Written Between Classes (A Bit of Nonsense for the Day)

Joe Schmo has a dodo.
His dodo performs boat shows.
What a blow to Joe Schmo,
If his dodo (who does boat shows)
Should fall in the snow
And get ice up its nose

A Request

Do any of you my wise and diverse readers have any ideas for readings, several paragraphs, no more than two pages, I could assign to my students. They are adults and have a good grasp on English and I think readings would be a helpful addition.
Here are the boundaries:

Appropriate (not that I am really worried that any of you would suggest what is not.)
Accessible on-line. So I can either copy, paste, print or give the web address.
Not overly difficult. But still challenging is fine.

Aside from these the whole world is yours. I would like to hear your ideas.