Children Quote by Robert Graves
““Dust in a cloud, blinding weather, Drums that rattle and roar! A mother and daughter stood together Beside their cottage door. 'Mother, the heavens are bright like brass, The dust is shaken high, With labouring breath the soldiers pass, Their lips are cracked and dry.' 'Mother, I'll throw them apples down, I'll bring them pails of water.' The mother turned with an angry frown Holding back her daughter. 'But mother, see, they faint with thirst, They march away to die,' 'Ah, sweet, had I but known at first Their throats are always dry.' 'There is no water can supply them In western streams that flow, There is no fruit can satisfy them On orchard trees that grow.' 'Once in my youth I gave, poor fool, A soldier apples and water, So may I die before you cool Your father's drouth, my daughter.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Mother’s Lament, 1930s (hypothetical)
A mother watches soldiers suffer from thirst, offering limited aid, reflecting on the futility of trying to satisfy endless needs.
In simple terms: The mother tries to help but cannot meet the soldiers’ thirst.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits, offer compassion within means.
Themes
war
suffering
compassion
resource scarcity
Mood
somber
empathetic
Type
reflective
philosophical
When to use this quote
- battlefield
- humanitarian crisis
- family grief
Key Concepts
humanitarian aid
moral responsibility
tragic futility
Questions to Reflect On
- What can individuals realistically do in large‑scale crises?
- How does acknowledging limits affect moral choices?
A Different Perspective
Aid may be insufficient against overwhelming hardship.
