ASHOKA GROUP OF SCHOOLS, ASHOKA MARG

SKIMBLESHANKS : THE RAILWAY CAT

WORKBOOK NOTES

INTRODUCTION
"Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat" is a poem from T.S. Eliot's book Old Possum Book of Practical Cats
Skimbleshanks is about a cat who lives and works on a Night Mail train. He is a perfectionist who ensures a
smooth and comfortable journey for the passengers on the Midnight Mail.

The Poet
Thomas Stearns Eliot, one of the most important 20th century poets, was born in the USA and
educated at the Harvard, Sorbonne and Oxford Universities. He spent most of his life in England. He began to
write poetry from the age of 14 under the influence of Edward Fitzgerald's translation of the Rubaiyat of Omar
Khayyam. He influenced the formation of the modern style of writing poetry for more than forty years. He is
famous for his poems, The Love Song of Alfred J Prufrock and The Wasteland.
Eliot was nicknamed 'Old Possum' by a close associate Ezra Pound, an American modernist poet. Eliot
was famous as a serious poet but he wrote children's verse that was whimsical, satirical and appeared
nonsensical. He wrote poems about working cats in letters to his godchildren under the pseudonym of 'Old
Possum' The poems were collected and published in 1939 under the name Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats
with cover illustrations by Eliot himself. Old Possum's Cats were popular and were adapted a number of times,
the most famous being the musical Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
His works: His other poems included The Hollow Men (1925), The Journey of the Magi (1927), Four
Quartets (1935-42). Eliot also wrote plays such as Murder in the Cathedral, The Family reunion, The Cocktail
Party and the Confidential Clerk. His critical works include Selected Essays, Elizabethan Essays, etc. He was
awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1948.

THE POEM
Signposts
● Everyone on board the Night Mail is looking for Skimble without whom the train cannot depart.
● Skimble appears and the train starts, heading towards the North.
● Skimble regularly supervises everyone by patrolling the entire train.
● Skimble ensures a comfortable journey for the passengers.
● Skimble sees to it that the cabins are clean and comfortable and that every passenger gets his morning tea as per
his taste.

● Skimble is always fresh and alert during his night watch as he has tea probably with a drop of whiskey.
● At every station he walks up and down to check that all is well.
● When the train enters Gallowgate he is there to help passengers get off the train.
● Skimbleshanks, with a wave of his tail, waves goodbye to passengers of the Midnight Mail.

The Poem in Detail

Skimbleshanks, the title character is portrayed as a bright and energetic brown tabby cat who lives and
works on the mail trains. The poem begins with the journey in the train that is all ready to leave the station.
Lines 1-4
The Night Mail is about to leave at 11.39 and there is a lot of commotion with everyone whispering 'Where is
Skimble?' and wondering if he has gone to play the frivolous game of hunting the thimble. The train can't start
without Skimble.
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Lines 5-8
Everyone, the guards, the porters and even the stationmaster's daughters are looking for Skimble in every
nook and corner because unless Skimble is brisk and comes soon, the Night Mail would be delayed.
Lines 9-12
At the last minute, just before the scheduled departure time of the train at 11.42 Skimble appears out of the
luggage van from the rear of the train. He was busy in the luggage van.
Lines 13-16
As soon as Skimbleshanks appears he flashes his glassy green eyes towards the signal and it turns green in
response. The train heads north.
Lines 17-20
It is very clear that Skimble is in charge of the train as he supervises the driver, the guards and the card-playing
bagmen.
Lines 21-24
As he goes through the corridors of the train, he checks the faces of all the passengers, both in the first class as
well as the third. It appears that he is patrolling the train and is aware of whatever is happening in every corner
of the train.
Lines 25-28
He stares intently into the eyes of everyone giving them the feeling that he can read their thoughts. Everyone
is very quiet when Skimble is on his rounds and riotous behavior is not approved by him.
Lines 29-32
Skimbleshanks is serious about his work so nobody dares to play pranks on him. Nothing could go wrong on
the train when he is aboard.
Lines 33-36
It is an absolute pleasure to enter the train coupe bearing your name. The berth is neat with a freshly folded
clean sheet. There is not a speck of dust around.
Lines 37-40
The coupe has all kinds of facilities-a handle to open the window to let the air in, a basin to wash your face and
a handle to shut the window if you find the breeze too cold to make you sneeze.
Lines 41-44
When you are settling in, a guard comes to ask how you would like your morning tea-weak or strong. Skimble
would be right behind the guard to ensure that he gets you your morning tea to your liking because if the
guard forgets, Skimble could remind him and thus with Skimble around nothing can go wrong.
Lines 45-50
As you pull off the bedspread to sleep in your cozy berth, you can be assured there would be no mice under
your bed, all thanks to the railway cat.
Lines 51-54
On his night watch Skimble is alert and fresh. This is because he has tea, possibly with a shot of whiskey. The
only time he stops is to catch a stray flea on the train.
Lines 55-60
While all the passengers on board are fast asleep, Skimble inspects the station at Crewe, happily greets the
stationmaster at Carlisle and enquires after policemen at Dumfries.
Lines 61-66
When the train finally stops at Gallowgate, Skimble helps the passengers to get off the train. He waves his long
brown tail to bid 'adieu' to the passengers. His tail appears to say till we meet again and you are sure to meet
the railway cat aboard the Midnight Mail on your next journey.

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NOTES
thimble: a short metal tube. hilarity: merry making.
Hunt the thimble: A party game where one person prank: practical joke.
hides a small object in a room and the others look den: (here) railway coupe or cabin
for it. crank: a handle.
nimble: quick. counterpane: a decorative bed cover.
frantic: distraught with anxiety. by and large: generally
saunter: walk in a slow, relaxed manner. berth: a fixed bunk for sleeping in the train.
winking: (here) blinking his eyelids. speck: a tiny spot of dirt.
bagman: traveling salesman. Crewe: town in England.
paces: walks up and down several times.
patrol: regularly pass along a specific area to
maintain order and security.

THEMES
1. Perfectionism
Skimbleshanks is a perfectionist who deeply cares for every passenger's railway experience. He arrives
at the scene just in time so that the train leaves on schedule. He controls everyone on-board and ensures there
is peace and quiet on the train so that the passengers can sleep well. He ensures the experience is perfect
with:
...the berth is very neat with a newly folded sheet
And there's not a speck of dust on the floor.
Skimbleshanks is such a perfectionist that he can judge the thoughts and needs of the passengers just by
looking at their faces. He does not differentiate between the passengers traveling in the first and the third
class. He even stands behind the guard when the latter asks for the passenger's preference of morning tea. He
remembers the choice so that he can remind the guard of the choice. The railway cat is always fresh and on
the move, only stopping here and there to catch a flea.
A flea is a parasitic insect that is quick on its feet and very difficult to catch. But Skimble catches the flea
and gets rid of the inconvenience it would have caused to the passengers. Nothing is hidden from the
seemingly omnipresent Railway Cat, Skimbleshanks.

2. Expectations from a Figure of Authority

Skimbleshanks stands for an authority figure, who is indispensable in the functioning of a machinery,
the train here. The poem begins with the common impression of the authority figure-mistrust and doubt about
his ability and that he might be enjoying himself; gone to hunt the thimble i.e., enjoying a game. However, the
leader comes in time laying to rest all apprehensions. As soon as he appears the signal turns green in response
and the train heads north. Being an authority figure he has influence on all the service providers:
From the driver and the guards to the bagmen playing cards
He will supervise them all, more or less.
The authority figure also needs to be aware at all times what is happening in his train of influence. He does this
by examining the faces of all the passengers irrespective of their class of travel. He is so sharp that ‘he sees
what you are thinking.’ Skimbleshanks checks the stations and collects news from varied sources
(stationmaster and policemen) to keep himself abreast with the latest news while his passengers are in deep
slumber. When he is on-board a train nothing goes wrong. Everyone is at peace so they can be fast asleep with
the assurance that the authority figure is taking care of everything.
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Another aspect that is important in an authority figure is concern for his people, passengers here.
Skimbleshanks ensure that the berth is comfortable with clear sheets and operative lights, fans, washbasins
and handles on windows. The cabinet is dust-free. The authority figure takes care of the safety of the
passengers by ensuring that there are no mice and fleas in the train. The authority figure should be humble
enough to help his people like
Skimbleshanks will help you get out. Lastly the authority figure should be reassuring-passengers are
confident that they'll meet Skimbleshanks without fail on the Midnight Mail'.
Thus, Skimbleshanks is an authority figure, who is kind and benevolent and commands respect from
everyone in his circle of influence.

3. Luxury on-board the train

The train is a night train from London to Scotland across the length of Britain. Passengers are tired at
the end of the day. They do not want to be disturbed by boisterous merrymaking. They want a quiet
comfortable journey. All of this is ensured by Skimbleshanks. In the beginning, he was inspecting the luggage
van probably to see there are no stowaways. The cabins are comfortable and clean. They have operative lights
that could be made dim or bright. The cabin boasts of a fan, a washbasin and a handle for the window. In many
public transport vehicles all of these are either absent or broken or inoperative.
The guards are polite and cheerful especially when they enquire about the passenger's preference for bed-tea
and they provide bed-tea accordingly. The first drink of the day sets the mood for the day, so if the passenger
gets his bed tea as he desires, he would have a good day. The passengers have a good sleep as they sleep
through the stations where the train stops. They are woken with tea and are all set to get off the train at its last
station-Gallowgate.
For Skimbleshanks will help you to get out!
He gives you a wave of his long brown tail
Skimbleshanks and ensures that the passengers get off the train with ease promises another luxurious journey
when the passenger takes this train again.

STYLE
1. Form and Structure
This poem is a narrative poem, because it tells a story. It is also a descriptive poem for it describes the main
character, Skimbleshanks. The poem is narrated in the third person. Although it is not possible to identify who
the speaker is, it is quite obvious that the speaker is a passenger who often travels by Midnight Mail since he
knows exactly how the passengers are treated on-board the train,
Oh, it's very pleasant when you have found your little den
With your name written up on the door.
and what Skimbleshanks does throughout the journey:
So nothing goes wrong on the Northern Mail
When Skimbleshanks is aboard.
In a relatively brief narrative, the poet has managed to capture the unique personality of a working cat, i.e.,
Skimbleshanks, who ensures the comfort and safety of all the passengers aboard the Night Mail train like its
human counterpart, in this case, a Supervisor or a Manager.
Besides, the narrative has successfully portrayed a comfortable journey at night that the passengers
experience while aboard a Night Mail train. There is no noise and disturbance at all.

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2. Imagery
It refers to the words and phrases used to help the reader form images that focus on their sense of smell,
touch, sight, hearing and taste.
(i) Auditory Imagery: The poem begins with a whisper. The whisper doesn't sound so much like a single
whisper, but many, rippling through a crowd searching for Skimbleshanks.
There's a whisper down the line at 11.39
(ii) Visual Imagery: Skimbleshanks' eyes are green like the green signal of the train-he flashes his eyes and the
signal mimics the colour of his eyes.
Flash of his glass-green eyes
Other examples of visual imagery is ‘there's not a speck of dust on the floor'. Besides, through the visual
images of the facilities in the train like lights, fans, washbasins, windows with handles reflect how comfortable
journey is ensured in the train by Skimbleshanks. As it is a night train, the description of the facilities in a coupe
of the train makes the readers visualize the quiet and calm atmosphere, befitting a Sleeping Car Express.
(iii) Tactile Imagery: The imagery described by an expression of touching something is revealed when it is
described how cozy a passenger feels when he creeps into his birth to sleep:
Creep into your cozy birth

3. Rhythm
The poet shows his true inventiveness by the clever use of language, which at times approaches the
sprightliness of nursery rhymes. The poet doesn't only use rhyme at the end of lines, but he also uses internal
rhyme in every alternate line. For example:
● Skimble and nimble ● guards and cards
● Winking and thinking ● light and bright
● appear and rear ● Places and Faces
● riot and quiet
The rhyming pattern used in the poem is ABCBDEFE.
There's a whisper down the line at 11.39
When the Night Mail's ready to depart,
Saying "Skimble where is Skimble has he gone to hunt the thimble?
We must find him or the train can't start."
All the guards and all the porters and the station master's daughters
They are searching high and low,
Saying "Skimble where is Skimble for unless he's very nimble
Then the Night Mail just can't go."
The poem has an ingenious use of words with rhyme and meter. The rhythm of the poem, if performed
correctly, resembles the rhythm of a locomotive. Therefore, this poem can be recited to a metronome. (A
metronome is a device that produces a click (sounds as tak-tak) at regular intervals to help musicians play
rhythms accurately).
There's a whisper down the line at eleven thirty nine,
when the night mail's ready to depart (tak-tak)
Saying Skimble where is Skimble, has he gone to hunt the thimble,
we must find him or the train can't (or can't) start. (tak-tak)
All the guards and all the porters and the stationmaster's daughters
they are searching high and low... (tak-tak)

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4. Passage of Time
The passage of time plays an important role in this poem since Skimbleshanks is the one in charge of the train
that travels through night. Time is also very important when the guards and the porters can't find
Skimbleshanks and it is almost time for the train to leave. But he emerges at the nick of time and the train
begins its northward journey. The poem begins with the chaos at the line, goes on to describe the journey and
ends with the end of the journey with Skimbleshanks bidding goodbye to all the passengers

5. Personification
To personify is to give an animal or inanimate object human traits. Eliot does so firstly by the title
Skimbleshanks-the Railway Cat and then by giving the cat a level of introspection or self-awareness that is
usually reserved for human beings. In this poem, T.S. Elliot describes the cat (Skimbleshanks) as a human
being. He is a figure of great importance in the train's operation, it will not leave without him, and he
frequently looks in on the passengers and crew to ensure that everything is running smoothly. When the guard
asks the passenger about his preference of tea,
…Skimble's just behind him and was ready to remind him
so that the guard does not forget the passenger's preference and the passenger has a good travel experience.

6. Hyperbole
The train heads north of the Northern Hemisphere. This is a hyperbole-a figure of speech that is an
exaggeration. How can the train go to the North Pole (ie. north of The Northern Hemisphere)? It is an
exaggeration that the train goes to the northernmost part of Britain.

7. Alliteration
The example of alliteration in the poem is:
He will watch you without winking and he sees what you are thinking

SETTING
Skimbleshanks is described as' The Railway Cat', who lives on the Night Mail, an overnight express train
that travels on the British West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Glasgow Central (Scotland).
There are references in the poem of a number of stations in cities in England and Scotland such as Crewe,
Carlisle, Dumfries and Gallowgate that establish the setting as 20th century England. The poem begins at a
station at 11.39 at night when the train is about to depart but cannot do so without Skimbleshanks. Finally, the
train leaves the station at 11.42 when Skimbleshanks appears from the luggage van.
There are a number of words related to a train journey like Night Mail, Sleeping Car Express, the
guards, the porters, the stationmaster, the driver, the first and the third class, the Northern mail, cozy berth,
the coupe with the name of individual passengers, etc. Besides, the facilities provided in the train to make the
journey pleasant and safe for the passengers, immediately connect the readers and they imagine that they
themselves are a part of a train journey.
Above all there is Skimbleshanks, the main character in the poem, who appears as a supervisor on the
train. He works diligently keeping the watch and helping out passengers aboard the train. He takes great pride
in his work and considers himself very important, claiming that the train cannot operate without him.

CRITICAL REMARKS
The first thing that strikes us about the poem is that it is a simple entertaining rhyme like poem. T.S.
Eliot appears as a simple traveler, who observed the movement of a cat in a railway carriage and wrote the
poem based on his experience. The cat seemed to be everywhere, running up and down the length of the
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train, coming underfoot the railway employees. It seemed as if the cat was the most important character
without whom the train would not budge. This poem is an allegory on how a person in a position should carry
out his duty to utmost perfection and leave no stone unturned while doing the work allotted to him.

Totalitarian Rule in Europe

In the light of the political situation in Europe at the time of writing this poem, Skimbleshanks, the cat
who works on the Night Mail can be regarded as symbolic of the totalitarian regimes in Germany and Italy in
the 1930s. He is seen as a control freak, without whose presence nothing happens on the train, the train
cannot depart without him. The train moves with one flash of his glass-green eyes. He supervises every official
of the train from the driver, the guards, the stationmaster to the bagmen. He himself keeps pacing up and
down the train compartments to ensure discipline and safety of the passengers.
He keeps himself abreast of all the happenings related to the journey by keeping in touch with the
stationmaster and the Police. His presence is felt everywhere like a charismatic leader of a totalitarian regime,
who also took some measures for the welfare of the people. He watches every passenger without blinking his
eyes and sees through their thoughts. This at times makes the passengers feel unsettled and scared.
He will watch you without winking and he sees what you are thinking
Skimbleshanks authority is kind, the type of dictator that poets wish for.

Cats.
Eliot was a 'cat man'. He owned many during his life and fondly gave them ridiculous names as Skimbleshanks,
Jennyanydots, Growltiger, Gilbert, Rum Tum Tugger, Macavity, Gus etc. He wrote cat poems in the 1930s under
the pseudonym 'Old Possum' in letters to his godchildren. These poems were included in his book called 'Old
Possum's Book of Practical Cats' which describe the amusing antics of cats and the foibles of human beings.
The relation of a cat to humans is always wary and frankly selfish. It is clear that Eliot was fascinated by the
dignified remoteness of his feline companions. Any owner (so called) of a cat will agree, something strangely
superior about the domestic cat felis domestica. They own themselves. The ancient Egyptians believed that the
inner haughtiness of the cat had something god-like about it.
The hero of "Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat" is a rather bossy character, ensuring that things go
smoothly on all the various mail runs. The general tone and tenor of the poem stresses primarily upon two
feline features:
(a) Cats do as they please
Down the corridor he paces and examines all the faces.
Of the travelers in the First and the Third;
(b) Their self-possessed swagger
He establishes control by a regular patrol
He also plays on the inscrutable, self-contained qualities that cats possess to gently assert that they are more
like humans than we think. The poet manages to capture the personality of the cats and their human
counterparts.
But Skimble's just behind him and was ready to remind him,
For Skimble won't let anything go wrong.

Work Ethics
In common parlance cats are seen as lazy and laid back. Practically every visual representation of a cat shows a
cat comfortably curled up. But Skimbleshanks is a working cat. He is always on the move, making himself
indispensable in the functioning of the train. Thus, a simple creature can ensure a top of the world travel

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experience with everything working as clock works. The train symbolizes predictability, regularity and
comfort-all of which are implemented by the Railway Cat, Skimbleshanks!

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. What was the cause of confusion at 11.39 pm?
(a) The signal was not working. (c) The train was not ready.
(b) The train was late. (d) Skimble was nowhere to be found.
2. The word 'nimble' means
(a) quick (c) eat
(b) short (d) sleep
3. "He gives one flash of his glass-green eyes" and what happens?
(a) The stationmaster gives the signal (c) Skimbleshanks drives the train
(b) The train begins its journey (d) Ticket Collector checks the tickets
4. How does Skimble establish his absolute control?
(a) By speaking to the stationmaster (c) By following the guard
(b) By regular patrol (d) By talking to the passengers
5. When Skimbleshanks is aboard
(a) no one could play pranks. (c) he drinks tea.
(b) all the passengers are tense. (d) he creates havoc.
6. Which of the following is pleasant for the passengers?
(a) The berth is neat and clean (c) The light and fan are operative
(b) There's not a speck of dust on the floor (d) All of the above.
7. What does Skimble remind the guards?
(a) The passengers choice of morning tea (c) That he won't let anything go wrong
(b) To wake up the passengers (d) That the station would arrive soon.
8. The Railway cat is
(a) bright and energetic. (c) bored.
(b) lazy. (d) loving.
9. The whispering started at_____ and Skimbleshanks appeared at
(a) 11:39 pm, 11:47 pm. (c) 11:39 pm, 11:42 pm.
(b) 11:49 pm, 11:52 pm. (d) 11:49 pm, 11:50 pm.
10. When everyone was looking for Skimbleshanks where was he?
(a) Eating (c) Sleeping
(b) In the luggage van (d) Playing games
11. The Railway Cat speaks to_______ at the Dumfries station.
(a) his friend (c) the guards
(b) a passenger (d) the police
12. How did Skimble bid goodbye to the passengers?
(a) By shaking hands (c) By making loud noises
(b) By waving his tail (d) By hugging the passengers

Section B: Reference to Context

I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
There's a whisper down the line at 11.39
When the Night Mail's ready to depart,
Saying "Skimble where is Skimble has he gone to hunt the thimble?
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We must find him or the train can't start

(i) What's the whisper down the line who all are whispering?
Ans: In the poem "Whisper down the line" refers to a message being passed along to the train staff at 11:39
pm when the Night Mail is ready to depart. The message is about Skimbleshanks, the railway cat, and asks
where he is because the train can't start without him. The guards, porters, and even the stationmaster's
daughters are all searching for Skimbleshanks.

(ii) Who is Skimble? What work does he do?

Ans: Skimble is a "The Railway cat" in the poem Skimbleshanks. He is a cat who works on the Night Mail train
and is responsible for supervising the train's crew, including the driver, guards, and bagmen. Skimbleshanks is
described as being in charge of the Sleeping Car Express, and he is highly respected by his colleagues for his
dedication and diligence. He is also known for his ability to solve problems and keep the train running
smoothly.

(iii) What does "hunt the thimble" mean? What was Skimble doing at this time?
Ans: "Hunt the thimble" is likely a playful phrase used to describe Skimble's whereabouts. It refers to the doubt
many have around the sense of responsibility that Skimble displays. On finding him missing at the platform
they assume he's doing some off-work hobbies that is hunting the thimble. The struggle of this Skimbleshanks
is that he is mistrusted by the indeterminate and suspicious voice of the wider society.

(iv) Why can't the train start without Skimbleshanks? How did the tray finally start?
Ans: The train cannot start without Skimbleshanks because he is the one who is in charge of the Sleeping Car
Express. He supervises everyone from the driver and guards to the bagmen playing cards. When
Skimbleshanks disappears, there is panic because the train cannot start without him. He has been busy in the
luggage van. He gives one flash of his glass-green eyes, and the signal goes "All Clear." And finally, the train
starts its journey to the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere.

(v) Did it depend on time? How did the scene at the train change after Skimble appeared?
Ans: Yes, the train departed on time after Skimbleshanks appeared. The scene at the train changed from one of
frantic searching and worry to one of relief and calmness. The guards and porters stopped searching for
Skimble and the passengers were no longer frantic. Skimbleshanks' appearance and assurance that everything
was under control gave everyone the confidence that the train would depart on time and without any issues.

II. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
All the guards and all the porters
and the stationmaster's daughters
They are searching high and low,
Saying "Skimble where is Skimble
for unless he's very nimble
Then the Night Mail just can't go

(i) Identify and name two figures of speech used in this extract?
Ans: One figure of speech used in this extract is hyperbole, which is an exaggeration used to emphasize a
point. The line "They are searching high and low" exaggerates the intensity of the search for Skimble. Another
figure of speech used is alliteration, which is the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of
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neighbouring words. The line "Saying 'Skimble where is Skimble for unless he's very nimble" uses alliteration
with the repeated "s" and "n" sounds.

(ii) Why is it important for Skimbleshanks to be on the train?

Ans: Skimbleshanks is important for the smooth operation of the train because he supervises and keeps
control over the various workers on the train, including the driver, guards, and bagmen. He patrols the train,
ensuring that everything is in order, and he can quickly respond to any issues that may arise. Additionally, he
helps ensure that the passengers are comfortable and well taken care of. Without Skimbleshanks, it is
suggested that the train would not be able to run as efficiently, and problems could potentially occur.

(ii) Why would Skimble need to be very nimble?

Ans: In the poem, Skimble is described as a cat who is responsible for supervising the train and ensuring that
everything runs smoothly. As such, it is important for Skimble to be very nimble so that he can move quickly
and efficiently throughout the train to perform his duties, whether it is checking the luggage van, patrolling the
corridors, or helping passengers.

(iv) Who are 'They' in the second line? Why are they frantic? Did they calm down? How?
Ans:'They' in the second line refers to the passengers waiting to board the Night Mail train. They are frantic
because the train cannot start without Skimbleshanks, and they fear the delay may cause them to miss
important appointments or connections. However, once Skimbleshanks appears and the train departs, the
passengers become calmer and more relaxed, enjoying the comfort of their berths and the smooth journey
provided by Skimbleshanks' watchful presence.

(v) Imagine you are onboard this train, describe the manhunt for Skimble.
Ans:

III. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
You may say that by and large, it is Skamble who's in charge
Of the Sleeping Car Express
From the driver and the guards to the bagmen playing cards
He will supervise them all, more or less.
Down the corridor, he paces and examines all the faces
Of the travelers in the First and the Third;
He establishes control by a regular patrol
And he'd know at once if anything occurred.

(i) Who will supervise them all (the staff)? Who are they who need supervision?
Ans: Skimbleshanks will supervise all the staff on the Sleeping Car Express, including the driver, the guards, and
the bagmen playing cards. The passengers in the First and the Third classes also need supervision from
Skimbleshanks, as he paces down the corridor and examines all their faces.

(ii) Whose faces does the supervisor examine? What can he gauge from their faces?.
Ans: The supervisor, Skimbleshanks, examines the faces of the travelers in the First and Third class
compartments of the train. By examining their faces, he can gauge their comfort level, satisfaction with the

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service, and any issues or concerns they might have. This helps him establish control and ensure that
everything runs smoothly on the train.

(iii) Briefly describe how he establishes control. Why does he pace the corridor?
Ans: Skimbleshanks establishes control by conducting regular patrols along the train corridor. He paces down
the corridor, examining the faces of the passengers. He keeps a watchful eye on the train's activities and can
identify any potential problems immediately.
He paces the corridor to maintain a constant and visible presence, making sure that everyone knows he is in
charge. This way, the staff and passengers feel that they are being watched, and they are less likely to break
any rules or engage in any misbehavior.

(iv) Do you think the supervisor can do the same in other modes of transport: plane, bus, metro? State how
Ans: The role of a supervisor in ensuring the smooth operation of transport services is essential and can be
applied to other modes of transport such as planes, buses, and metros.

(v) Why do you think the train is called Sleeping Car Express? How does the supervisor ensure that the name
holds true?
Ans: The train is called Sleeping Car Express because it likely has sleeping carriages or compartments where
passengers can sleep during their journey. The supervisor ensures that the name holds true by regularly
patrolling the train's corridors and checking on the passengers to make sure they are comfortable and secure.
This helps create a safe and comfortable environment for the passengers, thereby fulfilling the train's name as
a Sleeping Car Express.

IV. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow;
Oh, it's very pleasant when you have found your little den
With your name written up on the door.
And the berth is very neat with a newly folded sheet
And there's not a speck of dust on the floor.
There is every sort of light-you can make it dark or bright;
There's a handle that you turn to make a breeze.
There's a funny little basin you're supposed to wash your face in
And a crank to shut the window if you sneeze.

(i) Why is the cabin called your little den? What kind of security does it offer the passengers?
Ans: The cabin is called a "little den" because it provides a personal and private space for the passengers to
rest during the journey. It offers a sense of security to the passengers as they have their own space with their
name on the door and not a speck of dust on the floor.

(ii) Describe the little den, as mentioned in the extract.

Ans: In the extract, the little den refers to the cabin on the train where the passengers sleep. The cabin is
described as a pleasant and neat cabin with the passenger's name written on the door. It has a newly folded
sheet and no speck of dust on the floor. There is an option for different types of lighting and a handle to
control the breeze. It also has a small basin to wash the face and a crank to shut the window if needed.

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(iii) Were the passengers scared of Skimbleshanks? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: No, the passengers were not scared of Skimbleshanks. Passengers feel relaxed and tension free in the
presence of Skimbles. Skimbleshanks' presence had a positive effect on all staff of the train. Skimbleshanks is
described as a friendly and helpful presence on the train, and he is appreciated by both the staff and the
passengers.

(iv) What were the arrangements made for the comfortable journey of the passengers?
Ans: The extract mentions several arrangements made for the comfortable journey of the passengers:
Passengers have their own private cabins or "little dens" with their name written up on the door.
The berths are neat with newly folded sheets and there is no speck of dust on the floor.
There are different types of lights that passengers can adjust to make their cabin bright or dark.
There is a handle that passengers can turn to create a breeze.
There is a basin provided for passengers to wash their face.
There is a crank to shut the window if a passenger sneezes.

(v) Compare the facilities of the train cabin with the facilities of a cabin in today's train. Would you find a
Skimbleshanks today? Why?
Ans: The facilities mentioned in the poem for the train cabin, such as a personal berth with a newly folded
sheet, different kinds of lights, a handle to control the breeze, a washbasin, and a crank to shut the window,
are still available in today's train cabins. However, modern trains offer more advanced facilities, such as
charging ports, Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, and more comfortable seating arrangements. Regarding finding
Skimbleshanks on a train today, it is possible to find a supervisor who ensures the smooth functioning of the
train and makes passengers feel secure. However, the specific character of Skimbleshanks may not exist in the
same way.

V. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
But you saw him at Dumfries, where he speaks to the police
If there's anything they ought to know about
When you get to Gallowgate there you do not have to wait-
For Skimbleshanks will help you to get out!
He gives you a wave of his long brown tail
Which says: "I'll see you again!
You'll meet without fail on the Midnight Mail
The Cat of the Railway Train"

(i) What does Skimble do at Dumfries station? Why?

Ans: At Dumfries station, Skimbleshanks speaks to the police if there is anything they need to know about. The
reason for this could be to ensure the safety and security of the passengers, staff, and the train during the
journey. Skimbleshanks is shown to be a responsible and reliable cat who takes his job seriously and ensures
that everything runs smoothly on the train.

(ii) When do you think the train reaches its destination? Name the first and last stations of the Midnight
Mail.
Ans: The train reaches its destination at midnight. The first station of the Midnight Mail is not mentioned, but
the train passes through the town of Dumfries. The final station of the Midnight Mail is Gallowgate.
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(iii) Why do the passengers not have to wait to get down at Gallowgate?
Ans: The passengers do not have to wait to get down at Gallowgate because Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat,
helps them to get out quickly and efficiently. He is responsible for ensuring that the train runs smoothly and
that everything is in order, including the arrival and departure of the passengers.

(iv) How does Skimble bid goodbye to the passengers? What does the wave of long brown tail mean?
Ans: Skimbleshanks bids goodbye to the passengers by giving them a wave of his long brown tail. The wave
signifies that he will see them again and they will meet without fail on the Midnight Mail. The gesture shows
his friendliness and goodwill towards the passengers, making them feel appreciated and valued.

(v) Once the passengers fall asleep, what does the railway cat do?
Ans: Once the passengers fall asleep, the railway cat, Skimbleshanks, continues to work by patrolling the train
and making sure everything is in order. He checks on the travelers in the first and third class cars, and he
supervises the driver, guards, and bagmen playing cards. He also enjoys a cup of tea and takes breaks to catch
a flea here and there. Skimbleshanks takes his responsibility as the railway cat very seriously and makes sure
that nothing goes wrong on the train while he is aboard.

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