The poem describes a parent's surprise at their child's sudden change in behavior. The child is loving, helpful with chores, and well-behaved - a stark contrast to their usual rebellious and mischievous self. The parent wonders if the child was struck by lightning or is an imposter. They eventually realize the child's good behavior is likely due to wanting to soften the blow of a poor school report.

2. Now why so loving, darling,
And why the sudden kiss?
You’d help me with some little
jobs?
For goodness sake, what’s
this?
Your face is clean for once,
dear.
Your clothes without a
crease.
You saved your luncheon
money?
Will wonders never cease?
No dropping of your school
Today you are a lamb, love,
Where yesterday a rebel.
But surely you’re some
stranger.
No rage or hullabaloo,
Come closer, let me look,
dear,
Can this be REALLY you?
Now were you struck by
lightning?
Or were you stunned at
sports?
Ah…now I see the reason.
You’ve brought your school

3. Now why so loving,
darling?
And why the sudden
kiss?

4. You’d help me with some little
jobs?
For goodness
sake, what’s
this?

5. Your face is
clean for
once, dear.

6. Your clothes without a crease.

7. You saved your luncheon
money?
Will wonder
never cease?

8. No dropping of your school
books
No shrieking, childish
treble.

9. Today you are a lamb, dear,
Where yesterday, a rebel.

10. But surely you’re some
stranger,
No rage or hullabaloo

11. Come closer, let me look,
dear
Can this be REALLY you?

12. Now were you struck by
lightning?
Or were you
stunned at
sport?
???

13. Ah….
Now I see
the reason…

14. You’ve brought your school
report!

15. Stanza 1
 The parent is surprised that the child
has a sudden change in behaviour.
 The child has become a loving person
and even gives a kiss
 The child also suddenly helps with
house chores.
 The parent is bewildered

16. Stanza 2
 The parents cannot believe that the
child’s face is clean and his clothes
are neat without any wrinkles
 The child also saved his lunch money
 The parent is totally dumbfounded

17. Stanza 3
 The child also does not drop any of
his/ her book around the house.
 The child also does not scream and
shout
 That day, the child is as innocent and
gentle as a lamb, unlike his/ her usual
rebellious attitude

18. Stanza 4
 The parent begins to wonder if the
child is a stranger
 The child does not make any noise
 The parent wants to have a clearer
look to confirm the identity of the child

19. Stanza 5
 The parent wonders if lightning has
struck the child, or if he was shocked
while playing sports.
 However, the parent finally finds out
the truth
 The child has brought home his school
report

20. Setting
 No specific time frame is mentioned,
but the child probably just returned
from school
 Place : At home

21. Persona
 A parent who is puzzled to see his/her
child’s sudden change of behaviour.

22. Themes
Having an
ulterior motive
* The child is rather sly
* He is behaving well for a
reason
* He brought home his
report card which may
contain bad grades
* He tries to win his
parent’s heart by behaving
well
Disobedient
* The child is describe
to be naughty and
disobedient most of the
time
* That is why the
parent is very surprised
to see him behaving
well

23. MORAL
VALUES
We must try to
behave well at all
times and not only on
certain occasions
We must have the
courage to face
unpleasant
consequences
instead of finding
excuses