Mother dear br With you around we had nothing to fear br You could easily dry every tear br With just an encouraging word, and a little fuss, br We still wonder how you managed all of us br Six noisy, hungry, thirsty children br Vying unendingly for your attention br Of course it was not always hunky dory br The solution for you was a simple story br We listened to parables, fables and other tales br That were meant to teach us to smoothly sail br Through life’s trying situations br The old adage -Spare the rod and spoil the child br Was impossible to follow for someone so mild br We were merely told a story & admonished to be good br If not, we risked missing your charming smile and good mood br We lack your simple wisdom br When dealing with our own children br Without your unending repertoire of stories br That told of great persons and their past glories br We cannot discipline them with your degree of finesse br It is something about which we can only reminisce.