One step at a time, and that well placed,
We reach the grandest height;
One stroke at a time, earth’s hidden stores
Will slowly come to light;
One seed at a time, and the forest grows;
One drop at a time, and the river flows,
Into the boundless sea.
One word at a time, and the greatest book
Is written and is read;
One stone at a time, and the palace rears
Aloft its stately head;
One blow at a time, and the tree’s cleft through,
And a city will stand where the forest grew
A few short years before.
One foe at a time, and be subdued,
And the conflict will be won;
One grain at a time, and the sands of life
Will slowly all be run;
One minute, another, the hours thus fly;
One day at a time, and our lives speed by
Into eternity!
One grain of knowledge, and that well stored,
Another, and more on them;
As time rolls on, your mind will shine
With many a garnered gem
Of thought and wisdom. And time will tell
「One thing at a time, and that done well,」
Is wisdom’s proven rule.