This poem imagines what the author's father would be if he was different things. He would be a tall and strong kauri tree in New Zealand's bush, a chimpanzee hunting for food in the jungle for his young, or a floppy and funny puppet controlled by strings but not in the author's eyes.

1. IF
If my Dad was a tree
He’d be a special Kauri Tree
Standing tall and strong
In the natural bush of New Zealand.
If my Dad was an animal
He’d be a funny chimpanzee
Hunting for food for his young
In the amazing jungle.
If my Dad was a puppet
He’d be all floppy and funny
Controlled by strings
But not in my eyes.
By Ruby Cooper 08/02/13