“TAKE us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”
In our northern climate, the grapevine cannot grow in the open. If it did it could only have leaves, or the very sourest of grapes. But it may be grown under glass, with the help of a fire.
In the south of England, I have often seen the vine growing up the walls of houses, and with plenty of grapes upon it too.
The only time I ever saw vineyards was on the sides of the Rhine. The river flows between very high and very steep banks, and in summertime the sun pours down upon those banks with a wonderful heat, making most suitable spots for vineyards. So the people have cut terraces on the banks, and dug the soil, and planted rows of vines, which they twine around stakes, like hops. And I can understand that when the fruit is ripening, they have the greatest trouble to guard it against the thefts of birds.
In the Eastern lands, where grapes are also much grown, it would seem that not only the birds were a trouble, but that the little foxes got into the vineyards, and spoiled the vines when the grapes were young.
I am thinking that there are other vineyards where the vines are in blossom, or where the grapes are young. And there, too, little foxes may spoil the vines and take the grapes. The vineyards of which I am thinking are the characters of boys and girls.
If you had a vineyard, and you saw a little fox creeping into it one fine morning, to get at the grapes, what would you do? Why, chase him out, of course. Well, I’ll give you the names of the little foxes; then you can be on the lookout for them.
First of all, there’s one called BY-AND-BY. Says father, “I see some boots that want mending; Johnnie, take those boots to the shoemaker’s.” “All right, father,” says Johnnie, “I’ll take them, by-and-by.” Or, perhaps, it’s a letter that is to be posted, or a box that is to be split up for the fire. “By-and-by,” thinks Johnnie, “I’ll do it.” If he would only do it right away, he would chase that little fox out of the vineyard.
Another one is called I-FORGOT. This is a brother to BY-AND-BY, only bigger and fatter. If you don’t chase out BY-AND-BY, his brother always comes in very quickly after him. “Johnnie,” says father next day, “I suppose those boots were taken to be mended, eh?” or “Did you post that letter?” or “Was that box split up?” And Johnnie’s head hangs down with shame, as he tries to find an excuse for himself; “I really meant to do it, father, but I forgot.”
Another little fox’s name is I-CAN’T. Annie received a very pretty book as a present from her Aunt Polly, and she was so pleased with it that she took it to bed with her every night for the first week. “Annie,” said her mother, “I want you to write a letter to your Auntie, and thank her for that book she sent you.” “I can’t, mother, I’m sure I can’t, I can think of nothing to say.” “Well, you’ve had the book?” “Yes.” “And you’re glad you’ve got it?” “Yes.” “Then write a letter and say so.” “I’ll try,” said Annie— and she did, and chased that little fox right out of the vineyard.
There’s just one other little fox I should like you to watch out for, and his name is I-DON’T-CARE. Suppose your teacher says to you, “You don’t speak the King’s English,” and you think to yourself, “I don’t care.” Or suppose one of your friends finds fault with your untidy ways,—your unbrushed coat, your soiled collar, and your dirty hands; and all you say is “I don’t care.” If you are sensible, you’ll say, “I’m sorry,” and drive that little scamp of a fox out of the vineyard with such a fright that it will be long before he ventures to come again.
Do not imagine that because these foxes are little ones, they are therefore hardly worth mentioning. They are big enough to spoil the vines. And they will grow bigger, and run faster, and give more trouble, if they think that nobody is on the watch for them. It is much easier to frighten them and drive them out when they are little ones.
Four little foxes prowling round;
Carry no flag and make no sound.
There’s BY-AND-BY with sleepy eyes,
And I-FORGOT, of larger size,
I-CAN’T is creeping on behind,
And I-DON’T-CARE not hard to find.
So I tell you what you’ve got to do
With a very big whip to be there too,
With a right good will to chase them away,
And they’ll not come back for many a day.