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| Illustration by Nithila (my daughter) |
Once upon a time of yore
There lived a granny very old
Making vadas her daily chore
Two an anna is how she sold
Crispy top and a softy core
Tasty vadas hot and brown
She made them sitting on the floor
Humming with a forehead frown
There came flying a hungry crow
That sniffed the vadas from half a mile
Hoping that a piece she’ll throw
She cawed at granny for a while
The Granny just ignored the crow
And arranged the vadas on a bowl
The crow could feel its hunger grow
The sight of vadas with a hole!
As soon as granny turned her back
Swooped the crow with greedy claws
At ease she picked the fattest snack
And away she flew with happy caws!
The wily fox soon came to know
From the raven’s reckless caws
Slyly stalked the careless crow
As it happens in jungle laws!
Atop a Palmyra palm she perched
In her mouth her pricy catch
Leaf to leaf she loosely lurched
Deciding the seat to eat her snatch
“Oh Sinorita with a magical voice”
Howled the fox like a fervent fan
“Sing again and let me rejoice
My Cuckoo! Blessed be your clan”
The mouthful crow blushed in awe
Flattered by his sugary word
“Let me hear that melodious caw”
Begged the fox at the brimming bird
The foolish crow fell for the hoax
Opened her throat to the fullest shriek
And to the joy of the crafty fox
Realized not what fell off her beak
The crow finished and made a pause
With open wings – the diva faux
When she looked down for applause
The vada had vanished with the fox!
The moral of the ditty, my daughter dear :
Ill gotten gain will never remain
And fall not for the blandish you hear
Remember this vada when flatterers feign.
There lived a granny very old
Making vadas her daily chore
Two an anna is how she sold
Crispy top and a softy core
Tasty vadas hot and brown
She made them sitting on the floor
Humming with a forehead frown
There came flying a hungry crow
That sniffed the vadas from half a mile
Hoping that a piece she’ll throw
She cawed at granny for a while
The Granny just ignored the crow
And arranged the vadas on a bowl
The crow could feel its hunger grow
The sight of vadas with a hole!
As soon as granny turned her back
Swooped the crow with greedy claws
At ease she picked the fattest snack
And away she flew with happy caws!
The wily fox soon came to know
From the raven’s reckless caws
Slyly stalked the careless crow
As it happens in jungle laws!
Atop a Palmyra palm she perched
In her mouth her pricy catch
Leaf to leaf she loosely lurched
Deciding the seat to eat her snatch
“Oh Sinorita with a magical voice”
Howled the fox like a fervent fan
“Sing again and let me rejoice
My Cuckoo! Blessed be your clan”
The mouthful crow blushed in awe
Flattered by his sugary word
“Let me hear that melodious caw”
Begged the fox at the brimming bird
The foolish crow fell for the hoax
Opened her throat to the fullest shriek
And to the joy of the crafty fox
Realized not what fell off her beak
The crow finished and made a pause
With open wings – the diva faux
When she looked down for applause
The vada had vanished with the fox!
The moral of the ditty, my daughter dear :
Ill gotten gain will never remain
And fall not for the blandish you hear
Remember this vada when flatterers feign.
[One of The most popular kid's moral story ever. I tried to
put it into verse to entertain my daughter.]
Vada (originally Vadai in Tamil) is a popular south Indian
Snack meal. They come in different varieties but the most popular is the one
made from Urund dal and is shaped like a doughnut.
Happy Birthday Nithila !!!
A lesson to be learned here!
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Very sweet and well explained the story in an interesting poetry! Nostalgic
ReplyDeleteMy best wishes to Nithila. Hope she celebrate her birthday happily :)
Beautiful illustration and nicely written poem on it...
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Nihita... My all best wishes for you...
I am applauding your telling in rhyme of a wonderful legend and loving your daughter's great illustration. Happy Birthday wishes to a talented Nihita!
ReplyDeleteA lovely illustration by your daughter and wonderful poem!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Nihita!!!!
Great illustration, your daughter is obviously as talented as yourself.
ReplyDeleteLoved it!
ReplyDeleteWish Nithila from my side as well :) :) I liked the way you put this moral story in verse :D
ReplyDeleteGreat to revisit childhood! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat creation by you!
Nithila says a BIG THANKYOU to all for the wishes...
ReplyDeleteAm I a bit late? Happy birthday, Nithila!
ReplyDeleteWe can seen an artist's daughter here! Beautiful pencil sketch!
I loved the improved story with a message, lovely! She will be more happy when she reads this after 12-15 years.
Happy Birthday Nithila, and your painting is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Ashok:) Such a nice drawing. I hope Nithila has had a beautiful birthday. Your poem is lovely Ashok!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful birthday gift to your girl :) She will cherish this forever!
ReplyDeleteI nominated you for the Liebster Award! Check out my blog for more details :)
ReplyDeleteHow sweet. I'm reading this late, so I hope your daughter had a happy birthday. The story in verse is precious, the moral so true, and the love for your daughter shines through.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet a verse!The sketch by your daughter is lovely.
ReplyDeleteVisiting after ages, was off blogging for a while. Although late to wish birthday, my warm wishes are always there for Nithila.
Missed reading your posts, will try to catch up now.
too late !! but my best wishes to Nithila... vada poche kadhaiyai poem maadhiri ketka rhombha nalla irukku!
ReplyDeleteGreat thinking and a great write up Ashok!