NCERT Book Class 7 English The Cop and the Anthem

Before you read

Have you ever found yourself in a situation in which what happened was the opposite of what you expected? If so, you are familiar with the ‘irony’ of the situation, which is often embarrassing. The story that you are going to read has a number of such situations.

The Cop and the Anthem

SOAPY moved restlessly on his seat in Madison Square. There are certain signs to show that winter is coming. Birds begin to fly south. People want new warm coats. And Soapy moves restlessly on his seat in the park. When you see these signs, you know that winter is near.

A dead leaf fell at Soapy’s feet. That was a special sign for him that winter was coming. It was time for all who lived in Madison Square to prepare. Soapy’s mind now realised that fact. The time had come. He had to find some way to take care of himself during the cold weather. And, therefore, he moved restlessly on his seat.

Soapy’s hopes for the winter were not very high. He was not thinking of sailing away on a ship. He was not thinking of southern skies, or of the Bay of Naples. Three months in the prison on Blackwell’s Island was what he wanted. Three months of food every day and a bed every night, three months safe from the cold north wind and safe from cops.

This is what Soapy wanted most in the world. For years, Blackwell’s Island had been his winter home.  Richer New Yorkers made their plans to go to Florida or tothe shore of the Mediterranean Sea each winter. Soapy made his small plans for going to the Island. And now, the time had come. Three big newspapers, some under his coat and some over his legs, had not kept him warm during the night in the park.

So Soapy was thinking of the Island. There were places in the city where he could go and ask for food and a bed. These would be given to him. He could move from one building to another, and he would be taken care of through the winter. But he liked Blackwell’s Island better.

Soapy’s spirit was proud. If he went to any of these places, there were certain things he had to do. In one way or another, he would have to pay for what they gave him. They would not ask him for money. But they would make him wash his whole body. They would make him answer questions. They would want to know everything about his life.

No. Prison was better than that. The prison had rules that he would have to follow. But in prison, a gentleman’s own life was still his own life. Soapy, having decided to go to the Island, at once began to move towards his desire.

Exercise

Answer the following questions.

1. What are some of the signs of approaching winter referred to in the text?

2. Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of the following.

(i) Soapy did not want to go to prison.

(ii) Soapy had been to prison several times.

(iii) It was not possible for Soapy to survive in the city through the winter.

(iv) Soapy hated to answer questions of a personal nature.

3. What was Soapy’s first plan? Why did it not work?

4. “But the cop’s mind would not consider Soapy”. What did the cop not consider, and why?

5. “We have orders to let them shout”. What is the policeman referring to?

6. Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of the following.

(i) Soapy stole a man’s umbrella.

(ii) The owner of the umbrella offered to give it to Soapy.

(iii) The man had stolen the umbrella that was now Soapy’s.

(iv) Soapy threw away the umbrella.

7. “There was a sudden and wonderful change in his soul”. What brought about the change in Soapy?

Discuss the following topics in groups.

1. Suppose no cop came at the end. What would Soapy’s life be like through the winter?

2. Retell an episode in the story which is a good example of irony in a situation.

Please refer to attached file for NCERT Class 7 English The Cop and the Anthem