Foxes can talk if you know how to listen, My Paw said so. Owls have big eyes that sparkle an' glisten, My Paw said so. Bears can turn flip-flaps an' climb ellum trees, An' steal all the honey away from the bees, An' they never mind winter becoz they don't freeze; My Paw said so. Girls is a-scared of a snake, but boys ain't, My Paw said so. They holler an' run; an' sometimes they faint, My Paw said so. But boys would be 'shamed to be frightened that way When all that the snake wants to do is to play; You've got to believe every word that I say, My Paw said so. Wolves ain't so bad if you treat 'em all right, My Paw said so. They're as fond of a game as they are of a fight, My Paw said so. An' all of the animals found in the wood Ain't always ferocious. Most times they are good. The trouble is mostly they're misunderstood, My Paw said so. You can think what you like, but I stick to it when My Paw said so. An' I'll keep right on sayin', again an' again, My Paw said so. Maybe foxes don't talk to such people as you, An' bears never show you the tricks they can do, But I know that the stories I'm tellin' are true, My Paw said so. {81} PREPAREDNESS Right must not live in idleness, Nor dwell in smug content; It must be strong, against the throng Of foes, on evil bent. Justice must not a weakling be But it must guard its own, And live each day, that none can say Justice is overthrown. Peace, the sweet glory of the world, Faces a duty, too; Death is her fate, leaves she one gate For war to enter through. {82} THE PEACEFUL WARRIORS Let others sing their songs of war And chant their hymns of splendid death, Let others praise the soldiers' ways And hail the cannon's flaming breath. Let others sing of Glory's fields Where blood for Victory is paid, I choose to sing some simple thing To those who wield not gun or blade-- The peaceful warriors of trade. Let others choose the deeds of war For symbols of our nation's skill, The blood-red coat, the rattling throat, The regiment that charged the hill, The boy who died to serve the flag, Who heard the order and obeyed, But leave to me the gallantry Of those who labor unafraid-- The peaceful warriors of trade. Aye, let me sing the splendid deeds Of those who toil to serve mankind, The men who break old ways and make New paths for those who come behind. And face their problems, unafraid, Who think and plan to lift for man The burden that on him is laid-- The splendid warriors of trade.