A Little Boy's Troubles

A cute poem for kids that reminds them that learning new things takes time. When reading, writing, math, or schoolwork seems difficult, children sometimes need to hear that they are not expected to know everything at once.

In A Little Boy's Troubles, Carlotta Perry looks at learning through the eyes of a young boy who discovers that mastering his letters is only the beginning. Writing brings another challenge, and then he realizes there are still books, multiplication tables, grammar, and many more lessons waiting for him.

But his teacher gives him some encouraging advice. Everything is learned little by little and one step at a time. Even the wisest and most educated people once had to begin exactly where he is beginning.

This is a wonderful message to share with children when they are frustrated with something they are trying to learn. They may not be able to do it perfectly today, but with patience, practice, and determination, they can keep improving.

It isn't all done in a minute, But only a step at a time. Carlotta Perry

Updated September 30, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.

A Little Boy's Troubles

Poet: Carlotta Perry

I thought when I'd learned my letters,
That all of my troubles were done;
But I find myself much mistaken —
They only have just begun.
Learning to read was awful,
But nothing like learning to write;
I'd be sorry to have you tell it,
But my copy-book is a sight!

The ink gets over my fingers;
The pen cuts all sorts of shines,
And won't do at all as I bid it;
The letters won't stay on the line,
But go up and down and all over
As though they were dancing a jig;
They are there in all shapes and sizes,
Medium, little and big.

The tails of the g's are so contrary,
The handles get on the wrong side
Of the d's and the k's and the h's,
Though I've certainly tried and tried
To make them just right; it is dreadful,
I really don't know what to do;
I'm getting almost distracted —
My teacher says she is, too.

There'd be some comfort in learning
If one could get through; instead
Of that, there are books awaiting,
Quite enough to craze my head;
There's the multiplication table,
And grammar, and— oh, dear me!
There's no good place for stopping,
When one has begun, I see.

My teacher says, little by little
To the mountain-tops we climb,
It isn't all done in a minute,
But only a step at a time;
She says that all the scholars,
All the wise and learned men,
Had each to begin as I do;
If that's so — there's my pen?

Key Reflections In This Poem

Learning Takes Time
Children can become discouraged when something new does not come easily. This poem reminds them that learning happens little by little and that they do not have to master everything at once.
Keep Trying When Something Is Difficult
The little boy struggles with his writing, but he continues to try even when his letters refuse to cooperate. His experience reminds children that making mistakes is a normal part of learning something new.
Everyone Has To Begin Somewhere
The teacher reminds the boy that even wise and learned people once had to start at the beginning. Children can be encouraged by knowing that every person who becomes good at something was once a beginner too.

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Conclusion

A Little Boy's Troubles may bring a smile, but it also shares an important lesson for every child who has ever said, "I can't do this." Learning something new can be frustrating, and mistakes are bound to happen along the way. But each attempt brings us another step closer to being able to do what once seemed so difficult.

Carlotta Perry's words remind children that nobody starts out knowing everything. Even the wisest people once had to learn their letters, practice their writing, and work through lessons they found difficult. So when schoolwork seems hard, remember the teacher's advice in this poem: keep going little by little, because every mountain is climbed one step at a time.

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