Class 10 All Poems
1st Poem
Class 10 Unit 4 Leave This
Chanting & Singing
Leave this Chanting and Singing
Rabindranath Tagore
Leave
this chanting and singing and telling of beads!
Whom dost thou worship in this lonely dark corner of a temple with doors all shut?
Open thine eyes and see thy God is not before thee!
He is there where the tiller is tilling the hard ground
and where the path maker is breaking stones.
He is with them in sun and in shower,
and his garment is covered with dust.
Put off thy holy mantle and even like him come down on the dusty soil!
Deliverance?
Where is this deliverance to be found?
Our master himself has joyfully taken upon him the bonds of creation;
he is bound with us all forever.
Come out of thy meditations and leave aside thy flowers and incense!
What harm is there if thy clothes become tattered and stained?
Meet him and stand by him in toil and in sweat of thy brow.
About the Poet
The poem “Leave This
Chanting and Singing” was written by Rabindranath Tagore
(1861–1941), the first Asian Nobel Laureate in Literature (1913). He was a
poet, philosopher, painter, playwright, and a reformer of Indian society.
Tagore believed in universal humanism and spiritual freedom. He rejected blind
rituals and emphasized finding God through love, service, and human connection
rather than through formal religious practices.
About the Poem
The poem is from Tagore’s famous
collection “Gitanjali” (Song Offerings), which earned him the Nobel
Prize. In this poem, Tagore criticizes meaningless rituals like chanting,
singing, and offering incense in dark temples. Instead, he presents a new
vision of spirituality—one where God lives not in rituals or secluded shrines
but in the everyday labor of farmers, workers, and ordinary people.
Summary of the Poem
The speaker in the poem tells
worshippers to stop chanting, singing, and counting beads in temples.
He declares that God is not hidden in dark corners but is present in the real
world, among workers tilling the land and breaking stones. God shares in human
struggle, under the sun and rain, covered with dust, toiling alongside mankind.
True deliverance, the poet says,
cannot be found through ritualistic practices but through sharing life’s
burdens with others. God himself has accepted the bonds of creation, so humans
too should embrace work and service. The speaker finally urges worshippers
to abandon empty meditation, flowers, and incense, and
instead seek God in toil, sweat, and service to humanity.
The central message is that real
devotion is in action, not ritual; in service, not seclusion.
Reading II
A. Find the words from the poem
which have the following meanings.
a. a small piece of glass or stone
threaded with others to make a necklace → beads
b. to prepare and use land for
growing crops → tile
c. a piece of clothing → garment
d. a layer of something that
covers a surface → mantle
e. the state of being rescued from
danger, evil or pain → deliverance
f. a substance that produces a
pleasant smell when you burn it → incense
g. covered with marks → stained
h. hard unpleasant work that makes
you very tired → toil
B. Find the modern equivalents of the following archaic words used
in the poem.
a.
dost → do/does
b. thou → you
c. thine → your
d. thy → your
C. Answer the following questions.
a. Who is the poem addressed to?
The poem is directed towards
people who seek God through age-old rituals like chanting, singing hymns, and
counting beads.
b. What does the speaker advise
people?
The speaker suggests that people
should give up these conventional practices of worship and instead search for
God in real life. He emphasizes that God dwells not in temples or secluded
corners but in human labor and daily activities.
c. Where do people try to find the
god?
People usually try to discover God
in holy places like temples, in the shadows of shrines, and in spaces reserved
for religious devotion.
d. Where, according to the
speaker, does the god actually reside?
The speaker asserts that God truly
lives in the living world, especially in the honest work of farmers and
laborers who shape and sustain life.
e. How can people have a glimpse
of the god?
One can catch sight of God by
joining in the struggles of everyday life, by working hand in hand with
ordinary people and sharing their labor.
f. Why can't the god rescue
people?
God cannot rescue people because
He is not present in rituals or lifeless idols. Unless people engage in real
action and hard work, they cannot expect God’s help.
g. What does the speaker ask
people to do in the last stanza?
In the last stanza, the speaker
urges people to leave behind meditation, flowers, and incense, and instead seek
God in sweat, effort, and the reality of human toil.
D. Do you believe in the existence
of god? What do you do to please him? Share your opinion.
Yes, I believe in the existence of God. To please Him, I try to live a life of
kindness, honesty, and service to others. Helping the poor, respecting
everyone, and being compassionate are ways I show my devotion. I also pray
regularly and express gratitude for the blessings I receive. For me, true
worship lies in good deeds and maintaining faith, which gives me courage and
inspiration in difficult times.
2nd
Poem
Class 10 Unit 5 The Voice Of The
Rain
The Voice of the Rain
By Walt Whiteman
And who art thou? said I to the soft-falling shower,
Which, strange to tell, gave me an answer, as here translated:
I am the Poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain,
Eternal I rise impalpable out of the land and the bottomless sea,
Upward to heaven, whence, vaguely form'd, altogether changed, and yet the same,
I descend to lave the drouths, atomies, dust-layers of the globe,
And all that in them without me were seeds only, latent, unborn;
And forever, by day and night, I give back life to my own origin,
and make pure and beautify it;
(For song, issuing from its birth-place, after fulfilment, Wandering,
Reck'd or unreck'd, duly with love returns.)
Difficult Words, Synonyms & Nepali Meanings
1. Art thou → are you
(archaic) → तिमी हौ / तपाईँ हौ
2. Soft-falling → gentle, mild
→ नरम रूपमा झर्ने
3. Impalpable → intangible,
invisible, untouchable → नछुने, अमूर्त
4. Bottomless → endless,
unfathomable, immeasurable → अथाह, असीम
5. Whence → from where
→ जहाँबाट
6. Vaguely → unclearly,
dimly, hazily → अस्पष्ट रूपमा
7. Lave → wash, bathe,
cleanse → धुने, शुद्ध पार्ने
8. Drouths → droughts,
dryness, lack of rain → अनावृष्टि, सुख्खा
9. Atomies → tiny
particles, minute specks → अत्यन्तै साना कणहरू
10. Latent → hidden,
dormant, concealed → लुकेको, सुप्त
11. Unborn → not yet born,
potential, future → अजन्मिएको
12. Beautify → adorn,
embellish, decorate → सजाउने, सुशोभित गर्ने
13. Issuing → emerging,
coming out, flowing → निस्कने, उत्पन्न हुने
14. Fulfilment → completion,
accomplishment, realization → पूरा हुनु, सिद्धि
15. Reck’d (recked) → cared for,
heeded, considered → ध्यान दिएको
16. Unreck’d (unrecked) → uncared for,
neglected, ignored → उपेक्षित, बेवास्ता गरिएको
17. Duly → properly,
appropriately, suitably → ठिक तरिकाले, विधिपूर्वक
About the Poet (Walt
Whitman)
Walt Whitman (1819–1892) was a famous American poet, often called the “Father
of Free Verse.” He is best known for his poetry collection Leaves of
Grass, which celebrates nature, democracy, freedom, and human
spirit. His poem “The Voice of the Rain” shows his love for nature
and his belief in the continuous cycle of life.
Summary (in short)
In
this poem, the poet asks the falling rain who it is. Surprisingly, the rain
replies that it is the “Poem of the Earth.” It rises invisibly from the land
and sea, goes up to the sky, changes its form into clouds, and then falls back
to the earth. By doing so, the rain washes away dust, quenches the drought, and
gives life to seeds that are hidden and unborn. In the end, the rain purifies
and beautifies nature, just as a poem, after being created, returns to its
origin with love, whether it is valued or not.
D. Answer the
following questions.
a.
What are the two voices in the poem? Who do they belong to?
The two voices in the poem are the speaker and the
rain. They belong to the earth.
b.
How is the cyclical movement of the rain shown in the poem?
The cycling movement of the rain is shown in the poem
by describing how it rises from the land and sea as water vapour, ascends into
the sky, takes the form of clouds, and then descends back to the earth as rain
to wash away dust and quench the thirst of the dry earth.
c.
Why are the showers necessary for the Earth?
The showers are necessary for the earth because they
provide moisture to plants and animals, wash away dust and pollutants, and help
in the purification and beautification of the earth.
d.
How are the rain and music similar?
The rain and music are similar as they both have a
rhythm and the power to calm, heal, transform, and thrill.
e.
How are the clouds formed?
The clouds are formed when water vapor rises from the
earth and then cools and condenses into tiny droplets, which then accumulate
and form larger droplets that eventually fall to the earth as rain.
f.
List the pairs of opposite words in the poem.
rise/descend
rain/draught
day/night
reck'd/unreck'd (recked/unrecked)
Reading II
A. Match the words with their meanings.
a. eternal → vii. never-ending
b. impalpable → v. not easily understood
c. vaguely → ii. unclearly
d. descend → i. come down
e. lave → vi. to pour out as water
f. atomizes → iii. indivisible particles
g. reck → iv. to take care of
B. Fill in the blanks by choosing the words given below.
[impalpable, recks, globe, drought, beautify, latent]
a. The river ran dry during the drought.
b. It is still impalpable to understand how the earth originated.
c. The company produces a wide variety of make-up and
skin care products designed to gently and effectively beautify human
skin.
d. His greatest ambition is to sail around the globe.
e. Without training, his musical talent remained latent.
f. What recks it whether they win or lose?
3rd Poem
Class 10 3rd Poem Climbing By Amy Lowell
Climbing
By
Amy Lowell
High
up in the apple tree climbing I go,
With
the sky above me, the earth below.
Each
branch is the step of a wonderful stair
Which
leads to the town I see shining up there.
Climbing,
climbing, higher and higher,
The
branches blow and I see a spire,
The
gleam of a turret, the glint of a dome,
All
sparkling and bright, like white sea foam.
On
and on, from bough to bough,
The
leaves are thick, but I push my way through;
Before,
I have always had to stop,
But
to-day I am sure I shall reach the top.
Today
to the end of the marvelous stair,
Where
those glittering pinacles flash in the air!
Climbing,
climbing, higher I go,
With
the sky close above me, the earth far below.
About the Poet: Amy Lowell
Amy Lowell (1874–1925) was an American
poet associated with the Imagist movement, which focused on clear, precise images and free verse.
She was known for her vivid
descriptions of nature and everyday life,
using simple yet expressive language.
Climbing by Amy Lowell is a poem that
describes the speaker’s experience of climbing an apple tree and observing the
world from above. Each branch of the tree is compared to a step of a stair,
symbolizing effort and progress. As the speaker climbs higher, she notices
beautiful sights such as spires, turrets, domes, and sparkling sea foam, which
reflect the wonder and beauty of nature. Despite obstacles like thick leaves,
she is determined to reach the top, showing perseverance and ambition. Overall,
the poem celebrates the joy of climbing, the beauty of the natural world, and
the satisfaction of achieving one’s goals through effort and determination.
Difficult Words & Synonyms
1. Branch – limb,
bough, offshoot
2. Stair – steps,
staircase, ladder
3. Shining –
glowing, gleaming, radiant
4. Spire – steeple,
tower, pinnacle
5. Gleam – shine,
sparkle, flash
6. Turret – tower,
lookout, battlement
7. Glint – glitter,
twinkle, flicker
8. Dome – rounded
roof, cupola, vault
9. Sparkling –
glittering, dazzling, shimmering
10. Foam – froth, bubbles, lather
11. Bough – branch, limb, shoot
12. Thick – dense, heavy, crowded
13. Marvelous – wonderful, astonishing, amazing
14. Glittering – sparkling, gleaming, shining
15. Pinnacles – peaks, summits, tops
Choose the correct answer.
a.
What does the speaker view from the branch of the tree?
i. the sky
ii. the earth
iii. the town
Ans:- iii. the town
b.
What aids the speaker to go up and up?
i. the apple tree
ii. the branches on the tree
iii. a stair bought for her support
Ans:- ii. the branches on the tree
c.
What does the speaker compare the glow of a dome with?
i. a turret
ii. a spire
iii. Seafoam
Ans:- iii. seafoam
d.
Which of the following statements is true?
i. The speaker used to climb onto the tree top.
ii. The speaker is sure to get to the top of the tree now.
iii. The tree leaves will certainly prevent her from going higher
and higher.
Ans:- ii. The speaker is sure to get to the top
of the tree new.
e.
Which of the following statements carries the message of the poem?
i. We should not give up in the middle of any situation or a goal.
ii. Be satisfied with what you have at the moment.
iii. We cannot enter heaven without a staircase.
Ans:- i. We should not give up in the middle of
any situation or a goal
Answer these questions.
a.
Why does the speaker want to climb on the tree?
Ans:- The speaker wants to climb on the tree to reach the town she
sees shining above.
b.
What things are shining brightly when viewed from above?
Ans:- The spire, turret, and dome are shining brightly when viewed
from above.
c.
Is it the first time that the speaker has climbed up the tree? How do you know?
Ans:- It is not the first time the speaker has climbed up the
tree. The line “Before, I have always had to stop” suggests that he had climbed
the tree before but couldn’t reach the top.
d.
Make a list of words from the poem which describe the light or brightness.
Ans:- The list of words from the poem which describe the light of
brightness are: shining, gleam, glint, sparkling, bright, glittering, flash
etc.
e.
What do the sky and the earth symbolize in the poem?
Ans:- The sky symbolizes vastness, limitless possibilities, and
freedom. It also means dreams or goals. The earth symbolizes stability, grounding,
physical realm.
– The sky symbolizes the desire for exploration and the earth
symbolizes the comfort of familiarity and the beginning point for the journey.
4th
Poem
Class 10 4th Poem Composed upon Westminster Bridge
By William Wordsworth
Composed upon Westminster Bridge
By William Wordsworth
Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth, like a garment, wear
The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,
Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie
Open unto the fields, and to the sky;
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.
Never did sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;
Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!
The river glideth at his own sweet will:
Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!
Synonyms of Difficult Words
1. Fair
o Synonyms: beautiful, lovely,
attractive
o Nepali: सुन्दर, रमणीय
2. Dull (of soul)
o Synonyms: lifeless,
spiritless, insensitive
o Nepali: निस्तेज, उत्साहविहीन
3. Majesty
o Synonyms: grandeur,
greatness, glory
o Nepali: गरिमा, भव्यता
4. Garment
o Synonyms: clothing, attire,
robe
o Nepali: लुगा, पहिरन
5. Bare
o Synonyms: uncovered, empty,
naked
o Nepali: नाङ्गो, खाली
6. Domes
o Synonyms: rounded roofs,
arches, cupolas
o Nepali: गुम्बज, गोलो छानो
7. Steep (verb)
o Synonyms: soak, bathe,
saturate
o Nepali: भिजाउनु, डुबाउनु
8. Splendour
o Synonyms: brilliance,
magnificence, radiance
o Nepali: तेज, भव्यता
9. Calm
o Synonyms: peace, tranquility,
stillness
o Nepali: शान्ति, स्थिरता
10. Glideth (archaic “glides”)
o Synonyms: flows, moves
smoothly, drifts
o Nepali: बग्छ, सजिलै सर्छ
11. Sweet will
o Synonyms: free choice,
desire, own way
o Nepali: इच्छा, मनपरी
12. Mighty
o Synonyms: powerful, strong,
great
o Nepali: शक्तिशाली, बलियो
13. Still (lying still)
o Synonyms: motionless, silent,
quiet
o Nepali: स्थिर, मौन
About the Poet: William
Wordsworth
William Wordsworth (1770–1850) was
a famous English Romantic poet, best known for his deep love of nature and his
ability to express human emotions through natural imagery. He believed that
nature could purify the human mind and bring spiritual peace. Wordsworth, along
with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, published Lyrical Ballads in
1798, which began the Romantic movement in English literature. His poetry is
often simple, emotional, and filled with admiration for the beauty of the
natural world. In 1843, he became the Poet Laureate of England.
Short Summary of Composed
upon Westminster Bridge
In this sonnet, William Wordsworth
describes the breathtaking beauty of London as he saw it from Westminster
Bridge one early morning in September 1802. He says that the earth has nothing
more beautiful to show. Anyone who could pass by without being moved would have
a dull soul.
The city appears like a garment
dressed in the beauty of the morning. The scene is calm, silent, and pure
because the usual smoke and noise are absent. Wordsworth admires the ships,
towers, domes, theatres, and temples glittering in the clear air. He compares
the calmness of the city to the peacefulness of valleys, rocks, and hills
bathed in the sunlight.
The river Thames flows smoothly at
its own will, adding to the charm of the morning. Even the houses seem to be
asleep, and the whole city appears like a living heart resting in peace. The
poem emphasizes tranquility, harmony between man and nature, and the spiritual
beauty of the city when it is still and untouched by daily activity.
A. Consult a
dictionary and write the meanings of the following words.
a. doth - does (archaic or poetic form of
"does")
b. majesty - dignity, grandeur, impressive authority,
exceptional beauty, power, or greatness
c. domes - rounded or hemispherical roof structures
d. glittering - shining or sparkling with bright,
flickering lights
e. splendor - great beauty, magnificence, brilliance;
distinguished or illustrious quality
f. glideth - glides (archaic or poetic form of
"glides")
C. Answer these
questions.
a. When was the poem composed?
The poem was composed on September 3, 1802.
b. According to the speaker, who
is dull of soul?
According to the speaker, anyone who does not stop at
Westminster Bridge to see the scene that morning should be dull of soul.
c. How does the poet describe the
beauty of morning?
The poet describes the beauty of morning as a serene
and magnificent sight.
d. What does the word
"garment"' refer to? Who is wearing it?
The word "garment" refers to the beauty of
London. The city is wearing this garment.
e. How does the poet feel when he
sees such a beautiful sight?
The poet feels a deep sense of calmness.
f. Why does the poet use the
words like; valley, rock and hill?
The poet uses the words "valley, rock, and
hill" to emphasize the beauty and splendor of the natural landscape
surrounding the city of London. By mentioning these natural features, the poet
contrasts the man-made structures of the city with the timeless and enduring
beauty of nature. The use of these words evokes a sense of grandeur and awe, as
they represent elements of the natural world that have stood the test of time.
g. What impression of London does
the speaker create? How does he do that?
The speaker creates an impression of London as a
beautiful and awe-inspiring city. He describes its beauty, stillness, and
peacefulness in the early morning, highlighting its grand landmarks. His vivid
and descriptive language contributes to the creation of this positive
impression.
h. What is the main theme of the
poem?
The main themes of the poem are natural beauty, and
contrast between nature and urban life.
5th poem
Class 10 Unit 14 Weather By Thomas Hardy
Weather
By Thomas Hardy
This is the weather the cuckoo
likes,
And so do I;
When showers betumble the chestnut spikes,
And nestlings fly;
And the little brown nightingale bills his best,
And they sit outside at 'The Traveller's Rest,'
And maids come forth sprig-muslin drest,
And citizens dream of the south and west,
And so do I.
II.
This is the weather the shepherd shuns,
And so do I;
When beeches drip in browns and duns,
And thresh and ply;
And hill-hid tides throb, throe on throe,
And meadow rivulets overflow,
And drops on gate bars hang in a row,
And rooks in families homeward go,
And so do I.
About the Poet: Thomas Hardy
(1840–1928)
Thomas Hardy was an English novelist and poet, widely known for
his deep connection with rural life and nature. Born in Dorset, England, he
grew up in a countryside setting, which strongly influenced his writing.
Summary of Weather by
Thomas Hardy
The poem contrasts two kinds of
weather and the speaker’s feelings about them.
In the first
stanza, the poet describes bright spring
weather, which both the cuckoo and he enjoy. Showers fall on the chestnut
trees, baby birds leave their nests, and the nightingale sings its sweetest
songs. People sit outside an inn called The Traveller’s Rest, young
women appear in light muslin dresses, and townsfolk dream of traveling to the
south and west. All these pleasant sights and sounds give the speaker joy, and
he declares that he also likes this weather.
In the second
stanza, Hardy presents gloomy autumn
weather, which the shepherd avoids, and the speaker also dislikes. The beech
trees drip with dull brown rain, winds beat and shake the land, hidden seas
surge powerfully, streams flood the meadows, raindrops hang on gate bars, and
rooks (crows) fly home in groups. The scene is dreary and unwelcoming, so the
poet, like the shepherd, shuns this weather.
Find the synonyms
Stanza I
cuckoo → a bird known for its spring call (कोइली)
showers → rainfalls, drizzles
betumble → fall upon, cover, scatter over
chestnut spikes → flower clusters of chestnut trees
nestlings → young birds, chicks
nightingale → a small bird famous for its sweet song
bills → sings, calls
Traveller’s Rest → an inn or resting place
maids → young women, girls
sprig-muslin
drest → dressed in light cotton
clothes with floral patterns
citizens → townspeople, city dwellers
Stanza II
shepherd → one who takes care of sheep
shuns → avoids, dislikes
beeches → large forest trees (with smooth bark)
drip → drop, trickle, leak
browns and duns → dull colors (brown, grayish-brown)
thresh and ply → beat, strike continuously
hill-hid tides → waves of the sea hidden behind hills
throb → pulsate, beat, surge
throe on throe → wave after wave, repeated force or
pain
meadow → grass field, pasture
rivulets → small streams, brooks
overflow → flood, spill over
gate bars → wooden or metal bars of a gate
rooks → large black birds of the crow family
homeward → towards home
A. Find the words from the
poem that are similar in meaning to the following words/phrases.
a. a brief and usually light fall of rain-showers
b. sings - bills
c. young women - maids
d. to tumble about; throw into disorder - betumble
e. baby birds - nestlings
f. dislikes - shuns
g. a dull greyish -brown color - duns
h. beat or sound with a strong, regular rhythm - throb
i. small rivers; streams - rivulets
B. Answer these questions.
a.
What do the nestlings do in the spring?
In the spring, the nestlings fly from their nests.
b. What
does the nightingale do?
The nightingale sings its sweetest songs.
c. How
do the girls come out in spring?
The girls come out wearing sprig-muslin dresses.
d. What
plan do people make?
People plan to travel to the south and west.
e. What
happens to beeches in winter?
In winter, beeches drip with brown and dull-colored leaves.
f. Where do rooks go? Why do they
migrate?
Rooks go to their nests or
rookeries. They might migrate for various reasons, including breeding, access
to food, social bonding, and seeking suitable environmental conditions that
support their survival and reproductive success.
g. Does the poet enjoy the winter
or the spring? Why?
The poet enjoys the spring
weather. The repetition of the phrase "And so do I" suggests that the
poet shares the same preference for the weather as the cuckoo, nestlings,
nightingale, maids, and citizens who dream of the south and west.
6th Poem
Class 10 Unit 16 If Poem
If
By Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If
you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If
you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or,
being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If
you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If
you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or
watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And
lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If
you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And
so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings—nor lose the common touch;
If
neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If
you can fill the unforgiving minute
With
sixty seconds’ worth of distance run—
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which
is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
About
the Poet
The poem “If—” was written by Rudyard
Kipling (1865–1936). He was a famous English poet, novelist, and
short-story writer. Kipling was born in Mumbai (then called Bombay) when
India was under British rule.
He is well known for his inspirational poems
and stories about courage, discipline, and moral values. In 1907,
Kipling became the first English-language writer to win the Nobel Prize in
Literature. Some of his famous works include The Jungle Book, Kim,
and the poem “If—”.
About
the Poem
“If—” is a didactic and motivational poem
that gives advice on how to become a strong and responsible person. The poem is
written as a father’s advice to his son about how to behave in life.
The poem consists of several conditional
statements beginning with “If”, which describe qualities such as:
- patience
- self-confidence
- honesty
- courage
- perseverance
- self-control
The poem teaches that a person becomes
successful and mature by balancing success and failure, staying calm in
difficulties, and maintaining integrity.
Short
Summary
The poem “If—” gives guidance on how to
live a meaningful and successful life. The poet advises the reader to remain
calm in difficult situations, believe in oneself, and stay patient when facing
problems.
He also suggests that people should dream and
think but not become controlled by their ambitions. A person should treat success
and failure equally, without becoming too proud or too disappointed.
The poem concludes by saying that if a person
follows all these virtues—such as courage, patience, honesty, and determination—they
will become a true and mature human being.
Long
Summary
The poem begins with the poet advising the
reader to stay calm and confident even when people around them panic or blame
them for problems. Maintaining self-control and patience during difficult times
is one of the most important qualities of a strong person.
The poet then encourages the reader to trust
their own abilities, even when others doubt them. However, he also suggests
that one should listen to others’ opinions and remain humble.
In the next part of the poem, the poet
emphasizes the value of patience and perseverance. The reader should be able to
wait without becoming tired or discouraged. Even if others lie or hate them,
they should avoid responding with lies or hatred.
The poem also advises people to dream and
think but not become controlled by their dreams or ideas. A balanced mind is
essential for a successful life.
Another important lesson in the poem is the
ability to treat success and failure equally. The poet calls them
“impostors” because both can deceive people. A wise person should remain steady
and not become proud after success or discouraged after failure.
The poet also encourages resilience. Even if
everything someone has built is destroyed, they should gather the strength to
rebuild it again. Hard work, determination, and persistence are necessary to
achieve success.
Finally, the poem concludes with the message
that if a person can control their emotions, remain honest, treat everyone
equally, and continue working hard, they will achieve success and become a true
human being with strong character.
|
Word |
Meaning |
|
Composure |
calmness
and self-control |
|
Adversity |
difficult
circumstances or misfortune |
|
Integrity |
the
quality of being honest and having strong moral principles |
|
Aspirations |
a
strong desire to achieve something |
|
Slave |
a
person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them |
|
Grace |
elegance
or refinement of movement or gesture |
|
Criticism |
the
expression of disapproval based on perceived faults or mistakes |
|
Setbacks |
a
reversal or check in progress |
|
Exhaustion |
a
state of extreme physical or mental fatigue |
|
Values |
principles
or standards of behavior |
|
Confronted |
face
up to and deal with a a problem or difficult situation |
|
Overcome |
succeed
in dealing with a problem or difficulty |
|
Doubt |
a
feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction |
|
Wait |
stay
where one is or delay action until something happens |
|
Lied |
past
tense of lie; to speak falsely or deceive someone |
|
Hating |
feeling
intense or passionate dislike for someone |
|
Dream |
a
series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring during sleep |
|
Impostors |
a
person who pretends to be someone else to deceive others |
|
Triumph |
a
great victory or achievement |
|
Disaster |
a
sudden event causing great damage or loss |
|
Bear |
endure
an ordeal or difficulty |
|
Twisted |
distort
or change the meaning or context of something |
|
Knaves |
dishonest
or unscrupulous men |
|
Trap |
a
device or plan for catching someone |
|
Fools |
people
who lack good sense or judgment |
|
Watch |
observe
or pay attention to something |
|
Stooping |
bending
one's body forward and downward |
|
Build |
construct
something by putting parts together |
|
Heap |
a
large and disordered pile of things |
|
Winnings |
money
or valuables won in a competition or game |
|
Risk |
a
situation involving exposure to danger |
|
Pitch-and-toss |
a
gambling game where a coin is tossed and guessed |
|
Nerve |
steadiness,
courage, and determination |
|
Sinew |
tough
fibrous tissue connecting muscle to bone (tendon or ligament) |
|
Serve |
perform
duties or services for someone |
|
Virtue |
behavior
showing high moral standards |
|
Kings |
male
rulers of a country |
|
Unforgiving |
not
willing to forgive faults or errors |
|
Minute |
a
unit of time equal to sixty seconds |
|
Earth |
the
planet on which we live |
Some Important Question and Answer about the Poem
1. What is the poem “If” about?
The poem is about how to live a good and successful life by
developing qualities like self-control, patience, honesty, and determination.
2. What is the theme of the poem
“If”?
The main theme is character development.
It teaches that virtues such as patience, courage, humility, and perseverance
lead to success in life.
3. What is the tone of the poem
“If”?
The tone is didactic and inspirational,
as the poet gives moral advice in a calm and wise manner.
4. What is the structure of the
poem “If”?
The poem has four stanzas with eight lines each
and follows a regular rhyme scheme, presenting different conditions that begin
with the word “If”.
5. What is the significance of the
last line of the poem “If”?
The last line means that if a person follows all the virtues
mentioned in the poem, they will achieve success and become a mature and
responsible human being.
A. Match the words/phrases with their correct meanings.
|
Column A |
Column B (Correct Meanings) |
|
a.
unforgiving |
vii.
not giving a second chance: not happening again |
|
b.
virtue |
iii.
behaviour showing high moral standards |
|
c.
sinew |
vi.
a strong band of tissues in the body |
|
d.
pitch-and-toss |
v.
a game of skill and chance |
|
e.
worn-out |
ii.
badly damaged and no longer useful |
|
f.
stoop |
ix.
to bend the body forwards and downwards |
|
g.
knave |
vi.
a dishonest person |
|
h.
triumph |
iv.
a great success, achievement or victory |
|
i.
impostor |
viii.
a person who cheats by pretending to be somebody else |
C. Answer the following questions.
a. What does the poet suggest about dealing
with lies?
We should not let lies affect us and remain honest and patient.
b. What do you mean by 'not be tired by
waiting'?
It means we should be patient and not give up while waiting for the right time
or outcome.
c. Why should we not aim only to dream in
life?
Dreams alone are not enough; we must take action to achieve them.
d. How do you think we can achieve our dream?
By working hard, staying determined, and facing challenges bravely.
e. What can knaves do to us?
Knaves can cheat, deceive, or take advantage of us.
f. Why should we forget our failures in life?
Because dwelling on failures can stop us from trying again and moving forward.
g. What should we do if we lose the
'pitch-and-toss'?
We should accept the loss calmly and try again without getting discouraged.
7th Poem
Class 10 Unit 17 The
Country Mouse and the City Mouse
In a
snug little cot lived a fat little mouse,
Who enjoyed, unmolested, the range of the house;
With plain food content, she would breakfast on
cheese,
She dined upon bacon, and supped on grey peas.
A friend from the town to the cottage did stray,
And he said he was come a short visit to pay;
So the mouse spread her table as gay as you please,
And brought the nice bacon and charming grey peas.
The visitor frowned, and he thought to be witty:
Cried he, " You must know, I am come from the
city,
Where we all should be shocked at provisions like
these,
For we never eat bacon and horrid grey peas.
" To town come with me, I will give you a
treat:
Some excellent food, most delightful to eat.
With me shall you feast just as long as you please;
Come, leave this fat bacon and shocking grey peas.
"
This kind invitation she could not refuse,
And the city mouse wished not a moment to lose;
Reluctant she quitted the fields and the trees,
The delicious fat bacon and charming grey peas.
They slily crept under a gay parlour door,
Where a feast had been given the evening before;
And it must be confessed they on dainties did
seize,
Far better than bacon, or even grey peas.
Here were custard and trifle, and cheesecakes good
store,
Nice sweetmeats and jellies, and twenty things
more;
All that art had invented the palate to please,
Except some fat bacon and smoking grey peas.
They were nicely regaling, when into the room
Came the dog and the cat, and the maid with a
broom:
They jumped in a custard both up to their knees;
The country mouse sighed for her bacon and peas.
Cried she to her friend, " Get me safely away,
I can venture no longer in London to stay;
For if oft you receive interruptions like these,
Give me my nice bacon and charming grey peas.
" Your living is splendid and gay, to be sure,
But the dread of disturbance you ever endure;
I taste true delight in contentment and ease,
And I feast on fat bacon and charming grey peas." Aesop
About
the Poet
The story “The Country Mouse and the City
Mouse” is traditionally attributed to Aesop, a famous storyteller
from ancient Greece who lived around 620–564 BC.
Aesop is well known for his fables—short
stories that usually feature animals as characters and teach a moral lesson.
His stories are simple, entertaining, and educational. Some of his most famous
fables include The Fox and the Grapes, The Lion and the Mouse,
and The Tortoise and the Hare.
His fables have been translated into many
languages and are widely used in schools to teach moral values and wisdom.
About
the Poem
“The Country Mouse and the City Mouse” is a moral fable that
contrasts two different lifestyles:
- a simple
and peaceful life in the countryside, and
- a luxurious
but dangerous life in the city.
The poem uses two mice as symbols:
- The country
mouse represents simplicity, peace, and satisfaction.
- The city
mouse represents luxury, pride, and greed.
Through their experience, the poem teaches
that a peaceful life with little is better than a luxurious life full of
fear and danger.
Short
Summary
The poem tells the story of two mice—one
living in the countryside and the other in the city. The country mouse lives a
quiet life and eats simple food such as cheese and peas. When the city mouse
visits her, she criticizes the simple food and invites the country mouse to the
city to enjoy delicious dishes.
The country mouse accepts the invitation. In
the city, they find a room full of rich food like custards and cheesecakes.
However, while they are eating, a dog, a cat, and a maid suddenly appear. The
country mouse becomes frightened and decides to return home.
In the end, the country mouse realizes that a
simple and safe life is better than a rich life full of danger.
Long
Summary
The poem describes the friendship between a
country mouse and a city mouse. The country mouse lives in a small cottage in
the countryside and enjoys a peaceful life. She eats simple food such as
cheese, bacon, and peas. Although her life is modest, she is satisfied and
comfortable.
One day, the city mouse visits her friend.
When she sees the simple food, she laughs and says that life in the countryside
is boring and poor. She invites the country mouse to visit the city and taste
the delicious and luxurious food available there.
The country mouse becomes curious and accepts
the invitation. When they arrive in the city, they secretly enter a rich house
where a feast had taken place the night before. The table is filled with
delicious foods such as custards, trifles, cheesecakes, and many other
delicacies. The two mice happily begin to eat the rich food.
However, their enjoyment does not last long.
Suddenly a dog and a cat appear, and a maid comes with a broom to clean the
room. The mice become terrified and run for their lives. The country mouse is
very frightened by the danger and noise of the city.
After this experience, the country mouse
decides that the luxurious city life is not worth the risk. She tells her
friend that she prefers her simple food and peaceful life in the countryside
rather than living in constant fear in the city.
Thus, the poem teaches that contentment
with a simple life brings true happiness, while greed and luxury may bring
danger and trouble.
Major Points to Remember:
1.
The poem contrasts the
lifestyles of a country mouse and a city mouse.
2.
The country mouse enjoys
plain food like bacon and grey peas.
3.
The city mouse invites
the country mouse to experience city luxuries.
4.
Interruptions (dog, cat,
maid) prove the city is not peaceful.
5.
The universal message is
to find joy in contentment and respect others' choices.
A. Vocabulary Matching
|
Word |
Correct Meaning |
|
a. snug |
iv. warm,
comfortable and protected, especially from the cold |
|
b. unmolested |
ix. not
disturbed or attacked by anything |
|
c. stray |
i. move away
aimlessly from the place where one should be |
|
d. frown |
x. a facial
expression indicating disapproval or displeasure |
|
e. horrid |
ii. very
unpleasant, rough |
|
f. reluctant |
iii. unwilling
and hesitant |
|
g. custard |
v. a sweet
yellow sauce made from milk, sugar, eggs, and flour |
|
h. trifle |
vii. a cold
dessert of sponge cake and fruit |
|
i. regale |
vi. entertain
or amuse somebody with talk |
|
j. endure |
viii. to deal
with something painful or unpleasant |
||
B. True or False
|
|||
|
a. The country
mouse was happy with the way she was living. |
False |
||
|
b. The country
mouse enjoyed the grand meal every day. |
False |
|
c. The town
mouse wanted to be more satisfied with the food he was served. |
True |
|
d. The town
mouse invited the country mouse for dinner in the town. |
True |
|
e. In the town,
the country mouse was served delicious food. |
False |
|
f. There was no
peace for the mice in the town. |
True |
C. Question and
Answer
a. How did the country mouse live?
➡ The country mouse lived simply
and peacefully in a small cottage in the countryside,
eating plain food such as cheese, bacon, and peas.
b. Why did the town mouse go to
the country?
➡ The town mouse went to the
country to visit her friend, the country mouse, and
see how she lived. During the visit, she also
wanted to show that the food in the city was much better than the simple food
in the countryside.
c. Was the country mouse happy to
get an invitation to visit the town? Why?
➡ Yes,
the country mouse was happy to receive the invitation because
she was curious to see the town and taste the
delicious food that the town mouse had described.
d. What happened while the mice
were having dinner?
➡ While the mice were enjoying
their feast of delicious food in the city, a
dog, a cat, and a maid with a broom suddenly entered the room.
This frightened the country mouse, and the feast was interrupted.
e. What did the country mouse
request her friend for?
➡ The country mouse requested
her friend to let her return to the countryside,
saying she preferred a simple but safe life
rather than a luxurious but dangerous life in the city.
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