Rhythm

Ever wondered why nursery rhymes rhyme? Why is the “little teapot” “short and stout”? Why didn’t the poet let it taper with his imagination? Why does the twinkling star “up so high” shine like a “diamond in the sky”? Why didn’t the moon come in?
A recent conversation with a friend made me look for reasons for rhyming of nursery rhymes. The obvious reason is that children find it easy to understand the rhyming lines. New to the world and vice- versa the big things explained in their language will always make sense. And would help them remember the entire poem.
Also, I believe few reasons why nursery rhymes rhyme could be:
a. A baby, even before its born, comes in touch with rhythm. His mother’s heartbeat and breathing movements are rhythmic. So the rhythmic pattern becomes innate to his being. And it’s all the more obvious for him to understand rhythm.
b. The lullabies that put him to sleep are rhythmic. (There might be a connection between the frequencies emitted by the lullaby and the frequency of the child’s sleepy brain. Both converging and putting him to sleep.) The rhythmic tap on his back helps him drift into his fairy land.
c. The sounds of the little toys around him emit a rhythmic monotone. The wind chime hanging over his head not only acts as and engaging distraction but a device producing rhythmic music.
d. The words “Mama” and “Papa” both are rhythmic repetition of the first syllable. Thus strengthening the fact that rhythm holds true in their learning and deciphering pattern.
e. And last but not the least… their wails are rhythmic too… Owwwaaaaahhhh they go again and again 