■'-J»*:S»B|»gS<^- 
 
 Fables in Verse 
 
 BY 
 
 U" 
 
 % MARTHA P. THOMPSON 
 
FABLES 
 
 IN 
 
 V. 
 
 VERSE 
 
 BY 
 
 / 
 
 MARTHA F. THOMPSON 
 
 33 
 
 COPYRIGHTED 1888, 
 
 BY 
 
 <! MARTHA F. THOMPSON, D>o 
 
 HAVERHILL. MASS. 
 

 Press of Chase Brothers, Haverhill. 
 
Kitty Grey. 
 
 Within a barn one warm spring da}, 
 Three little kittens snugly lay; 
 And near them was the mother cat 
 Watchinof to tind a mouse or rat. 
 At last a rat, though ver}- sly 
 Had quickly caught good pussey's eye; 
 With eager haste the rat she caught, 
 Which to the kittens soon she brought. 
 Now selfish little Kitty Gray 
 Pounced on the rat and ran away, 
 Thinking she'd have it for her own. 
 And then would eat it all alone. 
 The others cried, but cried in vain, 
 The}^ could not get the rat again. 
 Their mother called them to her side, 
 And looked on them with joy and pride; 
 She washed their fur so soft and fine. 
 And made them both in beauty shine. 
 And soon a farmer's boy quite near; 
 The little kittens chanced to hear; 
 
KITTV GREY. 
 
 He brought to them some nice warm milk. 
 Then stroked their fur as soft as silk. 
 But Kitt}- Grey; she could not eat 
 The rat she thought was such a treat; 
 So back unto her mother came, 
 I guess she hung her head in shame. 
 The milk was gone; the}' did not stop 
 To leave for her a single drop. 
 So learn by this: and always try, 
 ''To do as you would be done by", 
 And then your friends will have a care. 
 Always to save for you a share. 
 
 The Naughty Lamb. 
 
 Dear little children: here I am 
 
 Again with you to-day, 
 I hope your ears are open wide, 
 
 To hear w^hat I shall say. 
 
 ril tell you of old Curly Backy 
 Now pray who could she be? 
 
 The nicest, prettiest, woolliest sheep. 
 That ever you did see. 
 
 She had two lovely little lambs 
 
 The prettiest in the town. 
 And one was as white as drifted snow. 
 
 The other one was brown. 
 
THE NAUC9HTV LAMH. 
 
 Now Sii07v flake was the white one's name. 
 
 She'd with her mother stay ; 
 Rut Brownie was a naught}- one 
 
 And alwa}'s ran away. 
 
 And so their mother talked to them. 
 
 As only sheep ean talk; 
 And told them the>- must stay by her. 
 
 When they went out to walk. 
 
 But little Brownie did not mind, 
 
 He quickly jumped the wall ; 
 And scarcely seemed to touch a stone. 
 
 He was so very small. 
 
 He trotted on with eager haste, 
 
 Until a dog came near. 
 And when it saw the little lamb ; 
 
 It caught him by the ear; 
 
 And pulled him 'round, and bit him hard, 
 
 Until he loudly cried; 
 Just then a good boy came along. 
 
 Or he would soon have died. 
 
 He took it up and brought it back 
 
 Unto its mother there; 
 And that good mother watched o'er it 
 
 With very tender care. 
 
 Now after that it staid at home, 
 
 And never ran away; 
 So thus you see 'tis always best, 
 
 Your mothers to obey. 
 
6 HARRY AND THE RABBITS. 
 
 Harry and the Rabbits. 
 
 "Come HaiTV, my boy," said the father with me, 
 
 "Fve brought you a present that you'll like to see. 
 
 'Tis four little rabbits, as white as the snow, 
 
 You never did see such beauties I know; 
 
 Their names I must tell you so you'll not forget 
 
 Are Daisy and Lily and Rosie and Pet. 
 
 Just see their long ears: and only to think. 
 
 They are white on the outside, and all lined with pink. 
 
 And their eyes are so bright, when they whisk 'round 
 
 so spry, 
 That sometimes they seem like the stars in the sky." 
 Then he made them a house as nice as could be, 
 And painted it red; near a large apple tree, 
 Harry fed them with grass and clover each day 
 And made them a bed of very soft hay. 
 Thus the}' grew very fast with Harry's kind care. 
 I wish my dear children; you could have been there. 
 But try to-be good, and your parents obey 
 And perhaps they will bring you a present some day. 
 
 The Icicle. 
 
 Lonely and still, an icicle small 
 
 Hung in the shade of a pasture wall ; 
 
 Many a one had melted away 
 
 By the warmth of the sun from day to day 
 
THE ICICLE. 
 
 Why was it left so lonch' to see? 
 
 Of what use in life eould that ieiele be? 
 
 Soon a stray sunbeam glancing- that way 
 
 Said, "There is work for you to-day, 
 
 Follow me closely and vou shall see 
 
 Of what use in life you yet can be." 
 
 So drop by drop it there fell down 
 
 On the cold, damp earth that looked so brown. 
 
 Beneath the ground, there hid from yiew 
 
 Was a root enfolding flowers of blue; 
 
 Drop b^' drop it fell on the ground 
 
 'Til the \iolet root it quickly found; 
 
 Then it nourished the root, and leayes sprang to light; 
 
 Decking^ the earth with yerclure brioht; 
 
 While flowers of beauty rich and rare 
 
 Exhaled their fragrance on the air. 
 
 It had found its work: and it was done 
 
 By the aid of the shining noon-day sun. 
 
 Then remember, 'though humble and out of sight 
 
 A Father's loye can bring you to light. 
 
 The Bird's Nest. 
 
 Now little friends, I'll tell to you 
 
 This pretty story that is true. 
 
 Within a field, not far away 
 
 I walked alone one summer's da}'; 
 
 Beneath a little bush I found 
 
 A bird's nest made upon the ground; 
 
 'Twas formed of sticks, and moss and hair. 
 
THE BIRD S NEST. 
 
 All laid around with nicest care: 
 And lined with feathers soft and warm, 
 To shield it from each coming storm. 
 Four little eggs that to my eye, 
 Seemed bright as the blue summer sky. 
 Beneath the mother's soft, warm breast 
 Were snugly hing in the nest. 
 I went again: to my surprise 
 Four little birds there met my e}es; 
 Their 3'ellow mouths were open wide. 
 And "chip, chip, chip," they loudly cried. 
 The mother came: an insect brought 
 Which she by patient toil had caught; 
 And flies and worms, each day with care. 
 She brought to feed her brood so fair. 
 Their legs grew long, their wings grew wide. 
 They filled the nest on eyery side. 
 And so the mother said one da}', 
 " 'Tis time for you to fly away." 
 And then she called them out, to try 
 Their little wings, and learn to fly. 
 And so they did as good birds should, 
 You see, the yery best they could ; 
 And though they were not yery strong. 
 She taught each one to sing its song, 
 Just as your mother had you talk. 
 And trained your little feet to walk. 
 Thus, little children, you will find 
 'Tis always best your friends to mind. 
 
THE WALK IN THE GARDEN. C) 
 
 The Walk In The Garden. 
 
 Two good little children, called Charlie and May 
 
 Were walking about in the garden one da}'; 
 
 It was planted around with flowers so bright, 
 
 It gave to these children the greatest delight. 
 
 There were roses deep red, and lilies Vm told, 
 
 And buttercups also, as yellow as gold; 
 
 With pinks and white daisies that all seemed so sweet, 
 
 To walk in that garden was reall}' a treat. 
 
 At last Charlie saw on looking around, 
 
 One plant had been eaten and lay on the ground. 
 
 He looked very close as in haste he drew near. 
 
 And a ver}^ small worm on the stalk did appear. 
 
 It cannot be that, and with eyes open wide, 
 
 A homely brown toad in a corner he spied; 
 
 To his father he ran like a dutiful son. 
 
 To tell of the mischief the toad there had done; 
 
 But the father then said, "'twas the worm, my good boy,"" 
 
 The toad that vou saw came the worm to destroy.'"' 
 
 So don't judge by looks, for oft in the end 
 
 The one that seems worthless may prove your best friend. 
 
 The Squirrel and the Acorn. 
 
 Deep in the woods one autumn day, 
 A little brown acorn in silence lay; 
 Though none for the acorn seemed to care, 
 Our Heavenly Father saw it there, 
 
rO • THE SQUIRREL AND THE ACORN. 
 
 And sent a gust of wind that way 
 
 To cover it o'er with earth that day; 
 
 There it lay in the cold, damp ground, 
 
 'Til spring with its sunshine and rain came 'round. 
 
 And then it sprouted, and grew to be 
 
 In the woodland wild a small oak tree. 
 
 Years went by; and beneath its shade, 
 
 Full many a child in joy had played, 
 
 And many an acorn there was found 
 
 That fell from its limbs to the woodland ground. 
 
 Good mother squirrel with eyes opened'wide, 
 
 The little brown acorns joyfully spied; 
 
 Then she worked very hard all alone by herself. 
 
 And carried them home to her nice cupboard shelf; 
 
 And what do you think her cupboard could be — 
 
 But a very large hole in an old apple tree. 
 
 And there she had worked with all of her might. 
 
 And packed it so full, and packed it so tight, 
 
 That when winter came with its snow and its sleet. 
 
 Her nice little squirrels had plent}' to eat. 
 
 When spring came again they sat on the wall. 
 
 Good mother squirrel, babies and all ; 
 
 And they were as round and plump as could be. 
 
 All fed from the acorns that fell from that tree. 
 
 Their coats were all striped, and their eyes were so 
 
 bright. 
 Oh ! could you have seen you'd have laughed with delight. 
 Then learn from the acorn, that though you are small 
 Your Father in Heaven is watching you all. 
 
THE FROG AND THE CROW. II 
 
 The Frog and the Crow. 
 
 One pleasant spring cUi}-, in a muddy old bog. 
 
 On a bunch of damp ferns, sat a clever green frog; 
 
 Croaking aloud, in the bright morning sun, 
 
 Thinking, perhaps, of some work he had done. 
 
 Just then a crow that was hastening b}'. 
 
 Cawing aloud, the frog did espy; 
 
 "Pray Mr. Frog how mean you appear; 
 
 Do tell me now, what youVe doing here? 
 
 Please look at me; I am dressed up so fine 
 
 In my glossy black suit, just see how I shine. 
 
 Fd not be contented in life here to jog; 
 
 But then, my good sir, you are only a frog." 
 
 ^'True I am a frog; but Fd have you to know, 
 
 A frog, my good sir, is not mean as a crow. 
 
 You get your living you well know by pelf. 
 
 While I am contented to work for myself 
 
 When the good farmer has planted his corn, 
 
 Toiling away in the early spring morn. 
 
 You are the first that there can be found, 
 
 Pulling it up from out of the ground. 
 
 Then in the tall when his hard work is done, 
 
 And brightly the ears shine out in the sun. 
 
 We may be sure that you're always near, 
 
 To pick out the best from every large ear. 
 
 Thus you can see, though Fm not so well dressed. 
 
 Honesty, sir, is always the best. 
 
12 THE CHII.D S FAITH. 
 
 For Fve plenty of friends that are honest and true, 
 
 Who can give me advice far better than you; 
 
 And when you wish to talk, 30U saucy old elt, 
 
 Why just turn around and talk to yourself." 
 
 The crow there had heard every word the frog said. 
 
 And soon tiew away as he hung down his head; 
 
 He knew it was true, and he felt the disgrace. 
 
 And never once dared look the frog in the face. 
 
 So learn from this fable it never is best 
 
 To judge one in life from the way he is dressed. 
 
 The Child's Faith. 
 
 "Some clouds have silver linings," 
 
 I think I heard you say, 
 But oh! I cannot see them 
 
 They are so far away. 
 
 But then my little sister, 
 
 Oh ! she would know so well, 
 
 'Twould make me very happy 
 If she'd come back and tell. 
 
 I think ril love God better; 
 
 And then I know that He 
 Will let my little sister 
 
 Come back aoain to me. 
 
THE CHILD S FAITH. I 3 
 
 ril tell Him how we lo^ ed her. 
 
 That I miss her at my play; 
 And we were all so happy 
 
 Before she went away. 
 
 Then of the little prayers she said 
 
 As she knelt with me at night. 
 Beside our little trundle bed, 
 
 In her night dress pure and white. 
 
 Oh ! mother you were happy then 
 
 And neyer shed a tear; 
 And then I know, God is so good. 
 
 He'll send her to us here. 
 
 For he has so many angels, 
 
 That he guards with loying care, 
 I know quite well, dear mother. 
 
 My sister He will spare. 
 
 And if she does not come to us 
 
 ril go to her some day; 
 But do not cry, dear mother. 
 
 For 3'ou see I should not stay. 
 
 Then the mother bowed in silence. 
 
 While her tearful eyes grew dim ; 
 As she said, "whom God calls to that Home 
 
 Must always stay with Him."'"' 
 
14 LITTLE Mabel's walk. 
 
 Little Mabel's Walk. 
 
 Dear mother, I have been to walk 
 
 Among the pretty flowers. 
 And picked these nice ones here for you, 
 
 From out the garden bowers. 
 
 You'll find here roses white and red, 
 With pinks and violets too^ 
 
 And as they were so very sweet, 
 I gathered them for you. 
 
 I saw a golden butterfl}', 
 
 With spots of brown and red. 
 
 It swiftly flew from flower to flower 
 Upon each garden bed. 
 
 And then the birds sang sweetly there. 
 
 Upon each leafy tree; 
 I know that they must all have been 
 
 As happy as could be. 
 
 And oh! I saw the tiniest bird. 
 
 Its bill was sharp and fine; 
 Its feathers were so glossy too. 
 
 And in the sun did shine. 
 
 It was a little humming bird. 
 
 That's what papa did say, 
 And that it got the honey drops 
 
 From out the flowers each dav. 
 
LITTLE MABEL S WALK. 1 5 
 
 Yes! all are beautiful m>' child; 
 
 It shows a Father's care; 
 And all the goodness he bestows 
 
 Around us everywhere. 
 
 And now this lesson you must learn: 
 
 That }ou must always try 
 To "do in life, by every one 
 
 As you would be done b}."" 
 
 I know a little girl that's sick; 
 
 We'll visit her to-day, 
 And take with us some fruit and flowers, 
 
 To cheer her on life's way. 
 
 She has no loving father here. 
 
 For as you know he's dead; 
 There's no one but her mother now. 
 
 To earn their daily bread. 
 
 Oh! I shall be much pleased to go; 
 
 Dear mother, you're so kind, 
 I'll pick the choicest fruit and flowers 
 
 For her that I can And. 
 
 Then little Mabel started oft". 
 
 With light and happy heart; 
 She knew full well 'twas always best. 
 
 To act a generous part. 
 
l6 THE grasshopper's FEAST. 
 
 The Grasshopper's Feast. 
 
 Good Mrs. Grasshopper said one day, 
 "Some friends I should Hke to invite 
 
 To visit me here, in this shady retreat 
 In the grass, some pleasant nig-ht. 
 
 Now there's Mrs. Butterfly surely must eome, 
 She's a friend that I always held dear; 
 
 And herself she arrays in such elegant robes, 
 That all in the grove she will cheer. 
 
 Then my friend Mrs. Miller I must not forget; 
 
 She who always dresses in grey. 
 And lives, I think, in the heart of a flower. 
 
 That blossoms just over the way. 
 
 And Dear Mrs. Lady Bug I will invite; 
 
 It is true she is quiet and still, 
 But will trv to make every one happy and glad — 
 
 She lives at the foot of the hill. 
 
 Oh! there's Mrs. Ant: I will not pass her b}-. 
 For although she is not so well dressed. 
 
 Her example to others I'm sure will be good; 
 As a friend she is one of the best. 
 
 Well! there's Mr. Cricket. I know he will come. 
 For his labor I'm sure will be through. 
 
 As he always starts oft^ so hopeful and spry 
 When he has anv business-to do. 
 
THE GRASSHOPPERS FEAST. 17 
 
 Next comes Mr. Long-legs, I never can tell 
 
 In what place his home may be found; 
 But still when vou least think of looking for him, 
 
 He is sure to come striding around. 
 
 Dear me! Mr. Hornet: I hate to ask him, 
 
 For I know he is not very kind; 
 But keep him from anger and he'll appear well, 
 
 And his ways we will try not to mind. 
 
 Then good Mistress Honey Bee, sweetest of all 
 
 Who labors so hard every day; 
 I am sure she'll be glad to join us at night, 
 
 When her honey is all stored away. 
 
 Next comes Madam Spider, who lives in the fence; 
 
 Her web she has hung very high, 
 Where she watches out sharply from morning till night. 
 
 To capture each poor trusting fly. 
 
 The sparkling Miss Glowworm will add very much 
 
 To the joy of the friends on that night; 
 Because as you know, when she's flitting around, 
 
 The rays from her lamp are so bright. 
 
 But there's one I am sure I will not invite. 
 
 For he is not honest I know, 
 As he eats the potatoes the good farmers plant 
 
 Before they have had time to grow. 
 
l8 THE GRASSHOPPER S FEAST. 
 
 The}' call him a beetle or something like that, 
 And 'tis not that I care for the name ; 
 
 But should I invite one who does so much wrong. 
 All my friends would think me to blame. 
 
 Then all of them went to the grasshopper's feast, 
 
 Well knowing it would not be right. 
 As she was so very attentive to them, 
 
 Her kind invitation to slight. 
 
 With music and dancing the night passed away; 
 
 The cricket chirped loudly I'm told, 
 And the others joined with him to add to the mirth, 
 
 Without seeming forward or bold. 
 
 The butterfly fed from the dew on the grass. 
 
 The bee from the honev it found. 
 While the good little ant was contented to eat 
 
 A small o-rain of wheat from the m-ound. 
 
 &' 
 
 Now learn from these insects wherever 3'ou go 
 
 To always be friendly and true ; 
 Then your good little friends when a part}- they make, 
 
 I am quite sure will not forget you. 
 
THE FAIRY VISION. 1 9 
 
 The Fairy Vision. 
 
 I was seated one day in a deep forest shade, 
 
 'Twas a fair, lonely nook by nature arrayed, 
 
 That seemed by its beauty and the light winds that fanned 
 
 The leaves and the flowers like some fairy land. 
 
 Soon the wind that so lightly was waving the trees, 
 Brought a vision before me from out the fair breeze, 
 For I there saw a fair}' band gail}' arrayed 
 Awaiting a feast in the deep forest shade. 
 
 While the queen of the fairies, who stood at their head. 
 Was viewing with pride a table well spread; 
 And their table Pm sure you would all like to see. 
 Though only the stump of a large forest tree. 
 
 Bedecked with bright mosses, so varied and fair. 
 You'd have thougfht the choice work of an artist was 
 
 there, 
 For there were the daintiest o^oblets, well filled 
 With the choicest of nectar by nature distilled. 
 
 Now what were those goblets? methinks you'd exclaim 
 In the deep forest shade that the fairies could claim? 
 They were only bright lichens that there sprang to \iew 
 And were tilled to the brim with the clear, sparkling dew. 
 
 While the dishes the fairy band viewed with such pride 
 Were only the cups the brown acorns supplied; 
 And the seats for their guests, that were nice as could be, 
 Were all packed away beneath a large tree. 
 
20 THE FAIRY VrSTON. 
 
 But what could those seats be? I have not yet told: 
 They were brown, red and yellow, and sprang from the 
 
 mold ; 
 They were toadstools, dear children, that grew in the 
 
 night, 
 And were lined with rare crimping of brown, pink and 
 
 white. 
 
 Had you seen them Fni sure, as they lay on the ground. 
 You'd have thought that small cushions of velvet you'd 
 
 found; 
 But soon in the distance sweet sounds I could hear. 
 Like a band of choice music it seemed drawing near. 
 
 A drum I could hear, for I knew the Mad sound. 
 In the depth of the forest, that echoed around; 
 While so varied the music that fell on my ear, 
 Enraptured I listened: those sweet sounds to hear. 
 
 But quickly I started and turned with surprise. 
 For the sun's golden ra3s shone full in my eyes. 
 Yes, I had been dreaming: while seated alone 
 I had fallen asleep on a moss covered stone. 
 
 And the band of rare music proved only to be 
 The songs of the wild birds, so happy and free. 
 While the drum that I heard so loud and so shrill. 
 Was onlv the tap of the woodpecker's bill. 
 
SOAP BUBBLES. 21 
 
 And the fairy band there that soon met my eyes. 
 Seemed quickly to turn to gay butterflies. 
 
 And now, my dear children, should you come this way, 
 Hand in hand in the woodland together we'll stray 
 And view all the wonders which there we can find, 
 That are formed b^• our Father, so wise and so kind. 
 
 Soap Bubbles. 
 
 They were seated on the doorstep. 
 Three children glad and gay. 
 
 With bright and happy faces. 
 All ready for their play. 
 
 While May, the eldest of the three, 
 Had planned with nicest care 
 
 A pleasure for that happy hour. 
 That all alike could share. 
 
 And Frank and Daisy looked to see 
 With wonder and surprise. 
 
 The fair and radiant bubbles, 
 That ofrew before their eyes. 
 
22 SOAP BURBLES. 
 
 For May by skilful blowing, 
 The bubbles brought to view. 
 
 Which gilded by the morning sun 
 Took on the rainbow hue. 
 
 And little Daisy looking. 
 
 Exclaimed with childish call, 
 
 '"Oh! give to me dear sister, 
 That bright and shining ball." 
 
 Then wnth her little fingers, 
 She tried to clasp it round. 
 
 And looked in mute surprise to see 
 The bubble was not found. 
 
 Thus learn this lesson, children. 
 
 Your hopes however bright. 
 May like those radiant bubbles 
 
 All vanish from your sight. 
 
 The Ray of Sunlight. 
 
 It was only a ra}- of sunlight 
 
 That shone through a window wide. 
 And shed its radiant beauty 
 
 In a room on every side; 
 
THE RAY OF SUNLIGHT. 23 
 
 touched the opening bud of a rose. 
 And by its magic power, 
 It unfolded its leaves until the bud, 
 Became a beautiful flower. 
 
 Then it touched the bed of a little child. 
 
 Who opened wide its eyes, 
 And turned to the beautiful blossom 
 
 With a look of glad surprise; 
 Then said, "while I have been sleeping. 
 
 The angels have been this way. 
 And left for me this lovely rose, 
 
 Just at the dawn of day. 
 
 She reached with childish impulse, 
 
 To pluck the flower so fair; 
 But concealed by its graceful beauty, 
 
 A thorn was hidden there. 
 Thus oft have we found in life's pathway. 
 
 When the fairest flowers were revealed, 
 Ere we reached our hand to pluck them, 
 
 There were hidden thorns concealed. 
 
24 THE THISTLE SEED. 
 
 The Thistle Seed. 
 
 It was only a little seed one day, 
 
 Blown by the wind far, far away* 
 
 It seemed but a tin}^ tuft of down. 
 
 As it lay in the meadow, sere and brown. 
 
 But there grew to be a thistle tall, 
 
 From that tuft of down that seemed so small; 
 
 And as by the mossy wall it grew, 
 
 Its flowers of pink soon came to view. 
 
 Time passed away, and man}- a weed 
 Had sprung from that downy thistle seed. 
 Then the farmer said, ''I am thinking now 
 That my meadow land I must quickly plough ; 
 
 With thistles 'tis cov^ered completely o'er. 
 
 Such a sight I never saw before ; 
 
 They have blighted all things that before were green, 
 
 Until no beauty there is seen." 
 
 How oft we see that some secret sin. 
 
 In the heart of youth has entered in; 
 
 And destroyed all good that there was found. 
 
 Like the thistle seed in the farmer's ground. 
 
A MOTHER S LESSON. 
 
 A Mother's Lesson. 
 
 A mother sat entwining the curls of golden hair, 
 
 That fell on the brow of her little boy, in the twilight 
 
 bright and fair; 
 The fading glow of sunset had scare el}' left their sight. 
 When the ev^ening star in beauty came forth to cheer 
 
 the night. 
 
 And the little bo}' in wonder, exclaimed as he looked 
 
 on high : 
 ''You said that God made all the stars that shine at night 
 
 in the sk}-; 
 I saw when the sun was setting the red and golden bars. 
 And I think God took them up to Heaven, where he 
 
 makes the shining stars. 
 
 x\nd when I get to be a man, can I climb up so high 
 And see how he makes the silver stars, beyond the bright 
 
 blue sky?" 
 "Only one way, my darling, can n'ou reach that shining 
 
 shore. 
 That is to love your Saviour: He asks for nothing more." 
 
26 THE UNFORTUNATE MOUSE. 
 
 The Unfortunate Mouse. 
 
 'Twas a cold winter's day — 
 
 Outside was a storm; 
 But inside the house 
 
 Was so snug and so warm. 
 That a sly little mouse 
 
 From his hole ventured out. 
 To search for some food; 
 
 And while looking about, 
 
 ^^How lucky I am!" 
 
 He said to himself, 
 ''For the door's left ajar. 
 
 And this nice pantry shelf, 
 I am sure it contains 
 
 For me a rare treat, 
 And I have been searching 
 
 For something to eat." 
 
 ''Only see!" to himself 
 
 He silently said: 
 "Here's a loaf I am sure 
 
 Of very nice bread. 
 I am glad for one thing: 
 
 I've such bright searching eyes. 
 For here I can see 
 
 Is a row of nice pies. 
 
THE UNFORTUNATE MOUSE. 27 
 
 And better, tar better, 
 
 My palate to please, 
 On this shelf I now find 
 
 Is a plate of rich cheese. 
 More lucky I am 
 
 Each step that I take. 
 For I here find a basket 
 
 Well filled with nice cake. 
 
 Why! I really believe 
 
 I'm a fortunate chap, 
 For I have not so much 
 
 As encountered a trap." 
 But scarce had he spoke. 
 
 When Tabby's sharp ear 
 That was always so quick 
 
 And so ready to hear. 
 
 In passing that way 
 
 Heard the sly little elf. 
 And quickly she sprang 
 
 On the low pantry shelf. 
 And extended her paw 
 
 Of the daintiest grey. 
 That seemed soft as the buds 
 
 On the fair willow spray. 
 
 But alas, for the mouse ! 
 
 Beneath those soft paws 
 Were concealed from his sight 
 
28 THE UNFORTUNATE MOUSE. 
 
 The sharpest of claws; 
 With one bound she caught him, 
 
 And there held him fast; 
 Thus ended the mouse 
 
 And his dainty repast. 
 
 So learn, my dear children. 
 
 Wherever you roam, 
 You never must wander. 
 
 Too far from your home; 
 Though your pathway in life 
 
 May seem pleasant and fair. 
 Concealed from your eyes 
 
 May be many a snare. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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