Small Beginning
by George S. Burleigh
When the first little crocus1 peeped out of the ground,
And slyly looked round,
Not a flower was awake, not a bit of new green
Was anywhere seen;
5 And it seemed, with a shiver the little one said,
"Oh, I am afraid,
The trees are so naked, the earth is so black!
Please let me go back!
You have called me too early, my dear Mother Spring,
10 I am such a wee thing!"
Then a bluebird whistled, "Oh, no! my dear,
It is good you are here;
For now we are sure that spring is near."
Then a sober old robin came bustling by
15 With the sleep in his eye;
"Ah, me! how stupid I was to wait;
And now I am late!
The bluebird has piped, and the crocus has come;
And you know by the hum
20 The hot little bee is beating his drum."
Then sweet Mother Spring, with a sunshine kiss,
Said something like this:
"Thanks, brave little crocus, so slender and small,
For heeding my call
25 While orchards were leafless, and snow-drifts staid2
In the all-day shade:
You are telling us sweetly that soonest begun
The soonest is done;
That little by little makes up the great,
30 And early obeying is better than late."
1. a small spring-flowering plant, which has bright yellow, purple, or white flowers
2. steady
3
Which theme is developed in this poem?
A.
It is good to be busy and spend time on activities that are enjoyable.
B.
It is good to do things as quickly as possible with the help of someone.
C.
It is best to complete a given task on time without waiting for others.
D.
It is best to sleep and rest first and then complete the tasks given.