The Duck and Kangaroo Class 9 English, Beehive – Summary, Extra Questions, Word Meanings

Detailed summary and explanation of “The Duck and Kangaroo” Poem along with meanings for difficult words is provided here. Also, NCERT Question and Answers are also provided to help students understand this Poem and do well in their exams.

In these lines, the poet describes a conversation between the Duck and the Kangaroo. The Duck is praising the Kangaroo. She expresses her wonder at how the Kangaroo jumps over fields and water bodies. She says that his jumps appear to be never ending. In comparison to the Kangaroo’s life, her life is dull and boring in the dirty pond. The Duck expresses her wish to go in the world outside the pond and to jump like the Kangaroo.

Stanza 2

In these lines, the Duck requests the Kangaroo to give her a ride on his back. She says that she would stay quiet during the whole day and say nothing but Quack. Together they would travel to many imaginary places like Dee and Jelly Bo Lee and over the land and over the sea. She requests the Kangaroo to agree to give her a ride.

Stanza 3

In these lines, the Kangaroo replies to the Duck.  The Kangaroo tells her that he needs to think about the Duck’s request. He thinks that the Duck’s request might bring some good luck to him. But there is one objection to Duck’s request. The Kangaroo would tell her the objection if she let him speak boldly. He tells her that the Ducks feet are wet and cold which could possibly make him sick or ill due to cold.

In these lines, the Duck tells the Kangaroo that she had also thought about this problem while sitting on the rock. So, to solve it, she bought four pairs of warm socks that fit her web-like feet. She had also bought a warm coat to keep herself warm and would smoke a cigar everyday. The Duck had done all this so that the Kangaroo remains comfortable while she rides on her true friend, the Kangaroo’s back and travel the world.

In these lines, the Kangaroo is satisfied with the Duck’s request and preparation. The Kangaroo agrees to the Duck’s request and tells that they would start the journey at midnight when the moon is shining. He asks her to sit firmly and steadily to balance and sit on the end of his tail. Then, both friends started on their journey with jumping. They travelled the whole world three times. Now, no one could be as happy as the Duck and the Kangaroo.