I met a seer.
He held in his hands
The book of wisdom.
“Sir,” I addressed him,
“Let me read.”
“Child--- ” he began.
“Sir,” I said,
“Think not that I am a child,
For already I know much
Of that which you hold;
Aye, much.”

He smiled.
Then he opened the book
And held it before me.
Strange that I should have grown so suddenly blind.

Stephen Crane---