Nonsense Books · Chapter
VIII explained
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò flees down the slopes of Myrtle to the sea, where he encounters a large turtle and convinces it to carry him across the sea.
What happens
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò flees down the slopes of Myrtle to the sea, where he encounters a large turtle and convinces it to carry him across the sea.
Themes in this chapter
Adventure and Exploration
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò embarks on a sea journey on the back of a turtle.
Loneliness and Longing
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò flees alone, seeking escape across the sea.
Characters to notice
- The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò
Flees to the sea and persuades a turtle to carry him away.
- The Turtle
Agrees to carry the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò across the sea.
Key passages
“Down the slippery slopes of Myrtle, Where the early pumpkins blow, To the calm and silent sea Fled the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò.”
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò hurried down the slippery Myrtle slopes, past blooming pumpkins, to the quiet sea.
Describes his escape to the shore.
“You’re the Cove,” he said, “for me; On your back beyond the sea, Turtle, you shall carry me!””
He declared the turtle to be his perfect companion and asked to be carried across the sea on its back.
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò convinces the turtle to take him away.