Little by Little

About the poem

A.  Read to understand

1.   Complete the following summary of the poem with suitable words/phrases from the help box.

An acorn improves itself over the years as it lies buried in the earth. First, a root grows downwards. At the same time, a tiny shoot appears above the ground. Next, leaves appear on the shoot. Then, the branches spread far and wide. Thus, little by little, the acorn grows into a mighty oak. In a similar way, the boy in the poem plans to employ himself well so that he becomes a wise and useful man.

2.   Answer these questions.

      1.   What is the rule that the boy says he will keep in his mind?

      Ans. The rule that the boy says that he will keep in his mind is whatever he will do, he will do it well.

      2.   Mention any three things that the boy plans to do to become ‘a wise and useful man’.

      Ans. The three things that the boy plans to do to become ‘a wise and useful man’ are:

        a.   By not spending all his time in play.

        b.   By keeping in his mind that whatever he will do, he will do it well.

        c.   By acquiring treasured wisdom of long ago.

      3.   Identify the lines which suggest that our actions can make the world a better place.

      Ans. ‘Little by little’ I’ll learn to know

        The treasured wisdom of long ago;

        And one of these days, perhaps we’ll see

B.  Discuss

1.   Do you agree with the poet that the boy is ‘thoughtful’? Give a reason for your answer.

Ans. Yes, I agree with the poet that the boy is thoughtful because the boy always thinks about the different ways by which he can become a better and useful man in the society.

2.   Where can you acquire ‘the treasured wisdom of long ago’? How can that knowledge be helpful to you?

Ans. We can acquire the treasured wisdom of long ago through books based on moral values and success stories of great personalities. That knowledge can be helpful to us at every stage of our life. We can implement those moral values in our life and can learn so many things from the success journey of the famous personalities.

3.   Why do you think oak is considered the ‘forest’s pride’?

Ans. Oak is considered as the forest pride because oak is the powerful, strong and huge tree in the forest. The forest is proud to have such a powerful tree like oak.

4.   Share with your class how you plan to become wise and useful, and make the world a better place.

Ans. We can do the following things to become wise and useful.

i.             By taking advantage of the good books available to us.

ii.            By using our time wisely.

iii.          By doing everything in better possible way.

C.  Read to appreciate

Read the poem again and see how the poet ends every two successive lines in the poem with words that rhyme.

Write down any ten such pairs of rhyming words from the poem. Then, add one word of your own that rhymes with each pair.