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10 Don’t Give Up

I can sing ...
I can sing...
The poet wants to tell us we should not give up even if we face challenges
and don’t succeed at first. She compares this to a young bird learning
to fly.

If you’ve tried and have not won,

Never stop for crying;

All that’s good and great is done

Just by patient trying.

Though young birds, in flying, fall,

Still their wings grow stronger;

And the next time they can keep

Up a little longer.

Though the sturdy tree has known

Many a wind that bowed her,

She has risen again and grown

Loftier and prouder.

If by easy work you beat,

Who the more will prize you?

Gaining victory from defeat,

That’s the test that tries you.

—Phoebe Cary

sturdy — strong; bowed — to move forward and downward; loftier — very high;

victory —a success.

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