Fable Poem – Summary, Explanation, Meanings, Questions and Answers
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s introduction
Ralph Waldo Emerson (25 May 1803 – 27 April 1882) was primarily known by his middle name Waldo. He was an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, and poet. His famous poems were “Concord Hymn” and “Brahma”.
The theme of the poem
The main theme of the poem is that everyone has their own unique role to play in the world, regardless of their size or strength. The mountain may be big and strong, but it cannot crack a nut. The squirrel may be small and weak, but it can climb trees and gather food. Both creatures are important in their own way, and they both contribute to the balance of nature.
Explanation
It is an adaptation of the poem “The Mountain and The Squirrel”. This portion of the poem is called Fable. The poem is about a quarrel between a mountain and a squirrel. The mountain insults the squirrel by calling it a “little prig.” In response, the squirrel defends himself by saying that you are doubtlessly very big but both the mountain and the squirrel have their own roles and significance in the world.
The squirrel also pointing that various elements like different types of weather and circumstances come together to create a complete year and a spherical world.
The squirrel asserts that he is not ashamed of his small size and that his role is not a disgrace in the world. He also points out that he was not as large as the mountain but the mountain was not as small as he was.
The squirrel believes that talents and abilities vary and that everything in the world has been well and wisely designed.
Just like the squirrel cannot carry forests on its back, the mountain cannot crack a nut. This fable teaches that each entity in nature has its unique role and value, and no one should be underestimated or considered less important based solely on appearance or size.
Summary
- The mountain is quick to call the squirrel a “little prig,” but the squirrel can calmly and respectfully defend himself.
- He points out that the mountain is not as small as the squirrel, and that he is not as spry.
- He also says that they both have different talents and that both of their talents are important.
- The poem ends with the message that “talent differs, all is well and wisely put.” This means that everyone is different and that our differences are what make us special.
- We should celebrate our differences, and we should not try to be someone we are not.
Word meaning
Word | English Meaning | Hindi Meaning |
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 |
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
Supporting statement: And the former called the letter “little prig”.
(b) The squirrel is sprier than the mountain. – True
Supporting statement: “And not half so spray”.
(c) The mountain can carry forests on its back. – True
Supporting statement: “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 to 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.
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) 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.
List: (a) turn down (b) come over (c) put up with (d) come across
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.
Additional Questions and Answers
Multiple choice question and answer
1. “Bun” refers to __________.
(a) Mountain
(b) Cat
(c) Rabbit
(d) Squirrel
Ans: (d) squirrel
2. To whom did “very big” refer?
(a) Mountain
(b) Cat
(c) Rabbit
(d) Squirrel
Ans: Mountain
3. Who was not disgraced to occupy his place?
(a) Mountain
(b) Cat
(c) Rabbit
(d) Squirrel
Ans: (d) Squirrel
4. Who did make the squirrel track?
(a) Mountain
(b) Cat
(c) Rabbit
(d) Squirrel
Ans: (a) Mountain
5. Who cannot crack the nut?
(a) Mountain
(b) Cat
(c) Rabbit
(d) Squirrel
Ans: (a) Mountain
One-liner answer type question
1. Who are quarrelling?
Ans: The mountain and the squirrel are quarrelling.
2. Who called the Little Prig to squirrel?
Ans: The mountain called the Little Prig to squirrel.
3. Who is very big in the poem?
Ans: The mountain is very big in the poem.
4. According to the poem, who is Prig?
Ans: According to the poem, the mountain is Prig.
5. Who said Prig to whom?
Ans: The mountain said the Preg to squirrel.
6. “you are doubtless very big”.
Who said this to whom?
Ans: The squirrel said to the mountain.
7. Who is not disgraced about his place?
Ans: The squirrel is not disgraced about his place.
8. Who is not as large as a mountain?
Ans: The squirrel is not as large as a mountain.
9. Who did make squirrel track?
Ans: The mountain made a squirrel track.
Long answer type question
How did the squirrel reply to the mountain by saying, Prig?
Ans: The squirrel replied by saying that you are doubtlessly very big but both the mountain and the squirrel have their own roles and significance in the world.
“But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together,
To make up a year
And a sphere.”
Explain
Ans: In the poem, The squirrel emphasizes that various elements like different types of weather and circumstances come together to create a complete year and a spherical world.
Everyone has their own strength and weakness and also play an important role in the world.
“Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;”
What did the poet want to say by this line?
Ans: The poet wanted to say that talents vary among individuals, and everything in the world is well-balanced and purposefully designed. Everyone has an important role in the world.
What do you learn from this poem?
Ans: The poem teaches us that we should not be arrogant. We should respect the talents of others, no matter how different they may be from our own. It also reminds us that we all have something to offer the world, no matter how small or insignificant we may feel. We should all be proud of our unique abilities, and we should work together to create a better world.
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