Dr. Hickerup (Part 2 of 3)

The room behind the second door was not to Billy’s liking.
Inside stood a group of beasts with teeth and claws quite frightening.
Some had seven legs at least while others, none at all.
Some were just the size of cats, while others were quite tall.
“Boo!” a furry creature yelled mere inches from Bill’s ear.
“Hiccup! Hiccup!” the young boy cried. So much for using fear.
“I just don’t get it,” said the Doc. “That cure sure works for me.”
“I didn’t like that room a bit.” “That’s why we’ll try Door Three.”

Behind the third door on a stand an odd contraption sat.
It was a brass-like instrument with knobs for sharps and flats.
“This is my own invention- the Flimeyblimahphone.
I’m proud to say (for most, anyway) it cures when it is blown.
No music knowledge needed, just stand and take a breath.
And if we have a dash of luck, there’ll be no hiccups left.”

Billy sauntered toward the horn and filled his lungs with air.
He blew so loudly on it though, it frizzled all his hair.
“My, my,” the doctor then observed, “what powerful lungs you’ve got!
Perhaps the hiccups now are gone?” “HICCUP!” Bill sighed, “They’re not.”

“Now don’t you worry,” said the doc. “And don’t despair, dear child.
I’ve got cure behind door four that’s bound to make you smile.”
Billy nodded, but said nothing, having a sad hunch
That he’d have hiccups forever and he should go home for lunch.
“I’m hungry,” said the sickly boy, “and should be home by noon.”
“Never fear,” the doc said. “Here’s the cure! We’ll be done soon.”

Inside the forth door, what a sight! Four peacocks stood encircled
With feathers gleaming blue and bright and tails of green and purple.
“This cure just takes a minute, and I’ve got my watch right here.
Just stand inside the circle and prepare to laugh to tears!”
Billy stood amid the flock, looked toward the Doc and nodded.
The doctor started his wrist clock as peacocks’ feathers prodded.

They poked, they stroked, they tickled Bill and drove the young lad silly.
He laughed, he cried, he split his sides. They all had fun- but Billy.
At the end of sixty seconds when the feathers finally stopped,
Doctor Hickerup then strode to where the boy had flopped.
“Well, did it work?” the doctor asked. “Have they finally gone away?”
“Perhaps…(HICCUP). Oh, never mind,” was all the child could say.

“I have one final cure, dear boy, when hiccups are their worst.
It’s never failed a patient (though your case may be the first).
Years of ingenuity made this dream come alive.
So come my son, don’t dally now. Let’s go behind Door Five.”