^{Please Treat Her Gently}

My daughter starts school today.
It's going to be strange and new to her for awhile,
and I wish you would sort of treat her gently.
You see up to now she's been queen of the castle.
She's been boss of the back yard. I have always been 
around to repair her wounds, and to soothe her feelings. But now - things 
are different. This morning, she's going to walk down the front steps, wave her hand,
and start on her great adventure that will probably include wars and tragedy and sorrow.
To live her life in the world she has to live in will require faith and love and courage.
So, World, I wish you would sort of take her by the young hand and 
teach her the things she will have to know. Teach her ....but gently if you can.
She will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, that all men are not true.
Teach her that for every scoundrel there is a hero, that for every crooked politician 
there is a dedicated leader that for every enemy there is a friend. Let her learn  early that 
the bullies are the easiest people to lick. Teach her the wonders of books. Give her 
quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and  
flowers on the green hill. Teach her that it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.
Teach her to have faith in her own ideas, even if everyone tells her they are 
wrong. Try to give my daughter strength not to follow the crowd 
when everyone else is getting on the bandwagon. Teach her to listen to 
all men, but to filter all she hears on a screen of truth and to take only the good 
that comes through. Teach her never to put a price on her heart and soul. Teach her 
to close her ears on a howling mob - and to stand and fight if she thinks she's right. Teach 
her gently, World, but don't coddle her, because  only the test  of fire makes fine steel.
This is a big order, World, but see what you can do..
She's such a nice little lady.