THE LESSON

Have all the books around me but I don't know how to read
Oh, teacher, wont you tell me what's in the books?
He says, "No, I gave you them so you could learn to read
Ain't nothin' I can tell you that you can't already see"

In every smiling face
In every rose, blooming
In every cool breeze blowing
Wherever you are
That's the lesson

But I wasn't satisfied and so I opened to the first page
And the words they don't make sense
Oh, teacher, wont you tell me what's in the books?
He says, "No, I gave you them so you could learn to read
If they're too heavy for you then pass 'em on down 
You already have what you need"

In every smiling face
In every rose, blooming
In every cool breeze blowing
Wherever you are
That's the lesson

But I wanted to be wise, as if wisdom were a prize 
Instead of just a heavy load that you bear with you as you walk the road
Then the teacher gave me a smile
And said, "Carry this one for a while
Ain't never learned to read myself
But I always liked the way the book felt"