I

Little donkey on the beach,
You’re the one I want to reach.
If I meet you on the sand,
May I pat you with my hand?

Other children just like me
Come by you just to see
Donkeys going, to and fro;
It’s the only life they know.

If I’m lucky, I’ll get to ride;
Then, behind me, you might stride.
If your mama carries me,
Then so happy I will be.

A colourful blanket you do wear,
Just like the ribbons in my hair.
When my ride comes to an end,
A kiss, to you, I will send.

When I have children of my own,
I’ll tell of donkeys I have known,
And how I rode by the sea in the sun;
Then, we’ll go to the beach for fun.

II

Spring is coming; it won’t be long;
Then I’ll sing a happy song.
I’ll be happy to see you again,
My “first” little donkey friend.

It was months ago, way last fall;
You weren’t very tall at all.
All winter long, I thought of you;
I hope you didn’t catch the flu.

Hope your bed was soft and warm;
You were safe and kept from harm;
That you had enough to eat,
And, sometimes, even got a treat.

I wonder if you’ll remember me,
The next time we meet by the sea.
Will you be big enough to ride?
Will you still be at mama’s side?

I’ll look for you, first chance I get,
Because you’re my favourite pet.
I’ll bring mum and dad, by you,
And all my friends, old and new.

III

Little donkey, how are you?
On rainy days, what do you do?
Must you stay inside, like me,
Or do you run wild and free?

When you’re here, next to me,
Is there some place you’d rather be?
I bet you would rather play
In a field of fresh mowed hay.

What do you dream of late at night?
Do you dream of daisies, yellow and white?
Do you have nightmares when you’re in bed,
Then cry until your eyes turn red?

Do you have friends with whom to play?
Will you celebrate your birthday?
I hope you’re happy, whatever you do.
You make me smile, when I’m with you.

IV

Little donkey, when will you arrive?
Do you know, I just turned five?
We’re going to the sea in July;
Now I want the days to fly.

Because, you see, it’s only May…
July seems just “too” far away.
I hope the time goes really fast,
So I can be near you, at last.

Does the time pass slow for you?
Do you have fun things to do?
What do you do to keep busy?
My new friend’s name is Lizzy.

I wonder when you’ll come to the sea;
When you do, will you wait for me?
I hope I can bring my friend with me;
She’ll love you, too; you will see.

We might stay a week by you.
I know there will be loads to do.
We’ll build sandcastles in the sun.
We’ll swim and play, and laugh and run.

I’m real busy now, so I’ve got to go…
First to the park and, then, the zoo.
If I keep busy the next few weeks,
It won’t be long ‘till I’m next to you.

V

Little donkey, I’m glad we met
You’re the cutest one I’ve seen yet.
Do you love me, like I love you?
I like your blanket ‘cause it’s blue.

When you’re grown, how big will you be?
Do you like it, here, by the sea?
When your mum’s away from you,
Does it make you feel blue?

Is your dad here with you, too,
Or is it just your mum and you?
I wonder whom you look most like?
You’re such an adorable tyke.

How far from here do you stay?
Is it a long ways away?
Does someone kind take care of you?
Do they love you like I do?

I wish you belonged to me;
Oh, how happy we could be.
I’d give you treats every day;
With me, you would want to stay.

My wish might not come true,
‘Cause I live far away from you.
I only come here, now and then;
Then, I have to leave again.

My family comes here for a holiday.
We swim in the sea each day.
The time we spend goes by fast;
Before long, our fun has passed.

When we go, I’ll say good-bye;
I’ll try my best not to cry.
We might come back, again, next year
So, I shouldn’t shed a tear.

I’ll remember you in my prayers,
Each night after I climb the stairs.
I’ll say a prayer for you each night,
Because you give me such delight.