Mrs Penguin called her young:
     "It’s time for school today,
And I will tell you what you’ll learn,
     So come down to the bay."

​

"Fishing, diving, swimming fast!
     Come on, you lazy lot.
Oh no, you can’t stay on those rocks.
     The day is much too hot."

​

When Penguin One first saw the sea
      He gasped with all his might.
The thought of swimming in that sea 
      Gave him an awful fright.      

​

"Oh come on Mum," he loudly cried.
     "That sea’s too big for us.
Before you throw your babies in,
     Is there something to discuss?"

​

Young Penguin Two just ran away
     And hid behind a rock.
The vastness of that great big sea
     Was too much of a shock.

​

But Penguin Three was feeling brave.
     He'd leap without a thought.
Instinct would teach him everything; 
     He’d no need to be taught.

​

"Mum’s lesson’s not for me," he said.
      "It’s easy peasy, see!
There's none of you, I feel quite sure,
     Will swim as well as me."

​

But, stupid bird, who knew it all –
     Who needed no advice:
A dreadful thing occurred that day
     For which he paid the price.

​

Beneath the waves, a leopard seal
     Had waited all day long.
He knew that Mother Penguin would
     Bring her three young along.

​

As Penguin Three leapt in the sea,
    The seal wasted no time:
A tasty meal had come his way:
    A penguin in his prime.

​

With one quick snap poor Penguin Three
     Was gone, and no mistake.
The seal, of course, felt just like you,
      When you’ve enjoyed a cake!

​

If Penguin Three had heeded mum
    And learnt from her, I feel,
He’d still be here, enjoying life,
    And not lunch for a seal.

​

​Copyright on all my poems​