POEM

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"For want of a nail, the shoe was lost;

For want of a shoe, the horse was lost;

For want of a horse, the rider was lost;

For want of a rider, the battle was lost;

For want of a battle, the kingdom was lost!"

                        - page 23, CHAOS by James Gleick - from ancient folklore - on the discussion of the Butterfly Effect. 

I enjoy the poem for several reasons: 1.  It says the little things in life count the most.  2.  You can the see that their is sensitive dependence on initial conditions in everyday life.  3.  It is easy to remember.

Think about it.  An entire Kingdom, an entire culture, is transformed because of a defective nail.  Anyway I thought it would be a good conversation piece.