Astronomer story

[davemarc]

I'm not aware of a story about an astronomer not noticing a pit for the
stars, but the story-type is familiar.  In my translated version of the
19th Century German children's book Struwwelpeter there's a verse called
"The Story of Johnny Head-in-Air" (below).  Compared with other kiddies in
the collection, Johnny has a pretty easy time of it.

davemarc


The Story of Johnny Head-in-Air

As he trudged along to school,
It was always Johnny's rule
To be looking at the sky
And the clouds that floated by;
But what just before him lay,
In his way,
Johnny never thought about;
So that every one cried out
"Look at little Johnny there,
Little Johnny Head-In-Air!"

Running just in Johnny's way
Came a little dog one day;
Johnny's eyes were still astray
Up on high,
In the sky;
And he never heard them cry
"Johnny, mind, the dog is nigh!"
Bump!
Dump!
Down they fell, with such a thump,
Dog and Johnny in a lump!

Once, with head as high as ever,
Johnny walked beside the river,
Johnny watched the swallows trying
Which was cleverest at flying.
Oh!  what fun!
Johnny watched the bright round sun
Going in and coming out;
This was all he thought about.
So he strode on, only think!
To the river's very brink,
Where the bank was high and steep,
And the water very deep;
And the fishes, in a row, 
Stared to see him coming so.

One step more!  oh!  sad to tell!
Headlong in poor Johnny fell.
And the fishes, in dismey,
Wagged their tails and swam away.

There lay Johnny on his face,
With his nice red writing-case;
But, as they were passing by,
Two strong men had heard him cry;
And with sticks, these two strong men
Hooked poor Johnny out again.

Oh!  you should have seen him shiver
When they pulled him from the river.  
He was in a sorry plight!
Dripping wet, and such a fright!
Wet all over, everywhere,
Clothes, and arms, and face, and hair:
Johnny never will forget
What it is to be so wet.

And the fishes, one, two, three,
Are come back again, you see;
Up they came the moment after,
To enjoy the fun and laughter.
Each popped out his little head,
And, to tease poor Johnny, said
"Silly little Johnny, look,
You have lost your writing-book!"