THE PHILOSOPHER AND THE ACORN.

THE PHILOSOPHER AND THE ACORN.

A philosopher, proud of his wit and his reason,

Sat him under an oak in a hot summer season.

On the oak grew an acorn or two, it is said:

On the ground grew a pumpkin as big as his head.

Thought the sage, "What's the reason this oak is so strong

A few acorns to bear that are scarce an inch long;

While this poor feeble plant has a weight to sustain,

Which had much better hang on the tree, it is plain?"

But just at the time the philosopher spoke

An acorn dropp'd down on his head from the oak;

Then, said he, who just now thought his plan was so clever,

"I am glad that this was not a pumpkin, however."

MORAL.

The sage would no doubt have looked grievously dull,

Had a pumpkin descended with force on his scull.

Of his folly then let us in future beware,

And believe that such matters are best as they are:

Leave the manners and customs of oak trees alone,

Of acorns, and pumpkins—and look to our own.