News Break

Stanza One Stanza Three

Line Line Interpretation Line Line Interpretation
no. no.
1 Now why so loving, The persona (father/mother) is 1 No dropping of your Usually, the child would just drop
asking his/her child the reason for his/her schoolbooks when he/she
darling, school books,
being in a loving mood. gets home.
2 And why the sudden The child does not usually kiss 2 No shrieking, childish and would be making a lot of noise.
his/her parent, so the sudden kiss
kiss? treble.
is a surprise.
3 Today, you are a but today, he/she is very well
3 You’d help me with The persona is surprised that the
behaved – just like a lamb.
child wants to help him/her. lamb, love,
some little jobs?
4 Where yesterday a It was just yesterday when the
4 For goodness sake, The persona finds the child’s
child was behaving badly.
behaviour quite strange/not rebel.
what’s this?
normal.
Stanza Four
Stanza Two Line Line Interpretation
Line Line Interpretation no.
no. 1 But surely you’re The persona still cannot believe
1 Your face is clean for The child’s face is normally dirty that the child is very good today –
some stranger,
but not today. almost like a stranger.
once, dear.
2 No rage or The child is not angry or making a
2 Your clothes without His/her clothes are neat and not
fuss.
crumpled/creased. hullabaloo.
a crease.
3 Come closer, let me The persona asks the child to come
3 You saved your The persona is shocked that the
nearer to him/her.
child does not spend all the money look, dear,
luncheon money?
given to him/her to buy lunch. 4 Can this be REALLY Still, the persona cannot believe
4 Will wonders never The persona finds it amazing and the changes in the child today
you?
still cannot believe what he/she (sudden & drastic changes).
cease?
sees.
 Stanza Five Congratulations! You have finished reading the poem. Now, based on
Line Line Interpretation the poem, compare the child’s behaviour.
no.
1 Now were you struck The persona asks jokingly if the
child was struck by lightning
by lightning
(something very tragic or
dramatic).
2 Or were you stunned Or maybe the child was shocked or
surprised by bad sports news.
at sport?
3 Ah…now I see the Now, the persona realises the
reason for the child’s strange but
reason.
good behaviour today.
4 You’ve brought your The child has brought home
his/her school report, and from
school report!
his/her good behaviour, it seems
that he/she does not want to be
scolded by his/her parent.

Note : ‘darling’, ‘dear’ & ‘love’ are terms used by most parents when
talking to their children.

THEMES: 
 Honesty is the best policy
 Respect your parents
 Truth hurts but works

MORAL VALUES: 
 Honesty
 Respect
 Truthfulness

MORAL LESSONS:
 Always speak the truth
 Respect our parents
 Always be on our best behaviour
Present your views based on the two situations given. Present your views based on the two situations given.
PRACTICE 1 PRACTICE 1
STANZA 1 STANZA 1
1. Who is asking the question? 1. Who is asking the question?
2. How many questions are asked in this stanza? 2. How many questions are asked in this stanza?
STANZA 2 STANZA 2
1. Describe the child’s face. 1. Describe the child’s face.
2. Quote the line which shows that the child is being careful. 2. Quote the line which shows that the child is being careful.
STANZA 3 STANZA 3
1. List the things that the child would normally do when he/she 1. List the things that the child would normally do when he/she
got home. got home.
2. What does it mean when the persona/parent says that the 2. What does it mean when the persona/parent says that the
child is a lamb? child is a lamb?
STANZA 4 STANZA 4
1. What does the persona/parent ask the child to do? 1. What does the persona/parent ask the child to do?
2. Which line suggests that the persona/parent cannot believe 2. Which line suggests that the persona/parent cannot believe
what he/she sees? what he/she sees?
STANZA 5 STANZA 5
1. Which line suggests that the persona/parent has just realised 1. Which line suggests that the persona/parent has just realised
what is happening. what is happening.
2. What does the child bring back from school? 2. What does the child bring back from school?
PRACTICE 2
1. Describe the persona’s feelings when he/she says “For
goodness sake, what’s this?” in Stanza 1.
2. What would the child normally do with his/her luncheon
money?
3. Give an example of what the child did when the persona says
“Where yesterday a rebel”.
4. Why does the persona feel that the child is a stranger?
5. What do you think the child would say to his/her parent when
he/she gives the school report?
6. Describe your own feelings every time you give your school
academic report to your parents.
7. Do you think examinations are important for students? Give
two reasons.
8. Why are parents concerned about their children’s studies?
9. Suggest two ways students can follow in order to get success
in their studies.
10. What is your ambition? Give a reason.
PRACTICE 2
1. Describe the persona’s feelings when he/she says “For
goodness sake, what’s this?” in Stanza 1.
2. What would the child normally do with his/her luncheon
money?
3. Give an example of what the child did when the persona says
“Where yesterday a rebel”.
4. Why does the persona feel that the child is a stranger?
5. What do you think the child would say to his/her parent when
he/she gives the school report?
6. Describe your own feelings every time you give your school
academic report to your parents.
7. Do you think examinations are important for students? Give
two reasons.
8. Why are parents concerned about their children’s studies?
9. Suggest two ways students can follow in order to get success
in their studies.
10. What is your ambition? Give a reason.