The poem “Wind” is included in the Class 9 English textbook Beehive, which is part of the CBSE syllabus. We are giving here answers and solutions to textbook exercises: Click here for more Materials on Class 9 English .
Textbook Exercise: Poem ‘Wind’
Thinking about the Poem
I. 1. What are the things the wind does in the first stanza?
Ans. In the first stanza, the wind is described as doing the following things:
- Breaking the shutters of the windows.
- Scattering the papers.
- Throwing down the books on the shelf.
- Tearing the pages of the books.
- Bringing rain.
2. Have you seen anybody winnow grain at home or in a paddy field? What is the word in your language for winnowing? What do people use for winnowing? (Give the words in your language, if you know them.)
Ans. Winnowing is a process of separating grain from chaff or debris by tossing it into the air and allowing the wind to blow away the lighter unwanted particles. In different languages, winnowing is referred to by various terms.
Yes, I have seen many women winnow grain in villages as well rural areas. ‘Fatakna’ or ‘Osaana’ are the words in my language for winnowing. People in villages use ‘chaaj’ or winnowing fan for winnowing the grain.
3. What does the poet say the wind god winnows?
Ans. The poet suggests that the wind god winnows or sifts away various things, including:
- Frail crumbling houses
- Crumbling doors
- Crumbling rafters
- Crumbling wood
- Crumbling bodies
- Crumbling lives
- Crumbling hearts
4. What should we do to make friends with the wind?
Ans. To make friends with the wind, the poet advises building strong homes, joining doors firmly, strengthening the body, and making the heart steadfast. By taking these actions, we can withstand the force of the wind and live in harmony with it.
5. What do the last four lines of the poem mean to you?
Ans. In the last four lines of the poem, the poet encourages us to face the hardships of life with courage. He compares the wind to the hardships of life, saying that the wind blows out weak fires but strengthens the stronger ones. Similarly, misfortunes in life can weaken the weaklings, but they do strengthen the strong. Therefore, if we want to be strong in the face of adversity, we must make friends with the wind, or the hardships of life. This means that we must learn to face our challenges head-on and not let them defeat us.
Here is a more detailed explanation:
- The poet uses the metaphor of the wind to represent the hardships of life. The wind is a powerful force that can be destructive, but it can also be a force for good. It can blow down weak structures, but it can also help to spread seeds and pollinate plants.
- The poet says that the wind blows out weak fires, but it strengthens the stronger ones. This means that the hardships of life can weaken those who are not strong, but they can also strengthen those who are.
- The poet encourages us to make friends with the wind, or the hardships of life. This means that we should learn to face our challenges head-on and not let them defeat us. If we do this, we will become stronger and more resilient.
Sort Answer:
The last four lines of the poem mean that the wind is a good friend to those who are strong and steadfast. It blows out weak fires, but it makes strong fires roar and flourish.
6. How does the poet speak to the wind — in anger or with humour? You must also have seen or heard of the wind “crumbling lives”. What is your response to this? Is it like the poet’s?
Ans. The poet speaks to the wind angrily, describing the destruction that it can cause. However, the wind is not just a symbol of destruction. It is also responsible for bringing rain, which is essential for life. In addition, wind energy can be harnessed for beneficial purposes, such as turning windmills and generating electricity.
The poet’s anger is understandable. Strong winds can cause a great deal of damage, both to property and to life. They can destroy homes, businesses, and even entire communities. They can also cause injuries and deaths.
However, the wind is not always destructive. It can also be a force for good. It can help to disperse pollutants, cool the air, and even pollinate plants. In addition, wind energy can be a clean and renewable source of power.
The poet’s poem reminds us that the wind is a powerful force that can have both positive and negative effects. We should respect the wind and be aware of its potential for destruction. However, we should also appreciate its power to bring life and energy to the world.
Here are some additional points:
- The wind can be a symbol of both strength and weakness. It can knock down trees and buildings, but it can also help to disperse seeds and pollen.
- The wind can be a source of both fear and excitement. It can be a destructive force, but it can also be a source of inspiration.
- The wind is a reminder of the power of nature. It is a force that we cannot control, but we can learn to live with and respect.
Short Answer:
The poet speaks to the wind with a mixture of anger and humour. He is angry at the wind for its destructive power, but he also finds it humorous that the wind is so good at poking fun at weaklings. The poet’s response to the wind “crumbling lives” is one of sadness and compassion. He knows that the wind can be a destructive force, but he also knows that it can be a force for good.
II. The poem you have just read is originally in the Tamil. Do you know any such poems in your language?
Ans. I know a poem that is in my language Hindi.
Poem: Hawa Hu, Haw Main (हवा हूँ, हवा मैं) by Kedarnath Aggarwal