The Duck and the Kangaroo (Poem)
Summary:
The poem "The Duck and the Kangaroo" by Edward Lear
is about a duck and a kangaroo who have a conversation and go on an adventure
together. The duck is tired of its boring life in a pond and admires the
kangaroo's ability to hop. It asks the kangaroo for a ride on its back,
promising to be a quiet passenger. The duck imagines traveling to different
places, like the Dee and the Jelly Bo Lee, over land and sea.
The kangaroo hesitates and expresses concern about the duck's
wet and cold feet, worrying it might catch a cold or rheumatism. However, the
clever duck reveals that it has prepared by buying socks that fit its webbed
feet perfectly and has a cloak to stay warm. The duck even plans to smoke a
cigar every day to stay comfortable. Convinced by the duck's preparations, the
kangaroo agrees to the adventure.
They set off in the moonlight, with the duck sitting at the
end of the kangaroo's tail for balance. Together, they hop around the world
three times, experiencing happiness and joy throughout their journey. The poem
ends by emphasizing the immense happiness of the duck and the kangaroo as they
explore the world together.
In summary, the poem tells the story of a duck that seeks
adventure and asks a kangaroo for a ride. Despite initial concerns, the duck
convinces the kangaroo with its preparedness. They embark on a thrilling
journey, hopping around the world and finding great joy in their companionship
and exploration.
Glossary:
1. Gracious: Showing politeness and kindness.
2. Hop: To move by jumping with one foot or both feet.
3. Bore: Something that is dull or
uninteresting.
4. Nasty: Unpleasant or disagreeable.
5. Pond: A small body of still water.
6. Beyond: On the other side; in a different
place.
7. Quack: The sound a duck makes.
8. Dee and Jelly Bo Lee: A fictional place mentioned in the
poem.
9. Reflection: Thinking carefully and deeply about
something.
10. Luck: Good fortune or success.
11. Objection: A reason for disagreeing or
opposing something.
12. Unpleasantly: In a way that is not pleasing or
enjoyable.
13. Wet: Covered or saturated with water or another liquid.
14. Cold: Low temperature; not warm.
15. Roo-Matiz: referring to a possible
illness the kangaroo could get.
16. Socks: Garments worn on the feet to
provide warmth and comfort.
17. Cloak: A long, loose outer garment worn
for warmth or protection.
18. Cigar: A tightly rolled bundle of dried
and fermented tobacco leaves.
19. Moonlight: Light from the moon, usually soft
and pale.
20. Balance: To keep steady and not fall over.
21. Pale: Light in color; lacking intensity
or brightness.
22. Hop and bound: To jump or move quickly with energy
and excitement.
23. Happy: Feeling or showing joy and
contentment.
24. Companionship: The state of being with someone and
enjoying their company.
25. Explore: To travel or investigate new places
or ideas.
26. Journey: A trip or adventure from one place
to another.
Synonyms:
1. Gracious: Kind, polite, courteous
2. Hop: Jump, leap, bound
3. Bore: Tedious, dull, monotonous
4. Nasty: Unpleasant, disagreeable, gross
5. Pond: Pool, lake, waterhole
6. Beyond: Further, farther, outside
7. Quack: Honk, cackle, squawk
8. Luck: Fortune, chance, serendipity
9. Objection: Disapproval, protest, disagreement
10. Unpleasantly: Disagreeably, distastefully,
undesirably
11. Wet: Moist, damp, soaked
12. Cold: Chilly, frigid, icy
13. Socks: Stockings, hosiery, foot coverings
14. Cloak: Cape, shawl, wrap
15. Cigar: Cigarette, stogie, smoke
16. Balance: Stability, equilibrium, poise
17. Pale: Light, faded, washed-out
18. Happy: Joyful, delighted, content
19. Companionship: Friendship, camaraderie, fellowship
20. Explore: Discover, investigate, venture
21. Journey: Trip, voyage, expedition
Antonyms:
1. Gracious: Rude, impolite, discourteous
2. Hop: Stay, stillness, halt
3. Bore: Exciting, interesting, captivating
4. Nasty: Pleasant, agreeable, delightful
5. Pond: Ocean, sea, river
6. Beyond: Within, inside, close
7. Quack: Whisper, silence, quiet
8. Luck: Misfortune, bad luck, unluckiness
9. Objection: Agreement, acceptance, approval
10. Unpleasantly: Pleasantly, agreeably, enjoyably
11. Wet: Dry, arid, parched
12. Cold: Warm, hot, heated
13. Socks: Barefoot, shoeless, uncovered
14. Cloak: Expose, reveal, uncover
15. Cigar: Non-smoker, abstainer, teetotaler
16. Balance: Imbalance, instability,
unsteadiness
17. Pale: Dark, vibrant, vivid
18. Happy: Sad, unhappy, miserable
19. Companionship: Solitude, loneliness, isolation
20. Explore: Ignore, neglect, disregard
21. Journey: Stagnation, standstill, immobility
Comprehension
Questions and Answers for better understanding:
1. Who is
the poem about?
Ans: The
poem is about a duck and a kangaroo.
2. What does
the duck want to do beyond its pond?
Ans: The
duck wants to explore the world beyond its pond.
3. What does
the duck admire about the kangaroo?
Ans: The
duck admires the kangaroo's hopping ability.
4. How does
the duck describe its life in the pond?
Ans: The
duck describes its life in the pond as boring.
5. What sound
does the duck say it will make during the journey?
Ans: The
duck says it will say "Quack" during the journey.
6. What
places does the duck mention wanting to visit with the kangaroo?
Ans: The
duck mentions wanting to visit the Dee and the Jelly Bo Lee.
7. Why is
the kangaroo hesitant about giving the duck a ride?
Ans: The
kangaroo is hesitant because the duck's wet feet might make it sick.
8. What does
the duck say it has bought to address the kangaroo's concern?
Ans: The
duck says it has bought socks and a cloak to keep warm.
9. What does
the kangaroo worry it might get from the duck's wet feet?
Ans: The
kangaroo worries it might get rheumatism (roo-matiz) from the duck's wet feet.
10. Where
does the duck say it has thought about the kangaroo's concern?
Ans: The
duck says it has thought about the kangaroo's concern while sitting on rocks.
11. What
does the duck say it will do to stay warm during the journey?
Ans: The
duck says it will smoke a cigar to stay warm.
12. How does
the duck suggest sitting on the kangaroo's back?
Ans: The
duck suggests sitting at the end of the kangaroo's tail for balance.
13. In what
light do they set off on their journey?
Ans: They
set off in the moonlight.
14. How many
times do they hop around the world?
Ans: They
hop around the world three times.
15. How do
the duck and the kangaroo feel during their adventure?
Ans: They
feel happy and joyful.
16. What
does the poem say about the duck and the kangaroo at the end?
Ans: The
poem says that they are very happy.
17. What
kind of life does the duck want to escape from?
Ans: The
duck wants to escape from its life in the pond.
18. What
does the duck ask the kangaroo for?
Ans: The
duck asks the kangaroo for a ride on its back.
19. What
does the kangaroo worry about regarding the duck's feet?
Ans: The
kangaroo worries about the duck's wet and cold feet.
20. What do
the duck and the kangaroo do together?
Ans: They go
on an adventure and travel together.
The Duck and the Kangaroo (Poem)
Summary:
The poem "The Duck and the Kangaroo" by Edward Lear
is about a duck and a kangaroo who have a conversation and go on an adventure
together. The duck is tired of its boring life in a pond and admires the
kangaroo's ability to hop. It asks the kangaroo for a ride on its back,
promising to be a quiet passenger. The duck imagines traveling to different
places, like the Dee and the Jelly Bo Lee, over land and sea.
The kangaroo hesitates and expresses concern about the duck's
wet and cold feet, worrying it might catch a cold or rheumatism. However, the
clever duck reveals that it has prepared by buying socks that fit its webbed
feet perfectly and has a cloak to stay warm. The duck even plans to smoke a
cigar every day to stay comfortable. Convinced by the duck's preparations, the
kangaroo agrees to the adventure.
They set off in the moonlight, with the duck sitting at the
end of the kangaroo's tail for balance. Together, they hop around the world
three times, experiencing happiness and joy throughout their journey. The poem
ends by emphasizing the immense happiness of the duck and the kangaroo as they
explore the world together.
In summary, the poem tells the story of a duck that seeks
adventure and asks a kangaroo for a ride. Despite initial concerns, the duck
convinces the kangaroo with its preparedness. They embark on a thrilling
journey, hopping around the world and finding great joy in their companionship
and exploration.
Glossary:
1. Gracious: Showing politeness and kindness.
2. Hop: To move by jumping with one foot or both feet.
3. Bore: Something that is dull or
uninteresting.
4. Nasty: Unpleasant or disagreeable.
5. Pond: A small body of still water.
6. Beyond: On the other side; in a different
place.
7. Quack: The sound a duck makes.
8. Dee and Jelly Bo Lee: A fictional place mentioned in the
poem.
9. Reflection: Thinking carefully and deeply about
something.
10. Luck: Good fortune or success.
11. Objection: A reason for disagreeing or
opposing something.
12. Unpleasantly: In a way that is not pleasing or
enjoyable.
13. Wet: Covered or saturated with water or another liquid.
14. Cold: Low temperature; not warm.
15. Roo-Matiz: referring to a possible
illness the kangaroo could get.
16. Socks: Garments worn on the feet to
provide warmth and comfort.
17. Cloak: A long, loose outer garment worn
for warmth or protection.
18. Cigar: A tightly rolled bundle of dried
and fermented tobacco leaves.
19. Moonlight: Light from the moon, usually soft
and pale.
20. Balance: To keep steady and not fall over.
21. Pale: Light in color; lacking intensity
or brightness.
22. Hop and bound: To jump or move quickly with energy
and excitement.
23. Happy: Feeling or showing joy and
contentment.
24. Companionship: The state of being with someone and
enjoying their company.
25. Explore: To travel or investigate new places
or ideas.
26. Journey: A trip or adventure from one place
to another.
Synonyms:
1. Gracious: Kind, polite, courteous
2. Hop: Jump, leap, bound
3. Bore: Tedious, dull, monotonous
4. Nasty: Unpleasant, disagreeable, gross
5. Pond: Pool, lake, waterhole
6. Beyond: Further, farther, outside
7. Quack: Honk, cackle, squawk
8. Luck: Fortune, chance, serendipity
9. Objection: Disapproval, protest, disagreement
10. Unpleasantly: Disagreeably, distastefully,
undesirably
11. Wet: Moist, damp, soaked
12. Cold: Chilly, frigid, icy
13. Socks: Stockings, hosiery, foot coverings
14. Cloak: Cape, shawl, wrap
15. Cigar: Cigarette, stogie, smoke
16. Balance: Stability, equilibrium, poise
17. Pale: Light, faded, washed-out
18. Happy: Joyful, delighted, content
19. Companionship: Friendship, camaraderie, fellowship
20. Explore: Discover, investigate, venture
21. Journey: Trip, voyage, expedition
Antonyms:
1. Gracious: Rude, impolite, discourteous
2. Hop: Stay, stillness, halt
3. Bore: Exciting, interesting, captivating
4. Nasty: Pleasant, agreeable, delightful
5. Pond: Ocean, sea, river
6. Beyond: Within, inside, close
7. Quack: Whisper, silence, quiet
8. Luck: Misfortune, bad luck, unluckiness
9. Objection: Agreement, acceptance, approval
10. Unpleasantly: Pleasantly, agreeably, enjoyably
11. Wet: Dry, arid, parched
12. Cold: Warm, hot, heated
13. Socks: Barefoot, shoeless, uncovered
14. Cloak: Expose, reveal, uncover
15. Cigar: Non-smoker, abstainer, teetotaler
16. Balance: Imbalance, instability,
unsteadiness
17. Pale: Dark, vibrant, vivid
18. Happy: Sad, unhappy, miserable
19. Companionship: Solitude, loneliness, isolation
20. Explore: Ignore, neglect, disregard
21. Journey: Stagnation, standstill, immobility
Comprehension
Questions and Answers for better understanding:
1. Who is
the poem about?
Ans: The
poem is about a duck and a kangaroo.
2. What does
the duck want to do beyond its pond?
Ans: The
duck wants to explore the world beyond its pond.
3. What does
the duck admire about the kangaroo?
Ans: The
duck admires the kangaroo's hopping ability.
4. How does
the duck describe its life in the pond?
Ans: The
duck describes its life in the pond as boring.
5. What sound
does the duck say it will make during the journey?
Ans: The
duck says it will say "Quack" during the journey.
6. What
places does the duck mention wanting to visit with the kangaroo?
Ans: The
duck mentions wanting to visit the Dee and the Jelly Bo Lee.
7. Why is
the kangaroo hesitant about giving the duck a ride?
Ans: The
kangaroo is hesitant because the duck's wet feet might make it sick.
8. What does
the duck say it has bought to address the kangaroo's concern?
Ans: The
duck says it has bought socks and a cloak to keep warm.
9. What does
the kangaroo worry it might get from the duck's wet feet?
Ans: The
kangaroo worries it might get rheumatism (roo-matiz) from the duck's wet feet.
10. Where
does the duck say it has thought about the kangaroo's concern?
Ans: The
duck says it has thought about the kangaroo's concern while sitting on rocks.
11. What
does the duck say it will do to stay warm during the journey?
Ans: The
duck says it will smoke a cigar to stay warm.
12. How does
the duck suggest sitting on the kangaroo's back?
Ans: The
duck suggests sitting at the end of the kangaroo's tail for balance.
13. In what
light do they set off on their journey?
Ans: They
set off in the moonlight.
14. How many
times do they hop around the world?
Ans: They
hop around the world three times.
15. How do
the duck and the kangaroo feel during their adventure?
Ans: They
feel happy and joyful.
16. What
does the poem say about the duck and the kangaroo at the end?
Ans: The
poem says that they are very happy.
17. What
kind of life does the duck want to escape from?
Ans: The
duck wants to escape from its life in the pond.
18. What
does the duck ask the kangaroo for?
Ans: The
duck asks the kangaroo for a ride on its back.
19. What
does the kangaroo worry about regarding the duck's feet?
Ans: The
kangaroo worries about the duck's wet and cold feet.
20. What do
the duck and the kangaroo do together?
Ans: They go
on an adventure and travel together.