When I was young, I sat beside my father

at the edge of the pond and we fished.

I said, “Father, I’ll catch the largest fish

and you’ll call me winner.”

After a moment he said,

“And if my catch outnumbers yours by many,

many more? Who’ll I declare winner then?”

“Me.”

He smiled and asked, “Why’s that?”

“Biggest is best.”

“But I’m bigger than you and every other child.

Does that make me count for more?”

I shook my head and he said, “Great things are great indeed

yet many small things have great merit.

I will always call you winner, child.”

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Gayle Applegate