The Gumbie Cat Poem Summary Notes and Line by Line Explanation in English Class 7th

Introduction

Jennyanydots tries to discipline the unruly rodents and teach them some manners instead of simply accepting the turmoil and mess in the home.

Theme

The poem is humorous and brings forth the practicality of a domestic cat, that assumes itself responsible for order in the house. Jennyanydots is not like other cats that are nonchalant about the disorder and chaos in the house, she decides to straighten out the rowdy rodents and teach them some manners. The poem teaches the importance of discipline that even a cat deems important.

Stanza I & II

I have a Gumbie Cat in mind, her name is Jennyanydots;
Her coat is of the tabby kind, with tiger stripes and leopard spots.
All day she sits upon the stair or on the steps or on the mat;
She sits and sits and sits and sitsโ€”and that's what makes a Gumbie Cat!

But when the day's hustle and bustle is done,
Then the Gumbie Cat's work is but hardly begun.
And when all the family's in bed and asleep,
She tucks up her skirts to the basement to creep.
She is deeply concerned with the ways of the miceโ€”
Their behaviour's not good and their manners not nice;
So when she has got them lined up on the matting,
She teaches them music, crocheting and tatting.

The distinctive coat of Jennyanydots, the Gumbie Cat, features spots and stripes. She spends the entire day sitting, which is what every cat enjoys doing, making her the ideal Gumbie cat. Nevertheless, the Gumbie cat begins to act when night falls and everyone retires to their beds. She approaches the basement in silence and gently. She can not just overlook how messy the mice are. She makes the decision to impart to them musical talent as well as other disciplines that will enable them to use their free time productively.

Stanza III & IV

I have a Gumbie Cat in mind, her name is Jennyanydots;
Her equal would be hard to find, she likes the warm and sunny spots.
All day she sits beside the hearth or on the bed or on my hat:
She sits and sits and sits and sitsโ€”and that's what makes a Gumbie Cat!

But when the day's hustle and bustle is done,
Then the Gumbie Cat's work is but hardly begun.
As she finds that the mice will not ever keep quiet,
She is sure it is due to irregular diet;
And believing that nothing is done without trying,
She sets right to work with her baking and frying.
She makes them a mouseโ€”cake of bread and dried peas,
And a beautiful fry of lean bacon and cheese.

The Gumbie cat is irreplaceable. All day she sits wherever she likes. However, once the dayโ€™s commotion is over, the Gumbie Catโ€™s work has only just begun. Sensing that the only way to silence the mice is to fill their stomachs. She gets to baking and frying right away. She creates a mousse for them. Contrary to popular belief that cats and mice are arch-enemies, Jennyanydots is actually very caring and feeds the mice.

Stanza V & VI

I have a Gumbie Cat in mind, her name is Jennyanydots;
The curtain-cord she likes to wind, and tie it into sailor-knots.
She sits upon the window-sill, or anything that's smooth and flat:
She sits and sits and sits and sitsโ€”and that's what makes a Gumbie Cat!

But when the day's hustle and bustle is done,
Then the Gumbie Cat's work is but hardly begun.
She thinks that the cockroaches just need employment
To prevent them from idle and wanton destroyment.
So she's formed, from that lot of disorderly louts,
A troop of well-disciplined helpful boy-scouts,
With a purpose in life and a good deed to doโ€”
And she's even created a Beetles' Tattoo.

So for Old Gumbie Cats let us now give three cheersโ€”
On whom well-ordered households depend, it appears.

She leaves no rodents and even considers the cockroaches an opportunity for employment. By allotting them actual work she will stop them from destroying the house. So, she organised a helpful, disciplined squadย from those wild troublemakers. She guided them and make their lives meaningful. Letโ€™s throw Old Gumbie Cats three cheers right now for she is the backbone of a well-organised home.