Poem 5 On the Grasshopper and Cricket

Q1. Discuss with your partner the following definition of a poem. A poem is made of words arranged in a beautiful order. These words, when read aloud with feeling, have a music and meaning of their own.

Ans: Very true. Poetry differs from prose as it arranges the best words in a musical order. A poem, being short and musical, is easy to learn by heart and remember for a long time. When read aloud with feeling, the words create their music and meaning.

Q2. ‘The poetry of earth’ is not made of words. What is it made of, as suggested in the poem?

Ans: The poetry of earth is composed of the chirping of birds in trees and the sound of a grasshopper. They sing joyfully, creating a continuous melody without long pauses.

Q3. Find in the poem lines that match the following:
(i) The grasshopper’s happiness never comes to an end.
(ii) The cricket’s song has a warmth that never decreases.

Ans: (i) He has never done with his delights.
(ii) The cricket’s song in warmth increasing ever.

Q4. Which word in stanza 2 is opposite in meaning to ‘the frost’?

Ans: The word that is opposite in meaning to the frost in stanza 2 is warmth.

Q5. The poetry of earth continues round the year through a cycle of two seasons. Mention each with its representative voice.

Ans: The two main seasons in a year are summer and winter, each filled with unique sounds. In summer, the joyful voices of birds and grasshoppers fill the air, creating a lively atmosphere. In contrast, during winter, the cricket takes center stage as the primary singer, offering a warm melody amidst the cold.