Imagine you are Mulga Bill‟s horse. Write a poem describing how you felt on being turned away after so many years of serving him faithfully and your feelings on seeing him dumped by the cycle into the creek, using metaphors for effect.

Bill says that he does not like to boast. Do you think that is true? What makes you think so?

MULGA BILL'S BICYCLE by A.B. "Banjo" Paterson (A Ballad) 'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that caught the cycling craze; He turned away the good old horse that served him many days; He dressed himself in cycling clothes, resplendent to be seen; He hurried off to town and bought a shining new machine; And as he wheeled it through the door, with air of lordly pride, The grinning shop assistant said, "Excuse me, can you ride?" "See here, young man," said Mulga Bill, "from Walgett to the sea, From Conroy's Gap to Castlereagh, there's none can ride like me. I'm good all round at everything as everybody knows, Although I'm not the one to talk -I hate a man that blows. But riding is my special gift, my chiefest, sole delight; Just ask a wild duck can it swim, a wildcat can it fight. There's nothing clothed in hair or hide, or built of flesh or steel, There's nothing walks or jumps, or runs, on axle, hoof, or wheel, But what I'll sit, while hide will hold and girths and straps are tight: I'll ride this here two-wheeled concern right straight away at sight." 'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that sought his own abode, That perched above Dead Man's Creek, beside the mountain road. He turned the cycle down the hill and mounted for the fray, But ere he'd gone a dozen yards it bolted clean away. It left the track, and through the trees, just like a silver streak, It whistled down the awful slope towards the Dead Man's Creek. It shaved a stump by half an inch, it dodged a big white-box: The very wallaroos in fright went scrambling up the rocks, The wombats hiding in their caves dug deeper underground, As Mulga Bill, as white as chalk, sat tight to every bound. It struck a stone and gave a spring that cleared a fallen tree, It raced beside a precipice as close as close could be; And then as Mulga Bill let out one last despairing shriek It made a leap of twenty feet into the Dean Man's Creek. 'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that slowly swam ashore: He said, "I've had some narrer shaves and lively rides before; I've rode a wild bull round a yard to win a five-pound bet, But this was the most awful ride that I've encountered yet. I'll give that two-wheeled outlaw best; it's shaken all my nerve To feel it whistle through the air and plunge and buck and swerve. It's safe at rest in Dead Man's Creek, we'll leave it lying still; A horse's back is good enough henceforth for Mulga Bill."

GLOSSARY:

Blows : boasts (Slang)

Hide : skin (usually of animals)

Girth : Band around a horse that keeps the saddle in place

Wallaroo : Animal of the kangaroo family

Wombat : Australian animal

Narrer Narrow (Slang)

This poem has been written in the form of a ballad. A ballad is a narrative poem that can be set to music and sung. It usually features brave men and their courageous deeds. Do you think that the ballad of Mulga Bill has this quality? What is it that gives the humorous touch to this poem? Write a short ballad featuring the exploits of a real or imaginary hero. You can make it serious or humorous.

Imagine you are an old person who sees a young child riding happily on a bicycle. Write a poem expressing your feelings at this sight and how it brings back memories.

Write two verses on the theme of family bonding, using images.

Do you think Bill enjoyed the adventurous bicycle ride? What words in the poem tell you how he felt?