1

Mother Raccoon would always say
“Never visit the people’s camp during the day.”

But Reckless Raccoon although he was nice
Didn’t always listen to his mom’s advice.

“People,” he thought, “are a funny lot.
I’m clever and quick, I’ll not be caught!”

“People,” he decided, “must be swell.
They do everything but call you with a dinner bell!

All this food left on the table,
I’ll help myself, soon as I’m able!

I’m still too small to scamper up there.
So nice the people have enough to share!”

Reckless grew and grew and grew!
And before summer was through,

He was scampering upon the camp tables.
But most of the campers but away their edibles.

Then late in the summer a camper left their food out.
Reckless smelled it, “my invitation,” he thought, “no doubt!”

2

Forgetting about entering the camp during the day,
Reckless seeing no people decided it must be okay.

Upon the table he tore into a bag of chips.
The salt made him choke and burnt his lips.

Scattering the chips he bit into some bread.
This was tasty. He ate until well fed.

A sudden scream, “look a raccoon!”
Made him run, lunch was over too soon!

“Get him!” Shouted a young voice.
Reckless ran for a tree he had no choice.

Climbing up high he shuddered with fright.
He stayed up there until late in the night.

Until late in the night when the moon was high.
Reckless remembered his mom’s advice and knew why

Raccoons should never enter the camps during the day.
But if people leave food out at night, this is okay.