Wise Sarah and the Elf Poem by Elizabeth Jane Coatsworth

"Is there anything,"
asked the goblin,
"you would like for yourself?
Should you like a little pony
or a gold ring?"
asked the elf.
"Should you like a jewelled bird
or a pair of magic shoes?
I like your looks extremely,
and you have only to choose."

But Sarah, very wisely,
kept walking down the path.
She fixed her eyes upon the ferns,
she would not look to see
where step by step beside her
walked the little gentleman
with a feathered cap upon his head
and buckles at his knee.

But still his voice
came coaxingly,
"A pretty child like you
must surely know a thousand things
that she would like to do.
Should you care to dance with a fairy prince
or see the stars at play?
I like your looks extremely,
and you have only to say."

But Sarah, very wisely,
said nothing in reply.
She saw the house beyond the woods
with her mother at the door
and walked a little faster
till soon she walked alone —
but those pretty foolish questions
Sarah heard forevermore.