paws, caws
file, while
nail, mail
He refers to the Crocodile.
The Nile refers to the River Nile, which is a major river located in northeastern Africa, primarily flowing through Egypt. In the context of the poem, however, 'the water of the Nile' is used metaphorically to represent the crocodile's tears, suggesting that the crocodile is pretending to cry while luring its prey.
The Crocodile welcomes the little fishes. He does this by appearing to smile gently, creating an illusion of friendliness to lure them closer. The line that tells us the crocodile is hungry is the first line of the poem, which sets the scene and introduces the crocodile's predatory nature. The poem implies his hunger through his deceptive actions and the description of his 'gently smiling jaws,' which are actually a trap for unsuspecting prey.
The poem is about a crocodile, specifically focusing on its deceptive nature. It describes how the crocodile pretends to be sad and cries tears, but in reality, it is a cunning predator waiting to eat small fish that are attracted by its seemingly harmless appearance.
The crocodile's tail is described as looking shining. This suggests that it is well-maintained and perhaps reflects light, giving it a lustrous appearance. The shining quality might be due to the water it is in or a natural characteristic that makes it stand out.
To 'improve his tail' means to make it better or more impressive than it currently is. In the context of the poem, it implies a desire for the tail to look more attractive or perhaps function more effectively. It's about enhancing its appearance or capabilities to be superior to its previous state.
The crocodile spreads his claws very neatly. This implies a deliberate and precise action, suggesting that even this potentially fearsome part of his anatomy is presented in an orderly and perhaps even elegant manner. It contrasts with the usual image of a wild creature and adds a layer of calculated presentation.
The crocodile welcomes little fishes because he is hungry and intends to eat them. This statement highlights the predatory nature of the crocodile, where its apparent welcoming gesture is actually a strategy to lure prey closer for a meal. The fishes are seen as food, and their arrival is a welcome event for the hungry predator.
The last line of the poem talks about the crocodile’s mouth and its shape. This line likely describes the appearance of the crocodile's mouth, perhaps its wide opening or the arrangement of its teeth, contributing to its fearsome or distinctive look. It focuses on a key physical characteristic of the creature.
a. The crocodile is the one who spreads his claws. b. The word 'cheerful' means very happy and optimistic. It suggests a state of joy and contentment, often displayed outwardly. In the context of the poem, it might be used ironically to describe the crocodile's demeanor.
a. The scales are described as golden because they shine brightly, reflecting the sunlight or the water, much like the precious metal gold. The water from the Nile, when poured over the scales, enhances this golden shimmer, making them appear lustrous and valuable. b. The 'water of the Nile' is a poetic way to refer to the tears that the crocodile sheds. Crocodiles are known to secrete tears while eating, a phenomenon often mistaken for sadness but is actually a physiological response. Thus, the tears are metaphorically called the water of the Nile.
He refers to the crocodile with the word “he” rather than the word “it”. He acknowledges that the crocodile’s tears are not the result of emotional distress, but also shows how the crocodile generates them with the intention of capturing his prey.