The Snail : William Cowper | Poem | 10 | Madhyamik

To grass, or leaf, or fruit, or wall,
The snail sticks close, nor fears to fall,
As if he grew there, house and all
                                                Together.

Within that house secure he hides,
When danger imminent betides
Of storm, or other harm besides
                                                Of weather.

Give but his horns the slightest touch,
His self-collecting power is such,
He shrinks into his house, with much
                                                Displeasure.

Where'er he dwells, he dwells alone,
Except himself has chattels none,
Well satisfied to be his own
                                                Whole treasure.

Thus, hermit-like, his life he leads,
Nor partner of his banquet needs,
And if he meets one, only feeds
                                                The faster.

Who seeks him must be worse than blind,
(He and his house are so combin'd)
If, finding it, he fails to find
                                                Its master.

 

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1.       State whether the following statements are true or false.

·         The snail fears to fall from the wall.

·         The snail comes out of his house during a storm.

·         The snail and his house are inseparable.

·         To grass, or leaf, or fruit, or wall,
The snail sticks far away.

·         The snail sticks close, and fears to fall.

·         As if he grew there, house and all alone.

·         Within that house insecure he hides.

·         Give but his horns the violent touch.

·         His self-collecting power is such; He shrinks into his house, with much pleasure.

·         Wherever he dwells, he dwells with all.

·         Except himself has chattels everyone.

·         He was dissatisfied to be his own whole treasure.

·          Thus, dacoit -like, his life he leads.
                                             
                                               

2.       Answer the following questions:

·         What does the snail usually stick it to?

·         What makes the snail well-satisfied?

·         When does the snail feed faster?

·         Why the snail has no fear to fall?

·         Where did the snail grow?

·         Where does the snail hide?

·         When does the snail hide?

·         What are the imminent dangers?

·         How is the self-collecting power of the snail?

·         What does the horn feel and when?

·         What does he do with much displeasure?

·         With whom does a snail dwell?

·         What is a ‘chattel’? Is he well satisfied with his chattels?

·         What is his ‘whole treasure’?

·         What type of life does he lead?

·         Who is the poet?

·         Is the snail male or female?