Q. Why was Dad sure he wouldn’t fall?
Ans. Dad was overconfident of his skill in climbing up a tree. He was sure he wouldn’t fall.
Q. Which phrase in the poem expresses Dad’s self-confidence best?
Ans. A climber like me? This phrase expresses Dad’s self-confidence.
Q. Describe plan A and its consequences.
Ans. Plan A was to climb on the tree by using a ladder. But the ladder slipped and Dad fell in the flower bed.
Q. Plan C was a success. What went wrong then?
Ans. Plan C was a success because the Dad didn’t use the ladder. He, instead, leapt from the high garden wall. But the plan failed for he landed on the branch where the cat was sitting. The cat escaped but Dad got trapped there.
Q. The cat was happy to be on the ground. Pick out the phrases used to express this idea.
Ans. Phrases used to express this idea are:
- pleased as punch
- smug, smiling and smirking.
Q. Describe the cat and Dad situation in the beginning and at the end of the poem.
Ans. In the beginning it was the cat in trouble. It seemed to be trapped on a tree-bend. Dad made three attempts to rescue the cat. The cat sprang to the ground safe and sound. It was Dad who got stuck up the tree in the end.
Q. Why and when did Dad say each of the following?
- Fall?
- Never mind
- Funny joke
- Rubbish
Answer
- Dad said ‘fall?’ When Mum said, “for goodness’ sake, don’t fall”.
- Dad said ‘Never mind, after the ladder slipped and Dad fell in the flower bed.
- Dad said ‘Funny joke’ when Mum warned him not to fall again.
- Dad said ‘Rubbish’ when Mum asked him to stop trying to rescue the cat.
Dad laughed away all the warnings and fear of Mum because he was overconfident of his skill and ability to save the cat.
Q. Do you find the poem humorous? Read aloud lines which make you laugh.
Ans. Yes, the poem is humorous. The following lines make us laugh:
So it’s smiling and smirking
Smug as can be
But poor old Dad’s
Still stuck up the tree!
