“Student, student, in this class,
Are you happy just to pass?
As you look at ev’ry face,
Think about the famous race
‘tween the tortoise and the hare.
Was that equal? Was that fair?

“They were equal at the start;
But their talent—miles apart.
Surely, surely, you know who
Is the faster of the two.
We’d expect more from the hare.
That’s not equal, but it’s fair.

“I’ll demand more from the hare,
Just because I really care.
I want all to do their best
On a paper, on a test.
I will want more ‘cause I care
Not for equal, but for fair.”

© Michael Berkowitz