Class 9, Poem 7: The Duck and the Kangaroo

NCERT solutions for Poem 7, "The Duck and the Kangaroo," by Edward Lear, from the Beehive textbook for Class 9.

**Thinking about the Poem**

**I.**u

**1. How did the Kangaroo react to the Duck’s request? Was he ready to take the Duck on a trip? What were his objections?**

**Answer:**

The Kangaroo reacted thoughtfully to the Duck's request. He said he would need some reflection, as the idea, while seemingly bringing him luck, also had some objections.

Yes, he was conditionally ready to take the Duck on a trip.

His main objections were:

    * **The Duck’s wet and cold feet:** The Kangaroo was concerned that the Duck's "unpleasantly wet and cold" feet would make him (the Kangaroo) sick with "roo-Matiz" (rheumatism).

**2. How did the Duck prepare for the journey on the Kangaroo’s back?**

**Answer:** The Duck was very considerate and prepared meticulously for the journey to address the Kangaroo's concerns:

    * **Bought worsted socks:** She bought four pairs of worsted (woollen) socks which "fit my web-feet neatly."

    * **Bought a cloak:** She bought a cloak to keep out the cold.

    * **Smoked a cigar daily:** She planned to smoke a cigar every day to, presumably, keep herself warm or perhaps to please the Kangaroo (though this is an odd "preparation" by modern standards, it's part of the poem's whimsy).

**3. Who composed the poem “The Duck and the Kangaroo”? What is the speciality of the poem?**

**Answer:**

The poem "The Duck and the Kangaroo" was composed by **Edward Lear**.

The specialities of the poem include:

    * **Nonsense verse:** It is a fine example of nonsense verse, a genre Lear was famous for. It has a playful, humorous, and whimsical tone.

    * **Conversational style:** The poem is written in a simple, conversational dialogue form between the Duck and the Kangaroo.

    * **Rhyme and rhythm:** It has a delightful rhyme scheme (ababccdd in most stanzas) and a bouncy rhythm that makes it enjoyable to read aloud.

    * **Imaginative and charming story:** It tells an imaginative story of an unlikely friendship and a desire for adventure.

    * **Implied moral (subtle):** While primarily for amusement, it subtly shows the value of politeness, problem-solving (the Duck addressing the Kangaroo's concerns), and the joy of new experiences.

**II.**

**Discuss the following questions with your partner and write the answers.**

**1. The Duck was impressed by the Kangaroo’s hopping. Was the Kangaroo also impressed by any of the Duck’s qualities? If yes, what were they?**

**Answer:**

The poem doesn't explicitly state that the Kangaroo was "impressed" by the Duck's qualities in the same way the Duck was by his hopping. However, the Kangaroo does seem to acknowledge the Duck's persuasive and considerate nature:

    * He considers her request ("This requires some little reflection").

    * He is willing to take her if his objections are met.

    * The Duck’s thoughtful preparations (socks, cloak) clearly satisfy his concerns, leading to the successful trip. This suggests he appreciated her willingness to address his issues.

While not direct admiration, the Kangaroo seems to value the Duck's proactive and problem-solving approach which made their adventure possible.

**2. Why did the Duck want to have a ride on the Kangaroo’s back?**

**Answer:** The Duck wanted to have a ride on the Kangaroo’s back because:

    * **Boredom with her pond:** She was bored with her life in her "nasty pond" and felt her "life is a bore in this nasty pond."

    * **Desire to see the world:** She longed to go out into the world beyond her pond. She wanted to "go out in the world beyond!"

    * **Admiration for the Kangaroo's hopping:** She greatly admired how the Kangaroo could hop "over the fields and the water too, / As if you never would stop!" She wished she could hop like him.

**3. Write down the wishes made by the Duck.**

**Answer:** The wishes made by the Duck were:

    * To go out into the world beyond her pond.

    * To hop like the Kangaroo.

    * To have a ride on the Kangaroo's back, preferably starting right away.

    * To go to places like the "Dee, and the Jelly Bo Lee," "over the land, and over the sea."

**4. Do you think the Duck and the Kangaroo were good friends from the very beginning or did their friendship grow after the Duck’s request? What made them become good friends?**

**Answer:**

It seems their friendship grew *after* the Duck's request. The poem begins with the Duck expressing her admiration and making a bold request, implying they weren't necessarily close friends before this interaction.

What made them become good friends was:

    * **The Duck's polite and admiring approach:** She complimented the Kangaroo and made her request respectfully.

    * **The Kangaroo's willingness to listen and consider:** He didn't immediately dismiss her unusual request.

    * **Mutual problem-solving and consideration:** The Duck took the Kangaroo's concerns seriously and made efforts to address them (buying socks and a cloak). The Kangaroo, in turn, was satisfied with her efforts.

    * **Shared adventure:** Their successful and joyful trip around the world ("they hopped the whole world three times round") would have undoubtedly solidified their friendship. The poem ends with "And who so happy – O Who, / As the Duck and the Kangaroo?" indicating their shared joy and companionship.