Lisa M. Ripperton

The "Wake-Up" Story

T HE sun was up and the breeze was blowing, and the five chicks and four geese and three rabbits and two kitties and one little dog were just as noisy and lively as they knew how to be.

They were all watching for Baby Ray to appear at the window, but he was still fast asleep in his little white bed, while mamma was making ready the things he would need when he should wake up.

First she went along the orchard path as far as the old wooden pump, and said: "Good Pump, will you give me some nice, clear water for the baby's bath?"

And the pump was willing.

The good old pump by the orchard path

Gave nice, clear water for the baby's bath.

Then she went a little farther on the path and stopped at the wood pile, and said: "Good Chips, the pump has given me nice, clear water for dear little Ray; will you come and warm the water and cook his food?"

And the chips were willing.

The good old pump by the orchard path

Gave nice, clear water for the baby's bath.

And the clean, white chips from the pile of wood

Were glad to warm it and to cook his food.

So mamma went on till she came to the barn, and then said: "Good Cow, the pump has given me nice, clear water, and the wood pile has given me clean, white chips for dear little Ray; will you give me warm, rich milk?"

And the cow was willing.

Then she said to the top-knot hen that was scratching in the straw: "Good Biddy, the pump has given me nice, clear water, and the wood pile has given me clean, white chips, and the cow has given me warm, rich milk for dear little Ray; will you give me a new-laid egg?"

And the hen was willing.

The good old pump by the orchard path

Gave nice, clear water for the baby's bath.

And the clean, white chips from the pile of wood

Were glad to warm it and to cook his food.

The cow gave milk in the milk pail bright,

And the top-knot Biddy an egg, new and white.

Then mamma went on till she came to the orchard, and said to a Red June apple tree: "Good Tree, the pump has given me nice, clear water, and the wood pile has given me clean, white chips, and the cow has given me warm, rich milk, and the hen has given me a new-laid egg for dear little Ray; will you give me a pretty red apple?"

And the tree was willing.

So mamma took the apple and the egg and the milk and the chips and the water to the house, and there was Baby Ray in his nightgown, looking out of the window.

And she kissed him and bathed him and dressed him, and while she brushed and curled his soft, brown hair, she told him the "Wake-Up" story that I am telling you:

The good old pump by the orchard path

Gave nice, clear water for the baby's bath.

And the clean, white chips from the pile of wood

Were glad to warm it and to cook his food.

The cow gave milk in the milk pail bright,

And the top-knot Biddy an egg, new and white;

And the tree gave an apple so round and so red,

For dear little Ray who was just out of bed.