Re: Quiet Day - sharing a story

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

That was wonderful! Glad to hear you are having a quiet day. I will have to

post something some time

!

( ) Quiet Day - sharing a story

Hi all,

Things are quiet on the board today so I thought I'd share one of my

rhyming poems with you. Hope it makes you smile!

Kathy

BEAST FEAST

by: Kathy Winters

There's a legend I've heard about all the world's beasts

And events that occurred at their annual feast.

In attendance were many magnificent creatures

Whose talk somehow turned to their physical features.

Would've loved to be there - must've been quite a sight.

It began when Miss Elephant muttered that night,

" I hate all the gray in this old, wrinkled skin,

And, just for one day, I would love to be thin! "

Giraffe said, " Gee, Ely, you sing a sad song,

Would you want to be thin if your neck was this long?

My head is so far from my shoulders, you see,

That you strain your own neck just to look up at me.

You practically have to bend it in half. "

Hyena cut in, " But ya have a nice laugh.

Mine is so loud that it sounds like a scream,

Resulting in quite an embarrassing scene. "

Zebra piped up, " Those are all petty gripes.

At least you don't have my ridiculous stripes!

For these stripes are so big and so bright and so stark -

I've been told more than once that I glow in the dark! "

Orangutan mumbled " I don't like my hair. "

" My teeth are too big, " grumbled old Grizzly Bear.

" I'm stuck in this tux and I walk like a duck, "

Mrs. Penguin complained to a big handsome buck.

" My antlers are skinny. They look more like sticks.

As if that weren't enough, I'm infested with tics, "

Moaned the buck to an ox who was trying to dance -

An endeavor for which he stood nary a chance.

" I'm too clumsy, " groaned Ox, as the band played The Twist.

" Sure wish I had legsss, " a young rattlesnake hissed.

Well, that crowd got so loud that an old chimpanzee

Had to shout to be heard as he swung from a tree.

" What's all this fuss over hair, legs and skin -

Over being too fat or being too thin,

Over being too tall or too small or too loud? "

A stunned, awkward silence fell over the crowd.

" Ely, you say you're gray, wrinkled and fat,

But when I think of you, I do not think of that.

I think of a friend who is loyal and true.

That's what I think of when I think of you.

Giraffe, we can see that your neck is real long,

But to use that to measure your worth would be wrong.

For the size of your heart has surpassed every test.

Ask the fallen young birds you've returned to their nests.

I know many a grateful bird mother, my dear,

That blesses your neck every day of the year.

Now Zebra, we see that your stripes are quite loud.

But hold your head high, my friend, and be proud.

For, your stripes may be bold -and they're certainly bright -

But your big happy grin is a radiant sight.

Hyena, your laugh is a scream. That's okay,

`Cause you cheer us all up on the gloomiest day.

All your stories and jokes - for goodness sake -

Leave us laughing so hard that our bellies ache.

Mrs. Penguin, your walk gets you here - gets you there,

And your teeth fit your mouth, Mr. Grizzly Bear!

I could go on all evening addressing each whine

But the simple fact is YOU'RE ALL PERFECTLY FINE! "

In the light of the moon on that crystal clear night

You could hear a hushed whisper, " Hey maybe he's right. "

" Friends, " Chimp continued, " I find it quite strange,

That you focus on features you never can change.

If you must judge yourselves, choose a new point of view.

Look instead at the things that you say and you do.

Don't dwell on your looks, for that's not who you are.

You're much greater than that. Oh, much greater by far.

Taking pride in your bodies is prudent and smart,

But true beauty's revealed when it shines from your heart.

Now let's stop the moaning, the groaning and whining

And do what we're here for - let's get down to dining! "

Well, that's just what they did - or so I have heard -

And from that night to this there's been hardly a word

Of complaint about looks from a single wild beast

That was present that night at the annual feast.

When they're judging their worth at the end of the day,

Now they look at their deeds - what they do, what they say.

And, the legend concludes with a message for you:

They say that's exactly what YOU should do too!

The End.

[Guest guest]

> Kathy,

>

> That was wonderful! Glad to hear you are having a quiet day. I

will have to post something some time

> !

>

>

LIsa,

Thanks, glad you liked it. Yes, it was a quiet day at my home. I

was cleaning and pulling out the summer clothes for the kids - anyone

else hate that job? It's practically impossible to get my boys to

try on clothes so I can figure out what belongs in their drawers and

what belongs in the hand-me-down pile. And Lord knows, they'd both

wear clothes that are too small on them without giving it a thought!!

I was actually referring to the board being quiet today, though.

Do you write, ?

Kathy

[Guest guest]

Kathy, Truly wonderful as usual. I could actually see this one as a childrens

book as I read it. And yes it also put a smile on my face. Thanks for the

uplifting! Barbara

Kathy Winters <rwinters@...> wrote:Hi all,

Things are quiet on the board today so I thought I'd share one of my

rhyming poems with you. Hope it makes you smile!

Kathy

BEAST FEAST

by: Kathy Winters

There's a legend I've heard about all the world's beasts

And events that occurred at their annual feast.

In attendance were many magnificent creatures

Whose talk somehow turned to their physical features.

Would've loved to be there – must've been quite a sight.

It began when Miss Elephant muttered that night,

" I hate all the gray in this old, wrinkled skin,

And, just for one day, I would love to be thin! "

Giraffe said, " Gee, Ely, you sing a sad song,

Would you want to be thin if your neck was this long?

My head is so far from my shoulders, you see,

That you strain your own neck just to look up at me.

You practically have to bend it in half… "

Hyena cut in, " But ya have a nice laugh.

Mine is so loud that it sounds like a scream,

Resulting in quite an embarrassing scene. "

Zebra piped up, " Those are all petty gripes.

At least you don't have my ridiculous stripes!

For these stripes are so big and so bright and so stark -

I've been told more than once that I glow in the dark! "

Orangutan mumbled " I don't like my hair. "

" My teeth are too big, " grumbled old Grizzly Bear.

" I'm stuck in this tux and I walk like a duck, "

Mrs. Penguin complained to a big handsome buck.

" My antlers are skinny. They look more like sticks.

As if that weren't enough, I'm infested with tics, "

Moaned the buck to an ox who was trying to dance –

An endeavor for which he stood nary a chance.

" I'm too clumsy, " groaned Ox, as the band played The Twist.

" Sure wish I had legsss, " a young rattlesnake hissed.

Well, that crowd got so loud that an old chimpanzee

Had to shout to be heard as he swung from a tree.

" What's all this fuss over hair, legs and skin -

Over being too fat or being too thin,

Over being too tall or too small or too loud? "

A stunned, awkward silence fell over the crowd.

" Ely, you say you're gray, wrinkled and fat,

But when I think of you, I do not think of that.

I think of a friend who is loyal and true.

That's what I think of when I think of you.

Giraffe, we can see that your neck is real long,

But to use that to measure your worth would be wrong.

For the size of your heart has surpassed every test.

Ask the fallen young birds you've returned to their nests.

I know many a grateful bird mother, my dear,

That blesses your neck every day of the year.

Now Zebra, we see that your stripes are quite loud.

But hold your head high, my friend, and be proud.

For, your stripes may be bold -and they're certainly bright -

But your big happy grin is a radiant sight.

Hyena, your laugh is a scream. That's okay,

`Cause you cheer us all up on the gloomiest day.

All your stories and jokes - for goodness sake -

Leave us laughing so hard that our bellies ache.

Mrs. Penguin, your walk gets you here – gets you there,

And your teeth fit your mouth, Mr. Grizzly Bear!

I could go on all evening addressing each whine

But the simple fact is YOU'RE ALL PERFECTLY FINE! "

In the light of the moon on that crystal clear night

You could hear a hushed whisper, " Hey maybe he's right. "

" Friends, " Chimp continued, " I find it quite strange,

That you focus on features you never can change.

If you must judge yourselves, choose a new point of view.

Look instead at the things that you say and you do.

Don't dwell on your looks, for that's not who you are.

You're much greater than that. Oh, much greater by far.

Taking pride in your bodies is prudent and smart,

But true beauty's revealed when it shines from your heart.

Now let's stop the moaning, the groaning and whining

And do what we're here for – let's get down to dining! "

Well, that's just what they did - or so I have heard -

And from that night to this there's been hardly a word

Of complaint about looks from a single wild beast

That was present that night at the annual feast.

When they're judging their worth at the end of the day,

Now they look at their deeds – what they do, what they say.

And, the legend concludes with a message for you:

They say that's exactly what YOU should do too!

The End.

[Guest guest]

That is absolutely WONDERFUL Kathy!! Have you had any of your worked

published? I can envision this as the most beautiful oversized children's

book.

Thanks for sharing.

Kellogg

Raising happy and healthy children while working from home!

http://tkellogg.themomteam.com

tkellogg@...

( ) Quiet Day - sharing a story

> Hi all,

> Things are quiet on the board today so I thought I'd share one of my

> rhyming poems with you. Hope it makes you smile!

>

> Kathy

>

> BEAST FEAST

> by: Kathy Winters

> There's a legend I've heard about all the world's beasts

> And events that occurred at their annual feast.

> In attendance were many magnificent creatures

> Whose talk somehow turned to their physical features.

> Would've loved to be there - must've been quite a sight.

> It began when Miss Elephant muttered that night,

> " I hate all the gray in this old, wrinkled skin,

> And, just for one day, I would love to be thin! "

> Giraffe said, " Gee, Ely, you sing a sad song,

> Would you want to be thin if your neck was this long?

> My head is so far from my shoulders, you see,

> That you strain your own neck just to look up at me.

> You practically have to bend it in half. "

> Hyena cut in, " But ya have a nice laugh.

> Mine is so loud that it sounds like a scream,

> Resulting in quite an embarrassing scene. "

> Zebra piped up, " Those are all petty gripes.

> At least you don't have my ridiculous stripes!

> For these stripes are so big and so bright and so stark -

> I've been told more than once that I glow in the dark! "

> Orangutan mumbled " I don't like my hair. "

> " My teeth are too big, " grumbled old Grizzly Bear.

> " I'm stuck in this tux and I walk like a duck, "

> Mrs. Penguin complained to a big handsome buck.

> " My antlers are skinny. They look more like sticks.

> As if that weren't enough, I'm infested with tics, "

> Moaned the buck to an ox who was trying to dance -

> An endeavor for which he stood nary a chance.

> " I'm too clumsy, " groaned Ox, as the band played The Twist.

> " Sure wish I had legsss, " a young rattlesnake hissed.

> Well, that crowd got so loud that an old chimpanzee

> Had to shout to be heard as he swung from a tree.

> " What's all this fuss over hair, legs and skin -

> Over being too fat or being too thin,

> Over being too tall or too small or too loud? "

> A stunned, awkward silence fell over the crowd.

> " Ely, you say you're gray, wrinkled and fat,

> But when I think of you, I do not think of that.

> I think of a friend who is loyal and true.

> That's what I think of when I think of you.

> Giraffe, we can see that your neck is real long,

> But to use that to measure your worth would be wrong.

> For the size of your heart has surpassed every test.

> Ask the fallen young birds you've returned to their nests.

> I know many a grateful bird mother, my dear,

> That blesses your neck every day of the year.

> Now Zebra, we see that your stripes are quite loud.

> But hold your head high, my friend, and be proud.

> For, your stripes may be bold -and they're certainly bright -

> But your big happy grin is a radiant sight.

> Hyena, your laugh is a scream. That's okay,

> `Cause you cheer us all up on the gloomiest day.

> All your stories and jokes - for goodness sake -

> Leave us laughing so hard that our bellies ache.

> Mrs. Penguin, your walk gets you here - gets you there,

> And your teeth fit your mouth, Mr. Grizzly Bear!

> I could go on all evening addressing each whine

> But the simple fact is YOU'RE ALL PERFECTLY FINE! "

> In the light of the moon on that crystal clear night

> You could hear a hushed whisper, " Hey maybe he's right. "

> " Friends, " Chimp continued, " I find it quite strange,

> That you focus on features you never can change.

> If you must judge yourselves, choose a new point of view.

> Look instead at the things that you say and you do.

> Don't dwell on your looks, for that's not who you are.

> You're much greater than that. Oh, much greater by far.

> Taking pride in your bodies is prudent and smart,

> But true beauty's revealed when it shines from your heart.

> Now let's stop the moaning, the groaning and whining

> And do what we're here for - let's get down to dining! "

> Well, that's just what they did - or so I have heard -

> And from that night to this there's been hardly a word

> Of complaint about looks from a single wild beast

> That was present that night at the annual feast.

> When they're judging their worth at the end of the day,

> Now they look at their deeds - what they do, what they say.

> And, the legend concludes with a message for you:

> They say that's exactly what YOU should do too!

> The End.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Yes I actually write. I have written quite a few about or even

depending on my mood that day. I have quite alot of them on

www.poetry.com.

What you do is type in my last name gattone, and then lisa and it usually brings

up my work.

Re: ( ) Quiet Day - sharing a story

> Kathy,

>

> That was wonderful! Glad to hear you are having a quiet day. I

will have to post something some time

> !

>

>

LIsa,

Thanks, glad you liked it. Yes, it was a quiet day at my home. I

was cleaning and pulling out the summer clothes for the kids - anyone

else hate that job? It's practically impossible to get my boys to

try on clothes so I can figure out what belongs in their drawers and

what belongs in the hand-me-down pile. And Lord knows, they'd both

wear clothes that are too small on them without giving it a thought!!

I was actually referring to the board being quiet today, though.

Do you write, ?

Kathy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/29/2003 6:56:39 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

rwinters@... writes:

> I've published a couple essays and poems. I haven't yet been able to

> break into the children's book market. Glad you liked it.

>

Kathy,

Loved your poem! I had a vision of it being in a book similiar to Wait, the

Elephant's going to sneeze! (the title may not be exact....sleep deprived

still) but its very animated and the prose is obviously not as good as yours,

but it reminded me of the book. Have you read that one? I think publisher's

would be insane not to do it! Do you have an illustrator?

Good Luck,

Johanna

[Guest guest]

> That is absolutely WONDERFUL Kathy!! Have you had any of your

worked

> published? I can envision this as the most beautiful oversized

children's

> book.

> Thanks for sharing.

> Kellogg

,

I've published a couple essays and poems. I haven't yet been able to

break into the children's book market. Glad you liked it.

Kathy

[Guest guest]

> In a message dated 4/29/2003 6:56:39 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

> rwinters@b... writes:

>

> > I've published a couple essays and poems. I haven't yet been

able to

> > break into the children's book market. Glad you liked it.

> >

>

> Kathy,

> Loved your poem! I had a vision of it being in a book similiar to

Wait, the

> Elephant's going to sneeze! (the title may not be exact....sleep

deprived

> still) but its very animated and the prose is obviously not as good

as yours,

> but it reminded me of the book. Have you read that one? I think

publisher's

> would be insane not to do it! Do you have an illustrator?

> Good Luck,

> Johanna

Johanna,

Thanks. Glad you like it. And there are lots of " insane " publishers

out there. LOL! No, I don't have an illustrator. I've read that

publishers prefer that you not send illustrations unless you are the

writer AND illustrator. They say that if they like the story, they

prefer to get their own illustrator.

Kathy

[Guest guest]

> Kathy, Kathy, KAthy.....

>

>

> ok, you know what I am going to say: wonderful!!!

> what's new ????? >-)

>

> now, please permit me to pass this one to three English teachers ,

friends

> of mine, I think they will be more than happy to teach the poem to

their ESL

> classes!! let me know. my children loved it. Would you let me use

it in my

> guided imagery with children ?

> Fania

> p.s. hey, that will make you famous in Israel!!!!!!!!!!

Fania, Fania, Fania... (LOL!)

Yes, of course you can share it with the English teachers and in the

guided imagery with children. I'll take that fame anywhere I can get

it! I'm glad you liked it. It was a work in progress for several

years. I really enjoyed writing it. And I do love the

message...even if I DO say so myself!!

Kathy

[Guest guest]

Kathy, Kathy, KAthy.....

ok, you know what I am going to say: wonderful!!!

what's new ????? >-)

now, please permit me to pass this one to three English teachers , friends

of mine, I think they will be more than happy to teach the poem to their ESL

classes!! let me know. my children loved it. Would you let me use it in my

guided imagery with children ?

Fania

p.s. hey, that will make you famous in Israel!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest guest]

thank you, and say it loudly ! :-)

Fania

Re: ( ) Quiet Day - sharing a story

>

> > Kathy, Kathy, KAthy.....

> >

> >

> > ok, you know what I am going to say: wonderful!!!

> > what's new ????? >-)

> >

> > now, please permit me to pass this one to three English teachers ,

> friends

> > of mine, I think they will be more than happy to teach the poem to

> their ESL

> > classes!! let me know. my children loved it. Would you let me use

> it in my

> > guided imagery with children ?

> > Fania

> > p.s. hey, that will make you famous in Israel!!!!!!!!!!

>

> Fania, Fania, Fania... (LOL!)

>

> Yes, of course you can share it with the English teachers and in the

> guided imagery with children. I'll take that fame anywhere I can get

> it! I'm glad you liked it. It was a work in progress for several

> years. I really enjoyed writing it. And I do love the

> message...even if I DO say so myself!!

>

> Kathy

>

>

>

>