Mary had a little lamb,

Its fleece was white as snow,

And everywhere 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 shield me from all harm.”

“What makes the lamb love Mary so?”

The little children cry;

“Oh, Mary loves the lamb you know,”

The teacher did reply,

“And you each gentle animal

In confidence may bind

And make it follow at your call,

If you are always kind.”

Sarah Josepha Hale