Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Why Would an Extraterrestrial Love Nursery Rhymes?

Ana loves nursery rhymes. She knows nursery rhymes in at least six languages we know of, including her native language, Luvit.




Here is one of her favorites in English, which she learned from her husband's grandmother. Like many such rhymes, it contains a cautionary theme about the relation between parents and children. This one ends on an uncertain note--is the smell real? Her husband pointed out that "to smell a rat" is an English idiom, and it may mean the mama cat suspects that the washing of the mittens might be a ploy by her kittens for second reward.

Idioms are hard to learn in a foreign language, but Ana learned quite a few right along with her toddlers. Nursery rhymes make a nice, simple introduction to poetry as well, and even to literary criticism!



Three little kittens, they lost their mittens,

And they began to cry,

Oh, mother dear, we sadly fear

That we have lost our mittens.

What! Lost your mittens, you naughty kittens!

Then you shall have no pie.

Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.

You shall have no pie.



The three little kittens, they found their mittens,

And they began to cry,

Oh, mother dear, see here, see here,

Our mittens we have found.

Put on your mittens, you silly kittens,

And you shall have some pie.

Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r,

Oh, let us have some pie.



The three little kittens, put on their mittens,

And soon ate up the pie;

Oh, mother dear, we greatly fear

That we have soiled our mittens

What! Soiled your mittens, you naughty kittens!

Then they began to sigh,

Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.

They began to sigh.



The three little kittens, they washed their mittens,

And hung them out to dry;

Oh! mother dear, do you not hear

That we have washed our mittens?

What! Washed your mittens, then you’re such good kittens.

But I smell a rat close by

Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.

We smell a rat close by.


    




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