Hetty the heffalump plodded along but kept tripping over her trunk
She’d get up and dust herself off, but these trips had her in a funk
She was supposed to be a heffalump, trunk swinging freely all day
Why did she feel like the only one with a trunk that got in the way?
Hetty went to the wise one, a heffa whose name was Betty
(a shaggy coat and dark pools for eyes gave Betty a resemblance to a yeti)
“What can I do about my long trunk?
It keeps getting caught in my feet
I trip over myself and go flying.
A clumsier heffa you’ll never meet!”
Betty looked at Hetty. Drank her into her eyes
Hetty felt she was finding an answer that was at once both profound and wise
Then she snorted in good-humoured laughter
Her shoulders heaving with heavy guffaws
“You’re a funny young heffa,” she told her, when she’d found the breath to pause
“Do you think you’re the only heffalump to ever trip over their trunk?
When I was a calf I tripped so much I might as well have been drunk
But these tumbles make you stronger
They show you the power to rise is in you
Without falling and getting back up you’d miss the chance to grow anew
My calfhood was a disaster, adolescence not far behind
But I matured into the heffa you see,”
and Hetty saw she was strong and kind
Bolstered she thanked her and turned away. Betty called out,
“One more tip! We never stop falling completely, the trick’s in enjoying the trip.”
Thanks for joining me for another Sunday rhyme time, hope you enjoyed your trip with Hetty and Betty, and all the other trips we’ve had together this year. I wish you all a lovely December. Catch up with you in January.
Rae Cod’s Writing 
Ah heffalulmps…took me right back to beloved Winnie the Pooh days, reading those books to my children.
I especially loved this bit of your writing:
“Betty looked at Hetty. Drank her into her eyes
Hetty felt she was finding an answer that was at once both profound and wise”
I love the image of Betty drinking Hetty in, and the idea that when we are truly seen by another, we seem to find our answers.
And of course your conclusion that we never stop falling “and the trick’s in enjoying the trip.” Fun pun, good message.
I have 2 grown daughters. One of them thinks it’s hysterically funny whenever someone falls down (if they are not hurt). I tripped and fell once when I was out with them. That daughter laughed delightedly (I wasn’t hurt..just embarrassed). My other daughter rushed to my side, concerned that I might have been hurt. I loved both of their reactions. You’ve captured this in your poem, I think… Betty was warm and kind and caring. But there is cause for laughter too and to “lighten up” about our trips and falls through life.
Thanks, my friend, for a great message and lovely story to carry me thru my day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’ve got to love a heffalump! I think that’s my favourite line too & I’m glad the message gets across but I’m a fun way.
That story about your daughters is brilliant, I think you’re either one way or the other when people fall aren’t you but as you say, both responses are valid (& help mitigate the embarrassment!) Have a lovely Sunday 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is adorable and has a great message. I love those last lines “the trick’s in enjoying the trip”. So so true of life, constant growth means constant mistakes/trips. I also like the play on the word trip – either falling or life’s a trip.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, you’re very kind 😊 so glad you enjoyed it, it was fun writing this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so fun, Rae! It could be a children’s book! I love your sense of humor and your lovely writing & rhyming style!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much Michelle, you’re very kind. I love the idea of making children’s books, not sure where to start but it’s on my list of things to figure out one day 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person