Progress

A scholar was once traveling a long while
When we stopped near a pleasant brook
So he decided to take a brief rest

Upon stopping he came upon a child
With a very inquisitive look
So he decided to give him a little test

He said to the child “can you answer me this?”
“When did we first land on the moon?”
"Do you know the date?"

The child eager to answer the quiz
Gave his studious reply soon
“Did the landing cure hate?”

The scholar thrown of course
Asked the child about his reply
“Why did you answer in that fashion?”

The child responded in remorse
“The landing did not stop one’s cry”
“Progress is irrelevant of compassion”

The scholar now understanding
Knew exactly how to react
“Did we not progress in putting slavery to a stop?”

But the boy was cleverly outstanding
“Slavery may not be intact”
“But does it not exist in child sweatshops?”

The child then continued
“The concept is all the same”
“We still use others at their expense”

The scholar now could conclude
That the child felt great shame
At humanity’s ongoing offence

The scholar however continued on
In order to prove the greatness of progress
“Have we not made great medical advances?”

“But look at what we have foregone”
“Our medicine does not go to many in distress”
“We have not given millions chances”

Enjoying the conversation, the scholar replied
“I see you refer to Africa”
“But what of our advancements in weapons?”

The child then gave an immense sigh
“Weapons, no duh!”
“We can kill with more effective guns!”

“Remember our advancements in civil rights”
“Does this not count for nothing?”
“Surely we have altered our current state!”

“But sir you so easily forget other fights”
”One fight won may be something”
“But we will always find new ways to discriminate!”

The scholar, losing the argument
Asked the child if we made any progress
Because the scholar knew we had at least made some

“For technology to an extent”
“But we have only made a bigger mess!”
“No progress in compassion; what have we become?”

The scholar now saddened by the realization
Was yet glad by the mind of this child
Progress did not indeed equal effectiveness

The scholar felt the child’s frustration
He began again on the long road and smiled
He continued on now aware of our foolishness