Lola and her helpers Lola was a busy lady,
Forever bustling about from the break of dawn to close of day.
She was never seen sitting still for more than two minutes.
Must be on my way,
Lots to do today,
She could often be heard saying.
Being a shongololo with 100 legs probably had much to do with her active lifestyle.
She hasn't got ants in her pants,
She's got crocs in her socks,
Joked the dragonflies.
Lola stayed in a sand mound next to a large baobab tree.
Creatures of the African bush thought she would not last long there for her home was constantly changing.
Some days the wind would blow its way right through,
Other days the rain would seep into the bedrooms.
These elements often altered the shape of Lola's house,
Giving her plenty of maintenance work.
On a few rare occasions,
A large beast,
Such as an elephant,
Would stand on the mound,
Unaware that it was someone's home.
Lola escaped death twice,
But she never complained.
Why don't you move,
Twitted the weaver birds.
Oh no,
Sighed Lola,
I love it here.
This tree is so dear to me,
I could not bear to leave him.
Then there is the special smell of the gardenia flowers,
The gorgeous view of the lake,
And all the traffic around this part makes me feel so alive,
I could never leave here.
Although Lola had stayed next to the old baobab for many moons,
She did not know most of the forest folk,
Because she was always so busy fussing about her own business.
One hot afternoon,
She made a decision to make some friends.
By evening,
She had put up a bright poster by the lake,
Where all the insects and animals passed every day.
It read,
Everyone is invited to a picnic party at Lola's place,
Next to the old baobab,
On the afternoon of the next new moon.
The forest was abuzz with the news.
Party at Lola's,
Sang the sparrows above,
While below the ants passed on the message,
Grapevine style.
Lola was now busier than ever,
Stumping new floors with her many feet,
Enlarging doorways and windows,
Adding passages,
Widening pathways outside,
And finally sweeping,
Tidying,
And cleaning.
Her sand home shook and rattled for two whole days.
Day of the party arrived,
Bright and clear.
Lola arranged flowers at every available spot,
And by the time her guests arrived,
Her home looked brand new.
My,
My,
This is a smart place you have,
Cooed the worms in silky voices,
As they slunk from room to room.
This place is spic and span,
Man.
This place is spic and span,
Man,
Cried the cool young crickets.
What lovely decor,
Admired the fluttering butterflies.
Slowly but surely,
All the insects from the neighborhood filed in.
Some of the small animals were too big to fit through the doorway,
So they peered through the windows.
By sunset,
All were gathered outside on the soft grass,
Enjoying a lazy picnic while the beetles strummed their stick guitars in the background.
Lola had not had such fun in a long time.
She smiled broadly as compliments fluttered her way.
You certainly have a knack for keeping things orderly,
Remarked Mrs.
Arle.
You should come and help me sort out my cupboards,
Suggested Mrs.
Fieldmouse.
And that is how Lola began helping her neighbors get organized.
First,
She assisted in homes,
But then business owners asked for her services too,
And soon she was sorting out the classrooms at the schools as well.
By the end of summer,
Lola had worn out all her fifty pairs of shoes.
What was she to do?
She needed new shoes,
But the nearest shoemaker lived far,
Far away.
She couldn't do all her work without protecting her feet,
But she couldn't stop her work either.
She had promised her new friends her services,
And they,
In return,
Provided her with delicious meals.
Besides,
She enjoyed helping others keep neat and tidy.
It was fun to sort,
Clean out,
And rearrange cupboards,
Aisles,
Rooms,
Even gardens.
But what am I to do now?
Wailed Lola.
What's the matter,
Lola?
Asked a passing ladybug.
I've never seen you look so tired.
So down before.
Sorrowfully,
Lola explained.
Without a word,
The ladybug disappeared.
That night,
While Lola slept,
All the forest folk gathered around the large toadstool to discuss Lola's dilemma.
We must help her,
We must help her,
Sang the night birds.
Look at what she's done for us,
Said the glowworm lighting up the forest.
Indeed,
With its clean pathways and colorful trimmings,
The African bush had never looked so smart.
Lola had even introduced recycling,
Lola had even introduced recycling,
And composting holes that were etched with mint to add an inviting fragrance.
Everyone agreed.
Home was in a better state,
Thanks to Lola.
Late into the night,
Under the full moon's light,
Much scurrying and scuttling could be heard as each and every creature was quietly at work.
When the hardy does bellowed out the first welcome song for the day,
And the flowers' petals unfolded,
Lola stirred in her home.
Hmm,
It's strangely quiet today,
Lola murmured to herself.
Carefully,
She moved on wary feet to the front door.
An amazing sight reached her eyes as she stepped outside.
There,
Neatly in two rows,
Lay fifty pairs of brand new shoes.
Lola gasped,
Rubbed her eyes,
And eagerly ran towards them.
A few minutes later,
She was dancing and prancing around in her new footwear.
Each shoe was entirely different to the next.
One was pink with white stripes,
Another was glittering green.
Her favorite was the one with blue clouds on a yellow background.
Later that day,
When everyone had at last awakened,
Lola thanked them all for helping to make her dream come true.
Thank you too,
Lola,
Her friends called out.
Thank you for helping us get organized.
