Upon a mystic beach one day
                                                                         A little boy found an ugly oyster
                                                              He looked at it with eyes of awe and of dismay
                                                                              And took it to his mother
                                                                     His mom, upon close examination said
                                                                           Johnny, this is an oyster, son
                                                             Johnny looked upon the strange object in his hand
                                                                  Much in disgust, he grimaced at its’ ugliness
                                                                "This oyster is the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen!"
                                                                   His mother laughed and smiled at Johnny
                                                                             Then told her this parable :
                                                         Son, once a man found an oyster upon a sandy beach
                                                             and thinking it was a strange and ugly fish indeed
                                                                             Threw it back upon the sea
                                                              This poor oyster thought that nobody wanted him
                                                                         So he sat upon the ocean’s bed
                                                                And cried his little eyes out till they were blue
                                                                       As he cried and suffered in silence
                                                                                he heard a lovely hymn
                                                                         Of comfort, love, and praises....
                                                                             The quiet Hymn of the Sea
                                                                As this homely little oyster lay there in agony
                                                                   Something wonderful happened to him...
                                                                                A marvellous alchemy
                                                                              Inside of this poor oyster
                                                                             Something valuable grew
                                                             Without his knowledge something of great beauty
                                                              Was growing out of this poor homely little fellow
                                                                Later some divers swam near the little oyster
                                                          "Go away! I am worthless to you! Nobody wants me!"
                                                            Said the oyster as he sat there wallowing in sorrow
                                                         The divers just opened up the oyster’s mouth and said,
                                                         "Hush, there, little critter, you are wrong...for inside you
                                                        Is a priceless jewel that is quiet exquisite and beautiful!"
                                                     So the homely little oyster smiled a wide and boundless smile
                                                                        Inspite of all his outward ugliness,
                                                        Inside of him was something so beautiful and worthwhile!
                                                   So, Johnny, just because something or someone is ugly outside
                                                                           Do not be prejudice or cruel
                                                                           It so happens that true beauty
                                                                     Lies within the framework of the soul
                                                                    You must learn to pull differences apart
                                                                          And look upon the great Pearl
                                                                                That is in the heart....
                                                                         For beauty is skin deep, my son
                                                                                And it may take awhile
                                                                               To see all the goodness
                                                                          And priceless gems and pearls
                                                          that are hidden within the treasure chest of the heart!!!

                                                                                     Mary Gonzalez Copyright 1998