Fidgety Phil - Karl Kaps (1908)

"Fidgety Phil"

Cinch 5004

Royal Guards Band

1908

The title comes from a once-famous German book for kids.

"The Story of Fidgety Philip" is a poem from the collection titled "STRUWWELPETER: MERRY STORIES AND FUNNY PICTURES" by Heinrich Hoffman.

This poem tells of a disrespectful child lacking in table manners. An American equivaent might be Dennis the Menace. Or think of Calvin (of Calvin and Hobbes).

With no regard for others, he swings on his chair until the expected happens.

His chair tips backwards, and he falls.

The thoughtless child grabs the tablecloth and drags it, so everything on the table lands on the floor with him.

Father and mother are left without supper since the food covers Philip on the ground.

The Story of Fidgety Philip by Heinrich Hoffman (Steuwelpeter)

"Let me see if Philip can
Be a little gentleman;
Let me see if he is able
To sit still for once at table":
Thus Papa bade Phil behave;
And Mamma looked very grave.
But fidgety Phil,
He won't sit still;
He wriggles,
And giggles,
And then, I declare,
Swings backwards and forwards,
And tilts up his chair,
Just like any rocking horse--
"Philip! I am getting cross!"

See the naughty, restless child
Growing still more rude and wild,
Till his chair falls over quite.
Philip screams with all his might,
Catches at the cloth, but then
That makes matters worse again.
Down upon the ground they fall,
Glasses, plates, knives, forks, and all.

How Mamma did fret and frown,
When she saw them tumbling down!
And Papa made such a face!
Philip is in sad disgrace.

Where is Philip, where is he?
Fairly covered up you see!
Cloth and all are lying on him;
He has pulled down all upon him.
What a terrible to-do!
Dishes, glasses, snapt in two!
Here a knife, and there a fork!
Philip, this is cruel work.
Table all so bare, and ah!
Poor Papa, and poor Mamma
Look quite cross, and wonder how
They shall have their dinner now.