The Bobby-in-a-mow

Little A's imaginary play mate is 'Bobby-in-a-mow'. The other day I realised Bobby-in-a-mow rhymes with Gruffalo, and well, I just couldn't help myself. So here's my rendition of that wonderful story by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler...

THE BOBBY-IN-A-MOW

Little A climbed the stairs to the kitchen as fast as she could.

Mummy saw Little A and thought she's up to no good.

"Where are you going to, youngest one of the house?

Come back to your bedroom, and pick up Mickey Mouse."

"That's very organised of you, Mummy, but no -

I'm off for elevenses with Bobby-in-a-mow."

"Bobby-in-a-mow? Who's Bobby-in-a-mow?"

"Bobby-in-a-mow! Why, didn't you know?

"He has a frightful perm, and frightful nails,

And frightful fungus on three waggly tails."

"Where are you meeting him?" 

"Here, on the stair,

And his favourite game is pulling mummy's hair."

"Pulling mummy's hair! I'm off" Mummy said.

Bye bye, Little A," and away she sped.

"Silly old Mummy! Doesn't she know,

There's no such thing as Bobby-in-a-mow?"

Little A climbed the stairs to the kitchen as fast as she could.

Daddy saw Little A and thought she's up to no good.

"Where are you going to youngest one of the house?

"Come look what I've found, a slimy grey louse."

That's very inviting of you, Daddy, but no -

I'm off for elevenses with Bobby-in-a-mow."

"Bobby-in-a-mow? Who's Bobby-in-a-mow?"

"Bobby-in-a-mow! Why, didn't you know?

He has a crooked back, and joined-up stumpy toes,

And a massive great bogey dangling off the end of his nose."

"Where are you meeting him?" 

"Up by the fridge,

And his favourite game is scaling Daddy bridge."

"Daddy bridge! I'm off" Daddy said.

Bye bye, Little A," and away he sped.

"Silly old Daddy! Doesn't he know,

There's no such thing as Bobby-

...in-a-mow."

But who is this monster with the frightful nails

And frightful fungus on three waggly tails?

He has a crooked back, and joined-up stumpy toes,

And a massive great bogey dangling off the end of his nose.

"Oh help! Oh no!

It's Bobby-in-a-mow!

"My favourite game! Bobby-in-a-mow said.

"You'll feel ace spinning on my head."

"Ace?" said Little A. "Don't call me ace!

I'm the bossiest creature, now get in place.

Just amble beside me and soon you'll know,

Mummy and Daddy are mere putty and dough."

"Okay," said Bobby-in-a-mow, creasing with glee.

"You start walking, and I'll come and sight see."

They wandered and walked till Bobby-in-a-mow said,

"I hear yawning in the bedroom ahead."

"It's Mummy," said Little A. "Why, Mummy, hello!"

Mummy took one look at Bobby-in-the-mow.

"Goodness me!" she said, "Bye bye, Little A,"

And she picked up her duster and ran away.

"See?" said Little A. "Told you so."

"Outstanding!" said Bobby-in-a-mow.

They wandered some more till Bobby-in-a-mow said,

"I hear water running in the bathroom ahead."

"It's Daddy," said Little A. "Why, Daddy, hello!"

Daddy took one look at Bobby-in-a-mow.

"Heavens above!" he said, "Bye bye, Little A,"  

Hiding behind the door he quivered, "I don't want to play." 

"Well, Bobby-in-a-mow," Little A said. "You see?

Mummy and Daddy fall in line behind me!

But now I'm bored and I need some fun.

My favourite game is - Bobby-in-a-mow ski run!"

"Bobby-in-a-mow ski run!" Bobby-in-a-mow said,

And faster than a cheetah he evaporated instead.

Little A climbed the stairs to the kitchen as fast as she could.

She found the chocolate mousse and it tasted rather good.

And if you liked this, you might also like my versions of Stick Man and We're Going On A Bear Hunt.

News Flash - I entered this piece in a competition hosted by the lovely Mummy Constant to win either a Gruffalo Trunki or Chums set. Anyway, Bobby-in-a-mow scooped the first prize of the Gruffalo Trunki itself which I'm simply over moon about - Trunki's make the perfect toddler travel accessory! Hop over and give Trunki an extra special seasonal 'like' on their Facebook page.