The Duck And The Kangaroo Class 9 English Beehive Notes

Key Points from the Poem

• The Duck desires to escape its 'nasty pond' and see the world, expressing its longing to the Kangaroo.
• The Kangaroo is initially hesitant due to the Duck's wet and cold feet, fearing it might give him 'roo-matiz'.
• The Duck proposes solutions: buying four pairs of worsted socks to keep its feet warm and wearing a cloak to stay dry.
• The Duck also promises to sit perfectly still and say nothing but 'Quack' as a sign of respect.
• The Kangaroo agrees, and they embark on a joyful journey, taking three rounds of the world.
• The poem celebrates friendship, adventure, compromise, and fulfilling desires.
• It highlights how obstacles can be overcome through thoughtful planning and mutual consideration.
• Edward Lear's poem is a classic example of a nonsense verse, yet carries deeper themes.

Key Terms & Poetic Devices

Hopping

Moving by jumping on one foot or both feet at once (as a kangaroo does).

Nasty Pond

The Duck's dull, unpleasant small body of water, from which it wishes to escape.

Roo-matiz

A humorous, playful misspelling of 'rheumatism', implying joint pain caused by cold and dampness.

Worsted Socks

Socks made from fine, smooth, tightly spun wool yarn, known for warmth.

Cloak

A loose outer garment, typically without sleeves, that hangs down from the shoulders.

Alliteration

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words (e.g., 'wet and cold').

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds within words that are close together (e.g., 'old and cold').

Personification

Attributing human qualities or actions to inanimate objects or animals (e.g., animals speaking and reasoning).

Rhyme Scheme

The pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem or song. This poem often follows an AABB or ABCB pattern.

A Journey of Friendship and Desire

Edward Lear's delightful poem, "The Duck And The Kangaroo," is a classic piece of nonsense verse that intricately weaves a tale of longing, practicality, and mutual accommodation. The poem opens with the Duck, confined to its 'nasty pond,' expressing an intense desire to explore the wider world. It observes the Kangaroo's effortless hopping and wishes for a similar freedom to travel. This initial plea highlights the Duck's yearning for adventure and a life beyond its mundane existence.

The Duck's request to ride on the Kangaroo's back is met with a practical concern from the Kangaroo. The Kangaroo, though initially willing, worries about the Duck's 'wet and cold feet,' fearing they might cause him 'roo-matiz' (rheumatism), a humorous take on health issues. This brief moment introduces a realistic obstacle in their whimsical journey, grounding the poem in a touch of reality.

However, the Duck demonstrates remarkable resourcefulness and thoughtfulness. To address the Kangaroo's concern, the Duck proposes a clever solution: it promises to buy four pairs of worsted socks to keep its feet warm and dry, and a cloak to shield itself from dampness. Furthermore, the Duck assures the Kangaroo that it will remain perfectly still and quiet, only saying 'Quack' to show respect. These thoughtful preparations showcase the Duck's determination and its commitment to making the journey comfortable for its companion.

With all concerns addressed, the Kangaroo agrees, and they embark on their grand adventure. The poem beautifully concludes with them travelling 'the whole world three times round,' signifying a long and joyful journey. The final lines, 'They hopped and were happy, oh, so happy!' emphasize the success of their collaboration and the joy derived from fulfilling a shared dream. The poem ultimately celebrates the essence of friendship, compromise, and the pursuit of dreams by overcoming practical challenges with mutual respect and ingenious solutions.

The Duck's Plan to Overcome Obstacles

1. The Desire and the Request — The Duck expresses its deep desire to see the world beyond its pond and politely asks the Kangaroo for a ride on its back.
2. Kangaroo's Hesitation — The Kangaroo points out a significant problem: the Duck's wet and cold feet, which could lead to 'roo-matiz'.
3. Solution 1: Warm Feet — The Duck promises to buy four pairs of 'worsted socks' to keep its feet warm and prevent them from making the Kangaroo cold.
4. Solution 2: Dryness and Decorum — The Duck also commits to wearing a 'cloak' to stay dry and pledges to sit perfectly still and quiet, speaking only 'Quack' in respect.
5. Mutual Agreement and Journey — Satisfied with the Duck's thoughtful preparations, the Kangaroo agrees, and they embark on their world-spanning adventure together.

Exam Tip: Analyzing 'The Duck And The Kangaroo'

When answering questions on this poem, focus on:

1. Character Analysis: Describe the Duck's desire, resourcefulness, and politeness, and the Kangaroo's initial practicality followed by kindness.
2. Themes: Discuss friendship, adventure, perseverance, and the idea of overcoming obstacles through compromise.
3. Poetic Devices: Identify and explain the use of alliteration, assonance, personification, and the rhyme scheme. Mention how these devices add to the poem's whimsical and rhythmic quality.
4. Message: The underlying message is that with mutual understanding and effort, even unlikely companions can achieve their dreams. Quote relevant lines to support your points for better marks.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: What was the Duck's main desire? A: The Duck's main desire was to travel beyond its 'nasty pond' and see the world, specifically wishing to ride on the Kangaroo's back.
• Q: What concern did the Kangaroo raise about the Duck? A: The Kangaroo was concerned that the Duck's 'wet and cold feet' would give him 'roo-matiz' (rheumatism).
• Q: How did the Duck solve the 'cold feet' problem? A: The Duck promised to buy four pairs of 'worsted socks' to keep its feet warm and also wear a 'cloak' to stay dry.
• Q: What is the main theme of the poem? A: The main themes are friendship, the pursuit of dreams, adventure, and overcoming obstacles through thoughtful planning and compromise.

Frequently Asked Questions