Class 3 :: English Literature :: The Robin by Laurence Alma-Tadema (Roots)
The Robin
by Laurence Alma-Tadema (Roots)
The Poem :
"When Father takes his spade to dig,
Then Robin comes along;
He sits upon a little twig
And sings a little song.
Or, if the trees are rather far,
He does not stay alone,
But comes up close to where we are
And bobs upon a stone."
Summary of the Poem :
The Robin comes when the poet's Father takes his spade to dig. The Robin sings a little song sitting upon a small thin branch of a tree. The Robin does not like to stay alone. He likes to stay close to the family of the poet. If he does not find any tree near, he sits upon a stone close to them. Then he moves quickly up and down.
Comprehension
Read and answer
1. When does the Robin come along?
a. when Father takes his spade to dig. [✓]
b. when the speaker calls out to the Robin. [ ]
c. when the children are playing outside. [ ]
2. What does the Robin do on the stone?
a. he sings. [ ]
b. he flutters. [ ]
c. he bobs. [✓]
3. Name the two places where the Robin often sits.
= The two places where the Robin often sits are - twig and stone.
4. How do you think the Robin chooses between the two spots?
= I think if the trees are close to the family members, he sits on the twig. Unless, he prefers to sit on the stone nearby them.
5. Where do you think the Robin lives? Give reasons for your answer.
= I think the Robin lives deep in the forest.
In the forest, no people live. The Robin is alone there. The Robin likes the people. That is why he comes close to the family of the poet.
About the Poet :
Laurence Alma-Tadema (1865-1940) was an English novelist and poet who lived in England. She published her first story when she was quite young. She has written many novels, four plays and a number of poems.