Poetry of Fables, Fairies, and Fauna Fables, Fairies, and Fauna    

Lesson 20: The Elf Singing

by William Allingham

Performer: Librivox - Rosslyn Carlyle

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

• Read or listen to the poem.
• Review the synopsis.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

The poem tells the tale of a snake that tried to eat a fairy. The fairy's song uplifts him and saves him while the snake falls and is eaten by a mole.

Vocabulary

Elf: A supernatural creature of folk tales, typically represented as a small, elusive figure in human form with pointed ears, magical powers, and a capricious nature.
Twig: A slender woody shoot growing from a branch or stem of a tree or shrub.
Seize: Take hold of suddenly and forcibly.
Bind: Tie or fasten (something) tightly.
Bough: A main branch of a tree.
Gizzard: A person's stomach or throat.
Mole: A small burrowing mammal with dark velvety fur, a long muzzle, and very small eyes.
Meadow: A piece of grassland or low ground near a river.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Title, the Poet's Name, and the Poem

• Each day this week, recite aloud the title of the poem, the name of the poet, and the poem. Instructors may need to prompt children line-by-line.

Activity 2: Study the Poem's Companion Painting

• Study the painting below, and describe it in your own words.

Find the following in the companion painting:

• Elves
• Meadow
• Horse
• Man
• Clouds
• Trees
• Water

Activity 3: Narrate the Poem

• After reading or listening to each verse of the poem, narrate the verse events aloud using your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Poem   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 23 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?

1 / 5

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'The Elf Singing.'

1 / 5

Question 2

What happens in the poem?

2 / 5

Answer 2

A snake tries to eat a fairy but ends up being eaten by a mole.

2 / 5

Question 3

Where does the poem take place?

3 / 5

Answer 3

The poem takes place outside on a tree.

3 / 5

Question 4

Who are the characters in the poem?

4 / 5

Answer 4

The elf, the snake, and the mole.

4 / 5

Question 5

Does the poem teach us anything?

5 / 5

Answer 5

In some circumstances, singing can both uplift us and save us. Sometimes predators become prey.

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'The Elf Singing.'
2. What happens in the poem? A snake tries to eat a fairy but ends up being eaten by a mole.
3. Where does the poem take place? The poem takes place outside on a tree.
4. Who are the characters in the poem? The elf, the snake, and the mole.
5. Does the poem teach us anything? In some circumstances, singing can both uplift us and save us. Sometimes predators become prey.