[Mairi]

Here's a very old poem from which my mother used to quote when I was just a wee thing if ever I said to her "I can't do that, Mammy".

The Giant and the Dwarf
(The author is unknown)

As on through life's journey we go day by day,
There are two whom we meet at each turn of the way,
To help or to hinder, to bless or to ban;
And the name of these two are, "I Can't" and "I Can".

"I Can't" is a dwarf, a poor, pale, puny imp;
His eyes are half blind, and his walk is a limp:
He stumbles and falls, or lies writhing with fear,
Though dangers are distant and succour is near.

"I Can" is a giant: unbending he stands;
There is strength in his arms and skill in his hands;
He asks for no favour, he wants but a share
Where labour is honest and wages are fair.

"I Can't" is a sluggard: too lazy to work,
From duty he shrinks, every task he will shirk;
No bread on his board, no meal in his bag,
His house is a ruin, his coat is a rag.

"I Can" is a worker: he tills the broad fields,
And digs from the earth all the wealth which it yields;
The hum of his spindle begins with the light,
And the fires of his forges are blazing all night.

"I Can't" is a coward half fainting with fright.
At the first thought of peril he slinks out of sight;
Skulks and hikes till the noise of the battle is past,
Or sells his best friends, and turns traitor at last.

"I Can" is a hero: the first in the field,
Though others may falter, he never will yield;
He makes the long marches, he deals the last blow,
His charge is the whirlwind that scatters the foe.

How grandly and nobly he stands to his trust!
When, roused at the call of a cause that is just,
He makes the long marches, he deals the last blow,
And writes on his banner the watchword of Truth!

Then up and be doing! the day is not long;
Throw fear to the winds, be patient and strong!
Stand fast in your place, act your part like a man;
And when duty calls, answer promptly, "I can!"