This well-known poem is about making choices, and the

choices that shape us. Robert Frost is an American poet who

writes simply, but insightfully, about common, ordinary

experiences.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveller, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence;

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —

I took the one less travelled by,

And that has made all the difference.

~ROBERT FROST

"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost is about making choices in life and the impact of those choices. The poem describes a person walking in the woods who comes to a place where the path splits into two. The person wishes they could explore both paths, but knows they have to choose one. After thinking about it, the person picks the path that seems less used.

The poem reflects on this decision, noting that both paths actually looked similar and neither was more worn than the other. The person plans to try the other path another day, but suspects they might not get the chance, as choices often lead to new paths and decisions.

In the future, the person imagines they will look back and say that choosing the less traveled path made a big difference in their life. The poem suggests that the choices we make define our journey and can have a big impact, even if they seem small at the time.

"द रोड नॉट टेकन" रॉबर्ट फ्रॉस्ट द्वारा जीवन में निर्णय लेने और उन निर्णयों के प्रभाव के बारे में है। यह कविता एक व्यक्ति का वर्णन करती है जो जंगल में चल रहा होता है और एक ऐसी जगह पर पहुँचता है जहाँ रास्ता दो भागों में बंट जाता है। व्यक्ति चाहता है कि वह दोनों रास्तों पर चल सके, लेकिन जानता है कि उसे एक चुनना होगा। सोच-विचार करने के बाद, व्यक्ति कम चले हुए रास्ते को चुनता है।

कविता इस निर्णय पर विचार करती है, यह देखते हुए कि दोनों रास्ते वास्तव में समान दिखते थे और एक दूसरे से ज्यादा घिसे हुए नहीं थे। व्यक्ति योजना बनाता है कि वह दूसरे दिन दूसरे रास्ते पर जाएगा, लेकिन यह संदेह करता है कि वह शायद ही कभी वापस आ पाएगा, क्योंकि निर्णय अक्सर नए रास्ते और फैसले लाते हैं।

भविष्य में, व्यक्ति कल्पना करता है कि वह यह कहेगा कि कम चले हुए रास्ते को चुनना उसके जीवन में बड़ा अंतर लाया। यह कविता सुझाव देती है कि हमारे द्वारा किए गए निर्णय हमारी यात्रा को परिभाषित करते हैं और बड़ा प्रभाव डाल सकते हैं, भले ही वे समय पर छोटे प्रतीत हों।

Stanza 3:

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

Explanation: Both paths were covered in untrodden leaves, indicating neither was more traveled that morning. The speaker hopes to try the other path another day but doubts if he will ever return.

Poetic Devices:

• Metaphor: The paths represent life choices.
  
• Foreshadowing: "I doubted if I should ever come back" hints at future consequences of the choice.
  

Stanza 4:

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Explanation: The speaker imagines himself in the future, reflecting on this moment with a sigh. He thinks he will say that taking the less traveled road made a significant difference in his life.

Poetic Devices:

• Repetition: "Two roads diverged in a wood" is repeated from the first stanza, emphasizing the moment of choice.
  
• Symbolism: The roads symbolize different paths in life.
  
• Antithesis: The idea of the road "less traveled" contrasts with the more common path, suggesting non-conformity.
  

The poem as a whole uses a simple narrative to delve into complex themes of choice, individuality, and the unknown paths our decisions lead us down in life.

Question 1:

Why was the poet conflicted between two roads?

Answer: The poet was conflicted between two roads because he had come to a point in the woods where the path diverged into two. He had to contemplate the possibilities and outcomes of both paths, and this choice presented him with uncertainty.

Question 2:

Which road did the poet choose and why?

Answer: The poet chose the road that was less traveled. He made this choice because it was grassy and appeared less worn, suggesting it was less frequently traveled. He was enticed by the uniqueness and potential for a different experience.

Question 3:

What do the "two roads" symbolize in the poem?

Answer: In the poem, the "two roads" symbolize life's choices and decisions. They represent the crossroads in life where one must choose a path that will determine their future direction.

Question 4:

What message does the final stanza of the poem convey?

Answer: The final stanza of the poem conveys the message that the decisions we make and the paths we choose can significantly impact our lives. It indicates that the poet, in the future, will reflect on the choice he made and believe that this choice has profoundly affected his life.

These questions and answers can help in understanding the core essence and message of the poem.

प्रश्न 1:

कवि दो रास्तों के बीच क्यों फंस गया था?

उत्तर: कवि दो रास्तों के बीच फंस गया था क्योंकि वह जंगल में एक ऐसे स्थान पर पहुँच गया था जहाँ रास्ता दो भागों में बंट गया था। उसे दोनों मार्गों की संभावनाओं और परिणामों पर विचार करना था, और इस विकल्प ने उसे अनिश्चितता में डाल दिया।

प्रश्न 2:

कवि ने किस रास्ते का चुनाव किया और क्यों?

उत्तर: कवि ने उस रास्ते का चुनाव किया जो कम चला गया था। उसने इसे चुना क्योंकि यह अधिक घास से भरा हुआ था और उसे लगा कि इस रास्ते का उपयोग कम किया गया था, जिससे उसे अनोखे और अलग अनुभव की उम्मीद थी।

प्रश्न 3:

कविता में "दो रास्ते" क्या प्रतीक हैं?

उत्तर: कविता में "दो रास्ते" जीवन के विकल्पों और निर्णयों के प्रतीक हैं। ये रास्ते जीवन के उन दोराहों का प्रतिनिधित्व करते हैं जहाँ एक व्यक्ति को एक मार्ग चुनना पड़ता है, जो उसके भविष्य की दिशा तय करता है।

प्रश्न 4:

कविता का अंतिम छंद क्या संदेश देता है?

उत्तर: कविता का अंतिम छंद यह संदेश देता है कि हमारे द्वारा लिए गए निर्णय और चुने गए मार्ग हमारे जीवन में महत्वपूर्ण अंतर ला सकते हैं। यह बताता है कि कवि भविष्य में उस विकल्प को याद करेगा जो उसने लिया था और मानेगा कि उस विकल्प ने उसके जीवन को गहराई से प्रभावित किया।

ये प्रश्न और उत्तर कविता की मूल भावना और संदेश को समझने में सहायक हो सकते हैं।

प्रश्न 1:

यात्री खुद को कहाँ पाता है? उसे किस समस्या का सामना करना पड़ता है?

उत्तर: यात्री खुद को एक पथ के फोर्क पर खड़ा पाता है। उसे एक पथ चुनने की समस्या का सामना करना पड़ता है और वह तय नहीं कर पाता है कि कौन सा पथ चुने।

प्रश्न 2:

इन वाक्यांशों का आपके लिए क्या अर्थ है?

(i) एक पीला जंगल

उत्तर: ‘पीला जंगल’ का मतलब है वह वन जिसमें पत्ते मुरझा रहे हैं, जैसे शरद ऋतु में होता है। यह एक ऐसी दुनिया का प्रतिनिधित्व करता है जो बूढ़ी हो रही है।

(ii) यह घास से भरा था और इसे पहनना चाहता था

उत्तर: इसका मतलब है कि रास्ते में बहुत सारी घास थी। यह बताता है कि इस रास्ते पर कई लोगों ने चलना नहीं था। इसे लोगों के कदमों से पहना जाना था।

(iii) वहाँ से गुजरना

उत्तर: इसका मतलब है कि जब वह उस पथ पर चला जिसे उसने चुना था।

(iv) पत्तियाँ जिन पर किसी कदम ने काला नहीं किया

उत्तर: इसका मतलब है कि किसी ने पत्तियों पर नहीं चला था क्योंकि वे अभी भी हरे थे। अगर उन पर चला गया होता, तो वे काले पड़ जाते।

(v) एक रास्ता जो दूसरे रास्ते पर ले जाता है

उत्तर: इसका मतलब है कि जब हम एक पथ पर चलते हैं, तो हमें और विकल्प मिलते हैं और हम आगे चलते रहते हैं।

प्रश्न 3:

क्या कविता में वर्णित दोनों रास्तों में कोई अंतर है

(i) दूसरे और तीसरे छंद में?

उत्तर: दोनों पथ समान थे। शुरुआत में, कवि को लगा कि एक रास्ता घास से भरा था और कम लोगों ने चला था, लेकिन जब वह उस पर कुछ दूरी तक चला, तो उसे महसूस हुआ कि यह दूसरे रास्ते की तरह ही था।

(ii) कविता की अंतिम दो पंक्तियों में?

उत्तर: यहाँ, फिर से कवि अपने प्रारंभिक निर्णय की बात करता है जब उसे लगा था कि रास्ते अलग थे और उसने उस रास्ते का चुनाव किया जिस पर कम लोगों ने चला था।

02. Wind

The wind blows strongly and causes a lot of destruction.

How can we make friends with it?

The poem by Subramania Bharati reflects on the power and unpredictability of the wind. The poet personifies the wind, attributing actions to it as if it were a conscious entity. The speaker implores the wind to be gentle, not to damage homes, papers, or books. However, the wind is portrayed as defiant, tearing pages, bringing rain, and mocking the weak.

In response to the wind's unruly behavior, the poet suggests a solution. He urges people to build strong homes, secure doors, strengthen their bodies, and steadfasten their hearts. The poem emphasizes resilience in the face of challenges, symbolized by the destructive force of the wind.

The wind becomes a metaphor for life's trials, capable of destroying what is fragile but unable to break what is fortified. The poet praises the wind's ability to distinguish between weak and strong fires, suggesting that challenges can either extinguish feeble efforts or ignite robust ones.

Overall, the poem encourages fortitude, resilience, and the strength to withstand the adversities symbolized by the capricious wind.

Wind, come softly.

Don’t break the shutters of the windows.

Don’t scatter the papers.

Don’t throw down the books on the shelf.

This stanza begins with an invocation to the wind to come gently. The poet pleads with the wind not to cause any damage, such as breaking windows shutters, scattering papers, or throwing down books from the shelf.

There, look what you did — you threw them all down.

You tore the pages of the books.

You brought rain again.

You’re very clever at poking fun at weaklings.

The poet laments the destructive nature of the wind, highlighting how it has caused chaos by throwing down books and tearing their pages. Additionally, the wind's actions bring rain again, further disrupting order. The poet personifies the wind, attributing to it a mocking attitude towards those who are weak.

Frail crumbling houses, crumbling doors, crumbling rafters,

crumbling wood, crumbling bodies, crumbling lives,

crumbling hearts —

the wind god winnows and crushes them all.

He won’t do what you tell him.

Here, the poet describes the wind's relentless destruction, causing everything from houses to hearts to crumble. The wind is portrayed as a powerful force beyond human control, indifferent to human wishes.

So, come, let’s build strong homes,

Let’s joint the doors firmly.

Practise to firm the body.

Make the heart steadfast.

In response to the wind's destructive power, the poet suggests building strong homes and securing doors firmly. Furthermore, the poet advocates for strengthening the body and maintaining steadfastness in the heart as a means of resilience against life's challenges.

Do this, and the wind will be friends with us.

The wind blows out weak fires.

He makes strong fires roar and flourish.

His friendship is good.

We praise him every day.

The poet concludes by suggesting that by fortifying themselves, humans can earn the friendship of the wind. The wind is depicted as a discerning force, extinguishing weak fires but empowering strong ones. Despite its destructive potential, the wind's friendship is valued and praised.

हे पवन, धीरे से आओ।

खिड़कियों के शटर मत तोड़ो.

कागज़ों को मत बिखेरें.

शेल्फ पर रखी किताबें नीचे मत फेंको।

यह छंद हवा से धीरे से आने के लिए आह्वान से शुरू होता है। कवि हवा से विनती करता है कि वह कोई नुकसान न करे, जैसे कि खिड़कियों के शटर तोड़ना, कागज़ों को बिखेरना या शेल्फ़ से किताबें नीचे फेंकना।

देखो, तुमने क्या किया - तुमने उन सबको नीचे फेंक दिया।

तुमने किताबों के पन्ने फाड़ दिए.

तुम फिर से बारिश ले आये.

आप कमज़ोर लोगों का मज़ाक उड़ाने में बहुत चतुर हैं।

कवि हवा की विनाशकारी प्रकृति पर शोक व्यक्त करते हैं, और बताते हैं कि कैसे इसने किताबों को नीचे गिराकर और उनके पन्नों को फाड़कर अराजकता पैदा की है। इसके अतिरिक्त, हवा की हरकतें फिर से बारिश लाती हैं, जिससे व्यवस्था और भी बिगड़ जाती है। कवि हवा को मानव रूप में प्रस्तुत करते हैं, और इसे कमज़ोर लोगों के प्रति मज़ाक करने वाला रवैया बताते हैं।

कमज़ोर ढहते घर, टूटते दरवाज़े, टूटती शहतीरें, टूटती लकड़ियाँ, टूटते शरीर, टूटती ज़िंदगियाँ, टूटते दिल —

पवन देवता उन सभी को फाड़कर कुचल देता है।

वह वह नहीं करेगा जो आप उसे कहेंगे।

यहाँ कवि हवा के उस निरंतर विनाश का वर्णन करता है, जिसके कारण घरों से लेकर दिलों तक सब कुछ ढह जाता है। हवा को मानव नियंत्रण से परे एक शक्तिशाली शक्ति के रूप में चित्रित किया गया है, जो मानव इच्छाओं के प्रति उदासीन है।

तो आओ, मजबूत घर बनाएं, दरवाजों को मजबूती से जोड़ें।

शरीर को मजबूत बनाने के लिए अभ्यास करें।

हृदय को दृढ़ बनाओ।

हवा की विनाशकारी शक्ति के जवाब में, कवि मजबूत घर बनाने और दरवाजों को मजबूती से बंद करने का सुझाव देता है। इसके अलावा, कवि जीवन की चुनौतियों के खिलाफ लचीलेपन के साधन के रूप में शरीर को मजबूत करने और दिल में दृढ़ता बनाए रखने की वकालत करता है।

ऐसा करो, और हवा हमारी मित्र बन जायेगी।

हवा कमज़ोर आग को बुझा देती है।

वह प्रबल अग्नि को प्रज्वलित करता है और प्रफुल्लित करता है।

उसकी दोस्ती अच्छी है.

हम हर दिन उसकी प्रशंसा करते हैं।

कवि ने निष्कर्ष निकाला कि खुद को मजबूत करके, मनुष्य हवा की दोस्ती जीत सकता है। हवा को एक समझदार शक्ति के रूप में दर्शाया गया है, जो कमज़ोर आग को बुझाती है लेकिन मजबूत आग को शक्ति देती है। अपनी विनाशकारी क्षमता के बावजूद, हवा की दोस्ती को महत्व दिया जाता है और उसकी प्रशंसा की जाती है।

Q: वक्ता क्यों चाहता है कि हवा धीरे आए?

A: वक्ता चाहता है कि हवा धीरे आए ताकि कोई क्षति या उबार ना हो।

Q: हवा सौम्य नहीं आती तो क्या परिणाम होते हैं?

A: वक्ता कहता है कि जब हवा सौम्य नहीं आती, तो यह चीजें गिरा देती है, किताबों के पन्ने फाड़ती है, और बारिश लाती है।

Q: कविता में विभिन्न तत्वों की कमजोरी को वक्ता कैसे वर्णित करता है?

A: वक्ता घर, दरवाज़े, क़ीच, लकड़ी, शरीर, जीवन, और दिल को कमजोर और बिगड़ते हुए वर्णित करता है, इनकी कमजोरी और पतन को जोरदारता से बताते हुए।

Q: हवा के क्रियाओं का सामना करने के लिए वक्ता कौन-कौन सी समाधानें प्रस्तुत करता है?

A: वक्ता दरवाज़ों को मजबूत करने, शारीरिक शक्ति के लिए व्यायाम करने, और भावनात्मक सहारा बनाए रखने का सुझाव देता है ताकि हवा के साथ मेल-जोल हो सके।

Q: वक्ता के अनुसार हवा विभिन्न आगों पर कैसा प्रभाव डालती है?

A: वक्ता कहता है कि हवा कमजोर आगें बुझा देती है, लेकिन मजबूत आगों को गरजने और फूलने का आनंद देती है।

Q: वक्ता हर दिन हवा की प्रशंसा क्यों करता है?

A: वक्ता हर दिन हवा की प्रशंसा करता है क्योंकि इसकी दोहरी प्रकृति को, कमजोरी को बुझाने और मजबूती को शक्तिशाली बनाने को मानते हैं, और अंत में इसकी उपयोगी दोस्ती की पहचान करते हैं।

03. Rain On the roof

When the sky is covered with dark clouds and it starts raining, have you ever listened to the patter of soft rain on the roof? What thoughts flashed through your mind as you heard this melody of nature? Read the poem to find out what the poet dreamed of while listening to the rain.

When the humid shadows hover

Over all the starry spheres

And the melancholy darkness

Gently weeps in rainy tears,

What a bliss to press the pillow

Of a cottage-chamber bed

And lie listening to the patter

Of the soft rain overhead!

Every tinkle on the shingles

Has an echo in the heart;

And a thousand dreamy fancies

Into busy being start,

And a thousand recollections

Weave their air-threads into woof,

As I listen to the patter

Of the rain upon the roof.

Rain On the roof

When the sky is covered with dark clouds and it starts raining, have you ever listened to the patter of soft rain on the roof? What thoughts flashed through your mind as you heard this melody of nature? Read the poem to find out what the poet dreamed of while listening to the rain.

Now in memory comes my mother,

As she used in years agone,

To regard the darling dreamers

Ere she left them till the dawn:

O! I feel her fond look on me

As I list to this refrain

Which is played upon the shingles

By the patter of the rain.

~COATES KINNEY

Rain On the roof

Hindi Translation

जब नमीभरे साये छाएं हों,

सारी सितारों के क्षेत्र पर,

और मेलंकॉली अंधकार,

धीरे-धीरे बारिश की आँसूओं में रो रहा है,

कितनी आनंद है एक कोटेज-चैम्बर के बिस्तर की तकिया दबाना,

और बर्फीली बारिश की आवाज सुनना,

हर शिंगल पर हर छिटाके का अपना गूंथ है,

और हृदय में एक सहसा हर शब्द है।

हृदय में हर शिंगल की चिंगारी है,

और हजारों सपने मंज़िल पाने के लिए आरंभ होते हैं,

और हजारों यादें हवा के धागों में मिलती हैं,

जब मैं छत पर बर्फबारी की आवाज सुनता हूँ।

अब स्मृति में आती है मेरी माँ,

जैसा कि वर्षों पहले करती थी,

प्रिय सपनेवालों की ओर देखते हुए,

जब वह उन्हें सुबह तक छोड़ देती थी:

ओ! मैं महसूस करता हूँ उसकी प्रेमभरी नजरें मुझ पर,

जब मैं इस धुन को सुनता हूँ,

जो शिंगल पर बारिश की धूप में बजती है।

Rain On the roof

Stanza-wise Explanation

Stanza 1

When the humid shadows hover

Over all the starry spheres

And the melancholy darkness

Gently weeps in rainy tears,

What a bliss to press the pillow

Of a cottage-chamber bed

And lie listening to the patter

Of the soft rain overhead!

In this stanza, the poet describes a serene and cozy scene where the shadows of humidity cover the starry sky, and the dark, rainy atmosphere creates a gentle and melancholic ambiance. The use of alliteration, as in "melancholy darkness" and "soft rain," adds a musical quality to the words. The poet expresses the joy of lying in a cottage bed, listening to the comforting sound of raindrops. The use of sensory imagery, such as the "patter of the soft rain overhead," appeals to the reader's senses, creating a vivid picture of the moment.

Rain On the roof

Stanza-wise Explanation

Stanza 2

Every tinkle on the shingles

Has an echo in the heart;

And a thousand dreamy fancies

Into busy being start,

And a thousand recollections

Weave their air-threads into woof,

As I listen to the patter

Of the rain upon the roof.

In this stanza, the poet continues to evoke a sensory experience of the rain. The use of onomatopoeia, like "tinkle" and "patter," creates a vivid auditory image. The poet suggests that every sound of rain on the shingles resonates emotionally, creating echoes in the heart. The repetition of "thousand" emphasizes the abundance of imaginative thoughts and memories that the sound of rain triggers. The metaphorical use of "air-threads into woof" depicts the weaving of countless recollections into a cohesive fabric of thought. Overall, the stanza captures the introspective and reflective impact of the rain on the poet's emotions and memories.

Rain On the roof

Stanza-wise Explanation

Stanza 3

Now in memory comes my mother,

As she used in years agone,

To regard the darling dreamers

Ere she left them till the dawn:

O! I feel her fond look on me

As I list to this refrain

Which is played upon the shingles

By the patter of the rain.

In this stanza, the poet reminisces about his mother, recalling how she used to lovingly watch over him and other dreamers before leaving them until morning. The use of the phrase "years agone" adds a nostalgic tone, emphasizing the passage of time. The poet expresses a deep emotional connection by feeling his mother's fond gaze as he listens to the rain. The word "refrain" not only refers to the repeated sound of rain but also suggests a recurring theme or memory. The stanza beautifully captures the bittersweet emotions tied to the poet's memories of his mother, linking them with the soothing patter of the rain on the shingles.

Rain On the roof

Stanza-wise Explanation

in Hindi

Stanza 1

इस स्टेंजा में, कवि एक शांत और आरामदायक दृश्य का वर्णन करते हैं जहाँ नमी की छाएं सितारों भरे आसमान को ढ़ांकती हैं, और अंधकार और बरसात से भरा हुआ माहौल एक धीरे और मेलोड्रामैटिक माहौल को बनाता है। "विषादपूर्ण अंधकार" और "नरम बरसात" जैसे ऑलिटरेशन का उपयोग शब्दों में संगीतमय गुण जोड़ता है। कवि व्यक्ति बिस्तर में लेटकर बूंदों की सुखद आवाज सुनने की खुशी को व्यक्त करता है। "नरम बरसात की टपकन" जैसे इंद्रिय चित्रण का उपयोग, पठक के इंद्रियों को प्रभावित करने के लिए होता है, इस क्षण का जीवंत चित्र बनाता है।

Stanza 2

इस स्टेंजा में, कवि बरसात के एक इंद्रिय अनुभव को बढ़ाते रहते हैं। "टिंकल" और "टपक" जैसे आवाजों का उपयोग, एक जीवंत श्रव्य चित्र बनाता है। कवि सुझाव देते हैं कि छत की शिंगल्स पर हर बूंद की आवाज भावनात्मक रूप से गूंथी है, दिल में गूंथे हुए अतीत की यादों की गूंथा में गूंथे हुए ध्वनियों का उत्सर्जन करती है। "हजार" के पुनरावृत्ति से कवि सुझाव देते हैं कि बरसात की आवाज से जुड़े कल्पनात्मक विचारों और यादों की अधिकता को कोषणीयता करती है। "हवा-धाराओं को बूंदों में बुनना" का उपयोग कल्पनात्मक रूप से अनेक स्मृतियों को एक सुसंगत विचारों के कपड़े में बुनने का दृष्टांत करता है। समग्र रूप से, स्तन्जा मनोबल और स्मृतियों पर बरसात के प्रति कवि के भावनात्मक और आत्मविचारात्मक प्रभाव को आत्मविचारपूर्ण रूप से पकड़ता है।

Stanza 3

इस स्टेंजा में, कवि अपनी माँ की यादों को याद करते हैं, याद करते हैं कि वह प्यार से उन्हें और अन्य सपनेवालों का ध्यान रखती थीं, उन्हें सुबह तक छोड़ देती थीं। "वर्षों पहले" का उपयोग एक स्मृतिरूप ध्वनि को जोर देता है, समय की गुज़रने की महक को जोर देता है। कवि गहरे भावनात्मक संबंध को व्यक्त करते हैं जब वह अपनी माँ की प्यारी नज़रें महसूस करते हैं जब वह बरसात को सुनते हैं। "रेफ्रेन" शब्द न केवल बरसात की बारिश की एकाधिक ध्वनि को सूचित करता है, बल्कि एक पुनरावृत्ति विषय या स्मृति का सुझाव भी देता है। स्तन्जा खूबसूरती से कवि की माँ की स्मृतियों के साथ कटी हुई कड़वाहट भरी भावनाओं को पकड़ता है, जिन्हें वह छत की शिंगल्स पर बरसात की टपकन के साथ जोड़ता है।

Q: What emotions does the poet express in the verses?

A: The poet expresses a sense of bliss and nostalgia, accompanied by a melancholic yet comforting mood.

Q: What role does rain play in the poem?

A: Rain serves as a poetic backdrop, creating a soothing atmosphere and triggering memories and emotions for the speaker.

Q: How does the poet connect the sound of rain to memories?

A: The poet suggests that each raindrop's sound on the shingles echoes in the heart, bringing forth dreamy fancies and recollections.

Q: Who does the speaker remember in the poem?

A: The speaker reminisces about their mother, recalling her fond look as she used to check on them before leaving them to dream until dawn.

Q: What is the significance of the cottage-chamber bed in the poem?

A: The cottage-chamber bed represents a cozy and intimate space where the speaker finds solace and joy while listening to the rain.

Q: How does the rain impact the speaker's feelings in the poem?

A: The patter of rain on the roof evokes a sense of bliss and emotional connection, intertwining with memories and creating a comforting ambiance for the speaker.

Rain On the roof

NCERT SOLUTIONS

1.What do the following phrases mean to you? Discuss in class.

(i) humid shadows

(ii) starry spheres

(iii) what a bliss

(iv) a thousand dreamy fancies into busy being start

(v) a thousand recollections weave their air-threads into woof

A.

(i) ‘humid shadows’ refers to the dark clouds which are full of water.

(ii) ‘starry spheres’ refers to the sky at night time which is full of stars.

(iii) ‘bliss’ means a blessing.

(iv) ‘a thousand dreamy fancies into busy being start’ means that people start having varied sweet dreams.

(v) ‘a thousand recollections weave their air-threads into woof’ means that when people are asleep, the memories of the past come back into their mind in the form of dreams.

2. What does the poet like to do when it rains?

A. When it rains, the poet likes to lay in bed and hear the rain falling on the roof of his room.

3. What is the single major memory that comes to the poet? Who are the “darling

dreamers” he refers to?

A. The poet has memories of his beloved mother. When he was a child, she would put him and his siblings to bed and allowed them to sleep till late. They had sweet dreams in their sleep. “Darling Dreamers” refers to the poet and his siblings when they were children and had sweet dreams. They were loved by their mother and so, were her ‘darlings’.

4. Is the poet now a child? Is his mother still alive?

A. No, now the poet is not a child. He is an adult. His mother is not alive anymore.

The End

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:

Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,

And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow

Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;

There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,

And evenings full of the linnet’s wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day

I hear the lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;

While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,

I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

"The Lake Isle of Innisfree" by W.B. Yeats is a poem where the speaker expresses a desire to escape to a peaceful place called Innisfree. In Innisfree, the speaker plans to build a simple cabin surrounded by nature, like bean-rows and a beehive. The speaker believes this place will bring peace, described as dropping slowly like morning dew, with picturesque scenes at midnight and noon.

The recurring theme is the sound of lake water, which the speaker hears both day and night, even when in the midst of the city. The poem conveys a yearning for a tranquil and natural retreat, away from the hustle of urban life, where the gentle sounds of nature offer solace to the speaker's "deep heart's core."

"इनिसफ्री की झील" वी.बी. येट्स द्वारा रचित कविता है जिसमें वक्ता अपनी इच्छा व्यक्त करता है कि वह इनिसफ्री नामक एक शानदार स्थान की ओर बढ़ना चाहता है। इनिसफ्री में, वक्ता एक सरल केबिन बनाने का योजना बनाता है, जिसमें प्राकृतिक चीजों के आस-पास हो, जैसे की बीन-रोज और मधुमक्खी का छत्ता। वक्ता मानता है कि यह स्थान शांति लाएगा, जो सुबह की ओस की तरह धीरे-धीरे गिरती है, और यहां आधी रात को और दोपहर को भी खूबसूरत दृश्य होंगे।

प्रतिस्थान में एक और एक समुद्र विषय है, जिसकी ध्वनि वक्ता दिन और रात दोनों सुनता है, शहर की भीड़-भाड़ में रहते हुए भी। कविता एक शांतिपूर्ण और प्राकृतिक आश्रय की इच्छा को व्यक्त करती है, जो शहरी जीवन की हलचल से दूर है, जहां प्राकृतिक ध्वनियों की हल्की सी आवाज वक्ता के "गहरे ह्रदय के केंद्र" में सुखदी प्रदान करती है।

Stanza 1:

"I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:

Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,

And live alone in the bee-loud glade."

Explanation:

In this stanza, the speaker expresses a longing to leave and build a simple life in Innisfree. The poetic devices include:

Alliteration: "And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made."

Imagery: Descriptions like "Nine bean-rows," "hive for the honeybee," and "bee-loud glade" create vivid mental images.

Stanza 2:

"And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow

Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;

There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,

And evenings full of the linnet’s wings."

Explanation:

The speaker anticipates finding peace in Innisfree. Poetic devices include:

Personification: "peace comes dropping slow," giving peace human-like qualities.

Visual Imagery: "midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow" paints a clear picture of the tranquil surroundings.

Stanza 3:

"I will arise and go now,

for always night and day

I hear the lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore; While I stand on the roadway,

or on the pavements grey,

I hear it in the deep heart’s core."

Explanation: The speaker emphasizes the constant yearning for Innisfree. Poetic devices include:

• Repetition: The repeated phrase "I will arise and go now" emphasizes determination.
  
• Auditory Imagery: "I hear the lake water lapping with low sounds" creates a soothing auditory image.
  

The poem's overall use of vivid imagery, alliteration, personification, and rhythmic repetition contribute to its lyrical and contemplative quality.

स्टेंजा 1:

"उठूंगा और चला जाऊंगा, इनिसफ्री की ओर,

वहां एक छोटा सा कुटीर बनाऊंगा, मिट्टी और वॉटल्स से बना:

नौ बीन-रोज़ेस होंगे वहां, मधुमक्खी के लिए एक छत,

और बस उड़ने लगा फूलों की छाइयों में।"

विवरण:

इस पंक्ति में, वक्ता विचार करता है कि वह इनिसफ्री में जाने और वहां एक साधारित जीवन बनाने की इच्छा रखता है। कवितात्मक उपकरणों में शामिल हैं:

समानाधिकरण: "और वहां एक छोटा सा कुटीर बनाऊंगा, मिट्टी और वॉटल्स से बना।"

चित्रण: "नौ बीन-रोज़ेस," "मधुमक्खी के लिए एक छत," और "फूलों की छाइयों में बस उड़ने लगा" जैसे वर्णन स्पष्ट मानसिक छवियाँ बनाते हैं।

स्टेंजा 2:

"और वहां मुझे कुछ शांति होगी, क्योंकि शांति धीरे-धीरे आती है

सुबह के पर्दों से गिरती हुई, जहां क्रिकेट गाता है;

वहां मध्यरात्रि सभी चमकती है, और दोपहर एक बैंगनी चमक,

और शांति से भरी शामें लिनेट की पंखों से।"

विवरण:

वक्ता इनिसफ्री में शांति की आशा करता है। कवितात्मक उपकरणों में शामिल हैं:

व्यक्तिगतीकरण: "शांति धीरे-धीरे आती है," जो शांति को मानव जैसी गुणवत्ता प्रदान करता है।

दृश्य चित्रण: "मध्यरात्रि सभी चमकती है, और दोपहर एक बैंगनी चमक" एक शांतिपूर्ण आस-पास का स्वरूप का स्पष्ट चित्र पेश करता है।

स्टेंजा 3:

"उठूंगा और चला जाऊंगा, क्योंकि हमेशा रात और दिन

मैं सुनता हूं झील के पानी को चपटे से काटते हुए;

जबकि मैं सड़क पर खड़ा हूँ, या गेहरे ग़ेरे पर,

मैं उसे गहरे हृदय के केंद्र में सुनता हूं।"

विवरण:

वक्ता इनिसफ्री की निरंतर इच्छा को महसूस कराता है। कवितात्मक उपकरणों में शामिल हैं:

आवृत्ति: "उठूंगा और चला जाऊंगा" यह बार-बार होने वाला कथन दृढ़ता को दिखाता है।

श्रव्य चित्रण: "मैं सुनता हूं झील के पानी को चपटे से काटते हुए" एक आवाज़पूर्ण छवि बनाता है।

कविता का समग्र चित्रण और सुरीले पुनरावृत्ति, व्याकुलता, व्यक्तिगतीकरण, और ध्वनिक पुनरावृत्ति का उपयोग इसे उपन्यासी और चिंतनशील गुणमय बनाता है।

Q1: What is the speaker's desire in the poem?

A1: The speaker's desire is to leave his current life and go to the peaceful place of Innisfree.

Q2: Describe the kind of cabin the speaker wants to build in Innisfree.

A2: The speaker wants to build a small cabin made of clay and wattles in Innisfree.

Q3: How does the speaker envision peace in Innisfree?

A3: The speaker envisions peace in Innisfree as something that comes dropping slowly, especially in the morning, and is associated with the sounds of nature.

Q4: What imagery does the poet use to depict the time of midnight and noon in Innisfree?

A4: The poet uses the imagery of midnight being "all a glimmer" and noon having a "purple glow."

Q5: What is the significance of the lake water in the poem?

A5: The lake water serves as a constant element in the speaker's imagination, representing a tranquil and soothing sound that he hears day and night.

Q6: How does the poet use repetition in the poem?

A6: The poet uses repetition in the phrase "I will arise and go now," emphasizing the speaker's determination to leave for Innisfree.

Q7: Explain the role of nature in the speaker's longing for Innisfree.

A7: Nature plays a crucial role as the speaker yearns for the simplicity and peace of nature, away from the urban environment.

Q8: What poetic devices contribute to the imagery in the poem?

A8: Poetic devices like alliteration, personification, and visual imagery contribute to the vivid and sensory-rich descriptions in the poem.

Q9: How does the poem convey a sense of solitude for the speaker?

A9: The speaker expresses a desire to live alone in the bee-loud glade, emphasizing a sense of solitude and escape from the noise of urban life.

Q10: What is the emotional impact of the lake water sounds on the speaker?

A10: The lake water sounds have a deep emotional impact on the speaker, reaching the "deep heart’s core," signifying a profound connection and solace.

.Q1. What kind of place is Innisfree? Think about:

(i) the three things the poet wants to do when he goes back there (stanza I);

(ii) what he hears and sees there and its effect on him (stanza II);

(iii) what he hears in his “heart’s core” even when he is far away from Innisfree (stanza III).

A.

(i) The three things that the poet wants to do when he goes to Innisfree are as follows –

a) he wants to build a small cabin with clay and wattles.

b) he wants to plant nine rows of beans.

c) he wants to keep a honeybee hive.

(ii) The poet sees the cloudy morning which looks like the sky is wearing a veil. He hears the song of the cricket. He sees the linnet bird flying in the evening sky. The shimmering stars in the night sky and the purplish glow of the afternoon Sun. All these give him a feeling of being at peace.

(iii) Even when the poet is far away from Innisfree, he hears the sound of the lake water hitting the shore in the depth of his heart.

Q2. By now you may have concluded that Innisfree is a simple, natural place,full of beauty and peace. How does the poet contrast it with where he now stands? (Read stanza III.)

A. The poet describes lake Innisfree as a place full of the bounties of nature. He sees the cloudy sky, the shimmering stars in the night sky, the purplish glow of the afternoon Sun and the linnet bird flying in the evening sky. The sound of the cricket’s song is also pleasing to him. On the other hand, the place where he stands now is an urban place which is devoid of all these beauties of nature. He says that there are roadways and grey – coloured pavements around him.

Q3. Do you think Innisfree is only a place, or a state of mind? Does the poet actually miss the place of his boyhood days?

A. Innisfree is a place that the poet used to visit in his boyhood. As he lives in the city now, he expresses a desire to go to Innisfree which had peaceful surroundings. This shows his state of mind. Yes, he misses lake Innisfree when he says that the sound of the lake water hitting the shore echoes in the core of his heart.

II. 1. Look at the words the poet uses to describe what he sees and hears at Innisfree

(i) bee-loud glade

(ii) evenings full of the linnet’s wings

(iii) lake water lapping with low sounds

What pictures do these words create in your mind?

A.

(i) We can imagine bees buzzing around.

(ii) the image of linnets flying across the evening sky appears in the reader’s mind.

(iii) These words draw an image and also, create the sound of the lake water striking against the shore of the lake.

2. Look at these words;

… peace comes dropping slow

Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings

What do these words mean to you? What do you think “comes dropping slow…from the veils of the morning”? What does “to where the cricket sings”mean?

A. These lines indicate that the feeling of being ‘at peace’ seeps in slowly and gradually. As one sees the cloudy morning which is followed by the pleasant song of the cricket, the poet gains peace of mind. These vibrant sounds and scenes of nature bring a feeling of peacefulness experienced by the poet.

The End

05. A legend of the Northland

Away, away in the Northland,

Where the hours of the day are few,

And the nights are so long in winter

That they cannot sleep them through;

Where they harness the swift reindeer

To the sledges, when it snows;

And the children look like bear’s cubs

In their funny, furry clothes:

They tell them a curious story —

I don’t believe ’tis true;

And yet you may learn a lesson

If I tell the tale to you.

Once, when the good Saint Peter

Lived in the world below,

And walked about it, preaching,

Just as he did, you know,

05. A legend of the Northland

He came to the door of a cottage,

In travelling round the earth,

Where a little woman was making cakes,

And baking them on the hearth;

And being faint with fasting,

For the day was almost done,

He asked her, from her store of cakes,

To give him a single one.

So she made a very little cake,

But as it baking lay,

She looked at it, and thought it seemed

Too large to give away.

Therefore she kneaded another,

And still a smaller one;

But it looked, when she turned it over,

As large as the first had done.

05. A legend of the Northland

Then she took a tiny scrap of dough,

And rolled and rolled it flat;

And baked it thin as a wafer —

But she couldn’t part with that.

For she said, “My cakes that seem too small

When I eat of them myself

Are yet too large to give away.”

So she put them on the shelf.

Then good Saint Peter grew angry,

For he was hungry and faint;

And surely such a woman

Was enough to provoke a saint.

And he said, “You are far too selfish

To dwell in a human form,

To have both food and shelter,

And fire to keep you warm.

05. A legend of the Northland

Now, you shall build as the birds do,

And shall get your scanty food

By boring, and boring, and boring,

All day in the hard, dry wood.”

Then up she went through the chimney,

Never speaking a word,

And out of the top flew a woodpecker,

For she was changed to a bird.

She had a scarlet cap on her head,

And that was left the same;

But all the rest of her clothes were burned

Black as a coal in the flame.

And every country schoolboy

Has seen her in the wood,

Where she lives in the trees till this very day,

Boring and boring for food.

~PHOEBE CARY

05. A legend of the Northland

"A Legend of the Northland" is a poem written by Phoebe Cary. In this narrative poem, the speaker recounts a story set in the Northland, where the days are short and the nights are long in winter. The poem revolves around an encounter between the good Saint Peter and a woman living in a cottage.

Saint Peter, on his travels, approaches the woman's cottage seeking food as he is hungry. The woman, however, hesitates to give him a cake, thinking even the small ones she makes for herself are too large to share. Despite her attempts to bake smaller and smaller cakes, she cannot bring herself to part with any. This selfishness angers Saint Peter.

As a consequence of her selfishness, Saint Peter transforms the woman into a woodpecker. She is now destined to bore and peck for her food in the hard, dry wood. The poem concludes with the notion that the transformed woman, now a woodpecker, can still be seen in the woods, continuing to bore for her food.

The poem explores themes of selfishness, generosity, and the consequences of one's actions. It serves as a moral tale with a mythical element, delivering a lesson about the importance of sharing and generosity.

05. A legend of the Northland

"ए लेजेंड ऑफ़ द नॉर्थलैंड" एक कविता है जो फीब कैरी द्वारा लिखी गई है। इस कविता में, वक्ता एक किस्से की बयानी करता है जो उत्तरी क्षेत्र में होती है, जहां सर्दियों में दिन छोटे होते हैं और रातें लम्बी होती हैं। कविता एक कुटिया में रहने वाली एक महिला और संत पीटर के बीच की मुलाकात के चारों ओर घूमती है।

संत पीटर, अपनी यात्राओं में, भूखा होकर महिला के कुटिये की ओर बढ़ता है। हालांकि, महिला उसे केक देने में हिचकती है, सोचती है कि वह भी उसके लिए बनाती है जो अपने लिए बनाए जाने वाले भी बड़े होते हैं। उसके कड़ीयों का सामना करने के बावजूद, वह किसी भी केक से दूर होने की स्थिति में नहीं आ सकती। इसके बाद संत पीटर को उसकी अदार्शता पर गुस्सा आता है।

उसकी स्वार्थपन के कारण, संत पीटर महिला को एक कठफोड़वा में बदल देते हैं। अब उसे खाने के लिए कठफोड़वा की खोज में जारी रखना है। कविता का समापन यह आइडिया के साथ होता है कि बदली हुई महिला, अब एक कठफोड़वा के रूप में, आज भी जंगल में देखी जा सकती है, अपने भोजन के लिए बोरिंग और कर रही है।

कविता स्वार्थपन, उदारता, और अपने क्रियाओं के परिणामों के बारे में थीम्स का परिचय करती है। यह एक नैतिक कहानी है जिसमें बाँटने और उदारता के महत्व के बारे में सिख है।

05. A legend of the Northland

1.

Away, away in the Northland,

Where the hours of the day are few,

And the nights are so long in winter

That they cannot sleep them through;

Meaning in Hindi:

दूर, दूर उत्तर क्षेत्र में,

जहां दिन की घड़ियाँ कम होती हैं,

और सर्दियों में रातें इतनी लम्बी होती हैं

कि वे उन्हें पूरी तरह से नहीं सो सकते;

2.

Where they harness the swift reindeer

To the sledges, when it snows;

And the children look like bear’s cubs

In their funny, furry clothes:

Meaning in Hindi:

जहां वे फुर्तीले रेइंडियर को जलंधरों से बाँधते हैं

जब बर्फ गिरती है;

और बच्चे भालू के कुछ कुछ दिखते हैं

अपने मजेदार, बालों से भरे कपड़ों में:

05. A legend of the Northland

3.

They tell them a curious story —

I don’t believe ’tis true;

And yet you may learn a lesson

If I tell the tale to you.

Meaning in Hindi:

उन्होंने एक रोचक कहानी सुनाई —

मुझे विश्वास नहीं होता कि यह सत्य है;

और फिर भी आप एक सिख सीख सकते हैं

अगर मैं आपको कहानी सुनाऊँ।

4.

Once, when the good Saint Peter

Lived in the world below,

And walked about it, preaching,

Just as he did, you know,

Meaning in Hindi:

एक बार, जब अच्छे संत पीटर

पृथ्वी पर जीते थे,

और इसमें चर्चा करते फिरते थे,

जैसा कि आप जानते हैं,

05. A legend of the Northland

5.

He came to the door of a cottage,

In travelling round the earth,

Where a little woman was making cakes,

And baking them on the hearth;

Meaning in Hindi:

वह एक कुटिये के दरवाजे पर पहुँचे,

जब वह पृथ्वी के चारों ओर घूम रहे थे,

जहां एक छोटी सी औरत केक बना रही थी,

और उन्हें अंगीठी पर बेकिंग कर रही थी;

6.

And being faint with fasting,

For the day was almost done,

He asked her, from her store of cakes,

To give him a single one.

Meaning in Hindi:

और भूखे रहने के कारण कमजोर,

क्योंकि दिन लगभग समाप्त हो रहा था,

उसने उससे, उसके केक के भंडार से,

एक ही केक देने के लिए कहा।

05. A legend of the Northland

7.

So she made a very little cake,

But as it baking lay,

She looked at it, and thought it seemed

Too large to give away.

Meaning in Hindi:

तो उसने एक बहुत छोटा सा केक बनाया,

लेकिन जैसे ही यह बेकिंग होता था,

उसने इसे देखा, और लगा कि

इसे देने के लिए बहुत बड़ा लग रहा है।

8.

Therefore she kneaded another,

And still a smaller one;

But it looked, when she turned it over,

As large as the first had done.

Meaning in Hindi:

इसलिए उसने एक और गूँथा,

और और एक और छोटा;

लेकिन जब उसने इसे पलटा,

तब यह पहले वाले की तरह बड़ा दिखता था।

05. A legend of the Northland

9.

Then she took a tiny scrap of dough,

And rolled and rolled it flat;

And baked it thin as a wafer —

But she couldn’t part with that.

Meaning in Hindi:

फिर उसने एक छोटे से आटे का टुकड़ा लिया,

और इसे फ्लैट पीसों में बेल दिया;

और इसे वेफर की तरह पतला बेकिंग किया —

लेकिन वह इसके साथ नहीं रह सकती थी।

10.

For she said, “My cakes that seem too small

When I eat of them myself

Are yet too large to give away.”

So she put them on the shelf.

Meaning in Hindi:

क्योंकि उसने कहा, "मेरे केक जो बहुत छोटे लगते हैं

जब मैं खुद उन्हें खाती हूँ

वे फिर भी बहुत बड़े हैं उन्हें देने के लिए।"

तो उसने उन्हें शेल्फ पर रख दिया।

05. A legend of the Northland

11.

Then good Saint Peter grew angry,

For he was hungry and faint;

And surely such a woman

Was enough to provoke a saint.

Meaning in Hindi:

तब अच्छे संत पीटर क्रोधित हो गए,

क्योंकि उसको भूख और कमजोरी थी;

और बेशक एक ऐसी औरत

संत को उत्तेजित करने के लिए पर्याप्त थी।

12.

And he said, “You are far too selfish

To dwell in a human form,

To have both food and shelter,

And fire to keep you warm.

Meaning in Hindi:

और उसने कहा, "तुम बहुत आत्मक्लेशी हो

मानव रूप में बसने के लिए,

खाने और आश्रय दोनों होने के लिए,

और आग जो तुम्हें गरम रखने के लिए है।

05. A legend of the Northland

13.

Now, you shall build as the birds do,

And shall get your scanty food

By boring, and boring, and boring,

All day in the hard, dry wood.”

Meaning in Hindi:

अब, तुम पक्षियों की तरह बनोगी,

और अपने कमजोर भोजन को प्राप्त करोगी

बोर करके, बोर करके, और बोर करके,

सब दिन कठिन, सूखे हुए लकड़ी में।

14.

Then up she went through the chimney,

Never speaking a word,

And out of the top flew a woodpecker,

For she was changed to a bird.

Meaning in Hindi:

तब वह चिमनी के माध्यम से ऊपर चली गई,

एक शब्द भी नहीं बोलती,

और ऊपर से एक कठफोड़वा उड़ गया,

क्योंकि उसने पक्षी में बदल दिया था।

05. A legend of the Northland

15.

She had a scarlet cap on her head,

And that was left the same;

But all the rest of her clothes were burned

Black as a coal in the flame.

Meaning in Hindi:

उसके सिर पर एक टिलकी टोपी थी,

और वह वैसा ही बचा था;

लेकिन उसके सारे कपड़े जल गए थे

ज्वाला में कोयले की तरह काले।

16.

And every country schoolboy

Has seen her in the wood,

Where she lives in the trees till this very day,

Boring and boring for food.

Meaning in Hindi:

और हर गाँव के स्कूल छात्र ने

उसे जंगल में देखा है,

जहां वह इसी दिन तक पेड़ों में रहती है,

भोजन के लिए बोर कर रही है।

05. A legend of the Northland

1. Q: Why are the days short and the nights long in the Northland during winter? A: The poem suggests that in the Northland, the days are short and the nights are long in winter, creating a distinctive environment.
   
2. Q: How do the inhabitants of the Northland adapt to the snowy conditions? A: They harness swift reindeer to sledges for transportation when it snows.
   
3. Q: What do the children in the Northland look like, and why? A: The children are described as resembling bear's cubs, likely due to their appearance in funny, furry clothes suitable for the cold.
   
4. Q: Why does the woman in the cottage hesitate to give a cake to Saint Peter? A: The woman hesitates because, despite her attempts to make smaller cakes, she perceives them as too large to give away.
   
5. Q: What happens to the woman after Saint Peter grows angry with her selfishness? A: As a consequence of her selfishness, Saint Peter transforms the woman into a woodpecker.
   
6. Q: What is the woman's appearance after being transformed into a woodpecker? A: The woodpecker woman retains a scarlet cap on her head, but the rest of her clothes are burned black as coal in the flame.
   
7. Q: Where can the transformed woman be found, and what is she doing? A: She can be seen in the wood, living in the trees and continuously boring for food.
   

05. A legend of the Northland

1. Which country or countries do you think “the Northland” refers to?

A. The northland refers to the region around the north pole which is extremely cold. It could be any country like Russia, Canada, Greenland, Norway, etc.

2. What did Saint Peter ask the old lady for? What was the lady’s reaction?

A. Saint Peter asked the lady to give him a cake as he was hungry. The lady did not give him a cake out of the ones that she had baked, instead she baked a smaller one for him.

3. How did he punish her?

A. He punished the selfish lady by turning her into a woodpecker bird that had to bore into the dry wood all day to get some food and shelter.

4. How does the woodpecker get her food?

A. The woodpecker gets food by boring holes in the wood.

5. Do you think that the old lady would have been so ungenerous if she had known who Saint Peter really was? What would she have done then?

A. If the old lady knew who Saint Peter was, then she would not have been ungenerous. On the other hand, she would have served him well for the fulfilment of her greedy desires.

05. A legend of the Northland

6. Is this a true story? Which part of this poem do you feel is the most important?

A. It is not a true story. The point of the story where the woman is turned into a woodpecker bird is the most important. This is so because the punishment teaches everyone the lesson to be generous.

7. What is a legend? Why is this poem called a legend?

A. A legend is a popular story from the past which is believed to be true but cannot be verified. It contains a moral which is narrated to the children to teach them moral values.

8. Write the story of ‘A Legend of Northland’ in about ten sentences.

A.One day, Saint Peter was preaching around the world and reached the door of a cottage where this woman lived. She was making cakes and baking them on a hearth. St. Peter was fainting with hunger. He asked the lady to give him a piece of cake. The cake that she was baking then appeared to be too big, so she did not give him that and instead, she baked another smaller one. That also appeared to be big so she did not give him that also. The second time she baked yet another smaller cake but found it too big to give away. In the third attempt, she took an extremely little scrap of dough and rolled it flat. She had it as thin as a wafer but was unable to part with that also. This angered St. Peter a lot. He said that she was not fit to live in human form and enjoy food and warmth. He cursed her and transformed her into a woodpecker bird who had to bore in hard, dry wood to get its scanty food. She can be seen in the trees all day boring and boring for food.

The End

06. No men are foreign

Remember, no men are strange, no countries foreign

Beneath all uniforms, a single body breathes

Like ours: the land our brothers walk upon

Is earth like this, in which we all shall lie.

They, too, aware of sun and air and water,

Are fed by peaceful harvests, by war’s long winter starv’d.

Their hands are ours, and in their lines we read

A labour not different from our own.

Remember they have eyes like ours that wake

Or sleep, and strength that can be won

By love. In every land is common life

That all can recognise and understand.

06. No men are foreign

Let us remember, whenever we are told

To hate our brothers, it is ourselves

That we shall dispossess, betray, condemn.

Remember, we who take arms against each other

It is the human earth that we defile.

Our hells of fire and dust outrage the innocence

Of air that is everywhere our own,

Remember, no men are foreign, and no countries strange.

~JAMES KIRKUP

06. No men are foreign

This poem by James Kirkup conveys a powerful message of unity and shared humanity. It urges people to remember that there are no strangers among men and no foreign lands. The poet emphasizes the commonality of human experience, pointing out that beneath uniforms, all people share a single body and walk upon the same earth.

The verses highlight the universal aspects of life, such as awareness of the sun, air, and water, as well as the reliance on peaceful harvests for sustenance. The poem acknowledges the shared struggles, including the impact of war's hardships on people everywhere. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals across different lands, suggesting that the hands, eyes, and strength of others are fundamentally similar to our own.

The poet warns against succumbing to hatred, as it ultimately harms ourselves, leading to dispossession, betrayal, and condemnation. Taking arms against each other is portrayed as defiling the human earth and causing suffering that transcends borders. The poem concludes with a plea to remember that no one is truly foreign, and understanding and recognition of common life should prevail over animosity and division.

06. No men are foreign

जेम्स कर्कप की यह कविता एक शक्तिशाली संदेश को साझा करती है, जो एकता और साझा मानवता की ओर प्रेरित करती है। इसमें कहा गया है कि लोगों के बीच कोई अजनबी नहीं हैं और कोई भी देश पराया नहीं होता। कवि इसका महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा बताते हैं कि वस्त्रों के नीचे, सभी लोग एक ही शरीर का हिस्सा हैं और उनका चलना उसी पृथ्वी पर होता है जिसमें हम सभी शांति से शव को आदान-प्रदान करेंगे।

शेरों में सूरज, हवा और पानी के जागरूकता का उल्लेख है, साथ ही शांतिपूर्ण फसलों द्वारा ऊर्जित होने वाले सामान्य जीवन की महत्वपूर्णता को दिखाता है। कविता विभिन्न देशों में व्यक्तियों के बीच साझेदारी की जरूरत को उजागर करती है, जिसमें दूसरों के हाथ, आंखें, और ताकत हमारी तरह मौजूद हैं।

कवि नफरत का खिलवार की चेतावनी देता है, क्योंकि यह आखिरकार हमें हानि पहुंचाता है, हमें देश त्यागने, धोखा देने और निंदा करने का परिणाम होता है। एक दूसरे के खिलाफ हथियार उठाना मानव पृथ्वी को मैला करना बताया गया है और अपने हेल्स ऑफ फायर और धूल के माध्यम से वायु की निर्दोषता का उत्कृष्टता करता है। कविता एक साझा मानवता के लिए हमें याद दिलाती है कि कोई भी वास्तविक रूप से अजनबी नहीं है, और द्वेष और विभाजन के बजाय सामंजस्य और स्वीकृति का मौल्य रखा जाना चाहिए।

06. No men are foreign

Stanza 1:

Remember, no men are strange, no countries foreign

Beneath all uniforms, a single body breathes

Like ours: the land our brothers walk upon

Is earth like this, in which we all shall lie.

In this stanza, the poet urges the reader to remember that there are no strangers among men and no foreign lands. The shared humanity is emphasized by the idea that beneath all uniforms, there is a single human body. The commonality of the earth is highlighted, suggesting that the land our brothers walk upon is the same earth where we all will eventually lie.

HINDI

याद रखें, कोई व्यक्ति अजनबी नहीं, कोई देश पराया नहीं

सभी वर्दियों के नीचे, एक ही शरीर सांस लेता है

हमारी तरह: जिस पृथ्वी पर हमारे भाइयों का चलना

ऐसी ही पृथ्वी है, जिस पर हम सभी लेटेंगे।

इस पंक्ति में, कवि पठक से कहता है कि लोगों में कोई अजनबी नहीं है और कोई भी देश पराया नहीं है। सांस लेने वाला एक ही मानव शरीर की ओर इशारा करके साझा मानवता को महसूस कराता है। भाइयों की कदमों की यह पृथ्वी ऐसी ही है, जिसमें हम सभी लेटेंगे।

06. No men are foreign