Page 69 - English Expedition Class 4

10 The Duck and the Kangaroo

Do you like to travel? What do you find most interesting about travel? Would you like to go
on a world tour with a friend? Discuss these questions in class. Let’s now read a poem about
two friends – a duck and a kangaroo – and find out what adventure they are planning.

Said the Duck to the Kangaroo,

1
‘Good gracious ! how you hop!
Over the fields and the water too,
As if you never would stop!
2
3
My life is a bore in this nasty pond,
4
And I long to go out in the world beyond!
I wish I could hop like you!’
Said the Duck to the Kangaroo.

‘Please give me a ride on your back!’
Said the Duck to the Kangaroo.
‘I would sit quite still, and say nothing but “Quack”,
The whole of the long day through!

Please take me a ride! O do!’
Said the Duck to the Kangaroo.

Said the Kangaroo to the Duck,

5
‘This requires some little reflection ;
Perhaps on the whole it might bring me luck,
6
And there seems but one objection ,
Which is, if you’ll let me speak so bold,

Your feet are unpleasantly wet and cold,
And would probably give me the roo-
7
Matiz !’ said the Kangaroo.

1 good gracious: an expression of surprise, disappointment 4 long: have a strong wish
or shock 5 refl ection: thought
2 bore: (here) an extremely dull or uninteresting situation 6 objection: disagreement
3 nasty: unpleasant 7 roo-matiz: the disease rheumatism, which causes pain in
the joints
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