The Pacifier

My mother thought up a cunning plan

my brother from his dummy to wean.

One night into the open fire raging

she threw it – no more to be seen.

All gone she said and he nodded his head

and went to bed quite happy.

The following night again by firelight

she read him his bed-time story.

When she had finished she closed the book

and handed it to him for storing.

All gone he said as he threw the tome

into the hungry flames.

Mum said she never did try that trick again.