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Title: Mother Earth's Children

Subtitle: The Frolics of the Fruits and Vegetables

Author: Elizabeth Gordon

Release Date: October 31, 2014 [EBook #47252]

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Turgut Dincer (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ***

Mother Earth’s Children

The Frolics of the Fruits and Vegetables

Mother Earth's

Children

The Frolics of the

Fruits and Vegetables

BY

Elizabeth Gordon

Author of

Flower Children, Bird Children,

etc.

With illustrations by

M.T. Ross

Published by

P.F.Volland & Co.

Chicago

Copyright 1914

P. F. Volland & Co.

Chicago, U. S. A.

Second Edition

This little book is a thank-offering to the thousands of little friends who have so loyally given me their best in the way of encouragement and appreciation, and is most especially inscribed to Gladys Doris.

FOREWORD

seed, 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.

L ITTLE Miss Radish, pretty thing,

Has her birthday in the spring;

She and the little Onions play

Out in the garden all the day.

9

W  HEN Orchard Oriole sings his song

The Rhubarb children troop along;

They’re hardy, healthy youngsters, too,

And stay the whole, long summer through.

10

S  AID Lettuce, tender-hearted lass:

“Come Dandelion, ’neath my glass;”

But Dandelion smiled and said

She liked the nice fresh air instead.

11

S  AID Spanish Onion: “I don’t see

Why people weep at sight of me;

I’m a nice, friendly sort of chappie

And like to make everybody happy.”

12

T  HE Button Mushrooms went to play

With the small Puff Balls one bright day;

They had such heaps of glorious fun,

But all ran home at set of sun.

13

A  SPARAGUS in early spring

Came up to hear the robins sing;

When she peeped out her dress was white;

It turned green in the sunshine bright.

14

T  HE Green Pea children went to sail

On the Sauce Pan ocean in a gale;

“This boat’s a shell,” they cried; “Dear me!

We might capsize in this deep sea.”

15

S  AID Spinach: “In my dress of green

I’m just as happy as a queen.

I’m truly glad that I am good

For little babies’ early food.”

16

L ITTLE Wild Strawberry came down

To visit with her folks in town;

She’s a sweet child with charming ways

And blushes modestly at praise.

17

S  AID Endive: “I was born in France

But travel when I get a chance.”

Said Celery: “I travel, too,

But my real home’s in Kalamazoo.”

18

T  HE Carrot ladies love to go

To church on Sundays in a row;

And, tall or short, each lady fair

Wears a green feather in her hair,

19

P  EARL Onion, tiny little thing,

Lives out doors from early spring;

She’s German, so I understand,

And dearly loves her father-land.

20

T  HE dainty little Water Cresses,

In their pretty bathing dresses,

Like water fairies splash and play

In the cool brooklet all the day.

21

“C  HERRIES are ripe,” said Old Blue Jay

As he flew by one August day;

“Why, he means us,” the Cherries cried,

“Perhaps we’d better go inside.”

22

W  HEN Gooseberry wears a gown of green

She cries and pouts and makes a scene;

But when her gown’s a purplish hue

She never disagrees with you.

23

T  HE 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!”

24

S  AID 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!”

25

“G  OOD 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.”

26

W  HITE Turnip said: “I’m pale, I know

And all our family are so.”

“I should advise,” said old White Beet,

“A course of sugar cakes to eat.”

27

R  ED Pepper said a biting word

Which Miss Green Pepper overheard;

Said she: “Hot words you can’t recall;

Better not say such things at all.”

28

S  AID Miss Cucumber: “I have brought

My fan, because the day is hot;

Our family have a splendid rule,—

Whatever happens, we keep cool.”

29

M  ISS 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!”

30

G  UMBO’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.

31

T  HE Blueberry children love to run

Around the hillsides in the sun;

Smiling and jolly, plump and sweet,

Best-natured youngsters one could meet.

32

“E  VERY one knows,” said Madame Beet

“My disposition’s very sweet;

And though to plumpness I am prone,

My color’s every bit my own.”

33

“M  Y new spring dress,” said Chicory,

“Is just as lacy as can be;

Shading from green to purest white

Its ruffles are my heart’s delight!”

34

F  IG is the queerest chap; you know

The way that fellow starts to grow?

Just a small bud upon the bough,

No flower at all—that’s clever now!

35

T  HE pretty little ladies Rice

You’ll always turn to look at twice;

They came from India long ago,

And now they’re everywhere you go.

36

T  HE Currant ladies look so sweet

In their green dresses, cool and neat.

They offer you, for your delight,

Their strings of berries, red and white.

37

S  AID Brussels Sprout: “I am so glad

That I’m such a good-looking lad.”

Horseradish said: “I’m glad I’m plain

If good looks make a chap so vain.”

38

S  AID Rutabaga Turnip: “Wow!

I just escaped that hungry cow;

I jumped behind a great big tree

Or she’d have surely eaten me!”

39

T  HE Blackberry children love to run

And play beneath the August sun

Until each little maid and man

Takes on a friendly coat of tan.

40

C  ARRAGEEN 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.

41

“T  HE 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.’”

42

Y  OUNG California Artichoke

Exclaimed: “It is the richest joke

That many people, young and old,

How to eat me must be told!”

43

“D  EAR me!” Madam Muskmelon said,

“Those children will not stay in bed;

Before the darlings get misplaced

I’ll tie each baby to my waist.”

44

W  ATERMELON’S dress of green

Trimmed in rose pink you all have seen

She has such pleasant smiling ways,

We welcome her on summer days.

45

O  LIVE’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.

46

T  HE Mustard Children grew so tall

They looked right over the garden-wall;

They’re rather sharp and forward, so

That’s why they’re left outside, you know.

47

S  AID Cauliflower: “I used to be

A cabbage, so some folks tell me;

When I’ve improved some more—who knows?

Maybe I’ll be a Cabbage Rose.”

48

H  AND in hand with summer comes

The happy family called the Plums,

Some dressed in purple, some in red;

They’re very pretty and well bred.

49

S  AID Garlic: “My home used to be

In far-off, sunny Sicily;

But people here think I’m a blessing,

I make such splendid salad dressing.”

50

Y  AM really is a pretty fellow,

Though his complexion’s rather yellow;

When Winter comes he packs his grip

And goes north for a little trip.

51

S  AID pompous, purple Egg-plant: “Well!

So that is egg in that queer shell;

Really! It’s very hard to see

Why they named that chap after me!”

52

V  EGETABLE Marrow liked to tell

How he was once an English swell;

Summer Squash laughed and said: “My word!

That’s quite the best thing Hi ’ave ’eard.”

53

S  AID Hubbard Squash: “All summer long

I’m on the farm where I belong,

But in the fall, for change of air,

I go to see the County Fair.”

54

S  AID busy, bustling Mrs. Quince:

“I never have a moment since

The jelly-making time is here;

We’re making such a lot this year.”

55

S  AID Mother Pear: “Dear me! Those twins

Are just as much alike as pins;

I must do something, I declare!”

So she cut little sister’s hair.

56

B  ANANA wears a yellow coat

Buttoned quite snugly ’round his throat.

He comes from where it’s warm, you see,

And feels cold more than you or me.

57

H  ERE’S an odd child named Cashew—

Provides you nuts and apples, too;

Oil and wine, and other things

This busy young Brazilian brings.

58

A   FOREIGN lady of renown—

Pomegranate in her crimson gown,

Smiling and nodding as she goes,

Looks like an Oriental rose.

59

L ITTLE 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.

60

H  ERR Burgomaster Cabbage said:

“My little dog, he needs some bread.”

Frau Cabbage smiled; “Just help yourself,

A fresh loaf’s on the pantry shelf.”

61

H  ERE’S Apple, loved by young and old

And sometimes worth his weight in gold.

We hail him with delighted cries

When he comes to us, baked in pies.

62

P  INEAPPLE 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.

63

C  OFFEE said: “I must really study

To find why my complexion’s muddy.

Perhaps it’s only tan, you know

I do run out bareheaded so!”

64

M  R. 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?”

65

B  ARLEY’S a bearded gentleman,

He wears a suit of golden tan;

Though he has homes both east and west

He loves the prairie lands the best.

66

“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.”

67

“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.”

68

“O  UR family’s not hard to suit,”

Said Mrs. Peach. “We’re simple fruit;

We like most any kind of weather

If the sun shines, and we’re together.”

69

H  ICKORY Nut looks rough and rude,

Although at heart he’s very good.

If once you get inside his shell

You’re sure to like him very well.

70

S  AID Cactus: “On the desert wild

I used to be a naughty child,

But since I went to Burbank’s school,

I’m good, and live by Golden Rule.”

71

“T  HE boys all call me ‘Nigger Toe,’”

Brazil Nut said; “I think I’ll go

Back to Brazil; ’t would serve them right

And teach them to be more polite.”

72

C  OCOANUT has a funny face,

Eyes, nose and mouth all in one place;

He’s always busy selling milk,

While Mrs. Cocoanut makes silk.

73

S  AID 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.”

74

S  AID Chestnut: “I work for my living

I stuff the turkey on Thanksgiving.

On winter days I work down town;

You’ll know me by my coat of brown.”

75

P  ERSIMMON said: “I’m up so high

I can reach out and touch the sky.”

Bre’r Possum said: “Don’t reach too far,

You might put out a shining star.”

76

S  AID Mr. Gourd: “You’ll plainly see

We are a busy family;

We give you bottles, cups and things,

And curly vines for playtime rings.”

77

L ITTLE, wise, home-loving Truffle

Never lets his temper ruffle;

His home is just beneath the ground,

And there he always may be found.

78

W  ILD Grape just loves to run away

And in the green woods climb and play;

You’ll know him when among the trees

His fragrant blossoms scent the breeze.

79

T  HOUGH Miss Grape Fruit is very young

Her praises are on every tongue;

And though she travels everywhere

She has a very modest air.

80

T  HE Lemons every summer go

In groups to see the Wild West Show;

Come rain or shine, they never stay

At home on any circus day.

81

M  ISS Cotton is a fairy queen

In her white dress all trimmed with green;

To other children everywhere

She sends such pretty clothes to wear.

82

M  ISS Orange said: “I’d like to know

Those pretty mountain girls called ‘Snow;’”

“Don’t,” said her Dad, “or we are lost;

They’re relatives of Sir Jack Frost.”

83

M  ISS Beechnut wears a pretty bonnet

With little fuzzy feathers on it.

She’s very sweet, and always good;

Her home is in the deep, wild wood

84

“I   WORK,” said genial Mrs. Wheat,

“To give the world enough to eat;

I’m always happy when there’s bread

Enough, so every child is fed.”

85

C  ITRON 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.

86

C  RANBERRY dearly loves to go

Wading in places wet and low;

She wears soft gowns of dainty floss

Made of the pretty yellow moss.

87

S  AID 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.

88

N  ORTH Wind came whistling by one day

Where the Tomatoes were at play;

It gave those children such a fright

They put their blankets on that night.

89

T  HE 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.

90

T  HE Nutmeg children ran away

To tease the cook on baking day.

Said Mother Nutmeg, in surprise:

“Why! Who will spice the custard pies?

91

T  HE Pumpkin children, everyone,

On Hallowe’en go out for fun;

With Jack o’lantern and his crew

They find such jolly things to do.

92

W  HEN Jack Frost said: “Now, children all,

Go in before the snowflakes fall,”

Parsnip declared he liked the snow

To cover him, and didn’t go.

93

S  IR English Walnut, pompous, fat,

Is quite a great aristocrat.

His family is very old;

They lived in Bible times, we’re told.

94

T  HE Popcorn children are so dear

They stay with us all through the year;

They like to dance in dresses white

Around the open fire at night.

95

INDEX

Apple

62

Lemon

81

Artichoke

43

Lettuce

11

Asparagus

14

Muskmelon

44

Banana

57

Mustard

47

Barley

66

Nigger Toe (Brazil Nut)

72

Beechnut

84

Nutmeg

91

Beet

33

Olive

46

Blackberry

40

Orange

83

Blueberry

32

Oyster Plant

42

Brussels Sprout

38

Parsley

30

Button Mushrooms

13

Parsnip

93

Cabbage

61

Peach

69

Cactus

71

Peanut

74

Caraway

68

Pear

56

Carrageen

41

Pearl Onion

20

Carrots

19

Persimmon

76

Cashew

58

Pineapple

63

Cauliflower

48

Plum

49

Celery

18

Pomegranate

59

Cherries

22

Popcorn

95

Chestnut

75

Potato

25

Chicory

34

Pumpkin

92

Citron

86

Quince

55

Cocoanut

73

Radish

9

Coffee

64

Raspberry

26

Cotton

82

Red Pepper

28

Cranberry

87

Rhubarb

10

Cucumber

29

Rice

36

Currants

37

Rutabaga Turnip

39

Dandelion

11

Scotch Oat

67

Egg Plant

52

Spanish Onion

12

Endive

18

Spinach

16

English Walnut

94

String Bean

24

Fig

35

St. John’s Bread

90

Garlic

50

Sugar Cane

60

Gooseberry

23

Summer Squash

53

Gourd

77

Tomato

89

Grape Fruit

80

Truffle

78

Green Onion

9

Vegetable Marrow

53

Green Pea

15

Water Cress

21

Green Pepper

28

Watermelon

45

Green Tea

65

Wheat

85

Gumbo

31

White Turnip

27

Hickory Nut

70

Wild Grape

79

Horseradish

38

Wild Strawberry

17

Hubbard Squash

54

Yam

51

Indian Corn

88

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Table of Contents

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Mother Earth's Children, by Elizabeth Gordon

Mother Earth's Children

FOREWORD

MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN

INDEX

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE