Hullo, there Baburam – what have you got in there?
Snakes? Aha – and do you think there’s one that youcould spare You know,
I’d love to have one, but let me tell you this–
The ones that bite aren’t right for me – nor the onesthat hiss.
I’d also skip the ones that butt As well the ones that whistle Or the ones that slink about
Or show their fangs, or bristle.
As for eating habits, I think it would be nice
To go for ones that only take a meal of milk and rice.
I’m sure you know the kind of snake that want fromwhat I’ve said,
Do let me have one, Baburam, so I could bash itshead.
-Sukumar Ray
[Original: 'Baburam Shapure' (Bengali),
Translated by: Satyajit Ray (the able son of Sukumar Roy)]