The Penguin
The penguin is a splendid fellow
Black and white (sometimes with yellow).
He waddles like a station porter
But is MOST graceful underwater.
He don’t have wings. He do have flippers.
His feet are much like bedroom slippers.
There’s something ‘bout his beak and eyes
That makes most people realise
This bird is great! This bird is swell …
Despite the dreadful fishy smell.
Black and white (sometimes with yellow).
He waddles like a station porter
But is MOST graceful underwater.
He don’t have wings. He do have flippers.
His feet are much like bedroom slippers.
There’s something ‘bout his beak and eyes
That makes most people realise
This bird is great! This bird is swell …
Despite the dreadful fishy smell.
This poem is copyright (©) Philip Ardagh 2026
About the Writer
Philip Ardagh
PHILIP ARDAGH is a Roald-Dahl-Funny-Prize-winning children’s author and poet, whose books have been translated into around 40 languages. These include The Eddie Dickens Trilogy, Grubtown Tales, The Grunts, and Stick & Fetch. High in the Clouds, his collaboration with ex-Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney is currently being made into a film by Gaumont & Netflix.
