Buzz
1. Little One Calls for Spring
Spring brings the swallows,
Spring brings the flying clouds,
Spring brings the blooming flowers,
Spring fills the day with joy!
The little one is still small,
Hasn't seen a swallow yet,
Oh Spring, the child calls,
Don't make the child wait too long!
Source: Thuỵ Anh, 'Fun with Vietnamese Language', NXB Trẻ, 2014
2. The Fish Tank
I have a fish tank
With bright green algae
A layer of white pebbles
On the bottom, covered with moss
Goldfish and redfish
Swim happily around
I give the fish some toys
To play with now and then
There's a small cave
For playing hide and seek
And a mirror on the side
Making it quite neat
All the fish enjoy
Admiring themselves in the glass
But the Tank Cleaner Fish
Won't share, alas!
So sometimes they fight
For space and for fun
And I have to settle it
While pulling my hair, undone!!!
Source: Thuỵ Anh, Nhim nhỉm nhìm nhim, NXB Trẻ, 2014
3. The Whale
Once upon a time, there was a Fish
Swimming in the river
He saw a large group of Elephants
Come to drink from the stream
The Elephants' trunks were long
Able to suck up water quickly
They drank until they were full
Then they played by spraying water!
The Fish wanted to imitate
These giant friends
He drank and drank
Until the whole river flowed fast
The Fish swam to the blue ocean
Drank more... His belly grew round
He kept drinking happily
And then joined the fun of spraying water
No trunk? No problem:
He drilled a hole in his back
Water shot up non-stop
The Fish laughed: "This is awesome!"
From then on, the Fish
Called himself: The Whale!
2005
4. The Stork's Long Journey
The Stork was journeying
Through the rain
- Have you eaten your meal?
- Not yet, I'm so hungry!
Two white Storks
Were searching for food
They were very hungry
But the rain was pouring down!
They caught a fish
And brought it home to cook
Inviting others to join
And share the fish meal!
2004
Source: Thuỵ Anh, Nhim nhỉm nhìm nhim, NXB Trẻ, 2014
5. Earthworm
The Earthworm is so fragile
It fears the sunlight
It hides underground
Where no one can see it!
Digging hard through the dirt
Is it muddy yet?
When it rains
It quickly comes out to bathe
The child feels for the Worm
And avoids stepping on it
The Worm enriches the soil
Helping plants grow strong
Ivan's yard, after the rain. 10/07
Source: Thuy Anh, Gentle Tiger Mother, NXB Tre, 2014
6. There's a Baby at My House
(For my brother, Sugarcane, and sister, Honey)
A baby arrives:
Our whole family is happy!
(I don’t know why, but
They seemed fine before I came?)…
A baby appears:
Crying loudly, it's such a nuisance!
I was busy learning numbers
But everything got messed up!
But when the baby sleeps
With rosy cheeks, so sweet
I dare not breathe too loud
Afraid the baby will wake up...
Mom says, when the baby grows,
I’ll have a friend to play with!
- Grow up fast, little one,
Brother can’t wait much longer!
7. What is Christmas?
Mom, what is Christmas?
It's the firewood burning in the kitchen
The snowstorm howling outside the door
The reindeer sleigh still rides on
Mom, what is Christmas?
It's a kind old man
Not afraid of the dark night, the rough roads
Coming here to bring gifts for me
Mom, what is Christmas?
It's the joy swelling in my chest
It's singing excited songs
Ring the bell, ring the bell, ring the bell...
From the book 'Lessons for Children', NXB Tre, 2010
8. The Mole
The little ones
Run across the yard
Step lightly
And be careful:
Down below
There are deep tunnels
That’s the home
Of the Mole
The Mole digs
He digs trenches
So skillfully
Creating his home
There's a small kitchen
To cook meals
There's a little bed
Where he rests to sleep
There’s a cupboard
For his toys
Mole, oh Mole
You're so clever!
2005
Source: Thuy Anh, Nhim nhỉm nhìm nhim, NXB Tre, 2014
9. Mr. Rooster
Mr. Rooster
How splendid he is:
His comb is red
His posture is tall
His chest is puffed
His tail is long
He crows loudly
Cock-a-doodle-doo...
Adapted from a Russian nursery rhyme.
Source: Thuy Anh, Nhim nhỉm nhìm nhim, NXB Tre, 2014
10. Mr. Hedgehog
Hedgehog, hedgehog,
Covered in spikes,
And no luck with clothes!
When it's time for a walk,
He puts on his spiky coat,
Walks slowly, so slow,
Because he’s weighed down!
Hedgehog, hedgehog,
Covered in spikes...
2005
Source: Thuy Anh, Nhim nhỉm nhìm nhim, NXB Tre, 2014
