“I’ll be it,” said Elephant to his friends.
“Ready or not, here I come!”
He thundered around the jungle,
boasting and rapping this rhyme:
“I’m the heavyweight champion
of the world.
My bottom’s as big as a house.
My ears are the shape of Africa,
and I’m scared of nothing …
… except a mouse.
I’m it !
My voice is loud.
I’m it !
I trample the crowd.
Everyone knows what noise I make.
My trunk plays jazz and pop.
I never forget
how amazing I am.
I just don’t know how to …
… stop!
PARP !
said Elephant to Giraffe.
You’re it !
“I’m the tallest animal
on this earth.
My neck is telescopic.
I look down on you all
and make you feel small.
Tiny and microscopic.
I’m it !
I’m a hoity-toity cutie.
I’m it !
Marvel at my beauty.
Nobody knows what noise I make.
It’s a snooty snorty sneer.
And when I catch Miss Hippo up
I’ll whisper in her ear.”
SNORT !
said Giraffe to Hippo.
You’re it !
“I’m the plumpest animal
on the planet.
My belly is pink
and stupendous.
I can swim underwater,
or trot on the land
and my toothy yawn
is tremendous.
I’m it !
I’m a cool river cruiser.
I’m it !
I’m a hip swampy snoozer.
Crocodiles know what noise I make.
My burps are their favourite song.
Flamingos take off
when I open my mouth,
then crash
at the smell of my pong.
HONK !
said Hippo to Lion.
You’re it !
“I’m king of the beasts,
you great big sausage.
Nobody messes with me.
I’ll sizzle you
on my barbecue
when it’s time for tea.
I’m it !
I’m as strong as the sun.
I’m it !
I’m the golden one.
The universe knows
what noise I make.
Stars tremble at my roar.
I frighten myself
at how scary I am.
Magnificence can be a bore.
RAAHH !
Said Lion to Monkey.
You’re it !
“I’m the smartest animal
in the jungle.
My brain’s the size of a mango.
I can peel a banana
and count soldier ants
while dancing the fandango
I’m it !
I’m a cheeky little monkey.
I’m it !
My moves are fast and funky.
Everyone knows what noise I make.
I chatter and shriek
day and night.
I’ll trick little Mouse
from his hidey-hole
and give him a terrible fright.
OOH-OOH EE !
said Monkey to Mouse.
You’re it !
“I’m the tiniest animal in this game.
I know all the best hiding places.
Those bullies and bigheads
can boast all they like,
but they can’t scurry
into small spaces.
I’m it !
I’m a wise little twitcher.
I’m it !
I see the bigger picture.
Everyone knows what noise I make.
I’m scared a lot so I squeak,
but I know someone
who’s frightened of me.
Go on – turn the page –
Take a peek.”
BOO !
said Mouse to Elephant.
You’re it !
Parp! squealed Elephant,
who crashed into hippo, (Honk!)
who toppled giraffe, (Snort!)
who fell onto lion, (Raah!)
who grabbed monkey’s tail, (Oo-oo-Ee!)
and the five friends collapsed
in a crazy, mixed-up heap.
“You’re TWITS!“ said Mouse,
“and here’s a newsflash for you all:
pride comes before a fall.”
Mouse ran away
before they could squash him,
grinning from ear to ear.
“Game over! I’m the best!
I may be small, but I beat the rest …”
Then he trod in some monkey poo
and fell flat on his face.
THE END
© Nick Walker 2017
WalkerWords 