A Good Thanksgiving

Said Old Gentleman Gay, "On a Thanksgiving Day,

If you want a good time, then give something away."

So he sent a fat turkey to Shoemaker Price,

And the shoemaker said, "What a big bird! how nice!

And since a good dinner's before me, I ought

To give poor Widow Lee the small chicken I bought."

"This fine chicken, oh, see!" said the pleased Widow Lee,

"And the kindness that sent it, how precious to me!

I would like to make some one as happy as I—

I'll give Washerwoman Biddy my big pumpkin pie."

"And oh, sure," Biddy said, " 'tis the queen of all pies

Just to look at its yellow face gladdens my eyes.

Now it's my turn, I think; and a sweet ginger cake

For the motherless Finigan children I'll bake."

"A sweet cake, all our own! 'Tis too good to be true!"

Said the Finigan children, Rose, Denny, and Hugh;

"It smells sweet of spice, and we'll carry a slice

To poor little Lame Jake—who has nothing that's nice."

"Oh, I thank you, and thank you!" said little Lame Jake;

"Oh, what beautiful, beautiful, beautiful cake!

And oh, such a big slice! I will save all the crumbs,

And will give 'em to each little sparrow that comes!"

And the sparrows they twittered as if they would say,

Like Old Gentleman Gay, "On a Thanksgiving Day,

If you want a good time, then give something away."

—Marian Douglas.