Teacher’s note: New Zealand’s Franz Joseph Glacier is unique for its steepness and speed. It stretches from a height of 3,000 metres down to 240 metres in less than 11 kilometres. It can shift up to four metres a day; most glaciers travel one metre a day. People camped on its slopes report hearing the glacier “groan” as it moves. At its base is a rainforest!
Dreams come true on Christmas eve’s night. Oh, how my spirit was so bright. The night before Christmas was an amazing day, Everyone decorated without a delay.
Awaiting the moment, the grandest show, With Santa’s sleigh that would slowly but gracefully flow. A pack full of gifts, Is what he lifts.
He will soon appear, Spreading laughter and cheer. In the shade of pink is where the snowflake danced, Where couples in the snow also prance.
In this land of wonder, oh very sweet and bright, A pink Christmas night, such a mere delight. Love and warmth in the air it flows. Christmas is a place where it snows.
Sarah is 11 years old and this is her first contribution to our site.
Hello! Is anyone there? Hello and Hello! I’m the handsome Cape African buffalo No one’s succeeded in taming me So I live contented, wild and free
Apart from hopeful lions and crocs I survive quite well with very few shocks. My worst nightmare? to be stalked and hunted And by men with guns to be confronted
They shoot me dead, my blood runs red Then on their walls they mount my head. No care that each pair of stolen horns Leaves a buffalo mother who weeps and mourns.
We’re one of Africa’s most dangerous beasts At frightening hunters, we’re quite the artistes. We’re heavy and stocky and pretty darned large So, gun bearing hunters who force us to charge
Take one of us on and you take on the herd We all fight together, once given the word. Both buffalo genders grow great curly horns Just perfect for running through bush and through thorns
The horns of the male grow a whole fifth longer And they’re joined in the middle to make them stronger This difference in structure is called the ‘boss’ The females don’t have it, but it’s really no loss.
Cape’s a strong buffalo – eighteen hours on the go Daily hunting and grazing and dodging his foe Thirty points off two m* is around his height – Now that’s tall enough to give hunters a fright.
And get this: he can often weigh close to a ton A beast that size could sure spoil your fun. Now – here’s a special word to enrich your life But using it may cause all sorts of strife
Most people your age have never seen it And yet in some ways they’ve probably been it! Well come on then, let’s have the word I want to be a clever nerd.
Symbiotic’s the word, it means helping each other Working together, like friend and brother. An example of this is the buffalo’s cleaner On head or back, you’ll not see one keener
Than the little Oxpecker who scours his skin Making really sure that no nasties get in. The Oxpecker bird has a bill red or yellow He’s a useful mate and a really good fellow.
He picks off the ticks that bother the buff’ He eats all the insects that make his life rough And by cleaning his friend he gets a good meal And both of them reckon that that’s a good deal.
Without the bird he’d be covered with ticks That’s not a good way to get your kicks So the little Oxpecker performs this service He does it for free – no need to get nervous
They give to each other, that’s really nice And there’s never a word said about price. That’s all for today of the African jungle My brain’s asleep and I don’t want to bungle
The info I share ‘bout this Natural wonder And the dear little birds who peck and plunder So I’ll say goodbye and a snooze I’ll borrow – I’ll be on the next page as soon as tomorrow.
“Bawk bok, bok choy!” Pronounced the chicken, “Bawk bok, bok choy!” “Bawk bok, bok choy!” What a clever little chicken! “Bawk bok, bok choy!” it said, And I was only just then thinkin’ What to put in with the chicken – What to add into the coop. So! Bawk bok, bok choy it is! And I’ll plant it near where chicken said – The bawk bok bok bok bok bok broccoli!
Teacher’s note: November 30th celebrates St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, although he never set foot in the country. A Galilean fisherman, he was the first Christian disciple, St Peter’s brother, and an early martyr. According to legend, his bones were brought to Scotland for safe keeping by a monk, and later vanished into the mists of time. Scotland’s national flag is St Andrew’s Saltire Cross. (Cullen skink is a delicious creamy seafood soup, a true Scottish delicacy!)
The river flowed With milk and cream Washed over me I swam upstream. Samson was there My trusty dog Swimming beside me In a thick fog. I couldn’t make out What lay ahead Just trepidation and A little dread. Out of the shadows I spotted a bird It spoke English Which was quite absurd It directed us to What appeared to be An alien vessel With free entry. Samson and I Were a little confused But at the same time A little amused. We walked up a ramp Slimy and white And there before us An unusual sight.
Mice on a wheel Going round and round Keeping time with An annoying sound. It was loud and sharp And hurt my head I opened my eyes I was in bed.
Was it a nightmare Or was it a dream Or an alternate world Of milk and cream?
Australian Children’s Poetry 