"Then in this basket-cradle She put the little child; And quietly he floated down Among the rushes wild. "Just then the king's own daughter Came to the water's edge, And saw the basket floating Among the grass and sedge. "She drew it from the water, And called the babe her own, And kept him till to be a man That little boy had grown. "And when you read the Bible,-- Which you will learn to do,-- You'll see how great and good he was, And how God loved him, too." [Illustration] ANGER. [Illustration: W.] "When a child is cross and angry, Never must her voice be heard; Only to herself most softly May she say this simple word, "Lead us not into temptation;" That will angry thoughts remove, Make her calm and still and gentle, With a spirit full of love. WHAT THE BIRDS SAY. [Illustration] "I hear the birds sing, mother, Yet know not what they say; I've listened to them often Until they flew away. "Say if their words, dear mother, To you are clear and plain, Or if, like me, you've listened At morn and night in vain." "We don't know what they say, dear; We think they sing their hymn At early morning sunrise, Or at the twilight dim. "When softly sings the mother, Within her downy nest, We think she's gently hushing Her little ones to rest. "But this remember, darling, The birds are always kind; A cross or angry songster I never yet could find. "And you may learn a lesson From their sweet notes of love; Like them be always gentle, And please the God above." [Illustration] [Illustration] THE MONKEY. [Illustration: Letter O.] "O Mother! here's the organ-man, And here's the monkey, too! Just see his funny gown of red, And little cap of blue! "O look! he's on the window there! His cap is in his paw; And now he bows and makes a face; What can it all be for? "O, now they've dropped some money in, While, quickly as he can, See! he puts on his cap, and gives The pennies to the man. "Mamma! why don't you look at him! You have not seen at all; Just see him climbing up and down, With paws so brown and small! "He's gone away! O, dear mamma, Why did you not come here? You never saw, in all your life, A thing one half as queer." "I'll tell you why, my little son, I do not like to see That monkey bow and jump about; 'Tis no delight to me. "They've had to treat him cruelly To teach him how to play; They've had to whip and punish him And take his food away. "And that is why I do not love To see him dancing so; And if you thought of it, my boy, You'd feel with me, I know." THE SHEEP IN HEAVEN. [Illustration: Letter C.] "Come to the window, mother! Look out, and you will see How fast these little clouds sail on, Above our old elm tree! "And tell me, dearest mother, Are these the sheep of heaven, That in that land are feeding, From morning until even?