NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
Mt/TncR EARTH'S
CHILDREN
THE FROLICS OF THE
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
ELIZABETH GORDON
ILL, U S TR AT I QMS
M.T.ROSS
FROM THE
WESLEY WEYMAN COLLECTION
PRESENTED BY A FRIEND TO
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
'933
Mother Earth's Children
The Frolics of the
Fruits and Vegetables
Mother Earth's
Children
The Frolics of ihe
Fruits and Vegetables.
Elizabeth Gordon
Author of
Flower Children, Bird Children,
etc.
With, illustrations by
M.T.Ross
Published, by
P.F.Volland Q Co.
Chicago
'
...
. , ' .
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
682336A
ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
R 1933 L
Copyright 1914
P. F. Volland & Co.
Chicago, U.S.A.
Second Edition
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his little book cf a
thank - offering io th c
thousands of little friends
who have so Loyally given
me their best in the way
of encouragement and
appreciation, and is most
especially inscribed io
Gladus 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.
*I Among all the children of Mother
Nature, the fruits and vegetables are
probably the most useful to us. Wher-
ever 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.
<I 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.
<I 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 won-
derful appreciation which these books
have received, and to hope that these
new comrades will prove as fascinating
as those whom you already know.
<I For myself, little friends, I thank
you from my heart.
ELIZABETH GORDON.
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
.TLE Miss Radish, pretty thing,
Has her birthday in the spring;
She and the little Onions play
Out in the garden all the day.
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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I
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s
AID Lettuce, tender-hearted lass:
"Come Dandelion, 'neath my glass;'
But Dandelion smiled and said
She liked the nice fresh air instead.
11
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
A s
SiPARAGUS 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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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."
IS
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
J
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
s
AID Endive: "I was born in France
But travel when I get a chance."
Said Celery: "I travel, too,
But mv real home's in Kalamazoo.'
IS
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
THE Carrot ladies love to go
To church on Sundays in a row;
And, tall or short, each lady fail-
Wears a green feather in her hair.
19
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
...- -
CHERRIES are ripe," said Old Blue Jay
As he Hew by one August day;
"Why, he means us," the Cherries cried,
"Perhaps we'd better go inside."
22
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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.
23
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
OOD morning, friends! Know who I am?
Fin Raspberry who makes the jam;
You know that on the pantry shelf-
I make that every year myself."
26
ft. MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN 3.
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
ISS Parsley raised her plumy head,
And in her modest manner said:
'Tin only asked to dine, I know,
Because mv dress becomes me so!"
30
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
T7WERY one knows," said Madame Beet,
JLy "My disposition's very sweet;
And though to plumpness I am prone,
My color's every bit my own."
33
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
-)
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!"
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
1 '
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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C
ARRAGEEN makes his bow to you.
/
He's a sea child, that is true,
Rut he's so jolly- -never cross
His other name is Irish Moss.
41
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
:
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."
42
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
Y
OUNG California Artichoke
Exclaimed: "It is the richest joke
That many people, young and old,
How to eat me must be told !"
43
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
..
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."
44
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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.
45
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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."
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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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 'card.'
S3
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
A
FOREIGN lady of renown-
Pomegranate in her crimson gown,
Smiling and nodding as she goes,
Looks like an Oriental rose.
59
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
EFTLE 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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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'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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
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MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
THE boys all call me 'Nigger Toe,'
Brazil Nut said; "I think I'll go
Back to Brazil; 'twould serve them right
And teach them to be more polite."
72
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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.'
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
EFTLE, wise, home-loving Truffle
Never lets his temper ruffle;
His home is just beneath the ground,
And there he always may be found.
78
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
SL MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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.
81
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
c
ITRON is very plump and round,
lie likes to roll upon the ground;
Come rain or shine he's always happy,
A nice, contented little chappie.
86
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
m
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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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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.
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
Off
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
682336 A
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
T
HE oddest child when all is said
Of those we'\e met, is St. John's Bread;
He's Spanish, so I've understood,
And makes a food that's very good.
90
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
THE Nutmeg children ran away
To tease the cook on baking day.
Said Mother Nutmeg, in surprise:
"Why! Who will spice the custard pies?"
91
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
T
HE Pumpkin children, every one,
On Hallowe'en go out for fun;
With Jack o'lantern and his crew
They find such jolly things to do.
92
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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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
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
SIR English Walnut, pompous, fat,
Is quite a great aristocrat.
His family is very old;
They lived in Bible times, we're told.
94
MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN
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
Artichoke
Asparagus
Banana
Barley
Beechnut .
Beet
Blackberry
Blueberry
Brussels Sprout
Button Mushrooms
Cabbage .
Cactus
Caraway .
Carrageen
Carrots
Cashew
Cauliflower
Celery
Cherries
Chestnut .
Chicory
Citron
Cocoanut .
Coffee
Cotton
Cranberry
Cucumber
Currants .
Dandelion
Egg Plant
Endive
English Walnut
Fig .
Garlic
Gooseberry
Gourd
Grape Fruit
Green Onion
Green Pea
Green Pepper
Green Tea
Gumbo
Hickory Nut
Horseradish
Hubbard Squash
Indian Corn
62
Lemon ....
81
43
Lettuce
11
14
Muskmelon
44
57
Mustard ....
47
66
Nigger Toe (Brazil Nut)
72
84
Nutmeg .
91
33
Olive
46
40
Orange
83
32
Oyster Plant
42
38
Parsley ....
30
13
Parsnip
93
61
Peach
69
71
Peanut
74
68
Pear
56
41
Pearl Onion
20
19
Persimmon
76
58
Pineapple
63
48
Plum
49
18
Pomegranate
59
22
Popcorn
95
75
Potato
25
34
Pumpkin .
92
86
Quince
55
73
Radish
9
64
Raspberry
26
82
Red Pepper
28
87
Rhubarb .
10
29
Rice
36
37
Rutabaga Turnip
39
11
Scotch Oat
67
52
Spanish Onion .
12
18
Spinach
16
94
String Bean
24
35
St. John's Bread
90
50
Sugar Cane
60
23
Summer Squash
53
77
Tomato ....
89
80
Truffle
78
9
Vegetable Marrow
S3
15
Water Cress
21
28
Watermelon
45
65
Wheat .
85
31
White Turnip
27
70
Wild Grape
79
38
Wild Strawberry
17
54
Yam
51
88
\ \
