Today, I accompanied the Minister to
Government House for the induction of Mr. Bob Bane into the Order of Castoria
in recognition of his services as communications coordinator for the National
Children’s Engagement Strategy.
Bane is famous for crafting the well
known verse “O Castor” that calls on our nation’s children to take pride in
hard work and their country but not so much pride that they might seek undue wage increases,
social benefits, and the responsible development of natural
resources when they get older.
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O Castor
To be read to the Pre-School Children of Castoria
He hews the wood, paws the water.
Can’t do much more,
is no smarter.
He works real hard
with just sinew.
Takes down forests
with just a chew.
Piles up the sticks
into a mound.
But leaves the wood
back on the ground.
He wears a coat
in the summer.
He couldn’t be
any dumber.
He shows his teeth
but not to fight.
It’s just to give
those sticks a bite.
He floods the land
and makes a mess.
To this, he is
Oblivious.
He is a great
nation’s sumbol
‘Cause he keeps us
very humble.
