About the Author
Kit Wright is an English poet who loves writing fun and funny poems for children. He was born on June 17, 1944, in England. He is known for his playful and lively poems that make kids laugh and enjoy reading. His poems often talk about everyday things, like animals, families, or funny situations, in a way that feels exciting and easy to understand. Kit Wright has written many poetry books, and his work is loved for its humor and simple words. He has won awards for his writing, and his poems are great for kids because they are full of fun, silly moments, and a bit of magic.
What’s the Story About?
This is a funny poem about a dad who tries to be a hero but ends up making everyone laugh. It all starts one morning when the family’s cat gets stuck high up in a tree in their garden. The cat is scared and can’t come down, so the family needs a plan to save it. Mum looks at the tall tree and warns Dad that climbing it is dangerous and he might fall. But Dad is very confident. He says it’s an “easy” job and he doesn’t need any help. He laughs and says, “A tree is simple to climb!”
First, Dad tries to climb the tree without any tools. He slips and falls into the flowerbed with a thud! The kids and Mum are worried, but Dad is okay and tries again, saying, “That was just bad luck!” This time, he gets a ladder from the garden shed. He climbs up, but the ladder is wobbly and old. It slips, and Dad falls again, landing in the grass. Mum shakes her head and says, “I told you so!” but Dad doesn’t give up.
For his third try, Dad has a “brilliant” plan. He climbs the tree with the ladder, thinking he’ll be clever by leaning it against the branches. But the ladder gets stuck in the tree with the cat! Now, both the cat and the ladder are up there, and Dad falls again, landing in a pond with a big splash! Mum and the kids can’t stop laughing. In the end, the cat jumps down on its own, safe and sound. Dad is wet and muddy but still smiling. The poem is full of silly moments and shows how Dad’s big confidence leads to funny mistakes, but everything turns out okay.
Who’s Who in the Story
- Dad: The main character who thinks he’s great at climbing and can save the cat easily. He’s brave but a bit too proud, and his plans keep going wrong in a funny way.
- Mum: The sensible one in the family. She warns Dad not to climb the tree because it’s risky, but he doesn’t listen. She laughs when his plans fail.
- The Cat: The family’s pet who gets stuck in the tree. It’s scared at first but jumps down safely in the end.
- The Kids (Narrators): The poem is told by the kids (we don’t know their names). They watch Dad’s funny attempts and think it’s all a big adventure.
Themes and Moral
Themes (Main Ideas): The poem is about trying hard even when things go wrong and finding humor in mistakes. It shows how being too confident can lead to funny accidents, but it’s okay to laugh at yourself. It also talks about family love, where everyone cares for each other, even when they tease or laugh.
Moral (Lesson): Don’t be too proud or think you can do everything perfectly. It’s okay to make mistakes as long as you keep trying and stay safe. Laughing at silly moments can make life more fun, and sometimes, problems solve themselves if you wait.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Here are some key words and phrases from the poem. I explain them in easy words, like talking to a friend:
- Stuck: Unable to move, like when your shoe gets caught in mud. (In the poem: The cat is stuck in the tree and can’t come down.)
- Wobbly: Shaky or not steady, like a table with one short leg. (The ladder is wobbly, so Dad falls off.)
- Thud: A loud sound when something heavy falls, like dropping a book on the floor. (Dad falls with a thud into the flowerbed.)
- Brilliant: Very clever or great, like coming up with a super idea. (Dad thinks his plan to climb with the ladder is brilliant.)
- Mucky: Dirty and messy, like clothes after playing in mud. (Dad gets mucky after falling in the pond.)
Phrases:
- Child’s play: Something very easy to do, like tying your shoelaces. (Dad says climbing the tree is child’s play, but it’s not!)
- Have a go: To try something, like attempting to ride a bike for the first time. (Dad says he’ll have a go at saving the cat.)
- Plan B: A second plan when the first one fails, like choosing another game if it rains. (Dad uses Plan B with the ladder after falling the first time.)
- I told you so: What someone says when they warned you, and they were right. (Mum says this when Dad falls, as she knew the tree was hard to climb.)