Fruits and vegetables

Told in English, Telugu.

Early one morning, the sun peeped over the rooftops of the village. Little Bujji rubbed his eyes and smiled. Today was market day!

Ammamma picked up her big cane basket. Bujji held her hand, and off they walked, down the dusty lane, past the temple and the tall neem tree.

The market was busy and bright. There were baskets and baskets everywhere, full of so many colours. Bujji's eyes grew big and round.

Ammamma began to sing a little song, and Bujji sang with her. Can you sing it too?

Red and green and yellow too, fruits and vegetables, good for you! Crunch and munch and share them too, fruits and vegetables, good for you!

First they saw the mangoes. Big, yellow, sweet mangoes. Bujji smelled one. Mmm! It smelled like summer. Ammamma put two mangoes in the basket.

Next they saw the tomatoes. Round, red, shiny tomatoes, like little balls. Bujji counted them. One, two, three! Into the basket they went.

Then Bujji pointed and laughed. Look, Ammamma! Purple brinjals, shiny and smooth, with little green caps on their heads! Ammamma chose four brinjals for tonight's curry.

Red and green and yellow too, fruits and vegetables, good for you! Crunch and munch and share them too, fruits and vegetables, good for you!

Near the end of the row, there were long orange carrots. Ammamma gave one to Bujji. He took a big bite. Crunch, crunch, crunch! Can you make that crunchy sound? Crunch, crunch, crunch!

Ammamma said, carrots help your eyes see far, far away, all the way to the stars.

Then they found thin green bendakaya, and a bunch of yellow bananas, and leafy green palakura, fresh and cool. The basket grew heavy and full.

Red and green and yellow too, fruits and vegetables, good for you! Crunch and munch and share them too, fruits and vegetables, good for you!

When they reached home, Bujji wanted to eat everything at once. But Ammamma smiled and said, first we wash. So Bujji washed his little hands with soap. Then he helped wash the tomatoes and the brinjals in a bowl of cool water. Splash, splash! Now they were clean and ready.

Ammamma cooked a warm brinjal curry and soft tomato pappu. The whole kitchen smelled so good. Bujji's tummy went grumble, grumble.

At lunch, Bujji ate rice with curry and pappu. After lunch, Ammamma cut a sweet mango. Bujji did not eat it all alone. He gave one piece to Amma, one piece to Nanna, and one piece to Ammamma. Sharing made the mango taste even sweeter.

That evening, Bujji ran and jumped and played in the courtyard. He felt strong and happy. Ammamma said, that is what good food does. It gives you strength to run and play all day.

When the stars came out, Bujji lay down on his mat. He was sleepy now. He yawned a big yawn and whispered the song one last time. Will you whisper it with him?

Red and green and yellow too, fruits and vegetables, good for you! Crunch and munch and share them too, fruits and vegetables, good for you!

Goodnight, Bujji. Goodnight, little one.