One of the most marvellous things afloat,
Is the simply stupendous narrowboat.
Designed to sedately glide along canals,
They are narrow in width to avoid indignant howls,
From boats coming from the opposite direction,
Passing by smoothly, no need for deflection.
They were once, by draught horses pulled,
But that practice has since been annulled.
Now they glide along under their own power,
Mostly used by holiday makers by the hour.
Can you now think of a more restful sojourn,
Aboard one of these narrowboats as propellers churn.

Travelling by canals one must use locks,
(Orderly progress does avoid shocks).
These allow for adjustments in canal heights,
Too many in at once could produce fights.
But generally it is a most tranquil affair,
And certainly easier than climbing a stair.
Some of the bigger locks may end in disaster,
If they did not employ a Lock Master.

Now Gerald Jodpur did hire a narrowboat,
For two weeks they would be happily afloat.
They thought they had packed adequate provisions you see,
Until it came time for afternoon tea.
They searched in the cupboards and quickly saw,
That, in their packing, there had been a flaw.
No tea had been packed, a disaster!
Gerald quickly ran back to the Lock Master,
“There’s a village about a mile ahead”,
“There you’ll find tea it should be said”.
So Gerald returned to the boat, and his wife Polly.
He desperately felt he was off his trolly.
“My dear, would you terribly mind,”
“Going to the next village, I’m in a bit of a bind”.
“I’m not fibbing, honesty only for me”,
“Now remember, when you go to get the tea”,
“There’s only one brand I do desire”,
“That’s ‘Honours’, and I’m not a liar.
Polly asked, “Why this brand Honours now?”
And Gerald bent down to give a bow,
“Because Honour’s Tea is the Best, Polly see!”
Yes, Honesty is the best policy.