THE SNAIL BY RUSKIN BOND

English Literature Chapter – 3

I Word Meaning:-

Ledge - a narrow shelf projecting from a wall, a rock, etc

Sets out - starts
Tender - soft
Hazards - dangers
Dodge - escape
Tentacles - long, thin part/parts extending from the body, to
feel or hold things
squashed - crushed
pause - stop for a little while
flinch - make a sudden movement
slithers - moves from side to side because of pain or fear
intent - showing eager interest and attention
salute you - appreciate your efforts

II Question and Answers:

1. Where does the snail safely dwell? Why does he set out of this safe
place?
Ans. The snail safely dwells in a rocky ledge. He sets out of this safe place in
search of soft leafs or juicy stem which he felt existed across the busy road.

2. What do you mean by a rocky ledge?

Ans. A rocky ledge means a narrow shelf projecting from a rock.

3. What does the snail want to reach out to?

Ans. The snail wants to reach out to the soft and juicy leaf-mould across the road.
4. Where does the snail trudge towards?
Ans. The snail trudges towards the other side of the road where grass grows tall
and there are rich leaf moulds for it to eat.

5. What does the snail do?

Ans. The snail takes up the long journey across the busy path and crosses over the
road for the leaf mould.

6. Why is it determined to cross the road?

Ans. The snail is determined to cross the road as it wants to eat the rich leaf
mould on the other side of the road in his dinner.

7. What are the dangers of the road?

Ans. The dangers of the road which the snail wanted to cross over were the
moving vehicles and human beings which could crush it down any moment.

8. What does the expression, “Not made to dodge or weave or run” mean?
Ans. This statement means that the snail is physically not made to undertake
hazards built on the road. By nature, it is very slow in his movement and is
very difficult for it to dodge the moving vehicles, or run fast to avoid getting
trampled under the human feet.

9. Is it aware of the dangers on the road?

Ans. No, it is unaware of the dangers of being squashed under the moving
vehicles of the human.

10. Which word in the poem means the same as dangers?

Ans. The word in the poem which mean the same as dangers is hazards.

11. Since each of his step is risky, on what does his hope of survival depend?
Ans. His step is risky but his hope of survival depends on his luck entirely
depending on which he moves forward keeping his tentacles crossed.

12. What does the snail narrowly escape from?

Ans. The snail narrowly escapes from getting squashed under a cartwheel.
13. What makes the poet feel small in comparison to the snail?
Ans. The poet feels small in comparison to the snail because it is more
courageous than the human beings who lead their life with fear and doubt.

14. What is the poet's attitude towards the snail?

Ans. The poet has high respect and regards for the snail as he is brave and
courageous and does his task fearlessly.

15. What does the poet mean when he says, “somehow you have made me
feel quite small?
Ans. The poet means that this small action of fearlessly treading upon the
difficulties of daily life has made him feel small in front of the snail as
human beings are all the time full of fear and doubt.

16. Why does the snail slither on?

Ans. The snail slithered on which means he moved from side to side because of
pain and fear as by nature a snail is made to move forward very slowly and
here it was trying hard to move as fast as possible to avoid getting squashed
under the moving vehicles and human beings.

17. Why do you think he keeps his tentacles crossed?

Ans. I think he keeps his tentacles crossed a sign of earning some good luck as we
human cross our fingers when we wants some good luck to prevail on us.

18. What is the reward for the snail’s effort?

Ans. The snail’s effort rewards it with rich leaf-mould.

19. Why does the poet “salute it”?

Ans. The snail is worth being saluted as it is brave and courageous and keeps at
its task. It is also very determined.

20. Explain the last line.

Ans. the snail being smaller in size made the poet feel small by its courage which
most human beings lack and lead their life with fear and doubt. He feels
inferior to the snails will power and determination.
21. What message does the poem convey?
Ans. The main massage of the poem is that one needs to be focused and
determined to achieve our goals. Success or failure depends upon our will
power and perseverance hence its upto us to sincerely work hard towards
achievement of success.

III Reference to the context:

1. “I salute you, Snail…Somehow you have made me feel quite small.”

(i) Who is I?
Ans. “I” stands for the poet in the above context.

(ii) Why is the snail saluted?

Ans. The snail is worth being saluted because of its focus and
determination towards the task at hand.
(iii) Why does the poet use capital “s” in “snail”?
Ans. The poet used capital “s” in “snail” to recognize and appreciate the
determination of the small creature.

(iv) What has the poet noticed?

Ans. The poet has noticed the will power and determination of the snail.

(v) What is it that has made the poet feel “small”?

Ans. The snail though being smaller in size has greater will power and
determination and this made the poet feel small.