The Duck and the Kangaroo

Introduction

The poem “The Duck and Kangaroo” depicts a sincere friendship between a Duck and a Kangaroo and is highly positive and joyful. The Duck initially suggested to the Kangaroo that he wants go on an overseas trip since he was getting bored of being in the nasty pond. The Kangaroo initially shows little interest in the Duck’s proposition, but when the latter offers his kind suggestions for how they can travel without hurting his Kangaroo friend, the latter is delighted and nearly travels  the entire World three times with the duck.

Summary

n the first stanza- the Duck compliments his companion Kangaroo on his extraordinary capacity for hopping and jumping over fields and water. She admitted that she was getting really bored while living in a pretty awful pond. The Duck informed the Kangaroo that she would like to travel the globe with him. The Duck asked the Kangaroo if she may sit on his back and look over the entire world. Moreover, she said while traveling, she would merely make a quacking noise and not bother him. The Duck made explicit note of two locations she wants to visit: Dee and the Jelly Bo Lee, as well as seas and countries.

Duck’s suggestion to Kangaroo didn’t appear to go well with the kangaroo.He bluntly told Duck that the duck’s feet  are wet and cold, thus this would harm the kangaroo as he can fall sick and cause him body pain. Thus he has to rethink about this trip. After some thoughtful time on a nearby rock, the duck responded to the kangaroo in a nice manner. She claimed to have discovered a remedy for this issue. She would prepare four pairs of wool socks that the duck could put on to prevent  his cold and wet feet to touch the kangaroo. Also, she would put a warm cloak and smoke a cigar every day to protect his dearest friend-kangaroo. 

Kangaroo decided to accompany Duck after carefully considering Duck’s proposal. Kangaroo was happy and convinced by this idea for his friend. The Duck sat on the tail of the kangaroo and they both traveled around the world three times. 

About the Poet

In a small town called Highgate, close to London, Edward Lear was born on “May 12th” 1812. In San Remo, Italy, on January 29, 1888, he passed away. He was well-known for painting English landscapes and for creating creative nonsense verse. His so-called “nonsense poems,” featured some extraordinary creatures in his mystical and nonsensical phrases and indicate an acute and fundamental sense of solitude.

Conclusion

It is a humorous poem in the “Nonsense Verse” style that celebrates joy and laughter. The poem is five stanzas long and is about a duck that is bored staying in a puddle. The desire of the duck is to leave its nasty surroundings and travel the globe like a kangaroo.Thus, he pleaded the kangaroo  politely to take him on a trip by sitting on his back. The kangaroo expressed his concern that the ducks feet are wet, cold and this might cause a problem to the kangaroo as he might fall sick or have body pain. The duck changed his perspective and came up with a solution. She told that she will wear a pair of woolen socks that will prevent from the kangaroo falling ill or having body pain. Thus they both were happy and went on their trip around the world thrice.

TextBook Questions

 1.How did the duck express her wish to the Kangaroo?

Ans: She was quite polite when she spoke to him. She asked for a ride so that she might also take pleasure in life. She makes a commitment to cover her wet feet and smoke a cigar each day in order to prevent cold.

2. What request did the duck make to the Kangaroo? Why was it so?

Ans: The Duck was growing bored being in a dirty pond, so he asked the kangaroo to take him on a ride to two places named Dee and the Jelly Bo Lee.

3. How did the Duck try to convince the Kangaroo?

Ans: At first, the Kangaroo was reluctant to bring Duck along. However, the Duck was able to persuade the Kangaroo by promising to deliver a pair of wool socks that would readily fit into the ducks webbed feet. In addition, the duck promised to purchase a blanket so that he could shield himself from the chilly weather. Besides the duck also said that he will have a cigar everyday to keep warm.

4. How did the Kangaroo react to the duck’s proposal for a ride?

Ans:- The Kangaroo was eager to show the duck around after being really pleased with the proposal. But, the kangaroo stated he would have to give this request some thought. He objected at first but then agreed to her request. He reasoned that it might be lucky for him, thus,he agreed to let her ride on his back and they travelled the world.

5. What objection did the Kangaroo put before the Duck?

Ans: The Kangaroo accepted the Duck’s request. He was willing to give her a ride on his back. He voiced one disapproval though her feet were “uncomfortably cold and wet.” His joints can experience some pain due to the cold and wetness.

Extra Questions 

1. What is the poem The Duck and the Kangaroo’s message?
Ans: Life is meant to be enjoyed, according to the poem The Duck and the Kangaroo.

The duck is sick of being confined to a tiny pond.

He therefore longs to leave the cramped area and go on an adventure with the kangaroo.

2. Is The Duck and the Kangaroo a nonsense verse?
Ans: “The Duck and the Kangaroo” is a nonsense poem by Edward Lear.t debuted in Lear’s collection Nonsense Songs from 1870. The poem portrays a conversation between a duck trapped in a pond and the kangaroo who symbolises the duck’s best opportunity for release.

3.What made the duck describe the pond as “nasty”?
Ans.The Duck referred to the pond as “nasty” since it lacked both charm and life.

It made the Duck’s life boring and without excitement.