Tuesday, February 2, 2016

The Dancing Rhino

I saw a short video on Facebook that showed an orphaned baby rhino and a lamb who became friends and played together. I loved it so much that it inspired me to write the children's story poem below. You can see a longer version of the video and read more about the true, real-life story of the rhino and lamb who became friends here. (The names of the rhino and lamb in the poem have been changed to protect the innocent.)

The Dancing Rhino

Rex the baby rhino wanted to frolic
like his friend Lily the lamb.
Lily leaped into the air,
as if she were on springs--as if she had wings!
Rex lunged, lurched, and lumbered.
WHAM, SLAM, WHAM, BAM!

Full of glee and enchantment,
Lily bobbled, bubbled, and bounced.
Clumsily, Rex heaved his weight.
He thundered, trampled, and trounced.

"Stop! Stop!" cried the birds at poor Rex.
His stompings shook the trees.
The birds tumbled from the branches.
"Stop your stompings," cried the birds, "Stop it, please!"

Rex felt sad to be scolded.
He wanted to dance and prance,
but he was too big and clumsy.
He couldn't do it--not a chance!

Kind Lily encouraged her friend,
knowing patience and practice pays off.
She showed him how again and again,
giving no heed to the grouchy birds' scoff.

Soon Rex was light on his feet.
He frolicked with sweet Lily by his side.
Who knew a rhino could learn to dance?
Shuffle, shuffle, step, step, glide.


22 comments:

  1. Oh..this was wonderful! loved it. Now off to view the link

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  2. Anonymous2/02/2016

    I love the video and your poem is perfect!

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  3. I love it and the way you made it come to life. Have a nice week.

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  4. Awe this is so incredibly sweet Connie. I like hearing stories like this, it's such a feel good story. I adore the poem you created from it, you are SO talented ♡♡♡

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  5. Connie, this is precious!! It would make a wonderful book for children. Now that you have connections with a publisher maybe it would be possible to have this made into a book, with cute illustrations of course.

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  6. very cute. I do think you have the start to a children's collection.

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  7. That is an absolutely adorable poem! Alas, I dance more like Rex than Lily...

    Oh, and I think Joanne is right! This poem is a great start... :)

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  8. Aww, I love this! So sweet!

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  9. Oh how neat.... You are just SO talented when it comes to writing and expressing just the correct words... Thanks so much for sharing this ADORABLE poem.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  10. This is precious, Connie. I'm so glad you're writing children's poetry. Your warmhearted, playful poet's voice is very well suited for it. =)

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  11. Great, but I expect he'll outgrow the relationship :)

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  12. This is a wonderful poem. I saw the video It was precious!

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  13. I can see this poem in a story book for kids with neat pictures to go along. Awesome Connie.

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  14. Sweet! I miss reading out loud to my children. They would have loved this as small tots.

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  15. Hello,

    Lovely poem. Rex is a fun loving little chap. He loves to be active and enjoy himself. He has a wonderful friend who encourages him to enjoy himself. It is a strange friendship but a wonderful friendship. I hope this friendship will last forever.

    If only we had friends like Lily, our life will be a blessing.

    Best wishes

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  16. That video was precious and your poem is a delight.

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  17. Rex and Liky could well be the characters in an illustrated children's book, Connie. You might want to consider adding future adventures for them.

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  18. Very nice, and I can see this in a children's book of poetry- I can almost picture the illustrations. You really should, ya know!

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  19. really enjoyed your poem ,cute and touching ,thank you for lovely sharing

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  20. Thanks so much everyone for your kind comments. I had fun writing this one.

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  21. So much fun to read. I love your poetry so much. I lent your book to my DIL to read on the airplane the other day. I think I will let her keep it because it is so uplifting and buy another one for me. Hugs, lJ

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    Replies
    1. Aw, thanks so much, Lady Jane. You are very kind. :)

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