Lesson 2 📖

Fable

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

📌 The author and the text:

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet. His famous poems include ‘Concord Hymn’ and ‘Brahma’.

The poem describes a conversation between the squirrel and the mountain. The squirrel points out that in this world every being, living or non-living, big or small, have their individual reasons for existence.

📝 Read the following poem:

The mountain and the squirrel Had a quarrel: And the former called the latter ‘Little Prig.’

Bun replied, 'You are doubtless very big; But all sorts of things and weather Must be taken in together, To make up a year And a sphere. And I think it no disgrace To occupy my place. If I'm not so large as you, You are not so small as I, And not half so spry. I'll not deny you make A very pretty squirrel track; Talents differ; all is well and wisely put; If I cannot carry forests on my back, Neither can you crack a nut.'

💡 Word nest

prig: one who puts on an appearance of being morally correct
bun: squirrel
spry: full of life and energy

✍️ Comprehension exercises

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
- (b) Bun has no doubt that the mountain is
  - (i) small
  - (ii) big
  - (iii) noble
  - (iv) kind
- (c) Unlike a mountain, a squirrel can crack a
  - (i) nut
  - (ii) joke
  - (iii) stone
  - (iv) lock
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".
  - Supporting statement:
- (b) The squirrel is sprier than the mountain.
  - Supporting statement:
- (c) The mountain can carry forests on its back.
  - Supporting statement:
Answer the following questions:
- (a) Who had a quarrel with the squirrel?
- (b) What is not a disgrace to the squirrel?
- (c) What is it that the squirrel doesn't deny?

📝 Grammar in use

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.
- (b) Tanushree cannot tolerate cruel behaviour to animals.
- (c) His proposal was rejected.
- List: turn down, come over, put up with, come across
Change the voice of the following sentences:
- (a) Lock the door.
- (b) Ashim knows the solution to this problem.
- (c) I had written a letter.

✍️ Writing activities

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

Academy

4. BLISS BLISS

2. Fable