The Two Gentlemen from Verona

Question 5-(a):
"We do many things, sir," Nicola answered seriously. Heglanced at us hopefully.
Ans.The narrator was surprised to see the boys shining  shoes because he thought that they sold fruits for a living. However, when he questioned the boys regarding this, Nicola said that they also did a lot of other things for a living. The boys hoped that the narrator would ask for their services and in return would earn some good money.

5-(b):He coloured deeply under his sunburn, then grew pale
Ans.The narrator was astonished to see that boys worked hard day and night and yet lived meagerly. He wanted to know what the boys did with the money they earned. When he questioned Nicola, he appeared uncomfortable and it was clear that the narrator’s question embarrassed him.

Q 5-(c): He smiled uncomfortably. "Just plans, sir," he answered in a low voice.
Ans. When the narrator suggested that the boys were saving to emigrate to the States. Nicola  responded that how much ever they wished to do that, currently they had other plans, which he was unwilling to and uncomfortable sharing with thenarrator.
Q. 5-(d): Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond their years.
Ans   Although  the boys were small and innocent, there was behavior  which was unbelievable at their age.

Q. 6-(a): Why didn't Luigi, the driver, approve of the two boys?
Ans : Luigi judged the two boys by their appearance. He did
not approve of the two boys because they were shabbily dressed and he thought that they might sell bad fruit.
Q. 6-(b): Why were the narrator and his companion impressed by the two boys?
Ans. : The narrator and his companion were surprised that the boys were doing so many things at such a young age. Under the hot sun they sold fruits, newspapers, ran errands and were tourist guides as well. They did any odd job that they were asked to do. Their willingness to do any kind of work impressed the narrator and his companion.

Q. 6-(c): Why was the author surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine boys?
Ans. The  narrator was surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo shining shoes because he thought that selling fruits was their only occupation.

Q6-(d): How were the boys useful to the author?
Ans : The boys did everything the narrator and his companion asked them to do: they showed them around the city, bought tickets for the opera for them,
told them about good restaurants and ran all their errands.
Q. 6-(e): Why were the boys in the deserted square at night? What character traits do they exhibit?
Ans : The boys were waiting for the last bus from Padua so that they could sell all their papers. This explains the fact that the two boys were very hardworking and
dedicated
Q 6-(f): The narrator asks the boys, "Must you work so hard? You both look rather tired."
The boys reply, "We are not complaining, sir." What do you learn about the boys from their reply?
Ans : The boys were very focused and committed. Their only motive was to pay for their sister’s treatment. They did not care for their comfort but  worked tirelessly  to earn money.
Q. 6-(g): When the narrator asks the boys about their plans, they are evasive. Why don't they disclose their problems?
Ans : The two boys did not want the narrator to know oftheir problems because they were strong and courageous kids in the face of adversity who did not
want a stranger to  sympathise  with them. They were ready to work hard and earn in order to find solutions to their problems.
Q 7-(a): Appearances are deceptive. Discuss with reference to the two boys.Ans : The narrative began with description of the shabby appearance of the two boys—Nicola and Jacopo. Inspite of their appearance, the narrator bought fruit
from them. In the following days, the narrator discovered that the boys did a lot of other things apart from selling fruit  All this made the narrator think that the boys were working so hard to save money to emigrate to America. However, it
is revealed during the course of the story that their only motive was to be able to pay for their sister’s treatment. War had destroyed most of their family and yet it had not filled them with despair.  Behind their shabby appearances were hidden two noble souls whose dedication and selflessness promises a new hope
for mankind.

Q 7-(b):Do you think the boys looked after Lucia willingly? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer : The boys loved their sister. She was the only family left  after the war was over. When they realized that their sister had tuberculosis of the spine, they got her admitted to a hospital. They worked hard day and night to pay for her treatment. They visited their sister every Sunday in the hospital. They loved their sister and didn’t want to lose her.

c) How does the story 'Two Gentlemen of Verona' promise hope for society?
Ans. Both Nicola and Jacopo show selflessness and reflect great dignity in their behaviour. They are deeply devoted to save their sister. In their earnest endeavour they become role models, epitomes of sacrifice who can enlighten the path for rest of the humanity to follow.

PAGE 11

Value based questions

10. The narrator realises why Nicola and Jacopo work so hard. Yet he does not go in to meet their sister nor does he speak to them about what he learns from the nurse. Working in groups, discuss the follwoing aspects of the story and share your views with the class.

(a) The love and devotion, and the family values Nicola and Jacopo display.
Ans. Nicola is only 13 years old and Jacopo is 12. Yet, they have a man's heart each. They work hard day an night, never mind doing petty jobs like vending strawberries, hawking newspapers, polishing shoes. They show tourists round the town and run errands. They do all this to earn money which is used for the treatment of their sister who has been suffering from tuberculosis of spine. It vividly depicts their love, devotion and the family values.

(b) Their pride in themselves and their family 
Ans. Nicola and Jacopo are not ashamed of doing petty jobs to earn money for the treatment of their sister, Lucia who is afflicted with tuberculosis. War has not broken thei spirits. They are proud of themselves and their family. Though children, they do not want any help or favour from anyone. It shows their pride in thmslves and their family.

(c) The trust they place in the narrator
Ans. Before leaving, the narrator asks if he would be of any help to them, Jacopo requests the narrator to send them to Poleta in their car which they might not have asked anybody. After initial disagreement between the brothers and reassurance from the narrator they agree to go with him. They are very comfortable and trust him completely.

(d) The reason the narrator does not disclose to them that he knows their secret.
Ans. Nicola initially is not comfortable with the narrator driving them to Poleta. After some thinking they agree.The moment they reach their destination they jump out of the car and do not ask the narrator to come with them. On the other hand, they suggest him to spend time at a café in the village. The narrator understands their reluctance to share their purpose of visit with him and, therefore, does not disclose to them that he knows their secret.

Writing

11. As the narrator, write an article on the lesson of love, faith and trust that you have learnt from the two young boys of Verona.

Answer

IT DOESN'T TAKE YEARS TO GAIN MATURITY

Tragedies and adversities either bring out the best, or the worst, among people. They prove to be great testing times which end up in glory or disaster. The bitter and indomitable struggle of Nicola and Jacopo, amidst the ravages of war, takes on epic proportions. The two young boys depict great maturity, wisdom and faith in the invincibility of human spirit. The die-hard nature of two boys changes the nature of people around them, with their vibrant spark of humanity. 

The two boys not only create a home to survive from the rubble, but pitch in their best efforts
to sustain their sister Lucia. Their intrinsic vitality encourages them to take up any work that is available i.e. shining shoes, selling newspapers and fruits or escorting the tourists for sightseeing.

They don’t mind eating black bread or figs, or wearing torn clothes because they’re single-mindedly focused on their sister’s treatment. The boys resort to any kind of emotional blackmail or charity to provide for their sister. Their dignity and perseverance show their extreme faith in their own ability to cater to their sister’s medical treatment. 
So, the relentless struggle of two boys offers a kaleidoscopic view of love, tenderness, wisdom and trust, which even a catastrophic war failed to crush.

12. After her brothers' visit, Lucia writes a page in her diary about her past life and her present situation. As Lucia write the diary entry in about 150 words.

Date:
Day:
Time:

I am very happy today because my brothers Nicola and Jacopo came to see me. They told me that they had come with a kind man by car. Jacopo was chirping. You know, he is as lively as a squirrel. Nicola is mature like a man. He looks after me as parents. How loving and affectionate they are!
I feel very lonely when they are not here. I know, they have to go to city to find some work thee. After all, they have to pay the hospital charges every week.
The demon of war has snatched our comfortable and cultured life. Dear Father, I remember, he was a famous singer. I, myself, had been training as a singer. But the Germans came with their bombs and destroyed our home. We are homeless, starving and suffering. It was a bad winter.
For months, we had to keep ourselves alive in a sort of shelter we built with our own hands amidst the rubble. For three years, the Germans ruled the city. We grew up to hate the Germans. Both of them joined the resistance movement. last year when the war was over, we had peace at lat. they came back. They found me ailing. I was diagnosed suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.
They brought me in the hospital. Now, I am showing steady recovery. One day I will walk and sing again.
This is all due to their efforts. I understand that they at this young age. Normally, an elder siblings looks after the younger ones, takes care of them. In my case, it is opposite. I will be grateful to them for the sacrifice they are making for me. They are embodiments of love, devotion and sincerity. They are my family. Moreover, they are my God on this earth. I am indebted to them for what they are doing forever. I owe them my gratitude.
May God bless these noble souls long and happy life!
Amen!
Lucia

The Frog and the Nightingale

Question-answer

(a) How did the creatures of Bingle bog react to the nightingale's singing?

Ans.  The creatures of Bingle Bog applauded the nightingale’s songs. In fact, they Animals and birds, from far and wide, came to hear her sing her melodious songs.

(b) Which are the different ways in which the frog asserts his importance?

Ans. The frog asserts his importance by being authoritative, territorial and imposing. He pretended to be a great singer and he also said that he was the reporter of Bog ‘Trumpet’. He boasted that he was a music critic and a musician like Mozart and was ready to train her.

(c) Why is the frog's joy both sweet and bitter?

Ans. The joy of the frog was sweet as so many people came to attend her concert. and he could  earn a lot of money. However, it was bitter as he was  jealous of the nightingale’s talent and popularity.

(d) Why was the frog angry?
Ans The frog was angry because the nightingale’s song had become dull and it no longer inspired the audience. This had suddenly crashed the income of frog making him angry.

(e) How did the frog become the unrivalled king of the bog again?

Ans. In a bid to make the frog and her audience happy, the nightingale overexerted herself  , burst a vein and died. As there were no singer in the bog , the frog became the unrivalled king of the bog.
Page No: 95 

11. Discuss the following questions and write the answers in your note-books.

(a) Bring out the irony in the frog's statement - 'Your song must be your own'.

Ans. Irony is a literary device which means the expression of one's meaning by saying something which is the direct opposite of one's thoughts.
 Earlier the frog tells the nightingale that she should not boast about her original song but later on he finds fault in the nightingale by saying that one’s song must be one’s own.

(b) Do you think the end is justified?

Ans.  The end faced by the innocent nightingale is pitiful yet justified. It portrays the truth where evil people have an upper-hand over the innocent ones. Thus, it is natural that the ‘innocence’ of the nightingale is killed by the ‘cruel and crafty designs’ of evil  symbolised by the frog.

(c)  Do you think the nightingale is 'brainless'? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans.

No, I don't think the nightingale is brainless. Being simple, innocent and shy does not  mean foolish. She wanted to be a successful singer. So, she accepted the frog's advice of giving her vocal training. Her only fault was that she lacked confidence and could be influenced easily.

(d) Inspite of having a melodious voice and being a crowd puller, the nightingale turns out to be a loser and dies. How far is she responsible for her own downfall? 

Ans.  The nightingale is, herself, responsible for her own downfall. She doesn't use her capability to judge and evaluate sweet-tongued people. That is why she is exploited and killed by the evil designs of the frog who ploys her to her death.

(e) Do you agree with the Frog's inference of the Nightingale's character? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans.  Yes, I agree with the frog’s notion of the Nightingale’s character. Being flattered and submissive and timid, she invited her own death upon herself. She should have been able to see through the frog’s plots and behaved accordingly. However, her innocence didn't allow her to evaluate the frog’s tricks.

14. Write an obituary for the nightingale. You may begin like this: May the kind soul……… (or you may make use of your own beginning)

Answer  (just read it, you don’t have to do it in your notebook)
May the kind and innocent soul of the Nightingale rest in peace! The nightingale was very innocent, timid, simple and compassionate. She was the symbol of human
  values. She was very virtuous. Her absence among us can be felt all the time. She bore evil towards none but had to pay the price of being innocent, submissive, simple-hearted and credulous. The death of the Nightingale teaches us that one must look out and be vigilant against sweet-tongued people, who turn friendly instantly. We must all learn something from the sacrifice of the Nightingale. We must shun the people having the qualities of the frog.

13. The nightingale has scaled the heights of success. But now the audience is dwindling, the frog is unhappy and reprimands her all the time. She is mentally and physically exhausted and fears failure. As the nightingale, write a diary entry highlighting her fears and analyzing the reasons for her failure.

21st April
Monday
I still remember the time when the bog creatures were pleasantly surprised to hear my soothing, sweet and divine voice. Everyone admired my song. My song was such a hit that the creatures requested me to sing again and again. But the great days passed too soon.
Now they are no longer interested in my song. Constant singing has damaged my vocal chords. I cannot sing melodiously as my voice has got hoarse. I am surprised and sad at the indifferent attitude of the bog creatures. Even my master frog is annoyed with me and scolds me all the time. He keeps on reminding me that my song lacks a certain force and my singing is full of errors. Am I not a good singer? Will I ever be able to sing well? Perhaps not. because my song has lost its spontaneity and originality. The audience who used to applaud my song are now losing interest and withdrawing. The frog constantly reprimands me because the total collection of money from the sale of tickets to my concert has fallen sharply. How will I pay the sixty shilling- the remaining fee for the training? I am mentally and physically exhausted. I shudder at the mere thought of being a failure where once I was applauded for my singing.
Oh God! Please help me

Nightingale 

The Frog and the Nightingale

Class X

The Frog and the Nightingale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r52yxVKlII

Summary

n a bog, which was called Bingle Bog, there lived a frog, who was crazy about his singing and incessantly sang from the evening to the morning light. All the creatures living in the bog found his songs to be most unpleasant and they tried to beat and insult him, but the frog was very insensitive and boastful. The frog kept singing with extreme passion because this was his way of expressing his heart-felt elation.

One day the creatures of the bog were pleasantly surprised to hear a very melodious and soothing song sung by a nightingale. The frog was shocked and felt jealous. He wanted to be the undisputed singer of the bog. The nightingale’s song created a sensation and all the creatures praised it tremendously.

The frog was very cunning and he introduced himself as the owner of the tree, on which the nightingale sang. He also boasted that he was a music critic, who wrote for ‘Bog Trumpet’. The nightingale was impressed that a musician like Mozart was taking interest in her. When the frog offered to train her for a modest fee, the nightingale felt that her dream had come true. The exploitation of the nightingale began. The frog would organise musical concerts and mint money. He would make the nightingale practice even in adverse weather. He instructed her to sing passionately and with full force, since that was what the public wanted. Initially a number of creatures flocked to listen to her, but later the crowd dwindled because the nightingale’s songs became routine, lusterless and her voice was tired. The frog would scold and humiliate her for no reason. One day, out of sheer stress and fatigue, the nightingale’s vein burst and she died.

The frog called the nightingale ‘stupid’, ‘nervous’ and ‘without originality’. His ego was satisfied and he again became the ‘unrivalled singer’ of the bog.

The Brook
Class -IX
The Brook
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrIv3lgb3qE

CLASS-IX

THREE MEN IN A BOAT (L- 11-19)

Chapter 11 begins with George telling J. a story about how he forgot to wind his watch before bed and ended up waking up at 3 in the morning. This aroused the suspicion of the police constables who found him walking around London in the wee hours of the morning. J., George and Harris went for a morning swim and later Harris, who had no idea how to make scrambled eggs, tried his hand at it and failed miserably. They later arrive at Magna Carta island and J. mused about being a peasant at the time when King John signed the Magna Carta.

In Chapter 12, the men passed through Picnic Point where King Henry was known to have courted Anne Boleyn. J. spoke about the predicament of the locals who must have had a hard time giving privacy to the couple. He later added that it is indeed awkward walking in on couples who were “spooning”. They passed through the place where Earl Godwin was known to have choked after being accused of Edward the confessor’s brother’s murder. They finally came across a boy who offered them a place to stay in and they were grateful for it. After having forgotten the mustard at home, the trio settled for a can for pineapple to eat with lunch. They soon gave up after unsuccessfully trying to open the can. They passed by three old men fishing who cursed them because Harris’ poor steering disturbs the water. The friends decided to stay at an inn in Marlow that night.

In Chapter 13, the trio passed through Marlow, Bisham Alley and Medemenham where they came across an abbey where an order of prodigious monks once lived. During lunch, Montmorency got intimidated by a cat and its menacing stare. They stocked up on food in Marlow but they found it difficult to leave due to the large number of steam-launches in the water. Faced with a water shortage, the trio pondered about drinking the river water. They eventually ended up drinking some water from a nearby cottage which they thought was from the river as well. The day ended comically with Harris falling off the edge of a gulch and J and George thinking he was dead.

In Chapter 14, the men make Irish strew but they ended up over-peeling the potatoes. Montmorency caught a water rat which he thought could be added to the stew but the men declined. The stew turned out to be delicious. Startled by the tea-kettle, Montmorency attacked it. George’s dismal banjo playing was accompanied by Montmorency’s howling. This prompted the others to request him to never play again. It was mentioned that George was forced to have sold his banjo due to complaints from his landlady and the passersby. After a night out, George and J. forgot where the boat was docked. Eventually they followed Montmorency’s barks and found the boat. Harris narrated an incident where he single-handedly fought of a swarm of aggressive swans whose nest they disturbed.

In Chapter 15, the friends discussed who will tow the boat since it is the most strenuous job. They rowed the boat to Reading where J. would tow it for a while. Since J. had had some experience in rowing, he named the different types of rowing a boat as well as the common mistakes people make when they try rowing for the first time. He described punting as a type of rowing where the passenger propels the boat in the right direction pushing a long pole into the riverbed. He then warned them about the hazards of punting by recounting a story of a friend who was left clinging to the pole as the boat drifted away. He also mentioned another occasion when he and his friends heckled an amateur punter mistaking him for someone they knew. Harris added by narrating an incident where he held a person’s head under water thinking he was a friend. The chapter ends with J sharing another anecdote involving his friend Hector.

The men approach Reading in Chapter 16. J. mentioned that the now polluted and crowded Reading was once a popular destination for Londoners to escape the plague. They got a respite from rowing when an acquaintance with a steam-launcher helped them by towing their boat for miles. They saw the corpse of a woman floating in the water as they reached Goring. They took her to the coroner and found out that she had killed herself because she begot a child out of wedlock and her family abandoned her.

In Chapter 17, the men tried doing their laundry by washing their clothes in the river but they ended up making them even dirtier than before. They readily pay a washerwoman who charged three times the normal rate to wash their clothes since they were so dirty. Later, J. emphasized on the importance of lying about one’s fishing prowess. George and J. go to a pub in Wallingford. Three patrons tried to take credit for a large trout hanging on the wall. Each had his own story and an estimation of its weight. Their lie was exposed when George grabbed on to the trout to stop himself from tripping and ended up displacing it. It fell on the ground and shattered into pieces. It is then revealed that the fish was made of plaster of Paris.

Chapter 18, starts with J.’s discussion of the Thames without “its flower-decked locks”. He narrated another anecdote involving him and George in Hampton Court where a photographer took pictures of a steam-launch. He called out to the duo to stay away from the frame. In an attempt to keep their boat out of the frame, both fell with their feet up in the air. Their feet took up nine-tenths of the image and the annoyed owner of the steam-launcher refused to foot the bill.

In the 19^th Chapter, the trio went to Oxford. Montmorency also regaled himself by fighting with the other stray dogs. J. explained the logic behind why some people who vacation on the Thames start from Oxford and move down to London. It helped their boats to move along with the current. He said that the boats in Oxford are too bad to be rented hence it is important to bring one’s own boat. He recounted when he had once mistaken an Oxford boat for an ancient artifact. The incessant rains ruined their journey back from Oxford. They pass their time by playing penny nap and listening to George playing the banjo. Though he was ridiculed for his banjo-playing skills in a previous chapter, George rendered a mournful tune of “Two lovely black eyes”. This caused the other two to be more depressed. They aborted their trip and retired into an inn in Pangbourne where they regaled the guests with their adventures and misadventures
from the trip. In the end, they raised a toast their decision to abandon the trip. Montmorency barked in order to concede with the three.

The Bishop's Candlesticks
The Bishop's Candlesticks

6. Answer the following questions briefly

(a) Do you think the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars? Why/why not?

Ans  Yes, the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars because he was an ideal person. He could not bear the thought of an old and sick lady to be thrown out of the house due to non-payment of rent. He always helps people in times of need.

(b) Why does Persome feel the people pretend to be sick?

Ans. Persome felt people pretended to be sick so that the Bishop may be near them. She is pained to see that the entire humanity is turning upon them for charity and benevolence. She felt that people pretended to be sick and take undue advantage of the Bishop.

(c) Who was Jeanette? What was the cause of her death?

Ans. Jeanette was the convict’s wife. She died due to illness and starvation.

(d) The convict says, “I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff.” What does he mean by this statement?

Ans. The convict has suffered, he is embittered, he is experienced. So he couldn’t be tricked. He ordered the Bishop to stay put because he couldn’t trust anyone not to report to the police and get him arrested.

(e) Why was the convict sent to prison? What was the punishment given to him?

Ans.The convict was sent to prison for stealing a loaf of bread. He was sentenced to ten years in a prison hulk.

(f) Do you think the punishment given to the convict was justified? Why/ why not? Why is the convict eager to reach Paris?

Ans. The punishment given to the convict was not justified. It is too inhuman for someone who was caught stealing just to feed his sick wife. He was guilty of stealing only to feed his wife who was dying of starvation. But they showed him no mercy and treated him like a beast. They chained him like a wild animal, lashed him like a hound and fed him filth. He was covered with vermin and had to sleep on boards. This kind of treatment is inhuman and not justified.

The convict is eager to reach Paris because it was a big city and the Police would never be able to find him there. 

(g) Before leaving, the convict asks the Bishop to bless him. What brought about this change in him?

Ans. The Bishop’s benevolent, kind and caring attitude had brought about a change in the convict. That is why before leaving for Paris, he asks the Bishop to bless him.

Page No: 133
9. Identify the situations which be termed as the turning points in the convict's life?

Ans The Convict, when was caught and brought to the Bishop’s house, was asked to be released by the Bishop saying that he is a friend of him. The Bishop also gives him his mother’s only memory i.e. candle-sticks. This entire incidence makes convict believe that there still exists humanity. This is the turning point in the conv

Song Of The Rain

Song of the Rain

a) Why is the rain divine?
Ans. The rain appears to be divine because it comes down from heaven. The shimmering drops of rain look like silver threads dropped from heaven from the gods. Moreover, it is a life-giving force that elates and makes all flowers, fields and valleys smile.

(b) In this universe, rain performs many functions. What are those?
Ans. The functions which are performed by rain are:
→ Rain quenches the thirst of fields.
→ It fills fields and valleys with a new life.
→ It produces sweet music as it beats against windows and the leaves of trees.
→ It fills every heart with joy.

(c) "When I cry the hills laugh;
When I humble myself the flowers rejoice;
When I bow, all things are elated."
Cry, humble and bow indicate different intensity with which the rain falls. Explain the three in context.
Ans.  ‘Cry’ indicates that rain falls heavily on the hills.
'Humble' indicates that rain falls gently and softly
'Bow' indicates sprinkle of rain.

Page No: 92

(d) How do you think the rain quenches the thirst of the fields and cures clouds ailment?

Ans. When the rain falls it quenches the thirst of fields. The parched fields only wait for the rain. The rain cures the aliment of clouds. It means the clouds become heavy and want to burst. But when it rains, they empty themselves into showers and become light again to float in the sky.

(e) Think about million little ways in which the rain embraces the trees. Mention a few of them. a) Why is the rain divine?

Answer

The rain appears to be divine because it comes down from heaven. The shimmering drops of rain look like silver threads dropped from heaven from the gods. Moreover, it is a life-giving force that elates and smiles all flowers, fields and valleys.
(b) In this universe, rain performs many functions. What are those?

Answer

The functions which are performed by rain are:
→ Rain quenches the thirst of fields.
→ It fills fields and valleys with a new life.
→ It produces sweet music as it beats against windows and the leaves of trees.
→ It fills every heart with joy.

(c) "When I cry the hills laugh;
When I humble myself the flowers rejoice;
When I bow, all things are elated."
Cry, humble and bow indicate different intensity with which the rain falls. Explain the three in context.

Answer 

‘Cry’ indicates that rain falls heavily on the hills.
'Humble' indicates that rain falls gently and softly
'Bow' indicates sprinkle of rain.

Page No: 92

(d) How do you think the rain quenches the thirst of the fields and cures clouds ailment?

Answer 

Naturally, when the rain falls it quenches the thirst of fields. The parched fields only wait for the rain. The rain cures the aliment of clouds. It means the clouds become heavy and want to burst. But when it rains, they empty themselves into showers and become light again to float in the sky.

(e) Think about million little ways in which the rain embraces the trees. Mention a few of them.

Answer

The poet says that the rain falls embraces the trees in about million little ways. It is just a hyperbolic expression. The rain embraces the trees when the showers or drops of rain fall on them. The showers fall on the trees and go deep into their roots. Even, rivers, lakes and drains carry rain water that reaches plants and trees.

(f) "...All can hear, but only
The sensitive can understand”
What does the poet want to convey?

Answer 

According to the poet, everyone can hear its sound. But very few can sense or understand its blessed nature.Only a few like the poet are sensitive to the rain and are inspired by its every mood.

The poet, for example, appreciates its beauty and uses expressions like 'the sigh of the sea', 'the laughter of the field' and 'the tears from heaven' to describe the rain. 

(g) (i) Notice the imagery built around 'sigh of the sea', 'laughter of the field' and 'tears of heaven'. Explain the three expressions in context of rain.

Answer 

The poet has used vivid imagery throughout the poem to express the moods and nature of the Rain.

► When the poet calls the Rain “sigh of the sea”, there is a relief expressed in the lines. The sea is relieved and sighs that now that it has rained there will be fresh water brought to it by the rivers that run down the hills and mountains.
► The poet calls the Rain “a laughter of the field” because when it rains the fields are nourished and it is a sign that there will be fertility. So, it brings greenery and prosperity and raises the productivity. So, the fields are happy and they laugh and make merry.
► The Rain is also called “tears of heaven” as when those silver threads pour down from the sky’s tomb, it feels as if the heaven is crying, and those drops are delivered to the nature on the Earth by the hands of God.

(ii) How would you express rain as − an agent of floods?
− a source of water for dams?

Answer 

► an agent of floods- When there are heavy rains, especially during rainy season, the rivers overflow and break leaves, there is water logging and the areas below the sea level are submerged causing floods.
 ► a source of water for dams- Rains cause the gullies in the mountains to fill with the water, these act as tributaries to a river. Thus, the more tributaries a river has, the more water it will carry. Thus, the dam on the river will have a healthy amount of water in its reservoir. So, there will be a healthy output of electricity.

(h) "I am like earthly life … "
Why does the poet call rain as earthly life?

Answer 

Just like everything on earth is born and dies, so does rain. It is referred to as earthly life because it has beginning and comes to an end too. It begins at the bottom of the mad elements and ends under the lofted wings of death.

(i) Explain the ending of the song.

Answer 

At the end of the poem, the rain declares affectionately that it is the sigh of the deep sea, the laughter of the colourful fields and the tears of the sky. When the rain falls in the sea, it (the sea) sighs. When the rain falls on the fields and quenches their thirst, the fields rejoice, become colourful and feel happy. When the cloud bursts, it becomes rain. The cloud dies and the drops of rain (tears of the heaven) fall on the earth.

Answer The poet says that the rain falls embraces the trees in about million little ways. It is just a hyperbolic expression. The rain embraces the trees when the showers or drops of rain fall on them. The showers fall on the trees and go deep into their roots. Even, rivers, lakes and drains carry rain water that reaches plants and trees.

(f) "...All can hear, but only
The sensitive can understand”
What does the poet want to convey?
Ans.According to the poet, everyone can hear its sound. But very few can sense or understand its blessed nature .Only a few like the poet are sensitive to the rain and are inspired by its every mood.

The poet, for example, appreciates its beauty and uses expressions like 'the sigh of the sea', 'the laughter of the field' and 'the tears from heaven' to describe the rain. 

(g)  (i) Notice the imagery built around 'sigh of the sea', 'laughter of the field' and 'tears of heaven'. Explain the three expressions in context of rain.

Answer 

The poet has used vivid imagery throughout the poem to express the moods and nature of the Rain.

► When the poet calls the Rain “sigh of the sea”, there is a relief expressed in the lines. The sea is relieved and sighs that now that it has rained there will be fresh water brought to it by the rivers that run down the hills and mountains.
► The poet calls the Rain “a laughter of the field” because when it rains the fields are nourished and it is a sign that there will be fertility. So, it brings greenery and prosperity and raises the productivity. So, the fields are happy and they laugh and make merry.
► The Rain is also called “tears of heaven” as when those silver threads pour down from the sky it feels as if the heaven is crying, and those drops are delivered to the nature or the Earth by the hands of God.

(ii) How would you express rain as − an agent of floods?
− a source of water for dams?
Ans 
► an agent of floods- When there are heavy rains, especially during rainy season, the rivers overflow, there is water logging and the areas below the sea level are submerged causing floods.
 ► a source of water for dams- Rains cause the gullies in the mountains to fill with the water, these act as tributaries to a river. Thus, the more tributaries a river has, the more water it will carry. Thus, the dam on the river will have a healthy amount of water in its reservoir. So, there will be a healthy output of electricity.
(h) "I am like earthly life … "
Why does the poet call rain as earthly life?
Ans. Life is created by the coming together of five elements-air, earth, heat, water and wind. Similarly the rain is created when the earth and water are heated. Just like everything on earth is born and dies, so does rain. It begins at the bottom of the mad elements (stormy sky and wind) and ends under the lifted wings of death
.
(i) Explain the ending of the song.
Ans   At the end of the poem, the rain is filled with emotion as it remembers the endless memories that it has experienced like the sigh of the deep sea, the laughter of the fields and the tears of the sky.