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George Washington
When George Washington was young
And full of energy,
He took his little hatchet
And chopped a cherry tree.
His father grew quite angry,
This sorry sight to see,
For he was very fond indeed
Of that same cherry tree.
And so he questioned Georgie:
"Who did this thing?" said he.
"I cannot tell a lie," said George,
"I chopped the cherry tree."
The father then wept tears of joy,
At such brave honesty;
"Your truthfulness is worth far more
Than one small cherry tree."
And when his father walked away
Georgie seized the ax with glee
And hacked away `till he had felled
Another cherry tree.
His father now returned in hast,
took Georgie on his knee,
And said "I`ll teach you to destroy
My pretty cherry tree!"
"Don`t spank!" cried George; "I`ll tell the truth,
For still I`ll honest be;
`Twas I, dear father, took the ax
And chopped the cherry tree."
"Oh, ho!" Said Mr Washington
"Unless I punish thee
Thy truth will cost to me the loss
Of every cherry tree!"
`Twas full a week before poor George
Sat down with any ease,
His father sold the hatchet
And saved his cherry-trees.
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