Be the Best of Whatever You Are by Douglas Malloch

Be the Best of Whatever You Are

by Douglas Malloch

 

If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill

Be a scrub in the valley--but be

The best little scrub by the side of the rill;

Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.

 

If you can’t be a bush be a bit of the grass,

And some highway some happier make;

If you can’t be a muskie then just be a bass--

But the liveliest bass in the lake!

pine 

We can’t all be captains, we’ve got to be crew,

There’s something for all of us here.

There’s big work to do and there’s lesser to do,

And the task we must do is the near.

 

An American Poet

If you can’t be a highway then just be a trail,

If you can’t be the sun be a star;

It isn’t by size that you win or you fail--

Be the best of whatever you are!

 

Word meanings

Scrub (noun) - an area of land covered with) short trees and bushes, growing on dry ground of low quality

Valley (noun) - an area of low land between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it; the land that a river flows through

Example: In the valley below cows were grazing peacefully.

Rill (noun) a shallow channel cut by water flowing over rock or soil

Muskie (noun) a type of fish

 Bass (noun) a type of fish found in rivers or the sea

 

Summary of the poem

Be the Best of Whatever You Are by Douglas Malloch motivates us to make the most of our circumstances, and be the best version of ourselves, regardless of our position or role in life. It emphasizes that it's not always about being in the most important position, but rather about doing our best and making a positive impact wherever we are.

The poem suggests that if we cannot be the most prominent tree on a hill, we should try to be the best small bush or scrub by a stream. If we cannot be a powerful muskie fish, we should aim to be the liveliest bass in the lake. It highlights that it's not about being the biggest or most powerful, but about being the best at what we do.

The poem also reminds us that not everyone can be a leader or a captain; there are roles for all of us. It encourages us to embrace the tasks at hand, whether they are big or small, and to give our best effort. It emphasizes that our value is not determined by our size or status but by how well we fulfill our potential and contribute positively to the world.

In summary, the poem is a reminder to be the best version of ourselves, to make the most of our abilities and circumstances, and to contribute positively in whatever role or position we find ourselves in.

Dear readers,

Please, never hesitate to comment because your comment inspires me much to write. Moreover, any correction regarding the writings will be largely appreciated and valued, and you can ask me any grammatical question regarding English. I promise I would try my best to assist you, all. Thank you very much.

 Prepared by

Md. Saiful Alam

BA Honours, BEd (1^st Class) and MA in English

An MPO registered Assistant Teacher of English

Machkhola Secondary School, Satkhira

Email: suman64924@gamil.com