PDF chapter test TRY NOW
IV
Said the Duck, “As I sat on the rocks,
I have thought over that completely,
And I bought four pairs of worsted socks
Which fit my web-feet neatly.
And to keep out the cold I’ve bought a cloak,
And every day a cigar I’ll smoke,
All to follow my own dear true
Love of a Kangaroo!”
I have thought over that completely,
And I bought four pairs of worsted socks
Which fit my web-feet neatly.
And to keep out the cold I’ve bought a cloak,
And every day a cigar I’ll smoke,
All to follow my own dear true
Love of a Kangaroo!”
V
Said the Kangaroo, “I’m ready!
All in the moonlight pale;
All in the moonlight pale;
But to balance me well, dear Duck, sit steady!
And quite at the end of my tail!”
So away they went with a hop and a bound,
And they hopped the whole world three times round;
And quite at the end of my tail!”
So away they went with a hop and a bound,
And they hopped the whole world three times round;
And who so happy — O who,
As the Duck and the Kangaroo?
As the Duck and the Kangaroo?
Explanation:
The duck is not offended by the bold comment made by the kangaroo. Instead, like a very practical bird, it ponders over the issue raised by the kangaroo. When someone levies certain issues, one has to analyse if they can work on it or if the issue is worth addressing. Sometimes certain issues have to be ignored upon. But the kangaroo's concerns are valid as it talks about getting physically affected. Therefore, the duck cares about it and thinks about a solution, sitting on the rocks near the pond. Since it has four feet, it bought four pairs of worsted socks. Worsted socks are just socks made out of a yarn material called worsted yarn, which resembles wool. The socks fit all its feet that looks like a web. It had also got a cloak that would cover the kangaroo's back to protect them from cold. It also says that it would smoke a cigar to provide warmth with the heat that it provides. The duck is ready to go to any extent to explore the world with the kangaroo. It wants the kangaroo to be safe as it has so much love and respect for the kangaroo.
Webbed foot of a duck
The kangaroo is happy that the duck cares for it so much and that it is looking forward to travel with it. The kangaroo gets ready to travel in the pale moonlight. But just like the duck cares for the kangaroo, the care is taken from the kangaroo's side as it advices the duck to sit tight and balance well. If the duck falls down, then it would land in trouble. So the kangaroo advices the duck to stay still and balance out the body. It also asks the duck to clutch tightly to the back of its tail so that it does not miss balance when the kangaroo's body jerks as it hops up and down. They travelled like this, making the duck's wish come true. It was so much fun that they travelled not just once but thrice. And the poet says that there were no two better people who were so happy to be in each other's company and travel.
Kangaroo and the duck
Words with difficult meaning:
| S.No | Words | Meaning |
1 | Cloak | A over garment that hangs loose from shoulders |
2 | Web feet | The feet of a duck that resembles a web |
3 | Cigar | A cylinder of tobacco rolled for smoking |
4 | Pale | Lacking colour |
5 | Yarn | Thread used for knitting |
Reference:
National Council of Educational Research and Training (2006). Beehive. The Duck and the Kangaroo - Edward Lear (pp.94-96). Published at the Publication Division by the Secretary, National Council of Educational Research and Training, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi.
Register for free to see more content