The Answer

(“Which would you rather do, or go fishin’?” Question Adam asked Cain when the latter was 14 years old.)

“Which would I ruther do or go

     Fishin’?” You want to know?

Just give me time to work it out,

     Because I figger slow.

A question deep an’ broad as this

     Can’t be done in a wink;

Jest sit yer down an’ wait a while,

     An’ let me have a think.

“Which would I ruther do or go

     Fishin’?” Now, let me see;

Can’t figger it exactly same

     Eez one an’ two make three.

Which would I ruther do – gol hang,

     Ef this one ain’t the worst!

I’ve got it! I would ruther shoot

     The one who asked it first!

June 3, ‘10