101 items in this section. Displaying page 2 of 11
Treehuggers
Children of the fragile forest gather around Where bird song seems to be the loudest sound A place called Summer, green as you could please A place where we all proudly hug the trees. Hug trees for the walnuts and sweet apples For the shade above small country chapels For giving squirrel and crow a place to live For the priceless gift of oxygen they give. Follow your feet across a woodland floor Beneath the tall and ancient sycamore...
Jumbo House
Quick, quick, quick Lay a brick, brick, brick Make it stick stick stick. You know whose house it is? Of Jumbo the kid, kid, kid That’s why it’s so big, big, big. Do you know what will happen IF even one brick comes loose – and Jumbo trips on that brick? Jumbo House [Illustration by Shinod AP] Jumbo will take apart every brick, brick, brick He’ll make it quick, quick, quick!...
The Pigeon Party
Twenty noisy pigeons Had a party last night Noisy Pigeon Party [Illustration by Shinod AP] The last egg Had hatched The youngest one Was OUT! The last egg had hatched [Illustration by Shinod AP] They rocked on the TV wires looked the kitten In the eye They splashed In the pool – the kitten’s water bowl They splashed in the pool [Illustration by Shinod AP] And then they...
The Jungle
Far away in the jungles where the green grass grows, lived families of mynas their nest in rows. They were friends and foes who played and fought for fun. But when it came to the enemy they stood together as one. One morning they were surprised a strange creature there to find. Loud, noisy with strange scary ways a being like that…seemed a ferocious kind. The Jungle [Illustration by Anup Singh] Eager to befriend the new...
Kappu has a Bath
Kappu maharaj sat in a tub Splashing water left, right and above Papa sat rubbing his legs While Mama poured water on the head. Together they wrapped Their baby in a towel One dried his hair And the other gave him a massage. Kappu has a Bath [Illustration by Shinod AP]
The Plant at the Crossing
At a crowded crossing I saw a brave new recruit to stem the environmental rot A tiny young plant transplanted in a metal cage took the exhaust of buses, trucks, cars and scooters full blast The rate of wilting will indicate pollution levels said a municipal official with a satisfied smile The Plant at the Crossing [Illustration by Shinod AP] Testing death on a plant is so much better In fact a “no-cost” option...
Kappu wants to Draw
Pencil, paper, crayons and pen Get them all to Kappu’s den Spread the paper on the floor For little maharaj wants to draw. Two lines here and four lines there Zig-zig patterns and a circle in pairs Kappu scribbled on all the sheets Till it was time for him to sleep. Kappu wants to Draw [Illustration by Shinod AP]
Summer fan
The fan turns slow On a hot airless night Like a bird without wings That has forgotten to fly. I look closely What a surprise! There are beads of sweat On the fan blades as well. The cooler and the cooled Are in the same state It’s going to be a tough summer At this rate. Summer fan [Illustration by Shinod AP]
A Cat’s Nightmare
The cat woke up with a beating heart She had just had a terrible nightmare. A little rat had pulled her whiskers and called her ‘Friend Cat!’ A Cat’s Nightmare [Illustration by Shinod AP]
The Crow’s Lunch
The crow sat on the tree Waiting for lunch What would it be? Rice, roti – or earthworm? Lunch was none of these The family was on a fast Disgusted, the crow swooped down If not curry, maybe a bland earthworm? But the worms weren’t there The crow wasn’t early enough The Crow’s Lunch [Illustration by Shinod AP] What has the world come to, cried the crow No thought for others!