UNIT #03.

PRACTICING POSITIVE WORK ETHICS

KING BRUCE AND THE SPIDER
Words/Meaning

S.No Words Meaning

1. Braced his mind Determined
2. Bravo Well done
3. Clue A thread (according to the poem)
4. Ceiling dome Rounded roof
5. Cobweb Fine network of single thread made by a spider
6. Despair Disappointment
7. In a low despair Downhearted, Discourage
8. To divine To make out,
9. Dizzy Giddy, Having a feeling that everything is turning round
10. Delicate thread Of fine texture
Down in came with the slippery Came slipping down along the wall and hung in an
11.
sprawl awkward position
12. Endeavour An attempt
13. Fine Delicate
14. To fling oneself down To throw oneself violently on a bed or on the floor
15. Grieved Sad
16. Gossips tell the tale People talk about it
17. Head grew steady Came to its senses, gained balanced (according to poem)
18. The last pinch the last little bit of distance
19. Monarch King
20. To mount To Climb
21. Native cot His own home, (In this poem) the spider's web
22. Pondered Thought
23. To strive To struggle, to try hard
24. Utter to speak
25. To toil To work hard
26. Tread To walk
27. To tumble To fall over
28. Wear To put on

About Poetess
Eliza Cook (1818-1889)
This poem is written by Eliza Cook (1818-1889). Born in London she was the youngest of
eleven children. She was entirely self-educated and wrote verses from the age of fourteen. Her
first volume being published at seventeen. In 1849, she edited and published "Eliza Cook's
Journal." Her work is simple and highly moral. In this poem, she teaches the reader what she
always practiced in her own life: to keep on trying and never to be discouraged.
Central Idea
Reference
This poem is written by Eliza cook (1818-1889). Born in London, she was the youngest of seven
children. She was entirely self-educated and wrote verses from the age of fourteen. Her first
volume being published at seventeen. In 1849, she edited and published, “Eliza Cooks Journal.”
Her work is simple and highly moral. In this poem, she teaches the reader what she always
practiced in her own life to keep on trying and never to be discouraged.
Central Idea
The central idea of this poem is that we should cultivate a strong will – power and a hopeful
attitude to life, be bold through thick and thin, counting no labour loss and our heart within than.
Almighty creator will surely help us if we adopt such a course. As it is also said, “The world is
his who has patience and industry.”
Theme
“Where there is a will, there is a way.”
OR
“The world is his who has patients and industry.”
SUMMARY
The poetess has expressed the true sense of life in this poem. Solution to the problems of life and
key to the success are being preached in this poem in a dramatic style. This poem tells the story
of the king Bruce of Scotland. Once he was defeated by the English men. He took refuge in a
cave. Due to his repeated failures, he was very grieved. King Bruce mentally accepted his defeat
from the English men. One day, he was pondering at the point of his defeat, he watched a spider
who was trying to reach to her cobweb. Thread was the only pathway for the spider to reach her
destination. Spider started her voyage with great anxiety and force. But the spider comes down to
the initial stage where it had started her journey. King Bruce was showing security on the foolish
attempts to reach the destination that spider will not try again. However the spider succeeded in
the 10th attempt to reach its cobweb. After the success to spider the King Bruce sounded in an
optimistic order. “All honour to those who tries persistently.” King Bruce resoluted in heart to
try once more in order to get the win over on his enemies.” At last he succeeded.

Reference To Context

(i) Who was King Bruce?

Ans: King Bruce of Scotland was a very generous and patriotic Emperor. Once he fight with the
British Army who wants to make a British colony in Scotland, but he was defeated. As he
wanted to defeat his enemy, that’s why he made several attempts to get back his domain but he
failed.

(ii) What does 'to flung oneself down' mean?

Ans: Flung oneself down means to throw oneself violently on a bed or on the floor,

Stanaza#01

Reference: These lines have been taken from the poem “King Bruce and the Spider” written by
Eliza Cook.

Context: In this poem poetess explains that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his
struggle once or twice. He should continue his struggle till success.

Explanation: In these lines poetess tells that King Robert Bruce of Scotland had been defeated
in the battle field. Flung down himself on couch in despair, he was feeling very sad. He began to
thing. No doubt he had been crowned as a king but the pressure of difficulties faced by him made
him lose the heart.

1. What do you know about poet?

Ans: Eliza Cook (1818-1889). Born in London she was the youngest of eleven children. She was
entirely self-educated and wrote verses from the age of fourteen. Her first volume being
published at seventeen. In 1849, she edited and published "Eliza Cook's Journal." Her work is
simple and highly moral. In this poem, she teaches the reader what she always practiced in her
own life: to keep on trying and never to be discouraged.

2. What is meant by poetess when she says that “a great deed”?

Ans: The poetess has used the words “a great deed” for the King Bruce. He had been trying hard
to protect his domain from the contaminated hands of enemy. As the protection of country keeps
a very high rank among the man’s priorities of life, that’s why the poetess called it “a great
deed”.

Stanza#02

Reference: These lines have been taken from the poem “King Bruce and the Spider” written by
Eliza Cook.

Context: In this poem poetess explains that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his
struggle once or twice. He should continue his struggle till success.

Explanation: In these lines poetess tells that King Robert Bruce had been trying to gain freedom
for his country. He had fought many battles but he was defeated. He had been doing his best to
make his people happy. Due to continuous failures he was disappointed.
 1. What does 'in a low despair' and 'pondered' mean?

AnsIn a low despair means downhearted; discouraged.

(iii) What is the message of the poem?

Ans:

(i) Poem: King Bruce and the Spider

Poetess: Eliza Cook.

(ii)

Pondered means thought.

(iii) (iv) This poem give us message that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his struggle
once or twice. He should continue his struggle till success. 'Try try try again until you success."

Words / Meanings

1. In a low despair: downhearted; discouraged.

2. Pondered: thought.

Reference to Context:

These lines have been taken from the poem “King Bruce and the Spider” written by Eliza Cook.

In this poem poetess explains that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his struggle once or
twice. He should continue his struggle till success.

Explanation:

In these lines poetess tells that King Robert Bruce threw himself down on couch in
disappointment. He was stricken with grief. He thought over again and again and decided at last
to give up the struggle.

4. Now just at the moment a spider dropped,

With its silken cobweb clue,

And the King in the midst of his thinking stopped

To see what the spider would do.

(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.

(ii) Give the meaning of 'cobweb' and 'clue'.

(iii) What is the moral of this poem.

Ans:

(i) Poem: King Bruce and the Spider

Poetess: Eliza Cook.

(ii) Cobweb means fine network of single thread made by a spider.

Clue here it means a thread.

(iii) This poem teaches us that we should not be disappointed or discouraged by unfavorable
circumstances. We should keep on trying again again inspite of failures. We should not forget
that failures are the pillars to success.

Words / Meanings

1. Cobweb: fine network of single thread made by a spider.

2. Clue: here it means a thread.

Reference to Context:

These lines have been taken from the poem “King Bruce and the Spider” written by Eliza Cook.

In this poem poetess explains that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his struggle once or
twice. He should continue his struggle till success.

Explanation:

In these lines poetess tells just at the moment, when King Bruce was thinking to give up struggle,
a spider fell down with his fine thread cobweb from the roof, the King stopped thinking and
began to watch the movements of the spider.

5. ‘T was a long way up to the ceiling dome,

And it hung by a rope so fine,

That how it would get to its cobweb home

King Bruce could not divine.

(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.

(ii) What does 'ceiling dome' mean?

(iii) Explain 'King Bruce could not divine'?

Ans:

(i) Poem: King Bruce and the Spider

Poetess: Eliza Cook.

(ii) Ceiling dome means rounded roof

(iii) Here divine means to make out. In above lines the poetess says that King Bruce could not
fore tell that what would happen and how would spider reach his home.

Words / Meanings

1. Ceiling dome: rounded roof.

2 To divine: to make out.

Reference to Context:

These lines have been taken from the poem “King Bruce and the Spider” written by Eliza Cook.

In this poem poetess explains that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his struggle once or
twice. He should continue his struggle till success.

Explanation:

In these lines poetess tells that the distance between the spider and the round roof of cave was
great and the thread of the cobweb was very fine that King Bruce could not fore tell that what
would happen and how would spider reach his home.

6. It soon began to cling and crawl

Straight-up with strong endeavour;

But down it came with a slippery sprawl.

As near to the ground as ever.

(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.

(ii) Explain line 'down it came with a slippery sprawl'?

(iii) What is the message of the poem?

Ans:

(i) Poem: King Bruce and the Spider

Poetess: Eliza Cook.

(ii) In this line the poetess says that when the spider took hold of cobweb thread and began to
climb up to the roof but it came slipping down along the wall and hung in an awkward position.

(iii) Robert Bruce was a King of Scotland. He tried many time to free his people from the
English. Due to his repeated failures, he was very grieve. He was sitting in a cave. Suddenly he
saw a spider who was trying to reach to her cobweb. Spider tried nine times but it failed. King
Bruce thought that the poor creature would try no more. However the spider succeeded in the
10th attempt to reach its cobweb. This poem give us message that we should not be disappointed
by failures. After the success to spider the King Bruce sounded in a optimistic order. “All
honour to those who tries persistently.”

Words / Meanings

1. Down it came with a slippery sprawl: came slipping down along the wall and hung in an
awkward position.

Reference to Context:

These lines have been taken from the poem “King Bruce and the Spider” written by Eliza Cook.

In this poem poetess explains that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his struggle once or
twice. He should continue his struggle till success.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess tells that spider once took hold of cobweb thread and began to climb up
with difficulty. It made an effort to go right up to the roof but it slipped and fell down on the
earth as close to the ground as before its climb.

7. Up, up it ran, not a second, could stay,

To utter the least complaint,

Till it fell still lower, and there it lay,

A little dizzy and faint.

(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.

(ii) Give meaning of dizzy.

Ans:

(i) Poem: King Bruce and the Spider

Poetess: Eliza Cook.

(ii) Dizzy means giddy; having a feeling that everything is turning round.

(iii)

Words / Meanings

1. Utter: to speak.

2. Dizzy: giddy; having a feeling that everything is turning round.

Reference to Context:

These lines have been taken from the poem “King Bruce and the Spider” written by Eliza Cook.

In this poem poetess explains that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his struggle once or
twice. He should continue his struggle till success.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess tells that after falling the Spider at once rose from the ground without
waiting to complain and began to climb on. But it fell down again very badly. Its head began to
whirl round and lay there for a while. This time he became dazed and unconscious.

8. It's head grew steady again it went,

And traveled a half-yard higher;

T was a delicate thread it had to tread,

And a road where its feet would tire.

(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.

(ii) Give the meaning of 'head grew steady' , 'delicate thread' and 'tread'?

Ans:

(i) Poem: King Bruce and the Spider

Poetess: Eliza Cook.

(ii) Head grew steady means came to its senses; here it means gained balance.

Delicate thread means of fine texture

Tread means to walk

Words / Meanings

1. Head grew steady: came to its senses; here it means gained balance.

2. Delicate thread: of fine texture

3. Tread: to walk.

Reference to Context:

These lines have been taken from the poem “King Bruce and the Spider” written by Eliza Cook.

In this poem poetess explains that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his struggle once or
twice. He should continue his struggle till success.
Explanation:

In these lines poetess tells that the spider recovered its senses and climbed half a yard higher than
before. The thread however, was very delicate and there was a constant danger of its breaking
down. There fore it was difficult and tire some for the spider to climb.

9. Again it fell and swung below,

But again it quickly mounted,

Till up and down, now fast, now slow

Nine brave attempts were counted.

(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.

(ii) How many attempts were made by spider?

(iii) Give the meaning of mounted.

Ans:

(i) Poem: King Bruce and the Spider

Poetess: Eliza Cook.

(ii) Nine brave attempt were made by spider, and it was successful on the tenth attempt.

(iii) Mounted means to climbed

Words / Meanings

1. To mount: to climb.

Reference to Context:

These lines have been taken from the poem “King Bruce and the Spider” written by Eliza Cook.

In this poem poetess explains that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his struggle once or
twice. He should continue his struggle till success.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess tells that the Spider once again fell down and it was hanging in the air. But
without losing any time it moved up again. Some times it went up, some times it fell down, some
times, its progress was fast, some times slow; and in this way, it made nine bold attempts to
reach its cobweb.

10. "Sure," cried the King, "that foolish thing

Will strive no more to climb,

When it toils so hard to reach and cling,

And tumbles every time."

(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.

(ii) What resemblance, does the poetess find between the King Bruce and the Spider?

(iii) Give meaning of 'strive', 'toils' and 'tumbles'?

Ans:

(i) Poem: King Bruce and the Spider

Poetess: Eliza Cook.

(ii) The points of similarity between the King Bruce and the spider were that the aim was quite
far away from both of them. Both of them were having a very slightest hope to achieve success
i.e. the spider had a single thread to reach the cobweb and the King Bruce also had a very tiny
hope to win over his enemies.

(iii) To strive means to struggle, to try hard.

To toil means to work hard.

To tumble means to fall over.

Words / Meanings

1. To strive: to struggle, to try hard.

2. To toil: to work hard.

3. To tumble: to fall over.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “King Bruce and the Spider” written by Eliza Cook.

In this poem poetess explains that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his struggle once or
twice. He should continue his struggle till success.

Explanation:

In these lines poetess tells that the King Bruce said to himself that as spider had fallen for so
many times. It must have found out that it could not reach its destination and would not make a
further attempt at climbing. Because inspite of his hard labour and brave efforts it could not
succeed.

11. But up the insect went once more-

Ah me! 'tis an anxious minute

He's only a foot from his cobweb door'

Oh, say, will he lose or win it?

(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.

(ii) Why did King Bruce decide not to give up his efforts?

(iii) What is the message of the poem?

Ans:

(i) Poem: King Bruce and the Spider

Poetess: Eliza Cook.

(ii) After watching the struggle made by the spider, King Bruce changed his mind and decided
not to give up because the success comes up with one's will. He learnt to keep on trying till the
end.

(iii) This poem gives us message that we should not be disappointed or discouraged by
unfavorable circumstances. We should keep on trying again again inspite of failures. We should
not forget that failures are the pillars to success.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “King Bruce and the Spider” written by Eliza Cook.

In this poem poetess explains that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his struggle once or
twice. He should continue his struggle till success.

Explanation:

In these lines poetess tells that the King was surprised to see that the spider was making another
attempt. It was critical time for the king, he was not certain whether the spider would succeed or
fail. Although it was only a foot away from its cobweb.

12. Steadily, steadily, inch by inch,

Higher and higher he got,

And a bold little run at the very last pinch

Put him into his native cot

(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.

(ii) Describe above lines?

(iii) Give meaning of 'last pinch' and 'native cot'?

(iv) What lesson did King Bruce learn from spider?

Ans:

(i) Poem: King Bruce and the Spider

Poetess: Eliza Cook.

(ii) In these lines poetess tells that the spider went on and inch by inch it covered the distance.
The spider made an attempt at last moment of extreme difficulty. Finally it succeeded in getting
into the cobweb.

(iii) The last pinch means the last little bit of distance.

Native cot means his own home; here the spider's web.

(iv) King Bruce learnt a very important lesson from the spider. He learnt that one should never
lose hope in spite of hopes and difficulties. One should always remain strong and firm in will-
power. This lesson of courage and hope brought victory to the King in the long run.
Words / Meanings

1. The last pinch: the last little bit of distance.

2. Native cot: his own home; here the spider's web.

Reference to Context:

These lines have been taken from the poem “King Bruce and the Spider” written by Eliza Cook.

In this poem poetess explains that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his struggle once or
twice. He should continue his struggle till success.

Explanation:

In these lines poetess tells that the spider went on gaining ground slowly and surely inch by inch.
It covered the distance and it made an attempt at last moment of extreme difficulty. At last it
succeeded in getting into the cobweb.

13. "Bravo! bravo!" the King cried out,

All honour to those who try!

The spider up there defied despair-

He conquered, and why should not I?"

(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.

(ii) Which insect gave courage to the King? and why?

(iii) Why did the King cry out with joy?

(iv) Why did the King Bruce or poetess call the spider “Brave”?

(v) What does Bravo! mean?

Ans:

(i) Poem: King Bruce and the Spider

Poetess: Eliza Cook.

(ii) The Spider, gave courage to the King. Because it made to many failure attempts to reach his
destination and did not give up. Finally it was succeed and reached to its cobweb.
(iii) King was pleased very much on the success of Spider and cried out with joy, because it
encouraged the King. The King said if a spider can succeed by endurance, there is no reason why
he should fail

(iv) The poetess call the spider brave because it was very persistent and tried hard to complete
her task. Although she suffered several failures, but she did not show any grieve on the
disappointment of its fate. It went on making attempt and at last its persistent tries put it into the
cobweb.

(v) Bravo! means well done

Words / Meanings

1. Bravo: well done.

Reference to Context:

These lines have been taken from the poem “King Bruce and the Spider” written by Eliza Cook.

In this poem poetess explains that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his struggle once or
twice. He should continue his struggle till success.

Explanation:

In these lines poetess tells that at the success of the Spider, the King was pleased very much. He
appreciated the efforts of the spider by saying well-done. He said honour and glory falls to the lot
of those who are never discouraged by failures but they try again and again. The spider did not
mind disappointment and at last succeeded in reaching his cobweb. The King said if a spider can
succeed by perseverance, there is no reason why he should fail.

14. And Bruce of Scotland braced his mind,

And gossips tell the tale

That he tried once more as he tried before

And that time did not fail.

(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.

(ii) Which insect gave courage to the King?

(iii) Why did King Bruce decide not to give up his efforts?

(iv) What is the message of the poem?

(v) Give the meaning of 'Braced his mind' and 'Gossips tell the tale'?

Ans:

(i) Poem: King Bruce and the Spider

Poetess: Eliza Cook.

(ii) The success of the Spider, gave courage to the King.

(iii) After watching the struggle made by the spider, King Bruce changed his mind and decided
not to give up because the success comes up with one's will. He learnt to keep on trying till the
end.

(iv) This poem gives us message that we should not be disappointed or discouraged by
unfavorable circumstances. We should keep on trying again again inspite of failures. We should
not forget that failures are the pillars to success.

(v) Braced his mind: determined.

Gossips tell the tale: people talk about it.

Words / Meanings

1. Braced his mind: determined.

2. Gossips tell the tale: people talk about it.

Reference to Context:

These lines have been taken from the poem “King Bruce and the Spider” written by Eliza Cook.

In this poem poetess explains that one should not lose his heart if he fails in his struggle once or
twice. He should continue his struggle till success.

Explanation:

In these lines poetess tells that King Robert Bruce resolved to fight against the enemy once more
and the story teller tell that he tried once more and this time he won a brilliant victory over his
enemies.
KING BRUCE AND THE SPIDER (POEM)

Questions-Answers and Text Book Exercise

A. Question and Answers

Q.1: What lesson did the King learn from the spider?

Ans. The persistent tries of spider gave a positive spin to the thoughts of King Bruce and taught
him that we are to be persistent and bold to achieve our aim of life. Continuous struggle to the
main aim always produces a favourable result. We should try hard without caring for the
resistance and circumstances of life.

OR

King Bruce learnt a very important lesson from the spider. He learnt that one should never lose
hope in spite of odds and difficulties. One should always remain strong and firm in will-power.
This lesson of courage and hope brought victory to the King in the long run.

Q.2: What do you know about King Bruce of Scotland? Or Write a short note on King Bruce of
Scotland?

Ans. King Bruce of Scotland was a very generous and patriotic Emperor. Once he fight with the
British Army who wants to make a British colony in Scotland, but he was defeated. As he
wanted to defeat his enemy, that’s why he made several attempts to get back his domain but he
failed.

OR

King Bruce was the king of Scotland. He had been defeated by British army. The repeated
defeats had made the king greatly disappointed. He had decided that he would try no more. But
his observation of the spider filled his heart with hope and courage. Being encouraged, he tried
once again and that time he did not fail.

Q.3: Who has written this poem. Write few line about poet / poetess? OR What do you know
about the poet /poetess of King Bruce and the Spider ?

Ans. This poem is written by Eliza Cook (1818-1889). She was born in London. In 1849 she
edited and published “Eliza cook’s Journal.” Her work is simple and highly moral and she
teaches the readers what she always practiced in her life; to keep on trying and never to be
discouraged.

Q.4 What is meant by poetess when she says that “a great deed”?

Ans. The poetess has used the words “a great hard” for the King Bruce. He had been trying hard
to protect his domain from the contaminated hands of enemy. As the protection of country keeps
a very high rank among the man’s priorities of life, that’s why the poetess called it “a great
deed”.

Q.5 What resemblance, does the poetess find between the King Bruce and the Spider?

Ans. The points of similarity between the King Bruce and the spider were that the aim was quite
far away from both of them. Both of them were having a very slightest hope to achieve success
i.e. the spider had a single thread to reach the cobweb and the King Bruce also had a very tiny
hope to win over his enemies.

Q.6 Why did the King Bruce or poetess call the spider “Bravo! bravo!”? How did King Bruce
appreciate the spider?

Ans. The poetess or the King Bruce called the spider bravo because it was very persistent and
tried hard to complete her task. Although she suffered several failures, but she did not show any
grievance on the disappointment of its fate. It went on making attempt and at last its succeed to
put it into the cobweb. This encouraged the King Bruce and he also learnt the lesson of success
from spider.

Q.7: Write the moral of this poem?

Ans. This poem teaches us that we should not be disappointed and discouraged by unfavorable
circumstances. We should keep on trying again again inspite of failures. We should not forget
that failures are the pillars to success.

Q.8: How many attempts were made by spider?

Ans. Nine brave attempt were made by spider, and it was successful on the tenth attempt.

Q.9: Why did King Bruce decide not to give up his efforts?
After watching the struggle made by the spider, King Bruce changed his mind and decided not to
give up because the success comes up with one's will. He learnt to keep on trying till the end.

Q.10: How did the spider reach its cobweb?

Ans. The spider had fallen down from its cobweb in the ceiling. It was hanging from a fine silken
thread. It tried nine times and failed. However, it did not lose hope and in the tenth attempt it
succeeded in reaching the cobweb.
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DweHrKa-CuQ
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxx1AScNVSo
3.