Long ago in changeful autumn
When the leaves were turning brown,
From the tall oak's topmost branches
Fell a little acorn down.

And it tumbled by the pathway,
A chance foot trod it deep
In the ground where all the winter
In its shell it lay asleep. 

With the white snow lying
And the frost to hold it fast,
Till there came the mild spring weather
When it burst its shell at last.

First shot up a sapling tender
Scarcely seen above the ground,
Then a mincie little oak
Spread its tiny arms around.

Many years the night dews nursed it,
Summers hot and winters long,
The sweet sun looked bright upon it
While it grew up tall and strong.

Now it standeth like a giant
Casting shadows proud and high,
With huge trunk and leafy branches
Spreading up into the sky.

There the squirrels loved to frolic,
There the wild birds rest at night,
There the cattle come for shelter
In the noontime hot and bright.

Child, when happily thou are resting
'Neath the great oak's ample shade,
Think how little was the acorn
Whence the mighty tree was made.

Think how simple things and lowly
Have a part in nature's plan,
How the great have small beginnings
And the child will be a man.

Little efforts work great action,
Lessons in our childhood taught,
Mold the spirit to the temple,
Whereby noblest deeds are wrought.

Author unknown