Which Loved Best?

DESCRIPTION: "I love you, mother, said little John," but runs off to play, leaving mother to carry wood and water. "I love you, mother, said little Nell," but proceeds to pout. Little Fan also professes her love -- and helps out. So which one loved mother best?
AUTHOR: Joyce Allison (source: Kane-SongsAndSayingsOfAnUlsterChildhood)
EARLIEST DATE: 1983 (Kane-SongsAndSayingsOfAnUlsterChildhood)
KEYWORDS: mother children work
FOUND IN: Ireland
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Kane-SongsAndSayingsOfAnUlsterChildhood, pp. 117-118, "'I love you, Mother,' said little John" (1 text)
Roud #25477
NOTES [38 words]: This sort of comparison of children, only one of whom does what the parent really wants, goes back at least to the "Parable of the Two Sons," Matthew 21:28-32. In this particular instance, I think the Bible does it better. - RBW
Last updated in version 6.5
File: KSUC117B

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