Animal Talk Poem by Robyn Chiswell

In the tallest of trees you would find a nest
Which was quite a bit larger than the rest
It had to have room for birds, more than three
Who were studying at school up in the tree
They were taught to catch food like worms and things
And how to flap to build up strength in their wings
For when they were ready the birds would sit a big test
To see how well they could fly from the nest
Some birds would pass and then would be free
Some birds would fail and just fall from the tree
There was one little bird who on the outside would smile
But on the inside he had been worrying for a while
He felt like his friends at school were all doing great
And that bird like things were not his best trait
But he'd darn't tell anyone that he felt sick
That the day of the big test was coming round quick
He didn't ask for help to conquer his fear
He kept his feelings locked up and didn't shed a tear

In the crystal blue sea there lived a turtle bale
From the sea to the beach is where they would sail
The smallest of the turtles really loved his life
Swimming and laughing without trouble or strife
He loved all his friends and often they would play
Hide and seek in the coral reefs for the whole day
One morning the Mum had a chat with the turtle
‘Pack your things, on the EAC we will hurtle'
‘A holiday? ' he said, ‘Will we be there long?
I will need to tell my friends how long I'll be gone'
‘It's not a holiday my dear, we won't be back
We are moving to a new place so get your back pack! '
The turtle was in shock, he didn't want to leave
He wanted to stay with his best friends Will and Steve
But he was far to young to live all alone
So he packed his bag and tried not to moan
His family were so excited about the new place
So he decided to stay quiet and put a smile on his face

Everyone knows that peacocks love to show
The colourful feathers that they are able to grow
Emerald, sapphire and shades of dark blue
That shine in the sun and under moonlight too
To impress other animals they stretch out each feather
It would stun even more if they stood all together
But there was one young peacock who would not join in
For this little peacock was unhappy in her skin
The other peacocks told her that her feathers were plain
And they looked as though they had been soaked in the rain
They said they weren't nice and shiny, they wouldn't impress
And compared to the others she looked such a mess
Each day the peacock would try her best to look pretty
But the mean words would still come, said with no pity
She wished that she could change the way that she was seen
And that her feathers would be just slightly more green

There were a pack of lions, as happy as can be
Dad, Mum and cub, the best gang of three
For the cub to eat, Mum was the only way
So off out she went to hunt for some prey
The cub waited and waited excited for food
Hoping for hyena, as she was in the mood
Darkness fell and there was no sign of Mummy
And a rumbling sound began in her tummy
Dad told her to sleep and in the morning she'd be back
Bringing with her a scrumptious snack
But as the sun rose she was not in her bed
And the poor cubs belly filled with dread
What is she doing? Where could she be?
Has she got lost hunting food for me?
Days and months passed but she did not come back
Three became two in this lion pack
The cub felt guilty each and every day
She felt it was her fault that she had gone away
But she locked up all her feelings in the pit of her tummy
How much she missed her beautiful Mummy
She couldn't talk to her Dad as he had found a new mate
Someone else to hunt dinner to put on his plate

But what if these creatures knew that it was okay
To not feel great every single day
That life is filled with low times as well as high
And it is completely normal to have a little cry
If only they knew that if they were to talk to someone
They would feel like their problems did not weigh a tonne

One day the bird was so brave for such a small creature
And plucked up the courage to ask for help from his teacher
He began from the beginning and said what he thought
His fear of the test and not remembering lessons taught
The teacher just smiled and stretched out his wing
And wrapped it right around the little birdling
He said, ‘My dear, you should have told me right away
Instead of worrying and feeling this way
I am a teacher, it is my job to make you feel prepared
And to feel happy and ready for the test, not scared
Every single bird learns at different speeds
Some birds learn quickly and others have more needs
Please come and see me after class and we can recall
All the lessons you have learnt whilst being at school'
As soon as the bird spoke about what he was thinking
He no longer felt as though he was sinking
He worked hard with the teacher and in no time at all
He was flying the nest with the rest of the school
The turtle decided to let his Mum know
That he absolutely really did not want to go
He didn't want to leave his friends or this part of the sea
He started to beg and started to plea
His Mum said she was sorry, but they had to move
As Dad had a new job and their lives would improve
She picked up a photo of the turtle and his friends
And said that moving didn't mean that friendship ends
‘We can take photos to remember Will and Steve
And they are always welcome to visit when we leave
Please don't forget that new friends you will meet
That you will find them at school and they'll be there to greet
It might not be the same, but sometimes change is good
It can be fun and exciting, I promise it should'
The young turtle felt better about the change that was near
And he no longer felt like he was filled with fear
Instead he packed his things and put the photo in his bag
And his friends waved him off with a ‘see you soon! ' flag

The peacock looked in the mirror and let out a sigh
Then her Mother walked past and caught her eye
‘What's the matter my dear, why are you sad? '
The young peacock decided to say why she felt bad
About the way she looked and the way that she felt
Then her Mother gave a speech which was truly heartfelt
‘You are a beautiful peacock, you are one of a kind
Which is better than looking the same in my mind
Wouldn't our world be dull if we all looked the same?
Same feathers, same colours, even the same name
You were given this body and you should be proud
That you have this chance to stand out from the crowd'
The young peacock made the decision to go outside

And stretched out all of her feathers with pride
She blocked out any things that the others said
And kept her mothers words inside of her head

The lion cub decided to speak to her Dad
To tell him that she could not stop feeling sad
The big lion smiled and hung his head
And spoke of his guilt, how he should of hunted instead
He then told stories of the good times they had
Happy memories of her Mum, which made her feel glad
That although in person she was no longer here
To keep her stories alive would make her feel near

Now these creatures know that it is okay
To not feel great every single day
That life is filled with low times as well as high
And it is completely normal to have a little cry
They now know that when they to talk to someone
Their problems no longer feel like they weigh a tonne