Have you heard of Raphael and Donatello
Courageous Leonardo and Michelangelo?
‘Kawabonga!’ is the war cry the Ninja Turtles yell
As each tumbles into battle with his grotesque shell.
The fictitious Ninja Turtles that entertain you
Had far reaching repercussions on the life of Dipu.

Struck with polio Dipu felt he was a terrible mistake
A hunched and shrunken body was a bitter pill to take.
When he watched the Turtles something rang a bell
He dreamed he was a Ninja with a hunchback turtle shell.
When they fought the enemy his heart would find his mouth,
Their loss could him cry, their triumph make him shout.

How different was reality, how difficult and grim,
How hard to be a Ninja in a world that mocked at him.
His nimble mind rebelled against his agonizing pace
His disobedient limbs filled his heart with deep disgrace.
His woes watered by his tears grew poisonous fruit strong,
Stained him with the bitter juice of unjust grievous wrong.

The daily dose of school was more than he could bear,
Three cruel boys would see him and chant without a care,
‘Hunchback, hunchback, you forgot your lunch pack,
Can it be, is it that, is that where you hide your snack?’
Pointing fingers at his shell would follow peals of laughter,
While Dipu hobbled painfully, hot with shame and faster.

‘Run Dipu run!’ cried a desperate inner voice,
‘In this unfair game of life there is very little choice.’
Gradually he shut them out each and every one-
Withdrew into his cosy shell severed from the sun.
A disconnected, lonely star in the sky above,
No trace of light for miles around, no hint of any love.

One night the blessed Turtles came to him and spoke,
Looked him squarely in the eye and gave his chest a poke.
‘Your pessimistic attitude has left us feeling sunk,
You call yourself a Ninja, get up and show some spunk!’
He awoke next morning refreshed like never before
With a strange light in his eyes he struggled to the door.

‘Fight Dipu fight!’ cried a steady inner voice,
‘On the battle-field of life there is no other choice.’
Minutes later found him at the trusty school gate
Where three able bodied boys every morning used to wait.
With a hammering heart he met their eyes, shocked them no end
Held out his hand and said, ‘Hello, can I be your friend?’

The sneering looks faded and the taunts dried up unsaid,
Disarmed by a simple gesture they pumped his hand instead.
Courage comes in many shapes they had to accept
Dipu’s unique brand earned their instant respect.
Increasingly they sought him out, became a band of four,
As thick as Ninja Turtles – could Dipu ask for more?

If you want to be loved, this is Dipu’s advice,
You’ve got to part with your fears, that is love’s price.