the art of listening

Once in a little, sunny town,

Lived a boy named Harry Brown.

He loved to shout and make a fuss,

On noisy streets with lots of rush.

One day his friend, a girl named Fay,

Cried out to Harry, "Come and play!"

But Harry didn't hear her plea,

Too busy laughing, wild and free.

Then wise old Mr. Crow came by,

With feathers black and bright-blue eyes.

He perched upon the fence so high,

And croaked aloud beneath the sky.

“Dear Harry Brown, please come and see,

The world’s a lot more fun,” said he,

“If you can listen close each day,

To what your friends and neighbors say.”

Harry paused and thought awhile,

Then looked at Fay with a big smile.

“I'll listen close, and be your friend,

And we’ll have fun, right to the end!”

From then on, Harry changed his ways,

He listened well through all his days.

He heard each friend and all they shared,

And showed them just how much he cared.