Who's the Boss (A Children's Poem)

The fingers on my hand one day Began to argue, who held sway… The index finger spoke with pride: "I'm captain here, I set the tide.

I am the ruler and command, The one who governs in this land." The nameless finger rose to fight: "Now hold on there, you're not quite right,

I wear a ring with diamond bright, I'm far superior, that's right!" The middle finger would not yield: "Who boasts like this? I'm not revealed,

You all should speak much less, much less, I tower over you, I confess." Then listened the thumb, grave and old: "Enough of this, I'm strong and bold—

Without me, how could you all eat Your soup and bread, your dainty treat?" The pinky finger stopped the fight: "Dear brothers, listen to what's right,

I wear no ring of precious stone, I have no power, I'm not known, But one thing, brothers, I know true, We need each other, me and you.

Without our help, who could rescue A drowning soul the whole year through? Who builds a house with steady hand? Who rolls a snowball in the land?

Which finger all alone can pick The flowers in the field so thick? That's right—we can't do much alone, So hear me, brothers, in this tone:

Like markers in a box of friends, Each color serves where light extends, Though all together make one scene— No quarrels there, no pride between.

Much more we can accomplish, see, If all of us work in harmony!" And now for children small and grown, The lesson here is simply shown, No need for lengthy explanation: Stay together—cooperation!