COMPLICATIONS

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue IV, 27 July 1895, Page 97

COMPLICATIONS

Ina garden fair grew an apple tree. As white with blossoms as white could be A bee strayed in from the field of broom , He tell in love with the apple bloom Their peace of mind they lost in a trice . They now were engaged. and that was nice. The bee flew far and returned in the fall His blossom was then a green little ball The bee—he mourned aud the green fruit too . But, alas, about that there was uothiug to do. Close by the tree, in the wall of the house. Lived a poor but virtuous mouse. In secret he sighed “Thou green little ball. Oh • would that I had thee within my wall.’’ The bee went roaming — and far led his route; Returned —and then his flowet} Was a fruit. He grieved in Secret, the fruit ’grieved too. But, alas, about that there was nothing to do. Close under the eaves a bird's nest lay. Where a sparrow kept house in a humble wav.

In secret he sighed Thou fruit so fine. £ My uest were heaven if thou wert 1 mine.” The bee, he mourned ; the fruit felt bad , S The mousie struggled, the sparrow was sad y But each kept quiet, and no oue knew, r For, alas, about that there was nothing fa to do. 1 Then dropped tf e fruit from its hough. fa and burst. ” The mouse fell dead, while his fate he r curst. fa The sparrow at last expired in his hole ; ' When they raised the sheaf on the Christmas pole O Theu the bee was free ; but the leaves were shed And all the flowers of summer were dead. C To his hive he retired, and his trade he plied • £ An esteemed producer of wax he died. 1 But spared all this trouble and grief could 2 have been. Had the bee been a mouse when the fruit C was green. 1 And all might, perhaps, have ended well, C Had the mouse been a sparrow before the ' fruit fell. Jt