Illustrations, free after various examples of picture postcards

© Joke van der Ark 2012

 

A Party?

 

Tiny men dressed up real fine

seem to be marching in line.

Whereto is it, that they’re going?

Why are their eyes glowing?

 

What for are they dressed like that?

Shouldn’t they also wear a hat?

 

No, neither hat nor cap

because you know, they aren’t dressed up.

 

They’re always look like that

and you know what?

They aren’t even men, but mama penguins

who are going to lay their egg.

 

As soon as the mamas will be done,

just like that they’re gone.

 

Then it is papa’s turn to keep it safe and sound,

by walking round and round and round.

 

By the time that mama’s back

a baby penguin will be out of the egg.

She’ll give it love and feeds it fish

because it is her dearest wish

 

that it will become a strong and healthy penguin.

 

Rhyme  4