How did this attack differ from a real military attack? There were no notes of the bugle or shouts of the soldiers to announce the capture of the hill. Change "No cheer our dreams invaded" into prose order, and explain the meaning. No cheer invaded our dreams. Our sleep was not disturbed by the victorious shouts of soldiers. How did the coats of the soldiers you have seen differ in colour from those of the dandelions? What is the meaning of "at dawn"? The first appearance of light in the morning. "Green slopes"? Grassy hillsides. "Paraded"? Marched up and down. About what time has elapsed between the incident of the first stanza and that of the second? Probably a week or thereabouts. What deed is referred to in the first stanza? The seizure of the hill. What is meant by "idly walking"? Without any definite purpose in view. "Marked"? Noticed. About what were the veterans probably "talking"? About their military exploits in years gone by. What words are suitably used in describing these veterans? "Trembling" and "gray" suggest old age. Arrange "their trembling heads and gray" in ordinary prose order. Their gray and trembling heads. Why should the veterans be filled with "pride"? Because of the brave deeds they had done. Why did they laugh? Perhaps, because of some amusing occurrences they had seen. What characteristics of the dandelions suggest these fancies regarding the veterans? The heads of the dandelions are white. As they sway in the breeze on their slender stalks, they incline their heads toward one another in much the same way as people do in conversation. Why is the "laughter" said to be "noiseless"? Because human beings could not be expected to hear the laughter of the dandelions. What expression would you be likely to use, instead of "welladay"? Alas! What is meant by "they blew away"? The seeds of the flowers were scattered far and wide. What do you like about this poem? (1) Its charming poetic fancies. (2) The fitness of the comparisons. Point out clearly how the appearance of the dandelions resembled a military attack, and how, in the later stage of their life history, they resembled veteran soldiers. THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT (Second Reader, page 56) AIM The aim of the lesson should be, not only to lead the pupils to enjoy the humour of the poem, but also to appreciate the lesson it teaches. It affords a fine opportunity for the development of conversational powers in the pupils. The pupils should be encouraged to talk freely, and the questions should often call for quite lengthy answers.