What is a summary of the poem "Matilda" by Hilaire Bellock?

Asummary of "Matilda" is more
quickly done than the fire that burnedMatildas Aunt's house down. Matilda lived with her Aunt,
who was a firmbeliever in truth and, in fact, (unsuccessfully) instructed Matilda intruth from
her youth.

Her Aunt, who, from her Earliest
Youth,
Had kept a Strict Regard for Truth,

Matilda,on the other hand, had a fondness for telling lies, particularly--itwould
seem--the sort that involve practical jokes. One day Matilda, leftalone (and unguarded!) phoned
"London's Noble Fir-Brigade," or firefighters, and told them that her Aunt's house was
burning down.

TheBrigade came to the rescue with water hoses blaring out
water. Theyentered the ballroom and drenched it then turned to drenching thepaintings to
preserve them from burning. Matilda's Aunt had a verydifficult time convincing the fire fighters
that there was no fire tofight, for, you see, Matilda had said there was .... The Aunt
wasfinally successful and convinced them there was no fire and then paidthem--yes, paid them--to
go.

Here comes the part with the moral. Matilda's Aunt went

off to the Theatre
To see that Interesting
Play
The Second Mrs. Tanqueray.

ButMatilda was
obliged to stay at home as punishment for calling out theFire-Brigade and causing the ballroom
to be drenched and the familyheirloom painting to be soaked. It chanced that while the Aunt
wasenjoying The Second Mrs. Tanqueray,a fire did break out at home with
Matilda there alone (I wonder whostarted it?). As she felt the flames grow hotter, no one would
believeher impassioned cries of "Fire! Fire!" as she hollered out the window.They
responded by saying "Little Liar!" This is why the ending of the isthat

therefore when her Aunt returned,
Matilda, and the House,
were Burned.

Toapply the moral of the story--and
summary--do be sure to tell thetruth; avoid lies and pranks, especially those involving
theFire-Brigade; never cry "Fire! unless you mean it; and do not acquire areputation as a
"Little Liar!