Dear Little One
when you grow up
you will be taller and wiser,
you will have a job and drive a car
growing up seems like fun
when you are a little one!
but before you grow up
use your imagination
and pretend to fly
jump higher and higher
until you reach the stars
because when you grow up
you will be too busy
to climb trees
and pretend to be
pirates exploring the sea
there is a great big world
waiting for you to grow up
but for now, take off your shoes
leave footprints wherever you go
and enjoy being a little one!
you will be taller and wiser,
you will have a job and drive a car
growing up seems like fun
when you are a little one!
but before you grow up
use your imagination
and pretend to fly
jump higher and higher
until you reach the stars
because when you grow up
you will be too busy
to climb trees
and pretend to be
pirates exploring the sea
there is a great big world
waiting for you to grow up
but for now, take off your shoes
leave footprints wherever you go
and enjoy being a little one!
This poem is copyright (©) Ekta Somera 2026
About the Writer
Ekta Somera
Ekta Somera is a South African storyteller. As the children’s author of Lilly the Llama Party Drama, Ekta hopes to inspire a new generation of children to use their imagination boldly. Her poetry collections reflect her journey through life’s complexities and encourage readers to embrace who they are. Guided by kindness and humility, she uses storytelling to heal, empower, and champion young voices across South Africa. Ekta was named among Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans in 2022.
