Daedalus

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Daedalus was an innovator
He became the world’s first aviator
Stuck with his son on a Cretan prison
They made a dangerous decision

Couldn’t leave by land couldn’t leave by ship
He thought of a way to make the trip
Using only feathers, wax, and string
Somehow made two pairs of wings

But the sun would melt the waxy glue
And fog would weigh them down with dew
The middle air was key to flight
He warned Icarus that night

He said “we’ll be bug-smashing scud-running humans being birds in the sky”
Don’t go too high
Don’t get too close to the sun
Don’t want to lose my son

They trained themselves and got in shape
Planned the details for their great escape
Practiced flying day and night
To find any problem that might bite

Studied wind, observed the weather
Tweaked the string and wax with features
Aerodynamic education
For them was all new information

Icarus soon became excited
To soar he knew he’d be delighted
Although he heard his father’s words
He couldn’t wait to fly like birds

It all started out OK
Till Icarus began to play
He soared up toward the sun
Melted wax
Caused useless flaps
He tumbled through the sky
Down he crashed
A mighty splash
And that’s how he died

Wings won’t make you a bird,
Advice is useless when ignored
Icarus fell to his grave
Forgot the warning Daedalus gave

Tempt your luck with risks you know
But unseen danger lurks below
Daedalus lost his son that day
It didn’t have to be that way

Go near the sun your wings will burn
Hubristic youth will never learn
So now you know of Daedalus
And the crash of Icarus

And how they were bug-smashing scud-running humans being birds in the sky