1.

THE RAIN

Short Questions Notes

Q.1. How can a rainy day be enjoyed?
Ans: A rainy day can be enjoyed by listening to the sweet music which raindrops create. One can
enjoy the rainy day by watching the scene of rainfall.
Q.2. What would happen when the rain stops?
Ans: When the rain stops, The sun will shine bright and a wonderful light will fill every dark
drop. It will be a beautiful scene.
Q.3. What does the poet hope at the end of the poem?
Ans: The poet hopes that after the rain stops, the sun will come out. A pleasant change will occur
in the environment. Everything will have a new awesome look.
Q.4. What is the theme of the poem "The Rain"?
Ans: The theme of the poem is the rain is a blessing of God. It is necessary for the plants and
human being. The rain washes away the dust and the sunshine after the rain is a lovely scene.

Summary of the Poem 'The Rain'

W.H Davies is a famous English poet. He is known for his poetry about nature and hardships of
the poor. The poem, The Rain, is a beautiful poem on nature and natural scene. The poem is a
musical play of the rain, a great phenomenon of nature. The poem also carries symbolic
meaning. The poet says that he is hearing the rainfall on the rich leaves on the top. The upper
leaves get the raindrops first and quench their thirst. They are full of rain. The falling of
raindrops on the tight, stiff leaves on top creates sweet music.

When the rain will stop, the sun will shine out with all of its wonderful light. This light will fill
every dark drop. The drops will shine like pearls. In the end, the poet hopes that the sun will
shine brightly which will make the scene lovely.
The poem is also a metaphor. The rich leaves on the top symbolize the rich people in the society
who get the golden chance first and then whatever remains, pass down to the poor. The sunshine
also symbolizes the prevailing prosperity and happiness. The poet wants to convey a strong
message that every dark cloud has a silver lining. The poet hopes that the rain will stop and the
sun will come out. Hence, the end of the poem is quite optimistic.
Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem "The Rain" written by W.H Davies.

Context:
This is a beautiful poem by W. H Davies. The poet has beautifully sketched the scene of rain.
The poet is sitting beneath a tree listening to the sweet music of raindrops falling on the leaves.
The poet observes that the rain first fall on the rich leaves on the top and then rainwater falls on
the lower leaves drop by drop. The poet is hopeful that the rain will stop and the sun will shine
brightly.

2. THE NIGHT MAIL

Short Questions Notes

Q.1: What does the Nigh Mail bring?
Ans: It brings postal orders, cheques, and letters for the people of all the walks of life.
Q.2: What is the reaction of birds on the arrival of Night Mail?
Ans: The birds turn their heads to see the coach. They keep sitting in their nests in the bush.
They are not afraid at all.
Q.3: What is the effect of Night Mail on life in the farms?
Ans: Night Mail does not disturb the life in the farms. The people and animal in the farm know
her well. They are now familiar to the coach. So, they just keep on with their work when she
passes by.
Q.4: What is the reaction on sheep and dogs on the arrival of Night Mail?
Ans: The sheep and dogs do not bother to look at the train when she passes. They just keep
sleeping with their heads on their paws.
Q.5: From where does Night Mail pass?
Ans: She passes from plains and hills. She passes from the farms and cotton fields. She also
passes from moorland and miles of fields of wind-bent grass.
Q.6. What is the theme of the poem "Night Mail"?
The theme is the beautiful journey of the night mail and how it delivers to the people. It brings
different types of mail. It delivers the letters to everyone whether rich or poor. It travels through
different lands. It is very punctual. It creates great noise but does not disturb the life of animals
and human beings.

Summary of the poem Night Mail

In this poem, the poet has sketched the path of a coach called Night Mail. The poet narrates the
story of her travel through various places and the attitude of birds, dogs, sheep etc on her arrival.
The poem is simple and rhymic. The arrangement of rhymic words creates a sensational impact.
The poet says that Night Mail is coming. He is bringing postal orders, cheques, and
letters for all people. She is steadily moving in plain areas and pulls up its coaches on steep
paths. She reaches on time in spite of all the hurdles in the way. She passes the cotton fields and
moorland. She throws white steam across her shoulders and continues her journey. She makes
noise and passes through vast areas of bentgrass.
On her arrival, the birds turn their heads to look at her. They watch her passing but do not leave
their nests in the bushes. The dogs and sheep keep sleeping with their heads on their paws as
they know that they cannot change her course. They show no reaction at all.
She passes through farms where farmers and laborers are sleeping. Although she makes a loud
noise, no one wakes. These people have become habitual to this noise and they keep sleeping.
But a jug in the bedroom gently shakes.
Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem 'Night Mail' written by W.H. Auden.
Context:
The poem is about a Night Mail coach. The poet tells us how the coach passes through various
hilly and plain places but reaches on time. It brings the letters and other posts for the people.
Night Mail passes through fields but the life of the people and animals is not disturbed

3. LOVELIEST OF TREES THE CHERRY NOW

Questions Answers
Q1. What is the theme of the poem 'Loveliest of trees the cherry now'?
Ans: The theme has been given above.
Q.2. Describe the beauty of the cherry tree as described in the poem.
Ans: Cherry is covered with snow. It is totally white and looks graceful standing along the path.
It is full of bloom and its boughs are bending down with a load of bloom.
Q.3. What does the poet wishes in the last stanza?
Ans: The poet wants to spend his remaining life enjoying the beauty of the cherry tree. He
wishes to go to the woodland to see the cherry tree in bloom.

Loveliest of Trees the cherry now Theme

Cherry looks beautiful, especially in Spring. But life is too short to relish it. The poet says the
fifty years of age is not what would be sufficient to enjoy the beauty of nature. The poet says that
one should avail every opportunity to see the captivating beauty of Cherry tree standing in the
woods.

Loveliest of Trees the cherry now Summary

This is a beautiful poem by A.E Houseman. The poet is known for his love for nature and
romantic poetry. The poem, loveliest of trees the Cherry now, is also one of his poems written
about nature and natural objects. In this poem, the poet describes the beauty of the cherry tree
which is standing in the woods. The poet calls are the loveliest of all trees. Its branches are heavy
with bloom and are bending down the ground. It stands along the road in the forest. It is all
covered with snow. The poet says the cherry is wearing the Easter dress.
The poet says he has just seventy years old. His early twenty years of age which he has spent will
not come back. The rest of fifty years, he claims to have dedicated to seeing the beauty of the
cherry tree. He says the fifty years is very less time to fully enjoy the glory of Cherry. The poet
will avail himself of every chance he gets to visit woods to see the enchanting beauty of the
cherry tree. He will see the cherry hanging with snow whenever he gets a chance.

4. WHERE ARE YOU GOING

Questions Answers
Q.1. What does the fearer tell the farer?
Ans: The fearer tells the farer about the discomforts in the way. He tells him that there is no food
and water, there is darkness everywhere in the way. In this way, he tries to scare him.
Q.2. What are the qualities of the rider as described in this poem?
Ans: The rider is a brave and courageous person. He is optimistic and daring. He is a determined
and challenge-taking person.
Q.3. What is the significance of the title of the poem?
Ans: The title of the poem 'O Where are you going' gives us a message that there are always
such people as will scare you of the dangers in your way. They will ask you not to go there. They
will give you various negative remarks about your destination and journey. So, the title 'O Where
are you going is very significant in this regard.
Q.4. What does the reader tell the rider about the valley?
Ans: The reader is a timid and negative character. He tells the rider not to go there. He tells that
the valley is fatal. The furnaces burn there. There is Yonder's midden with its bad smell. He tells
that the whole you see is actually a grave where will be buried.
Q.5. What does horror say to hearer?
Ans: The horror tries to scare the hearer in various ways. He says that everything is strange
there. The trees are shapeless. The Angle of Death is coming behind you. He tells him that he has
a shocking disease.
SUMMARY
The poet has told us about two imaginary persons in various conditions. One is courageless and
timid while the other is brave and fearless. Through their imaginary talk, the poet has beautifully
conveyed to us the message of hope and determination. The poet has an inspirational tone which
motivates the readers to face the challenges of life boldly.
The theme of the poem may be described as:
The poem gives us an inspirational message that one who has the courage, can do whatever he
wants. No one can stop him. There are hurdles in the journey of life. There are dangers and fears
in your way. But if you do not give them much attention and keep going, you will reach your
destination safely. The poet has used many symbols, similes and metaphors in this poem.
 5. In the street of the fruit stalls

Questions Answers
Q.1. What are the feelings of the poet standing in the dark?
Ans: The poet is feeling the inner state of the children in the street eating juicy fruits. The poet
reflects that the children are a happy creature as they do not bother to worry about what is
happening in the world.
Q.2. Why has the poet used 'cannonballs' to describe the fruits?
Ans: The poet has used cannon balls to describe the fruits because they look like cannonballs in
the dim light of the lantern.
Q.3. What do the children do with the fruit?
Ans: They break the fruit and enjoy the taste of the fruit. They eat the fruit and its juice sticks to
their fingers and cheeks.
Q.4. What is the theme of the poem 'In the Street of the Fruit stalls"?
Ans: The poem is a symbolic presentation by Jan Stallworthy. The world is full of misery, war
threats and poverty. All these things cannot end man's love for pleasure. The children enjoy the
juicy fruits forgetting the miseries they live in. There is no limit to love for nature.
Summary:
The poem presents a picture of a dark street of fruit stalls. It is evening and the poet is standing
in the street of fruit stalls. The evening is cold and the fruit sellers are selling their fruits. They
have beautifully piled up their fruit in conical shape. The fruit reflects colours. The fruits look
like cannonballs in the dim light of the lantern.
When the children enter the lantern's orbit, the poet looks at their faces. They are happy with a
coin to spend. They are contented what they have. They see melon, guava, and other fruits and
their mouths begin to water. They pick up a fruit and break it open. The juice comes out and they
relish every drop of it. The juice also sticks to their fingers and cheeks. They are busy in their
enjoyment while the poet is standing, watching them. They do not notice the presence of the
poet.
The poem delivers a thoughtful message to the reader. The poet has beautifully described the fact
that joy has nothing to do with money. No one can buy joys. They are present everywhere. We
just have to overlook anxieties and worries. The life becomes pleasant.

6. A Sindhi Woman
In this poem, the poet pay attribute to a working woman of Karachi, Pakistan. He appreciates the
hard work and diligence of the woman. He praises her beauty, struggles against life, and
determination.
The poet sees the woman who is going through bazaar bare foot. She is walking impressively
and there is a rhythm in here movement that can be seen in her swaying body and floating dress.
The wind pushes the cloth from her face. She has a stone jar on her head which she is carrying to
her home. She walks as smoothly as the wave of a stream. The poet is impressed by her dignified
tread.
 Dignity has no price.
She is passing through a bad path which has stones, pieces of glass and bread and garbage. The
poet is standing in Karachi slums watching her going with graceful tread on an odd path. The
poet feels that his own body is bent by time but she is walking straight and erect. The poet
reflects that the people who face hardships and accept the challenges of life are strong and
straight.
Difficult roads often lead to a beautiful destination.
The poem tells us that difficult and active lifestyle strengthen our body and we become resistant
to negative development in our body. The people who do less work and sit idle becomes too
weak to keep themselves straight and walk with loads on their heads. The poet is inspired by the
Sindhi Woman.
Your life is your message to the world. Make sure it's Inspiring.

Question Answers
Q.1. What is the theme of the poem 'A Sindhi Woman'?
Ans: The Poem is an appreciation and admiration of a working woman of Karachi slums. Work
creates rhythms on life. Work keeps a person strong and vigilant. An idle person will soon decay.
This poem also portraits realistically the slums of Karachi in a few words. The poet praises a
woman who is walking softly holding her head straight.
Q.2. What is the main idea of the Poem A Sindhi Woman?
Ans: The main idea of the poem is that the people who are busy in their work lead a healthy and
enjoyable life. They become strong and do their work skillfully. The people who are lazy and do
little work face many physical problems.
Q.3. What did the poet reflect when he saw the woman?
Ans: The poet reflects that the people who learn to walk under the weight of life stand most
straight. He reflects that the people who carry weight on their heads are able to walk and stand
erect.
Q.4. What picture of Karachi slums do we get after reading the poem?
Ans: After reading the poem, we come to know that Karachi slums are dirty and uneven. There
is garbage, broken glass, pieces of bread and other rubbish on the paths.
Q.5. What qualities of Sindhi Woman impresses the poet?
Ans: The poet is impressed by the grace of the Sindhi woman. The poet is impressed by the way
she walks barefoot on unclean paths with a load on her head and then there is not a single ripple
in her tread.