The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

Fruits in Thai

Saparot! Saparot!
Spiky, yellow, sweet!
Juice that dribbles down your chin
Gin thoe! Let’s eat!

Tu-rian! Tu-rian!
Smells like stinky feet!
Creamy, rich and scary-looking,
Gin thoe! Let’s eat!

Ma muang! Ma muang!
Sold on every street.
Orange, thick and sticky!
Gin thoe! Let’s eat!

Ma phraow! Ma phraow!
What a special treat!
Cool white, sweet and chewy!
Gin thoe! Let’s eat!

Tang mo! Tang mo!
Perfect in the heat!
Juicy, pink and crunchy!
Gin thoe! Let’s eat!


(pineapple, durian, mango, coconut, watermelon)

About the Writer


Gillian Spiller

Gillian Spiller is a Scottish poet and children’s author, who has spent many years living and teaching in S-E Asia, E Asia and the Middle East. She is the author of four picture books, The Blue Sock (2019), Star Sailor (2020), On The Shelf (2021) and A Shell for Cleo (2022) by Marshall Cavendish Ltd. (Asia). Her poetry for children is available on the British Council’s Learn English Kids website, as well as here on The Dirigible Balloon.