Three Minute Stories

Chapter 28: THE SWING

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Children & Young Adult Reading Short Stories

About This Book

A collection of brief tales and verses for young readers that blends domestic vignettes, animal fables, and playful rhymes. Many pieces present self-contained scenes—children at play, pets and birds, seasonal and holiday moments—alongside short moral adaptations drawn from older folk stories. Entries range from whimsical nonsense to gentle instruction, and are arranged as easily read, often illustrated, items meant to be finished in a few minutes. The volume offers an accessible assortment of short, illustrated pieces designed to amuse, soothe, and convey simple lessons to a young audience.

THE SWING

Hey, the old swing!

And ho! the old swing!

And hey, the old swing in the orchard!

It groans and it creaks,

It squawks and it squeaks,

You’d think ’twas most cruelly tortured.

Hey! the old swing,

And ho! the old swing,

All under the apple trees swaying:

“Oh dear! how they shake me!

They surely will break me!”

It seems to be constantly saying.

Hey! the old swing,

And ho! the old swing;

For all its lamenting and sighing,

Just give it a push,

And it’s off with a rush,

Up into the apple-boughs flying.

Hey! the old swing,

And ho! the old swing;

It’s off and away with a will now;

Old swing, stop your moaning,

Your dreary o-honing!

I’m sure you’re enjoying it still, now!