Summary: Rathers | English Class 4 ICSE PDF Download

Introduction

The poem "Rathers" by M.H. Austin is a fun and imaginative piece where the speaker dreams of being different animals instead of themselves. Written for young readers, it captures a child's wish to escape daily routines and responsibilities, like schoolwork, and live freely as an owl or a woodpecker. Through simple and playful language, the poem takes us into a world of fantasy where the speaker imagines a carefree life in nature.

Key Points of the Poem

• The poem is about a person who imagines being different animals instead of being themselves.
• It describes the fun idea of turning into an owl with special traits and living in a tree.
• It also talks about wanting to be a woodpecker, avoiding schoolwork, and acting freely.
• The poem shows the speaker’s dreams of a life without their usual responsibilities.

Summary

Stanza 1

I know very well what I'd rather be
If I didn't always have to be me!
I'd rather be an owl,
A downy feathered owl,
A wink-ity, blink-ity, yellow-eyed owl
In a hole in a hollow tree.
I'd take my dinner in chipmunk town,
And wouldn't I gobble the field mice down,
If I were a wink-ity, blink-ity owl,
And didn't always have to be me!

In this stanza, the speaker shares their wish to become an owl if they didn’t have to be themselves. The owl is described as having soft, fluffy feathers and bright yellow eyes, living in a hole in a tree. The speaker imagines going to a place called chipmunk town to eat chipmunks and field mice quickly and happily. This part shows the speaker’s excitement about living a free and adventurous life as an owl.

Stanza 2

I know very well what I'd like to do
If I didn't have to do what I do!
I'd go and be a woodpecker,
A rap-ity, tap-ity, red-headed woodpecker
In the top of a tall old tree.
And I'd never take a look
At a lesson or a book,
And I'd scold like a pirate on the sea,
If I only had to do what I like to do,
And didn't always have to be me!

In this part, the speaker dreams of being a woodpecker if they could escape their usual responsibilities. The woodpecker has a red head and makes quick, tapping sounds while living high up in a tall old tree. The speaker imagines never having to look at books or do school lessons and instead wants to shout and scold like a pirate sailing on the sea. This stanza highlights the speaker’s longing for a fun, carefree life away from studies and rules.

Message

The poem teaches us that it’s okay to dream about being someone or something else and enjoying a life without daily tasks. It encourages us to think about what makes us happy and imagine new things.

New Words with Meanings

• Rathers: The things someone would prefer to be or do instead.
• Downy feathered: Covered with small, soft, and fluffy feathers that feel nice.
• Wink-ity: Something or someone that winks, which means closing one eye playfully.
• Blink-ity: Something or someone that blinks, meaning closing both eyes quickly.
• Chipmunk: A tiny ground animal that looks like a squirrel and is food for owls.
• Gobble: To eat food very fast and with big bites.
• Rap-ity: Something that makes a quick, sharp tapping or hitting sound.
• Tap-ity: Something that taps lightly and repeatedly, like hitting something gently.