DIAMOND, the mouse in my pocket

In the country of South Africa If you go there one day Lives a girl named Karabo Who like you, loves to play!

She likes dancing and singing But her favorite game yet Is imagining the day she might have her own pet!

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“Precious Child, a dog needs food for his coat to stay shiny We have little ourselves and our shack is too tiny!

You are my most precious and I’m on your side, But if we have a pet, we’ll be living outside!

“I know,” Karabo smiles, “Maybe someday. I know.”

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Mother works sewing fabrics for

tourists who pay.

And when her work is finished it gets sent far away.

But at night she keeps thinking, ‘There just must be a way.’

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As Karabo sleeps

Mother starts sewing a blouse.

But instead, when she’s finished, she’s crocheted a mouse!

A pet that fits perfectly inside their house!

“I love her,” Karabo cries. “I’ll name her Drew.

And now mighty Drew, what will we do?”

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With the mouse in her pocket she

shows off her pet The tiniest, pet all her friends ever met!

A pet every friend wishes they too could get.

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Soon Karabo asked her mother,

“Could you please make one more?

Mother smiles and made one mouse Then one more and one more.

Until there were mice for each friend And stacks more to the door!

With not a peephole or pocket or inch left to hide “I’m afraid, Mother said, we must now live outside!

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Karabo called each mouse,

“My Diamond” And mother loved each one so.

But the big rains were coming.

And the mice had to go.

There must be a way,” Karabo said, “I just know.”

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Then she dreamed and imagined

And imagined and thought: And asked, “Mother, can we send one with the clothes to your tourists who bought?

Mother feared, “they may not be happy to find such a surprise.”

“Please,” Karabo asked.

(With her pretty please eyes.)

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When the package arrived tourists said, “This is nice.

But we don’t want one mouse We’d love all of your mice!!

And that’s why today there’s a mouse in your pocket.

A pet to carry A friend just to rock it!

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From a girl named Karabo Who imagines the day She will travel and meet you.

In your land far away.

Now that you have your mouse, too What will you two do?

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