The Lesson is a funny scary poem about a teacher who kills all the students in his classroom. It is based on a poem by Robert Gough that has appeared in a number of school textbooks.
Chaos ruled in the classroom
as the teacher bravely walked in.
The trouble-makers ignored him
and his voice was lost in the din.
“The theme for today is violence
and no homework will be set.
I’m going to teach you all a lesson,
one that you’ll never forget!”
He picked on a boy who was shouting
and throttled him then and there,
then strangled the girl beside him,
the one with long greasy hair.
With a sword in hand, he hacked away
between the chattering rows
“First come, first severed!” he shouted
“Your heads, your limbs and your toes!”
He threw a knife at a latecomer
And it struck with deadly aim.
Then he pulled out a shotgun
And continued his deadly game.
The first blast cleared the back rows
Where the lazy kids hang out.
They collapsed like rubber dinghies
when the plugs have been pulled out.
“Please may I leave the room, sir?”
a trembling student enquired.
“Of course you may,” said the teacher
As he put the gun to his temple and fired.
The Principal peeked in the doorway
to see why a din was being made
He nodded his head in understanding,
Then tossed in a single grenade.
When all the ammunition was spent
And there was blood on every chair,
The teacher’s pet shuffled forward,
holding his hands up high in the air.
The teacher surveyed the carnage
Between the dying and the dead.
He waggled his finger severely.
“Now, let that be a lesson!” he said.
creepy