Whom Hhall \e GFhank?

LITTLE boy had sought the
pump,
From which the sparkling
water bursts,
And drank with eager joy
that draught
That kindly quenched his raging thirst.
Then gracefully he touched his cap—
“T thank you, Mr. Pump,” he said,
“For this nice drink you’ve given me!’
(This little boy has been well-bred.)

 

Then said the Pump: “My little man,
You're welcome to what I have done;

But I am not the one to thank—
I only help the water run.” .

“Oh, then,” the little fellow said, ©
(Polite he always meant to be)

“Cold water, please accept my thanks;
You have been very kind to me.”

“Ah!” said Cold Water, “don’t thank me;
Far up the hillside lives the Spring
That sends me forth with generous hand
To gladden every living thing.”
“Tl thank thee, Spring, then,” said the
boy—
And gracefully he bowed his head.

 

“Oh, don’t thank me, my little man,”
The Spring in silvery accents said.

“Oh, don’t thank me; for what am I
Without the dew or summer rain?
Without their aid I ne’er could quench
Your thirst, my little boy, again.”’

“Oh, well, then,” said the little boy,
“I'll gladly thank the rain and dew.”

“Pray don’t thank us—without the sun,
We could not fill one cup for you.”

“Then, Mr. Sun, ten thousand thanks
For all that thou hast done for me.”
“Stop,” said the Sun, with blushing face,
“My little man, pray don’t thank me.
"Twas from the ocean’s mighty stores
I drew the draught I gave to thee.”
“Oh, Ocean, thanks!” then said the boy—
It echoed back: “Not unto me.”

“Not unto me, but unto Him
Who formed the depths in which I lie—

‘Go, give thy thanks, my little boy,

To Him who doth thy wants supply.”
The boy then took his cap and said,
In tones so gentle and subdued:
"Qh, God, I thank thee for the gift—
Thou art the giver of all good.”