Benji the Rhino Calf - By Lisa Karantonis

Written By: Lisa Karantonis

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the enchanting poem "Benji the Rhino Calf," Lisa Karantonis beautifully captures the essence of friendship and survival amidst the majestic backdrop of the African wilderness. Featured in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this delightful piece invites readers into the world of a young rhino calf navigating the challenges of life away from his family. Through vivid imagery and a rhythmic narrative, Karantonis brings to life the vibrant tapestry of the animal kingdom, where danger and camaraderie coexist.

About the Work

Lisa Karantonis's "Benji the Rhino Calf" embodies a heartwarming narrative that combines elements of adventure and caution. With a focus on the innocence and bravery of a young rhino, the poem explores themes of trust, family, and the natural world's perils. The vivid imagery of African wildlife and the poetic structure enhance the reader's emotional journey, making it a compelling read. The playful yet poignant tone underscores the universal message of finding one's place in a sometimes hostile world.

Benji the Rhino Calf

Original Submission by Lisa Karantonis

Benji the Rhino Calf - Lisa Karantonis

On a crisp Spring morning, after a night so long

Over the horizon the sun started to peep

The garrulous robins were singing their song

While the willows continued to weep

The animals of Africa welcomed the morning

For the full moon turned night into day

The owl hooted loudly, a wise urgent warning

Of the poachers who were seeking their prey

Benji the rhino calf, almost five whole weeks old

Squinted his eyes up towards the sun

With a spring in his step as the sun chased the cold He chased his shadow for some fun

Worn out from the effort, he gave a loud snort

Then frightened he looked left and right

He had wandered off far, further than he thought

His parents were nowhere in sight

He called and he called, he walked then he ran

Only answered by the Grey Go Away Bird

Benji was tired but he needed a plan

Then a kind voice behind him he heard

“Are you lost, Little One?” the kind voice repeated “I am!” Benji said with a shiver

“Don’t be scared”, “We won’t hurt you”, “Don’t look so defeated” Came more voices, this time from the river

He remembered the words of Mama, his teacher

“You must never believe any stranger!”

“They might want to hurt you, don’t trust any creature!” “And human beings always spell DANGER!”

Slowly young Benji approached the kind voices

While watching more strange heads appear

Were these human beings who made rather bad choices The creatures Mama spoke of with fear?

Pretending to be tough, he cleared his voice and then said, “Hi, I am Benji, a brave Rhino calf!”

“Are you perhaps a stranger or a human being instead?” To which the creatures all started to laugh

Embarrassed and confused, young Benji fell silent As the loud laughter came to an end

“We’re hippos,” said one, “And we’re certainly not violent” “Oh please can we be your good friend?”

Young Benji, delighted, dived in with a splash Happy to not be alone

Feeling no fear he was knee deep in a flash

Surrounded by friends far from home

“Welcome, dear Benji,” said a rather large cow As her body came out of the water

“You may be a rhino, but you’re our family now” Came the voice of the hippo’s sweet daughter

Weeks turned to months and Benji still wallowed In a river amongst all the others

When his hippo mum grazed, the rhino calf followed With his friendly new sisters and brothers

Then one summer’s morning his stepmom exclaimed While looking a bit worried and forlorn

“The full moon tonight means danger” she explained While looking at Benji’s new horn

“I have an idea” shouted Vubu his friend

While Benji the rhino felt nervous

“Let’s disguise Benji’s horn, so we can pretend It’s a branch sticking out of the surface”

“Yay,” they exclaimed, with loud shouts of glee “How clever you are” they all cheered

Then they gathered paint from every flower and tree To save Benji from poachers they so feared

Before the sun set and the moon showed his face Benji’s horn was a true piece of art

When the nightjar started singing, they all took their place While feeling the loud beat of their heart

The eagle owl hooted when the man with his gun Used the full moon to show him the way

He was looking for rhinos but at the river he saw none Only hippos that were covered in clay

When the bad man had gone, Benji shouted, “Hooray” So grateful that his friend was so wise

“Well done, Clever Vubu, you have saved the day” They cheered as the sun starts to rise

They splashed and they jumped while having a ball They wrestled and played every game

Then suddenly Benji heard the Go Away Bird call And in the distance, someone calling his name

Benji whizzed round ready to put up a fight

And chase off the strangers who were bad

When his eyes came to focus in the glaring bright light He saw the faces of his mom and his dad

“Benji” mom called, “My son, is that you?”

Benji waded with all of his might

“We’ve found you, my boy, can it really be true?” They wept as they hugged each other tight

The hippos grew quiet, as they watched the whole scene Happy for Benji their friend

But they knew what this meant and they weren’t very keen For their time with young Benji to end

As they greeted each other with tears in their eyes Vubu shouted to young Benji’s father

“I have a plan, there’s no need for goodbyes

Don’t go, why don’t you all stay here rather “

“Oh please!” shouted Benji, “Father, Vubu is right The hippos are the only family I know

When they paint our horns, on a full moon night The poachers will never find a rhino”

Father looked at mom and then to the others

While the Go Away Bird fell quiet

Father then smiled at Benji’s new sisters and brothers Then shouted with joy, “Why not, let’s try it!”

In no time at all, they were covered in mud

Wallowing and splashing with glee

And with each new spring when flowers were in bud The rhinos and hippos lived as one big, muddy, happy family

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar serves as a prestigious platform for writers and poets worldwide to showcase their creativity and literary prowess. Celebrating diverse voices and innovative storytelling, this competition encourages participants to explore various themes and styles, promoting the art of written expression. It is an opportunity for emerging and established writers alike to share their unique perspectives with an international audience.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Lisa Karantonis for her enchanting contribution, "Benji the Rhino Calf," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Through her poetic lens, she has offered a beautiful exploration of the bonds formed in the animal kingdom. We appreciate her sharing this delightful narrative and look forward to her future literary endeavors.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.