Probably an inflammatory way to lead off, but though one can write good Perl, it's very easy to write line noise that you won't be able to comprehend in a few days/weeks/months.

Of the usual introductory languages, I write Python the most. Quite possibly the lightest language on excess punctuation, and the simplest "Hello, world" programs.

Since I'm liable to exceed the number of links in a reply unless our host has tweaked the spam filter settings, I'll instead point you to google up any of the following:

• cp4e -- a Python initiative from a few years ago to promote "computer programming for everybody"

• scratch at mit -- graphical programming environment geared toward kids who wanted to make animations and similar interactive things. No Python tie-in that I'm aware of, but sounded like a good idea.

• "how to think like a computer scientist" -- there's a Python version of this free e-book, and there appear to be other versions for Java, C++, Ruby, and who knows what else.