FOUR little culprits Up for truancy; One went to Boys’ School And then there were three. THREE little culprits, Mighty bad ones too; One was paroled to me And then there were two. TWO little culprits Killed a dog for fun; One got a “paddling,” friend, And then there was one. ONE little culprit, Innocent was he; Judge smiled and shook his hand, And then he was free. * * * * * Now friends, this little rhyme Would but a moral preach To every man that has A heart and soul to reach. These little culprits six, You see them every day. ’Tis not alone their due— The penalty they pay. The home, the church, the school— They teach not wrong from right; And when the child must choose HIS is a sorry plight. To him the wrong doth seem But childish prank and fun, And then we punish him Though harm he meant to none. Some few there are, ’tis true By intuition bad Exceptions to the rule Unlike the normal lad. But take them all as one— The boy is born for good, And if you teach aright Will do the things he should. Six little children, friend, Were stamped with sign of shame; All innocent they were And ours alone the blame. ----- Footnote 1: See page 140 of this issue Footnote 2: See page 132 of this issue. Footnote 3: See THE SURVEY, December 14, 1912, p. 341. Footnote 4: See page 870 for Professor Dewey’s article; page 893 for the reference to “principles and policies.” Footnote 5: See THE SURVEY, April 12, 1913, p. 72. Footnote 6: See THE SURVEY for January 6, 1912. Footnote 7: Director of male activities, Council Educational Alliance, Cleveland. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SURVEY ASSOCIATES, INC. NATIONAL COUNCIL ROBERT W. DEFOREST, President.