Jingles

Chapter 59: Job Smarter Than Modern Babies

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About This Book

A compact anthology of short rhymes and playful verse written in early childhood and arranged by the ages at which they were composed. The pieces use a childlike voice to render animal songs, holiday verses, riddles, light moral observations, and wordplay, occasionally experimenting with other languages and invented turns of phrase. Humorous sketches and simple portraits of daily life alternate with fanciful imaginings, and lively illustrations accompany the poems to emphasize their spontaneous charm and the development of a young poet’s imagination.

Job Smarter Than Modern Babies

"Mother," said Lida, "why can't brother speak,

Is he so stupid or only just weak,

Like poor ancient Grandma, when she has a cold,

And loses her voice so she can't even scold?"

"No, darling," said mother, "your brother can't talk,

Eat sugar candy, nor even yet walk,

As he is a baby the size of your doll,

And babies can't talk when they are so small."

"Then, mother," said Lida, "the kids nowadays

Are not half so smart in all of their ways

As babies who lived in the long, long ago,

For dear teacher told me (so 'course it is so,)

That Job in the Bible cursed the day he was born,

I 'spose like big Tom, when he can't play his horn."