After class is time for play.

I walk into the bridge today.

And on this day, I hear a word,

A word that cannot be unheard.

Tribble? I thought. What does it mean?

Is it something I can see?

Is it something I can touch?

I'd like to know so very much!

What kinds of noises does it make?

At night, will it keep me awake?

I need to ask someone who would know.

The question is now, where do I go?

I think maybe I'll ask my dad,

But what if they are something bad?

"Dad, what's a tribble?" I ask

My question made him stop his task

"They're puff balls that keep giving birth

And they're more trouble then they're worth."

I know now that they're furry. At last!

And they make babies pretty fast.

But that isn't enough for me;

I really need to know more, please!

I think next I might ask mom.

I need to call her on my com.

"Tribbles!" She exclaimed. "Why, they're so cute!

They're small, they purr, and they're fuzzy to boot!"

Tribbles purr, just like a cat.

I used to have a cat like that!

I want a tribble, I decide.

If I had a tribble I'd smile wide.

If I had a tribble he'd be my friend

And love me to the very end.

I need to know more about these things

And all the joys that they can bring!

I'd like to ask Commander Spock

Although he doesn't often talk

I'd like to know what he will say

So I walk into the bridge today.

"Mister Spock," I timidly call.

"Do you know anything about tribbles at all?"

"Tribbes," he said. "Yes, I do know

About their kind and how they grow.

Their purring can sooth a full grown man.

They're loving. Why are you asking, Dan?"

"I'd like a tribble, Miser Spock.

They're better than my new pet rock."

A scoff was heard across the room

And I saw a picture of doom and gloom.

"Tribbles," Captain Krik then spat.

"Not on my ship, and that is that."

I had to sigh and walk away.

It seems I would not have a tribble today.

But as I pass the medical bay

It seems the doctor has something to say.

"Dan, the reason you can't have one

Is because one can turn into a ton

And once you have so many of them

It's hard to take care of all of them.

But if you had just one little guy

And didn't feed him, you might get by."

I sigh and frown but nod my head.

I think it's time to go to bed.

I walk the hallways to my room

But still, I feel a little gloom

I raise my hand and open the door

Then what do my eyes behold? Tribbles galore!

There are big ones and small ones and ones that have spots!

There are whites ones and brown ones, my gosh, There are lots!

I call my mom up on her com and tell her what I see.

I hear her gasp and leave her task to come see all this glee.

Next thing I know, every person I know is right inside the hall

And I announce, with a grin so wide, "Hey, guys! Free tribbles for all!"

And there's purring and laughter all over the place

And in the crowd only one glowering face.

McCoy turns to Kirk, whose face is all malt

And says with a smile, "Yes, it is all my fault."