Paws

There was once a pup and a dog. The pup tripped over its paws, and they called it endearing. The dog stumbled once, and they called it weak. The pup barked at shadows, and they called it brave. The dog spoke its truth, and they called it loud. The pup was loved for all it might become. The dog was measured for all it was not. And so the dog stood there, tail low, eyes searching — trying to remember, when the world had clapped for the very same paws.