A Life-Lesson

By James Whitcomb Riley

There! little girl; don't cry!

   They have broken your doll, I know;

And your tea-set blue,

And your play-house, too,

   Are things of the long ago;

But childish troubles will soon pass by. —

    There! little girl; don't cry!

There! little girl; don't cry!

   They have broken your slate, I know;

And the glad, wild ways

Of your schoolgirl days

   Are things of the long ago;

But life and love will soon come by. —

    There! little girl; don't cry!

There! little girl; don't cry!

   They have broken your heart I know;

And the rainbow gleams

Of your youthful dreams

   Are things of the long ago;

But Heaven holds all for which you sigh. —

    There! little girl; don't cry!