A Child's Garden of Verses

by Robert Louis Stevenson

For Alison Cunningham

This little book is for Alison Cunningham. She took care of me when I was a boy.

She stayed awake many nights to watch over me. She held my hand and helped me walk on rough ground. She read me story-books. She helped me feel better when I hurt. She felt sorry for me and stayed with me through good days and bad days.

She was like a second mother to me. Now I am grown up and well again, but I remember how much she helped me. I give her this book to say thank you.

I hope every child who reads this book has someone just as kind to take care of them.

Bed in Summer

In winter, it is still dark when I get up. I get dressed using candlelight.

In summer, it is the opposite. I have to go to bed while it is still light outside!

I have to go to bed and watch the birds still hopping in the trees. I hear grown-ups still walking by outside.

Doesn't it seem unfair? The sky is clear and blue, and I want to play. But I still have to go to bed while it's still daytime.

A Thought

It is nice to think that the whole world has food and drink for everyone. And children everywhere say grace — that's a little prayer to say thank you before eating.

At the Sea-Side

When I was at the beach, someone gave me a wooden shovel. I dug holes in the sand.

My holes were empty, like cups. Then the sea came up into every hole. It filled them until they couldn't hold any more.

Young Night-Thought

Every night, when my mom turns off the light, I see people marching by. I can see them as clearly as if it were daytime.

I see armies, kings, and emperors carrying all kinds of things. They march so grandly — even better than a circus show! Every kind of animal and person marches by in this parade.

At first they move slowly. Then they go faster and faster. I stay right beside them until we reach the Town of