Children do not hear the thunder in the rain,
but a mighty, angry voice shouting,
"Bow down, tiny ones, bow down."
And they do and the storm passes over.

Men hear thunder that self same day
and comfort the children less they be bowed down.
"Stand tall. It is only the rain. Stand tall."
And they stand while the children bow
and the storm passes over.

At the ebb of the rain, the children arise
and wonder at might and their own tiny size.
Men scoff at them that self same time,
"See it was nothing more mighty than rain."
Then they pick up their hoes, their shovels and rakes
and over the earth they bow down.