Once there was a little boy 

Who could not say it straight

Whenever he was asked a question

His response was bait.

 

“What colour is the sky” his teacher asked him for a test

“It’s red of course” the boy replied 

“Cuz that colour’s the best”

 

He knew of course,  his answers were completely in the wrong

He just liked to confuse people

Their gasps were like a song

 

He did not know what caused it

Or what in earth it did

But whenever he said up was down

He felt free as the wind!

 

But this all changed on the day when 

the carnival came to town.

The boy went through a mirror house

That turned his worldview upside down. 

 

“I look so funny” the others laughed

At their silly reflections 

But opposite boy could not partake,

All was normal by his detection

 

“I don’t get it” opposite boy complained to himself aloud 

“They all seem to laugh so hard, 

but I don’t see what they found”

 

“It’s cuz you’re so contrary” 

Another boy explained

“You cannot see what we all do

Your viewpoint’s too deranged”

 

But opposite boy did not believe him,

scoffed at his reply

He thought his viewpoint fine,

That he saw through normal eyes

 

He exited the carnival 

And did not leave a tip

But when he looked about the town

Everything seemed flipped!

 

The sky was really red that day

And up was really down.

He felt so scared he felt his breath

Escape him like he’d drowned

 

 

“What happened?” Cried out opposite boy 

“Why do I see like this?

Suddenly the world looks backwards,

Something is amiss” 

 

“I see it too my boy” 

A nearby old man reflected 

“I am like you, contrary too

My whole viewpoint’s affected.

 

That blasted house of mirrors works its tricks on you and I 

In a way different from all the rest,

Projecting all our lies.”

 

“What does this mean” opposite boy interrupted with a cry 

“If this continues I don’t know…

I feel as if I’ll die”

 

“Well, you’re still young” the old man said

“There is time for you yet.

If you try your hardest 

Your perspective can reset.

It won’t be easy, my dear lad 

Take this to be true,

But if you see my friend the witch 

Perhaps she can help you” 

 

The boy agreed with the old man, and went to see his friend

In hopes that all her magic 

Would bring his nightmare to an end

 

“You’re too combative” the witch said

When the young boy arrived

“This potion will restore your sight 

To what you just described”

 

The boy drank up the potion

and somehow it really worked!

The sky was blue and up was up!

Opposite boy smirked.

 

“Thank you, ma’am” opposite boy emoted to the witch

“You brought my sight to normal, 

my viewpoint to a switch”

 

“It might have worked today, my boy” the good witch added on

“But if you turn to your old ways, 

the effect will all be gone!” 

 

“I understand” the young boy said 

“I won’t be so contrary.

From now on I will speak the truth, 

debates are too darn scary” 

 

To the witch’s shock and happiness

The boy lived by his word.

He only spoke the truth 

And only argued things absurd.

 

“My vision’s back” opposite boy was thinking one fine day

“My perspective’s as it should be, 

I won’t let go it astray.” 

 

And although the mirrors frightened him beyond what he believed 

He was so thankful for them,

For perspective he achieved.