Keep Your Mouth Closed, Dear

Keep Your Mouth Closed, Dear
by Aliki/ published 1966 by The Dial Press

Originally a library checkout, reading about Charles tickles me every time. The story of an alligator who because he can't keep his mouth shut, inadvertently swallows everything in his path and becomes more and more bloated with house hold goods.

But things grew worse. After the wooden spoon, Charles swallowed a sponge and Father's hat. And then he swallowed a can of baby powder. This caused a problem, for every time he coughed, Mother had to turn on the kitchen fan to clear the air.

The climax comes when he accidentally swallows the vacuum cleaner hose and the whole lot is expelled. I'm not sure what the moral of this story is. (Liposuction?) But it is good fun all the same.

Also by:
Oh Lord I Wish I Was a Buzzard
This is the House Where Jack Lives
That's Good, That's Bad