Rin Rin the tadpole
Rin Rin the tadpole is a stock character created by Colombian poet Rafael Pombo in his 1882 poem El renacuajo paseador. It is reprinted in compilations of children stories and nursery rhymes.
History
Rin Rin the tadpole represents the stereotype of the self-assured youth, never listening to his elders; the original poem was meant to teach children to obey their mothers. He is depicted in an aristocratic dandy fashion. His mother asks him not to leave the house, but he doesn't listen to her. The companions in his adventures are a young mouse, and an old lady rat. They go around, partying and drinking beer. Finally, due to this misconduct, they end tragically, devoured by predators. The mouse and rat were eaten by cats, while the frog was devoured by a duck.
Cultural references
Rin Rin is one of the most recognizable characters within Colombian culture, and is commonly used in elementary school textbooks, nursery rhymes and children literature compilations. Representations of the character are used in parades and carnivals. In recent years, the theme parks Mundo Aventura and Parque del Café have used animatronic versions of the tadpole.