Animal sounds
Told in English, Telugu.
Little Chinni was staying at Ammamma's house in the village. Early in the morning, the sky was pink and soft. Chinni opened her eyes and heard something.
Who is calling, who is near? Listen, listen, what do you hear?
Kokkoroko! Kokkoroko!
It was the big red rooster, standing on the wall. He puffed out his chest and called again. Kokkoroko! And do you know what happened? The sun peeped up over the coconut trees. The rooster called, so the whole village woke up. Can you say it with me? Kokkoroko!
Chinni ran outside to the cowshed. Ammamma was there with a bucket of water.
Who is calling, who is near? Listen, listen, what do you hear?
Amba! Amba!
It was Lakshmi, the gentle white cow. She was calling her little calf. The calf came running on wobbly legs and snuggled close to his mother. The cow called, so her baby came home. Can you call like Lakshmi? Amba!
Then Chinni heard a happy noise near the gate.
Who is calling, who is near? Listen, listen, what do you hear?
Bow bow! Bow bow!
It was Tommy, the brown dog, wagging his tail. Thatha was coming back from the fields, and Tommy was saying hello. Tommy barked, so everyone knew Thatha was home. Thatha laughed and patted his head. Can you bark like Tommy? Bow bow!
On the window sat a soft grey cat. She stretched her paws and yawned.
Who is calling, who is near? Listen, listen, what do you hear?
Meow! Meow!
The cat was hungry. Ammamma poured a little milk into a small bowl. The cat said meow, so she got her breakfast. Lap, lap, lap. Can you say it softly, like the cat? Meow!
Up on the roof, a black crow hopped from side to side.
Who is calling, who is near? Listen, listen, what do you hear?
Kaa kaa! Kaa kaa!
Chinni was eating a piece of dosa. The crow was asking for a little bite. Chinni broke off a small piece and put it on the wall. The crow called, so Chinni shared. Can you call like the crow? Kaa kaa!
Behind the house, a little goat was tied to a neem tree.
Who is calling, who is near? Listen, listen, what do you hear?
Meh meh! Meh meh!
The goat wanted fresh green leaves. Chinni picked some from the bush and held them out. Munch, munch, munch. The goat said meh, so Chinni fed him. Can you say it too? Meh meh!
Near the pond, some white ducks were swimming in a line.
Who is calling, who is near? Listen, listen, what do you hear?
Quack quack! Quack quack!
The mother duck was telling her ducklings, stay close, stay close. And all the little ducklings paddled right behind her. The mother duck quacked, so her babies stayed safe. Can you quack like a duck? Quack quack!
All day long, Chinni listened. She heard the rooster and the cow, the dog and the cat, the crow and the goat and the ducks. Each one had its very own voice.
When the evening came, the sky turned orange, then dark blue. The rooster went to sleep. Lakshmi and her calf lay down together. Tommy curled up by the door. The cat purred on the mat.
Chinni lay down next to Ammamma. She listened one more time.
Who is calling, who is near? Listen, listen, what do you hear?
Shhh. Only quiet. Only soft night.
Everyone was sleeping. So Chinni closed her eyes too. Good night, rooster. Good night, cow. Good night, little one. Sleep tight.