THE SQUIRREL

H IS little world is as dear to him,           no doubt as mine to me; He capers about for his winter's store,           'neath a great old chestnut tree That has kept him waiting for many           months for the promised store           ahead And he really believed, if he kept to           work, through winter he would be           fed. With his " clever " claws he can climb           a tree, and sauce you half-way up; Will scold and sputter and dare you           climb, with your talked-of loving           cup. His wisdom-cap is fitting close; he has           learned his lesson well And is more than pleased to repeat to           you, if given a chance to tell. His teeth are as sharp as little blades,           the Damascus sort you know, Which hold an edge in the autumn time           and even through ice and snow; And a little boquet he always has, that           rainbow-like bends down Very close to his coy little ears; well           up on his head; his crown. And his little children he teaches well;           they each must their lesson learn, And that is to gather their own sweet           crumbs, and thereby a living earn, For the fathers and mothers often said,           they were taught and always found They could not do as the sweet school-           marms, congenially board around. When I see a squirrel with winter store,           all nicely housed away; I think, what a lovely fellow you, to           prepare for a winter's day. I would not rob you of what you have,           except were a robber I, And if I did, I would get my pay in the           "sweet" of the by-and-by. Go on, little fellow, and spread your           board for your jolly family dear And so far as the writer can intercede,           nothing you have to fear; For the God that planted the chestnut           tree, was a God who is just and           true And therefore he bade it produce the           nuts, for your little ones and you.