For days and days I've climbed a tree
A dappled yellow tree
And gazed abroad at many things
I've always wished to see.
I see the green and gentle fields
All bounded in with hedge
And shining rivers swimming through
The rushes on the edge,

A. Look at the picture and discuss in groups the possible answers to these questions.

1. Why is the boy up in the tree?
2. What is he looking at?
3. Guess what he is thinking about.

B. Read the poem and answer the following questions.

Contemplation

For days and days I've climbed a tree

A dappled yellow tree

And gazed abroad at many things

I've always wished to see.

I see the green and gentle fields

All bounded in with hedge 

And shining rivers swimming through 

The rushes on the edge, 

And little sheep who play all day 

I watch them as they run, 

While far away the roofs of town 

Are shining in the sun.

I think it's very nice to sit

So high and look so far----

How very large the world can be!

How many things there are!

                                                                                                                         John Carpenter

Note
dappled yellow tree - spotted yellow tree (the leaves may be yellow) gazed abroad - looked around
bounded - surrounded
hedge - a thick row of bushes swimming through - (the river like a person is swimming through) flowing through rushes - tall plants that grow on the river's edge

C. Ask and answer these questions.

1. Where do you think the tree was?
2. What were the four things the poet could see from the tree?
3. Have you ever climbed a tree? If yes, what did you do it for? If not, why?