I had a copy of this poem framed and hanging in my office. I wish I could say I lived it out consistently, but I am proud of all three of my sons, all of whom are also fine fathers.

A careful man I want to be,
   A little fellow follows me;
I do not dare to go astray,
   For fear he’ll go the self-same way.

I cannot once escape his eyes.
   Whate’er he sees me do, he tries;
Like me he says he’s going to be,
   The little chap who follows me.

He thinks that I am good and fine,
   Believes in every word of mine;
The base in me he must not see,
   The little chap who follows me.

I must remember as I go,
   Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow;
I’m building for the years to be
   That little chap who follows me.

Poem by Rev. Claude Wisdom White, Sr., public domain.

Rev. Claude Wisdom White, Sr. (1891 – 1975) was born in Texas and lived there his entire life. We have been unable to find any further information about him. This poem is often said to have been written by an anonymous author, and there are two different versions of  it, but we believe Rev. White is the true author and this is the original version. Esteemed basketball coach John Wooden included it in his book, Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, and it is said to have been one of his favorite poems. – Your Daily Poem

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6.4, ESV)