The Trumpet of the Swan

by E.B. White

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL R; AR pts: 6.0

Louis, a romantic swan, is in love with the angelic Serena, but he can't tell her how he feels; he has no voice. When he meets eleven-year-old Sam Beaver, a human friend, he goes to school with him to learn how to read and write. Louis' father also helps out; he steals a brass trumpet for his son. In the end, Louis learns to play, wins Serena's heart, and repays the music shop owner for his stolen trumpet.

Comprehension Questions (by Steve)

Chapter 1

1. Where was Sam camping and what was it like? Canada; a big wilderness.  Pg 2.
2. Where was home for Sam and his father?  A cattle ranch in Montana. Pg. 4.
3. Why did Sam want to return in thirty-five days? It takes that long to hatch swan eggs. Pg 6.
4. What are baby swans called? Cygnets. Pg 7.

Chapter 2

1. Describe a trumpeter swan? Large white, black bill, black feet, makes “Ko-hoh!” sound. Pg 12.
2. Why was the nesting spot perfect? Surrounded by water. Pg13.
3. What is a male swan? A cob. Pg. 14.
4. How did the swans feel about their 6 foot nest? Proud and happy. Pg 16.

Chapter 3

1.  What did the swans think boys do? Throw stones and sticks. Pg20.
2. How did the cob think the swan felt about sitting on eggs? It was onerous or irksome. Pg 23.
3. What happened when the swan got a drink of water? The Red Fox tried to steal eggs. Pg. 25.
4. Who saved the swan? Sam Beaver with a stick. Pg 25.

Chapter 4

1. What do baby swans have to break open the shells? A powerful neck muscle and a dagger tooth. Pg 30.
2. What did Sam use to see the swans from a distance? Field glasses. Pg. 33.
3. How do they swim? Cob first, cygnets in a line, mother last. Pg. 36.
4. How did the last cygnet greet Sam? It untied his shoe lace. Pg. 39.

Chapter 5

1. What did the parent swans never hear Louis do? Beep or burble. Pg. 42.
2. Why did they think this was serious? He wouldn’t attract a mate. Pg. 44.
3. What did the cob tell Louis about being dumb? Two meanings; not smart and not able to speak. Pg. 49.
4. What was the advantage in not being able to speak? Makes you a good listener. Pg. 50.

Chapter6

1. Where are the swans going for winter? South to Red Rock Lakes, Montanan. Pg. 54.
2. What is special about Red Rock Lakes? Warm water from a hidden spring. Pg. 54.
3. What are the three parts of flying? The takeoff, the ascent, and the leveling off. Pg. 55.
4. What did Louis fear would happen if he couldn’t fly? Be left behind and starve. Pg. 58.

Chapter 7

1. What did Louis decide he should do since he couldn’t use his voice? Learn to read and write. Pg. 62
2. Who did Sam’s father need to check with for the swan to stay? The game warden. Pg. 67.
3. Why did Mrs. Hammerbotham say swans don’t need to read & write? They don’t communicate. Pg. 68.
4. How did Mrs. Hammergotham discover Louis name? He shook his head when asked. Pg. 71.
5. What grade was Sam in and what lesson was he learning? Fifth, arithmetic. Pg. 75.

Chapter 8

1. Why did the cob not go search for Louis? There were too many directions he could have gone. Pg. 79.
2. How long was Louis gone? One year and a half. Pg 81.
3. With whom did Louis realize he could converse with the slate? People not animals. Pg. 85.
4. What did Louis mother see him do? Unable to talk to Serena that he loved. Pg. 88.

Chapter 9

1. Where did the cob go to get a trumpet? A music store in Billings. Pg. 91.
2. How did he get the trumpet? Dove into the glass window and took it. Pg. 92.
3. How did the cob feel about stealing? Bad for his honor; good to help his son. Pg. 95.
4. Why did the cob steal the trumpet? He had no money. Pg. 98.

Chapter 10

1. Why did the young females start to notice Louis? Because he carried things around his neck. Pg. 99.
2. Where did Louis go for help with the trumpet? To Sam Beaver at the Bar Nothing Ranch. Pg.103.
3. What songs did Louis learn to play? Reveille, mess call, and taps. Pg. 107.

Chapter 11

1. How did Mr. Brickle introduce Louis? Louis the Swan, a musician. Pg. 113.
2. What did Applegate say? He didn’t like birds. Pg. 114.
3. What does Kookooskoos mean? An Indian word for Great Horned Owl. Pg. 115.

Chapter 12

1. Why was the skunk in trouble? He had a can from the dump stuck on his head. Pg. 120.
2. How did Sam help the skunk? He used a fishing pole with a looped line. Pg. 123.
3. Why did Applegate go out alone in the canoe? He was mad at the other boys for mocking his name. Pg. 125.
4. Why couldn’t Louis fly out to help? His flight feathers fall out in summer. Pg. 127.

Chapter 13

1. What is the difference between a trumpet and a bugle? A bugle has no valves. Pg. 134.
2. Why couldn’t Louis play the trumpet valves? Because he had webbed feet. Pg. 135.
3. What did Louis compose for Serena? A love song. Pg. 138.

Chapter 14

1. How did the Swan Boat move? A paddle wheel by pedaling like a bike. Pg. 144.
2. What song did Louis play in front of the Swan boat? Row, row, row your boat. Pg. 145.
3. Why did Louis need money? Because his father was in debt for stealing the trumpet. Pg. 147.
4. Why did the Boatman want Louis to stay at the Ritz? Because the park wasn’t safe at night. Pg. 148.

Chapter 15

1. What did the boatman tell the clerk Louis was? A celebrity. Pg. 151.
2. What convinced the clerk that Louis was a celebrity? The girls wanted his autograph. Pg. 152.
3. What did the bellboy and the waiter want from Louis? A tip. Pgs. 158, 161.
4. What did Louis send Sam in the letter? The newspaper clipping. Pg. 164.

Chapter 16

1. Why did Louis go to Philadelphia?  He got a telegram job offer from Abe Lucky Lucas. Pg. 169.
2. What surgery was performed on birds in the Lagoon and why? Pinioned, so they can’t fly. Pg.175.
3. Why was Louis not going to be pinioned? He would give a free Sunday concert. Pg. 176.

Chapter 17

1. Why did Serena fly to Bird Lake at the Zoo? A storm blew her off course. Pg. 182.
2. Who stole Louis’ Trumpet? The Wood Duck. Pg. 187.
3. What song did Louis wake Serena with? Beautiful Dreamer. Pg. 189.
4. How did the swans show that they liked each other? They placed their necks over the others’ neck. Pg. 197.

Chapter 18

1. What did Louis do to the keepers? Jabbed one in the behind and beat one with his wing. Pgs. 201, 202.
2. What did Louis tell the Head Man about safety? “Safety is all well and good: I prefer freedom.” Pg. 206.
3. What 2 favors did Louis ask the Head Man? #1 to leave Serena alone until Christmas, #2 to send a telegram to Sam Beaver. Pg. 206.
4. What was Sam’s plan? For Louis to donate cygnets that need extra security to the zoo. Pg. 210.

Chapter 19

1. What did Sam say would happen to Louis in captivity? He would pine away. He would die. Pg. 215.
2. Why did the Head Man think animals had it easier than men? They didn’t have to buy things. Pg. 218.
3. Why were warning messages sent at the airport? Because there were swans on the airstrip. Pg. 221.
4. Why would Louis be triumphant when he returned? He was famous, had money. Pg. 224.

Chapter 20

1. Why was the cob’s wife worried about him going to the music store? It was dangerous. The storekeeper might shoot him again.  Pg. 227.
2. Where was Alfred Gore going? To the candy store because he was thirsty.  Pg. 234.
3. How did the doctor classify the cob’s wound and what did the cob think it meant? Superficial; He thought that meant very serious. Pg. 237.

Chapter 21

1. Where did Louis and Serena go to nest? Back to the woods in Canada. Pg. 243.
2. What did Serena like about Boston? The Ritz. Pg. 246.
3. Did Sam ever tell his dad where Louis lived? No. pg. 250.