We Tell Our Kids Stories

By Jess Doshi

We tell our kids stories

of how the mighty elephant

wants to be colourful

to blend in with the crowd.

We tell our kids stories

of how the annoying crow

turned black because of his

own greed.

We tell our kids stories

of how the animals

wish nothing more than

to fit in.

But do you realise that

we give animals all the

qualities that we secretly

harbour?

Expressing our hurt and pain

through the lives of animals

that don't differentiate based

on colour and gender.

We teach our kids that

being black or grey

is bland and boring

but we forget to teach

them how racism still exists

and how misogyny lurks

In the corners of unnamed streets.

How do we expect to live in

a better world when

our little ones are told

all of society’s hideous rules

when they started learning

their ABC’s.

By Jess Doshi