  boy being told to weed garden by mother Each child should be content to do Some useful thing each day, And not be thinking all the time Of pleasure or of play. DADDY CRANE NED was so fond of swimming No punishment nor rule That mother made could keep him long Out of the swimming pool. One morning she had set him To clear a flower bed, “And do not stop till every weed Is out of it,” she said. But oh, that naughty Edward! She scarce had turned away When up he rose, and off he ran; Soon, naked as a little frog, With many a joyous shout, He jumped into the swimming pool, And kicked and swam about. But while he played so gaily Old Daddy Crane, unseen, Stood watching him, and grinning, Among the rushes green. “I’ll wait until that funny thing Has dressed, and then,” says he, “I’ll catch him by the trousers seat And take him home with me.” Soon, cooled and freshened by his swim, Young Ned comes splashing out. In haste he gets into his clothes And never looks about. boy getting undressed to swim while large crane sees him Now Daddy stretches out his neck! “Oh! Oh,” poor Edward cries, For Daddy has him in his beak, And off with him he flies. Far, far off by a river, Where no one comes to see, Old Daddy lives among the reeds, He and his children three. ’Tis there he carries Edward. “Look children! Look!” cries he. “I’ve brought you such a funny thing. It swims, as you shall see.” And now with cackling laughter He throws poor little Ned Far, far out in the river, Ker-splash! heels over head. crane carryign boy by trousers Then how the young ones clap their wings, And laugh and dance about, As, blowing water from his nose, Poor Ned comes scrabbling out. “Quick, Daddy, throw him in again,” The youngsters cry with glee. “There never was a froggy thing As comical as he.” In vain poor Edward struggles. His cries are all in vain. No sooner does he get on shore Than splash! he’s in again. “Oh dear!” he cries, while water Is mingled with his tears, “I’ve had enough of swimming To last for years and years.” crane throwing boy into pond while young cranes watch And so, next time they throw him in, Instead of swimming round He hides himself among the reeds, And hopes he won’t be found. He hears old Daddy calling, “Hi there! You frog, come out! You needn’t try to hide from me. I know what you’re about.” He hears the young ones rustle round, They bitterly complain, “Oh Daddy, find our frog for us. We want him back again.” But quick Ned gathers lily leaves, All broad and green and flat, And fixes them to hide his head As though they were a hat. boy trying to swim off secretly to get away from crane Then out beyond the reeds he floats; The green leaves hide him still As down the stream he swims away Past meadow, wood and hill. In vain old Daddy hunts about, And little does he dream That Ned was underneath the leaves That floated down the stream. Now Edward’s reached his home again. He runs in through the door, Leaving a trail of water Across the kitchen floor. “You need not scold me mother,” With chattering teeth he says. “I’ve had enough of swimming now To last me all my days.” boy coming in sopping wet to mother |
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