Quin's Quest For Questions is a collection of 5 Ukrainian Fables, translated into poetic English prose.
Story 1: A Tale About Three Friends
Story 2: The Little Mosquito
Story 3: How A Caterpillar Turned Into A Butterfly
Story 4: How The Zebra Got Its Stripes
Story 5: A Story About The Moon and the Hunter
Introduction:
Quin's quest for questions came quick,
with bright, lively eyes and a mischievous grin.
"I have a question," Quin would say, why do people not have tails?
Like dogs and cats and goats and whales?
"Who made the sun?
And how long can it burn 'til there isn't one?"
"And, the river -- I know that it flows to the sea,
but it had to start somewhere -- where would that be?"
"Enough!" said Mama and Papa one fateful day.
"Do run along now, and play.
We don't have the answers to all your questions,
nor even any very clever suggestions!"
"If You can't answer my questions," said Quin
Where do I go? For, Momma nad Papa, I still just want to know!"
"Go and see Grandpa," They said.
"As to wisdom, he's way out ahead.
For all of the questions you ask.
Grandpa alone can handle the task."
So, off to Grandpa Quin went.
armed with questions still unspent.
"Welcome" said Grandpa, "Come right in!
So very good to see you, Quin!"
"Grandpa, do you have work to do,
something that needs tending to?
Or do you have some time to sit
and chat with me for just a bit?"
Grandpa nodded knowingly.
"Old Grandpa's children are grown, you see.
So now my busiest days are through,
and I have time for me and you!"
Grandpa and Quin settled in
and oh did the big questions begin.
"Is why mosquitoes bite and itch us
just because we're just so delicious?"
"And can you tell, me, Grandpa, why
we don't see baby butterflies?"
"Why does the moon rise up, and then
go 'in' and come back 'out' again?"
"Horses are brown, black, spotted, or white,
So, why on earth are zebras striped?"
"Why does the eagle soar while the rooster just crows?"
"And Why does the tiny mole dig holes?
Then he took Quin's questions one by one
and answered each until it was done.
And in this gentle, patient way,
Quin's mysteries were solved, at least for the day.
But maybe you have questions, too?
About why an eagle soars, or why a rooster cock-a-doodle-doos,
About the reason that mosquitos bite,
and why zebras are striped with black and white?
Just settle down, then, and let's take a look
at Grandpa's answers, here in this book.
"But," you may wonder, "are Grandpa's stories true?"
Well,
that decision is up to
you!