ENVIOUS ELIZA

crane throwing boy into pond while young cranes watch

And so, next time they throw him in,Instead of swimming roundHe hides himself among the reeds,And hopes he won’t be found.He hears old Daddy calling,“Hi there! You frog, come out!You needn’t try to hide from me.I know what you’re about.”He hears the young ones rustle round,They bitterly complain,“Oh Daddy, find our frog for us.We want him back again.”But quick Ned gathers lily leaves,All broad and green and flat,And fixes them to hide his headAs though they were a hat.

And so, next time they throw him in,Instead of swimming roundHe hides himself among the reeds,And hopes he won’t be found.He hears old Daddy calling,“Hi there! You frog, come out!You needn’t try to hide from me.I know what you’re about.”He hears the young ones rustle round,They bitterly complain,“Oh Daddy, find our frog for us.We want him back again.”But quick Ned gathers lily leaves,All broad and green and flat,And fixes them to hide his headAs though they were a hat.

And so, next time they throw him in,Instead of swimming roundHe hides himself among the reeds,And hopes he won’t be found.

And so, next time they throw him in,

Instead of swimming round

He hides himself among the reeds,

And hopes he won’t be found.

He hears old Daddy calling,“Hi there! You frog, come out!You needn’t try to hide from me.I know what you’re about.”

He hears old Daddy calling,

“Hi there! You frog, come out!

You needn’t try to hide from me.

I know what you’re about.”

He hears the young ones rustle round,They bitterly complain,“Oh Daddy, find our frog for us.We want him back again.”

He hears the young ones rustle round,

They bitterly complain,

“Oh Daddy, find our frog for us.

We want him back again.”

But quick Ned gathers lily leaves,All broad and green and flat,And fixes them to hide his headAs though they were a hat.

But quick Ned gathers lily leaves,

All broad and green and flat,

And fixes them to hide his head

As though they were a hat.

boy trying to swim off secretly to get away from crane

Then out beyond the reeds he floats;The green leaves hide him stillAs down the stream he swims awayPast meadow, wood and hill.In vain old Daddy hunts about,And little does he dreamThat Ned was underneath the leavesThat floated down the stream.Now Edward’s reached his home again.He runs in through the door,Leaving a trail of waterAcross the kitchen floor.“You need not scold me mother,”With chattering teeth he says.“I’ve had enough of swimming nowTo last me all my days.”

Then out beyond the reeds he floats;The green leaves hide him stillAs down the stream he swims awayPast meadow, wood and hill.In vain old Daddy hunts about,And little does he dreamThat Ned was underneath the leavesThat floated down the stream.Now Edward’s reached his home again.He runs in through the door,Leaving a trail of waterAcross the kitchen floor.“You need not scold me mother,”With chattering teeth he says.“I’ve had enough of swimming nowTo last me all my days.”

Then out beyond the reeds he floats;The green leaves hide him stillAs down the stream he swims awayPast meadow, wood and hill.

Then out beyond the reeds he floats;

The green leaves hide him still

As down the stream he swims away

Past meadow, wood and hill.

In vain old Daddy hunts about,And little does he dreamThat Ned was underneath the leavesThat floated down the stream.

In vain old Daddy hunts about,

And little does he dream

That Ned was underneath the leaves

That floated down the stream.

Now Edward’s reached his home again.He runs in through the door,Leaving a trail of waterAcross the kitchen floor.

Now Edward’s reached his home again.

He runs in through the door,

Leaving a trail of water

Across the kitchen floor.

“You need not scold me mother,”With chattering teeth he says.“I’ve had enough of swimming nowTo last me all my days.”

“You need not scold me mother,”

With chattering teeth he says.

“I’ve had enough of swimming now

To last me all my days.”

boy coming in sopping wet to mother

girl watching friends play with toys

Eliza never was content.Indeed ’twas very sadThat any child could envy soThe things that others had.

Eliza never was content.Indeed ’twas very sadThat any child could envy soThe things that others had.

Eliza never was content.Indeed ’twas very sadThat any child could envy soThe things that others had.

Eliza never was content.Indeed ’twas very sadThat any child could envy soThe things that others had.

Eliza never was content.

Indeed ’twas very sad

That any child could envy so

The things that others had.

ENVIOUS ELIZA

ELIZA was an envious child,Indeed ’twas very sadTo see the way she wished for thingsThat other children had.Instead of playing like the rest,She’d stand about and whine,“I do not see why every oneHas better things than mine.“Jane’s doll is prettier than mine.John has a better ball.The one Aunt Sarah gave to meWill hardly bounce at all.

ELIZA was an envious child,Indeed ’twas very sadTo see the way she wished for thingsThat other children had.Instead of playing like the rest,She’d stand about and whine,“I do not see why every oneHas better things than mine.“Jane’s doll is prettier than mine.John has a better ball.The one Aunt Sarah gave to meWill hardly bounce at all.

ELIZA was an envious child,Indeed ’twas very sadTo see the way she wished for thingsThat other children had.

ELIZA was an envious child,

Indeed ’twas very sad

To see the way she wished for things

That other children had.

Instead of playing like the rest,She’d stand about and whine,“I do not see why every oneHas better things than mine.

Instead of playing like the rest,

She’d stand about and whine,

“I do not see why every one

Has better things than mine.

“Jane’s doll is prettier than mine.John has a better ball.The one Aunt Sarah gave to meWill hardly bounce at all.

“Jane’s doll is prettier than mine.

John has a better ball.

The one Aunt Sarah gave to me

Will hardly bounce at all.

children playing with toys

“My picture book is old and tornAnd Mary’s looks quite new.And Tom has all the building blocks.I wish I had some, too.”’Twas thus the envious little girlComplained day after day.She made herself unhappy,And spoiled the fun and play.At last one day when she beganWith her complaints once more,John quickly gathered up his toysAnd games from off the floor.“Here, you may have my things,” he said,“I’ll give them all to you.”“And you may have my doll,” said Jane,“And all her dresses, too.”

“My picture book is old and tornAnd Mary’s looks quite new.And Tom has all the building blocks.I wish I had some, too.”’Twas thus the envious little girlComplained day after day.She made herself unhappy,And spoiled the fun and play.At last one day when she beganWith her complaints once more,John quickly gathered up his toysAnd games from off the floor.“Here, you may have my things,” he said,“I’ll give them all to you.”“And you may have my doll,” said Jane,“And all her dresses, too.”

“My picture book is old and tornAnd Mary’s looks quite new.And Tom has all the building blocks.I wish I had some, too.”

“My picture book is old and torn

And Mary’s looks quite new.

And Tom has all the building blocks.

I wish I had some, too.”

’Twas thus the envious little girlComplained day after day.She made herself unhappy,And spoiled the fun and play.

’Twas thus the envious little girl

Complained day after day.

She made herself unhappy,

And spoiled the fun and play.

At last one day when she beganWith her complaints once more,John quickly gathered up his toysAnd games from off the floor.

At last one day when she began

With her complaints once more,

John quickly gathered up his toys

And games from off the floor.

“Here, you may have my things,” he said,“I’ll give them all to you.”“And you may have my doll,” said Jane,“And all her dresses, too.”

“Here, you may have my things,” he said,

“I’ll give them all to you.”

“And you may have my doll,” said Jane,

“And all her dresses, too.”

Eliza taking all of te toys

“Yes,” Mary cried, “and take my books,”My grace-hoop, sticks and all,And Noah’s Ark.“ ”And here!“ said Tom,”Here are my blocks and ball.“Eliza scarce believed her ears,“You’ll give them all to me,—The books and games and toys? Oh dear!How happy I shall be.”The other children ran away,And left her standing there,But since they’d also left their thingsBut little did she care.Quite happily, all by herself,She played that afternoon,It seemed to her that supper timeHad never come so soon.

“Yes,” Mary cried, “and take my books,”My grace-hoop, sticks and all,And Noah’s Ark.“ ”And here!“ said Tom,”Here are my blocks and ball.“Eliza scarce believed her ears,“You’ll give them all to me,—The books and games and toys? Oh dear!How happy I shall be.”The other children ran away,And left her standing there,But since they’d also left their thingsBut little did she care.Quite happily, all by herself,She played that afternoon,It seemed to her that supper timeHad never come so soon.

“Yes,” Mary cried, “and take my books,”My grace-hoop, sticks and all,And Noah’s Ark.“ ”And here!“ said Tom,”Here are my blocks and ball.“

“Yes,” Mary cried, “and take my books,

”My grace-hoop, sticks and all,

And Noah’s Ark.“ ”And here!“ said Tom,

”Here are my blocks and ball.“

Eliza scarce believed her ears,“You’ll give them all to me,—The books and games and toys? Oh dear!How happy I shall be.”

Eliza scarce believed her ears,

“You’ll give them all to me,—

The books and games and toys? Oh dear!

How happy I shall be.”

The other children ran away,And left her standing there,But since they’d also left their thingsBut little did she care.

The other children ran away,

And left her standing there,

But since they’d also left their things

But little did she care.

Quite happily, all by herself,She played that afternoon,It seemed to her that supper timeHad never come so soon.

Quite happily, all by herself,

She played that afternoon,

It seemed to her that supper time

Had never come so soon.

Children leave Eliza with toys

Next day, all by herself again;She settled down to play,But oh! the room seemed strangely stillWith all the rest away.“I wonder what they’re all about,And where they are,” thought she;And then she called them, “Come in hereAnd play awhile with me.”“We can’t,” she heard them answer back,“There’s nothing we can doNow we have given all our toysAnd games and books to you!”“But oh! I cannot always playAll by myself,” cried she,“Come here, and you shall have againThe things you gave to me.

Next day, all by herself again;She settled down to play,But oh! the room seemed strangely stillWith all the rest away.“I wonder what they’re all about,And where they are,” thought she;And then she called them, “Come in hereAnd play awhile with me.”“We can’t,” she heard them answer back,“There’s nothing we can doNow we have given all our toysAnd games and books to you!”“But oh! I cannot always playAll by myself,” cried she,“Come here, and you shall have againThe things you gave to me.

Next day, all by herself again;She settled down to play,But oh! the room seemed strangely stillWith all the rest away.

Next day, all by herself again;

She settled down to play,

But oh! the room seemed strangely still

With all the rest away.

“I wonder what they’re all about,And where they are,” thought she;And then she called them, “Come in hereAnd play awhile with me.”

“I wonder what they’re all about,

And where they are,” thought she;

And then she called them, “Come in here

And play awhile with me.”

“We can’t,” she heard them answer back,“There’s nothing we can doNow we have given all our toysAnd games and books to you!”

“We can’t,” she heard them answer back,

“There’s nothing we can do

Now we have given all our toys

And games and books to you!”

“But oh! I cannot always playAll by myself,” cried she,“Come here, and you shall have againThe things you gave to me.

“But oh! I cannot always play

All by myself,” cried she,

“Come here, and you shall have again

The things you gave to me.

Eliza looks out door for someone to play with

“The toys and books and dolls and games—Each one shall take his own,I’d rather never have a thingThan always play alone.”The children now have taken backThe toys they gave to her,The nursery’s full of merrimentAnd fun and cheerful stir.Eliza now is quite contentTo play like all the rest,And never gives a single thoughtTo which one has the best.

“The toys and books and dolls and games—Each one shall take his own,I’d rather never have a thingThan always play alone.”The children now have taken backThe toys they gave to her,The nursery’s full of merrimentAnd fun and cheerful stir.Eliza now is quite contentTo play like all the rest,And never gives a single thoughtTo which one has the best.

“The toys and books and dolls and games—Each one shall take his own,I’d rather never have a thingThan always play alone.”

“The toys and books and dolls and games—

Each one shall take his own,

I’d rather never have a thing

Than always play alone.”

The children now have taken backThe toys they gave to her,The nursery’s full of merrimentAnd fun and cheerful stir.

The children now have taken back

The toys they gave to her,

The nursery’s full of merriment

And fun and cheerful stir.

Eliza now is quite contentTo play like all the rest,And never gives a single thoughtTo which one has the best.

Eliza now is quite content

To play like all the rest,

And never gives a single thought

To which one has the best.

Nixie under water

Up through the water see her rise,The nixie with her sea-green eyes.

Up through the water see her rise,The nixie with her sea-green eyes.

Up through the water see her rise,The nixie with her sea-green eyes.

Up through the water see her rise,The nixie with her sea-green eyes.

Up through the water see her rise,

The nixie with her sea-green eyes.

two children playing by water see beautiful nixie

ONCE John and Jane were playingBeside a shining lakeWhen suddenly the watersBegan to stir and shake.And up there rose a nixieFrom out the waters green.She was the strangest looking thingThat they had ever seen.She called the children gently.She coaxed them, “Come with me,And I will show you castles,And gardens fair to see.”“Our mother’s often told us,”The children both replied,“We must not go with strangers,Or evil may betide.”But still the nixie coaxed them.“Come see my lovely things.I’ll show you strings of shining shells,And fishes that have wings.”She took them by their shoulders,She took them by the hands,She drew them down beneath the lakeTo where her castle stands.

ONCE John and Jane were playingBeside a shining lakeWhen suddenly the watersBegan to stir and shake.And up there rose a nixieFrom out the waters green.She was the strangest looking thingThat they had ever seen.She called the children gently.She coaxed them, “Come with me,And I will show you castles,And gardens fair to see.”“Our mother’s often told us,”The children both replied,“We must not go with strangers,Or evil may betide.”But still the nixie coaxed them.“Come see my lovely things.I’ll show you strings of shining shells,And fishes that have wings.”She took them by their shoulders,She took them by the hands,She drew them down beneath the lakeTo where her castle stands.

ONCE John and Jane were playingBeside a shining lakeWhen suddenly the watersBegan to stir and shake.

ONCE John and Jane were playing

Beside a shining lake

When suddenly the waters

Began to stir and shake.

And up there rose a nixieFrom out the waters green.She was the strangest looking thingThat they had ever seen.

And up there rose a nixie

From out the waters green.

She was the strangest looking thing

She called the children gently.She coaxed them, “Come with me,And I will show you castles,And gardens fair to see.”

She called the children gently.

She coaxed them, “Come with me,

And I will show you castles,

And gardens fair to see.”

“Our mother’s often told us,”The children both replied,“We must not go with strangers,Or evil may betide.”

“Our mother’s often told us,”

The children both replied,

“We must not go with strangers,

Or evil may betide.”

But still the nixie coaxed them.“Come see my lovely things.I’ll show you strings of shining shells,And fishes that have wings.”

But still the nixie coaxed them.

“Come see my lovely things.

I’ll show you strings of shining shells,

And fishes that have wings.”

She took them by their shoulders,She took them by the hands,She drew them down beneath the lakeTo where her castle stands.

She took them by their shoulders,

She took them by the hands,

She drew them down beneath the lake

To where her castle stands.

Nixie leading children away

But now the nixie had themShe lost her pleasant smile.She set the children both to workAnd scolded all the while.“Now scrub about, and sweep about,And fill the iron pot,And hang it up above the fireTo make the water hot.“No idling now, you lazy ones;Be quick and stir your feet,The while I go outside a bitAnd catch some fish to eat.”Soon as the nixie leaves themThe children set to work.Indeed they’re both so frightenedThey do not dare to shirk.

But now the nixie had themShe lost her pleasant smile.She set the children both to workAnd scolded all the while.“Now scrub about, and sweep about,And fill the iron pot,And hang it up above the fireTo make the water hot.“No idling now, you lazy ones;Be quick and stir your feet,The while I go outside a bitAnd catch some fish to eat.”Soon as the nixie leaves themThe children set to work.Indeed they’re both so frightenedThey do not dare to shirk.

But now the nixie had themShe lost her pleasant smile.She set the children both to workAnd scolded all the while.

But now the nixie had them

She lost her pleasant smile.

She set the children both to work

And scolded all the while.

“Now scrub about, and sweep about,And fill the iron pot,And hang it up above the fireTo make the water hot.

“Now scrub about, and sweep about,

And fill the iron pot,

And hang it up above the fire

To make the water hot.

“No idling now, you lazy ones;Be quick and stir your feet,The while I go outside a bitAnd catch some fish to eat.”

“No idling now, you lazy ones;

Be quick and stir your feet,

The while I go outside a bit

And catch some fish to eat.”

Soon as the nixie leaves themThe children set to work.Indeed they’re both so frightenedThey do not dare to shirk.

Soon as the nixie leaves them

The children set to work.

Indeed they’re both so frightened

They do not dare to shirk.

Nixie no longer beautiful and giving children chores

Just as the work is finishedThe nixie comes once more,And leaves a trail of waterAcross the kitchen floor.Her net is full of fishes.“Here, child! be quick,” cries she,“Now clean these fish and cook them,And serve them up to me.”Quick little Janie sets to work,She cooks the fish in haste,The greedy nixie eats them all;She does not leave a taste.Then after she has finishedShe lies down on the bed,And snores so loud the raftersAre shaken overhead.

Just as the work is finishedThe nixie comes once more,And leaves a trail of waterAcross the kitchen floor.Her net is full of fishes.“Here, child! be quick,” cries she,“Now clean these fish and cook them,And serve them up to me.”Quick little Janie sets to work,She cooks the fish in haste,The greedy nixie eats them all;She does not leave a taste.Then after she has finishedShe lies down on the bed,And snores so loud the raftersAre shaken overhead.

Just as the work is finishedThe nixie comes once more,And leaves a trail of waterAcross the kitchen floor.

Just as the work is finished

The nixie comes once more,

And leaves a trail of water

Across the kitchen floor.

Her net is full of fishes.“Here, child! be quick,” cries she,“Now clean these fish and cook them,And serve them up to me.”

Her net is full of fishes.

“Here, child! be quick,” cries she,

“Now clean these fish and cook them,

And serve them up to me.”

Quick little Janie sets to work,She cooks the fish in haste,The greedy nixie eats them all;She does not leave a taste.

Quick little Janie sets to work,

She cooks the fish in haste,

The greedy nixie eats them all;

She does not leave a taste.

Then after she has finishedShe lies down on the bed,And snores so loud the raftersAre shaken overhead.

Then after she has finished

She lies down on the bed,

And snores so loud the rafters

Are shaken overhead.

Nixie brings net full of fish

children plot escape

Then Janie beckons Johnnie,And whispers in his ear,“Now, John, I’m going to run away.I will not stay down here.”But little John is frightened.“Oh dear! I’d be afraid.I know she’d come and catch us,This cruel water-maid.”

Then Janie beckons Johnnie,And whispers in his ear,“Now, John, I’m going to run away.I will not stay down here.”But little John is frightened.“Oh dear! I’d be afraid.I know she’d come and catch us,This cruel water-maid.”

Then Janie beckons Johnnie,And whispers in his ear,“Now, John, I’m going to run away.I will not stay down here.”

Then Janie beckons Johnnie,

And whispers in his ear,

“Now, John, I’m going to run away.

I will not stay down here.”

But little John is frightened.“Oh dear! I’d be afraid.I know she’d come and catch us,This cruel water-maid.”

But little John is frightened.

“Oh dear! I’d be afraid.

I know she’d come and catch us,

This cruel water-maid.”

children put net on nixie while she slept

“But I’ve a plan,” says Janie,“It just came in my head.We’ll take the nixie’s fishing-netAnd tie her down in bed.“Be quick or she may waken,We have no time to waste.”So now the little childrenHave set to work in haste.They wrap her net about her,They tie her tight in bed.Now, even if she wakenedShe scarce could lift her head!“So there! that job is finished,”Cries little Jane with glee.“Unless someone unties herShe never can get free.”Now quick the little childrenRun tip-toe out the door,And never stop nor turn aboutTill they are home once more.But for the cruel nixie,Whether she’s still in bed,Or whether she has wriggled outNo one has ever said.

“But I’ve a plan,” says Janie,“It just came in my head.We’ll take the nixie’s fishing-netAnd tie her down in bed.“Be quick or she may waken,We have no time to waste.”So now the little childrenHave set to work in haste.They wrap her net about her,They tie her tight in bed.Now, even if she wakenedShe scarce could lift her head!“So there! that job is finished,”Cries little Jane with glee.“Unless someone unties herShe never can get free.”Now quick the little childrenRun tip-toe out the door,And never stop nor turn aboutTill they are home once more.But for the cruel nixie,Whether she’s still in bed,Or whether she has wriggled outNo one has ever said.

“But I’ve a plan,” says Janie,“It just came in my head.We’ll take the nixie’s fishing-netAnd tie her down in bed.

“But I’ve a plan,” says Janie,

“It just came in my head.

We’ll take the nixie’s fishing-net

And tie her down in bed.

“Be quick or she may waken,We have no time to waste.”So now the little childrenHave set to work in haste.

“Be quick or she may waken,

We have no time to waste.”

So now the little children

Have set to work in haste.

They wrap her net about her,They tie her tight in bed.Now, even if she wakenedShe scarce could lift her head!

They wrap her net about her,

They tie her tight in bed.

Now, even if she wakened

She scarce could lift her head!

“So there! that job is finished,”Cries little Jane with glee.“Unless someone unties herShe never can get free.”

“So there! that job is finished,”

Cries little Jane with glee.

“Unless someone unties her

She never can get free.”

Now quick the little childrenRun tip-toe out the door,And never stop nor turn aboutTill they are home once more.

Now quick the little children

Run tip-toe out the door,

And never stop nor turn about

Till they are home once more.

But for the cruel nixie,Whether she’s still in bed,Or whether she has wriggled outNo one has ever said.

But for the cruel nixie,

Whether she’s still in bed,

Or whether she has wriggled out

No one has ever said.

children run away while nixie wakes

Stephen holding napkin over lower half of face

Poor Stephen is in such disgraceHe is ashamed to show his face.

Poor Stephen is in such disgraceHe is ashamed to show his face.

Poor Stephen is in such disgraceHe is ashamed to show his face.

Poor Stephen is in such disgraceHe is ashamed to show his face.

Poor Stephen is in such disgrace

He is ashamed to show his face.

aunt and grandma looking shocked at Stephen

’TIS very very sad indeedWhen little children chooseTo say the naughty, ugly wordsThat no one ought to use.That was the way with Stephen,Such naughty words he saidThat grandmamma looked shocked and grieved,And auntie shook her head.

’TIS very very sad indeedWhen little children chooseTo say the naughty, ugly wordsThat no one ought to use.That was the way with Stephen,Such naughty words he saidThat grandmamma looked shocked and grieved,And auntie shook her head.

’TIS very very sad indeedWhen little children chooseTo say the naughty, ugly wordsThat no one ought to use.

’TIS very very sad indeed

When little children choose

To say the naughty, ugly words

That no one ought to use.

That was the way with Stephen,Such naughty words he saidThat grandmamma looked shocked and grieved,And auntie shook her head.

That was the way with Stephen,

Such naughty words he said

That grandmamma looked shocked and grieved,

And auntie shook her head.

Mother explaining to Stephen about the plasters

Mamma said, “Son, I’ve told youSuch words you must not say,And yet, in spite of warnings,I hear them every day.“So now, my child, I’m takingThese sticking plaster strips.I’m going to put them on your mouthAnd seal those naughty lips.”

Mamma said, “Son, I’ve told youSuch words you must not say,And yet, in spite of warnings,I hear them every day.“So now, my child, I’m takingThese sticking plaster strips.I’m going to put them on your mouthAnd seal those naughty lips.”

Mamma said, “Son, I’ve told youSuch words you must not say,And yet, in spite of warnings,I hear them every day.

Mamma said, “Son, I’ve told you

Such words you must not say,

And yet, in spite of warnings,

I hear them every day.

“So now, my child, I’m takingThese sticking plaster strips.I’m going to put them on your mouthAnd seal those naughty lips.”

“So now, my child, I’m taking

These sticking plaster strips.

I’m going to put them on your mouth

And seal those naughty lips.”

mother putting plasters on

“But mother, how then shall I eat?”Cries Stephen anxiously.“Oh, I will take them off for meals.’Twill not be hard,” says she.In vain poor Stephen pleads with her;In vain he sobs and cries.She lays the strips across his lipsIn straight and criss-cross wise.

“But mother, how then shall I eat?”Cries Stephen anxiously.“Oh, I will take them off for meals.’Twill not be hard,” says she.In vain poor Stephen pleads with her;In vain he sobs and cries.She lays the strips across his lipsIn straight and criss-cross wise.

“But mother, how then shall I eat?”Cries Stephen anxiously.“Oh, I will take them off for meals.’Twill not be hard,” says she.

“But mother, how then shall I eat?”

Cries Stephen anxiously.

“Oh, I will take them off for meals.

’Twill not be hard,” says she.

In vain poor Stephen pleads with her;In vain he sobs and cries.She lays the strips across his lipsIn straight and criss-cross wise.

In vain poor Stephen pleads with her;

In vain he sobs and cries.

She lays the strips across his lips

In straight and criss-cross wise.

Stephen crying with mouth taped shut, mother shaking finger

Now only sounds like “Um! Um-hum!”From Stephen’s lips are heard,Because, with all those plasters onHe cannot speak a word.Now Stephen cannot go to school,He sits at home all day.He feels ashamed to go outside,Or join the boys at play.

Now only sounds like “Um! Um-hum!”From Stephen’s lips are heard,Because, with all those plasters onHe cannot speak a word.Now Stephen cannot go to school,He sits at home all day.He feels ashamed to go outside,Or join the boys at play.

Now only sounds like “Um! Um-hum!”From Stephen’s lips are heard,Because, with all those plasters onHe cannot speak a word.

Now only sounds like “Um! Um-hum!”

From Stephen’s lips are heard,

Because, with all those plasters on

He cannot speak a word.

Now Stephen cannot go to school,He sits at home all day.He feels ashamed to go outside,Or join the boys at play.

Now Stephen cannot go to school,

He sits at home all day.

He feels ashamed to go outside,

Or join the boys at play.

Stephen sitting by window hiding from people walking by

And if he’s at the window,And some one passes by,He quickly turns aside his head,Lest they the plasters spy.One day, when mother changed the stripsIn haste poor Stephen cried,“I do not think my lips could sayThose words now if I tried.”

And if he’s at the window,And some one passes by,He quickly turns aside his head,Lest they the plasters spy.One day, when mother changed the stripsIn haste poor Stephen cried,“I do not think my lips could sayThose words now if I tried.”

And if he’s at the window,And some one passes by,He quickly turns aside his head,Lest they the plasters spy.

And if he’s at the window,

And some one passes by,

He quickly turns aside his head,

Lest they the plasters spy.

One day, when mother changed the stripsIn haste poor Stephen cried,“I do not think my lips could sayThose words now if I tried.”

One day, when mother changed the strips

In haste poor Stephen cried,

“I do not think my lips could say

Those words now if I tried.”

mother kissing Stephen

“If that’s the case,” cried mother,“No need to use these slips,”And with a smile of joy she kissedThe one-time naughty lips.Indeed the lesson had been learned,For Stephen nevermoreWas heard to say those naughty wordsThat he had used before.

“If that’s the case,” cried mother,“No need to use these slips,”And with a smile of joy she kissedThe one-time naughty lips.Indeed the lesson had been learned,For Stephen nevermoreWas heard to say those naughty wordsThat he had used before.

“If that’s the case,” cried mother,“No need to use these slips,”And with a smile of joy she kissedThe one-time naughty lips.

“If that’s the case,” cried mother,

“No need to use these slips,”

And with a smile of joy she kissed

The one-time naughty lips.

Indeed the lesson had been learned,For Stephen nevermoreWas heard to say those naughty wordsThat he had used before.

Indeed the lesson had been learned,

For Stephen nevermore

Was heard to say those naughty words

That he had used before.

mother cutting plasters

girl holding branch with caterpillar on it

The Caterpillar has to crawl.He cannot run or jump at all.

The Caterpillar has to crawl.He cannot run or jump at all.

The Caterpillar has to crawl.He cannot run or jump at all.

The Caterpillar has to crawl.He cannot run or jump at all.

The Caterpillar has to crawl.

He cannot run or jump at all.

girl catching ball

ANNE was a lively child at play,And quick as she could be,But when an errand must be runAh, slow of foot was she.“My child,” said grandmamma one day,“Run to my room and look,And bring me, from my bureau there,My spectacles and book.”“Oh, grandmamma, I’m reading now,”The lazy Annie said,“I do not want to leave my book,Mayn’t Mary go instead?”

ANNE was a lively child at play,And quick as she could be,But when an errand must be runAh, slow of foot was she.“My child,” said grandmamma one day,“Run to my room and look,And bring me, from my bureau there,My spectacles and book.”“Oh, grandmamma, I’m reading now,”The lazy Annie said,“I do not want to leave my book,Mayn’t Mary go instead?”

ANNE was a lively child at play,And quick as she could be,But when an errand must be runAh, slow of foot was she.

ANNE was a lively child at play,

And quick as she could be,

But when an errand must be run

Ah, slow of foot was she.

“My child,” said grandmamma one day,“Run to my room and look,And bring me, from my bureau there,My spectacles and book.”

“My child,” said grandmamma one day,

“Run to my room and look,

And bring me, from my bureau there,

My spectacles and book.”

“Oh, grandmamma, I’m reading now,”The lazy Annie said,“I do not want to leave my book,Mayn’t Mary go instead?”

“Oh, grandmamma, I’m reading now,”

The lazy Annie said,

“I do not want to leave my book,

Mayn’t Mary go instead?”

Girl reading with Granmother in nearby chair

No wonder grandmamma looked painedWhen Annie answered so,But little Mary cried, “Why, yes!Of course I’d love to go.”“Come little Anne,” her mother called,“Run down the street for me,And get some thread to sew your frock.Let’s see how quick you’ll be.”

No wonder grandmamma looked painedWhen Annie answered so,But little Mary cried, “Why, yes!Of course I’d love to go.”“Come little Anne,” her mother called,“Run down the street for me,And get some thread to sew your frock.Let’s see how quick you’ll be.”

No wonder grandmamma looked painedWhen Annie answered so,But little Mary cried, “Why, yes!Of course I’d love to go.”

No wonder grandmamma looked pained

When Annie answered so,

But little Mary cried, “Why, yes!

Of course I’d love to go.”

“Come little Anne,” her mother called,“Run down the street for me,And get some thread to sew your frock.Let’s see how quick you’ll be.”

“Come little Anne,” her mother called,

“Run down the street for me,

And get some thread to sew your frock.

Let’s see how quick you’ll be.”

girl talking to mother

“Oh dear! I’m tired,” Anne replied,“Why cannot Mary go?Or nurse? She’s not been out all day,Indeed she told me so.”“My child, my child!” her mother said,“Whatever shall I do?You’re such a lazy, useless girlI feel ashamed of you.

“Oh dear! I’m tired,” Anne replied,“Why cannot Mary go?Or nurse? She’s not been out all day,Indeed she told me so.”“My child, my child!” her mother said,“Whatever shall I do?You’re such a lazy, useless girlI feel ashamed of you.

“Oh dear! I’m tired,” Anne replied,“Why cannot Mary go?Or nurse? She’s not been out all day,Indeed she told me so.”

“Oh dear! I’m tired,” Anne replied,

“Why cannot Mary go?

Or nurse? She’s not been out all day,

Indeed she told me so.”

“My child, my child!” her mother said,“Whatever shall I do?You’re such a lazy, useless girlI feel ashamed of you.

“My child, my child!” her mother said,

“Whatever shall I do?

You’re such a lazy, useless girl

I feel ashamed of you.

girl wakes up with caterpillar feet instead of her own

“Your little feet run fast enoughFor pleasure or for fun,But you can hardly crawl aboutWhen errands must be run.”But listen now! One day Anne wokeAnd felt quite strange and queer.“Whatever’s happened to me now,”She cried; “Oh dear, oh dear!“Oh mother! nurse! Come in here quickAnd tell me what is wrong.I seem to have so many feet—My body feels so long.”Mamma and nurse came hurrying in,Ah what a sight to see!Poor Anne! A caterpillar’s legsAnd stubby feet had she.

“Your little feet run fast enoughFor pleasure or for fun,But you can hardly crawl aboutWhen errands must be run.”But listen now! One day Anne wokeAnd felt quite strange and queer.“Whatever’s happened to me now,”She cried; “Oh dear, oh dear!“Oh mother! nurse! Come in here quickAnd tell me what is wrong.I seem to have so many feet—My body feels so long.”Mamma and nurse came hurrying in,Ah what a sight to see!Poor Anne! A caterpillar’s legsAnd stubby feet had she.

“Your little feet run fast enoughFor pleasure or for fun,But you can hardly crawl aboutWhen errands must be run.”

“Your little feet run fast enough

For pleasure or for fun,

But you can hardly crawl about

When errands must be run.”

But listen now! One day Anne wokeAnd felt quite strange and queer.“Whatever’s happened to me now,”She cried; “Oh dear, oh dear!

But listen now! One day Anne woke

And felt quite strange and queer.

“Whatever’s happened to me now,”

She cried; “Oh dear, oh dear!

“Oh mother! nurse! Come in here quickAnd tell me what is wrong.I seem to have so many feet—My body feels so long.”

“Oh mother! nurse! Come in here quick

And tell me what is wrong.

I seem to have so many feet—

My body feels so long.”

Mamma and nurse came hurrying in,Ah what a sight to see!Poor Anne! A caterpillar’s legsAnd stubby feet had she.

Mamma and nurse came hurrying in,

Ah what a sight to see!

Poor Anne! A caterpillar’s legs

And stubby feet had she.

mother sadly watching girl creep up stairs with caterpillar feet

She scarce knew how to turn herselfNor how to climb from bed.“However shall I run or play!”The poor child sadly said.Mamma and nurse were shocked and grieved,And so was grandma, too,While little Mary sobbed, “Oh dear!Whatever will she do!”But like a caterpillar soonShe learned to crawl around,Although her legs were now so shortShe almost touched the ground.’Twas sad indeed to be so slowWhen she had been so fleet.No longer could she play aboutNor run out in the street.

She scarce knew how to turn herselfNor how to climb from bed.“However shall I run or play!”The poor child sadly said.Mamma and nurse were shocked and grieved,And so was grandma, too,While little Mary sobbed, “Oh dear!Whatever will she do!”But like a caterpillar soonShe learned to crawl around,Although her legs were now so shortShe almost touched the ground.’Twas sad indeed to be so slowWhen she had been so fleet.No longer could she play aboutNor run out in the street.

She scarce knew how to turn herselfNor how to climb from bed.“However shall I run or play!”The poor child sadly said.

She scarce knew how to turn herself

Nor how to climb from bed.

“However shall I run or play!”

The poor child sadly said.

Mamma and nurse were shocked and grieved,And so was grandma, too,While little Mary sobbed, “Oh dear!Whatever will she do!”

Mamma and nurse were shocked and grieved,

And so was grandma, too,

While little Mary sobbed, “Oh dear!

Whatever will she do!”

But like a caterpillar soonShe learned to crawl around,Although her legs were now so shortShe almost touched the ground.

But like a caterpillar soon

She learned to crawl around,

Although her legs were now so short

She almost touched the ground.

’Twas sad indeed to be so slowWhen she had been so fleet.No longer could she play aboutNor run out in the street.

’Twas sad indeed to be so slow

When she had been so fleet.

No longer could she play about

Nor run out in the street.

girl bringing book to grandmother, girl's legs better

Her greatest pleasure was to findSome errand she could go,And up and down the stairs she’d trudgeWith patient steps and slow.She waited on her grandmamma,And on her mother, too.No one could ask her anythingShe was not glad to do.One day her watchful mother said,“It really seems to meAnne’s legs are growing long and slim,More like they used to be.“She does not have so many now.Her body’s shorter, too.I saw her standing up to-dayQuite as she used to do.”

Her greatest pleasure was to findSome errand she could go,And up and down the stairs she’d trudgeWith patient steps and slow.She waited on her grandmamma,And on her mother, too.No one could ask her anythingShe was not glad to do.One day her watchful mother said,“It really seems to meAnne’s legs are growing long and slim,More like they used to be.“She does not have so many now.Her body’s shorter, too.I saw her standing up to-dayQuite as she used to do.”

Her greatest pleasure was to findSome errand she could go,And up and down the stairs she’d trudgeWith patient steps and slow.

Her greatest pleasure was to find

Some errand she could go,

And up and down the stairs she’d trudge

With patient steps and slow.

She waited on her grandmamma,And on her mother, too.No one could ask her anythingShe was not glad to do.

She waited on her grandmamma,

And on her mother, too.

No one could ask her anything

She was not glad to do.

One day her watchful mother said,“It really seems to meAnne’s legs are growing long and slim,More like they used to be.

One day her watchful mother said,

“It really seems to me

Anne’s legs are growing long and slim,

More like they used to be.

“She does not have so many now.Her body’s shorter, too.I saw her standing up to-dayQuite as she used to do.”

“She does not have so many now.

Her body’s shorter, too.

I saw her standing up to-day

Quite as she used to do.”

girl wakes up with own legs again

“I’ve noticed that,” her grandma said,“Indeed I hope some dayTo see our Anne herself again,And fit for work and play.”And so it was. For one day AnneAwoke to find once moreShe was the selfsame nimble childThat she had been before.Then what rejoicings filled the house,All gathered round to see;And as for Anne, as you may guess,A thankful child was she.And never since has Annie lostHer willing, useful ways,And her mamma and every oneAll speak of her with praise.

“I’ve noticed that,” her grandma said,“Indeed I hope some dayTo see our Anne herself again,And fit for work and play.”And so it was. For one day AnneAwoke to find once moreShe was the selfsame nimble childThat she had been before.Then what rejoicings filled the house,All gathered round to see;And as for Anne, as you may guess,A thankful child was she.And never since has Annie lostHer willing, useful ways,And her mamma and every oneAll speak of her with praise.

“I’ve noticed that,” her grandma said,“Indeed I hope some dayTo see our Anne herself again,And fit for work and play.”

“I’ve noticed that,” her grandma said,

“Indeed I hope some day

To see our Anne herself again,

And fit for work and play.”

And so it was. For one day AnneAwoke to find once moreShe was the selfsame nimble childThat she had been before.

And so it was. For one day Anne

Awoke to find once more

She was the selfsame nimble child

That she had been before.

Then what rejoicings filled the house,All gathered round to see;And as for Anne, as you may guess,A thankful child was she.

Then what rejoicings filled the house,

All gathered round to see;

And as for Anne, as you may guess,

A thankful child was she.

And never since has Annie lostHer willing, useful ways,And her mamma and every oneAll speak of her with praise.

And never since has Annie lost

Her willing, useful ways,

And her mamma and every one

All speak of her with praise.

Jane scares NurseOnly see how this naughty JaneIs frightening her nurse again.

Only see how this naughty JaneIs frightening her nurse again.

Only see how this naughty JaneIs frightening her nurse again.

Only see how this naughty JaneIs frightening her nurse again.

Only see how this naughty JaneIs frightening her nurse again.

Only see how this naughty Jane

Is frightening her nurse again.


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