On Slow Learning

On Slow Learning

by Scott Cairns

If you have ever owned

a tortoise, you already know

how terribly difficult

paper training can be

for some pets.

Even if you get so far 

as to instill in your tortoise

the value of achieving the paper,

there remains an obstacle--

your tortoise's intrinsic sloth.

Even a well-intentioned tortoise

may find himself, in his journeys,

to be painfully far from the mark.

Failing, your tortoise may shy away

for weeks within his shell, utterly

ashamed, or looking up with tiny,

wet eyes might offer an honest shrug.

Forgive him.