Now, Harry, I've a tale to tell,
So sit upon this chair;
It is of what one day befell
A little maid so fair.
She had a trick of catching flies,
And as I understand,
Regardless of their shape or size,
Would clasp them in her hand.
A sly young bee that knew the way
Some window-plants to gain,
Yet choosing an unwise delay
Was creeping on the pane:
The thoughtless child, on mischief bent,
Soon caught him by the wing;
But she, on cruelty intent,
Was punished with a sting.
Nurse heard a cry of pain and grief,
And tho' it seems quite funny,
The little girl soon found relief
From poultice made of honey.[3]
Now since that time, I do expect,
She'll hurt poor flies no more;
The little maid will oft reflect
On all she's done before.
O, Harry, it is sad, indeed,
To hurt a living thing!
And those who do it, _really need_,
A _rod_, if not a _sting_.
[3] Spirits of hartshorn, if immediately applied, will likewise
effectually remove the pain of a sting.
Spirits of turpentine, in case of a burn or scald, is a valuable
acquisition to a nurse-maid's closet. Its constant application till
the fire is extracted, prevents those bad consequences which sometimes
arise from neglect, or inefficient means.
[Illustration: A little Boy who was afraid in the dark. _pa 32._]
[Illustration: Nurse's reflections on the advantages of truth and
sincerity. _pa 34._]