Ghost on the Tree

There is a ghost on the tree

but you can’t see him for free.

If you pay him a little fee

in a jiffy he jumps from tree.

 If you give him a silver flake

he gives you a firm hand shake.

 And if you give a speck of gold

 he will tell scary stories untold.

 But if you are a little nervy kid

better be careful of his tricks.

He quietly sneaks behind a kid

firmly grabs him like creepy squid.

But you needn’t have any fear

if you have  black gown to wear.

 Just put on the gown black

  and give the ghost a firm whack.

 He will turn into puppy meek

and will humour you, so to speak.

© i b arora

Strange Sounds

Many many years ago

On a pleasant night in June

I was merrily dreaming

of a joy ride to moon.

But I woke up with a start

I thought I was on moon

I heard strange sounds

and felt I would swoon.

I was no longer dreaming

I saw I was in my bed

with books all around

all closed and unread.

But I still heard sounds

sounds that were scary

I knew I had to act

I could no longer tarry.

I searched every nook

and all around the bed

I looked in every corner

with a lot of dread.

I shuffled my books

and riffled my clothes,

I was quite scared

for no one was close.

I was in for surprise

for I heard tiny cries

coming from a pack

that was lying in a rack.

Stored in the pack were

apples that were sweet

they were a mother’s gift

and they were a treat.

But sounds from the pack

were rather unnerving

what followed thereafter

was even more disturbing.

Unwittingly my hand

dived into the pack

it was foolish of me

and I was slack.

Hand was in for a shock

it touched something hairy

the hand began to shiver

it was something scary.

When I peeped inside

I too got a shock

it was last thing I expected

I whirled like a weathercock.

Nestling in delicious apples

and reclining on its back

was a big furry rat

with a brood of tiny brats,

Well, if you may wish

you may very well decry

but I have to confess

that I let out a loud cry.

But that was not all

for I jumped like a calf

and I could only squeal

when rats let out a laugh.

© i b arora

Centipede Loved To Run

A centipede loved to run

 even in mornings full of fog,

he was proud of his thirty legs

that could overcome any clog.

One day he went for a run

when it was still very dark,

he could hear song of a bird

 and felt he was on the mark.

But he had lost his way

for his error he was to pay,

he stumbled on wooden pegs

and broke one of thirty legs.

Now he couldn’t jog and run

 lying in bed was no great fun,

he met a doctor hairy one

who examined leg broken one.

 Doctor was quite confused

 and he was somewhat amused,

in a manner he was bemused

and then he loudly mused,

“Why are you under stress?

You got fifteen pairs of legs,

what if there’s one leg less?

You still have twenty nine legs.” 

Centipede felt a bit despaired

he wanted his leg repaired,

he pleaded, for he was scared,

please let no effort be spared.

Doctor tried one of his tricks

and he used little sticks

that were dipped in lemon mix

and broken leg did he fix.

 Centipede jumped with joy

and what a fool he was boy,

doctor was taken by surprise

he eyed him with angry eyes.

Centipede missed his timing

and he went into a free fall,

he again broke his broken leg

and began to loudly bawl.

© i b arora

Big Cocky Rooster

A long time ago

when I was a Kid,

 we had a pet dog

and we all loved it.

He was a massive dog 

and loud was his bark,

 one and all feared him

even if it was not dark.

 One day grandpa brought

a pair of noisy hens,

 and a big cocky rooster

 along with those hens.

Our dog was a bit fussy

he didn’t like the birds,

he gently growled at them

but uttered no harsh words.

Rooster was big and strong

 and proud of his strength,

he would glare if he saw

 the dog at arm’s length.

 One lazy hot afternoon

  when rooster was sleeping,

 the dog slowly went near, 

 he was quietly creeping.

 He looked at the hens

and very politely urged,

“Let us forget the past

and let us look ahead.”

The hens were timid

 and weren’t amused,

dog’s friendly overtures

 they flatly refused.

 Dog was bit of fool and

wouldn’t take a hint,

by then it was too late

 and he couldn’t even sprint.

Rooster was fully alert

even though asleep,

one watchful eye on the dog 

 he would always keep.

Rooster was up in a flash

 and was ready to pounce,

the silly dog, he was sure,

he could easily trounce.

Rooster shouted in anger

and rushed in a mad rage,

he was looking fearsome

like tiger released from cage.

 He punched with his claws

and smashed with his beak,

the dog wished to explain

but he didn’t let him speak.

 Even before anyone knew

 the dog was badly hurt,

grandpa rushed with a stick

more damage he could avert.

                                                                                         

It was a lesson our dog

would never ever forget,

he was wary of rooster

 but continued to fret.

He was a massive dog

but now scared of rooster,

he tried to hide his fear

with threats and bluster.

© i b arora

Grandfather Clock

Grandfather clock

grandfather clock

it don’t tick

it don’t tock.

It  is a home

to a little ghost

he calls me,

“My silly host.”

Ghost is naughty

he keeps mocking

when I am busy

he never stops talking.

When days are hot

he sneaks into refrigerator

he quietly sips juices

at his princely leisure.

Mother thinks it’s me

playing a prank

and for missing juices

I get a spank.

Ghost loves it and

has a hearty laugh

he keeps at mischiefs

that put me off.

One day he slipped

into my schoolbag

he cleaned out lunch

from my lunch pack.

One day he messed up

all my school notes

he nibbled my books

like a hungry goat.

I got punished for

no rhyme or reason

and in a wild anger

I teach him a lesson.

I close all windows

and off goes light

I let lose my dogs

who begin to fight.

The room is dark

and dogs bark

ghost scampers

and hides in clock.

He is a real ghost

but is afraid of dark

he trembles in fear

when big dogs bark.

I have my revenge

I enjoy a sound sleep,

ghost in the clock

is scared even to peep.

© i b arora

Sad Turtles

A young turtle was

 glum and sad.

 For days together

no meal he had.

He loved to eat

 fresh little crabs.

But there were none

 up for grabs.

Fish was there

 in plentiful.

He could eat

a bucketful.

 Fish was fresh

 and real good.

 But he relished

that was cooked.

 He enjoyed fresh

 leaves of fig.

And he could eat

small or big.

 But there were none

 on nearby twig. 

So for days together

 he went without meal.

 His mother was worried,

she let out a squeal.

 But old granny said,

 “It’s no big deal”.

For weeks together

 no meal she too had.

 But then, dear friends,

 she was no less

glum and sad.

© i b arora

Story of a Little Prince

A little kid was glum and sad

and it was real real bad,

he was a little royal prince

and in a royal robe he was clad.

Little prince loved to fling stones

on poor trees who couldn’t groan,

and on little birds, for that matter

prince would laugh

when birds would scatter.

But today he was glum and sad

and that was real real bad.

Little prince was holding a sling

and he was wanting to fling

a big stone at the moon

but it was only noon.

Little prince rushed to the king

and shouted, I  want to fling

a big stone at big bright moon

and I want to do it soon.

King had no time for prince

he was in thick of a fight,

his dear queen was trapped

by two sombre bishops

and one fearsome knight.

Little prince wasn't amused

no wish was he ever refused,

his wishes were always met

so he won’t fuss and fret.

Little prince was angry and dismayed

he howled and he wailed

king was angry and  outraged

his game plan had totally failed.                                            

Little prince screamed

and shouted

but king would not hear

his army was totally routed.

When king couldn’t bear

little brat’s silly drone

he jumped from his royal throne

in air all chess men were thrown.

King made a dash

for the door

on his little prince

he was very sore.

But little prince

ran after the king

for he still wanted to fling

a big stone at the moon

and he wanted to do it soon.

Little prince chased the king

silly ministers all followed

like puppets on the string.

It was such

a funny spectacle

to see them all,

the king

little prince

and silly ministers,

running in a circle.

© i b arora

Blue Crab

A crab was blue,

as blue as deep blue sea,

but crab had never seen

 deep blue sea.

Blue crab lived

in shallow backwaters,

with one big son

and two little daughters.

Sonny crab bought

 a big toy plane,

two little daughters

tied it with iron chain.

 Blue crab was astonished

 to see the toy plane,

he wanted to fly it

over sea and plain.

 He brought an axe

and broke the chain,

he jumped like a frog

and entered the plane.

 Crab aimed for the sea

and took off in a hurry,

but plane began to rock

like a feather in a flurry.

Blue crab panicked

and clutched his throat,

plane crashed in waters

but remained afloat.

Blue crab shouted

and cried like a kid,

when he left the plane

he was about to skid.

 He grabbed the plane

and he tried to swim,

for his kids it was fun

they all laughed at him. 

A Little Monkey

A little monkey

 was a bit of tramp,

 the little monkey

 lived near a swamp.

In the swamp

were many crocs,

and beautiful birds 

in large flocks.

 Little monkey

 would tease the crocs,

he would chase and

 scare the flocks.

  

He felt it was

 such a great fun,

to mock and tease

all and one.

 For one big croc

 it was no fun,

 to be teased 

 by a foolish one.

The big croc was

 full of guile,

at the monkey

he would smile. 

But the croc kept

 a watchful eye,

the croc was clever

 no one can deny.

One day the croc

was in luck,

 he grabbed the monkey

who could not duck.

 Big croc caught him

 by his head,

the monkey knew

he would be dead.

But he was a monkey

who wouldn’t give up,

he said to himself,

“Buck up, buck up.”

                                      

He jumped and kicked

and kicked and jumped,

he turned and twisted

and twisted and turned.

He hit the croc

in his right eye,

he knew it was

 well worth a try.

 Then it happened

just in a flash,

big croc could not

 bear the smash.

He had to let 
the poor monkey go,

his eye couldn’t

stand another blow.

 The monkey ran like

 his tail was on fire.

 but he was brave,

we have to admire.

© i b arora

पर्वत और बादल

दिन की धूप थी अलसायी

पर्वत के मन थी वह भायी

नर्म-नर्म हवा की लहरें

बस आँखों में नींद भर आई

 पर्वत सोया ही था कि

आकाश में बादल गिर आये

कुछ काले कुछ मटमैले

पर सब हौले-हौले आये

वर्षा की नन्हीं बूंदों ने

पर्वत को छुआ धीरे से

आँख खुली तो आँख धुली

पर्वत ने पूछा बादल से

“तुम भी अजब घुमक्कड़ हो

कोई न देखा तुम सा मैंने

कब तुम आते कब तुम जाते

न मैं जानु न कोई जाने”

“तुम से कहूं क्या मैं भाई

बड़ी अजब है मेरी गाथा

मैं कब आता मैं कब जाता

मैं ही निश्चित न कर पता

“मेरा आना मेरा जाना

मेरा रुकना मेरा चलना

नहीं है कुछ निर्भर मुझ पर

भाई, मैं हूँ बस वायु पर निर्भर”

इतना कह बादल खिसका

वेग हुआ था वायु का तीखा

पर्वत मन ही मन मुस्काया

“मुझ सा नहीं है कोई भाया”

© आई बी अरोड़ा 

When Stars Glitter

When in sky stars glitter

and birds stop to twitter

the glow worms flitter

and in dark they glitter.

Little kid gets a jitter

 when he hears a titter

from a corner with a litter

 but he is no quitter.

The kid is a big hitter

and not a fence sitter

he catches worms in flitter

in his pocket they glitter.

© ib arora