The Robin's Advice

Down in a field, one day in June,

The flowers all bloomed together,

Save one who tried to hide herself,

And drooped, that pleasant weather.

A robin that had flown too high,

And felt a little lazy,

Was resting near this buttercup,

Who wished she were a daisy.

For daiseis grow so big and tall;

She always had a passion

For wearing frills about her neck

In just the daisies' fashion.

And buttercups must always be

The same old tiresome color,

While daisies dress in gold and white,

Although their gold is duller.

"Dear Robin," said this sad young flower,

"Perhaps you'd not mind trying

To find a nice white frill for me,

Some day when you are flying."

"You silly thing!"  the robin said;

"I think you must be crazy

I'd rather be my honest self

Than any made-up daisy.

You're nicer in your own bright gown,

The little children love you.

Be the best buttercup you can,

And think no flower above you.

"Though swallows leave me out of sight,

We'd better keep our places;

Perhaps the world would all go wrong

With one too many daisies.

"Look bravely up into the sky,

And be content with knowing

That God wished for a buttercup

Just here where you are growing."

By Sara Orne Jewett