I used to fear the woods
Till I met its clawed and furred,
Shared berries and fish
And picked out their burrs.

I used to fear the sea
Till I met its scaled and finned,
With depthless wisdom
And endless toothy grins.

I used to fear the dark
Till I met its monsters,
The kindest creepers you will find
And scholarly on stars.

I used to fear other people
But that came to an end
When I learned they’re afraid of my friends.