A bird

The breeze is blowing, The trees are swaying, How would it be Flying in this weather!

How would it be Having so many feathers!

I wish I could be a bird Flying freely so high; But not a crow, Because crows are shy.

I wish I could sit on poles But not the ones which have holes!

F. Aslam, 8 years, Lahore

 My friend

I have a friend, When I feel lonely and sad, I miss my friend a lot, She is very smart, And has a kind heart, She is a sincere friend, She cheers me up when I am sad, She is the one who helps me, All I want to say is that I love her and she loves me too!

Humera Mahar, 14 years, Daharki

My farmhouse

My farmhouse is very far, We often go there by car, My farmhouse is the best, We go there to have some rest, It has a big swimming pool, That is why we feel so cool.

It has beautiful flowers and trees, We also enjoy the cool breeze, We are planning to keep there some pets, But there are already so many cats.

Saad Yousuf Bilal, 8 years, Karachi

My dream

It is my birthday party When I became eleven years old; My grandmother gave me A locket of gold; My aunt gave me a beautiful doll, My uncle gave me a warm shawl, My father gave me a birthday cake, My mother then said, “Yusra, please get up.”

I got to know, it was all a dream But it was happiness’ beam!

Yusra Waseem, 11 years, Islamabad

Fear gripped me!

It was late at night, When a movement caught my sight.

Was there a sound behind the curtain?

That made me totally uncertain!

Did someone just close the door?

Footprints were observed on the floor.

Did I hear a strange sound?

What was going around?

Exhaustion was in the room, Or was I lost in gloom?

Oh, that was creeping me out!

At this, I wanted to shout!

Ominous was the day, And this is all I had to say!

Faruk Ahmad, 13 years, Karachi

After the rain

The rain has ended, But the breeze is blowing, The leaves are sparkling With raindrops glowing; The children gather and ask Mrs Jim, “Can we go out and play with Tim?”

“Of course!” says Mrs Jim.

“You may go out and play with Tim, But come back before dark, And don’t go to the park.”

The children skip, hop and run.

While Mrs Jim sits under the sun.

Slowly it gets darker and colder, And Mrs Jim shouts louder and louder, “Have you forgotten to return before dark!

And did you go to the park?”

“Sorry Mrs Jim,” the children say, And enter the house and go to bed.

Faizan Aslam Soofi, 8 years, Lahore

Hard work

Pause before you speak, You will make it through the league, Don’t stop until you get there, Be sure you bring some dare, Climb a tree up and down, Be sure you don’t get a frown, Go through a mine, Until you shine!

This is how hard work is done, But don’t forget to have some fun.

Hiba Ahmed, 8 years, Karachi