advice to a young sylv-i-an dragon on going to school by Rg Gregory

advice to a young sylv-i-an dragon on going to school

by Rg Gregory

when you step out of the wood and go first time to school
you have to be so specially careful if you're really a dragon
to put the most innocent expression on your face you can find
and not flip your flappers (unless the others don't mind)
you must be very strict with yourself - be sure not to act the fool
you'd be far happier i think to get your mother to tie a tag on

saying - this dragon is sweet no matter how fierce she seems
and letting everyone know you were born in a wood (well at least
a sylv-i-an creature) and not used to clatterings and bangings
that can set a dragon's scales on edge with their thwangings
schools never are you know the paradise of your dreams
they have a tendency in everyone to bring out the beast

or maybe when you get there you should do a dragon-dance
and get everyone hopping around the place breathing fire
or burn up a prince or two - to show how that game is played
taking their minds off the fact you have a back like a saw-blade
and a tail so fierce it would keep the bravest child at a distance
but whatever else you do dear dragon definitely do not perspire

a perspiring dragon will have the whole school holding its noses
dainty dragons do not sweat - the first lesson to be deeply learned
in any dragon's book of school-etiquette - a proper dragon-daughter
must always carry with her a large supply of odour-cologne-water
(for use ten times a day) to keep her sweeter than a bunch of roses -
so advised (o young sylv-i-an dragon) you will never be spurned

Tips:

• What kind of dragon would you imagine a young Sylv-i-an dragon to be like? Look at the words used in the poem
  
• What does the word "Sylv-i-an" suggest about the dragon?
• Sylvian or Sylvania is a word of Latin origin, and is used to mean "forest-land" or woods.
• E.g. 'Pennsylvania" means Penn's forest-land or woods
• Hence, a Sylvian dragon means what?

Questions to answer:

1. Who is the persona of the poem?
2. What is the title of the poem?
3. Who is the poet?
4. Describe the characteristics of a young Sylvian dragon. Refer closely to the poem and support your answer with the words and images used in the poem.
5. Compare and contrast the theme and mood of this poem with "First Day at School" by Roger McGough.

Have fun,

Mr Lee