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Skywalk Coursebook 6

Skywalk Coursebook 6

Sraboni Das, Wordworth

ICSEClass 6
English

The Plaint of a Camel

About

Charles Edward Carryl (1841-1920) was a second generation businessman and stockbroker. He wrote with the influence of his imaginative children. He is remembered for his contribution to American children's literature, Davy and the Goblin and The Walloping Window.

Canary-birds feed on sugar and seed,

Parrots have crackers to crunch:

and, as for the poodles, they tell me the noodles

have chickens and cream for their lunch.

But there's never a question

about MY digestion--

Anything does for me!

 

'Cats, you're aware, can repose in a chair,

chickens can roost upon rails;

puppies are able to sleep in a stable,

and oysters can slumber in pails.

But no one supposes

a poor Camel dozes--

Any place does for me!

 

'Lambs are enclosed where never exposed,

coops are constructed for hens:

kittens are treated to houses well heated,

and pigs are protected by pens.

But a Camel comes handy

wherever it's sandy--

Anywhere does for me!

 

'People would laugh if you rode a giraffe,

or mounted the back of an ox

it's nobody's habit to ride on a rabbit,

or try to bestraddle a fox.

But as for a Camel, he'

ridden by families--

Any load does for me!

 

'A snake is as round as a hole in the ground,

and weasels are wavy and sleek;

and no alligator could ever be straighter

than lizards that live in a creek,

but a Camel's all lumpy

and bumpy and humpy--

Any shape does for me!'

Available Answers

  1. 1.

    Complete the sentences by choosing the correct options.

    1. Parrots feed on
      1. chicken and cream
      2. any type of food
      3. crunchy crackers
      4. sugar and seed
    2. It's nobody's habit to ride on a rabbit' means
      1. riding a rabbit is a matter of habit.
      2. rabbits are meant to be ridden on.
      3. It's a bad habit to ride on a rabbit.
      4. rabbits are not meant to be ridden on.
    3. 'A snake is as round as a hole in the ground' The poetic device used in this line is a/an
      1. metaphor
      2. simile
      3. personification
      4. imagery
  2. 2.

    What does the title 'The Plaint of the Camel' mean? Why has the poet made use of the word 'any...' at the end of every stanza in the poem?

  3. 3.

    What does the poet describe in the fourth stanza of the poem?

  4. 4.

    Do you ind the poem serious or humorous? Explain your opinion giving suitable reasons.

  5. 5.

    What does the poet want to convey in the second stanza of the poem? Which animals and their comfort has the camel compared itself to? Why has the camel called itself 'poor'?

  6. 6.

    Pick out the words from the poem opposite in meaning to the words given below.

    1. unaware ______________
    2. active _______________
    3. covered ____________
    4. demolished _____________
    5. harmed ____________
    6. straight ______________

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