The Wisdom of Shel Silverstein

One of my girls' favourite childhood books was "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein. I came across this poem by him that, although most likely written for children, is also a good reminder to everyone as to how to be good citizens:

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If we meet and I say, 'Hi,'That's a salutation.If you ask me how I feel,That's consideration.If we stop and talk a while,That's a conversation.If we understand each other,That's communication.If we argue, scream and fight,That's an altercation.If later we apologize,That's reconciliation.If we help each other home,That's cooperation.And all these actions added upMake civilization.(And if I say this is a wonderful poem,Is that exaggeration?)

- Shel Silverstein

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