Sound Parenting - A response to Blackadder

“Mummy! I shall be a singer” I said
“when I grow big and tall”
“I shouldn’t, my dear
You’ve no gift, I fear
For holding a tune at all”

“Well then” I huffed, “I’ll be an artiste
And make off with the next Turner Prize”
“But you have no talent
for art, that’s apparent,
So, a career in the arts is unwise”

“How about racing in Formula One?
I did pass my test the first go”
“But, dear, drivers are small,
They weigh nothing at all
You’d make the car go too slow”

“Then science is my field!” I screamed at my mother
“I’ll be the next Marie Curie!”
By your grades, I think not,
You haven’t a shot
Why, you’ve only one GCSE!”

“Well, what can I do with no talents at all?
Mum, help, I’m in a bit of a squeeze”
“Shove off down the park,
after hours when it’s dark
And earn your keep down on your knees!”