The Oyster

There once was an oyster whose story I'll tell,
Who found that some sand had worked into her shell.
Just one little grain, but it gave her a pain,
For oysters have feelings, for all they're so plain.

Now did she berate this working of fate
That led her to this deplorable state?
Did she curse at the government, call for election,
And cry that the sea should be given protection?

"No!" she said to herself as she sat on the shelf.
"Since I cannot remove it, I choose to improve it!"

Well, the years rolled around as the years always do,
And she came to her ultimate destiny - stew.
But the small grain of sand that had bothered her so
Was a beautiful pearl all richly aglow.
**********************************************
This tale has a moral: Isn't it grand
What an oyster can do with a morsel of sand?

What couldn't I do if I'd only begin
With all the things that get under my skin?

and the other version I prefer in some circumstances:

There once was an oyster whose story I'll tell,
Who found that some sand had worked into her shell.
Just one little grain, but it gave her a pain,
For oysters have feelings, for all they're so plain.

Now did she berate this working of fate
That led her to this deplorable state?
Did she curse at the government, call for election,
And cry that the sea should be given protection?

"No!" she said to herself as she sat on the shelf.
"Though I choose not to loose it, I still will improve it!"

Well, the years rolled around as the years always do,
And she came to her ultimate destiny - stew.
And the small speck of sand that had bothered her so
Was a beautiful pearl all richly aglow.
**********************************************
This tale has a moral: Isn't it grand
What an oyster can do with a grain of sand?

What couldn't I do if I'd only begin
With all the things that get under my skin?

Thank you Life Line West Rand "Speakeasy"