Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories Part 19

"Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one s.h.i.+lling Your ring?" Said the Piggy, "I will."

So they took it away, and were married next day By the turkey who lives on the hill.

They dined on mince and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon; And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon, The moon, The moon, They danced by the light of the moon.

EDWARD LEAR

KINDNESS TO ANIMALS

Little children, never give Pain to things that feel and live: Let the gentle robin come For the crumbs you save at home,-- As his meat you throw along He'll repay you with a song; Never hurt the timid hare Peeping from her green gra.s.s lair, Let her come and sport and play On the lawn at close of day; The little lark goes soaring high To the bright windows of the sky, Singing as if 'twere always spring, And fluttering on an untired wing,-- Oh! let him sing his happy song, Nor do these gentle creatures wrong.

UNKNOWN

HOW DOTH THE LITTLE BUSY BEE

How doth the little busy bee Improve each s.h.i.+ning hour, And gather honey all the day From every opening flow'r!

How skilfully she builds her cell!

How neat she spreads the wax!

And labors hard to store it well With the sweet food she makes.

In works of labor or of skill, I would be busy too; For Satan finds some mischief still For idle hands to do.

In books, or work, or healthful play, Let my first years be past, That I may give for ev'ry day Some good account at last.

ISAAC WATTS

SUPPOSE!

Suppose, my little lady, Your doll should break her head, Could you make it whole by crying Till your eyes and nose are red?

And wouldn't it be pleasanter To treat it as a joke, And say you're glad 'twas Dolly's, And not your head that broke?

Suppose you're dressed for walking, And the rain comes pouring down, Will it clear off any sooner Because you scold and frown?

And wouldn't it be nicer For you to smile than pout, And so make suns.h.i.+ne in the house When there is none without?

Suppose your task, my little man, Is very hard to get, Will it make it any easier For you to sit and fret?

And wouldn't it be wiser Than waiting, like a dunce, To go to work in earnest And learn the thing at once?

Suppose that some boys have a horse, And some a coach and pair, Will it tire you less while walking To say, "It is n't fair?"

And would n't it be n.o.bler To keep your temper sweet, And in your heart be thankful You can walk upon your feet?

And suppose the world don't please you, Nor the way some people do, Do you think the whole creation Will be altered just for you?

And isn't it, my boy or girl, The wisest, bravest plan, Whatever comes, or does n't come, To do the best you can?

PHOEBE CARY

TWINKLE, TWINKLE

Twinkle, twinkle, little star; How I wonder what you are!

Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky.

When the glorious sun is set, When the gra.s.s with dew is wet, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing s.h.i.+nes upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

In the dark-blue sky you keep, And often through my curtains peep; For you never shut your eye Till the sun is in the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark Lights the traveler in the dark, Though I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star!

ANONYMOUS

PRETTY COW

Thank you, pretty cow, that made Pleasant milk to soak my bread, Every day and every night, Warm, and fresh, and sweet, and white

Do not chew the hemlock rank, Growing on the weedy bank; But the yellow cowslips eat, That will make it very sweet.

Where the purple violet grows, Where the bubbling water flows, Where the gra.s.s is fresh and fine, Pretty cow, go there and dine.

JANE TAYLOR