These pictures we hope
Will our little folks please,
And also to each one
This moral convey:
"Be contented and happy,
Whatever your lot,
And don't try, as some do,
To have your own way."
Master Jacko, you see,
Had a very snug home,
With plenty to eat
That was wholesome and good;
But still he did not,
We are sorry to say,
Behave in a way
That a pet monkey should.
For one day he said,
"Come, I don't like at all
The life that I lead,
And I cannot see why
I should not live just
As my own master does;
This chain is not strong,
Can I break it? I'll try."
After some little time
Jacko snapped it in two;
Said he to himself,
"Well, now where shall I go?
To the larder, I think;
For my appetite's good,
And I'm sure to find
Something to eat there, I know."
He entered, and as he
Was looking about
A lobster just brought
From the shop seized his tail,
And pinched him, and nipped him,
Until our young friend
Jumped about, and set up
A most piteous wail.
Next he went to the kitchen,
And there he espied
A bottle of something--
"Ha, ha, I must taste!"
But he found it was curry,
Which burnt his poor throat,
So he let drop the bottle,
And he ran off in haste.
To the dining-room the
He repaired, and he said,
"Into master's tea-pot
The hot water I'll pour;"
But he upset the kettle,
And scalded himself,
And loudly screamed out
As he rolled on the floor.
Quoth Jacko, "the house
Doesn't suit me at all,
I had better go back
To the garden again,
And gather some peaches,
Or grapes, or some plums,
And try to forget
All my trouble and pain."
In the corner the rogue
Saw a bee-hive--"Why, here
Must be honey! Delicious!"
Said he; "Just the thing!"
So he put in his hand,
But he brought out the bees,
And they punished poor Jacko
With many a sting.
Pinched, scalded, and stung,
To his home he returned.
Reasoned he, "My past folly
I shall not regret;
For I'm sure the misfortunes
I've gone through to-day
Have taught me a lesson
I ne'er shall forget."