Writing practice: continue writing The Cat in the Hat in blank verse
And when the cat fell down and lost his crown,
So tumbled after books and ship and cake.
Repotted was the fish who planted seeds
Within the soil of the children’s minds.
“Look at the fruits,” said fish, “this trouble bore!
Contained within its putrid flesh are germs
For growth invasive of far greater scope!
Now weed, I must, if only with bent rake.”
“Transplant yourself!” screamed fish with furrowed brow.
“These children shouldn’t reap what you have sown.”
Boomed fish, a furied tempest in its pot:
“This story must uproot you from this plot!”
[this ends act 3 (with a rhyming couplet) where the danger exposes itself in true form. in act 4, the danger doubles down and tests the protagonists to the breaking point]
The cat fileted the fish with slicing eyes,
While grinning ear to ear to hide his sneer.
“I think you’ve scared the children quite enough
With all this hateful talk of harm and fear.
[i had ‘fear and harm’ then thought what the heck, make it rhyme with sneer]
Is this the thanks I get as my reward
For landing you quite safely in that pot?
Your safety’s been my number one concern
While entertaining these, my two young friends.
No, no, I shall remain and send for help
To overwhelm your hurtful, prideful words
It’s time you learned a lesson not forgot
In hospitality for welcome guests!”
As quickly as the cat then slithered off,
He scurried back beneath a big red box.
“As welcome for inviting me inside,
May I present two gifts of gratitude:
Homunculi: Thing One, Thing Two, come forth!”
And came they did, with outstretched hands forthwith.
[ok whatever, not great]