Lesson 2: Birdie, Will You Pet? Summary & Analysis
In the poem "Birdie, Will You Pet?" by William Allingham, a girl tries to make a bird her pet by offering luxurious items like a velvet bed, diamond stones, and silver utensils. However, the bird declines all these temptations as it prefers freedom and natural surroundings. The bird values the simplicity of nature over material possessions, ultimately choosing to fly away. The poem reflects themes of freedom, simplicity, and the beauty of nature.
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STD. VII ENGLISH ELR. LESSON : 2 Birdie, will you pet ? By William Allingham
. William Allingham (19 March1824 -18 Nov.1889) was an Irish poet, diarist, scholar and editor. He produced excellent lyrical and descriptive poetry and the best of his pieces are thoroughly nation- al in spirit.He wrote a large no. of poems and his most famous work is , The Faeries .
Summary of Birdie Will You Pet The girl wants to make the bird her pet and hence gives her a number of tempting offerings. The child offers the bird a velvet bed with satin pillows and silken quilts for a quite sleep in the winter time as summer is still far away. The bird refuses this temptation of sleeping in a comfortable bed and says that she is more comfortable ivy wall where she can hear the sound of rain and where the sunlight warms her on a cold day. Thus she prefers living in a natural surrounding instead of falling for the offering of a velvet bed, silken quilt and satin pillow.
On seeing that the bird did not fall for the first temptation the girl Then tries to lure her by saying that she will give the bird diamond stones , amber and jet and will make a beautiful necklace for the bird with it. The bird thanks the girl for such precious offeringss but refuses all of them saying that the sweetest necklace for her is the beautiful round feather one given to her naturally by God. Thus the bird once again chooses freedom over a life of luxury in a cage. The girl once more makes an attempt to make the bird as a pet by telling her that she would buy utensils of silver for feeding the bird and a golden cup for drinking anything. She also says that the bird will be given an ivory seat for sitting and a soft carpet for a smooth walk. The bird declines the offer again by saying that the golden cups can never match and hold the running water that she drinks from streams . The silver dishes can never offer her what
the forests give to her for eating. Lastly she says that the twig that swings on the branch of a tree is her favourite seat. She also tells that girl that the smoothest path is the one offered to her in the sky. She once again turns down all the offers and bids goodbye to the girl and flies away.
EXTRACT 1. I d rather sleep in the ivy wall ; No rain comes through, tho I hear it fall. The sun peeps gay at dawn of day And I sing, and wing away, away! (i) Who is I in the above lines ? A. I in the above lines refers to Birdie the bird. (ii) Ivy is a plant. What does the bird want to convey by describing it as a wall? A. The bird built its nest with twigs and leaves of the ivy This provides her more comfort than the walls of the house. (iii) What does the speaker prefer ivy wall to? A. The speaker prefers ivy wall to rest and relax and enjoy its freedom. plant.
2. A feather necklace round and round, That I wouldn t sell for a thousand pound. (i) What is the necklace offered by the child made of? s A. The necklace offered by the child is made of diamond stones, amber and jet. (ii) What is the necklace that the bird has made of? A. The necklace is made up of feathers. (iii) Which necklace does the bird prefer? Why? A. The bird prefers to the feather necklace because it ensures its closeness to nature. Also precious stones have no value of a bird.
QUESTION AND ANSWER HOTS Why does the bird refuse to accept the various comforts offered by the child? Discuss. Ans. The bird refuses to accept the various comforts by the child because she doesn t want to lose her freedom. LIFE SKILLS Is freedom just the right to live as we wish? Ans. Freedom is not just exactly the right to live as we wish. The word freedom implies liberty. The great politician Rousseau had said, Man is free but in chains . People have been
given the freedom by their respective constitution but if they use this freedom unwisely, they encroach into the boundary of others freedom. So, to say anybody or everybody is not able to use full freedom compared to other living beings. Man is not that free. He has to follow social norms. So, he cannot wish to live as he wants freedom is not his right. VALUES Why does the child call the bird birdie ? Why does the child use the word birdie twice? Ans. The child call the bird birdie because birdie is the pet name/love name given to the poetry bird. The child uses the word birdie twice to express her tender and delicate love and affection to the bird.
WRITING SKILL The child in the poem realises that the bird cannot be lured. She has her own priorities in life. Freedom is equally important to her. The child decides to share the conversation between her and the bird with her friend through a letter. Write the letter in not more than 120 words. Berhampur 4 April 2020 Dear ------------- I am fine here and hope the same with you there. Hope you feel the World as sweet as I do! Freedom is our birth right given to us by the constitution. We claim this right in all aspects. But we do think about the same with the animals. I saw a bird in my window and requested it to be my petbut it refused.
I offered many things but it didnt get tempted. Moreover, it said that it is not bothered by material comforts, rather its freedom is more important. I also realise the same and so let the bird free. You also should remember that freedom is more important than money. Convey my regards to uncle and aunty and love to chotu. Yours friendly ---------------------
EXTRA QUESTION AND ANSWER 1. What are the different offerings made by the child to the bird? Ans. The different offerings made by the child to the bird were velvet bed with satin pillows and silken quilts, diamond stones, amber and jet, buy utensils of silver and a golden cup , an ivory seat and a soft carpet. 2. Where does the bird love to sleep and why? Ans. The bird loves to sleep on the ivy wall because she is more comfortable there and can hear the sound of rain and where the sunlight warms her on a cold day. 3. What according to the bird is more soft than the carpet? Ans. According to the bird the twig that swings on the branch of a tree is more softer than the carpet.
