As Percy Penguin hit the beach he stood erect and cried:

"Has anybody seen my nest and chick?"

"It looks like," said his wife, "there's been another giant tide,

we'll have to dig him out again, and quick!"

So Percy started digging through the sand dune on the beach,

the chick was in there hungry, needing help,

his excavations frantic till he heard a tiny screech -

and there he was, all covered up in kelp!

They cleaned him, gave him food and moved the nest above the dune,

"I've had enough!" said Percy to his wife,

if we keep moving inland, we'll be in the city soon -

we need to find ourselves a better life!"

So Percy made a raft, and packed their chick and all their things,

they'd find a safe and solid rookery,

somewhere away from all the hassle coastal living brings,

they caught the tide and headed out to sea.

The first few weeks were nice and calm, the sea a greenish hue,

they drifted north, the weather getting warm,

and then one night just after dark a strong sou'wester blew,

and turned into a monster of a storm!

The raft was tossed as though a cork, white water all about,

the thunder crashed around them in the night,

poor Percy and his family could only ride it out,

he said a little prayer and held them tight.

At last the storm abated, Percy gave a thankful sob,

the sunrise turned the sky a brilliant red,

his wife and chick were both okay, the raft had done its job,

and there - a desert island - dead ahead!

They landed on the beach and looked around the yellow sand,

a cheeky monkey chattered in a tree,

just how will Percy and his wife and chick survive this land?

You'll have to come back here next week and see!

more of my ANIMAL POEMS here