Each one teach one

This evening I'm participating in a panel discussion on literacy. Each of is is supposed to mention our first experiences with literacy. My parents were teachers and my mother was also a librarian, so books were an important part of my childhood. One of my first memories is sitting in my mother's lap as she read me this poem:

Five Little Chickens

Said the first little chicken,

With a queer little squirm,

"Oh, I wish I could find 
A fat little worm!"

Said the next little chicken, 

With an odd little shrug, 

"Oh, I wish I could find 

A fat little bug!"

Said the third little chicken,

With a sharp little squeal, 

"Oh, I wish I could find

Some nice yellow meal!"

Said the fourth little chicken,

With a small sigh of grief,  

"Oh, I wish I could find

A green little leaf!"

Said the fifth little chicken,

With a faint little moan,

"Oh, I wish I could find

A wee gravel-stone!"

"Now, see here, said the mother,

From the green garden-patch.

"If you want any breakfast,

You must come and scratch."

It is estimated that 20% of parents in the USA could not read a poem like this to their child. If you can contribute in any way to your community's efforts to reduce illiteracy, consider doing it! The rewards are substantial. I've been a literacy tutor for 5 years now and it's an important part of my life. The motto at our center is "Each One Teach One." I'm just glad to be one.