"Don't go past the neighbor's driveway.
The Indians will get you."
And I don't want to be boiled into soup,
So I mind and stay clear.
And later in school I learn
That the Indians settled this land
And didn't eat people soup.

"Step on a crack.
Break your mother's back!"
And I love my mom,
So I mind and stay clear.
And later in life I learn
That other parts of my mom are broken,
And she didn't need my help.

"Don't kiss the boys.
They have cooties."
And I don't even like boys,
So I mind and stay clear.
And later at a party I learn
That boys are capable of worse,
And I leave with a broken heart.

"Stay in bed.
The monsters will get you."
And I'm scared of monsters,
So I mind and stay clear.
And late one night I learn
That the best things happen
When you sneak out of bed.

"Don't play with that.
You'll poke your eye out!"
And I like to see the world,
So I mind and stay clear.
And late in my adolescence I learn
That some things
Are best seen blind.