Guess Who and What

Making Inferences

(C) 1998, Arden Davidson Text and pictureswww.angelfire.com/md/byme/guesswhat/guesswhat.html and guesswho

Catch Me If You Can

When somebody hits me, a crowd always cheers.I don't understand it,but it brings me to tears.

It thrills people sillyto throw me aroundand make me go bouncingacross the hard ground.

What have I doneto deserve this cruel fate?I've gone from just madto completely irate!

I'm battered by batsjust to make the crowd shout.I am sick of this game-it's not safe, I want out!

WHO AM I?

A Baseball!

                           

Stamp of Approval

I stop by your housealmost every daybut don't ask me in,I've got no time to stay.

I've got places to go,lots of stuff to deliver.Sometimes I'm a takerand sometimes a giver.

I'm not sure what I'm bringing,or what has been sentwhich makes sense, since Iwork for the government.

I love that on Sunday I get to saw logs, But I'd like my job more if there weren't any dogs.

Who Am I?

A Postman!

                                        

Holding It Together

I hang out in a little hole in the wall.I'm sharp but I'm also blunt.And if you drive me home, I promiseI'll stay there as long as you want.

Although you can easily move me around,It's my job to keep things in place.Lots of stuff would fall down if I didn't exist,but luckily, that's not the case.

There are plenty of things you can hang on me,like pictures and clocks and your coat.There are even more things your can build with me,like a house or a chair a boat.

Sometimes I get a pounding headachefrom you hammering away at me.But I don't get mad. If I did you would see - I'd be fighting you tooth and me.

WHAT AM I?

A Nail!

                                   

A Hop, Skip and a Jump

I'll tell you about the career that I chose;it definitely keeps meon my toes.

I've been practicing sincea very young age.Now I travel aroundand perform on the stage.

I'm graceful and pretty,but I'm also real strong.My body is thinand my legs are quite long.

I often wear pinkand love satin and lace.Watch me twirl, flit and flutterall over the place.

Who Am I?

A Ballerina!

                                                

Fitting In

I fit inside your door just rightwherever you reside.But put me in your neighbor's doorand you'll still be outside.

There's just one hole that I fit inmade specially for me.There's just one door, one safe,one skate and one locked diary,

which makes me feel real special.like I am one of a kind.Of course, sometimes folks copy mein case I'm hard to find.

I share a ring with othersof my type; I'm rarely single.But that's okay 'cause when wetouch each other, then we jingle.

WHAT AM I?

A Key!

                                

Hot Shot

A lot of kids thinkthat they want to be me.Danger 's my best friend and my enemy.

When I'm summoned to dutyI'm often alarmed.Still, I help lots of peoplestay safe and unharmed.

I wear a cool hat and a raincoat and boots.Which I'd much rather wearthan some stuffy old suits.

My truck makes loud noiseswhen I drive down the street.It's a lot of fun but I still take lots of heat.

Who Am I?

A Fireman!

                        

The Cold Hard Facts

Sometimes I'm very squareand sometimes I'm very hard.But heat me up and soonI've melted like a tub of lard.

I look excellent in glasses,I look lovely in a tray.And with me inside your cooleryou can picnic all darn day.

When kids fall down in footballI make sure their wounds don't swell.And when someone has a bloody lipI comfort them as well.

You can eat me when I'm solid.You can drink me when I'm not.And although I suffer freezer burn,I'm not what you'd call hot.

WHAT AM I?

An Ice Cube!

                            

Keeping the Beat

I get to wear a uniformand a big badge shining bright.Sometimes I work all dayand sometimes really late at night.

I drive a special carso you will know me anywhere.When kids get lost , I find them - and I take away their scare.

I have a lot of powerto put bad folks behind bars.I nab people when I see themrobbing banks or stealing cars.

I try to watch your neighborhood;make sure that it’s secure.Which helps me hear my favorite words;“Oh, thank you officer!”

Who Am I?

A Police Officer!

                                

Your Pace or Mine

I don't come out of my shell very often'cause it takes me 'bout half the day.And I'll never be thrilled about travelinguntil I find a faster way.

For me, crossing over a speed bumpis like you trekking 'cross the state.And I never can keep an appointment,'cause I'm always 'bout three days late.

If you raced me against a turtle,I'd still have no fair chance of winning.He'd zoom right past the finish linebut I'd still be back at the beginning.

It's a leisurely life, but it has its drawbacks.It's a jungle out there when you're slow.And if I could just run about 20 times faster,there'd be no more escargot.

WHAT AM I?

A Snail!

                                  

It's a Sick World

People often visit mebut usually not by choice.I make them feel more comfortablewhen I use a soothing voice.

I went to school a long, long timeto learn just how to heal.Now I can treat a cold, the flu,the mumps...it's no big deal.

So stick your tongue out at me;let me look inside your nose.I'll check you out all over, from your head down to your toes.

I can tell that you don't like it hereby the way you fuss and squirm.But an apple a day just might keep me away....(unless you bite into a worm!)

Who Am I?

A Doctor!

                    

Fear of Frying

The story of my life is sad,But I'll tell you, if you like.I was born dirt poor in the richest soilin a town called Spudsville Pike.

One day I got snatched away from my homeand then thrown in the back of a truck.My eyes could see life on the road was not easy,so I smiled and wished myself luck.

I knew that I'd be a success in the world,no matter what trials lay ahead.I was told that the world would butter me upBut boy, what a line I'd been fed!

I knew life had taken a turn for the worstwhen I first saw those golden arches.Now my hope for the future is fried just because I amone of your favorite starches!

WHAT AM I?

A Potato!

                      

Live and Learn

I really like apples and numbers and books.I don't like gum chewing,or rude, dirty looks.

I'm crazy about storiesand old dates and places.I can't stand misbehavingor untied shoelaces.

I love to play gamesthat make your brain think.I hate when kids say stuff like"boo!" and "you stink!"

I have 32 kidswho all think I'm the best'til I say those feared words,"Kids, it's time for a test".

Who Am I?

A Teacher!

                           

Power Hungry

Without me and my energy,your radio wouldn't play.Your flashlight would be useless,it could never light the way.

Many of your favorite toyswould sit there like a rock.And you'd never know what time it iswithout me in your clock.

Your tape recorder wouldn't keepa word that you had said.Your parents car would never start(just like when I play dead.)

I don't usually like to gamble, but I would bet big money, that without me there would not have beenan energizer bunny.

WHAT AM I?

A Battery!

                                  

Life is Picking Up!

I get up really earlythen come driving down your street.It's an awfully dirty job,but in a way, it's kind of neat.

After all, I am important.Without me, the world would stink!And believe me, that would not behalf as cool as you might think.

So bring me all your wrappers and youregg shells and your tissues.(I'd rather not get into allthe sanitary issues).

But I'd like to say one thingabout the garbage bags you use-Make sure they're strong orall your trash will fall out on my shoes!

Who Am I?

A Garbage Man!

                   

A Taste of the Good Life

My most admirable quality isI have fantastic taste.That is, until some little kid,decides to dine on paste.

When I'm quiet people always askif a cat's got ahold of me.But that's silly - most cat's have their own...they don't need two or three.

Selling seashells by the seashoreoften makes me rather twisted.But give me a pickled pepperand I simply can't resist it.

When I take a trip to the candy storelife's at its very best.But when I go to the doctor,I always get depressed.

WHAT AM I?

A Tongue!

                           

Early Riser

I’m not close to my neighbors,but I have lots of friends.I take care of them; feed them - my work never ends.

Of course most of my friendsare on four legs, not two.But they give me great presentslike milk, eggs and glue.

Plus I ride a big tractorand grow lots of stuff;like corn, wheat and cotton - My job’s pretty tough.

I get sore, I get tired,but once I’m all healed,I can boast that I’ve beenout-standing in my field.

Who Am I?

A Farmer!

                                

Raised Right

You often see me waving,but not "hi" or "goodbye".You often see me flyingbut I'm not free in the sky.

I have many strange designsbut the one I like the besthas stars and stripes, red, white and blue;much nicer than the rest.

I watch over this great land ofall the brave, the true, the free.There's even a June holidaynamed specially for me.

When people talk to me, theyput their hand over their heart. Then they pledge allegience to me,Boy, Americans are smart!

WHAT AM I?

The American Flag!

                           

Sweet Surrender

When people get marriedthey give me a calland the gift I make for themis usually tall.

But I make many thingsfor all types of folks.All I need's sugar, flour,some milk and egg yolks.

Whether you're just a kidor some rich, famous queenA dozen, to memeans not twelve, but thirteen.

I'm rolling in dough,but I'm not very wealthy.I make marvelous treats,but they're not very healthy.

Who Am I?

A Baker!

                            

It's a Dirty Job

I don't like to make sweeping statements,but dirt is the scum of the earth.I hate it! I hate it! I've hated all dirtsince the moment of my fateful birth.

I try really hard to get rid of it all,from the crumbs to the sand to the litter.Whether inside or ouside, I brush it away;and it makes my heart go patter-pitter.

But most of the time I just stand in the corner,very anxious to fight the good fight.If I had my way, all the dirt in this worldwould just 'poof', disappear overnight!

Of course, then I wouldn't have much to do.I'd be bored as a fellow can get.Unless some old, daredevil witch came alongand used me as her personal jet!

WHAT AM I?

A Broom!

                                        

A Novel Idea

Whatever I imagineI can somehow make turn real.I have no special powers, just some talent and some zeal.

Sometimes I stay up really late and type the night away.(It drives my family crazybut they love me anyway!)

I’m kind of a perfectionist,I edit and amend.Not ‘til every word is just right,have I truly reached “The End”

I bring fantasy to lifewith every page I scrawl upon.And even though the stories end,the words are never gone.

Who Am I?

A Writer!

                                  

The Dating Scene

You can sit me on a deskor you can hang me on a wall.Sometimes I'm big and colorful,sometimes I'm plain and small.

People always want to change me.I get flipped and ripped a lot,just 'cause I keep such good track ofappointments that they've got.

But though my days are numberedmy future's not so bleak. Some things I can count on to never change,like my months and my days of the week.

My popularity has always beena subject of many debatesBecause no matter how good or bad I look,I always have hundreds of dates.

WHAT AM I?

A Calendar!

                            

My Pet Projects

If your puppy isn't feeling well,or your kitty cat has fleas,or your pet monkey got scrapedwhile he was swinging through the trees.

I am the one to come towhen you've got a queasy bunny,or an elephant that's sneezing,or a pig whose nose is runny.

I'm also good for check-ups,and those shots that all pets need.Just bring in any dog or catand I'll tell you their breed.

Last week I helped this strange manwho's giraffe had a sore throat.It wasn't funny, but I gota kick out of his goat!

Who Am I?

A Veterinarian!

                                

I've Been Set Up!

I come in all shapes and sizes,including the smallest; a "pup".But unlike the pup that you keep as a pet,I will never get big or grow up.

Huge versions of me are called "big tops",when I'm housing bears, llamas and clowns.And when I'm a big top I feel like a big shot'cause I'm welcome in all the cool towns.

Most often I'm taken on camping tripsthat's my favorite thing to do.I love the outdoors, even though my whole purposeis to keep the outdoors from you.

I keep out the rain and the skunks and the bugs,while you sing a nice campfire song.Just keep me away from those mean grizzly bears - I'm strong but I'm not that strong.

WHAT AM I?

A Tent!

                                   

Drill Team

I love to ask you questionswhen it's hard to answer me.I don't know why I do that,but I do it constanty.

You come to me when you're in pain,and then, I cause you more.I hate to do it, but to truly heal,you must feel sore.

Your smile is important;it's my job to make it shine.But I warn you - too much sugarmakes your mouth a small gold mine.

You're very brave to visit me,and I hope that you come back.I won't give you a medal,but I'll take away your plaque!

Who Am I?

A Dentist!

                                                                       

Making The Grade

Whenever a teacher announces,that I'll prob'ly be coming real soon,Kids scramble for books, study 'specially hard,Cuz they don't want to look like a goon.

Sometimes when a kid takes me home,I'm displayed proudly up on a shelf.But other kids don't give me credit at all,but I don't give out credit myself.

You have to earn what you get from me,I'm an honest reflection of you.Your teacher writes down some big letters all basedon your work and the answers you knew.

So whether I'm covered with A's or with D's,and whether you've passed or you've failed,Just remember, not bringing me home doesn't work,because hey, I can always be mailed.

WHAT AM I?

A Report Card!

                                           

Getting There

My career is really taking offbut there's more to it than that.For I can take you far awayin 30 minutes flat.

You can sit beside the windowand look at the ants below.From here, the earth looks all the same,no matter where you go.

My future is up in the air.My hopes remain sky high.Most people are beneath me,cuz I'm quite a lofty guy.

Of course, sometimes I have to keepmy feet firm on the ground.Like when I'm home,or when somebody's luggage can't be found.

Who Am I?

A Pilot!

                                          

How many did you guess correctly?