Chapter (1) HIPPOS LIKE WATER. DON'T THEY ?

Kubu learns to like water.

 Hippo

 In a jungle, deep in Africa, where the Mara river flows,

Where the flowers smell sweet, and the green grass grows.

a monkey cools his hairy knees, as a Bong tree sways in the light summer breeze.

 

Below the tree in a shady spot, to stop his skin from getting hot,

Kubu the Hippo quite round and grey, just sits and watches his friends at play.

He says he's hiding from the sun, but he's afraid to join their fun.

His friends would like to play with him, but Kubu thinks he cannot swim.

 

Poor Kubu's mum was sad to see, her son, just sit beneath the tree.

She tries and tries to coax him in, but he is too afraid to swim.

His friends they jump and splash and play, and not get out 'till end of day.

But Kubu just watched them while he sat, then rearranged his big sun hat.

 

Now a Hippo needs to eat a lot, and feed at night when it's not hot.

One night young Kubu stayed behind, to see if courage he could find.

On the river's edge he's feeling good, as he stomps his feet in icky mud.

I like this mud young Kubu cried, and he felt quite brave that he had tried.

 

The icky mud it stuck like glue, to Kubu's feet, Oh what to do ?

It was then he heard his mother's voice, and knew that now he had no choice.

He had to wash his muddy feet, but slipped and landed on his seat.

Then he slipped and slid in slippery mud, this is fun he cried, and I feel good.

 

So feeling brave he stepped right in until the water touched his chin

He splashed about and gave a wave, to his mum who watched her son so brave.

I'm really proud she called to him, to see my son now he can swim.

Now young Kubu likes to play, with his friends in water every day.

 

Copyright 2014. C. Tilley

Author's Note

ALL COMMENTS ACCEPTED.

Reviews

[Confuser]

Well, lets do this again. Comments disappeared? It is a great metaphor for life, challenges, fear and it read also like a clever, cute and interesting prose/story. The way you got the Hippo to the edge, the independence factor was wonderful. A great poem. Thank you.

[Confuser]

It is a great metaphor for life, but at the same time a wonderful story/prose that is uplifting and so encouraging, clever and sweet. I really enjoyed it. Thank you.

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

A wonderful review.Thank you so much.

[Confuser]

You are welcome. Loved it.

[stars are far]

hehe that was very cute work, its wonderfully done, :) Keep up this work:)

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Many thanks for the encouragement.

[stars are far]

always my pleasure

[1Disawsum]

so cute! Sounds so sweet and innocent, reminds me of us all being kids. All afraid, but we somehow take that first plunge in. The first step is always the hardest, but once you make it through, the rest will do it's job for you. A great poem, as always!

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Many thanks for a great review.

[MomzillaNC]

This is so sweet and very cool! Definitely a great children's story! My boy would've adored this when he was younger. He thinks it's funny now and wanted to know if there were more like this!

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

I've done 3 so far. The Zebra, Elephant and Hippo. Working on the Chimp with a Limp.

[MomzillaNC]

Cool. My son like this so much he wanted more. I let him read the zebra; he liked it but liked this one more.

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

I'm so pleased your son likes it. It is aimed for children after all. It means I must be getting something right.

[MomzillaNC]

I'm sure he'll love the piece about the chimp. He was quite taken with chimps and apes when he was younger.

[Marie]

Many peopel are like this young hippo--afraid to try what should come naturally. Sometimes it's necessary to go in little by little.

It's known aw "getting your feet wet."