A FOOLISH CHILD
A merry, bright, and audacious boy
Of our nineteenth century brood,
Was puzzling over a Japanese toy—
A nest of boxes of wood.
Of our nineteenth century brood,
Was puzzling over a Japanese toy—
A nest of boxes of wood.
And I said as he fitted them, one by one,
"How neatly they're cut and how true!"
But he answered, "By man these were never done,
They are wood, you see, and they grew."
"How neatly they're cut and how true!"
But he answered, "By man these were never done,
They are wood, you see, and they grew."
"Do you think, my child, that no skilful hand
Carved each close-fitting box and lid?
How then did they grow so compactly planned?"
"I do not know how, but they did."
Carved each close-fitting box and lid?
How then did they grow so compactly planned?"
"I do not know how, but they did."
You smile? Is the logic then worse than his
Who this wonderful world has scanned,
Where no dreams can compare with the marvel that is,
Yet sees not the Maker's hand?
Who this wonderful world has scanned,
Where no dreams can compare with the marvel that is,
Yet sees not the Maker's hand?
Science and knowledge have grasped at much,
Yet, wisdom and love see clear
That the realm which lies beyond sight and touch
Can alone solve the mysteries here.
Yet, wisdom and love see clear
That the realm which lies beyond sight and touch
Can alone solve the mysteries here.
So, knowing the two-fold life of man,
And the hope that this life implies,
We smile when we hear the scientists' plan
To explain what about us lies.
And the hope that this life implies,
We smile when we hear the scientists' plan
To explain what about us lies.
We thank him for all the truths he gives,
But remember how much is still hid,
When he says, "From matter sprang all that lives;
We do not know how, but it did."
But remember how much is still hid,
When he says, "From matter sprang all that lives;
We do not know how, but it did."