One day when Mom was about to make lunch,
    For relatives coming in quite a big bunch,
She asked me to go buy sliced ham, cheese and bread.
   "Mom, don't make a list.  I'll keep that in my head."
                       ________
  
She said, "Get some chips and twelve cans of root beer,
    And please make it quick for they soon will be here.
There, take ten dollars.  Shouldn't need any more,
    But then, if you do, charge it to me at the store."
                       ________

I said that I would and that we'd be right back,
    As I snatched up my hat and my faithful duck, Quack.
"Why, you can be sure that I'll run all the way,
    Or my name is not Charles Quigley McFay."
                       ________

Now, the bird in my hat that gives it a bend,
    Is really and truly my very best friend.
When I got him I wanted to name him Sir Cluck,
    But Cluck doesn't fit when you're naming a duck.
                       ________

We started to run and soon passed the park,
    Then all of a sudden everything just went dark.
A voice shouted out, "Don't you see the light's red?"
    I said, "I can't see with this duck on my head."
                       ________

I said I was sorry, then ran all the faster.
    We ran past our church and said hi to our pastor.
We said hi to our doctor and to all that we knew,
    And then found that we were coming up to the zoo.
                       ________

Then that bird in my hat just gave a loud squawk!"
    And this in plain duck talk means simply "Stop."
Before I could catch him he flew, hat and all,
    Up into the air and right over the wall.
                       ________

Upon hearing strange squawks and all kinds of chatter,
    I climbed up a tree to see what was the matter.
The branch broke and I fell over....on top of a bunch
    Of hyenas who were just about to have lunch!
                       ________

Grabbing Quack, I exclaimed," Like to visit some more,
    But for now we have to get right to the store."
Throwing hat and Quack back on top of my head,
    Together, once more, down to market we sped.
                       ________

We got there in time as fresh bread was put out,
    And donuts and sweet buns one can't be without.
"We'll soon have Mom's things and be on our way,
    Or my name is not Charles Quigley McFay."
                       ________

Oh, Mom needs so many things.  Where shall we start?"
    And so we continued to fill up the cart.
Quack cleared a path by continually quacking,
    'Til we got through the line and began grocery packing.
                       ________

I gave them the money and smiled my best.
    "Mom's coming tomorrow.  She'll pay you the rest."
So, pulling and pushing we got out to the road,
    And called to a cab to take home our big load.
                       ________

The first one filled up so we called another.
    No problem.  We got home the same time as the other.
"It's lunch time," I shouted.  "I'm ready to go!"
    Mom told me they'd eaten two hours ago.
                       ________

I meekly suggested a mid-afternoon snack,
    And if need be, to the store, I'd be glad to go back.
Dad smiled and said, "Son, you did your best,
    Now lets head for the kitchen and let Mom do the rest.
                       ________

Well, we've learned this one lesson when sent to the store,
    We will do what Mom says and do nothing more,
When Quack and I help Mom on some other day,
    Or my name is not Charles Quigley McFay.