A Father's Dream

He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician,
there is a dedicated leader…
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,

Steer him away from envy,
if you can,
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.

Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick…
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books…
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.

In the school teach him
it is far more honorable to fail
than to cheat…
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong…
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough with the tough.

Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone is getting on the band wagon…
Teach him to listen to all men…
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.

Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad…
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness…
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
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.
Treat him gently,
but do not cuddle him,
because only the test
of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage
to be impatient…
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order,
but see what you can do…
He is such a fine little fellow,
my son!

A poem forwarded to me by my friend, but the moment i read eachh and every word of it, i realised how true the dream of the father might have been for his son.What value he wanted his son to have. This is a letter written by Abraham Lincoln to the Headmaster of a school in which his son was studying. It contains an advice, which is still relevant today for executives, workers, teachers, parents and students .

Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books…
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.

Thats what i liked the most.What i see these days are that parents themselves don't allow a kid to enjoy the beauty of little things. These days kids are burdened with big responsibilities than they can ever cope. I wonder at times, how different our childhood days were, we had enough friends to play each evening, enjoy each summer vacation, but kids today are glued to the TV watching some cartoons like pokemon etc, they just don't want to play out under the sun, jump around, cycle, skate or do any outdoor activities. Any indoor games would do for them. and instead of enjoying the summer vacation, they are busy with some summer classes. The innocence is lost at a tender age, they act and behave like grown up(i blame the television for it). I wish they were kids once again, cause its only our childhood days we cherish the most. I wish they enjoy it more.