THE PIGEONS
Reading edition
These are the eggs so smooth and round That held the wonderful secret.
This is the nest where the eggs were found, The pretty white eggs so smooth and round That held the wonderful secret.
This is the pigeon with soft gray breast Who patiently sat on the loose straw nest, The nest where the pretty white eggs were found, Her own little eggs so smooth and round That held the wonderful secret.
This is the pigeon-house safe and high (Where never a prowling cat could pry) Where lived the pigeon with soft gray breast Who patiently sat on the loose straw nest, The nest where the pretty white eggs were found, Her own little eggs so smooth and round That held the wonderful secret.
This is the barn which the farmer had filled With hay and grain from the fields he had tilled: The barn near which stood the pigeon-house high (Where never a prowling cat could pry) Where lived the pigeon with soft gray breast Who patiently sat on the loose straw nest, The nest where the pretty white eggs were found, Her own little eggs so smooth and round That held the wonderful secret.
This is the bin full of corn so good (The little gray pigeon's favorite food). That was in the barn which the farmer had filled With hay and grain from the fields he had tilled; The barn near which stood the pigeon-house high (Where never a prowling cat could pry) Where lived the pigeon with soft gray breast Who patiently sat on the loose straw nest, The nest where the pretty white eggs were found, Her own little eggs so smooth and round That held the wonderful secret.
This is the child so thoughtful and kind Who went to the bin the corn to find; The bin, full of corn so yellow and good (The little gray pigeon's favorite food). That was in the barn which the farmer had filled With hay and grain from the fields he had tilled; The barn near which was the pigeon-house high (Where never a prowling cat could pry) Where lived the pigeon with soft gray breast Who patiently sat on the loose straw nest, The nest where the pretty white eggs were found, Her own little eggs so smooth and round That held the wonderful secret.
And when the child threw the corn about, The little gray pigeon came fluttering out From the door of the pigeon-house safe and high, And the child heard a faint little cooing cry,— A sweet little, wee little murmuring sound; For, instead of the eggs so smooth and round, (Perhaps the wonderful secret you've guessed) Two baby pigeons were in the nest!