SCENE: Outside the cave of a very grouchy hermit. 
CAST: The hermit (H) and a very sweet child (C). 
C: Isn't it a lovely day? H: No, it isn't! 
C: Could you come outside and play? H: No, I couldn't! 
C: Did you ever take a hike? H: No, I didn't! 
C: How'd you like to ride my bike? H: Frankly, I 
wouldn't! 
C: Isn't, couldn't, didn't, wouldn't -- Is that all you 
can say? 
H: Isn't, couldn't, didn't, wouldn't -- Yes, now go 
away! 
The sweetest sound to me, 
It stands for "not," 
I like it a lot, 
It's spelled N apostrophe T. 
C: Have you ever tried to smile? H: No, I haven't! 
C: Won't you try it for a while? H: No, I won't! 
C: Are there games to play in there? H: No, there 
aren't! 
C: Then why d'you like to stay in there? H: Frankly, I 
don't! 
C: Haven't, won't, aren't, don't -- 
Is that all you can say? 
H: Haven't, won't, aren't, don't -- 
And I said, "Go away!" 
Grouches all agree, 
We get a glow 
From saying "NO!" 
With N apostrophe T. 
C: Do you talk to anyone? H: (wistfully) No, I don't. 
C: Come on out and have some fun. H: (hesitantly) No, I 
couldn't. 
C: Can't you even tell me why? H: (apologetically) No, 
I can't. 
C: Will it kill you just to try? H: (wanting to) Well. 
I shouldn't. 
C: Don't, couldn't, can't, shouldn't -- Now try it once 
my way! Do! 
H: Do! 
C: Could! 
H: Could! 
C: Can! 
H: Can! 
C: Should! 
H: Should! 
Hey, that feels okay! 
I'll give it a try And say goodbye To N apostrophe 
C: N apostrophe 
Both: N apostrophe T!