A is an apple, so rosy and sweet!
B is a butternut dropped at your feet.
C is a crow flying over the hill,
D is a duck in the pond by the mill.
E is an egg that the hen hid away;
F is a fan for a very warm day.
G is a golden-rod lifting a plume,
H is a honey-bee kissing its bloom.
I is an icicle, sharp as a spear;
J is a juniper, green all the year.
K is a katydid, singing at dusk;
L is a lily, much sweeter than musk.
M is a mouse peeping out of her hole;
N is a napkin in tight little roll.
O is an owl, looking solemn and wise;
P is a pussy, with fun in her eyes.
Q is a question that children may ask;
R is a recess when ended your task.
S is a sugar-plum ever so nice;
T is a tooth biting it in a trice.
U is an usher, to find you a place;
V is a violet hiding her face.
W is a wren, with a dear little nest;
X is the gladness that fills her wee breast.
Y is YOUNG PEOPLE you all love so well;
Z is for Zoe, who reads it to Nell.
Some little folks may think it odd that X stands for gladness. When they
are older, and study algebra, they will find out that X is put for a
quantity that is not known. Nobody can tell just how very glad a little
mother-bird feels over her fledgelings.
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