Along the grassy bank the snails
And turtles slowly creep;
The frogs go splashing in and out
With many a sudden leap.
The insects and the merry birds
Its shining surface skim;
And thirsty cows and horses drink
Along its rippling brim.
The water lilies' fragrant cups
Upon the wavelets lie,
And near them float the stately swans,
With proud necks curving high.
And see! here comes the mother duck
With all her yellow brood;
And here are all the goslings, too,
Behind their mother good.
They hurry, scurry, down the bank
And in the water go.
They dive and splash, and with delight
Go swimming to and fro.
And when the children call to them
And throw them bits of bread,
Geese, ducks, and swans all fearless come
And crowd near to be fed.