Solution| The poem Fable| Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fable
Ralph Waldo Emerson

☛ About the Poem ‘Fable’: Or, Substance of the poem ‘Fable’.

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem 'Fable' is a moral poem. This poem teaches a lesson. In this poem, Ralph Waldo Emerson deals with a supposed quarrel between a mountain and a squirrel. The arguments of the mountain and the squirrel are very interesting.

The mountain mocks at the squirrel by calling it a ‘little prig’. The squirrel in reply does not hesitate to point out that the mountain may be very large, but all sorts of things are important in Nature. As the squirrel is very small living being, it does not feel disgrace to occupy its place for existence because the squirrel thinks, each and everything in this world has a unique place and each has a different task to perform. As a squirrel can’t carry a forest on its back, a mountain can’t crack a nut as a squirrel.

Thus every small thing living or non-living has an important role to perform to justify its existence in this world of Nature. The poet tries to express this message in this poem ‘Fable’, i,e., moral lesson through a tiny creature like a squirrel.

Comprehension exercises

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

(a) The quarrel was between the mountain and the

(i) rabbit

(ii) rat 

(iii) cat

(iv)  squirrel

Ans:  (iv) squirrel

(b) Bun has no doubt that the mountain is

(i) small

(ii) big

(iii) noble

(iv) kind

Ans: (ii) big

(c) Unlike a mountain, a squirrel can crack a

(i) nut

(ii) joke

(iii) stone

(iv) lock

Ans:  (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:  You are not so small as I/ 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,/ Neither can you crack a nut.

3. Answer the following questions:

(a)  Who had a quarrel with the squirrel?

Ans:-  The mountain had a quarrel with the squirrel.

(b)  What is not a disgrace to the squirrel ?

Ans:-  To occupy its place is not a disgrace to the squirrel.

(c)  What is it that the squirrel doesn't deny?

Ans:-  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. 

(a) Rabi met his friend in the park.

Ans:- Rabi came across his friend in the park.

(b) Tanushree cannot tolerate cruel behaviour to animals.

Ans:- Tanushree cannot put up with cruel behaviour to animals.

(c) His proposal was rejected.

Ans:- His proposal was turned down.

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

☛Some more important questions with answers: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

(a) Who is the writer of the poem ?

Ans:- Ralph Waldo Emerson is the writer of the poem.

(b) Who can't carry forests ? Who can't crack a nut ?

Ans:- The squirrel can't carry forests.

➣ The mountain can't crack a nut.

(C) Mention two qualities of the mountain ?

Ans:- The mountain can make a pretty squirrel track. And it can carry forests on its back.

(d) Who puts all well and wisely ?

Ans:- God puts all well and wisely.

(e) What did the mountain call the squirrel?

Ans:- The mountain called the squirrel a “Little Prig”.

(f) How, according to Bun, can a year be made up?

Ans:- According to Bun, a year can be made with all sorts of things and weather taken in together.

(g) What are the limitations that a mountain has?

Ans:- The mountain is not as small and spry as the squirrel and it can't crack a nut like him.

(h) How does the mountain make fun of the squirrel?

Ans:- The mountain makes fun of the squirrel by calling him a ‘Little Prig’.

(i) “And the former called the latter”— Who are referred to as ‘the former’ and ‘the latter’ ?

Ans:- In the poem ‘Fable’, the mountain is referred to as ‘the former’  and the squirrel is referred to as ‘the latter'.

(j) Why is it not a disgrace to occupy the squirrel’s place ?

Ans:- Firstly, Though the squirrel is a very small animal, it thinks it has an important role to play in the grand scheme of nature. Secondly, it can perform many such tasks which a mountain can't. So, the squirrel feels no disgrace to occupy its place.

(k) How is the talents differ from each other?

Ans:- In the poem ‘Fable’, bun thinks that various species and things have different talents and all talents are well and wisely organised to maintain the balance of nature.

(l) Who are referred to as ‘I’ and ‘you’?

Ans:- In the poem ‘Fable’ by Ralph Waldo Emerson, the squirrel is referred to as ‘I' and the mountain is referred to as ‘you'.

✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵

I hope, all the mentioned question - answers will help all the students to gain a good number in Final Examination.

✵✵ All kinds of help and suggestion from visitors to improve this site, is always welcome. 

Thank you for visiting my page 🙏

Click below 👇

  ✵✵   The Snail | William Cowper

✵✵Important Short Questions with Answers from the poem My Own True Family | Ted Hughes| Class - X