"I'm a very patient clock; Never moved by hope or fear, Though I've stood for many a year; • Tick-tock tick-tock: This is what it says. "I'm a very active clock, "I'm a very truthful clock; Tick-tock tick-tock:' This is what it says. What a talkative old clock! Let us see what it will do When the pointer reaches two; "DING DING! - tick-tock: This is what it does. * 21 * THREE LITTLE CHICKS. THREE little chicks so downy and neat "Ter-wit, ter-weet! Something to eat!" And soon they picked up a straw of wheat. Said one little chick, "That belongs to me!" Said one other little chick, "We'll see, we'll see!' "Ter-wit, ter-weet! It is nice and sweet," Said number three; "let us share the treat!" They pulled and they tugged, the downy things, And oh, how they flapped their baby wings! "Ter-wit, ter-weet! Something to eat! Just please to let go of this bit of wheat!" Fiercer and fiercer the battle grew, Were in a fix, And sorry enough for their naughty tricks: For a saucy crow has watched the fight, From before their eyes, And over the hills and away he flies! * 22 * THE MOTHER-BIRD. “PEEP, peep, peep!" says she; "One, two, three, one, two, three, Little birds who wait for me. "One is yellow, two are brown; And their throats are soft with down: "Mother-bird is flying fast; 66 Peep, peep, peep!" says she; In vain her cry, in vain her quest: *23* FANNIE BENEDICT (In "The Nursery "). IF EVER I SEE If ever I see On bush or tree Young birds in their pretty nest, To grieve their mother's breast. My mother, I know, Would sorrow so, Should I be stolen away: So I'll speak to the birds In my softest words, Nor hurt them in my play. And when they can fly It will make me glad To think they are happy and free. * 24 * KINDNESS TO ANIMALS. I WOULD not hurt a living thing, However weak and small; The beasts that graze,' the birds that sing, Our Father made them all: Without his notice, I have read, * 25 * THE SNAIL. THE Snail he lives in his hard round house, The Snail in his little house doth dwell From week's end to week's end: You're at home, Master Snail; that's all very well, But you never receive a friend. 1 graze, eat grass. * 26 * LITTLE STAR. TWINKLE, twinkle, little star! When the glorious sun is set, In the dark blue sky you keep, As your bright and tiny1 spark * 27 * GOD IS GOOD AND KIND. How very kind is God to me! Are tokens of my Maker's care. 1 ti'ny, little. |