“My Father Taught Me,” Friend, June 1976, 45

My Father Taught Me

Mabel Jones Gabbott

Michael F. Moody

With confidence

My father taught me to listen
To wild birds’ morning song,
To laughter of the rippling brook,
To gladness all day long.

My father taught me courage.
When I would walk away
And leave unpleasant work undone,
He gave me strength to stay.

At evening when dark shadows
Were waiting everywhere,
He helped me find a special Friend.
My father taught me prayer.