THE DUCK AND THE KANGAROO
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The poem “The Duck and the Kangaroo” is a nonsensical poem. But reading between the lines shows that it actually deals with the significance of love for adventure. Adventure makes life worth living and adds colour and joy to it. The poem also deals with the theme of friendship. Friends, who help others, not only give joy but also experience happiness themselves.

LITERARY DEVICES
Refrain
A refrain is a phrase or a verse that is repeated regularly in a poem. It adds music to the poem, emphasizes certain core ideas, or simply brings unity to the narration.
The repetition of the line “Said the Duck to the Kangaroo” many times in the poem makes it a refrain. This repetition brings out the urgency of the Duck’s desire and also emphasizes her persistent nature

Do it in your notebook

1.Why was the Duck fascinated by the Kangaroo’s hopping?
Ans. The Duck was fascinated by the Kangaroo’s hopping because she herself could not hop. She had to lead a boring life swimming in a silly pond, so she admired the Kangaroo’s continuous hopping over the fields as well as water bodies.

2. Where  was the Duck’s home and what was her deep desire?
Ans. The Duck’s home was the ‘silly’ pond which she found boring and restrictive. Therefore  she had a deep desire to see the wide world that lay beyond her ‘nasty’ and monotonous pond.

3. Why did the Duck wish the Kangaroo to take her for a ride?
Ans. Living in her ‘nasty’ pond, day and night, the Duck had become sick and tired of the monotony of her life. She had observed the Kangaroo hopping around all day long. So, she wished the Kangaroo to take her on a ride, to have fun, and to see new and exciting places.

4. What different traits of the Duck’s character are revealed in the first stanza?
Ans. Optimism and aspiration are the traits of the Duck’s character revealed in the first stanza. She is very appreciative of the Kangaroo’s hopping skills. She aspires to go away. from her pond and go out into the world.

5. What did the Duck promise the Kangaroo and why?
Ans. The Duck promised the Kangaroo that if he took her around for a ride she would fully co-operate with him. She would sit on his back very steadily and quietly so that he would neither be distracted nor lose his balance.

6.What was the Kangaroo’s reaction to the Duck’s request?
Ans. The Kangaroo was a very sensible and wise creature. When he was requested for a ride, he was slightly apprehensive as he knew that the wet and cold feet of the Duck may afflict him with rheumatism, a disease marked by inflammation and joint pains. So, before committing anything, he wished to give the whole issue a good thought, even though the proposal could bring him good luck.

7. How did the Duck prepare for the journey on the Kangaroo’s back?
Ans. The Duck bought four pairs of worsted socks so that her cold and wet feet could be covered and protected from the cold. She also bought a cloak to keep the cold out. In addition, she decided to smoke a cigar daily to pass her time.

8. What instructions did the Kangaroo give the Duck before starting the journey? Did the Duck comply with the instructions?
Ans. The Kangaroo told the Duck to help him maintain his balance during the ride by sitting absolutely still at the end of his tail. The Duck did comply with his instructions and the two had a smooth trip and a very enjoyable journey.

9.Why did the Kangaroo and the Duck hop around the whole world three times?
Ans. The Kangaroo and the Duck’s trip resulted in immense joy for both the creatures. It made them the happiest pair of all. They hopped around the world three times which shows that it was a smooth sailing trip.