The sad story of Percy, the TV Addict

By JG Goodacre

Young Percy’s parents could not getTheir son to leave the TV set.In fact, it was a common sight,From five o’clock till late at night,To see young Percival McQueenBefore the television screen

He watched the sport, the plays, the newsThe Westerns and the interviews.The programmes might be good or bad,They might be comical or sad;He watched them all the evening through

At half past five the little chapWould eat his supper in his lap;But what he ate, he did not know –His eyes were on the children’s show!All table manners he forgot.It didn’t worry him a jot.

And then one night, I’m sad to tellYoung Percival was heard to yell:‘I cannot watch it anymore,My eyes are feeling strange and sore!’And when he got up from his chair,His eyes were green and red … and square!

Poor Percy had to pay the priceOf ignoring good advice.For fear that you might share his fate,Your must learn to discriminate.Don’t be like Percival McQueen –An addict of the TV screen.

1. Young Percy’s parents could not get

2. Their son to leave the TV set.3. In fact, it was a common sight,4. From five o’clock till late at night,5. To see young Percival McQueen6. Before the television screen

Questions:1. Why is the word Percy’s spelled with an

apostrophe?2. Why is the word “o’clock” spelled with an

apostrophe?3. What is the meaning of the word “jot”?4. What does the poem mean with the words

“you must learn to discriminate”?

KENNETH(who was too fond of bubble-gum and met an untimely end)byWendy CopeThe chief defect of Kenneth PlumbWas chewing too much bubble-gum.He chewed away with all his might,Morning, evening, noon and night,Even (oh, it makes you weep)Blowing bubbles in his sleep.He simply couldn’t get enough!His face was covered with the stuff.

As for his teeth — oh, what a sight!It was a wonder he could bite.His loving mother and his dadBoth remonstrated with the lad.Ken repaid them for the troubleBy blowing yet another bubble.Twas no joke. It isn’t funnySpending all your pocket money

On the day’s supply of gum –Sometimes Kenny felt quite glum.As he grew, so did his need –There seemed no limit to his greed:At ten he often put awayNinety seven packs a day.Then at last he went too farSitting in his father’s car,

Stuffing gum without a pause,Found that he had jammed his jaws.He nudged his dad and pointed toThe mouthful that he couldn’t chew.‘Well, spit it out if you can’t chew it!’Ken shook his head. He couldn’t do it.Before long he began to groan –The gum was solid as a stone.

Dad took him to a builder’s yard;They couldn’t help. It was too hard.They called a doctor and he said,‘This silly boy will soon be dead.His mouth’s so full of bubble-gumNo nourishment can reach his tum.

Remember Ken and please do notGo buying too much you-know-what.

1. What is the meaning of "defect"?2. Write down one word for "morning, evening, noon and night"

3. What is the meaning of "remonstrated"?4. Write down the correct form of the word "Twas"

5. What is the meaning of “glum”?6. Why did Kenneth feel glum?

7. Why did his dad take him to a builder’s yard?8. What is nourishment?9. What do the words “you-know-what” refer to?