Habits By Carol Beachy Wenger

A habit is a sticky thing;

Much good or evil it can bring; It binds a victim, holds him fast,

And keeps him in a vise-like grasp.

Bad habits grow with extra speed,

Much like a healthy, growing weed.

The roots grow deep, the stem grows stout;

how difficult to pull it out!

Good habits are a little slow;

They need a lot of care to grow;

If tended well, they grow more fair

Than any bloom a plant can bear.

Good habits help us all through life;

Bad habits bring us pain and strife;

Our habits, whether right or wrong,

Each day will grow more firm and strong.

1.
A habit is a sticky thing;
Much good or evil it can bring;
It binds a victim, holds him fast,
1. Why do you think habits are called 'sticky'?
2. How can it bring 'good or evil'?
3. What do the words 'holds him fast' mean?
2.
Good habits are a little slow;
They need a lot of care to grow;
If tended well, they grow more fair
1. Why do you think 'good habits are a little slow'?
2. What 'care' do you think good habits need in order 'to grow'?
3. What do the words 'grow more fair' mean?
3.
Read the poem again. Notice that the poet has described both good and bad habits.
Fill in the columns below with those characteristics. The first one has been done for you.
Good habits Bad habits
grow slowly grow very fast
4.
How do good habits help us all through life? Give an example.
5.
In the poem, habits are compared to plants. Draw up a comparison of your own to describe habits.
6.
If you had to choose, which one good habit would you like to have/ cultivate? Give a reason for your choice.

Habits