Mother Earth's Children

Elizabeth Gordon

Mother Earth's Children / The Frolics of the Fruits and Vegetables

FOREWORD

Aseed, little friends, is really a plant or a tree all wrapped up in a little brown bundle. If you plant it in the ground it will grow, and when it is old enough it will bear fruit, because God has made it so.

¶ Among all the children of Mother Nature, the fruits and vegetables are probably the most useful to us. Wherever we may go some of these little people are there before us, ready to help us by giving us food and to make life easy and joyous for us.

¶ In your Mother’s garden you will always find many familiar friends; in the fields the graceful Grain children will nod and beckon to you; in the orchard the Fruit children will peep out at you from their leafy homes; along the roadside the gay little Berries will give you a friendly greeting, and in the forest you will find the little wild Grapes climbing trees and playing hide and seek with the Bird children.

¶ The publishers, who have already given you the Flower Children, Bird Children, and Animal Children, wish to join the author and the artist in their grateful acknowledgment of the wonderful appreciation which these books have received, and to hope that these new comrades will prove as fascinating as those whom you already know.

¶ For myself, little friends, I thank you from my heart.

Elizabeth Gordon.

MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN

LITTLE Miss Radish, pretty thing,Has her birthday in the spring;She and the little Onions playOut in the garden all the day.WHEN Orchard Oriole sings his songThe Rhubarb children troop along;They’re hardy, healthy youngsters, too,And stay the whole, long summer through.SAID Lettuce, tender-hearted lass:“Come Dandelion, ’neath my glass;”But Dandelion smiled and saidShe liked the nice fresh air instead.SAID Spanish Onion: “I don’t seeWhy people weep at sight of me;I’m a nice, friendly sort of chappieAnd like to make everybody happy.”THE Button Mushrooms went to playWith the small Puff Balls one bright day;They had such heaps of glorious fun,But all ran home at set of sun.ASPARAGUS in early springCame up to hear the robins sing;When she peeped out her dress was white;It turned green in the sunshine bright.THE Green Pea children went to sailOn the Sauce Pan ocean in a gale;“This boat’s a shell,” they cried; “Dear me!We might capsize in this deep sea.”SAID Spinach: “In my dress of greenI’m just as happy as a queen.I’m truly glad that I am goodFor little babies’ early food.”LITTLE Wild Strawberry came downTo visit with her folks in town;She’s a sweet child with charming waysAnd blushes modestly at praise.SAID Endive: “I was born in FranceBut travel when I get a chance.”Said Celery: “I travel, too,But my real home’s in Kalamazoo.”THE Carrot ladies love to goTo church on Sundays in a row;And, tall or short, each lady fairWears a green feather in her hair,PEARL Onion, tiny little thing,Lives out doors from early spring;She’s German, so I understand,And dearly loves her father-land.THE dainty little Water Cresses,In their pretty bathing dresses,Like water fairies splash and playIn the cool brooklet all the day.“CHERRIES are ripe,” said Old Blue JayAs he flew by one August day;“Why, he means us,” the Cherries cried,“Perhaps we’d better go inside.”WHEN Gooseberry wears a gown of greenShe cries and pouts and makes a scene;But when her gown’s a purplish hueShe never disagrees with you.THE String Beans love to climb a pole,And so their clothes are seldom whole.Mother Bean said: “I’ll mend the tatters;While they are happy, nothing matters!”SAID Dame Potato: “Hurry, Pat!And wash your face and feed the cat,Then run to school, or you’ll be late;Just see! It’s nearly half past eight!”“GOOD morning, friends! Know who I am?I’m Raspberry who makes the jam;You know – that on the pantry shelf —I make that every year myself.”WHITE Turnip said: “I’m pale, I knowAnd all our family are so.”“I should advise,” said old White Beet,“A course of sugar cakes to eat.”RED Pepper said a biting wordWhich Miss Green Pepper overheard;Said she: “Hot words you can’t recall;Better not say such things at all.”SAID Miss Cucumber: “I have broughtMy fan, because the day is hot;Our family have a splendid rule, —Whatever happens, we keep cool.”MISS Parsley raised her plumy head,And in her modest manner said:“I’m only asked to dine, I know,Because my dress becomes me so!”GUMBO’S a splendid southern cook,And, without looking in the book,He’ll make a savory soup or stew,And send it, steaming hot, to you.THE Blueberry children love to runAround the hillsides in the sun;Smiling and jolly, plump and sweet,Best-natured youngsters one could meet.“EVERY one knows,” said Madame Beet“My disposition’s very sweet;And though to plumpness I am prone,My color’s every bit my own.”“MY new spring dress,” said Chicory,“Is just as lacy as can be;Shading from green to purest whiteIts ruffles are my heart’s delight!”FIG is the queerest chap; you knowThe way that fellow starts to grow?Just a small bud upon the bough,No flower at all – that’s clever now!THE pretty little ladies RiceYou’ll always turn to look at twice;They came from India long ago,And now they’re everywhere you go.THE Currant ladies look so sweetIn their green dresses, cool and neat.They offer you, for your delight,Their strings of berries, red and white.SAID Brussels Sprout: “I am so gladThat I’m such a good-looking lad.”Horseradish said: “I’m glad I’m plainIf good looks make a chap so vain.”SAID Rutabaga Turnip: “Wow!I just escaped that hungry cow;I jumped behind a great big treeOr she’d have surely eaten me!”THE Blackberry children love to runAnd play beneath the August sunUntil each little maid and manTakes on a friendly coat of tan.CARRAGEEN makes his bow to you.He’s a sea child, that is true,But he’s so jolly – never cross —His other name is Irish Moss.“THE person they named after me,”Said Oyster Plant, “lives in the sea;I’m very sure I could not sleep‘Rocked in the cradle of the deep.’”YOUNG California ArtichokeExclaimed: “It is the richest jokeThat many people, young and old,How to eat me must be told!”“DEAR me!” Madam Muskmelon said, “Those children will not stay in bed;Before the darlings get misplacedI’ll tie each baby to my waist.”WATERMELON’S dress of greenTrimmed in rose pink you all have seenShe has such pleasant smiling ways,We welcome her on summer days.OLIVE’S a sweet Italian maid,Her gown is green – a lovely shade.Though just at first she’s rather shy,You get to like her by and by.THE Mustard Children grew so tallThey looked right over the garden-wall;They’re rather sharp and forward, soThat’s why they’re left outside, you know.SAID Cauliflower: “I used to beA cabbage, so some folks tell me;When I’ve improved some more – who knows?Maybe I’ll be a Cabbage Rose.”HAND in hand with summer comesThe happy family called the Plums,Some dressed in purple, some in red;They’re very pretty and well bred.SAID Garlic: “My home used to beIn far-off, sunny Sicily;But people here think I’m a blessing,I make such splendid salad dressing.”YAM really is a pretty fellow,Though his complexion’s rather yellow;When Winter comes he packs his gripAnd goes north for a little trip.SAID pompous, purple Egg-plant: “Well!So that is egg in that queer shell;Really! It’s very hard to seeWhy they named that chap after me!”VEGETABLE Marrow liked to tellHow he was once an English swell;Summer Squash laughed and said: “My word!That’s quite the best thing Hi ’ave ’eard.”SAID Hubbard Squash: “All summer longI’m on the farm where I belong,But in the fall, for change of air,I go to see the County Fair.”SAID busy, bustling Mrs. Quince:“I never have a moment sinceThe jelly-making time is here;We’re making such a lot this year.”SAID Mother Pear: “Dear me! Those twinsAre just as much alike as pins;I must do something, I declare!”So she cut little sister’s hair.BANANA wears a yellow coatButtoned quite snugly ’round his throat.He comes from where it’s warm, you see,And feels cold more than you or me.HERE’S an odd child named Cashew —Provides you nuts and apples, too;Oil and wine, and other thingsThis busy young Brazilian brings.A FOREIGN lady of renown —Pomegranate in her crimson gown,Smiling and nodding as she goes,Looks like an Oriental rose.LITTLE Miss Sugar Cane is sweet —In truth, she’s good enough to eat.She gives us sugar, nice and white,And syrup to make things taste right.HERR Burgomaster Cabbage said:“My little dog, he needs some bread.”Frau Cabbage smiled; “Just help yourself,A fresh loaf’s on the pantry shelf.”HERE’S Apple, loved by young and oldAnd sometimes worth his weight in gold.We hail him with delighted criesWhen he comes to us, baked in pies.PINEAPPLE has so many “eyes”You cannot take him by surprise;He’s full of sunshine, through and through,And always has a treat for you.COFFEE said: “I must really studyTo find why my complexion’s muddy.Perhaps it’s only tan, you knowI do run out bareheaded so!”MR. Green Tea comes from Japan,He’s such a wrinkled little man;He says: “My tea is very nice,Will you have sugar, milk or ice?”BARLEY’S a bearded gentleman,He wears a suit of golden tan;Though he has homes both east and westHe loves the prairie lands the best.“I DINNA care,” said bluff Scotch Oat,“For dinner at a table d’hote;A bowl of porridge and some tea,At home, are good enough for me.”“I’LL be grown up,” said Caraway,“And out of school Thanksgiving Day;That’s a good thing, too, ’cause you see,They can’t make cookies without me.”“OUR family’s not hard to suit,”Said Mrs. Peach. “We’re simple fruit;We like most any kind of weatherIf the sun shines, and we’re together.”HICKORY Nut looks rough and rude,Although at heart he’s very good.If once you get inside his shellYou’re sure to like him very well.SAID Cactus: “On the desert wildI used to be a naughty child,But since I went to Burbank’s school,I’m good, and live by Golden Rule.”“THE boys all call me ‘Nigger Toe,’”Brazil Nut said; “I think I’ll goBack to Brazil; ’t would serve them rightAnd teach them to be more polite.”COCOANUT has a funny face,Eyes, nose and mouth all in one place;He’s always busy selling milk,While Mrs. Cocoanut makes silk.SAID Mrs. Peanut, in a flutter,“I quite forgot to salt the butter;”The little Peanut children said:“Why then, Mama, we’ll salt the bread.”SAID Chestnut: “I work for my livingI stuff the turkey on Thanksgiving.On winter days I work down town;You’ll know me by my coat of brown.”PERSIMMON said: “I’m up so highI can reach out and touch the sky.”Bre’r Possum said: “Don’t reach too far,You might put out a shining star.”SAID Mr. Gourd: “You’ll plainly seeWe are a busy family;We give you bottles, cups and things,And curly vines for playtime rings.”LITTLE, wise, home-loving TruffleNever lets his temper ruffle;His home is just beneath the ground,And there he always may be found.WILD Grape just loves to run awayAnd in the green woods climb and play;You’ll know him when among the treesHis fragrant blossoms scent the breeze.THOUGH Miss Grape Fruit is very youngHer praises are on every tongue;And though she travels everywhereShe has a very modest air.THE Lemons every summer goIn groups to see the Wild West Show;Come rain or shine, they never stayAt home on any circus day.MISS Cotton is a fairy queenIn her white dress all trimmed with green;To other children everywhereShe sends such pretty clothes to wear.MISS Orange said: “I’d like to knowThose pretty mountain girls called ‘Snow;’”“Don’t,” said her Dad, “or we are lost;They’re relatives of Sir Jack Frost.”MISS Beechnut wears a pretty bonnetWith little fuzzy feathers on it.She’s very sweet, and always good;Her home is in the deep, wild wood“I WORK,” said genial Mrs. Wheat,“To give the world enough to eat;I’m always happy when there’s breadEnough, so every child is fed.”CITRON is very plump and round,He likes to roll upon the ground;Come rain or shine he’s always happy,A nice, contented little chappie.CRANBERRY dearly loves to goWading in places wet and low;She wears soft gowns of dainty flossMade of the pretty yellow moss.SAID Indian Corn: “I’m heap rich brave,Much shiny gold I make and save.”So Squaw Corn went and bought a bonnet,And a silk gown with tassels on it.NORTH Wind came whistling by one dayWhere the Tomatoes were at play;It gave those children such a frightThey put their blankets on that night.THE oddest child – when all is said —Of those we’ve met, is St. John’s Bread;He’s Spanish, so I’ve understood,And makes a food that’s very good.THE Nutmeg children ran awayTo tease the cook on baking day.Said Mother Nutmeg, in surprise:“Why! Who will spice the custard pies?THE Pumpkin children, everyone,On Hallowe’en go out for fun;With Jack o’lantern and his crewThey find such jolly things to do.WHEN Jack Frost said: “Now, children all,Go in before the snowflakes fall,”Parsnip declared he liked the snowTo cover him, and didn’t go.SIR English Walnut, pompous, fat,Is quite a great aristocrat.His family is very old;They lived in Bible times, we’re told.THE Popcorn children are so dearThey stay with us all through the year;They like to dance in dresses whiteAround the open fire at night.