The Milkmaid and Her Pail
A musical retelling of Aesop's fable about counting your chickens before they hatch
A milkmaid skipped along the lane, A pail of milk upon her head. She hummed a tune, she spun a dream, And here is what the milkmaid said:
"I'll sell this milk for shiny coins, Buy eggs that hatch to chicks galore! The chicks will lay a hundred eggs, And I will sell them at the store!"
"With all that gold I'll buy a dress, The grandest dress the town has seen! I'll twirl, I'll dance, I'll toss my head, Like I'm a milkmaid -- or a queen!"
She tossed her head -- the pail came down -- SPLASH went the milk all on the ground.
No eggs. No chicks. No fancy dress. No twirl. No dance. No royal grin. Just empty pail, just dripping skirt, Just soggy shoes she's standing in.
So dream your dreams -- but light, but soft -- And mind the pail upon your head. The milk you carry here today Is treasure more than dreams unsaid.