The Snake Trying Summary & Notes for Class 9 English

Anushka Karmakar
January 28, 2026

Now you don’t need to be scared of English poems anymore! The Snake Trying is a simple yet meaningful poem that becomes very easy to understand once broken down clearly.

The Snake Trying Notes PDF

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The Snake Trying Summary Class 9

The poem describes a small green snake trying to escape from a person chasing it with a stick. The snake moves in beautiful, curving shapes and glides smoothly through the water.

He requests the attacker to let it go, saying the snake is harmless and means no danger, even to children. The snake finally glides into the water and disappears among the green reeds, safe from harm.

Through this poem, the poet gives a message of kindness, non-violence, and respect for all living creatures. The poem teaches us not to harm animals out of fear and to understand that every creature has the right to live peacefully.

S.No Table of Content
1. Pointers to Learn
2. Line by Line Explanation
3. Themes of the Poem
4. Literary Devices Used in the Poem
5. Central Message
6. Conclusion
7. Frequently Asked Questions

The Snake Trying - Pointers to Learn

This poem shows a harmless green snake trying to escape from human danger. It highlights the beauty of nature and urges people to respect all living creatures.

  • A Snake on the Run

The poem begins with a snake trying to escape from being hit. Someone sees it and tries to attack it with a stick. The snake is small and green, moving quickly through the grass to save its life.

  • Into the Water

The snake glides through the water in a smooth and beautiful motion. The poet describes how gracefully it curves and twists, showing that it is not harmful but rather a creature of beauty.

  • A Plea for Mercy

The poet requests the attacker to let the snake go. He says the snake is harmless and just trying to protect itself. There’s no need to kill it out of fear.

  • A Message of Kindness

The poet reminds us that not all snakes are dangerous. Many are harmless and play an important role in nature. The poem encourages kindness and understanding instead of fear and violence.

Line by Line Explanation

Let’s understand the poem step by step. Don’t rush. This poem is simple, gentle and very easy once you imagine the scene clearly.

“The snake trying to escape the pursuing stick,”

The snake is frightened and is trying to run away because someone is chasing it with a stick. The person wants to hit or kill the snake, so the snake is only trying to escape danger.

“with sudden curvings of thin , long body.”

The snake has a thin and long body. As it moves, it bends and twists quickly. These sudden curving movements help it escape faster.

“How beautiful and graceful are his shapes!”

Here, the poet is not scared of the snake. Instead, he is admiring it. He feels that the snake’s movements look smooth, beautiful and graceful, even while it is running away.

“He glides through the water away from the stroke.”

The snake slides smoothly into the water. This movement helps it escape the stick that was about to hit it. The word “glides” shows how easily and softly the snake moves.

“O let him go over the water into the reeds to hide without hurt.”

The poet requests the person who is chasing the snake to stop. He wants the snake to move into the water and hide among the reeds (tall plants near water) without being harmed.

“Small and green he is harmless even to children.”

The poet explains that the snake is small and green in colour and is not dangerous. He clearly says that the snake cannot harm anyone.

“Along the sand he lay until observed and chased away,”

Earlier, the snake was lying peacefully on the sand. It was not troubling anyone. But as soon as someone noticed it, fear made them chase the snake away.

“and now he vanishes in the ripples among the green slim reeds.”

Finally, the snake disappears into the water. The ripples and green reeds hide it completely. The snake is now safe and out of danger.

Themes of the Poem

Let us see the themes of the poem.

  1. Compassion Towards Animals

The poem teaches us to be kind to all living beings, even those we fear like snakes. The poet requests us not to harm the snake, showing that even small creatures have the right to live peacefully.

  1. Fear v/s Reality

People are often scared of snakes, assuming they are dangerous. But the poet explains that not all snakes are harmful. The small green snake in the poem is harmless, even to children. This shows how fear is often based on misunderstanding.

  1. Beauty of Nature

The poem highlights the natural beauty of the snake’s movements. The poet describes how gracefully the snake glides through the water and curves its body. This reminds us to notice and appreciate the beauty in all creatures, even the ones we usually avoid.

  1. Right to Freedom and Safety

The poem shows that every living creature, big or small, has the right to freedom and safety. The snake runs away to save its life and the poet supports its right to live without being attacked or killed.

  1. Non-Violence and Peace

The poet promotes a peaceful attitude. Instead of reacting with violence and trying to kill the snake, he urges the person to let it go in peace. This theme supports the idea of living in harmony with nature.

Literary Devices Used in the Poem

Below are the literary devices used in the poem.

  1. Imagery

The poet creates clear pictures in the reader’s mind using descriptive words. 

Example: “He glides through the water” 

It helps us imagine the snake moving smoothly.

  1. Alliteration

Repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of closely connected words.

Example: “pursuing stick” 

The ‘s’ sound is repeated.

  1. Personification

The poet gives human qualities to the snake by calling it "he" instead of “it.” 

Example: “Let him go over the water” 

The snake is treated like a person.

  1. Repetition

Some words or ideas are repeated for focus or emphasis.

Example: The idea of the snake being “harmless” is repeated to stress that it should not be hurt.

Central Message of the Poem

The poem "The Snake Trying" gives a strong message of kindness, peace and respect for all living beings. It tells us not to hurt animals just because we are afraid of them. In the poem, a small green snake is trying to escape from someone who is chasing it with a stick. 

The poet asks the person to let the snake go because it is harmless and not dangerous. He admires the beauty and smooth movements of the snake as it glides through the water and disappears into the reeds. 

Through this, the poet wants us to understand that all creatures, even snakes, deserve to live safely and freely. We should not harm animals without any reason. The poem helps us overcome fear and teaches us to live in peace with nature. 

It reminds us to be more understanding, gentle and caring towards even the smallest and most feared creatures.

Conclusion

To sum up, understanding English poems is no longer a tough task. With these easy and clear notes in hand, you can confidently prepare for your exams without feeling lost or confused. Every part of the poem is covered in a simple way to help you grasp the chapter fully. 

Learning poems should feel light and interesting, not stressful and that’s exactly what these notes are here for. Use them well and you'll see yourself scoring better and understanding poems more deeply than ever before!

FAQs

Q1. What is the poem The Snake Trying about?

Ans. The poem is about a harmless snake trying to escape from danger and the poet’s request to let it go unharmed.

Q2. Why does the poet admire the snake?

Ans. The poet admires the snake for its graceful movements and calm beauty.

Q3. Why does the poet say the snake is harmless?

Ans. The snake is small and green and poses no danger, not even to children.

Q4. What message does the poem give us?

Ans. The poem teaches kindness, non-violence, and respect for all living creatures.

Q5. How does the poem end?

Ans. The poem ends with the snake disappearing safely into the water among the reeds.

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