"I'll lend you, for a little while, a bird of mine, " He said,"For you to love
while he lives, and mourn when he is dead.

"It may be six or seven years, or maybe twenty three,"But will you, till I
call him back, take care of him for me?

"He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and shall his stay be brief,"You'll
have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.

"I cannot promise he will stay, as all from earth return,"But there are
lessons taught down there, I want this bird to learn.

I've looked the whole world over in my search for teachers true, "And
from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.

"Now will you give him all your love not think this labor vain,"Nor hate me
when I come to call, to take him back again.

"I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, thy will be done, "For all the
joy this bird shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.

"We'll shower him with tenderness and love while we may, "And for the
happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.

“And should the angels call for him, much sooner than we planned,
“We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand."