It burns orange with a crackling sound
Engulfing leaves, bushes, straw and tree trunk
It bellows hot black smoke in the air
You can see it from afar
This burning inferno eating everything on its path
Deer, sambar, hyenas all alike run for cover with all their might
Yes! Fire, fire, in the forest, the birds begin to howl with fright
It travels far and with great haste, this orange ball
As it burns like a giant flame
It’s hot, it’s dry, the smoke relentless
Man, the damn thing burns in my eye
The forest fire, the forest fire
It engulfs everything in its sight
It leaves behind coal and soot
Dry black patches of charred wood
As it circles the forest all around
Leaving death, dust, and destruction in its wake
Now you see the forest bake
This forest fire is one mighty inferno
It carries on from end to end
Shaving the forest into a pile of hay
The flames burn up into the sky
Destroying nests of birds perched on trees
As sounds of chirping birds resonates in the air
Panic, panic, its panic all around
As animals flurry for cover from the flames
This is another one of that nature’s game
Fire, fire, it’s the forest fire
The villagers run into their farms
Try dousing it with water from buckets and pots
The more they try, the more they fail
The fire roars and burns brighter at their every attempt
This is nature showing man its contempt
It’s time to appease the Gods, some say
That is the only way to keep the forest fire at bay
Chant to Shiva and the holy serpent
All sit down, pray and for their sins repent
Save us oh, Mother, from this frightful fire
Bless us, as our need is dire
Soon a miracle in front of them appeared
The roaring fire doused suddenly and disappeared
Yes, without a word, all was gone
No smoke, no flame
That, alas, was the end of the game
The heavens were appeased and the villagers were free
To dance and rejoice once again
That the Goddess had saved them from great pain
The forest fire, the forest fire
