Little Babaji

Inspired by the Story of Little Babaji, written by Helen Bannerman.

In a country of India lived a young boy of little whose name was
Babaji

His mother a seamstress sewed sewed on her trestle of stitch every day every day she made garments of wonder

His father a maker of brass to sculpture of vases and pots with lace of engravings of scrolls of delicate trails that delighted the eye embraced each of fruit divine

His maman of love made him a red coat of fit for a little man of happy a pair of blue trousers to fill his spirit of manhood

Not to be undone his papa brought him a beautiful green umbrella and a pair of purple shoes with laughing crimson soles and linings

Preening before them all Little Babaji looked a prince of men as he stood tall and strutted proud on his walk in the jungle

Strolling along he met a tiger who threatened him real to eat him up

Cringing with fear Little Babaji said pleadingly I’ll give you my coat of red for I am Pride

The tiger went away strutting away in his coat of pride of red and said I’m the grandest in World of Jungle

Traveling on with fear his partner Little Babaji met another tiger who growled I’m going to eat you up quick

Thinking quick he said I’ll give you my pants of blue for I am Conceit

Prancing away the tiger left in his pants of conceit of blue and said I’m the grandest in World of Jungle

Traveling on with more fear as his accessory companion Little Babaji met a third tiger who rolled his eyes ferocious intent purring mean I’m going to eat you up whole

Mind in a whirl of disbelief he said I’ll give you my shoes of purple with laughing crimson soles and crimson linings for I am Greed

Quizzical was the tiger’s response what use is your shoes to me for I have four feet and you two

Being ingenious Little Babaji told the tiger of considerable thought that he could wear them on his ears and with his concession he told him I won’t eat you up this time and left pleased saying I’m the grandest in World of Jungle

Tiptoeing quietly Little Babaji and hope for safety continued on until he met another tiger who layed in wait on a tree with a look of hungry ravenous intent who threatened to eat him up yum

Increduity etched Little Babaji’s face what now can I give but my trusty umbrella of green for I am Selfish

Curiosity curiosity won the tiger’s attention as he considered the proposition seriously and asked what can I do with your umbrella when I have no hands to carry it and need my paws to walk

A natural ingénue of skill and refine Little Babaji said artlessly to the tiger you could tie it to your tail and be cool dry anytime and with teeth of agleam the tiger said so I can and accepted the agreement and went away happy and said I won’t eat you at all and exclaimed I’m the grandest in World of Jungle

Tears aflowing fast and long Little Babaji continued on crying for all he had was gone and the tigers had taken everything and then he heard the tigers fighting over who was the grandest of all in the World of Jungle and he hid quietly

Asking with hopeful glee Little Babaji said does anyone want my clothing and since they answered him not all he dressed with elation and left them fighting and said those intimidated always pray for a good end

By

Felicia McCaw