The Sneetches and Other Stories

The SNEETCHES

Now, the Star-Belly SneetchesHad bellies with stars. The Plain-Belly SneetchesHad none upon thars. Those stars weren't so big. They were really so smallYou might think such a thing wouldn't matter at all.

But, because they had stars, all the Star-Belly SneetchesWould brag, " We're the best kind of Sneetch on the beaches. " With their snoots in the air, they would sniff and they'd snort" We'll have nothing to do with the Plain-Belly sort! " And whenever they met some, when they were out walking, They'd hike right on past them without even talking. When the Star-Belly children went out to play ball, Could a Plain Belly get in the game. . . ? Not at all. You only could play if your bellies had starsAnd the Plain Belly children had none upon thars.

When the Star-Belly Sneetches had frankfurter roastsOr picnics or parties or marshmallow toasts, They never invited the Plain-Belly Sneetches. They left them out cold, in the dark of the beaches. They kept them away. Never let them come near. And that's how they treated them year after year.

Then ONE day, it seems. . . while the Plain-Belly SneetchesWere moping and doping alone on the beaches, Just sitting there wishing their bellies had stars. . . A stranger zipped up in the strangest of cars! " My friends, " he announced in a voice clear and keen, " My name is Sylvester McMonkey McBean. And I've heard of your troubles. I've heard you're unhappy. But I can fix that. I'm the Fix-it-Up Chappie. I've come here to help you. I have what you need. And my prices are low. And I work at great speed. And my work is one hundred per cent guaranteed! "

Then, quickly, Sylvester McMonkey McBeanPut together a very peculiar machine. And he said, " You want stars like a Star-Belly Sneetch. . . ?My friends, you can have them for three dollars each! " " Just pay me your money and hop right aboard! " So they clambered inside. Then the big machine roaredAnd it klonked. And it bonked. And it jerked. And it berkedAnd it bopped them about. But the thing really worked! When the Plain-Belly Sneetches popped out, they had stars! They actually did. They had stars upon thars!