Horton Hears A Who
Horton the Elephant's Compassionate Journey Revealed
Lyrics
On the fifteenth of May in the jungle of Nool
Describes the setting of the story, mentioning the specific date and location in the jungle of Nool.
In the heat of the day, in the cool of the pool
Highlights the time of day—hot weather contrasting with the coolness of a pool.
He was splashing, enjoying the jungle's great joys
Depicts a scene of enjoyment and fun in the jungle.
When Horton the elephant, Horton the Elephant
Introduces Horton the elephant, emphasizing his identity.
Horton the elephant heard a small noise
Horton hears a faint noise, indicating something unusual for him.
Help, help
Represents the cry for help that Horton hears.
So Horton stopped splashing, he looked toward the sound
Horton ceases his activity to investigate the sound he heard.
?That's funny?, thought Horton, ?There's no one around?
Horton finds it strange that there's no one visible despite the noise.
Then he heard it again, just a very faint yelp
Horton hears the faint cry for help again.
As if some tiny person were calling for help
He perceives the sound as if a tiny person is in distress.
Help, help
Reiteration of the call for help, indicating urgency.
?I'll help you?, said Horton, ?But who are you and where??
Horton expresses willingness to help but questions the identity and location of the caller.
He looked and he looked, he could see nothing there
Despite looking around, Horton sees nothing except a speck of dust.
But a small speck of dust blowing past through the air
Observation of a small speck of dust in the air.
?I say, how confusing, I've never heard tell
Horton finds it perplexing as dust usually can't produce sounds.
Of a small speck of dust that is able to yell
Expresses disbelief at the idea of a yelling speck of dust.
So you know what I think? I think that there must
Assumes that someone must be on top of the speck making the noise.
Be someone on top of that small speck of dust?
Horton surmises that there might be a tiny person on the speck.
?Some poor little person who's shaking with fear
Imagines a scenario of a small person in danger due to the speck being blown around.
That he'll blow in the pool, he has no way to steer
Expresses concern for the safety of the imagined person on the speck.
He's alone in the universe?
Reflects on the loneliness and vulnerability of the small person.
?I'll just have to save him because after all
Horton decides to rescue the person because everyone deserves help, regardless of size.
A person's a person no matter how small
Emphasizes the value of every individual, irrespective of their size.
A person's a person no matter how small?
Reiteration of the belief that every person, regardless of size, matters.
So, gently and using the greatest of care
Describes Horton's cautious approach in rescuing the speck.
The elephant stretched his great trunk through the air
Depicts Horton using his trunk to carefully lift the dust speck.
And he lifted the dust speck and carried it over
Horton successfully carries the speck to safety, protecting the imagined person.
And placed it down, safe, on a very soft clover
Shows the conclusion of Horton's act of rescue, placing the speck on a safe surface.
Comment