beauty for sale in a jar!

Tilly O'Wiggins, the irresponsible piggins
spent all her money there
for a new lipstick
(Oh, which color to pick?)
And a jeweled comb for her hair.

Then Tilly O'Wiggins, the painted piggins,
sat down and started to cry
for the money she'd spent
(Oh, where had it went?)
And decided to tell Mama a lie.

Tillie O'Wiggins, the deceitful piggins,
made up a story then
about two outlaw hogs
(Accompanied by dogs!)
Led by a desperado hen.

Tilly O'Wiggins, that stinky little piggins,
told her Mama a tale
About being robbed
(Why, actually mobbed!)
And watched Mama's face go pale.

Then Mama O'Wiggins, the wisest of piggins,
saw Tilly's painted face
and a new hairdo
(Like a giant corkscrew!)
Peeking out from the hat of lace.

"Tilly O'Wiggins, you naughty piggins,"
Mama O'wiggins cried.
"You spent all my cash
(On make up and trash!)
And to top it all off, you have lied!"

Tilly O'Wiggins, the guilty young piggins,
was sent straight up to her bed
to think of her crime
(She had plenty of time!)
For her supper to the chickens was fed.

Tilly O'Wiggins, the repentant piggins,
felt like her conscience was sore
"Next time I'll be good
(As a young piggins should!)
If you'll send me again to the store."

Mama O'Wiggins the kindest of piggins,
forgave her daughter's bad deed
"I'll send you again,
(With a dollar to spent)
"To buy the things we need."

Tilly O'Wiggins, the happiest of piggins
skipped all the way to the store,
ran home with the things
(The hay and the strings!)
And not one item more.



1st Place winner, Mesquite Literary Fest 
(Eastfield College, 1995)

Winner, "Say Goodnight to Illiteracy"
Half Price Books 25th Anniversary
(Proceeds benefit literacy projects)
Published by 
Kelly Press
10 Hitt Street
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
1997
Author retains all rights.