My young son will go to school today. It's all going to be strange and new to him for a while, and I want You to sort of teach him gently.
You see up to now he's been our 'little' boy.

He's been  boss of the back yard.  I have always been around to repair his wounds and I've always been handy to soothe his feelings.
But now things are going to be different.

This morning he's going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand and start out on the great adventure.  It's an adventure that will probably include
wars, tragedy and sorrow.

To live his life in the world, please take him by his  young hand and
teach him the things he will have to know.
But, teach him gently if you can.

He will have to learn I know, that all men are not just, that all men are
not true. But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero,
for every selfish politician there is a dedicated leader.
Teach him that for every enemy there is a friend.

It will take him time I know, but teach him that a nickel earned is of far more value than a dollar found. Teach him to learn to lose and to enjoy winning.  Steer him away from envy and teach him the secret of quiet laughter.

Let him learn early that bullies are the easiest people to lick.  Teach him the wonder of books, but also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,  bees in the sun and flowers on the green hillside.

In school teach him that it's far more honourable to fail than to cheat.
Teach him to have faith in himself and his own ideas, even  if
everyone tells him he's wrong.

Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough in the right sort of way, with tough people. Give my son the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone else is getting on a band- wagon.

Teach him to listen to all men but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth, and retain only the good that comes through. Teach him,
if you can, how to laugh when he is sad, but also teach him that there
is no shame in tears.

Teach him that there can be glory in failure and despair in success.
Teach him to be cynical of the cynic and to beware of too much sweetness.  Teach him not to sell his brawn and brains necessarily to the highest bidder, and never to put a price tag on his heart and love.

Teach him to close his eyes to the howling mob and stand and fight if
he thinks he's right. Treat him gently, Lord, but don't coddle him
because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have courage to be impatient, and let him have the patience
to be brave.  Teach him to have sublime faith in himself and then he
will always have faith in mankind.

Above all let him recognise You, and love You, and others around him
with all his heart.  This is a big order Lord, but please see  what you can do.
He's such a fine little fellow  -  my son!
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