Beauty Contest (Translated from the Hindi poem “Soundarya Pratiyogita” by Shri. Nagarjuna)
A fish from Ganga And a fish from Yamuna Were friends very close They lived together all day long And swam far from their home. Once it happened so The fire of competition flared in both - I’m pretty, Oh! I’m pretty. They fought all day long in vain And saw a turtle lying in the sand Enjoying the winter’s Sun The fish went near him, greeted and said, Who of us is prettier than the other? They steady minded learned turtle Shaking his head said – O! fish from Ganga you’re pretty O! fish from Yamuna you too are pretty Both of your claims is valid. Hearing this they shouted in disgust - Did we fight all day in vain? Tell us clearly justice favors whom? Shall I disclose the truth? Asked the aged turtle shaking his neck. - You’re pretty fish from Ganga - You’re pretty fish from Yamuna But in comparison to you both I’m the one who is more prettier Look at my soft flexible glass like neck Look at my back like a banyan tree Look at my eyes like glittering gems...