Class 9 English - TAMILNADU
Poetry: The Duck and the Kangaroo
Poetry: The Duck and the Kangaroo, written by Edward Lear, is a delightful nonsense verse prescribed in the Class 9 Tamil Nadu Samacheer Kalvi English textbook. The poem narrates a charming conversation between a bored Duck and a friendly Kangaroo. The Duck admires the Kangaroo's ability to hop and wishes to see the world beyond the pond, prompting her to ask for a ride. In return, the clever Duck devises a plan to keep her cold feet warm using socks and a cloak. This playful poem teaches students about friendship, mutual help, and creative problem-solving, and it frequently features in board exams for comprehension and poetic appreciation questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Nonsense Verse
A humorous genre of poetry characterized by whimsical, silly elements and imaginative situations that defy physical reality, perfectly embodied by a duck riding on a kangaroo's tail.
Poetic Device - Refrain
The repetition of a phrase or line at regular intervals in a poem, such as 'Said the Kangaroo to the Duck' and 'Said the Duck to the Kangaroo', which adds a musical rhythm.
Theme of Mutual Help
The poem highlights how two completely different animals help each other fulfill their desires—the Kangaroo provides travel while the Duck provides warmth and company.
Rhyme Scheme
The structural pattern of end rhymes in a poem; 'The Duck and the Kangaroo' primarily follows a lively AABB or ABCB pattern that enhances its musical flow.
Alliteration
The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of neighboring words, used by Edward Lear to create a catchy and rhythmic reading experience.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
This chapter typically carries around 3 to 6 marks in the Tamil Nadu (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 9 English board exams. Common question types include 1-mark comprehension questions, identifying figures of speech from given lines, paragraph questions on the central theme of friendship and cooperation, and memory lines or appreciation questions based on specific stanzas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the poet of 'The Duck and the Kangaroo'?
The poem is written by Edward Lear, who is famous for his literary nonsense and limericks.
Why did the Duck want a ride on the Kangaroo's back?
The Duck lived in a nasty pond and felt bored, longing to see the world beyond the water, so she asked the Kangaroo to give her a ride on his back.
How did the Duck prepare herself for the long journey?
The Duck bought four pairs of worsted socks to fit her webbed feet and a cloak to keep out the cold wind during the trip.
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