I wanted to buy licorice
Down at the corner store,
But I had only 13 cents
And needed 30 more.

I picked peas for Aunt LaVerne,
Worth five cents, this job.
Earned three cents more for picking up
His tools for Uncle Bob.

My grandma gave me two more cents
Because I'm sweet and cute.
Dad gave me four pennies more
When I scraped gum off his boot.

Sister Abby paid two cents
So I'd leave her alone,
While she made some kissing sounds
At John Brown on the phone.

I folded towels for mommy, and
She gave to me a dime.
I told her that I would not mind
This fine job all the time.

Still four cents short, I went outside;
I knew not what to do.
I thought and thought, then thought some more
Then looked down by my shoe.

Bending down I picked it up,
A treasure I had found!
It was a nickel, old and scratched,
Right there on the ground.

I grabbed my coins, hopped on my bike
And went to buy my treats.
Until I reached that corner and,
Oh no... can't cross the street.