Mama Walk It Straight | Aesop Blues

Mama Walk It Straight | Aesop Blues

This episode of The Lyrical Literacy podcast presents a bluesy retelling of the ancient fable about a mother crab and her child. With rhythmic verses and colorful characterization, the story unfolds as Mama Crab criticizes her little one for walking sideways "like a broke-down steer." When the clever youngster politely asks for a demonstration of proper walking, Mama Crab's attempts at straight walking hilariously fail as she scuttles, stumbles, and spins in circles. The little crab observes with knowing restraint, ultimately delivering the powerful moral: "Before you preach on how to go, try takin' that walk nice and slow." The performance concludes with the timeless wisdom that actions speak louder than words, especially when it comes to parenting and teaching.

Origin

This poem adapts Aesop's fable "The Crab and Its Mother" (sometimes called "The Crab and Its Parent"), which dates back to ancient Greece around the 6th century BCE. In the original brief tale, a mother crab criticizes her child for walking crookedly, but when asked to demonstrate proper walking, she can only walk sideways herself—revealing her hypocrisy. This concise fable illustrates the principle that example is more powerful than precept, and it warns against criticizing in others what you yourself cannot do. The fable has endured for centuries as a reminder about the importance of practicing what you preach, particularly for parents and leaders.

Mama Walk It Straight

Mama crab with a sideways sneer
Said why you walkin like a broke down steer
Ziggin and zaggin like a ship gone wrong
You oughta walk straight like a crabs headstrong

Little crab blinked polite as can be
Said mama won’t you walk straight for me
Show me the way and I’ll follow in line
I’ll walk like a soldier I’ll walk just fine

Mama stepped out legs all wide
Tried to go straight but veered to the side
No wait she said this way instead
But she danced in a circle and bumped her head

She scuttled left she stumbled right
Her shuffle looked more like a barroom fight
She twirled in sand kicked up a wave
And tripped on a shell she meant to save

Little crab watched with a knowing grin
Didn’t laugh though it tickled within
Said mama you talk a mighty fine game
But you walk like me just the same

So before you preach on how to go
Try takin that walk nice and slow
When your feet find that perfect line
I’ll be right behind steppin just fine

He spun around and hit the sea
With a click in his step and a rebels glee
Sometimes kids see clearer true
When mama don’t do what she tells you to do

 

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