A Frown went scowling down the street
one pleasant morn in May,
And, friend, would you believe it,
everyone it met that day--
Man, woman, lad and lassie--
it is odd but also true,
As soon as they came near it,
went off a-frowning, too!

Next day a Smile went beaming
down that selfsame street,
And every single person
that it winsomely did meet--
Man, woman, lad and lassie--
and it went for many a mile,
Jogged home all a-happy,
wearing such a pleasant smile.

Now from this little fable
it is very plain to see
There's no one but has influence,
whoever he or she may be;
So if you're cross and crabby,
you make others crabby, too--
But if you smile at others,
they will likewise smile at you!

This poem is in the public domain.