Come gather 'round, young ones, and hear a tale so grand,
Of ships that sailed the oceans wide, to reach faraway lands.

There was the bountiful caravel, with sails that billowed high,
Its crew so brave and bold, they reached the distant sky.

But dangers lurked at sea, like scurvy and its bite,
But with skill and knowledge, they overcame the fright.

And what of those who accomplished great feats at sea?
They sailed the knarr, swift and true, to where they needed be.

The Industrial Revolution brought ships so strong and grand,
With tiers of guns and cannons, they ruled the ocean land.

And what of knots, that tie the ropes so tight,
Or catamarans that glide with ease, and give us such delight?

The hulls of ships, so sturdy and strong,
And yet in days of old, they seemed so primitive and wrong.

And then there was the mighty galleon, with sails so tall and wide,
Its beauty on the water, impossible to hide.

So listen to the tales of ships, and all the sailors brave,
And remember that their spirit lives on, in every ocean wave.

Reflections

Here are a few questions to ask kids to think about the story:

1. What types of ships did sailors use in the past, and how were they different from the ships we have today?
2. What challenges did sailors face on their voyages, such as scurvy and dangerous weather?
3. What were some of the accomplishments of the brave sailors who explored the oceans, and how did they use their ships to reach faraway lands?
4. How did the Industrial Revolution change the way ships were built, and what new technologies were introduced?
5. Which type of ship would you like to sail on if you were a sailor, and why?