Taken from the German children's book Der Struwwelpeter by Heinrich Hoffmann, and first published in 1845. The book contains ten illustrated and rhymed stories about children. Each story demonstrates, in an exaggerated way, the consequences of misbehaviour.

The subject of the first story provides the title of the whole book. Literally translated, Struwwel-Peter means Slovenly-Peter.

Slovenly Peter

• Just look at him! There he stands,
• With his nasty hair and hands;
• See! His nails are never cut,
• They are grimed as black as soot;
• For many days, perhaps for weeks,
• Water has not touched his cheeks;
• And the sloven, I declare,
• Not once this year has combed his hair;
• Anything to me is sweeter,
• Than to see shocked-headed Peter!