The Scroobius Pip:E153
A delightful nonsense poem by Edward Lear about a fantastical, made-up creature that leaves all the other animals completely befuddled and confused. (duration 12 minutes) An episode from the storytelling podcast, Journey with Story, Ages 4-10.
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Can You Guess What Kind of Creature the Scroobius Pip is in this Fun Nonsense Poem?
September 2, 2021 E153
The Scrobius Pip by Edward Lear
What is your favorite wild animal –the kind of animal you might find in the jungle or in the desert ?
Hello everyone, I’m Kathleen Pelley. Welcome to Journey with Story. Well, some of you might have answered my question by saying, a lion, or a tiger, or maybe a giraffe or an elephant or a chimpanzee? Today’s episode is a nonsense poem about a most unusual type of creature – a fantastical, whimsical, made-up creature that none of the other animals can figure out what it is exactly. It is a fun nonsense poem by Edward Lear and I bet it will paint some pretty amazing pictures in your mind as you listen.
Thanks to all of our listeners who have been rating, reviewing and sharing this podcast.
Let’s take a journey with…
THE SCROOBIOUS PIP by Edward Lear
By Edward Lear
The Scroobious Pip went out one day
When the grass was green and the sky was gray.
Then all the beasts in the world came round
When the Scroobious Pip sat down on the ground.
The Cat and the Dog and the Kangaroo,
The Sheep and the Cow and the Guinea Pig too,
The Wolf he howled, the Horse he neighed,
The little Pig squeaked and the Donkey brayed,
And when the Lion began to roar
There never was heard such a noise before,
And every beast he stood on the tip
Of his toes to look at the Scroobious Pip.
At last they said to the Fox, By far
You’re the wisest beast—you know you are!
Go close to the Scroobious Pip and say:
“Tell us all about yourself, we pray!
For as yet we can’t make out in the least
If you’re Fish or Insect, or Bird or Beast!”
The Scroobious Pip looked vaguely round
And sang these words with a rumbling sound:
“Chippetty Flip! Flippetty Chip!
My only name is the Scroobious Pip.”
The Scroobious Pip from the top of a tree
Saw the distant Jellybolee,—
And all the birds in the world came there,
Flying in crowds all through the air.
The Vulture and Eagle, the Cock and the Hen,
The Ostrich, the Turkey, the Snipe and the Wren,
The Parrot chattered, the Blackbird sung,
And the Owl looked wise but held his tongue,
And when the Peacock began to scream,
The hullabaloo was quite extreme,
And every bird he fluttered the tip
Of his wing as he stared at the Scroobious Pip.
At last they said to the Owl, By far
You’re the wisest Bird—you know you are!
Fly close to the Scroobious Pip and say:
“Explain all about yourself, we pray!—
For as yet we’ve neither seen nor heard
If you’re Fish or Insect, Beast or Bird!”
The Scroobious Pip looked gaily round
And sang these words with a chirpy sound:
“Chippetty Flip! Flippetty Chip!
My only name is the Scroobious Pip.”
The Scroobious Pip went into the sea
By the beautiful shore of the Jellybolee.
All the Fish in the world swam round
With a splashy, squashy, spluttery sound.
The Sprat, the Herring, the Turbot too,
The Shark, the Sole, the Mackerel blue,—
[The Flounder sputtered, the Cuttlefish huffed,
The lovable fluffable Pufferfish puffed.]
And when the Whale began to spout
[They gave a redoubling, bubbling shout.]
And every Fish he shook the tip
Of his tail as he gazed on the Scroobious Pip.
At last they said to the Whale, By far
You’re the biggest Fish—you know you are!
Swim close to the Scroobious Pip and say,
“Tell us all about yourself, we pray!—
For to know from yourself is our only wish—
Are you Beast or Insect, Bird or Fish?”
The Scroobious Pip looked softly round
And sang these words with a liquid sound:
“Pliffetty Flip! Pliffetty Flip!
My only name is the Scroobious Pip.”
The Scroobious Pip sat under a tree
By the silent shores of the Jellybolee.
All the Insects in all the world
About the Scroobious Pip entwirled.
[Cicadas and beetles] with purple eyes,
Gnats and buzztilential Flies,
Grasshoppers, Butterflies, Spiders too,
Wasps and Bees and Dragonflies blue,—
And when the gnats began to hum
[The firmament] bounced like a dismal drum.
And every Insect curled the tip
Of his snout, as he looked at the Scroobious Pip.
At last they said to the Ant, By far
You’re the wisest Insect—you know you are!
Creep close to the Scroobious Pip and say:
“Tell us all about yourself, we pray!—
For we can’t find out, and we can’t tell why
If you’re Beast or Fish, or a Bird or a Fly.”
The Scroobious Pip turned quickly round
And sang these words with a whistly sound:
“Wizzibby Wip! Wizzibby Wip!
My only name is the Scroobious Pip.”
Then all the Beasts that walk on the ground
Danced in a circle, round and round,
And all the Birds that fly in the air
Flew round and round in a circle there,
And all the Fish in the Jellybolee
Swam in a circle about the sea,
And all the Insects that creep or go
Buzzed in a circle to and fro.
And they roared and sang and whistled and cried,
Till the noise was heard from side to side:
“Chippetty Tip! Chippetty Tip!
Its only name is the Scroobious Pip!”
Wasn’t that a fun nonsensical poem? You might like to try and memorize a few verses, and if any of you are inspired to do a drawing or painting of this Scroobious Pip – do send so we can share.
Cheerio then, join me next time for Journey with Story.
