Hide-and-seek song

Told in English, Telugu.

It was a cool evening in a little village near Rajahmundry. The sun was going down, orange and gold, and the jasmine flowers by the door were smelling sweet.

Ammamma sat on the front steps. Around her came Chinni, her big brother Ravi, and little Bunny, who was only three.

"Ammamma, let's play a game!" said Chinni.

"Shall we play hide-and-seek?" asked Ammamma, smiling. "But first, we must sing the hide-and-seek song. Can you say it with me?"

Daagudu moothalu dandaakor, pilli vachche eluka bhadram, ekkadi dongalu akkade gap chup.

"What does it mean, Ammamma?" asked Bunny.

Ammamma tapped his nose. "It means, here comes the hide-and-seek game! The cat is coming, little mouse, be careful! And all you sneaky hiders, stay right where you are, and hush, not a sound!"

Bunny put his finger on his lips. "Shhh," he whispered.

Chinni was the seeker first. She closed her eyes tight with her hands. Ammamma sang the song slowly, and while she sang, everyone ran to hide.

Ravi hid behind the big neem tree. Bunny ran inside and stood behind the blue curtain. Ammamma, laughing, crouched down behind the tall basket of mangoes.

Chinni opened her eyes. "Ready or not, the cat is coming!" she called.

She tiptoed past the tulasi plant. Tip, tip, tip. She peeped behind the cow shed. Nobody there.

Then she walked past the blue curtain. Behind it, little Bunny was trying so hard to be quiet. But the curtain tickled his nose, and out came a giggle. Hee hee hee!

Chinni pulled back the curtain. "Found you, little mouse!" she cried.

Because Bunny giggled, Chinni found him first. Bunny laughed and laughed. He did not mind one bit.

Next, Chinni saw a mango rolling across the floor. Where did it come from? From the mango basket! And behind the basket was Ammamma.

"Found you too, Ammamma!" said Chinni.

Now only Ravi was left. Ravi stayed very, very still behind the neem tree, just like the song says. Ekkadi dongalu akkade gap chup. Stay right where you are, and hush.

Chinni looked and looked. At last she called out, "I give up, Ravi! Where are you?"

Ravi jumped out, smiling. "Here I am! I stayed still and quiet, so you could not find me."

"You won!" said Bunny, clapping his little hands.

Then it was Bunny's turn to be the seeker. He covered his eyes, but he peeped a tiny bit through his fingers.

"No peeping, Bunny!" everyone laughed.

Bunny closed his eyes properly this time, and they all sang the song together once more. Can you sing it with them?

Daagudu moothalu dandaakor, pilli vachche eluka bhadram, ekkadi dongalu akkade gap chup.

They played until the stars came out and Amma called them in for warm rice and pappu. Everyone was found, everyone was happy, and the little mouse, Bunny, was so sleepy that he yawned a big yawn.

Now it is time for you to hide, too, little one. Hide under your soft blanket, close your eyes, and stay right where you are. Gap chup. Goodnight.