"I Think I Can, I Think I Can, I Think I Can"

 

I have been repeating to myself, "I Think I Can, I Think I Can, I Think I Can" from one of the poems I remembered as a child.  I was not able to remember the entire poem so I decided to look it up.  It is interesting how we remember certain quotes or tidbits from our childhood!  I thought that I would instantly remember this poem as soon as I looked it up.  Man!  Was I wrong!

 The Little Blue Engine

by  Shel Silverstein  (1930-1999)

The little blue engine looked up at the hill.
His light was weak, his whistle was shrill.
He was tired and small, and the hill was tall,
And his face blushed red as he softly said,
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.”
So he started up with a chug and a strain,
And he puffed and pulled with might and main.
And slowly he climbed, a foot at a time,
And his engine coughed as he whispered soft,
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.”With a squeak and a creak and a toot and a sigh,
With an extra hope and an extra try,
He would not stop — now he neared the top —
And strong and proud he cried out loud,
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!”He was almost there, when — CRASH! SMASH! BASH!
He slid down and mashed into engine hash
On the rocks below... which goes to show
If the track is tough and the hill is rough,
THINKING you can just ain’t enough!

Seriously!!!???  "Thinking you can just ain't enough!"  Are these the original words?!  If not someone please tell me!  I googled this poem every way I know how and this is what I come up with every time!  Do we really read this poem to kids?  How horrible!!!

I guess that is why I should rely on God's word to help me through things instead of a childhood poem!  I think that instead of repeating to myself "I Think I Can, I Think I Can, I Think I Can", I will repeat "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13.


Glad I looked that one up!