A Lesson From A Bird

A little Bird, with feathers brown,
Sat singing on a tree;
The song was very soft and low,
But sweet as it could be.

And all the people passing by
Looked up to see the bird,
Whose singing was the sweetest
That ever they had had heard.

But all the bright eyes looked in vain;
For birdie was so small,
And, with a modest dark brown coat,
He made no show at all.

"Dear Papa, little Gracie said,
"where can this birdie be?
If I could only sing like that
I'd sit where folks could see.

"I hope my little girl will learn
A lesson from that bird'
And try to do what good she can
Not to be seen nor heard.

"This birdie is content to sit
Unnoticed by the way
And sweetly sing his Maker's praise,
From dawn to close of day.'

So live, my child, to do some good,
Let life be short or long;
Though people may forget your looks,
They'll not forget your song."

- Anonymous