Page 70 - English Expedition Class 2

10 The Kitten at Play

Have you ever had a kitten as a pet? Do you like to play with kittens? What do you like
about them?
In this poem the poet narrates his observations about a kitten playing with leaves in
autumn. Read to find out what they are.

See the kitten on the wall,

1
Sporting with the leaves that fall,
2
Withered leaves – one, two and three –
3
From the lofty elder-tree!
4
See the kitten, how she starts ,
6
5
Crouches , stretches, paws and darts !
First at one and then its fellow

Just as light and just as yellow.
There are many now – now one –

Now they stop and there are none.

7
With a tiger-leap half way
8
Now she meets the coming prey ,
Lets it go as fast and then

Has it in her power again.
9
Were her antics played in the eye 10
11
Of a thousand standers-by ,
Clapping hands with shout and stare,

What would little Tabby care?

WilliamWordsworth (adapted)

1 sporting: playing 7 tiger-leap: (here) a long jump
2 withered: dried up and wrinkled 8 prey: something that is being hunted
3 lofty: high 9 antics: playful stunts
4 starts: suddenly moves 10 played in the eye: performed in front of
5 crouches: brings the upper body down with knees bent 11 standers-by: (here) audience
6 darts: suddenly runs
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