Samuil Marshak
The trumpet and the drum

Once there was a kettle-drum,
Rumble-bumble y rum-tum-tum.
One day he shook his empty head
And to his friend the trumpet said:

“Dear trumpet, you’re a lucky soul.
Your life is full of bliss:
Whoever wants to play on you
Must start off with a kiss.

And me, you can’t imagine, dear.
The sorry plight I’m in.
My drummer beats me with his sticks,
My skin is all worn thin.”

“Yes,” said the trumpet to the drum,
“My life is bright, and yours is glum
Although we’re carried side-by-side
When down the street the bandsmen stride.

“And yet it’s you that got yourself
In such a dreadful fix:
I’ve never seen you set to work
Until you’re thrashed with sticks!”

Translated by Dorian Rottenberg