  mother and boy looking at pigs Children should never eat like this, Although for pigs ’tis not amiss. boy eating sloppily while girl sits next to him JOHN’S manners at the table Were very sad to see. You’d scarce believe a child could act In such a way as he. He smacked his lips and gobbled, His nose down in his plate. You might have thought that he was starved, So greedily he ate. mother talking to boy He’d snatch for what he wanted, And never once say “please,” Or, elbows on the table, He’d sit and take his ease. In vain papa reproved him; In vain mamma would say, “You really ought to be ashamed To eat in such a way.” One day when lunch was ready, And John came in from play, His mother said, “A friend has come To eat with you to-day.” “A friend of mine?” cried Johnny, “Whoever can it be?” “He’s at the table,” mother said, “You’d better come and see.” boy sees pig at this place at table Into the dining-room he ran. A little pig was there. It had a napkin round its neck, And sat up in a chair. “This is your friend,” his father cried, “He’s just a pig, it’s true, But he might really be your twin, He acts so much like you.” “Indeed he’s not my friend,” cried John, With red and angry face. “If he sits there beside my chair I’m going to change my place.” “No, no,” his father quickly cried, “Indeed that will not do. Sit down at once where you belong, He’s come to visit you.” boy has to sti next to pig for supper Now how ashamed was little John; But there he had to sit, And see the piggy served with food, And watch him gobble it. “John,” said mamma, “I think your friend Would like a piece of bread.” “And pass him the potatoes, too,” Papa politely said. The other children laughed at this, But father shook his head. “Be still, or leave the room at once; It’s not a joke,” he said. “Oh, mother, send the pig away,” With tears cried little John. “I’ll never eat that way again If only he’ll be gone.” boy now eating nicely at table while mother and sister watch “Why,” said mamma, “since that’s the case, And you your ways will mend, Perhaps we’d better let him go. Perhaps he’s not your friend.” Now John has learned his lesson, For ever since that day He’s lost his piggish manners, And eats the proper way. And his papa, and mother too, Are both rejoiced to see How mannerly and how polite Their little John can be. |
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