In the yellow and hot Africa, In its very central part, A disaster managed to take place Outside of approved schedule. The Elephant, not making anything of it, Hinted that a flood was sure to come. Here it is: a giraffe Fell in love with an antelope. Such a hubbub and barking arose And only the old Parrot Yelled loudly from the branches: "The giraffe is big, he knows best!" "So what if she’s got horns?" Cried the giraffe lovingly. "Nowadays in our fauna Everyone is politically correct. And if my folks and kin Don’t make it good for her - Just try blaming it on me, you hear? - I will leave the herd." Such a hubbub and barking arose And only the old Parrot Yelled loudly from the branches: "The giraffe is big, he knows best!" Father of the antelope - Why would he want such a son? ... ... And giraffe’s son-in-law grumbles - "He is a moron, I’ll tell you, a moron!" So the antelope and giraffe Went to live with bison. Such a hubbub and barking arose And only the old Parrot Yelled loudly from the branches: "The giraffe is big, he knows best!" In the yellow and hot Africa, The idyll has seen it’s last days. The giraffe and his wife Are shedding crocodile tears, - But nothing can help their trouble - Now, there is no law, whatsoever: Giraffe’s daughter Married a bison! Sure, maybe the giraffe wasn’t right, - But there is no way he was guilty - Guilty was the one, who yelled from the branches: "Giraffe is big, he knows best!"
© Nellie Tkach. Translation, 1998