You have a little prisoner,
He’s nimble, sharp, and clever;
He’s sure to get away from you,
Unless you watch him ever.
And when he once gets out, he makes
More trouble in an hour
Than you can stop in many a day,
Working with all your power.
He sets your playmates by the ears,
He says what is not so,
And uses many ugly words,
Not good for you to know.
Quick, fasten tight the ivory gates,
And chain him while he’s young,
For this same dangerous prisoner
Is just—your little tongue.
Messages of God’s Love 8/14/1932