Summary of The Duck and the Kangaroo by Edward Lear

The poem, “The Duck and The Kangaroo” by Edward Lear begins with a sweet conversation between a duck and a kangaroo.

Stanza 1:
The Duck praises the Kangaroo about the way he hops. The Duck says that how gracefully the Kangaroo hops over the fields and water that it seems like it has no ending. The Duck feels sorry for himself as his own life is a bore and already spent half of his life in the nasty pond. The Duck wishes if he could hop like the Kangaroo.

Stanza 2:
The Duck requests the Kangaroo to give him a ride on his back. He also promises that he would not say anything apart from a ‘Quack’ for the whole day long. They would go to the Dee and the Jelly Bo Lee and over the land and sea. The Duck again earnestly requests the Kangaroo to give him a ride.

Stanza 3:
The Kangaroo thinks about the Duck’s proposal deeply. He has an objection to his request because the duck’s feet are cold from water which would trouble the Kangaroo if the Duck sat on his back for the ride.

Stanza 4:
The Duck had a quick solution to the Kangaroo’s problem. He said he was carrying a pair of socks which will keep his feet neat and warm. Also, he is carrying a cloak and he would smoke a cigar daily and enjoy the company of his dear Kangaroo.

Stanza 5:
The Kangaroo finally agrees to take the Duck on a ride. In the moonlight, the Duck is seen sitting steady on the Kangaroo’s tail. They hopped the world thrice. There was no one so happy like the Kangaroo and the Duck.

The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB. The poet wants to convey a message through this simple poem that polite and courteous behavior can win hearts and help us to fulfill our desire.

Multiple Choice Questions:
Said the Duck to the Kangaroo,
“Good Gracious, how you hop!
Over the fields and the water too..”

1. Who is that cannot hop?
a. Duck b. Kangaroo c. Frog

2. The phrase ‘Good Gracious’ here shows:
a. anger b. fear c. surprise

Said the Duck “As I sat on the rocks
I have thought over that completely
And I bought four pair of worsted socks
Which fit my web-feet neatly.”

1. The Duck sat on the rock thinking?
a. about the Kangaroo b. how to get out of the pond
c. about the objection raised by the Kangaroo

2. The Duck bought the socks to
a. keep his feet warm and neat b. to make his feet look better
c. to trouble the Kangaroo

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