CLASS 10 BLISS 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

1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) The quarrel was between the mountain and the…
(iv) squirrel
(b) Bun has no doubt that the mountain is…
(ii) big
(c) Unlike a mountain, a squirrel can crack a…
(i) nut

2. 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”. False
Supporting statement: `And the former called the latter ‘Little Prig.’`
(b) The squirrel is sprier than the mountain. True
Supporting statement: `And not half so spry.`
(c) The mountain can carry forests on its back. True
Supporting statement: `If I cannot carry forests on my back,`

3. Answer the following questions:

(a) Who had a quarrel with the squirrel?
The mountain had a quarrel with the squirrel.
(b) What is not a disgrace to the squirrel?
To occupy its place is not a disgrace to the squirrel.
(c) What is it that the squirrel doesn’t deny?
The squirrel doesn’t deny that the mountain makes a very pretty squirrel track.

Grammar in Use

4. 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.
Rabi came across his friend in the park.
(b) Tanushree cannot tolerate cruel behaviour to animals.
Tanushree cannot put up with cruel behaviour to animals.
(c) His proposal was rejected.
His proposal was turned down.

List: turn down, come over, put up with, come across

5. Change the voice of the following sentences:

(a) Lock the door.
Let the door be locked.
(b) Ashim knows the solution to this problem.
The solution to this problem is known to Ashim.
(c) I had written a letter.
A letter had been written by me.

Writing Activities

6. 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.

Sample Answer:

(This is a creative writing prompt. A sample answer is not provided in the original text.)

7. Write a paragraph (within 100 words) on the benefits of early morning exercises using the following points:

Points: good for health— fresh air— keeps one active throughout the day