Once there was a child

She went to her father and asked

“Will you love me?”

The father went to the child

And at great cost to himself

Made provisions for her to be with him

The child returned to the father and said

“You do not love me.”

He left his home and made a new one with his child.

The child pleaded,

“You do not love me.”

The father met her needs in every way he knew how

The child again returned to the father

“You do not love me.”

He gave her many of the things he knew she wanted.

And again, she replied

“You do not love me.”

He was careful to give the reassurance he believed she craved

She replied

“You do not love me.”

The obstinate child spat at her elders and chased other children

They asked

“Why do you do such things?”

She replied

“He does not love me.”

They asked the father

“Do you not love the child?”

His only reply

Which he could not speak

“She does not love me.”