I keep six honest serving-men

(They taught me all I knew);



Their names are What and Why and When

And How and Where and Who.



I send them over land and sea,

I send them east and west;



But after they have worked for me,

I give them all a rest.







I let them rest from nine till five,

For I am busy then,



As well as breakfast, lunch, and tea,

For they are hungry men.



But different folk have different views.

I know a person small-



She keeps ten million serving-men,

Who get no rest at all!



She sends'em abroad on her own affairs,



From the second she opens her eyes-

One million Hows, two million Wheres,



And seven million Whys!











From The Elephant's Child