About the Author
W.W.E. Ross, whose full name was William Wrightson Eustace Ross, was a Canadian poet born on June 14, 1894, in a small town in Ontario, Canada. He passed away on August 26, 1966. Besides writing poems, he worked as a scientist studying the earth's layers. Ross is called the "first modern Canadian poet" because he brought new styles like short, clear images from everyday life into his work. His poems often show simple scenes from nature, making us see beauty in small things. He published his first book of poems, called Laconics, in 1930. Poets like E.E. Cummings and Marianne Moore inspired him to write in fresh, free ways. "The Snake Trying" is one of his short poems that feels like a quick snapshot of a moment in nature.
What’s the Story About?
This poem paints a lively picture of a small green snake in trouble, but it's also a call to be kind to animals. Imagine a sunny day near a pond or river, with sand on the edge and tall green plants in the water. A little snake, thin and shiny green, is just resting quietly on the sand, minding its own business. Suddenly, a person spots it and gets scared—snakes often make people nervous. The person picks up a stick and starts chasing the snake to hit it, thinking it's dangerous.
But the snake is smart and quick! It twists its long body in smooth, wavy curves to dodge the stick, slipping into the shallow water like a dancer. The poet, who is watching all this, feels sorry for the snake. He shouts in his mind, "Stop! Let it go!" because this snake is tiny and harmless—it wouldn't hurt even a child playing nearby. The snake glides away fast, making little waves in the water, and hides safely among the green reeds (those are like tall grass growing in wet places). It vanishes completely, blending in like it was never there.
The whole poem is short, like a flash of action, but it makes you stop and think. It's not a scary tale; it's about how beautiful the snake's moves are, even when it's scared. The poet wants us to see snakes not as enemies, but as part of nature's wonders. This story shows a chase that ends well for the snake, thanks to its clever hiding, and leaves us hoping people learn to leave wild things alone.
Who’s Who in the Story
- The Snake: The main star—a small, green, harmless creature with a thin, long body. It's gentle and just wants to be left alone, twisting gracefully to escape danger. Think of it as a shy friend of the river, not a villain.
- The Poet (or Speaker): The one telling the story. He's like a kind uncle watching from the side, full of wonder at the snake's beauty. He feels protective and begs others to let the snake live, speaking up for nature.
- The Person with the Stick: Not named, but the scary chaser. This could be anyone who panics and attacks without thinking—maybe a farmer or a kid who fears snakes. The poem doesn't hate them; it just shows how fear makes people act mean.
No other characters, just these three in a quick, watery chase. The reeds and water act like helpers, giving the snake a safe spot.
Themes and Moral
Themes (Big Ideas in the Poem):
- Beauty in Nature: Even a scared snake looks graceful and pretty when it moves—like art in motion. The poem asks us to notice the lovely shapes in everyday wild things.
- Kindness to Animals: Not all creatures are bad; many are harmless and just trying to survive. We should feel sorry for them instead of hurting them.
- Fear and Mistakes: People often attack snakes out of wrong ideas, turning peaceful moments into danger. It's about how fear blinds us to the truth.
- Blending with Nature: The snake hides perfectly in its home—the water and green plants—showing how animals belong and fit right in.
Moral (Lesson to Learn):
Leave harmless animals alone and admire nature's gifts instead of destroying them. A little understanding can stop fear and save innocent lives. Like the snake, we all just want a safe place—let's make the world kinder for everyone in it.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Here are some key words and phrases from the poem, explained with easy, daily-life examples. I've kept them simple so you can picture them right away.
- Pursuing (line 2): Chasing after something closely. Like when a dog runs after a ball that rolls away—it's following fast to catch it. Here, it means the stick (held by the person) is chasing the snake.
- Curvings (line 3): Twisting or bending in smooth loops. Imagine drawing wiggly lines on paper with a pencil—that's the snake's body making pretty bends to dodge.
- Graceful (line 5): Moving smoothly and nicely, like a dancer. Not clumsy at all; it's light and beautiful, even in a hurry.
- Glides (line 6): Slides along without effort, like ice skating on a frozen pond. The snake moves quietly through water, not splashing much.
- Stroke (line 7): A quick hit or swing. Like tapping a ball with a bat—here, it's the stick trying to smack the snake.
- Reeds (line 9): Tall, thin plants growing in wet places, like bamboo sticks in a swamp. They sway in water and make good hiding spots.
- Harmless (line 11): Not able to hurt anyone; safe and gentle. Like a soft toy that can't bite—this snake won't harm kids or pets.
- Observed (line 13): Noticed or seen. Just like spotting a friend in a crowd and waving—that's when the trouble starts for the snake.
- Vanishes (line 15): Disappears suddenly, like magic. The snake melts into the water and plants, gone in a blink.
- Ripples (line 15): Small waves on water's surface, like when you toss a pebble in a puddle. They help the snake hide by making the water wiggle.
Read these while imagining the scene—it makes the poem come alive, like watching a nature show! If a word feels new, say it out loud with the poem's flow.