A MOTHER lobster, with her daughter Conversing near their native water, And closely watching, as she talked, The style in which the latter walked, Rebuked her for her awkward way Of locomotion: "Tell me, pray," The matron scolded, "why instead Of backward, you don't go ahead? Such awkwardness! Of course you know 'T is not the proper way to go; Sure, folks of sense you thus will shock, And make yourself a laughing-stock!" "What!" said the child, "do you suppose I don't know how my mother goes? Shall I adopt the plan you say, While all the rest go t' other way? I really have n't got the face To change the custom of my race; It need not put you in a passion, I merely mean to be in fashion; And, having learned the way from you, I'll walk -- as other lobsters do." MORAL. To fix a good or evil course, Example is of potent force; And they who wish the young to teach Must even practice what they preach. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BORDER AFFAIR by CHARLES BADGER CLARK JR. GOLIATH AND DAVID by ROBERT RANKE GRAVES CLANCY OF THE MOUNTED POLICE by ROBERT WILLIAM SERVICE SONNET: 5 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DIRGE FOR TWO VETERANS by WALT WHITMAN WINDS OF LIFE by MARJORIE DUGDALE ASHE PENETRALIA by ELFRIDA DE RENNE BARROW A CONCLUSORIE HUMNE TO THE SAME WEEK; & FOR MY FRIEND by JOSEPH BEAUMONT |