Fable - Ralph Waldo Emerson Text with Questions and Answers
Fable
Ralph Waldo Emerson
The author and the text:
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet. His famous poems include 'Concord Hymn' and 'Brahma'.
The poem describes a conversation between the squirrel and the mountain. The squirrel points out that in this world every being, living or non - living, big or small, have their individual reasons for existence.
Read the following poem:
The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel:
And the former called the latter 'Little Prig.
Bun replied,
'You are doubtless very big;
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together,
To make up a year
And a sphere.
And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.
If I'm not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry.
I'll not deny you make A very pretty squirrel track;
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;
If I can't carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.
Comprehension exercises
1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
(a) The quarrel was between the mountain and the -
(i) rabbit
(ii) rat
(iii) cat
(iv) squirrel
(b) Bun has no doubt that the mountain is -
(i) ) small
(ii) big
(iii) noble
(iv) kind
(c) Unlike a mountain, a squirrel can crack a -
(i) nut
(ii) joke
(iii) stone
(iv) lock
2. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences / phrases / words in support of your answer:
(a) The mountain called the squirrel "Little Bun".
Supporting statement: _______________
(b) The squirrel is sprier than the mountain.
Supporting statement: _______________
(c) The mountain can carry forests on its back.
Supporting statement: _______________
3. Answer the following questions:
(a) Who had a quarrel with the squirrel?
(b) What is not a disgrace to the squirrel?
(c) What is it that the squirrel doesn't deny?
Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment