A. Parent's Plea

(As printed in the Peac& River Block News
August 29, 1973)

Editor:

The other day a good friend of mine gave me
the following poem to read. The message
contained within these few verses is one
that should be shared at the appropriate
time and no doubt conveys the feelings of
every parent.

Take My Son By the Hand
My son starts to school tomorrow.

It's all going to be strange and new to him
for awhile, and I wish you would sort of
treat him gently.

You see, up to now, he's been king of the
roost. .

He's been boss of the backyard. I have
always been around to repair his wounds and
I've always been handy to soothe his feel-
ings.

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

This morning he is goiny to walk down the
front steps, wave his hand, and start on his
great adventure that will include wars and
tragedy and sorrow.

To live his life in the world he has to live
in, will require faith and love and courage.

So, teacher, 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, I know, 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 leader.

Let him learn early that the bullies are the

easiest people to lick.

Teach him the wonders of books.

Give him quiet time to-ponder the eternal
mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the
sun, and flowers on the green hill.

Teach him that it is for more honorable to
fail than to cheat.

Teach him to have faith in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells they are wrong.

.

Try to give my son the strength not to
follow the crowd when everyone else is
getting on the bandwagon.

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 through

Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to
the highest bidder, but never to put a
price tag on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears to a howling
mob, and to stand and fight if he thinks
he's right.

Teach him gently, but don't coddle hin,
because only the test of fire makes fine
steel.

This is a big order, teacher, but see what
you can do.
my son.

“We're having a pot party!”

He's such a nice little fellow,