His Example
By: Edgar A. Guest

There are little eyes upon you,
and they’re watching night and day;

There are little ears that quickly
take in every word You say;

There are little hands all eager
to do everything you do,

And a little boy is dreaming of
the day he’ll be like you.

You’re the little fellow’s idol,
You’re the wisest of the wise;

In his mind about you no suspicions
ever rise;

He believes in you devoutly,
that all you say and do

He will say and do in your way
when he’s grown up just like you.

Oh, it sometimes makes me shudder
when I hear my boy repeat

Some careless phrase I’ve uttered
in the language of the street;

And it sets my heart to grieving
when some little fault I see

And I know beyond all doubting
that he picked it up from me.

There’s a wide-eyed little fellow
who believes you’re always right,

And his ears are always open and
he watches day and night;

You are setting an example every
day in all you do

For the little boy that’s waiting
to grow up to be like you.