Five Minute Stories

Chapter 18: NEW YEAR SONG.

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About This Book

A lively collection of short stories and poems for children, offering simple domestic scenes, playful rhymes, brief narratives, and light moral lessons. Pieces range from tender portraits of family life and child play to fanciful nonsense verses, seasonal and holiday sketches, animal vignettes, and concise character studies, often keyed to children's imagination and daily activities. Language is straightforward and rhythmic, with songs and jingles interspersed among short tales; many pieces aim to charm or amuse while gently reinforcing kindness, curiosity, and good manners. Illustrations accompany several items, enhancing the accessible tone and appeal to young readers.

NEW YEAR SONG.

“New Year, true year,

What now are you bringing?

May-day skies and butterflies,

And merry birds a-singing?

Frolic, play, all the day,

Not an hour of school?”

But the merry echo,

The laughing New Year echo,

Only answered, “School!”

“New Year, true year,

What now are you bringing?

Summer roses springing gay,

Summer vines a-swinging?

Jest and sport, the merriest sort,

Never a thought of work?”

But the merry echo,

The laughing New Year echo,

Only answered, “Work!”

“New year, true year,

What now are you bringing?

Autumn fruits all fire-ripe,

Autumn horns a-ringing?

Keen delight o’ moonlight nights,

When dull folks are abed?”

But the merry echo,

The laughing New-Year echo,

Only answered, “Bed!”