The Industrious Hen

The hen she scratches all the day

Out in the garden fair,

Providing substance for her chicks

     With grand, imposing air.

She clucks and struts and scolds and digs,

     But always busy, she;

A fine example is the hen,

     To follow, you and me.

Oh, yes, the hen’s industrious,

     She’s happy all the day;

She works at play or plays at work,

     And hums her little lay.

She is successful all through life,

     More so than most of men;

But then, for all she does so well,

     Who wants to be a hen?

May 25, 1913