In central part of Africa, Yellow and heated, All at once mishap occurred, Very discomfited. Elephant said all this stuff: "It seems the flood will flow. I have heard that one giraffe Has loved an antelope". Then there arose bark and brawl, And ancient parrot, one from all, Screamed aloud from the shoots: "Giraffe is big, he better views". "Does it matter she is horned?" - Cried giraffe in glow. "All are equal in our fauna Whether horned or no. If all members of my kin Do not welcome her, Don’t then reproach me, I will leave the herd". Then there arose bark and brawl, And ancient parrot, one from all, Screamed aloud from the shoots: "Giraffe is big, he better views". What is such a son-in-law For antelope’s father? His forehead and his brow get blows In equal rate each other. Antelope’s brother rails: "Look at such a dope". And to bisons went away Giraffe and antelope. Then there arose bark and brawl, And ancient parrot, one from all, Screamed aloud from the shoots: "Giraffe is big, he better views". In hot and yellow Africa Idylls don’t appear. Giraffes’ couple showers Crocodile tears. But the woe can not be aided, There’s no law in this land. Giraffe’s daughter now has wedded. Bison is her husband. Let giraffe was wrong enough, But the fault isn’t on giraffe, But is on one who cried from shoots: "Giraffe is big, he better views."
© Eugeny Koshelev. Translation, 2007