The Borrower

I had this classmate back in grade school

Al was such a scatterbrain,
His things need be in close range.
For all, it was such a pain.
When will his ways ever change?

Al always asks for paper,
He says he left his at home;
Add pencil and eraser,
And he'll still borrow a comb!

We wonder what's in his bag
Apart from air and zipper.
Though unused it looks like rag;
Bet he forgot the washer.

Al was such a scatterbrain,
Thought it can never get worse.
Borrowings never refrain -
Worst when he forgets his purse!

What makes it all the more sad
Is that Al fails to recall
Who lent to him what he had;
"The borrower," him we call.

So we chose to take some steps,
To change the borrower's fate;
Teach him repetitive reps,
To have him remember straight.

We planned for him a routine,
That each day he must follow;
Nothing must come in between,
Or he'll receive a bellow.

After days, things got better;
No more was the borrower.
Some things remained, however;
"Thanks," he forgets to utter!