Creatures Big and Small

The author, TEO SOH LUNG was imprisoned without trial under Singapore’s notorious Internal Security Act between 1987 and 1990. In solitary confinement for more than two years, she drew inspiration from little living creatures that lived in or visited her cell. Lizards, spiders, ants, crickets, beetles, toads, and grasshoppers were all welcomed to her cell and closely observed! They were her inspiration. Sharing food and lodging with them, she drew numerous drawings and composed rhymes and songs about them. She was particularly fond of one long‐time resident, a lizard. As much as she was observing it, she was aware that it too was observing her!

Of the 62 original poems in English, 22 had also been translated into Chinese by Lim Pai.