Aunt Kitty's Stories Part 4

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Pretty Flower, tell me why All your leaves do open wide, Every morning, when on high The n.o.ble sun begins to ride?

This is why, my lady fair, If you would the reason know, For betimes the pleasant air Very cheerfully doth blow.

And the birds on every tree Sing a merry, merry tune; And the busy honey bee Comes to suck my sugar soon.

This is all the reason why I my little leaves undo.

Little Miss, come wake and try, If I have not told you true.

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THE KITE.

John White Flew his kite, On a boisterous day, A gale Broke the tail, And it soon flew away.

And while On a stile, He sat sighing and sad, Charley Gray Came that way, A good natured lad.

"Don't cry; Wipe your eye,"

Said he, "little Jack; Stay here; Never fear, And I'll soon bring it back."

To the stile, With a smile, He presently brought The kite, And John White Thanked him much, as he ought.

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Simple Simon met a pieman, Going to the fair.

Says Simple Simon to the pieman, "Let me taste your ware."

Says the pieman to Simple Simon, "Show me first your penny."

Says Simple Simon to the pieman, "Indeed, I have not any."

Simple Simon went a-fis.h.i.+ng, For to catch a whale; All the water he had got, Was in his mother's pail.

Simple Simon went to look If plums grew on a thistle, He p.r.i.c.ked his fingers very much, Which made poor Simon whistle.

Then Simple Simon went a-hunting, For to catch a hare; He rode on a goat about the street, But could not find one there.

He went for water in a sieve But soon it all run through; And now poor Simple Simon Bids you all adieu!

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I had a little hobby horse, And it was dapple grey, Its head was made of pea-straw, Its tail was made of hay.

I sold it to an old woman For a copper groat; And I'll not sing my song again Without a new coat.

He that would thrive, Must rise at five; He that hath thriven, May lie till seven; And he that by the plough would thrive, Himself must either hold or drive.

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Tom, Tom, the piper's son, Stole a pig and away he run; The pig was eat, And Tom was beat, And Tom ran crying down the street.

A Farmer went trotting upon his grey mare, b.u.mpety b.u.mpety b.u.mp, With his daughter behind him so rosy and fair, Lumpety lumpety lump.

A raven cried croak, and they all tumbled down b.u.mpety b.u.mpety b.u.mp; The mare broke her knees and the farmer his crown, Lumpety lumpety lump.

The mischievous raven flew laughing away, b.u.mpety b.u.mpety b.u.mp, And vowed he would serve them the same next day, Lumpety lumpety lump.

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Old woman, old woman, shall we go a-shearing?

Speak a little louder, sir, I am very thick o' hearing.

Old woman, old woman, shall I kiss you dearly?

Thank you, kind sir, I hear very clearly.

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Little Tommy t.i.ttlemouse Lived in a little house; He caught fishes In other men's ditches.

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Little Miss m.u.f.fett She sat on a tuffett, Eating of curds and whey; There came a little spider Who sat down beside her, And frightened Miss m.u.f.fett away.