Ten brothers standing in line. One disliked the Grand Knight
and then there were nine.
Nine ambitious brothers offered to work late. One forgot the
promise and then there were eight.
Eight creative brothers had ideas as good as heaven. One
lost enthusiasm and then there were seven.
Seven loyal brothers got into a fix. They argued over
programs and then there were six.
Six brothers remained with spirit and drive. One moved away
and then there were five.
Five steadfast brothers wished there were more. One became
indifferent and then there were four.
Four cheerful brothers who never disagreed – until one
complained of meetings and then there were three.
Three eager brothers. What do they do? One got discouraged
and then there were two.
Two lonely brothers, our rhyme is nearly done. One changed
his golf game and then there was one.
One faithful brother – feeling rather blue – met with his
school mate, then there were two.
Two earnest brothers each sponsored one friend, doubling
their number – now there were four.
Four determined brothers just couldn’t wait – until each
signed up another, then there were eight.
Eight excited brothers sponsored sixteen more. In another
six verses there’ll be a thousand and twenty-four.
