When I woke up this morning,
I knew that he was mad; 
Cause she was crying awful hard, 
And yelling at my dad. 

I tried my best to be real good, 
And do just what they said; 
I cleaned my room all by myself, 
I even made my bed. 

But I spilled milk on my good shirt, 
When he yelled at me to hurry;
And I guess he didn't hear me, 
When I told him I was sorry. 

Cause he hit me awful hard, you see, 
And called me funny names; 
And told me I was really bad, 
And I should be ashamed! 

When I said, "I love you, Daddy," 
I guess he didn't understand; 
Cause he yelled at me to shut my mouth. 
Or I'd get smacked again.

So I came up here to talk to you, 
Please tell me what to do; 
Cause I really love my Mom and Dad,
And I know they love me, too.

And I don't think my Daddy means,
To hit me quite so hard; 
I guess sometimes, grown ups forget.
How really big they are! 

So Teddy, I wish you were real, 
And you weren't just a bear; 
Then you could help me find a way.
To tell Moms and Dads every where. 

To please try hard to understand.
How sad it makes us feel; 
Cause the outside pain soon goes a way, 
But the inside never heals! 

And if we could make them listen, 
Maybe then they'd understand; 
So other children just like me, 
Wouldn't have to hurt again. 

But for now, I guess I'll hold you tight,
And pretend the pain's not there; 
I know you'd never hurt me, 
So Goodnight, Teddy Bear! 

~ Author Unknown ~