Why does one step beneath a tree feel cooler? This curious children’s song explores how the crown—the branches and leaves overhead—offers shade and slows some raindrops, while roots help hold nearby soil. Look closely for a nest, a beetle, and a ladybug using different sheltered nooks.
Text from the recording’s subtitles.
Song lyrics
Mengapa satu langkah terasa sejuk?
Trotoar panas membakar telapak kaki.
Selangkah, aku masuk ke teduh hijau.
Dahan dan daun di atas membentuk tajuk.
Sebagian sinar tertahan; teduh lebih sejuk.
Tajuk di atas, akar dalam tanah,
keduanya membentuk naungan alami.
Manusia, satwa kecil, dan tanah sekitar
terlindung dekat pohon ini.
Sarang burung berayun di antara dahan.
Kumbang masuk celah pada kulit kayu.
Kepik merah berteduh di bawah daun.
Dekat akar ada sudut terlindung.
Tiap satwa kecil menemukan tempatnya.
Tajuk di atas, akar dalam tanah,
keduanya membentuk naungan alami.
Manusia, satwa kecil, dan tanah sekitar
terlindung dekat pohon ini.
Hujan singkat mengetuk daun di atas.
Daun memperlambat sebagian tetes.
Akar menahan tanah yang lembap.
Dari tanah gundul, lebih banyak lumpur hanyut.
Tajuk di atas, akar dalam tanah,
keduanya membentuk naungan alami.
Manusia, satwa kecil, dan tanah sekitar
terlindung dekat pohon ini.
Seusai hujan, jawabannya jelas.
Tajuk dan akar membentuk naungan alami.
Language version lyrics
Why does one step feel suddenly cool?
The sun-warmed pavement stings my feet.
I step into a pool of green shade.
The crown is branches and leaves overhead.
They block some sunlight; shade feels cooler.
Crown above us, roots in the ground,
together make natural cover.
They shelter people, small creatures, nearby soil
close around this tree.
A bird's nest rocks between the branches.
A beetle hides in a crack of bark.
One ladybug tucks beneath a leaf.
There are sheltered nooks beside the roots.
Each little creature finds a fitting place.
Crown above us, roots in the ground,
together make natural cover.
They shelter people, small creatures, nearby soil
close around this tree.
A quick rain taps the leaves above.
Leaves slow some drops before they land.
The roots hold on to dampened soil.
Off bare ground, water carries more mud.
Crown above us, roots in the ground,
together make natural cover.
They shelter people, small creatures, nearby soil
close around this tree.
After the rain, the answer is clear.
Crown and roots make natural cover.