A Life Lesson James Whitcomb Riley

There! little girl! don't cry!
They have broken your doll, I know;
And your tea-set blue,
And your play-house, too,
Are things of long ago;
But childish troubles will soon pass by,
There! little girl! don't cry!

There! little girl! don't cry!
They have broken your slate, I know;
And the glad wild ways
Of your school-girl days
Are things of the long ago;
But life and love will soon come by,
There! little girl! don't cry!

There! little girl! don't cry!
They have broken your heart, I know;
And the rainbow gleams
Of your youthful dreams
Are things of the long ago;
But heaven holds all for which you sigh,
There! little girl! don't cry!

Question 1
Part A

Which statement is a theme of the poem?

Although problems may seem serious, they almost always pass.

One can make the most of life by taking action.

People learn most by making mistakes.

It is better to prepare for the future than to enjoy the present.
Question 2
Part B

Which lines from the poem best support the answer to Part A?

"Are things of the long ago; / But heaven holds all for which you sigh,"

"But childish troubles will soon pass by, / There! little girl! don't cry!"

"They have broken your doll, I know; / And your tea-set blue,"

"Of your school-girl days / Are things of the long ago;"

A Life Lesson

James Whitcomb Riley

There! little girl! don't cry!
They have broken your doll, I know;
And your tea-set blue,
And your play-house, too,
Are things of long ago;
But childish troubles will soon pass by,
There! little girl! don't cry!

There! little girl! don't cry!
They have broken your slate, I know;
And the glad wild ways
Of your school-girl days
Are things of the long ago;
But life and love will soon come by,
There! little girl! don't cry!

There! little girl! don't cry!
They have broken your heart, I know;
And the rainbow gleams
Of your youthful dreams
Are things of the long ago;
But heaven holds all for which you sigh,
There! little girl! don't cry!

Question 1
Part A

Which statement is a theme of the poem?

Although problems may seem serious, they almost always pass.

One can make the most of life by taking action.

People learn most by making mistakes.

It is better to prepare for the future than to enjoy the present.
Question 2
Part B

Which lines from the poem best support the answer to Part A?

"Are things of the long ago; / But heaven holds all for which you sigh,"

"But childish troubles will soon pass by, / There! little girl! don't cry!"

"They have broken your doll, I know; / And your tea-set blue,"

"Of your school-girl days / Are things of the long ago;"

Assessment navigation