Agniya Barto
Sveta thinks

The sun has risen, the garden glistens,
The dewdrops arc fire-bright.
Sveta, one of Nikita’s sisters,
Thinks, in a sudden fright:

“What if, from his pram, he sees all we do?
Look, the curtains are blowing wide!
What if he’s lying there, gazing through
At all that goes on outside?..

If we climb the fence or leave out a book
Or over the flower beds trample —
Our Baby Brother may take a look
And follow his sister’s example!”

So Sveta said sternly: “Listen, you!
If you saw us quarrelling yesterday
You are not to do as your sisters do
When you grow up to be a big boy.”

Translated by Avril Pyman