Who Teaches Her School Children Very Well

I eagerly rise each day at dawn

To once again peek out my back door

I never know what might happen next

But every morning I always yearn for more

As I stand here in the early morning light

Sipping juice and nibbling on some bread

As I stand here in the early morning light

I spot my neighbor marching straight ahead

Soon I gaze at him in curiosity

Lurking right out there in the cold

Soon I peer at him in amazement

Since he’s now getting so very bold

My nosy next door neighbor 

Is now going through my trash

My very nosy next door neighbor

Is now getting awfully awfully brash

He’s digging through my garbage

Like he’s part of my own family

He’s digging through my garbage

Now filled with utter joy and glee

He soon stops near my back patio

With some trash that I have tossed

There he very excitedly examines it

So happy now his words are at a loss

He then bravely steals my garbage

And now he hurries on his way

He is off to feed his family

So there must be no delay

As his family eats breakfast

In their dark and dingy home

My mood is not one of anger

Although he’s taken of my own

Instead my heart now rejoices

Since I’ve helped him on his quest

After all his family is very hungry too

And like me - he’s just got to do his best

My neighbor is a pretty good soul you see

And he never ever raves or rants

My neighbor is a pretty good soul you see

Although he’s just a tiny very hard working ant

©2004, Mr. Ed

I wrote this poem a few years ago, and it has now been read at several elementary schools around the country.

Many of the kids have been intrigued by it, and many of them have asked some marvelous questions, and made some very astute observations, especially when they learn that ants live in societies very similar to our own, and that they all have very important jobs to do, just like most of us.

One very sharp fourth grader in New York City remarked that if I was watching an ant, I must have been using binoculars.  And he’s right; I often use my binoculars to observe the magnificent life that occurs all around us – no matter where we live - if we only look for it.

I also believe that teaching kids about nature is extremely important since today’s children are the last hope for a humane tomorrow for earth’s many diverse and essential life forms.

And I salute teachers like Joyce, who do just that.