Naughty

If I were only a little puppy, not your baby,
mother dear,
would you say "No" to me
if I tried to eat from your dish?

Would you drive me off, saying to me,
"Go away, you naughty little puppy"?

Then go, mother, go!
I will never come to you when you call me
and l never let you feed me any more.

If I were only a little green parrot, and not your baby,
mother dear,
would you keep me chained lest I should fly away?

Would you shake your finger at me and say,
"What an ungrateful wretch of a bird!
It is gnawing at its chain day and night"?

Then go, mother, go!
I will run away into the woods;
I will never let you take me in your arms again.

-- Crescent Moon : Tagore --