Agniya Barto
Spot the watch-dog

I’m tired of this loafing
    and loitering, chum;
A watch-dog is what
    I should like to become.

I’ve seen an advertisement
    out in the yard:
A watch-dog is wanted
    a garden to guard.

I’m a brave little puppy,
    you know me all right.
If a cat comes my way,
    she is in for a bite.

I can bark rather loud,
    I can growl without end,
I can tell who’s a stranger
    and who is a friend.

All the kittens in town
    are afraid of brave Spot.
Now, please tell me the truth:
    is the job mine or not?

Translated by Dorian Rottenberg