James Whitcomb Riley

1849-1916. An American writer, James Whitcomb Riley was known as the "Children's Poet" for his light-hearted (and often sentimental) verse.

The Nine Little Goblins

They all climbed up on a high board fence—

Nine little Goblins, with green-glass eyes—

Nine little Goblins that had no sense,

And couldn't tell coppers from cold mince pies;

And they all climbed up on the fence, and sat—

And I asked them what they were staring at.