They kept asking, "Did you tease the pets?"

"Did you take the dog's toy? Catch the cat in the nets?

Did you swipe the bunny's carrot?

Steal the cracker from the parrot?

Did you tie up the snake?

Chase the gerbil with a rake?

Well, go on, answer my son.

What's the matter—cat got your tongue?"

I wanted to speak, to confess, to explain,

But all I could do was nod yes in shame.