The Home Circle | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 12, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 23.

The Home Circle.

WILLIE AND THE APPLE.

LITTLE Willie stood under an apple tree old, The fruit was all shining with purple and gold, Hanging temptingly low; how he longed for a bite, Though he knew if he took one it wouldn't be right.

Said he: "I don't see why my father should say, 'Don't touch the old apple tree, Willie, to-day.' I shouldn't have thought, now they're hanging so low, When I asked for just one he would answer me, 'No.'"

"He would never find out, if I took but just one, And they do look so good, shining out in the sun. There are hundreds and hundreds, and he wouldn't miss So paltry a little red apple as this."

He stretched forth his hand, but a low, mourning strain Came wandering dreamily over his brain; In his bosom a beautiful harp had long laid That the angel of conscience quite frequently played.

And he sang, "Little Willie, beware, oh, beware! Your father is gone but your Maker is there; How sad you would feel if the dear Lord should say: 'This dear little boy stole an apple to-day!'"

Then Willie turned round, and, as still as a mouse, Crept slowly and carefully into the house; In his own little chamber he knelt down to pray That the Lord would forgive him, and please not to say, "Little Willie almost stole an apple to-day." —Sel.