Whose child is this?

"Whose child is this?"
i asked one day
seeing a little one
out at play.

"Mine", said the parent
with a tender smile".
"Mine to keep
a little while
To bathe his hands
and comb his hair
To tell him what
he is to wear
To prepare him that he
may always be good
And each day do the
things he should".


"Whose child is this?"
i asked again
As the door opened and
someone came in.

"Mine", said the teacher
with the same
tender smile.

"Mine,to keep just
for a little while
To teach him how to be
gentle and kind
To train and direct his
dear little mind
To help him live by
every rule
And get the best he
can from school".

"Whose child is this?",
i asked once more
Just as the little one
entered the door.

"Ours", said the parent
and the teacher
as they smiled
And each took the hand
of the little child
"Ours to love and
train together
Ours this blessed
task forever".

          
                        (This is a wonderful piece..unfortunately the author's identity is not known.)