 | Soulfood - Children | |
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
A Girl With a Watering Can
| Soulfood - Children | |
| Flowers Are Red |
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(for Donna Wakefield - Thank you for everything) The little boy went first day of school. He got some crayons and started to draw. He put colors all over the paper For colors was what he saw. And the teacher said, "What you doin', young man." "I'm paintin' flowers," he said. She said, "It's not the time for art, young man, And anyway flowers are green and red. There's a time for everything, young man, And a way it should be done. You've got to show concern for everyone else For you're not the only one." And she said, "Flowers are red, young man. Green leaves are green. There's no need to see flowers any other way Than the way they always have been seen." But the little boy said, "There are so many colors in the rainbow, So many colors in the morning sun. So many colors in the flower and I see every one." Well the teacher said, "You're sassy. There's ways that things should be. And you'll paint flowers the way they are, So repeat after me." And she said, "Flowers are red, young man. Green leaves are green. There's no need to see flowers any other way Than the way they always have been seen. But the little boy said, "There are so many colors in the rainbow, So many colors in the morning sun. So many colors in the flower and I see every one." The teacher put him in a corner She said, "It's for your own good. And you won't come out 'til you get it right And are responding like you should." Well, finally he got lonely. Frightened thoughts filled his head. And he went up to the teacher And this is what he said... And he said, "Flowers are red. Green leaves are green. There's no need to see flowers any other way Than the way they always have been seen." Time went by like it always does, And they moved to another town. And the little boy went to another school, And this is what he found. The teacher there was smilin'. She said, "Painting should be fun. And there are so many colors in a flower So let's use every one." But that little boy painted flowers In neat rows of green and red. And when the teacher asked him why, This is what he said... And he said, "Flowers are red. Green leaves are green. There's no need to see flowers any other way Than the way they always have been seen. ....by Harry Chapin |
| Children |
| If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in. ....by Rachel Carson |
| Bequests |
| There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: One is roots. The other is wings. ....by Hodding Carter, Jr. |
| The Greatest |
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Little boy, in a baseball hat, stands in the field, with his ball and bat. Says "I am the greatest player of them all!" He puts his bat on his shoulder, and he tosses up his ball. And the ball goes up, and the ball comes down, and he swings his bat all the way around. The world's so still you can hear the sound, as the baseball falls, to the ground. Now the little boy doesn't say a word... Picks up his ball. He is undeterred. Says, "I am the greatest there has ever been!" And he grits his teeth. And he tries it again. And the ball goes up, and the ball comes down, and he swings his bat all the way around. And the world's so still you can hear the sound, as the baseball falls, to the ground. He makes no excuses; he shows no fear He just closes his eyes, and listens to the cheers. Now the little boy, he adjusts his hat. Picks up his ball. Stares at his bat. Says "I am the greatest, and the game is on the line!" So he gives his all, one last time. And the ball goes up, like the moon so bright, swings his bat, with all his might. And the world's as still as still can be, and the baseball falls; and that's strike 3. Now it's supper time, and his momma calls. Little boy starts home, with his bat and ball. Says, "I am the greatest, that is a fact... but even I didn't know, I could pitch like that!" ....Performed by Kenny Rogers |
| Cats In the Cradle |
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A child arrived just the other day. He came to the world in the usual way. But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay. He learned to walk while I was away, and he was Talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew, He said, "I'm gonna be like you, Dad. You know I'm gonna be like you." And the cat's in the cradle, and the silver spoon, Little boy blue and the man on the moon. "When you comin' home, Dad?" "I don't know when. But we'll have a good time then, son. You know we'll have a good time then." My son turned ten just the other day. He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad. Come on, let's play. Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today. I got a lot to do." He said, "That's okay." And he walked away but his smile never dimmed. It said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah. You know I'm gonna be like him." And the cat's in the cradle, and the silver spoon, Little boy blue and the man on the moon. "When you comin' home, Dad?" "I don't know when. But we'll have a good time then, son. You know we'll have a good time then." Well he came from college just the other day So much like a man I just had to say, "Son, I'm proud of you. Can we sit for a while?" He shook his head, and said, with a smile, "What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys. See ya later, can I have them please?" And the cat's in the cradle, and the silver spoon, Little boy blue and the man on the moon "When you comin' home, son?" "I don't know when. But we'll have a good time then, Dad. You know we'll have a good time then." I've long since retired, my son's moved away I called him up just the other day. I said, "I'd like to see you, if you don't mind." He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I could find the time. You see my new job's a hassle and the kids got the flu, But it's been sure nice talkin' to you, yeah. Sure nice talkin' to you." And as I hung up the phone it occured to me, He'd grown up just like me, yeah. My boy was just like me. And the cat's in the cradle, and the silver spoon, Little boy blue and the man on the moon "When you comin' home, son?" "I don't know when. But we'll have a good time then, Dad. You know we'll have a good time then." ....by Harry Chapin |
| Children Learn |
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If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn. If children live with hostility, they learn to fight. If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy. If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty. If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient. If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence. If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate. If children live with fairness, they learn justice. If children live with security, they learn to have faith. If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves. If children live with acceptance and friendship, they learn to find love in the world. ....by Dorothy L. Nolte This poem is available as a beautiful calligraphy creation by Sherrie Lovler. |
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Marilee Schuhrke
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