WHOSE CHILD IS THIS? (AUTHOR UNKNOWN)

"WHOSE CHILD IS THIS?" I ASKED ONE DAY
          SEEING A LITTLE ONE OUT AT PLAY
"MINE", SAID THE PARENT WITH A TENDER SMILE
          "MINE TO KEEP A LITTLE WHILE.
TO BATHE HIS/HER HANDS AND COMB HIS/HER HAIR
          TO TELL HIM/HER WHAT HE/SHE IS TO WEAR.
TO PREPARE HIM/HER THAT HE/SHE MAY ALWAYS BE GOOD,
AND EACH DAY DO THE THINGS HE/SHE SHOULD.

"WHOSE CHILD IS THIS?" I ASKED AGAIN,
 AS THE DOOR OPENED AND SOMEONE CAME IN.
"MINE", SAID THE TEACHER WITH THE SAME TENDER SMILE.
          "MINE, TO KEEP JUST FOR A LITTLE WHILE"
TO TEACH HIM/HER HOW TO BE GENTLE AND KIND,
TO TRAIN AND DIRECT HIS/HER DEAR LITTLE MIND'
          TO HELP HIM/HER LIVE BY EVERY RULE;
AND GET THE BEST HE/SHE CAN FROM SCHOOL"

"WHOSE CHILD IS THIS?" I ASKED ONCE MORE,
           JUST AS THE LITTLE ONE ENTERED THE DOOR.
"OURS", SAID THE PARENT AND THE TEACHER AS THEY SMILED.
AND EACH TOOK THE HAND OF THE LITTLE CHILD.
          "OURS TO LOVE AND TRAIN TOGETHER,
          OURS THIS BLESSED TASK FOREVER."