Whose Child Is This

"Whose Child is This?" I asked one day
Seeing a little one out a play
"Mine," said the parent with a tender smile
"Mine," to keep a little while
To bathe her hands and comb her hair
To tell her what she is to wear
To prepare her what she may always be good
And each day do the things she should"

"Whose child is this?" I asked again
As the door opened and someone came in
"Mine", said the teacher with the same tender smile
"Mine to keep just for a little while
To teach her how to be gentle and kind
To train and direct her dear little mind
To help her live by every rule
And get the best she can from school"

"Whose child is this?" I asked once more
Just as the little one entered the door
"Ours" said the parent and the teacher as they smiled
And each took the hand of the child
"Ours to love and train together
Ours this blessed task forever."