Moe or Less
by L. Stewart Marsden
Moe and Less
Both did their best
to gain their dad’s regard;
Less reduced the family debt
While Moe worked in the yard.
Less economized and saved
and stretched each dollar bill;
he cut out any wasteful stuff,
got rid of all the frill.
Moe produced a luscious lawn;
Increased the curb appeal,
And soon the value of the house
became almost surreal!
Moe and Less
Would ask “Who’s best?”
Inquiring of their pop,
and vied each day to find a way
to climb up to the top.
Then came the day
Dad had to say
Which son he favored best
His health was gone and he’d not long
to choose ‘tween Moe or Less.
And from his bed
So close to dead
Their dad was forced to choose,
‘Tween Moe or Less, one would be best
the other, damned to lose.
“Come closer now
and I’ll avow
the which of you I bless
with this chanced inheritance
One of you, Moe or Less.
Less, I say
Upon this day
How well you economize
And have the gift of frugal thrift
that’s been a great surprise.
And Moe, your sweat
Did us beget
An increase of great size,
From tiny seed you did succeed,
Creating such a prize!
So, Moe and Less
I do confess
There’s nothing that you need
For each of you will surely do
What’s necess’ry to succeed.
Here’s my decree
“It shall surely be
My wealth and all my best,
I donate all to the meek and small
And none to Moe or Less.”
And that’s the story, more or less.
