For The Children.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2092, 18 January 1908, Page 3 (Supplement)

For The Children.

BABY CORN.

- . A happy mother-stalk of corn Held close a ha by ear, And whispered: “Cuddle up to mo, I’ll keep you warm, my dear. I’ll giro you petticoats of green, With many a- tuck ami fold To let out daily as you grow; For you will soon bo oid.” A luimy little liuby, that, For though it bad no c.-e, It bad a hundred months; ’twos noil It. did not want to cry. The mother put in each .-mall mol. 11l A hollow thread of rillc, Through which the suit ami rain andjair Provided baby’s milk. Tim petticoats were gathered close Where all the thread-lets hung. And still as summer days went on To mother-stalk if clung; And all the time it grew and grow Each kernel drank the mil'k By day, by night, in shade, in sum, From its own thread of silk. And each grew si.rung and full ai.d round And each was shining wh’t-s; The gores and seams were a 1! let out, The green skirts lilted right, The ear stood straight ami large and tail. And when it saw the u'ii. Held up its emerald satin gi w>, To sav: “Your work V. doin'.”

“You’re large enough. ’ sml Mother Stalk, “And now there’s no -ii-iie ir.riu For you to grow.” She -. u-d the threads Tnfo a soft, brown plume It floated out upon the l-:c To greet the dewy morn. And then the lmby said: “Now T'm A full-grown car of <--.um ’” - -I ’ld'-l-: VII.