1. What sparked the idea for 'The Rooster That Would Not Crow'?
Birds and animals on a farm are a delight to observe and those of us who have lived on farms, even for a short period of time, know how much activity and excitement there is when we are around them. Naturally, they provide material for stories too: a noisy rooster can start off one’s day with a bang – and a rooster that does not crow can have everyone wondering why it is silent.
So, essentially, the idea for ‘The Rooster That Would Not Crow’ came from the question, ‘What if there was a rooster on a farm that refused to crow?’
2. How did the gender angle come into it? And how did you imagine children would receive a story like this?
That this story addressed gender just happened organically: almost like the rooster in the story developed a mind of his own and went along his merry way while I raced to keep up! I hope that children will receive the story for what it is – a jolly ‘What-If” tale that happens to ask a question most of us have not really thought about but are ready to accept.
3. What prompted you to write this story in verse? Was it challenging to do so? In what ways do you think verse can add to the telling of a story?
Many of my stories for younger children are in verse. I find it enjoyable to write in verse. Yes, it is a challenge to keep the flow of the story going along with the rhythm of the verse, but I think younger readers – and those who are read to – enjoy the rhythm and the rhyme of a story in verse and this can enhance the storytelling experience. The use of simple rhymes can also make the story memorable and hopefully lines from here and there will reverberate in the reader’s / listener’s mind and have them, in this case, perhaps kukrookoo-ing along with the rooster.
4. Niloufer Wadia has done a wonderful job with the illustrations of the book. What were your first thoughts when you saw the pictures? Which is your favourite spread in the book?
My first thought when I saw the illustrations was ‘Wow! They’re perfect! The artist has captured the atmosphere on the farm so beautifully!’
Niloufer Wadia’s wonderful illustrations are sure to delight readers with their colour and detail and draw them into the story. The emotions of the children – and the birds – in the story come through very effectively thanks to the art, so it is tough to choose a favourite spread. However, since you have asked, I would go with the centrefold with the chicks and the hens and the roosters…
5. Did you find the allegory genre useful in dealing with a difficult subject for children? Was it a deliberate choice or did it just happen naturally?
This was not a deliberate choice, but it happened quite naturally as the story progressed. Once it did, it was a question of why not: Why not continue with an issue many of us do not give much thought to or choose not to give much thought to; why not open up the hearts and the minds of the young to a difficult topic and thereby bring it to a level that they can understand and connect with; why not bring in the objections and dissent of others – something that is common in everyday life – and let the children decide about their rooster.
6. Did new issues come up during the edit process that you hadn't thought of when you wrote the piece?
For me, the editing process always brings up issues that make me think again and look at things from a fresh perspective. This helps tremendously to address issues that pop up and enhances the quality of the story in its final form.
With Rooster, the Tulika editing team rightly suggested the use of ‘kukroo-kukrookoo’ instead of ‘cock-a-doodle-doo’ that I had started out with. In addition, they suggested cuts towards the end which tightened up the tale and emphasized the positive without belabouring the issue.
7. What would you like for readers to take from 'The Rooster That Would Not Crow'?
This story is all about differences and acceptance and friendship – and I think that is what I would like readers to take from 'The Rooster That Would Not Crow'. Friendship and love manifest in acceptance of differences, and therefore love trumps everything!
This rooster just wouldn't crow... until one day, when he laid an egg! Cheryl Rao's lilting verse and Niloufer Wadia's warm pictures tell a story of acceptance and friendship.
Buy your copy of The Rooster That Would Not Crow here!
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