The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat

The Duel

by Eugene Field

The gingham dog and the calico cat
Side by side on the table sat;
‘T was half-past twelve, and (what do you think!)
Nor one nor t’ other had slept a wink!
The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate
Appeared to know as sure as fate
There was going to be a terrible spat.
(I wasn’t there; I simply state
What was told to me by the Chinese plate!)
The gingham dog went “bow-wow-wow!”
And the calico cat replied “mee-ow!”
The air was littered, an hour or so,
With bits of gingham and calico,
While the old Dutch clock in the chimney place
Up with its hands before its face,
For it always dreaded a family row!
(Now mind: I’m only telling you
What the old Dutch clock declares is true!)
The Chinese plate looked very blue,
And wailed, “Oh, dear! what shall we do!”
But the gingham dog and the calico cat
Wallowed this way and tumbled that,
Employing every tooth and claw
In the awfullest way you ever saw –
And, oh! how the gingham and calico flew!
(Don’t fancy I exaggerate –
I got my news from the Chinese plate!)
Next morning, where the two had sat
They found no trace of dog or cat;
And some folks think unto this day
That burglars stole that pair away!
But the truth about the cat and pup
Is this: they ate each other up!
Now what do you really think of that!
(The old Dutch clock it told me so,
And that is how I came to know.)

I believe this beloved children’s poem by Eugene Field holds a vital lesson for adults as well as children. I’m reminded of it when I read about the unrest and accusations of Americans against Americans. It’s great to have differences of opinion and not be all of the same mind like robots, but when it comes to name calling and saying one political party or one particular Christian belief is the enemy is not only ridiculous, it’s dangerous. When internal forces turn against each other, tearing apart cherished ideals and bedrock beliefs, soon there will be nothing left of the Republic that has been the light of the world for nearly three centuries.