Methods in Primary Schools by Mrs. W. C. McCoy

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1908

Methods in Primary Schools

By Mrs. W. C. McCoy

The Penny Investment

Did you ever go out on a fine spring day, Late in April or early in May, When robin, bluebird, and all the rest Were singing their songs, or building their nests, And the air was as soft as a baby's kiss? Did you ever go out on a day like this, And plant your flower seeds, row and row? Well, our school took pennies and made them grow.

This isn't a story made up for fun, It happened right here in Hamilton; And we children did it for a surprise, And the teachers saw it with their own eyes. The pennies weren't planted in the ground, But they grew to dollars big and round. You don't understand me, I hear you say; I'll tell you about it without delay.

Our teacher had told us of children small, Who knew no kind parents, nor home at all; No one to keep them from going astray, No one to show them the heavenly way. We wanted to help them, but, O, dear me!

There was nothing but pennies, and pennies are wee, And won't buy much, and the orphans need So many things. We were sad indeed.

But we remembered what happened so long ago, The old sweet story that all of us know. Far away on the hills of Galilee, A lad with five loaves and fishes three Gave them into the Master's care, And he fed the multitude gathered there. So we each took a penny, determined to try To make them grow to dollars by and by.

Some with their pennies bought an egg that spring And tucked it under an old hen's wing, And by and by a chicken was hatched, And all that summer it peeped and scratched Till for twenty-five cents it was ready to sell— All from a penny—wasn't that doing well?

One boy did better than this, I'm told. He radishes planted, and radishes sold, Then bought celery seed, which was carefully sown, And when the plants at last were grown, How much did they sell for? You'd never guess; Seven whole dollars, and nothing less.

Some girls made holders so neat and nice That they easily sold for a very good price. Some boys raised turnips, and some raised corn. Some did chores both night and morn. Some had good luck, and some had ill, But every one worked with a right good will.

One girl set tomato plants out that spring, For nice tomatoes good prices bring. But an army of bugs, she found one day, Were eating them up, and that wouldn't pay. She cried and she brushed, but the bugs still stayed; Then her mind turned to God, and she earnestly prayed. Every bug disappeared in one short hour, And came not again. In God there is power. Two dollars and fifty cents, I am told, Is what she received for tomatoes when sold.

The way we managed can never be told; We bartered and traded, we bought and we sold, And over and over the money we turned; Some of us worked, and gave all we earned. But we were all honest, nothing less, For tainted money God will not bless.

And in the autumn there came a call, “Now, bring in your money, students all.” So gladly that Sabbath we children came, To show the sum of our summer's gain. And counting it, each little lass and lad Had something to make the orphans glad.

What do you think? From the pennies small Had grown twenty-five dollars; that's what I call A good investment, and that's how I know One can take pennies and make them grow.

—Mrs. W. C. McCoy.