He dreaded not dark, nor the lonely road,
For the world, as he knew it, was kind.
Nor threat of the risk, nor necessity's goad
Gave fear to his innocent mind.
He was merely abroad for a country stroll:
And where lay the peril in that?
While themes so engaging delighted his mind
As dinner and Dinty the cat.

Then the summons went out and the search was on:
For the danger was clear to all.
Dread death was abroad where the child had gone,
But he answered to never a call.
He harked to the birds, and he dreamed his dreams,
As deep in the forest he sat;
And his mind went back to those two great themes:
Dinner, and Dinty the cat.

They found him at last with a smile on his face,
As he prattled of important things;
And, in thankfulness for the heavenly grace,
Men gave to their faith wings.
They pondered in fear what might have-been,
And on terrors thro' fear begat,
But he prattled away, in a mood serene,
Of dinner and Dinty the cat.

Dinner and Dinty. How much we lost
When our joy in the simple things waned.
We have learned of evil - at what a cost?
With our wisdom, what have we gained?
For how much weariness wisdom brings
As the world grows dreary and flat,
Since we lost out joy in the innocent things,
Like dinner and Dinty the cat.