`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:

All mimsy were the borogoves,

  And the Mom raths outgrabe.

 

"Beware the Zhu Zhu-wock, my child!

  The jaws that bite, the wheels that creak!

Beware the Squiggles-bird, and shun

  The frumious Pipsqueak!"

She took her scissors sharp in hand:

  Long time the manxome foe she sought --

So rested she by the Tumtum tree,

And, as in uffish thought she stare,

The Zhu Zhu-wock, with eyes of flame,

Came whiffling through the tulgey hair,

And burbled as it came! 

 One, two! One, two! And through and

through

  The silver blades went snicker-snack! She

left it dead, and with its head

  She went galumphing back.

"And, has thou slain the Zhu Zhu-wock?

  Come to my arms, my beamish child!

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'

  She chortled in her joy. 

Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

  Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogoves,

  And the Mom raths outgrabe.'

~Lewis Carroll , 1872

An Explanation:

I took my 5 year old daughter, Ina, to the local toy store yesterday to check out this holiday's hottest toy, the Zhu Zhu pet. It is an electronic hamster, of all things, and she wanted one. We made our purchase, a Mr. Squiggles, to be exact, and left the store to travel home. The afternoon was spent with the new "pet", wheeling around the floor, bumping into things and turning around, squeaking joyfully. Ina was delighted. That is, until she held Mr. Squiggles up to her head, I do not know why, and his wheels got caught in her long brown hair. The pain was made known and a frantic look for scissors ensued, which, fortunately we had close at hand. Snip went the hair, not much was lost. A quick rub of the head and sympathies given and Ina was fine and ready to play. I've pondered this and bring my version of the "Jabberwocky" as a cautionary tale to parents of girl's with long hair. :)