The little man who follows me

I’m not usually one for introspection, but I found this a few years ago and it’s stuck with me.

A careful man I want to be; A little fellow follows me. I do not dare to go astray For fear he’ll go the self same way.

I cannot once escape his eyes, Whate’er he sees me do, he tries. Like me he says he’s going to be; The little chap who follows me.

He thinks that I’m so very fine, Believes in every word of mine. The base in me he must not see; The little chap who follows me.

I must remember as I go Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow, I’m building for the years to be; The little chap who follows me.