Old Grandma Becker was a nice old-fashioned sort of lady;
She’d always some kind and pleasant word for everybody ready.
And when she gave her friends a little advice ’twas in a way so clever
They could but take it patiently, and love her more than ever.
She used to say in her odd way that what we said to others
Should first go through three golden sieves she called her “sifting brothers.”
Now these same golden sieves of hers, perhaps you’d like to handle.
They’re three short questions you must ask before you gossip scandal.
First, “Is it true?” for, if ’tis not, of course the matter ceases;
Then, “Is it kind?” and would you like to be thus pulled to pieces?
Then, “Is it needful?” last of all, if it has passed the others;
Now, what do you think of Grandma Becker and her three “sifting brothers?”
I’ll tell you what I think myself — I like her honest teaching,
And shouldn’t mind how much we have of just her sort of preaching;
For if we listened such advice would save a deal of railing,
And give us time for better themes than other people’s failings:
To aunts and uncles, cousins dear, come sisters, wives or mothers,
Let’s go to Grandma Becker’s shop, and buy three “sifting brothers.”