Lesson 28 – The Elf Singing
elf: an imaginary creature with magical powers
twig: a small thin stem of wood that grows from a branch on a tree
seize: take hold of somebody or something
stifle: stop something from happening bough: a main branch on a tree
gizzard: a part of (a bird’s) stomach
ere: before
mole: a small dark furry animal
Things to do
1. Read the poem aloud.
Ans: Students should do this on their own.
2. Write the pairs of rhyming words you find in this poem.
Ans:
(a) twig – big
(b) song – wrong
(c) ground: sound
(d) wizard – lizard
(e) air – hair
(f) away – say
(h) shape – ape
(i) hole – mole
(j) wizard – gizzard
3. Complete the following in your own words:
(a) The elf could sit on a twig because __________.
Ans: The elf could sit on a twig because he was quite small.
(b) The elf loved __________.
Ans: The elf loved to sing song.
(c) The wizard hated __________.
Ans: The wizard hated all sweet sound.
(d) If the elf was not careful, the wizard would __________.
Ans: If the elf was not careful, the wizard would seize him, tie him up, and stop his song.
(e) As the elf’s song grew clear and strong __________.
Ans: As the elf’s song grew clear and strong it lifted him into the air.
(f) The wizard-worm made a leap and __________ and was swallowed up __________.
Ans: The wizard-worm made a leap and fell down into a hole and was swallowed up by a mole.
4. Discuss the following:
(a) Why the wizard can take only frightening and ugly shapes.
Ans: The wizard is supposed to be an evil creature. He is always up to evil tricks. People don’t like him. He just cannot be good; hence, he takes only ugly shapes.
(b) Does the elf sing a happy song?
Ans: Yes, he sings a happy song. We know this because the song lifts him in the air and helps him float away from the evil wizard.