Rhymes for the nursery By the authors of "Original Poems" [i.e. Ann Taylor]. Twenty-seventeenth edition |
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The little Ants.
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 | Rhymes for the nursery |  |
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The little Ants.
A little black ant found a large grain of wheat,
Too heavy to lift or to roll;
So he begg'd of a neighbour he happen'd to meet,
To help it down into his hole.
Too heavy to lift or to roll;
So he begg'd of a neighbour he happen'd to meet,
To help it down into his hole.
I've got my own work to see after, said he;
You must shift for yourself, if you please;
So he crawl'd off, as selfish and cross as could be,
And lay down to sleep at his ease.
You must shift for yourself, if you please;
So he crawl'd off, as selfish and cross as could be,
And lay down to sleep at his ease.
Just then a black brother was passing the road,
And seeing his neighbour in want,
Came up and assisted him in with his load;
For he was a good-natured ant.
And seeing his neighbour in want,
Came up and assisted him in with his load;
For he was a good-natured ant.
Let all who this story may happen to hear,
Endeavour to profit by it;
For often it happens that children appear
As cross as the ant, ev'ry bit.
Endeavour to profit by it;
For often it happens that children appear
As cross as the ant, ev'ry bit.
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And the good-natured ant, who assisted his brother,
May teach those who choose to be taught,
That if little insects are kind to each other,
Then children most certainly ought.
May teach those who choose to be taught,
That if little insects are kind to each other,
Then children most certainly ought.
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