(illustration by Nithila)
Once upon a time of yore
There lived a granny very old
Making vadas her daily chore
Two an anna is how she sold
Crispy top and a softy core
Tasty vadas hot and brown
She made them sitting on the floor
Humming with a forehead frown
There came flying a hungry crow
That sniffed the vadas from half a mile
Hoping that a piece she’ll throw
She cawed at granny for a while
The Granny just ignored the crow
And arranged the vadas on a bowl
The crow could feel its hunger grow
The sight of vadas with a hole!
As soon as granny turned her back
Swooped the crow with greedy claws
At ease she picked the fattest snack
And away she flew with happy caws!
The wily fox soon came to know
From the raven’s reckless caws
Slyly stalked the careless crow
As it happens in jungle laws!
Atop a Palmyra palm she perched
In her mouth her pricy catch
Leaf to leaf she loosely lurched
Deciding the seat to eat her snatch
“Oh Senorita with a magical voice”
Howled the fox like a fervent fan
“Sing again and let me rejoice
My Cuckoo! Blessed be your clan”
The mouthful crow blushed in awe
Flattered by his sugary word
“Let me hear that melodious caw”
Begged the fox at the brimming bird
The foolish crow fell for the hoax
Opened her throat to the fullest shriek
And to the joy of the crafty fox
Realized not what fell off her beak
The crow finished and made a pause
With open wings – the diva faux
When she looked down for applause
The vada had vanished with the fox!
The moral of the ditty my daughter dear :
Ill gotten gain will never remain
And fall not for the blandish you hear
Remember this vada when flatterers feign.
