Time Slips, Dreams Drift

I dawdled at breakfast, I dawdled at bed,
Thoughts like balloons filled up my head.
Socks took an hour, shoes took two—
While time flew past, like time will do.

My brother Jim would build with speed,
While I just stared at what I’d need.
He raced ahead, and I’d delay—
There’s always time to work… some day.

At school, my desk was neat and bare,
I’d planned to learn, I swear, I swear.
But candy in the window shone,
And suddenly my time was gone.

My teacher frowned. “Again, you’re late.”
I bit my lip. I knew my fate.
Back of the room, the lessons missed,
All ‘cause a lollipop couldn’t be dismissed.

Dad sat me down. “This needs to change.
Dreams won’t wait till you arrange.
You’ve got a chance—don’t let it go.”
I promised then, and meant it so.

I woke up early. I got ahead.
I read my books. I made my bed.
A perfect week, and all seemed right—
Till Saturday brought flying kites.

Monday came with plans galore,
But each good plan slipped out the door.
By Tuesday’s test, I sat and stared—
My page was blank. I wasn’t prepared.

I saw the prize float out of view,
My hopes, my dreams—all slipping too.
My teacher sighed. My father said,
“This road, my son, just leads ahead.”

That day I changed—not all at once.
But now, I try. I don’t just shun.
Time still tempts me to delay,
But I chase it back—and start today.

“Time Slips, Dreams Drift” by Nina D. Smith. Published by Bright Bunny Books © 2025. Retelling of “The Dawdler” from The Parkhurst Boys and Other Stories of School Life by Talbot Baines Reed, originally published in 1914.

“Time Slips, Dreams Drift” is ideal for grades 6–8 because it blends historical inspiration with a modern, relatable tone, clear plot structure, and themes of decision-making, responsibility, and growing maturity.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think the narrator keeps putting things off, even when they know it causes problems?
  2. How does the narrator’s attitude toward time change throughout the story?
  3. Have you ever procrastinated like the narrator? What happened, and what did you learn from it?

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