1. What is the poem “The Mountain and the Squirrel” about?
Answer : The poem is about a quarrel between a mountain and a squirrel, each proud of its unique abilities.
2. Who started the quarrel in the poem?
Answer : The mountain started the quarrel by calling the squirrel “little prig,” meaning self-satisfied.
3. What did the mountain call the squirrel?
Answer : The mountain called the squirrel a “little prig,” implying it was small and overly proud.
4. How did the squirrel reply to the mountain?
Answer : The squirrel responded that size doesn’t define worth and reminded the mountain that all creatures have their strengths.
5. What talents does the squirrel mention?
Answer : The squirrel mentions its quickness and ability to crack nuts, skills the mountain doesn’t have.
6. How did the squirrel defend itself?
Answer : The squirrel defended itself by saying that everyone has unique qualities and that size isn’t everything.
7. What makes the squirrel different from the mountain?
Answer : The squirrel is small and nimble, able to move quickly, unlike the large, immovable mountain.
8. What does the squirrel mean by “all is well and wisely put”?
Answer : The squirrel believes that nature has balanced everything by giving different abilities to different creatures.
9. What quality of the mountain does the squirrel appreciate?
Answer : The squirrel admits that the mountain is big and creates beautiful paths but emphasizes its own talents too.
10. What point does the squirrel make about different abilities?
Answer : The squirrel argues that every creature has unique talents and all contributions are important.
11. What does the mountain lack according to the squirrel?
Answer : According to the squirrel, the mountain lacks quickness and the ability to crack nuts, which the squirrel can do.
12. What does the poem teach about respect?
Answer : The poem teaches that everyone deserves respect for their unique qualities and contributions.
13. How does the squirrel view its own place in nature?
Answer : The squirrel feels proud of its place and sees no shame in being small because it has valuable skills.
14. What does the poem suggest about pride?
Answer : The poem suggests that pride based on size or power is unfounded; every being has its own strengths.
15. What is the central message of the poem?
Answer : The poem’s message is that both big and small beings have worth, and everyone’s talents are important.
Long Questions
1. Why did the mountain call the squirrel a “little prig”?
Answer : The mountain, feeling superior due to its large size, looked down on the squirrel, calling it “little prig” to imply it was insignificant. This shows the mountain’s pride and inability to value the smaller creature’s unique abilities.
2. How did the squirrel respond to the mountain’s insult, and what does this show about its character?
Answer : The squirrel confidently replied, saying it was proud of its place in nature. It acknowledged the mountain’s size but emphasized that each creature has its own talents, showing its wisdom and self-respect.
3. What qualities does the mountain possess, according to the squirrel?
Answer : The squirrel notes that the mountain is large and provides a pretty path, but it points out that the mountain lacks certain abilities, like quickness and the skill to crack nuts. This reflects the squirrel’s balanced view, appreciating both size and talent.
4. What does the line “all is well and wisely put” mean in the poem?
Answer : This line suggests that nature has given each creature a special role, and everyone’s talents have a purpose. The squirrel believes that each quality, whether big or small, is part of a balanced world, emphasizing the wisdom in diversity.
5. Why does the squirrel argue that size isn’t everything?
Answer : The squirrel highlights its own abilities, such as being quick and cracking nuts, which the mountain cannot do. It believes that size alone doesn’t determine value, and every creature has a role to play, showing the squirrel’s appreciation for different talents.
6. What does the poem reveal about the mountain’s attitude toward the squirrel?
Answer : The mountain feels superior and dismisses the squirrel as insignificant due to its size. However, this attitude is challenged by the squirrel, who reminds the mountain that size does not make one better, revealing the mountain’s pride and need to respect others.
7. How does the squirrel’s logic reflect the theme of equality in the poem?
Answer : The squirrel’s logic emphasizes that everyone has a purpose and talent, regardless of size. By valuing its own abilities and those of the mountain, the squirrel advocates for equality and respect, teaching that all creatures are important in their own way.
8. How does the poem “The Mountain and the Squirrel” encourage respect for others’ strengths?
Answer : The poem shows that the mountain and the squirrel each have unique strengths—size for the mountain, agility for the squirrel. The squirrel’s message to the mountain is that every being deserves respect for what it can do, promoting the value of mutual respect.
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