Resource 3: Praise poems and stories
Teacher resource for planning or adapting to use with pupils
A Yoruba poem in praise of the python
Some praise poetry praises animals or objects rather than people. Here is a poem from the Yoruba people. Explanation of some of the language is provided after the poem.
Python
Swaggering prince [Line 1]
Giant among snakes.
They say python has no house.
I heard it a long time ago
And I laughed and laughed and laughed.
For who owns the ground under the lemon grass? [Line 6]
Who owns the ground under the elephant grass?
Who owns the swamp – father of rivers?
Who owns the stagnant pool – father of waters?
Because they never walk hand in hand [Line 10]
People say that snakes walk only singly.
But just imagine
Suppose the viper walks in front
The green mamba follows
And the python creeps rumbling behind – [Line 15]
Who will be brave enough
To wait for them?
Python taken from English Matters, Grade 7 Anthology, compiled by Lloyd, G. & Montgomery, K.
Notes
- To walk with a swagger is to walk proudly – thinking you are the best, showing off. In Line 1, the poem describes the python as a swaggering prince.
- The questions in Lines 6 to 9 suggest that the python has many houses – both on the ground and in water.
- In verse two, the poem suggests that other animals and people would be too frightened to walk next to the snakes – that is why snakes ‘walk’ singly (by themselves).
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Resource 2: Name poems and stories
