The Beautiful Spring
by George Cooper
“I was here first,” said the snowdrop. “Look!”
“Not before me!” sang the silver brook.
“Why,” cried the grass, “I’ve been here a week!”
“So have I, dear,” sighed a violet meek.
5
“Well,” piped a bluebird, “don’t leave me out!
I saw the snow that lay round about.”
“Yes,” chirped a snowbird, “that may be true;
But I’ve seen it all the bleak winter through.”
“I came betimes,”* sang the southwind, “I!”
10
“After me, love!” spoke the deep blue sky.
“Who is it cares?” chimed the crickets. “Stay!
Now you are here, please don’t go away.”
Whispered the sun, “Lo! The winter’s past.
What does it matter who’s first or last?
15
Sky, brooks, and flowers, and birdies that sing,
All help to make up the beautiful spring.”
*betimes: early
The Nursery: A Monthly Magazine for the Youngest People, April 1875, Volume XVII, No. 100.
Name:_____________
RL4.2
Using the poem answer the following questions carefully. Be sure to go back into the text to find
the best answer.
1. Which statement best summarizes line 5-8 of this poem?
a) Both birds believe they arrived first in the spring.
b) Both birds believe they arrived at the same time.
c) Both birds believe they arrived last to view the snow.
d) Both birds believed the other arrived late in the season.
2. Based on the poem which statement summarizes lines 13-16?
a) The sun believes that all things in nature happen in winter.
b) The sun believes that all that all things in nature help create spring.
c) The sun believes that all things in nature care for one another.
d) The sun believes that all things in nature can be first or last.
3. Which statement best describes the main idea of the poem?
a) The snow is always the first to arrive during spring.
b) The animals in nature can determine when spring starts.
c) All things in nature help create spring.
d) The sun is the one who determines the seasons.
4. Which line from the poem best supports the main idea?
a)
“I was here first,” said the snowdrop. “Look!”
b)
“Sky, brooks, and flowers and birdies that song”
c) “Whispered the sun, “Lo winter’s past.”
d) “But I’ve seen it all the bleak winter through”
5. In the line, “So have I, dear, sighed a violet meek.” What does the word meek mean?
a) Scared
b) Vain
c) Small
d) Shy