Three Little Pennies

there was an old, blind man

who stood on the corner down town

he was holding a cup

filled up with nothing

from the christmas shopping crowd

and though i barely came up to the top of his cane

i reached up and gave him

every cent to my name.

three little pennies.

were all that i had

one that i'd found

two from my dad

three little pennies not much of a gift

but Dad said "that's plenty, if it's all you can give."

that evening my dad told a wonderful story to me

about a child and the manger.

the wise men who came bearing gifts on the first christmas eve.

there was a part i'm sure he made up

about a stable boy who couldn't give much..

three little pennies.

were all that he had

one that he'd found

two from his dad

three little pennies not much of a gift

but Dad said "that's plenty if it's all you can give."

next morning was christmas

and i had prayed hard for a bike

but all that i found was the tiniest box

with three shiny pennies inside

and i was so disapointed because i had been good

but times had been bad so i understood.

and daddy said:

"three little pennies.

were all that you had

but you gave them freely

so i gave them back

three little pennies not much of a gift

you'r bike is outside because you've learned how to give"