Apple Cider

Apple cider, apple cider
you are very very sweet

I will drink you
and say thank you

for my apple cider treat!

(To the tune of “Oh My Darlin’ Clementine”)

The Little Engine Who Could (retelling)

Once there was a little engine, smaller than the rest.  Even though she worked very hard, she was only ever given the smallest loads to pull.

One day, a freight train broke down, and the little engine was the only one around.

“Can you pull the freight cars?” the worried conductor asked.

“I think I can.” replied the little engine cheerily.

So she was hitched to the freight cars, and began to pull.

“She’ll never make it.” said the big, broken-down engine doubtfully.

At first, nothing happened.  The little engine repeated to herself, “I think I can” and pulled with all her might.

Slowly, the cars began to move.

“I… think… I… can…” the little engine said as she struggled to pull the heavy cars.

Little by little, the train gained speed.  All the while, the engine said “I think I can. I think I can.  I think I can.”

Soon, she was travelling comfortably through the countryside.  All was well, until she came to a steep hill.  The hill got steeper and steeper, and she got slower and slower.

Then she had stopped moving forward, and started to slip backwards.  The little engine began to worry.

The conductor sighed.  “I don’t think she can do it.”

“I think I can!” replied the engine, and she fired up her boiler and steamed as hard as she could.

“I… think… I… can… I… think… I… can…” she said through gritted teeth.

Ever so slowly, the train started to move forward.  Little by little, inch by inch, she pulled the freight cars up the mountain.

“I think I can… I think I can…” she muttered, pulling harder than she had ever pulled, moving the cars faster and faster.

“I think I can.  I think I can.  I think I can.” she said confidently, pulling the long line of cars evenly up the steep track.

“I-think-I-can-I-think-I-can-I-think-I-can.” The little engine pulled the heavy cars even faster.

“IthinkIcanIthinkIcanIthinkIcan.” Even though this was the heaviest load she’d ever pulled, and the steepest mountain she’d ever climbed, she pulled with all her might and was going faster than she’d ever gone!  Even faster than the bigger trains!

At last, she came to the top of the mountain.  From there she could see the whole world in front of her, and she smiled as she rolled down the other side and said:

“I knew I could.”

Lullaby

Sung to Brahams’ Lullaby.
Inspired by what little I remember from my parents singing to me.
Sung to my kids tonight (along with many other slight variations other nights)

Go to sleep, little girl(boy)
and I’ll see you tomorrow

Lay ye down your weary head
as I tuck you in your bed.

While you sleep, little one
may your dreams all be fun

Rest ye now in your bed
‘n wake tomorrow refreshed