Ourchestra
The speaker describes a situation during which imagination and creativity are used to manifest a lively orchestra. Instead of playing with actual musical instruments, the speaker and his/her assumed band-mates play music with their body parts. So, they substitute a drum with one's belly, a horn with one's nose, and cymbals with one's hands. The speaker mentions the possibility of professional orchestras sounding better with fancy, shiny instruments. Yet he/she doesn't become overwhelmed with jealousy and resentment. Without spending a penny, the speaker confidently believes his/her orchestra plays music twice as good using instruments they already have.
Smart
The speaker describes a situation involving a child demonstrating his/her intelligence in a humorous fashion. The child receives a one dollar bill from his/her father and swaps it for "two shiny quarters." This is the beginning of a series of swaps that leave the child with considerably less money. The humor resides in the fact that the child thinks increasing the amount of coins in possession means the numerical value of his/her money increases. For example, the child trades the two quarters for three dimes, three dimes for four nickels, and four nickels for five pennies. His/her dad learns about the swaps, responding with reddened cheeks and a look of disapproval. Yet the child mistakes his demeanor for pride in his smartness.
Sick
The speaker describes a situation involving a young girl named Peggy Ann McKay who doesn't want to go to school because she's sick. At least, she claims she's sick, with all sorts of health problems. For example, she says "I have the measles and the mumps, a gash, a rash, and purple bumps . . . ." This is only the beginning of a long list of health problems she allegedly faces, with some being quite comical (e.g. "My brain is shrunk . . . I have a hangnail"). Yet by the end of the poem, Peggy learns that she doesn't have to go to school because it's a Saturday. She becomes so excited with the news that she leaves to play outside, in good health.
