Draga Teno

Dear Tena

Evo Tebi knjiga ova,nek' ju čita: tata, mama,svaku večer prije snova,da ne budeš nikad sama.U toj knjizi svašta ima:u vrtiću prava himnai cipele koje trče,dok se noću slatko hrče.I sastanak žabe vodeda se bore protiv rode,mlijeka daje bijela krava,a kokica jaja prava.Pa i maca kako spava,to je, Teno, priča prava.Ovu knjigu dajem Teni,za dug život, lijepi, sneni.Kad ju budeš pročitala,onda meni reci - hvala!Puno sreće život cijeli,to Ti autor, Teno, želi!

Here's this book for you to keep;may your dad read, and your mum,every evening, before sleep,so that loneliness won't come.This book's full up to the brim:there's a kindergarten hymn,and the shoes that run so fleet,while at night we snore so sweet.And the frogs hold a meeting sothey can fight the stork, their foe;milk comes from the cow so white,and the hen lays eggs just right.And how kitty sleeps at night:Tena, that's a tale told right!To Tena this book I give,for a long, fair, dreamy life to live.When you've read it all the way,then "Thank you!" to me you'll say!Lots of luck your whole life through:Tena, the author wishes you!

Valpovo, 16. 7. 2012.

Valpovo, July 16, 2012

Translator's note. Written in a copy of his children's book Žablji sastanak (The Frogs' Meeting), whose poems it lists: the kindergarten anthem, the running shoes, the frogs' meeting, the cow, the hen and the cat. Tena is Lara Dubrović's sister.