Past, Present, Future
Chapter 1.1 — Paraphrase & Workshop Solutions
📜 Paraphrase of the Poem
The poet asks the smiling child what the past is like for him. The child replies that the past is like a soft and mild autumn evening, with a wind that sighs sadly.
The poet then asks the child his opinion of the present. The child replies that the present is like a green, flowery branch on which a young bird sits, gathering strength to fly away.
The poet asks the happy child about the future. The child replies that the future is like a mighty sea beneath a cloudless sun — powerful, glorious and shining brightly — stretching on without an end.
Read the poem aloud using proper rhythm and intonation.
Ans:Students must do this on their own, reading with the correct rhythm and expression.
Link the items in the three columns properly.
Ans:Find the meaning of the following words.
(i) thee
Ans:You.
(ii) mournfully
Ans:Sadly.
(iii) spray
Ans:A stem or small branch of a tree or plant, bearing flowers.
(iv) mighty
Ans:Possessing great power or strength; very powerful.
Write the adjectives that are used to describe the following.
Ans:| Word | Adjectives Used |
|---|---|
| (i) Evening | Soft and mild |
| (ii) Spray | Green and flowery |
| (iii) Sea | Mighty, glorious, dazzling |
Write one line about each of the following with the help of the poem.
(i) Wind in the autumn evening
Ans:The wind in the autumn evening sighs sadly.
(ii) Young bird on the spray
Ans:The young bird sits on the flowery plant, gathering strength to get up and fly away.
(iii) The sea
Ans:The mighty, glorious and dazzling sea stretches on without an end.
Study the definitions below, then find the three metaphors used in the poem.
Example: As tall as a tree. · As lovely as a flower.
Example: He is a gem of a person. · Time is money. · Books are our friends. · The clouds are white sheep.
There are three metaphors in the poem. Can you find them?
Ans: