God sends children for another purpose than merely to keep up the race–to enlarge our hearts, to make us unselfish, and full of kindly sympathies and affections.

Yes, in the poor man’s garden grow far more than herbs and flowers–kind thoughts, contentment, peace of mind, and joy for weary hours.

Mary Howitt (1799-1888) was an English poet.  Many of her writings were directed toward younger readers.  Her most famous poem captured the tale of “The Spider and the Fly.”