Mrs. Turner's Cautionary Stories Part 7

The worm they found kept writhing round, Until it sank beneath the ground; And Sally learned that day That worms are very harmless things, With neither teeth, nor claws, nor stings To frighten her away.

THE BAD DONKEY-BOY'S GOOD FORTUNE

"How can you bear to use him so, You cruel little monkey?

Oh give him not another blow, But spare the patient Donkey."

"I own," his mother said, "dear James, You please me by your feeling; But you do wrong to call him names, Your anger too revealing."

"Well then," said James, "if what I say, Poor Donkey, won't relieve you-- Here, boy, don't beat him all to-day, And sixpence I will give you."

"You now behave," said she, "my dear, Like many much above you; In these kind actions persevere, And all your friends will love you."

GRATEFUL CARLO

"Oh, do not drown that pretty thing,"

One morn I heard Matilda say-- "Do, now, untie that cruel string, And do not drown him, Robert, pray.

"His feet, how drolly mark'd they are; And feel his coat, as soft as silk; Oh, let me have him, dear mamma, And let him share my bread and milk."

Now little Carlo wagg'd his tail, And, looking up, he seem'd to say, "My grat.i.tude shall never fail To you for saving me to-day."

And some months after, so it proved, Carlo, the grateful, strong, and brave, His mistress (whom he dearly loved) Deliver'd from a watery grave.

GRATEFUL LUCY

As Lucy with her mother walk'd, She play'd and gambol'd, laugh'd and talk'd Till, coming to the river side, She slipp'd, and floated down the tide.

Her faithful Carlo being near, Jump'd in to save his mistress dear; He drew her carefully to sh.o.r.e, And Lucy lives and laughs once more.

"Dear gen'rous Carlo," Lucy said, "You ne'er shall want for meat and bread; For every day, before I dine, Good Carlo shall have some of mine."

GRATEFUL TRUSTY

Philip's playful dog was willing Always to be set on watch; When a whelp, by daily drilling, Trusty seldom found his match!

Philip bought him very early From a beggar going round, Who, from being poor or surly, Said he should be "sold or drown'd."

Trusty well repaid his master For the care of rearing him, For he sav'd from like disaster Philip, when he learn'd to swim!

SOMETHING IN STORE FOR RICHARD

Richard is a cruel boy, The people call him "d.i.c.k,"

For every day he seems to try Some new improper trick!

He takes delight in whipping cats And pulling off their fur; Although at first he gently pats, And listens to their purr!

A naughty boy! unless he mends, He will be told to strip, And learn how such amus.e.m.e.nt ends By feeling his own whip.

THE RESULT OF CRUELTY

Jack Parker was a cruel boy, For mischief was his sole employ; And much it grieved his friends to find His thoughts so wickedly inclined.

He thought it clever to deceive, And often ramble without leave; And ev'ry animal he met He dearly loved to plague and fret.

But all such boys, unless they mend, May come to an unhappy end, Like Jack, who got a fractured skull Whilst bellowing at a furious bull.

Things to Eat

WHAT IS BEST FOR CHILDREN

"Mamma, why mayn't I, when we dine, Eat ham and goose, and drink white wine?

And pray, why may not I, like you, Have soup and fish, and mutton too?"

"Because, my dear, it is not right To spoil a youthful appet.i.te; By things unwholesome, though enjoy'd, The infant appet.i.te is cloy'd.

"A slice of mutton, roast or boil'd, Or good roast beef, best suits a child; A bread, or ground-rice, pudding too Is food adapted well for you.