Class 9 English - KARNATAKA
Poetry: The Duck and the Kangaroo
The chapter 'The Duck and the Kangaroo' is a delightful nonsense verse written by Edward Lear, featured in the Class 9 Karnataka (KSEEB) English syllabus. It tells the charming story of a dissatisfied Duck who admires the hopping ability of a Kangaroo and requests a ride on its back. To ensure safety, the Duck suggests wearing woolly socks and a cloak to keep warm. The poem teaches the values of friendship, mutual cooperation, and helping others. For board exams, questions often focus on comprehension, poetic devices, character traits, and the central theme of adventure and friendship.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Nonsense Verse
A humorous genre of poetry characterized by silly characters, absurd situations, and playful language, which Edward Lear is famous for.
The Duck's Desire
The Duck feels bored living in a 'nasty pond' and wishes to explore the wide world beyond, expressing a deep longing for travel and adventure.
The Kangaroo's Objection
The Kangaroo politely points out that the Duck's wet and cold feet might make him sick, showing practical thinking before agreeing to the journey.
The Duck's Preparation
To solve the problem, the Duck buys four pairs of worsted (woolly) socks, a cloak, and decides to smoke a cigar daily to keep warm during the trip.
Rhyme and Rhythm
The poem follows a regular rhyme scheme (AABBC or similar stanzaic patterns) with a bouncy rhythm that mimics the hopping of the Kangaroo.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In Karnataka (KSEEB) Class 9 English board exams, this chapter typically carries around 3 to 5 marks. Questions commonly include 1-mark comprehension check questions, 2-mark short answer questions about the Duck and Kangaroo's plan, and reference-to-context questions based on stanzas from the poem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Duck want to leave the pond?
The Duck was bored living in a nasty pond all her life and wanted to hop about the world like the Kangaroo.
How did the Kangaroo protect himself from the Duck's wet feet?
The Kangaroo did not need protection directly, but the Duck prepared by wearing four pairs of worsted socks and a cloak to keep her feet warm and dry.
What is the moral of the poem 'The Duck and the Kangaroo'?
The poem highlights the importance of friendship, mutual help, and finding creative solutions to overcome challenges together.
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