Random Riddle: Decoding Nursery Rhymes

Decode this nursery rhyme:

A small number of child laborers were attempting to traverse a more elevated position in a vain attempt to procure a quarter of a rundlet of a hydrogen and oxygen compound. Half their number experienced an uncontrollable descent that resulted in severe damage to the pate. And soon it came to pass that the rest of the labor force followed suit, but with far less serious consequences.

 

Random Riddle: Decoding Nursery Rhymes