Whose Child Is This?

“Whose child is this?” I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play
“Mine”, said the parent with a tender smile
“Mine to keep a little while
To bathe his hands and comb his hair
To tell him what he is to wear
To prepare him that he may always be good
And each day do the things that he should.”

“Whose child is this?” I asked again
As the door slowly opened and someone came in
“Mine”, said the teacher with a warm, friendly smile
“Mine to keep just a little while
To teach him how to be gentle and kind
To teach and direct his dear little mind
To help him live by every rule
And get the best he can from school.”

“Whose child is this?” I asked once more
Just as the little one opened the door
“Ours” said the parent and teacher as they smiled
And each took the hand of the little child
“Ours to teach and love together
Ours is this life-long task forever.”

Author Unknown