Come, dear Moon

Told in English, Telugu.

It is evening. The sky is dark blue.

Amma carries little Chinni up to the terrace. Step, step, step.

Look up, Chinni! What is that? A big, round, shiny moon! Chandamama!

The moon is smiling. Can you smile at the moon too?

Amma has a small bowl of rice. Warm rice with ghee. Yum, yum!

Amma sings an old, old song. Her amma sang it to her. Now she sings it to Chinni.

Chandamama raave, jaabilli raave, kondekki raave, gogupoolu teve.

It means, come, dear Moon, come, lovely Moon. Climb over the hill and come. Bring pretty flowers for my baby.

Come, dear Moon, come. Can you say it with me? Come, dear Moon, come.

Amma gives Chinni one little bite. Yum!

Chinni claps. Clap, clap, clap!

Come, dear Moon, come.

Another little bite. Yum!

Clap, clap, clap!

Come, dear Moon, come.

The wind goes whoosh, so soft. The coconut leaves go swish, swish.

The moon does not come down. But the moon shines and shines. Soft white light on Chinni's cheeks. Soft white light on Amma's hands.

The moon is far away. But Amma is right here.

The rice is all gone. Chinni's tummy is full. Chinni's eyes are sleepy.

Amma holds Chinni close. Rock, rock, rock.

Amma whispers the song. Come, dear Moon, come.

Good night, Chandamama. Good night, Chinni.

Shhh. Sleep now.