Polly Sits Tight Text and Questions

Name: Class:
Polly Sits Tight

By Ethel M. Caution
1921
Ethel M. Caution, also known as Ethel Caution-Davis (1880-1981), was an African American poet who
produced a small but impactful body of work. She predominately wrote poetry that focused on the
experiences of women and her work was known for its accessibility. In this short story, a young girl is afraid
of being judged by her classmates. As you read, take notes on the development of Polly’s feelings throughout
the story.
[1]
Polly held her breath and sat rigid. For the third time the
teacher had asked the question and the last time he had
looked directly at her. She knew the answer too! It was an
undisputed1 fact in Room 11, that anytime there came a
question no one else could answer, a little black girl with
stubborn hair and a voice like a lilting2 melody would be
sure to know. Polly was the star scholar in the class and
although she seemed unconscious3 of her brilliancy, her
teacher and her classmates were not.
"05062014 ED Goes Back to School 4" by US Department of

Education is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
So now that the question had been asked for the third time and Polly's hand had not been raised, all the boys and girls
turned to look at her in genuine surprise.
And Polly's heart was beating a rapid tattoo4 within her because she did know the answer. She had worked until late and had
gone to bed determined to rise early in the morning and tackle the problem again. But about two o'clock she found herself
sitting bolt upright in bed saying to the darkness, “Of course that is the way it goes," and she lay back into untroubled sleep.
Now it happened that Polly's mother was painfully poor and also that shoes had an annoying habit of wearing out beyond
repair. Today Polly had worn her mother's shoes and would probably have to wear them several days, perhaps weeks,
until someone gave her a pair or until she could save up enough to buy her own. The latter way meant a long wait for
there was food, rent, fuel, and insurance, and her mother's health was breaking so that Polly herself worked afternoons to
help out.
[5] Polly thought of her card and the row of l's;5 not that she had been a grind6 to make it so, but she had come to be proud
of her record and of the pride her class had in her. She knew the solution but it meant going to the board to demonstrate.
That would expose her shoes.
1. Undisputed (adjective): not called into question; accepted

2. Lilting (adjective): with energy and spirit; lively
3. Unconscious (adjective): not aware
4. a rhythmic tapping or drumming
5. a reference to Polly’s past grades
6. Grind (noun): an excessively diligent student
1
The teacher was still looking at her expectantly. She dropped her eyes to her desk and her glance fell on her paper
covered books much marked after the manner of school girls and boys. These words met her gaze: "Sit tight, little girl, sit
tight." That was her motto. Her dad had given it to her unconsciously and it had always come to her rescue.
When she was a very little girl, she had been playing with some children in the barn. Tiring of the usual games, one boy
had suggested riding horseback. As fate would have it the most restive horse appealed to them and Polly was victim. From
frequent pulling against his strap it had weakened, and, frightened by the children boosting Polly to his back, the horse
gave two or three vicious tugs and the strap broke.
Before anyone realized what was happening he backed out of the stall and out of the barn and started away on a brisk7
gallop. Polly's father was working in a field near by and sensing what had happened, cupped his hands and called through
them:
"Sit tight, little girl, sit tight!"
[10] And Polly sat tight until her father on a swift horse overtook her and brought her back to safety. Polly remembered little
else of her father. He died soon after. But that command hurled at her in time of danger had always stayed with her. It
didn't take the tiniest fraction of a second for all these things to flash through her mind. False pride was galloping away
with her. What was a pair of over-large shoes against the faith the twenty odd persons in that room had in her? And what
of her mother's faith in her and her own? Would they laugh at her feet? Then let them! Like an electric flash her hand
went up. The tension in the room was broken.
"All right, Polly. I knew you could. Come to the board, please."
And not one person saw her shoes! They just saw a black girl with beaming face, mouth tightly shut, head held high,
go to the board and quietly, but quickly and thoroughly demonstrate the solution of the problem that had baffled them
all.
But Polly saw her father trumpeting through his hands: "Sit tight,
little girl, sit tight."
"Polly Sits Tight" by Ethel M. Caution (1921) is in the public domain.
7. Brisk (adjective): active, fast, and energetic
2
Discussion Questions
Directions: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be prepared
to share your original ideas in a class discussion.
1. Why is it important not to let fear control your actions? How could this negatively impact your life?
Type your answer here:
2. In the context of the text, what does it mean to be brave? How is Polly brave in this story? What does
being brave mean to you?
3. What is the message of the story?
4. How does the author best reveal the message?

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What challenges does Polly face?

What advice does Polly's father give her as a child?

Name: Class:

Polly Sits Tight

"05062014 ED Goes Back to School 4" by US Department of

1. Undisputed (adjective): not called into question; accepted

"Sit tight, little girl, sit tight!"

little girl, sit tight."

"Polly Sits Tight" by Ethel M. Caution (1921) is in the public domain.

7. Brisk (adjective): active, fast, and energetic

Type your answer here:

Type your answer here:

3. What is the message of the story?

Type your answer here:

4. How does the author best reveal the message?

Type your answer here:

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