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

Lesson 21: The Fairy King

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 Witch of the Wold grabs the old Fairy King's crown and puts it on her head. In a twist, stealing and wearing the crown vanquishes the queen. She disappears, and the king grows young.

Vocabulary

Nigh: Near or almost.
Wits: Mental sharpness.
Wold: A piece of high, open, uncultivated land.
Quoth: Another word for 'said.'
Thou: Another word for 'you.'
Art: Another word for 'are.'
Clapt: Placed or put.
Bower: A pleasant shady place under trees or climbing plants in a garden or wood.

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:

• King
• Queen
• Crowns
• Trees
• Castle
• Stars
• Flying Bird
• Dome or Hemisphere

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 24 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 Fairy King.'

1 / 5

Question 2

What happens in the poem?

2 / 5

Answer 2

A queen steals an old king's crown and wears it. Thus, she disappears and the king grows young.

2 / 5

Question 3

Where does the poem take place?

3 / 5

Answer 3

Where the poem takes place is unclear, but perhaps 'high on the hilltop.'

3 / 5

Question 4

Who are the characters in the poem?

4 / 5

Answer 4

The old Fairy King and the Witch of the Wold.

4 / 5

Question 5

Does the poem teach us anything?

5 / 5

Answer 5

Stealing things from others can lead to unanticipated consequences.

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'The Fairy King.'
2. What happens in the poem? A queen steals an old king's crown and wears it. Thus, she disappears and the king grows young.
3. Where does the poem take place? Where the poem takes place is unclear, but perhaps 'high on the hilltop.'
4. Who are the characters in the poem? The old Fairy King and the Witch of the Wold.
5. Does the poem teach us anything? Stealing things from others can lead to unanticipated consequences.