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  Mother Earth's Children

  The Frolics of the
  Fruits and Vegetables


  Mother Earth’s
  Children

  The Frolics of the
  Fruits and Vegetables

[Illustration: Children playing]

  BY

  Elizabeth Gordon

  Author of
  Flower Children, Bird Children,
  etc.

  With illustrations by

  M.T. Ross

[Illustration: Printer’s mark]

  Published by
  P.F.Volland & Co.
  Chicago


  ASTOR, LENOX AND
  TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
  R 1933 L

  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


A 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.




[Illustration]

[Illustration: Radish]

  Little Miss Radish, pretty thing,
  Has her birthday in the spring;
  She and the little Onions play
  Out in the garden all the day.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Rhubarb]

  When Orchard Oriole sings his song
  The Rhubarb children troop along;
  They’re hardy, healthy youngsters, too,
  And stay the whole, long summer through.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Lettuce]

  Said Lettuce, tender-hearted lass:
  “Come Dandelion, ’neath my glass;”
  But Dandelion smiled and said
  She liked the nice fresh air instead.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Spanish Onion]

  Said 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Button Mushrooms]

  The 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Asparagus]

  Asparagus 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Green Pea]

  The 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Spinach]

  Said 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Wild Strawberry]

  Little Wild Strawberry came down
  To visit with her folks in town;
  She’s a sweet child with charming ways
  And blushes modestly at praise.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Endive]

  Said 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Carrot]

  The 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Pearl Onion]

  Pearl Onion, tiny little thing,
  Lives out doors from early spring;
  She’s German, so I understand,
  And dearly loves her father-land.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Water Cresses]

  The dainty little Water Cresses,
  In their pretty bathing dresses,
  Like water fairies splash and play
  In the cool brooklet all the day.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Cherries]

  “Cherries 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Gooseberry]

  When 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: String Beans]

  The 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!”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Potato]

  Said 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!”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Raspberry]

  “Good 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: White Turnip]

  White 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Red Pepper and Green Pepper]

  Red 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Cucumber]

  Said Miss Cucumber: “I have brought
  My fan, because the day is hot;
  Our family have a splendid rule,—
  Whatever happens, we keep cool.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Parsley]

  Miss 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!”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Gumbo]

  Gumbo’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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Blueberry]

  The Blueberry children love to run
  Around the hillsides in the sun;
  Smiling and jolly, plump and sweet,
  Best-natured youngsters one could meet.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Beet]

  “Every one knows,” said Madame Beet
  “My disposition’s very sweet;
  And though to plumpness I am prone,
  My color’s every bit my own.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Chicory]

  “My 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!”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Fig]

  Fig 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!


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Rice]

  The 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Currant]

  The 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Brussels Sprout]

  Said 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Rutabaga Turnip]

  Said Rutabaga Turnip: “Wow!
  I just escaped that hungry cow;
  I jumped behind a great big tree
  Or she’d have surely eaten me!”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Blackberry]

  The Blackberry children love to run
  And play beneath the August sun
  Until each little maid and man
  Takes on a friendly coat of tan.

[Illustration]

[Illustration: Carrageen]

  Carrageen 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Oyster Plant]

  “The 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.’”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: California Artichoke]

  Young California Artichoke
  Exclaimed: “It is the richest joke
  That many people, young and old,
  How to eat me must be told!”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Muskmelon]

  “Dear me!” Madam Muskmelon said,
  “Those children will not stay in bed;
  Before the darlings get misplaced
  I’ll tie each baby to my waist.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Watermelon]

  Watermelon’s dress of green
  Trimmed in rose pink you all have seen
  She has such pleasant smiling ways,
  We welcome her on summer days.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Olive]

  Olive’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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Mustard]

  The 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Cauliflower]

  Said 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Plums]

  Hand 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Garlic]

  Said 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Yam]

  Yam 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Egg-plant]

  Said 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!”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Vegetable Marrow]

  Vegetable 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Hubbard Squash]

  Said 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Quince]

  Said busy, bustling Mrs. Quince:
  “I never have a moment since
  The jelly-making time is here;
  We’re making such a lot this year.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Pear]

  Said 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Banana]

  Banana 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Cashew]

  Here’s an odd child named Cashew—
  Provides you nuts and apples, too;
  Oil and wine, and other things
  This busy young Brazilian brings.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Pomegranate]

  A foreign lady of renown—
  Pomegranate in her crimson gown,
  Smiling and nodding as she goes,
  Looks like an Oriental rose.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Sugar Cane]

  Little 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Cabbage]

  Herr Burgomaster Cabbage said:
  “My little dog, he needs some bread.”
  Frau Cabbage smiled; “Just help yourself,
  A fresh loaf’s on the pantry shelf.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Apple]

  Here’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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Pineapple]

  Pineapple 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Coffee ]

  Coffee 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!”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Green Tea]

  Mr. 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?”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Barley]

  Barley’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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Scotch Oat]

  “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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Caraway]

  “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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Peach]

  “Our 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Hickory Nut]

  Hickory 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Cactus]

  Said 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Brazil Nut]

  “The boys all call me ‘<DW65> Toe,’”
  Brazil Nut said; “I think I’ll go
  Back to Brazil; ’t would serve them right
  And teach them to be more polite.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Cocoanut]

  Cocoanut has a funny face,
  Eyes, nose and mouth all in one place;
  He’s always busy selling milk,
  While Mrs. Cocoanut makes silk.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Peanut]

  Said 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Chestnut]

  Said 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Persimmon]

  Persimmon 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Gourd]

  Said Mr. Gourd: “You’ll plainly see
  We are a busy family;
  We give you bottles, cups and things,
  And curly vines for playtime rings.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Truffle]

  Little, wise, home-loving Truffle
  Never lets his temper ruffle;
  His home is just beneath the ground,
  And there he always may be found.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Wild Grape]

  Wild 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Grape Fruit]

  Though Miss Grape Fruit is very young
  Her praises are on every tongue;
  And though she travels everywhere
  She has a very modest air.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Lemons]

  The 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Cotton]

  Miss Cotton is a fairy queen
  In her white dress all trimmed with green;
  To other children everywhere
  She sends such pretty clothes to wear.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Orange]

  Miss 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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Beechnut]

  Miss 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


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Wheat]

  “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.”


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Citron]

  Citron 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Cranberry]

  Cranberry dearly loves to go
  Wading in places wet and low;
  She wears soft gowns of dainty floss
  Made of the pretty yellow moss.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Indian Corn]

  Said 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Tomatoes]

  North 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: St. John’s Bread]

  The 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Nutmeg]

  The Nutmeg children ran away
  To tease the cook on baking day.
  Said Mother Nutmeg, in surprise:
  “Why! Who will spice the custard pies?


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Pumpkin]

  The Pumpkin children, everyone,
  On Hallowe’en go out for fun;
  With Jack o’lantern and his crew
  They find such jolly things to do.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Parsnip]

  When 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.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: English Walnut]

  Sir English Walnut, pompous, fat,
  Is quite a great aristocrat.
  His family is very old;
  They lived in Bible times, we’re told.


[Illustration]

[Illustration: Popcorn]

  The 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.




  INDEX

  Apple 62

  Artichoke 43

  Asparagus 14

  Banana 57

  Barley 66

  Beechnut 84

  Beet 33

  Blackberry 40

  Blueberry 32

  Brussels Sprout 38

  Button Mushrooms 13

  Cabbage 61

  Cactus 71

  Caraway 68

  Carrageen 41

  Carrots 19

  Cashew 58

  Cauliflower 48

  Celery 18

  Cherries 22

  Chestnut 75

  Chicory 34

  Citron 86

  Cocoanut 73

  Coffee 64

  Cotton 82

  Cranberry 87

  Cucumber 29

  Currants 37

  Dandelion 11

  Egg Plant 52

  Endive 18

  English Walnut 94

  Fig 35

  Garlic 50

  Gooseberry 23

  Gourd 77

  Grape Fruit 80

  Green Onion 9

  Green Pea 15

  Green Pepper 28

  Green Tea 65

  Gumbo 31

  Hickory Nut 70

  Horseradish 38

  Hubbard Squash 54

  Indian Corn 88

  Lemon 81

  Lettuce 11

  Muskmelon 44

  Mustard 47

  <DW65> Toe (Brazil Nut) 72

  Nutmeg 91

  Olive 46

  Orange 83

  Oyster Plant 42

  Parsley 30

  Parsnip 93

  Peach 69

  Peanut 74

  Pear 56

  Pearl Onion 20

  Persimmon 76

  Pineapple 63

  Plum 49

  Pomegranate 59

  Popcorn 95

  Potato 25

  Pumpkin 92

  Quince 55

  Radish 9

  Raspberry 26

  Red Pepper 28

  Rhubarb 10

  Rice 36

  Rutabaga Turnip 39

  Scotch Oat 67

  Spanish Onion 12

  Spinach 16

  String Bean 24

  St. John’s Bread 90

  Sugar Cane 60

  Summer Squash 53

  Tomato 89

  Truffle 78

  Vegetable Marrow 53

  Water Cress 21

  Watermelon 45

  Wheat 85

  White Turnip 27

  Wild Grape 79

  Wild Strawberry 17

  Yam 51

[Illustration: A child]





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

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