Mary's Lamb
Mary
had
a
little
lamb,
Its
fleece
was
white
as
snow,
And
every
where
that
Mary
went
The
lamb
was
sure
to
go;
He
followed
her
to
school
one
day
-
That
was
against
the
rule,
It
made
the
children
laugh
and
play,
To
see
a
lamb
at
school.
And
so
the
Teacher
turned
him
out,
But
still
he
lingered
near,
And
waited
patiently
about,
Till
Mary
did
appear;
And
then
he
ran
to
her,
and
laid
His
head
upon
her
arm,
As
if
he
said
-
"I'm
not
afraid
-
You'll
keep
me
from
all
harm."
"What
makes
the
lamb
love
Mary
so?"
The
eager
children
cry
-
"O,
Mary
loves
the
lamb,
you
know,"
The
Teacher
did
reply;
-
"And
you
each
gentle
animal
In
confidence
may
bind,
And
make
them
follow
at
your
call,
If
you
are
always
kind."
Sarah Josepha Hale
Sarah Josepha Hale was born on October 24th, 1788 in Newport, New Hampshire. Her parents were strong advocates for education of both sexes. Therefore, Hale was taught well beyond the normal age for a woman. Later, she married a lawyer David Hale, who supported her in all scholarly endeavors. Sadly, her husband died after only nine years of marriage, leaving Hale a widow with five children. She turned to poetry as a form of income. Her most famous book, titled Poems for Our Children included a beloved story from her childhood. “Mary Had a Little Lamb” was instantly a popular nursey rhyme.