Have you seen the turkey gobbler, With his loud, important air, As he struts about the barnyard Like a king without a care? [Illustration: Horses and Ponies] Dobbin Old Dobbin lives in grandpa’s barn The whole long winter through, But when the summer comes again, He has much work to do. And so he gets up while it’s dark, And eats a little hay. Before I am awake at all, He’s ready for the day. He never says he’d like to rest, And I never saw him frown; It’s “Dobbin here” and “Dobbin there”— He trudges up and down. A little boy, when summer comes, May run, and shout, and play, But Dobbin works from morn till night, Each sunny, summer day. [Illustration: Boy on spotted horse] A Gentle Horse I know a horse that lives on a farm. He is an old horse, but he still works. He sometimes pulls the plow. I am a little boy only seven years old. But this horse lets me ride upon his back. One day I rode across the fields. One time a little girl rode on this horse’s back. She fell off, but she didn’t get hurt. She was just frightened. The horse was so good that he stopped. He didn’t move an inch. He was ever so still. Was he not a sensible horse? Horses Many horses live on farms where they get plenty of grass and hay to eat. Some horses work very hard. They work in the fields. They pull plows and wagons and hayracks. At night, they stay in the stables. In the city, horses pull coal, ice and milk wagons. The milk wagon horses learn to wait for their drivers. While the driver delivers the milk, his horse stands still. Horses are out in all kinds of weather. Boys and girls, and men and women sometimes go riding on horses they rent for an hour or more. Trained horses can jump over poles. Some horses pull circus wagons. A long time ago, horses used to pull street cars. In the city, we don’t see many horses any more. Automobiles have taken the place of horses. But still, horses are useful and deserve good care. My Pony My pony has four curving hoofs so tiny and so trim, You’d be surprised to see how fast they trot along with him. He has a flowing mane and tail, a shining coat of hair, And when I get upon his back, he takes me everywhere. He loves to eat the sugar that I bring him in my hand, He loves to trot and gallop down the street at my command. He loves to rub his nose against my shoulder, for you see, I love my pony dearly and I know that he loves me. _Alice C. D. Riley from Lilts and Lyrics Used by permission of Clayton F. Summy Co._ [Illustration: Boy in pony cart] My Cousin’s Pony