I recall the box - I was just a kid
when my Dad said, "Here's your tools."
The shock I felt - to crack the lid
and discover just one rule.

There were no hammers, nor even screws,
but in the top drawer - sat respect.
"It's for walking in another's shoes -
so their hearts - you won't neglect."

Instead of pliers, or rusty nails,
in the next drawer - sat respect.
"It's to understand when others fail -
so their names - you will protect."

Not one wrench, nor a jagged saw
to the bottom - just respect.
"All you need, you'll find in any drawer -
so this world - you might affect."

I carried that box, throughout my days -
and this truth, I cannot hide.
At times, those tools, I'd give away,
just to find them locked inside.