By Angela L. Motshwadiba
I’m Jumbo, a plane who loves to explore,
There’s a world of greetings—let’s learn some more!
In England, where the red buses go,
A friendly greeting is “Hello!”
“Try it now, let’s say it clear—
Loud and proud for all to hear!
Let’s meet some friends at the London Eye,
Share tea and smiles, then wave goodbye!
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Over the sea, so fast and bright,
Jumbo spots the Eiffel’s light!
He joins some friends near a café,
Where children laugh and sip café au lait.
With a flaky croissant and a joyful cheer,
They chat and play—what fun right here!
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Over the plains, so wild and free,
Jumbo soars above the sea!
In Tanzania, the skies are blue,
Mount Kilimanjaro comes into view.
He joins some friends to drum and sing,
As Masai dancers jump and bracelets cling.
A joyful beat, a stomp, a cheer—
Music and laughter fill the air!
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo soars where green hills rise,
Past golden shores and sunny skies!
He spots Christ the Redeemer, arms open wide,
Welcoming all from the mountainside.
He joins a game, the crowd shouts “Goal!”
As kids play football with heart and soul.
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Over mountains green and cities grand,
Jumbo glides above the land!
He lands in Seoul near palace gates,
Where Gyeongbokgung still proudly waits.
Lanterns glow and children play,
Welcoming Jumbo to their day!
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Over the Alps, through skies so blue,
Jumbo swoops down—what a view!
He drifts past towers that lean with grace,
And gondolas gliding, a gentle pace.
With pizza slices warm and wide,
And gelato dripping side by side.
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Past rivers wide and mountains steep,
Jumbo hums through skies that leap.
He floats near domes of marble white,
The Taj Mahal, glowing in golden light.
They toss bright powder, pink and blue,
Laughing as the colors flew!
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo zooms through skies so blue,
Where kangaroos hop and cockatoos flew!
He meets some friends by the sunny shore,
They build tall castles and surf galore!
They spot the Opera House, sails so white,
And the Harbour Bridge gleaming in the light.
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo zooms past mountains wide,
To China’s lands, with ancient pride!
Red lanterns swing as dragons prance,
He joins his friends in a joyful dance.
They glide past the Great Wall, winding long,
Through hills that hum a history song.
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo glides to the desert’s glow,
Where pyramids and palm trees grow.
They sail the Nile on a wooden boat,
With stories told as they gently float.
They taste sweet dates and laugh out loud,
With camels nearby, standing proud!
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo glides through skies so blue,
Cape Town sparkles into view!
He lands near Table Mountain high,
Where clouds drift gently across the sky.
They laugh, they run by the ocean’s song,
Where penguins waddle and waves dance along!
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo swoops past castles old,
Like Neuschwanstein, proud and bold!
He joins some friends in the candlelight,
Carrying lanterns into the night.
With warm pretzels and songs so sweet,
They march through town on cobbled streets!
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo soars where blossoms bloom,
Past Mount Fuji rising through the gloom.
He lands in Tokyo, full of light,
Where lanterns glow and kites take flight.
They fold paper cranes that flutter high,
Then laugh and chase them through the sky!
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo glides through skies so wide,
Where East and West stand side by side.
He lands in Istanbul, bold and bright,
Where minarets glow in golden light.
They sip warm çay from tulip cups,
And watch the lanterns rising up.
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo zips past deserts wide,
Over Mexico with joyful pride!
He lands where marigolds brightly sway,
It’s Día de Muertos—a festive day!
With friends he builds an altar high,
And paints his face like the ones nearby.
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo glides through skies so high,
Past golden fields and towers nearby.
He lands near Kyiv where churches gleam,
Their domes like gold in a shining dream.
They dance the hopak, fast and free,
With claps and spins and jubilee!
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo glides through skies so high,
Where rice fields stretch and dragons fly.
He lands in Hanoi near the lake,
Where lanterns shine and vendors bake.
With friends he tastes bánh mì so warm,
Then rides a boat through Ha Long’s charm.
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo soars through desert skies,
Past dunes that glow where falcons rise.
He lands near Riyadh, bold and bright,
Where the Kingdom Tower gleams with light.
They write their names in swirling sand,
Then race the wind across the land!
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo glides through skies so high,
Where olive trees and castles lie.
He lands near Barcelona’s grand display,
Where Sagrada Família towers the day.
With friends he claps in rhythmic sound,
Tapping feet on sunlit ground.
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo sails past skies so wide,
With tulip fields on either side!
He lands near Amsterdam’s bright canals,
With bridges and boats and ringing bells.
With friends, he rides a bright blue bike,
Past windmills turning where cows might hike.
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo glides where green hills gleam,
Past snowy peaks and lakes that steam.
He lands near Rotorua’s steam,
Where bubbling geysers puff and gleam.
They stomp and chant a haka loud,
With pride and joy, they make him proud.
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo soars through skies so wide,
Past isles where ocean waves collide.
He lands near Intramuros, old and grand,
Where jeepneys weave through every crowd,
And Manila’s streets are bright and loud.
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo glides where palm trees sway,
Past ocean blues and skies of day.
He lands near Apia, calm and wide,
With huts of thatch and ocean tide.
Then splash in lagoons, cool and bright,
Under stars that twinkle at night.
Jumbo zips through skies so wide,
Past Belém Tower by the ocean tide.
He lands near Lisbon, bold and grand,
Where trams glide gently through the land.
They clap to Fado, soft and slow,
As lantern lights begin to glow.
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo zooms past desert skies,
Where cacti stretch and hawks fly high!
He spots the Alamo, bold and proud,
He lands near horses, boots, and hats,
Where rodeo riders twist like acrobats!
Come along, there’s more to see—
Next stop, a new country!
Jumbo glides through skies so high,
Past Diamond Head where rainbows lie.
He lands where hula dancers sway,
And ukuleles softly play.
Then race through waves in joyful ruts!
Come along, let’s take one more flight—
Back to the hangar, into the night.
The sun dips low, the skies turn gold,
Jumbo’s wings feel brave and bold.
Now back he glides, the stars in sight,
To his cozy hangar for the night.
He sighs and whispers, “What a flight.”
Jumbo snuggles in his hangar bed,
Wings warm and still, his engines fed with rest.
“Every goodbye means you were brave enough to
say hello,
And no matter the words, the hearts are the same.”
Goodnight.
Jumbo learned so many new words, but guess what?
Some countries speak more than one language, and some share the same greeting!
Some countries use the same language, even if they’re far apart!
Just like Jumbo, you can always learn a new way to say hello!