365 bedtime stories.
January 1st.
A New Year's party.
Just because it was the first day of the year,
Commenced daddy.
And because parties were about the nicest things in the world to the mind of a little girl named Ella.
Her mother decided to give her one.
It certainly does seem like the first of the year,
Or the first of something,
" said Ella.
It's a new day.
A new year.
And we have new toys and new games.
We are even going to have supper out of new dishes.
For among the presents Santa Claus had brought to Ella was a fine set of dishes.
They were pink and white,
And there were six cups and saucers,
Six little plates,
A teapot,
Sugar bowl,
And cream jug.
It really was a very complete set.
They had thin bread and butter,
Hot chocolate with whipped cream,
And a cake which Ella's mother called a New Year's cake.
It was pink and white on the top with pink sugar trimmings on the white frosting.
In the center of the cake was one pink candle,
For Ella's mother said it would be quite impossible to have a candle for the number of years there had been,
And two,
It would be nice to have a new way and just consider the year a day old.
After the cake had been almost entirely eaten,
They played house.
Each little girl took a corner of the room as her house and fixed it up with some of Ella's things.
They all had their own dolls and many of their other toys,
So they really felt quite at home.
Then they began calling on each other,
Dressing up in shawls and old hats which Ella's mother let them use.
After a while they heard a flutter,
Flutter against the windowpane.
And then another little flapping sound.
It's a little bird,
Said Ella as she looked out of the window.
It's right on the sill,
And I am dreadfully afraid it has hurt its wings.
Poor little deer.
They opened the window and Ella took the little bird in her hands.
Oh,
How cold the little bird's feathers were!
We'll take care of you,
Said Ella.
They gave the little birds some breadcrumbs and some water.
Then he had a delicious piece of lettuce from the seeds which Ella had started in a box in her room.
Pretty soon,
The bird began to grow,
Much better,
And hopped and chirped about the room.
And then they let him out,
For he had simply been very hungry.
We'll put some suet in that tree over there,
Said Ella.
Let's put some breadcrumbs,
Said her friends.
And then one of them added.
And let's give them some of the New Year's cake crumbs too!
So the little bird was given a regular New Year's feast.
And Ella and her friends were among other children who decided to look after the feathered people through the cold months of the winter and to give them breadcrumbs and suet,
Which they love so well.
January 2nd.
The rhyming ears.
Well,
Said the old deer.
I'm going to make up a poem about myself.
I feel quite poetical.
And said the New Year,
I will too.
For the new year didn't want to have the old year think that he was unable to do anything like that.
Even though he was young.
But he felt very much pleased when the old year said.
Though I have lived twelve whole months,
I have not become a poet.
I think AIDS should be given the right to speak first,
Said the New Year.
The old deer shook his white hair and smiled so that the wrinkles in his face all ran in together.
This is what he said.
Yes,
It is true I was feeling old.
Yes,
It is true I was also cold.
Yes,
It is true,
I heard them cheer.
Welcoming in the glad new year.
Then New Year recited this verse.
Of course,
You see,
I was out for fun.
My life has only just begun.
They said he is young and full of him.
No one can help but welcome him.
You mustn't think I am conceited,
He added.
I say a lot to make my rhyme come out right.
Of course,
Said the old jeer,
For I do too.
Well,
I will give my second verse.
Don't believe it all though.
Then the old year took an old harp he had,
And he began to play and sing,
And this is what he sang.
And poor old year,
He almost wept.
As he packed up his things and left.
But as he turned to say goodbye.
Something in him made him cry.
Though my work is mostly done,
I have,
Too,
Had lots of fun.
And e'er I go upon my way,
This I certainly would say.
Happy New Year,
Big and small.
Happy New Year,
Short and tall.
Happy New Year,
Everyone.
May you all have lots of fun.
I hope you've enjoyed the first two chapters of this series,
365 Bedtime Stories.
By Mary Graham Bonner.
Please follow me to hear more from this series.
