About the Author
Edward Lear was a funny English writer and artist born on May 12, 1812, in London. He was the youngest of 21 kids in his family! His dad lost all their money, so life was tough at home. Lear had health problems like fits (epilepsy) and breathing issues (asthma), which made him feel shy. But he loved drawing animals—he even made pictures for the London Zoo. Later, he traveled to far places like India and wrote silly poems to make kids laugh. His most famous works are limericks (short, goofy rhymes) and stories like The Owl and the Pussycat. Lear died on January 29, 1888, but his fun words still bring joy today. He showed that even sad times can turn into happy adventures with a bit of imagination.
What’s the Story About?
This poem is like a short, silly tale told in rhymes. It's not a real story with a big plot, but a fun chat between two animal friends who dream of going on a trip. Let me explain it in simple steps, like telling a bedtime story, so you can picture it easily.
The poem starts on a quiet hill near a boring pond. A duck lives in that pond every day. She swims around in the same old water, eating the same old things, and feels super bored. "My life is like a drag in this yucky pond," she thinks. "I want to see the big world outside!" Then, she spots a kangaroo hopping nearby. The kangaroo jumps high over fields and water, never seeming to tire. "Wow! How you hop so fast and free!" the duck says. She wishes she could hop too and asks the kangaroo, "Can I please ride on your back?"
The duck promises to be a good passenger. "I'll sit very still and only say 'Quack' all day. No trouble from me!" She dreams of traveling to cool places like the River Dee (a real river in England) and the made-up "Jelly Bo Lee" (sounds like a yummy, wobbly land!). She begs, "Please take me on a ride—pretty please!"
The kangaroo thinks about it. "Hmm, this might be lucky for me," he says. But he has one worry: "Your feet are wet and cold from the pond. They might make me sick with something like the flu!" (He calls it "roo-matiz," which is a funny way to say rheumatism, a pain in joints.)
The duck isn't worried. She says, "I've already planned for that! While sitting on rocks, I thought it all out. I bought four pairs of woolen socks—they fit my flipper feet just right. And for extra warmth, I got a big cloak to wear. Plus, every day I'll smoke a cigar to stay cozy." She adds sweetly, "I'll do all this because I love you, my dear kangaroo!"
Happy now, the kangaroo says, "Okay, I'm ready! But sit steady at the end of my tail so I don't tip over." It's a pale moonlight night, perfect for adventure. Off they go—hop, hop, bound! They jump over land and sea, circling the whole world three times. No one is happier than these two pals, the duck and the kangaroo, exploring together.
See? It's a quick, joyful ride full of laughs. The poem uses easy rhymes and repeats lines like "Said the Duck to the Kangaroo" to make it fun to read out loud.
Who’s Who in the Story
This poem has just two main characters, like a duo in a comedy show. They're simple animals but act like best buddies with big dreams.
- The Duck: She's the chatty one who starts everything. Lives in a dull pond and feels stuck. She's smart and prepared—she buys socks and a cloak without being asked! The duck is brave, loving, and full of excitement for new places. Her "Quack" is her only sound, showing she's happy to chill and enjoy the trip.
- The Kangaroo: He's the strong, bouncy friend who does the hopping. At first, he's careful and thinks things over (like checking for problems). But once convinced, he's all in for the fun. He worries about getting sick but trusts the duck's fixes. The kangaroo is kind, steady, and loves the adventure as much as his pal.
No other characters—just these two, making their silly promises and going on a wild ride!
Themes and Moral
Themes are the big ideas the poem talks about without saying them straight. This one is light and happy, perfect for kids.
- Friendship Across Differences: The duck and kangaroo are so different—one swims slowly, the other hops fast. But they team up anyway. It shows real friends help each other, no matter how unlike they are.
- Adventure and Breaking Free: The duck hates her boring pond life and wants to see the world. The kangaroo joins in, hopping everywhere. It's about leaving your safe spot to try new things—life gets exciting that way!
- Imagination and Fun: Lear makes up places like "Jelly Bo Lee" and silly fixes like cigar-smoking ducks. It reminds us to use our minds for laughs and dreams.
Moral (The Lesson): Be open to new friends and adventures. If something feels boring, hop out and explore! Small changes, like a ride with a pal, can make you the happiest. Don't let fears (like cold feet) stop you—plan a bit and go for it. True friendship makes every trip better.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Here are key words and fun phrases from the poem. I've picked simple ones that might trip you up, explained in everyday Hindi-English mix style (like how we talk in class). No big dictionary words—just clear meanings with examples.
- Hop: To jump on two legs, like a rabbit or frog. (Kangaroo hops over fields—boing, boing!)
- Gracious: A surprised way to say "wow" or "oh my!" (Like "Good gracious, that's amazing!")
- Bore: Something super dull and tiring. (Pond life is a bore—no fun, just same-same.)
- Quack: The sound a duck makes, like "quack-quack." (Duck promises only quacks, no loud talk.)
- Reflection: Thinking deeply about something. (Kangaroo needs reflection before saying yes.)
- Objection: A reason why not to do something. (Wet feet are the only objection.)
- Worsted socks: Thick woolen socks made from yarn (worsted is just a type of soft wool). (Duck buys four pairs to keep feet dry and warm.)
- Cloak: A long, loose coat like a cape. (Duck wears it to fight the cold wind.)
- Matiz (Roo-matiz): Funny twist on "rheumatism," which means joint pain from cold or wet. (Kangaroo fears it from duck's feet.)
- Pale moonlight: Soft, silvery light from the moon at night. (They start the trip under pale moonlight—romantic and calm.)
- Bound: A big, happy jump. (They go with a hop and a bound—full speed!)
Phrases like "Said the Duck to the Kangaroo" repeat for fun rhythm—it's like a song chorus. And "O who" at the end means "Oh, who is so happy?"—showing total joy.