You are looking for the words to an old poem you think it's called Little Joe Tunney It was published in Childcraft book Vol 2 circa 1961 I don't know the author?

Answer 1

It was written by Rebecca McCann.

Here it is-

Little Joe Tunney

By Rebecca McCann

There was a little boy

And his name was Joe Tunney,

He had but one failing:

He tried to be funny.

He made himself noticed

IN all public places

By making load noises

And terrible faces.

One day at the circus

He wouldn't sit down.

He stood up and tried

To perform like a clown.

The clown said, "All right,

If you must jump and sing,

Come out with the show

And perform in the ring."

So out ran young Joe,

Acting foolish and wild,

And everyone watched him

But nobody smiled.

The actors all watched him

The band loudly blared,

In dignified silence

The animals stared.

Thought poor little Joe,

Standing lonely and small,

"Oh, what shall I do?

I'm no funny at all!"

Then the elephant spoke

In the elephant tongue,

"I'll help that boy out -

After all, he's so young."

And he lifted Joe up

With his trunk in the air

And with one mighty sweep

Put him back in his chair.

The people all clapped

And the clowns cheered for Joe,

And he kept very still

For the rest of the show.