A Kind Headed
Statue By Anonymous
The quiet little Transvaal,
On peaceful profit bent,
Was ruled by wise Paul Kruger
Its farmer president.
So stoutly had he carried
The burdens on him laid,
The grateful Boers decided
To have his statue made.
Their plans were quite completed,—
A statue big and tall,
So set that all the city
Might see the great “Oom Paul.”
But first,—as was a proper
And gracious thing to do,—
They called on Mrs Kruger,
To get her notions, too.
Then spoke that royal woman,
With simple, kind intent:
“Be sure to put a hat, sirs,
Upon the president;
And hollow out the top, please,
That rain may fill it up,
“And all the birds may find it
A useful drinking-cup!”
So spoke dear Mrs Kruger.
And gratefully, I think,
The birds will sing her praises
Whene’er they take a drink.
Ah, happy is the nation
Whose ruler cares for men;
And if his wife takes thought for birds,
Why, it is blest again!