On Children

What children need is love and care; Unfairness, they can never bear; They fight by calling silly names; They can devise their own good games. They want nice words for achievements; And they forget their arguments; They seek attention all the time; They love to watch clowns and to mime. Alas, they are like tender shoots! They need good foundation like roots; They crave for opportunities; They’re offended when others tease. Children are children everywhere; To do brave acts, at times, they dare; They must be given freedom, rights; They fear darkness and violent sights. They are the wealth of nations all! They aim to do things truly tall; They must be nourished truly well, Or else, they soon become quite ill. Yet, children are abused a lot; As babies, they are killed in cots; They’re made to work for paltry sums, And live in unhygienic slums! Will not the world open its eyes? Our children should not take to vice; Adults must give them good advice; They must become citizens wise!