# Lenka

"Lenka" is a whimsical children's poem by the great Slovenian poet Oton Župančič (from his collection "Mehurčki") about a lazy girl for whom everything does itself — the broom sweeps, the needle sews, and even the roast cooks and announces itself.

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Slovenia |
| Sung in | Slovenian |
| Words by | Oton Župančič |
| First known | by Oton Župančič (collection "Mehurčki") |
| Best for ages | 2–7 |
| Mood | playful, traditional |
| Page | https://littlesongbook.com/songs/lenka/ |

## Lyrics

### Verse 1 (sl)

Lenka se šeta -
Metla pometa;
Lenka počiva -
Igla ji šiva,
Lenka pred duri -
Peč se zakuri,
Ako kotiček
Skoči v lončiček,
Leže v ponvico,
Dvigne glavico:
"lenčica, lenka,
Kikiriki!
Sem že pečenka,
Jest se mudi!"

### English translation (en)

Lenka goes strolling —
the broom does the sweeping;
Lenka takes a rest —
the needle does her sewing;
Lenka stands at the door —
the stove lights itself,
and a little morsel
hops into the little pot,
lies down in the pan,
lifts up its head:
"Lazy little Lenka,
cock-a-doodle-doo!
I'm already roasted,
dinner won't wait!"

## Common questions

**What is "Lenka" about?**

A wonderfully lazy girl. Her name comes from "len" (lazy), and in the poem she never lifts a finger — because everything does itself: she strolls and the broom sweeps, she rests and the needle sews, she stands at the door and the stove lights itself. At the end even a little roast hops into the pan, lifts its head and crows that it is already cooked and dinner can't wait.

**Who wrote "Lenka"?**

The poem is by Oton Župančič (1878–1949), one of the greatest Slovenian poets, from his famous collection of children's verse "Mehurčki" ("Little Bubbles"). Generations of Slovenian children have grown up reciting it.

**Is "Lenka" making fun of laziness?**

Gently and delightfully, yes. It imagines laziness taken to its fairy-tale extreme — a world so obliging that a lazy girl need do nothing at all — which is both a tease and a child's daydream come true.

## Sources

- [Ventilator besed — Oton Župančič: Lenka](https://ventilatorbesed.com/oton-zupancic-lenka/)