First Day of School

World, take my son by the hand - he starts school today.

It's all going to be strange and new for a while

and I wish you'd sort of treat him gently.

You see, up to now he's been King of the Roost.

He's been the Boss of the Backyard.

I have always been around to repair his wounds and

I have always been handy to soothe his feelings.

But now .... things are going to be different.

this morning he is going to walk down the front steps,

Wave his hand and start on a great adventure

That probably will include wars, tragedy and sorrow.

To live in this world will reuire faith and love and courage.

So World, I wish you would sort of take him by his young hand

and teach him the things he will have to know.

Teach him ... but gently if you can.

He will have to learn that all men are not just.

That all men are not true.

Teach him that for every scoundrel there is a hero;

That for every crooked politician there is a dedicated teacher

and that for every enemy there is a friend.

Let him learn that bullies are the easiest people to lick.

Teach him the wonder of books. Give him quiet time

to ponder the eternal mysteries of birds in the sky,

Bees in the sun and flowers on a green hill.

Teach him that it is far more honourable

to fail than to cheat. Teach him

to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone

tells him he is wrong.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd,

when everyone else is getting on the band wagon.

Teach him to listen to all men, but to filter all

he hears on a screen of truth, and to take only

the good that comes true.

Teach him to sell his brawn and his brain to the highest

bidder, but never to put a tag on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears on a howling mob...

and to stand and fight if he thinks he is right.

Teach him gently World, but don't coddle him.

Because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

This is a big order World, but see what you can do.

He's such a nice little fellow.....