THE WILLOW MAN
There was onco a willow and ho was very old, And all his leaves fell off from him. and left him the cold; But ero the rude Winter could buffet him with snow, There grew upon his hoary head a crop of 'Mistletoe. " Oh. Granny dear, tell us," the children cried, " whore we May find the shining mistletoe that "grows upon the tree?" At length the Dame told them, but cautioned them to mind To greet the willow civilly, and leave a bit behind. " Who cares," said the children, " for this old Willow-man? We'll take the Mistletoe, and he may catch us if he can!" With rage the ancient willow shakes in every limb, For they have taken all, and have not left a bit for him! A year soon passed by, and the children came onco more. But not a sprig of mistletoe the aced willow bore. Each slender spray pointed; he mocked them in his glee, And chuckled in his wooden heart, that ancient willow-tree.
Moral O children, who gather the spoils of wood and wold. From selfish greed and wilful waste, vour little hands withold Though fair things be common, this moral bear in mind, " Pick thankfully and modestly, and leave a bit behind." JULIANA HORATIA EWING Illustrations by MILLICENT McNEIL
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19350112.2.188.28.4
Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22006, 12 January 1935, Page 4 (Supplement)
Word Count
217THE WILLOW MAN New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22006, 12 January 1935, Page 4 (Supplement)
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