The Unusual Spectator by Ruskin Bond The Unusual Spectator by Ruskin Bond narrates an amusing anecdote revolving around a cricket match and its unexpected disruption by a not-so-menacing crocodile. Ranji and his friends schedule a match against the village boys on Sunday. The village boys, led by Sheroo, live close and practise often. This is a source of concern for Ranji and his teammates who are scattered all over the town. To add to the distress, sometimes the adults join the team as well. Their skills are questionable, but the children allow it since they sponsor most of the necessities. Nakoo, a crocodile living in the river that runs close to the pitch, frequents these matches. Respectfully titled “Nakoo ji” by the children, the crocodile is mostly content minding his own business and bothers no one, even though the noise made by the enthusiastic cricketers scares away his prey, and the shallows where he likes to rest are often disturbed by the attack of cricket balls. On the D-d...
Background of the Poem: P. G. Wodehouse was famous for his humorous writing and witty style.“Missed” is a light-hearted poem that humorously describes a cricketer’s deep embarrassment after missing an easy catch during a cricket match. The poem reflects how people often exaggerate small mistakes and feel ashamed over minor failures. Summary The poem begins on a bright and beautiful summer morning. The breeze carries the pleasant smell of hay, creating a cheerful atmosphere. The speaker is dressed in clean white flannels and feels excited for the cricket match. The playground is crowded with spectators, including elegantly dressed ladies and enthusiastic boys. Birds are singing sweetly, adding to the pleasant setting. Everything appears perfect and joyful before the match. During the game, the batsman hits the ball high into the air. The speaker gets an easy chance to catch the ball. However, he becomes distracted by the beauty around him and the buzzing ...