THE OYSTER

There once was an oyster

whose story I tell,

who found that some sand

had gotten into his shell.

It was only a grain

but it gave him great pain.

For oysters have feelings

although they're so plain.

Now did he berate

the harsh workings of fate

that had brought him

to such a deplorable state.

Did he curse at the government,

cry for election, and claim that the sea

should have given him protection?

"No," He said to himself.

Since I cannot remove it

I 'll work in my shell,

Yes, I 'll try to improve it.

Now the years have rolled around,

as the years always do,

and he came to his ultimate destiny stew.

And the small grain of sand

that had bothered him so

was a beautiful PEARL

all richly aglow.

Now the tale has a Moral,

For isn't it grand

what an oyster can do

with a morsel of sand?

What couldn't we do

if we 'd only begin

with some the things

that get under our skin.

(Author Unknown)