I had two coins offered me, they shone like gold, they shone like gold. I clutched at them so greedily, I clutched at them with fevered hold. I hid them quickly out of sight. They were for me alone to see. They gave delight, such keen delight; I hoarded them most miserly. One day, alack! and oh! alas! I took them from their secret place; a sorry thing had come to pass; my bright gold coins were dull of face. I tended them with loving hand. Oh! shine again, be bright again! This fact I could not understand: their gleam and sheen were on the wane. "I will not hoard you any more," to them I sighed, to them I cried. I shared with one, with two, with four; with all the friends whom I espied. Now this is strange but this is true. My wealth is more instead of less; I spent and spent—and still it grew. Those coins were Love and Happiness!
THE STREET SINGER
Truth went singing down the street; on his head a golden crown, broken sandals on his feet, shabby, too, his flowing gown. "Truth," I shouted, "wait for me. I desire to learn your song." Nought cared he for my poor plea; just went hurrying along. "Truth," I gasped, quite out of breath, "I can't hear the words you sing." "You will learn them ere your death," was the jibe he stopped to fling. "Truth," I prayed him, "wait awhile. I have followed you for years. Sometimes you have made me smile, sometimes caused me bitter tears. Do, I pray you, let me learn what it is you sing to-day." Then at last he deigned to turn, sang for me this roundelay: "Rich you are? And strong you are? Good indeed these things to be. Beloved by friends is better far. Take this living truth from me." Singing, down the street Truth went. Others now will follow fast. As for me, I am content—having learnt his song at last.
MERELY PARENTS
Lads and lassies, hear our plea—give us of your courtesy; we, not you, need sympathy, being parents. 'Tis a most exacting age, children are so very sage, the "complex" now is all the rage, we're but parents. Give us, do, a helping hand. We would like to understand, we are such a purblind band, merely parents. You are witty, clever, wise, source of all high enterprise, soon you'll be (for Old Time flies) like us, just parents. Then you'll know the self-same fears (aching heart and unshed tears), having travelled down the years, as we, your parents. Then you'll say, as now we do, "We but long to shelter you, make you love the good and true, as did our parents." Lads and lassies! Patience show! Perhaps we're difficult and slow, but it is harder than you know—being parents.
SONG OF THE GIVER
First there's the joy of choosing. Now then, what shall it be?—Useful? Pretty? Amusing? Love chooses thoughtfully. Then there's the joy of paper, green leaves with berries red; a card with a Christmas taper, tied with a golden thread. Then there's the joy of tying (not string of the common kind!) ribbons that we've been buying that glitter as they unwind. Then there's the joy of weighing, addressing the label, too; and, of course, there's the joy of saying, "With love from me, to you!" But nought like the joy of dreaming how happy that someone will be; how eyes will be brightly gleaming and mouth smile happily. Joy past the power of rhyming to follow that parcel in thought; to hear, with gay laughter chiming, "Look what the postman has brought!"
THE 'BUS CONDUCTOR
A steadying hand, a cheerful grin, "Hold tight," he cries, and helps us in. We pay the fare, whate'er it be, and dream of home and fire and tea. But not the conductor, no, not he. Cold or heat, wind or rain, up he goes and down again; ringing bells, cracking jokes, helping parcel-burdened folks, lifting babies with great care, "Where to, Mum? Hold tight there." Answering questions by the score: "Other way to Arthur's Store!" "Full inside, one on top." Conductor's duties never stop. "Hi! Miss, your purse is on the seat." Someone tramps on both his feet. Jerks a rope to let him out, then again his cheery shout, "Hold tight, there! Fares please, fares." Mounts again the winding stairs, whistling blithely, he runs down—cheeriest man in all the town!