
The poem is about a four-year-old child who thinks being four is the best age because it can be divided into two groups of two people they love: mother, Fabian, Paul, and daddy. The child proudly shares their math discovery with daddy and asks for a kiss as a reward.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1902 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Fantasy · 99 words
DADDY dear, I'm only four / And I'd rather not be more: / Four's the nicest age to be -- / Two and two, or one and three.
All I love is two and two, / Mother, Fabian, Paul and you; / All you love is one and three, / Mother, Fabian, Paul and me.
Give your little girl a kiss / Because she learned and told you this.
Poetry · Birthday · Childhood · Innocence · Youth · Celebration · Family · Love · Affection · Tender · Nostalgic · Sentimental
Birthday Talk for a Child. (Iris.) is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1902 CE.
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