Just Joy
by Jacinta Farragher
Once I met a pelican, in a salty cave.
The pelican is now my friend - she’s smart and strong and brave.
Pink is pleasant and she’s playful; she can swim and dive and fly,
She’s confident and caring, and I’ve never seen her cry…
“Where are your wings?” Pink said to me, one fine and sunny day,
“How do you flap and float and glide? How do you fly away?”
If only I had such wondrous wings, I could soar as high as Pink…
If only I was more like her, life would be better, don’t you think?
Once I met a deer in a leafy forest clearing.
The deer is now my friend - he’s gentle, graceful and endearing.
Butter is bold and brilliant; he runs swiftly and jumps high,
He’s faithful and sincere, and he never tells a lie.
“Where are your antlers?” he said to me, one brisk and breezy day,
“How do you wrestle with your friends, or scare enemies away?”
If only I had those awesome antlers, I’d be forever safe and strong,
If only I was more like Butter, then how could I go wrong?!
Once I met a mountain goat, upon a jagged peak,
The mountain goat is now my friend - he’s funny, smart and chic.
Moe is majestic and magnificent, and can sprint along a wall,
He’s dashing and he’s daring, and I’ve never seen him fall.
“Where are your hooves?” Moe said to me, one wild and windy day,
How do you climb around on rocks? How do you find your way?”
If only I had those handsome hooves, I’d be confident like Moe.
If only I was more like him, I’d always know where to go.
Once I met a butterfly, on a grassy meadow rise,
The butterfly is now my friend – she’s happy, fun and wise.
Maeve is masterful and magical, and gorgeous in and out,
She’s clever and she’s cluey, and I’ve never heard her shout.
“Where is your chrysalis?” she asked, one bright and blooming day,
“How do you transform yourself? Shed your skin and float away?”
If only I had a chrysalis, I could change myself completely;
If only I was more like Maeve, I’m sure life would work out neatly.
But then again… now let me think…
Why should I want wings like Pink?
I have my fingers, hands and arms,
I have my talents and my charm.
And why would I need antlers? I don’t need to fight or chase.
I have my mind and body, and the smile on my face.
What would hooves prove? I have my feet. I can jump and climb and run.
I can already do most anything I need to, to have fun.
Well, I don’t have a chrysalis, but I DO have my heart;
I CAN change if I want to, but I’m already kind and smart.
Pink and Butter, Moe and Maeve, are clever, caring, strong and brave…
But so am I! I’m all those things – despite not having hooves or wings.
My friends may squark or bark or bleat, or say nothing at all,
They may be strong, or fast, or wise, they may be big or small…
My friends may be good at diving, or jumping or at climbing…
They may be good at solving puzzles, or perhaps have perfect timing…
There is no use comparing their traits and strengths with mine,
Each of us have our talents and our different ways to shine.
I don’t need wings and things to feel happy and free…
All I really need to do is to love me for me!
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'Creative Kids Tales is a unique and valuable online resource for new and established authors. The site provides a wealth of information and insight into the children's writing world.' 'Thanks for all your support, Georgie, and keep up the good work.' - 
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Writing can be a lonely profession. By necessity, you need to work alone much of the time. But it is wonderful to have a website which eases that by connecting creators with each other and with a wealth of information and resources.
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What a terrific, enthusiastic, informative and creative resource - of value and interest to so many people.
'The thing I like about the Creative Kids Tales website is that the authors come across as real people who face the same problems that beginning writers do and that there’s plenty of practical advice.' - 
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