Poetry for children

Chapter 22: THE PEACH

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About This Book

This collection assembles short, simple poems and dialogues written for young readers, many by Mary with contributions from Charles, presenting playful scenes of childhood, sibling banter, moral fables, religious reflections, and observations of nature and daily life. Pieces range from light verse about losing baby teeth, toys, and first sights of green fields to didactic fables and tender portraits of family affection, occasionally adapting biblical or anecdotal material. Language is plain and rhythmic, with occasional ballads and moral lessons aimed at cultivating kindness, cleanliness, courage, and sympathy while celebrating imagination and domestic intimacy.

THE PEACH

Mamma gave us a single peach,

She shared it among seven;

Now you may think that unto each

But a small piece was given.

Yet though each share was very small,

We own’d, when it was eaten,

Being so little for us all

Did its fine flavour heighten.

The tear was in our parent’s eye,

It seem’d quite out of season;

When we ask’d wherefore she did cry,

She thus explain’d the reason:—

“The cause, my children, I may say,

Was joy, and not dejection;

The peach, which made you all so gay,

Gave rise to this reflection:

“It’s many a mother’s lot to share,

Seven hungry children viewing,

A morsel of the coarsest fare,

As I this peach was doing.”