Orville's Accomplishment

Do you ever feel that you just can't go on?
Are your dreams all in shambles?
Is you will to win gone?
If you hear me talking, if you can relate
Then here is a story that may change your fate.
Our subject is Orville, an ostrich supreme
He had lofty goals, Orville had a big dream
He wanted to fly, to glide here and there
He longed to see trees from way up in the air
But ostrich's though they are birds, this is true
Cannot do the kinds of things other birds do
Their bodies are big, their necks are too long
Their feet are humongous, their wings are all wrong
But Orville kept dreaming and trying to fly
He knew he could do it if he would just try
But long days of trying convinced him at last
That his wing span was going to have to be vast
So he went right to work with feathers and glue
And lengthened his wing span. What else could he do?
Now, when he was finished and ready to fly
He gathered his friends around to cheer and stand by
Then he climbed on the barn, spread his wings to take flight
He took a big leap but things didn't go right
His right wing extension could not stand the stress
He crashed in the corn in six seconds or less
Did he get discouraged? No, Orville did not!
He thickened the glue (and this thickens the plot)
He made the repairs that seemed prudent and wise
Then went to his friends and said "Come on you guys!
I'm trying again but this time from the hill
This time I'll succeed, I just know that I will!"
Well, Orville attempted to fly once again
He stood on that hill, to his friends gave a grin
Then leaped in the air, flapped his wings with his might
And low and behold he began to take flight!
He dipped and he soared high up over the trees
"Aah, this is the life, to just float with the breeze."
He soared over hilltops and forests and streams
He really was flying, fulfilling his dreams!
At last it was high time for Orville to land
His flight was successful, the view was just grand!
So back Orville went to his friends on the farm
They saw him approaching and sounded the alarm
"Look out, here comes Orville! Take cover! Beware!
It's his first real landing, there's no time to spare!"
They cleared a nice runway then hurried away
To watch his return from behind the stacked hay
His landing was awesome, he flipped and he flopped
Then skidded around 'till he finally stopped.
His friends quickly gathered to offer a hand
But Orville just buried his head in the sand
Oh, how could he possibly face his friends now?
His crash was a bummer, he messed up and how!
Carlotta the cow told him she understood
She comforted Orville and said "You were good!
Just think of it Orville, you actually flew!
You worked on your dream and you made it come true!"
Well, Orville was feeling much better by now
He rose up his head and looked at that cow
And then he remembered the things she had done
The stuff she accomplished, the times she won.
He knew he had made it, he conquered the sky.
So, believe in yourself, work hard, and you'll FLY!

by Merrila Kowacich copyright 1990