Hue can’t hide

On a magical island, with beaches that glow

Where the wind hums a song and warm rivers flow

High up in the branches of the sweet mango tree

Lives a jazzy chameleon you simply must see!

THIS little wizard can put on a show

BY CHANGING HIS COLOR FROM HEAD TO HIS TOE!

His colors are bright like a rainbow in spring

But sometimes, his skin CANNOT HIDE A THING!

It shows when he smiles, it shows when he cries

A mirror of feelings he carries inside…

The monkeys all giggle from branches so high

And birds chirp and laugh from up in the sky:

‘Oh, look, there is Hue, so sweet and naïve

He TRULY wears his heart on his sleeve!’

‘I do NOT’ cries Hue, in a light shade of blue

Feeling sad from their words and a bit worried too!

‘I think it’s sweet’ said the frog with a wink

While Hue blushed so hard, he turned strawberry pink!

‘I’m just brown’ said the sloth, with a wide, lazy grin

‘Who asked you?’ grumbled Hue, in a bright envy green

‘I don’t care!’ snorted Hue ‘I am cheerful and merry!’

But now he turned red like a big juicy cherry…       

Hue tried to relax, take a stroll at the beach

But this was an itch he just couldn’t reach

‘What I need is a tint that won’t shift or sway,

To HUSH all these feelings that come out to play!’

Hue had to act fast; he needed a plan

A mud bath could help…or maybe a tan?

He might splash on paint and hope for change

Or… BETTER YET… WEAR SOMETHING STRANGE!!

He’s got it! Oh yessss –

from today until always he’ll dress to impress!

With a smile on his face and a sway side to side

He tiptoed ahead where the jungle grew wild 

Down by the trees and deep in the roots

Lived a tailor who made incredible suits

The mighty old SPIDER with his silvery net

Would spin him a costume he’ll never forget!!

This spider was neat, so careful and wise

A stitch here, a stitch there, to match length and size

He wrapped him in lace, from his nose to his tail

And covered his skin, inch by inch, without fail.

With his fancy outfit and a brand-new vibe

It was time to rush back and show off with pride!

‘Behold – the new me!!’, Hue cried with a shout

Gather ‘round, TRY ME OUT —

I am GREY like a statue – unbothered and still

No more colors that change, no more feelings that spill!

All eyes were on Hue, but the crowd didn’t cheer—

They blinked and they stared as he beamed ear to ear.

Hue twisted and turned to show his new clothes,

Then finished it off with a confident pose.

‘Well…’ - said the sloth through endless yawning,

‘Truth be told…You’re… simply … B -  O -  R -  I -  N -  G!’

Hue lost his glow; his shoulders sank low

He glanced at his friends – were THEY thinking so?

The crowd felt silent, then a voice found its way

And all of them spoke, with something to say:

‘Your skin has a voice

You’re honest. And true

We always can tell

Where we stand with you

It’s clear when you’re grumpy, 

or happy, or sad— 

We see if you’re shy, 

or hopeful, or mad! 

Your feelings are real, 

your hues are your pride. 

You simply can’t hide— 

you’ve got magic inside!’

Hue realized at last how silly he'd been—

He'd spent all his time trying not to be seen.

No more hiding colors, no more make-believe—

The best thing to wear was his heart on his sleeve!

No longer small or sad as before,

With places to go and moods to explore

He'll shimmer in shades from coral to neon..

And embrace who he was — one in a million, 

A dazzling, expressive,

Charming chameleon!