How the leaves came down

'I'll tell you how the leaves came down,   

The great tree to his children said:      

 "You're getting sleepy, yellow and brown, 

Yes, very sleepy, little red It is quite a time to go to bed'.                           

 'Ah!' begged each silly pouting leaf,      

 'Let us a little longer stay:

Dear father tree, behold our grief!                  

' Tis suchna very ' pleasant day,         

 We do not want to go away.'            

Come children, all to bed, he cried :  And ere 

The leaves could urge their prayer.       

He shook his head, and far and wide,

Fluttering and rustling everywhere,      

Down sped the leaflets through the air.   

I saw them, on the ground they lay,   

  Golden and red, a huddled swarm,       

Awaiting till one from far away,          

 White bedclothes heaped upon her arm,  

Should come to wrap them safe and warm. 

The great bare looked down and smiled.

  'Goodnight, dear little leaves,' he said.

And from below each sleepy child        

Replied, Goodnight, and murmured ,     

 It's so nice to go bed.'