When cave-wetas roamed the Ark,
As one (or both) would after dark,
Did Noah's wife, as well she might,
Lose beauty-sleep through weta-fright?

And did she bid her husband 'Fling
Overboard the loathsome thing,
Though katipo and Maori-rat
May stay aboard till Ararat'— ?

And thereupon did Noah say,
Since woman needs must have her way,
‘Yes, my dear, I'll toss it out,
Some fish will eat it up no doubt' — ?

So he'd say, but in the night
He'd pop it safely out of sight,
That weta-she and weta-he
Might propagate the family-tree.