  girl watching friends play with toys Eliza never was content. Indeed ’twas very sad That any child could envy so The things that others had. ENVIOUS ELIZA ELIZA was an envious child, Indeed ’twas very sad To see the way she wished for things That other children had. Instead of playing like the rest, She’d stand about and whine, “I do not see why every one Has better things than mine. “Jane’s doll is prettier than mine. John has a better ball. The one Aunt Sarah gave to me Will hardly bounce at all. children playing with toys “My picture book is old and torn And Mary’s looks quite new. And Tom has all the building blocks. I wish I had some, too.” ’Twas thus the envious little girl Complained day after day. She made herself unhappy, And spoiled the fun and play. At last one day when she began With her complaints once more, John quickly gathered up his toys And games from off the floor. “Here, you may have my things,” he said, “I’ll give them all to you.” “And you may have my doll,” said Jane, “And all her dresses, too.” “Yes,” Mary cried, “and take my books, ”My grace-hoop, sticks and all, And Noah’s Ark.“ ”And here!“ said Tom, ”Here are my blocks and ball.“ Eliza scarce believed her ears, “You’ll give them all to me,— The books and games and toys? Oh dear! How happy I shall be.” The other children ran away, And left her standing there, But since they’d also left their things But little did she care. Quite happily, all by herself, She played that afternoon, It seemed to her that supper time Had never come so soon. Children leave Eliza with toys Next day, all by herself again; She settled down to play, But oh! the room seemed strangely still With all the rest away. “I wonder what they’re all about, And where they are,” thought she; And then she called them, “Come in here And play awhile with me.” “We can’t,” she heard them answer back, “There’s nothing we can do Now we have given all our toys And games and books to you!” “But oh! I cannot always play All by myself,” cried she, “Come here, and you shall have again The things you gave to me. Eliza looks out door for someone to play with “The toys and books and dolls and games— Each one shall take his own, I’d rather never have a thing Than always play alone.” The children now have taken back The toys they gave to her, The nursery’s full of merriment And fun and cheerful stir. Eliza now is quite content To play like all the rest, And never gives a single thought To which one has the best. |
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