In the Midst of Hardship

by Latiff Mohidin

At dawn they returned home

their soaky clothes torn
and approached the stove
their limbs marked by scratches
their legs full of wounds
but on their brows
there was not a sign of despair

The whole day and night just passed

they had to brave the horrendous flood
in the water all the time
between bloated carcasses
and tiny chips of tree barks
desperately looking for their sons
albino buffalo that was never found
They were born amidst hardship
and grew up without a sigh or a complaint
now they are in the kitchen,
making jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves

1. When did the people in the poem return home?

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2. Describe the conditions of the people in this poem.
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3. Where do they go to in the kitchen?
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4. Despite the conditions of the people in the above poem, did they give up? Which line tells
you this?
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5. What do you understand by but on their brows, there was not a sign of despair?


6. What natural disaster had occurred to the place?

7. Name the animal that had gone missing in this poem.

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8. Do you think the people in the poem are rich? Justify your answer with evidence from the
poem?
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9. Why do you think the people are desperately looking for the lost animal?
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10. Which expression suggests that the animals did not survive?

11. Do you think the people here are hopeful and optimistic? Justify your answer.
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12. What can you learn from this poem?

13. What is different about the animal?

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14. If you were born in family which has to face hardship, how do you feel? What would you
do to make your life better?
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