The poem begins with the sun shining brightly on the sea with all its might and with its heat, it tried its best to make its billows: a great wave or surge of the sea: smooth and bright. But this scenario was odd because it was in the middle of the night. The moon was shining sulkily because she thought that the sun had got no business to be there after the day was done and she said that it was rude of the sun to come and spoil the fun. The sea was as wet as wet could be, just as the sun was as dry as dry could be. No one could see a cloud because there was no cloud in the sky. There were no birds flying overhead as there were no birds to fly.
In such a strange incident, the walrus and the carpenter were walking together close at hand and both wept like anything to see such quantities of sand. They both agreed that it would be grand if all this were only cleared away. The walrus pondered on the fact that if only seven maids with seven mops: a bundle or mass of absorbent fabric, a sponge, or the like, attached to a handle used for cleaning floors: swept it for half a year, would any one suppose that they could get it clear? The carpenter doubted it as he shed a bitter tear. The Walrus beseeched the Oysters to come and walked with them for a pleasant walk and a pleasant talk the briny beach: filled with water saturated with salt. The two cannot do with more than four to give a hand to each. The eldest Oyster looked at the Walrus but never said a word. He even winked his eye and shook his heavy head; what he actually meant to say was that he did not choose to leave his oyster bed.
But some other four young oysters hurried up for they were all eager for the treat. Their coats were neatly brushed and their faces were properly washed. Their shoes were very neat and clean, but this was very odd, because as everyone knows, they have no feet at all. The next four oysters followed the first four and yet another batch of four. So thick and fast they came till the last, all the more rushing and hopping through the frothy waves: consisting of, covered with and full of froth; while they scramble to the shore. The Walrus and the Carpenter walked on the shore for a mile or so and then they paused to rest on a rock conveniently low, while all the little oysters stood in a line and waited in a row. The Walrus then proclaimed to all the eager listening oysters that the time has come to talk of many things, the reason why the sea is boiling hot and whether pigs have wings.
The oysters sensed the danger and cried out to the Walrus to wait a bit, before they have their chat, for some of them are out of breath and all of them are fat. But the Carpenter interrupted and assured them that there was absolutely no hurry. Hence the oysters thanked him very much for that. The Walrus declared that a loaf of bread is what they chiefly need. Besides pepper and vinegar too are also very good indeed. He also alerted the oysters to be ready, for they can begin to feed. Turning a little blue, the oysters cried out not to feed on them, for after such kindness that would really be a dismal thing to do. The Walrus diverted their attention by enquiring from them whether they admire the view of such a fine night. It was really so kind of the oysters to come and they were all very nice and well behaved. The carpenter did not utter a word while the Walrus asked him to cut another slice. He wished that the Carpenter was not quite so deaf that he had to ask him twice.
The Walrus felt quite guilty of such a shame to play such a trick on the oysters. After all the Walrus and the Carpenter had brought them out so far only to make them trot; to run quickly. The Carpenter said nothing but only remarked that the butter’s spread is too thick on the bread. The Walrus mourned and wept for the oysters and he deeply sympathized them with sobs and tears that he sorted out those of the longest size. He held his pocket handkerchief before his steaming eyes. The Carpenter called upon the oysters that have had a pleasant run and asked them whether this was the right time to be trotting home again. However this was scarcely odd because both the Walrus and the Carpenter had eaten up everyone else.