“WHERE’S SOPHIE?”
Sophie climbed the garden trellis,
Plucked the finest grapes in view;
How they shone with red and amber,
As the sun came glinting through.
She was taking painting lessons,
And she paused and gazed at them;
“Oh,” she said, “a pretty picture,
Grapes and green leaves on a stem.
“I will leave them here, unbroken,
Close beside the garden walk;
Look!” she said, to Cousin Mary,
“Just anear this broken stalk.”
Off they went through pleasant pathways;
Staying longer than they knew,
By a russet, leaf-strewn border,
With its asters, pink and blue.
Then their friendly gossip over,
Homeward as they turned to go;
“Oh, the grapes!” said Sophie, quickly,
“We must go for those, you know.”
When they reached the precious cluster,
Five bold sparrows pertly stood,
Pecking at the grapes beside them,
Chattering in a wanton mood.
“Look! Oh, look!” said cousin Mary,
“Sparrows at your luscious store!”
“Shoo!” said Sophie, “was there ever
Such a piece of work before?”
Pilfering sparrows, you have taught me,
By this loss, a lesson true;
When a bunch of grapes I gather,
Just to keep them safe from you.