When the answer to a riddle is brought by something small, it takes a very wise soul, to notice it at all.
Nature’s the wisest teacher we will ever find, and it’s the wisest among us, who listen, and pay mind.
Well the Queen of Sheba came from Africa, drawn by King Solomon’s name.
Wisdom and kindness were central to his fame.
They say that she was beautiful and ruled with a just hand.
She wanted to meet this king, thought the wisest in the land.
So she came bearing riches, treasures of every kind, Birds made from jewels, carpets that could fly.
She also brought a challenge, to test the king’s mind. Was he as smart as they said, or just a regular guy?
Two vases of flowers she set before the king. They looked exactly alike, identical in everything.
But only one was real, the other just gems and gold. He had to choose the real one, he could only look, not hold.
King Solomon gazed slowly at each bouquet. They both had the same flowers, arranged in the same way.
They both had green leaves, they both had drops of dew,
King Solomon despaired of choosing, but then a bee flew into view.
The king’s servant went to catch it, and remove it from the room.
But the king knew this was the answer, that the bee would show the truth.
And sure enough, without a pause, the bee settled on the real flowers.
And Solomon raised his hand and pointed to the proof of Nature’s powers.
The queen bowed respectfully, saw the king’s reputation was true.
Though that messenger was very small, Solomon paid attention and knew,
Nature’s the wisest teacher that we will ever find. And it’s the wisest among us, who listen, and pay mind.
Yes, Nature’s the wisest teacher that we will ever find, And it’s the wisest among us, who listen, and pay mind.
Joanie Calem is a folk musician, singer/song-writer, storyteller and inclusion advocate for audiences of all ages. Joanie
writes songs and sings about life's different twists and turns, angles and perspectives, telling stories through her songs of the ups and downs of reality. She performs regularly at festivals, retirement homes, shelters, libraries and schools throughout the US and abroad....more
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