Chapter I: Must Not Be Selfish

When I play with little children
I must very gentle be;
I must always do to others
As I'd have them do to me.

I must like to give and lend them,
If they want my prettiest toy;
More than my delight and pleasure
I must love my playmate's joy.

Children who are kind and loving
God above is pleased to see;
Let me ever this remember,
Ever sweet and pleasant be.

THE CAT.

Stop, naughty pussy! that's not fair! Jump down this minute from the chair! You've eaten my nice slice of bread. And here are only crumbs instead.

I for a minute left the room To listen to the "Buy a broom," And now I think it's quite too bad That you my luncheon should have had.

Her mother said, "My dear, if you Had done what you were told to do, And put the plate upon the shelf, You might have had the bread yourself.

"But if you have no thought nor care, And leave your luncheon on a chair, You must not blame poor pussy-cat; She knows no better, dear, than that.

"The one who left her bread about Upon the chair, while she went out,-- The one who hangs her head for shame,-- My little girl's the one to blame!"

STUDY FIRST.

No, Robbie! you can go away; I am not ready yet to play; For I must learn these words to spell, That I may say my lesson well.

How sad our dear mamma would look, To find that I had left my book! And if I disobeyed her so, My play would not be gay, I know.

I'll learn my lesson very soon, And then I'll run with you till noon; So, Robbie, you can go away, And presently I'll come and play.

THE BABY.

We've the dearest baby sister!
And so small and sweet is she,
That we love to stand beside her,
All her cunning ways to see.

She can talk in baby language,
She can laugh, and she can crow;
She's the pet and she's the darling,
She's the sweetest one we know.

Mother says that she will always
Be a sweet and gentle child,
If, in all our actions towards her,
We are loving, good, and mild.

Let us, then, be kind and pleasant
Ever to our little pet;
Nor to thank the God who gave her,
Morn and night, let us forget.