The Blind, the Deaf, and the Dumb
Listen, for I have a story to tell
One about the blind, the deaf and the dumb
This tale is not known to most very well
All though it is rather shocking to some
Because this story is so unattune
While you may not see all that is to come
You will all understand what I mean soon
It starts at a college with students bright
A few even thought they’d gotten a boon
Again they will have to learn how to fight
Or else they won’t even get into class
These strangers know much about this same plight
The first loves to write and longs to surpass
The second loves science, and all the STEM
If only both their Professor’s weren’t crass
First day their Professor’s start to condemn
For each sat their prospective students down
and explained class would be too hard for them
“But why?” The students replied with a frown
“I have all the skills, I know I can learn
I made it through high school in my home town.”
Each of their Professors said in their turn
“But can you follow, keep up with the course?
I’m sure you’re quite bright, but hear my concern.”
The English Professor said with remorse,
“There’d be many slides, projections to read.
You might consider a different course.”
“Oh, of course! Thank you. That’s just what I need!”
said the first student with thick disbelief
“Please tell me, which class should I take instead?
Having no more slides would be a relief.”
The Professor was stumped and could not say
The blind student went on, “Well, that was brief.”
“What, do you expect me to stay away?
To run and hide far away from this place?
Far from challenges I face every day?
The Professor relented, dropped their case
“Well then, I’ll see you tomorrow I guess.”
“Yes you will. With a smile on my face.”
Student two had no choice but to confess
Reading their Professor’s lips was not fun
They asked, “How will you follow and asses?”
“With my translator, see, it can be done.”
The student signed all their words with their hands,
“I’ve done this all before, I know a tone.”
“Science is still hard for those who can hear.”
The Professor went on expectantly
”Then I guess I’ll do great so have no fear
Oh, lucky me!“ they signed sarcastically
“I think we may need your translator now.”
The Professor admitted finally
So these two students showed everyone how
wrong they all were... well, In the end at least
It took them some time to finally WOW
They were determined to defeat the beast
To prove their worth in their professors’ eyes
Their effort would not, could not, be decreased
With all their accommodations and skill
They both slowly but surely made their way
It took a long time for them to distill
Both of them struggled. That’s their price to pay
A missed assignment or two, here and there
Partly because the Professors said nay
Requests were denied, the Prof.’s didn’t care
They said, “I did tell you it would be rough.”
The students thought, “this really isn’t fair.”
Both of them had had just about enough
“I just want you to work with me.” They cried
For all they knew, The Professor thought, ‘Tough’
The students refused to simply abide
Slow and steady, both the students caught up
Found their way to their Professors’ good side
These students kept going, they would not stop
Until their Professors’ would eat their words
Tests and papers got better and better
The students were the most exhausted nerds
Working hard against the negative force
Some might think all this was simply absurd
But these two know that they must run this course
They’d done it before and will do again
Not stopping, not once, no time for remorse
Decisions were final, had always been
Soon the professors’ minds started to turn
By end of term the students had given
Everything to help the Professors’ learn
Passing grades proofed that the students were right
Grades weren’t the best but professors were burned
“I guess I was wrong. You showed me the light
I’ve never worked with a student like you,”
They said, “I admit it, you won the fight.”
Though they had struggled, as often they do
The students sat up straight with heads held high
Smug at their pupils, but glad that they grew
So that was the story, the truth, no lie
A tail of teaching and learning for all
Don’t let them tell you, “don’t bother to try.”
We can all find ourselves within this tale
If you just try, look hard, and deep enough
Are you the blind, or the deaf, or the dumb?
You can admit it, though it may be tough
Don’t fear the learning, for you can do well
Be willing to listen, that is enough
