If I were only a little puppy, 
not your baby, mother dear, 
would you say "No" to me 
if I tried to eat from your dish?

Would you drive me off, saying to me, 
"Get away, you naughty little puppy?"

Then go, mother, go! I will never come to you
when you call me, and never let you feed me any more.

If I were only a little green parrot, 
and not your baby, mother dear, 
would you keep me chained lest I should fly away?

Would you shake your finger at me and say, 
"What an ungrateful wretch of a bird! 
It is gnawing at its chain day and night?"

Then, go, mother, go! I will run away into the woods;
I will never let you take me in your arms again.