Fable Poem - Summary, Explanation, Meaning, Questions and Answers

Fable Poem – Summary, Explanation, Meaning, Questions and Answers

Content Structure

1. About the author – (Ralph Waldo Emerson’s)
2. Summary
3. Word meanings
4. Comprehension exercises
5. Grammar in use
6. Writing activities

1. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s introduction

Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on May 25, 1803. He was an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, and poet. He believed that every person should think for themselves, trust their own ideas, and live in harmony with nature. His famous works include Concord Hymn and Brahma. He died on April 27, 1882.

2. Summary

The mountain is quick to call the squirrel a “little prig,” but the squirrel can calmly and respectfully defend itself.
It points out that the mountain is not as small as the squirrel and the squirrel is not as spry as the mountain.
The squirrel also says that they each have different talents and that both are important.
The poem ends with the line that “talent differs; all is well and wisely put.” This means that everyone is different and that our differences make us special.
We should be proud of those differences and not try to be someone else.

3. Word meanings

Former	denoting the first or first mention of two people or things.	भूतपूर्व
Prig	One who puts on an appearance of being morally correct	घमण्डी
Bun	Squirrel	गिलहरी
Replied	To say	कहा
Doubtless	Almost certainly	निस्संदेह
Sorts	Types, ways	प्रकार
Things	Stuff	चीज़ें
Weather	Season, Climate	मौसम
Taken	Took	ले लिया
Together	With, together	साथ-साथ
Sphere	Area, field	गोला
Think	Peruse, guess	सोचना
Disgrace	Insult, offense	अपमान
Occupy	Capture	कब्जा
Half	Half, halves	आधा
Spry	Full of life and energy
Deny	Refuse	नकारना
Make	Create	बनाना
Pretty	Beautiful	सुंदर
Squirrel	Squirrel	गिलहरी
Track	Track	ट्रैक, पर नज़र रखने
Talent	Genius	प्रतिभा
Differ	Different, separate	भिन्न होना
Well	Good	अच्छा
Wisely	Prudently	बुद्धिमानी
Carry	Moving, taking	ले जाना
Forest	Jungle, wilderness	जंगल
Neither	Not	भी नहीं
Crack	Rift	दरार
Nut	Nut	अखरोट
Conversation	interaction	बातचीत
Between	Between, among	के बीच
Individual	Person, personalised	व्यक्ति, वैयक्तिक
Existence	Existent	अस्तित्व
Reason	Cause, due	कारण

4. 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

Ans: (iv) Squirrel

(b) Bun does not doubt that the mountain is
(i) Small
(ii) Big
(iii) Noble
(iv) Kind

Ans: (ii) Big

c) Unlike a mountain, a squirrel can crack a
(i) Nut
(ii) Joke
(iii) Stone
(iv) Lock

Ans: (i) Nut

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.” (False)
S/S: And the former called the letter “little prig.”

(b) The squirrel is sprier than the mountain. (True)
S/S: “And not half so spray.”

(c) The mountain can carry forests on its back. (True)
S/S: “If I cannot carry forests on my back, neither can you crack a nut.”

3. Answer the following questions:

(a) Who had a quarrel with the squirrel?
Ans: The mountain had a quarrel with the squirrel.

(b) What is not a disgrace to the squirrel?
Ans: It is not a disgrace for the squirrel to occupy a small space in the world.

(c) What is it that the squirrel doesn’t deny?
Ans: The squirrel does not deny that the mountain makes a very pretty squirrel track.

5. Grammar in Use

4. Replace the underlined words with suitable phrasal verbs from the list given below. Change the form of verbs where necessary. There is one extra phrasal verb in the list:

a) turn down

b) come over

c) put up with

d) come across

(a) Rabi met his friend in the park.
Ans: Rabi came across his friend in the park.

(b) Tanushree cannot tolerate cruel behaviour to animals.
Ans: Tanushree cannot put up with cruel behaviour to animals.

(c) His proposal was rejected.
Ans: His proposal was turned down.

5. Change the voice of the following sentences:

(a) Lock the door.
Ans: Let the door be locked.

(b) Ashim knows the solution to this problem.
Ans: The solution to this problem is known to Ashim.

(c) I had written a letter.
Ans: A letter had been written by me.

6. Writing activities

6. Write a letter to your friend (within 100 words) advising her/him to visit the public library in her/his locality as frequently as possible.

17/1 Sarat Bose Road
Kolkata – 700042
15/03/22

My dear Rahul,

I hope you are doing well. I wanted to suggest that you visit the library in your locality. Last week, I visited a library and found many kinds of books, magazines, novels, poetry, dramas, joke books, and more. Libraries provide a peaceful environment and a great source of knowledge. If you make it a habit to go regularly, it will improve your reading skills, knowledge, and creativity. You can also find books related to your studies as well as general knowledge. I highly recommend visiting the library at least once.

Take care, and when we meet, we can share our experiences of exploring the library

Yours sincerely,
Raju

17/3 Bhabanath Sen Street
Kolkata – 700032

7. Write a paragraph (within 100 words) on the benefits of early morning exercise using the following points:
Good for health – fresh air – keeps one active throughout the day

Morning Exercise is a good habit
Morning exercise is good for health. It keeps our body strong and fit. Exercising or walking in the morning is a good habit because we get fresh air, which refreshes the mind and improves blood circulation. Regular morning exercise keeps the body active, boosts energy, and protects us from diseases while also reducing stress. People who exercise daily feel fresh and energetic throughout the day. On the other hand, waking up late and avoiding exercise can lead to weakness and various health problems. Therefore, morning exercise helps us stay healthy, strong, and happy.