VOICE OF GOD

Central Idea
In this poem the poet wants to say that if someone wants to be close
to God, he/she should not aloof himself from people. God loves
those who love his creation

Stanza:
I sought to hear the voice of God
And climbed the topmost steeple
But God declared: “Go down again,
I dwell among the people”.

Reference to context:

These lines have been taken from the poem “The Voice of God”
written by Louis I. Newman. In this poem poet tells that God is
present everywhere. The best way to serve God is to serve human
being.

Explanation: In these lines poet says that he wanted to make

conversation with God. In this connection he went up the tower of
church. When he reached at the top of the tower God asked him to
go down, because he (God) lives among the people. The best way to
find him is to serve humanity.
Q.1: What does the poet mean to say I dwell among the people”?

Ans: God loves all His creatures specially man most of all. Man is
his most beloved creation. Therefore, we should not separate
ourselves from people.

Q.2: Why did God tell the poet to go down again?

Ans: To love one’s fellowmen is the best way to win God’s love.
God loves those people who are caring and loving to other people. If
we want to be close to God, we should love people and help them.
God does not like those people who hate others and avoid them.

Q.3: Why did the poet climb the steeple?

Ans: The poet climbed the steeple to be close to God. The poet
thought that by climbing up the steeple he would be very near to
God. However, we can be close to God only by serving other people.
Service is worship. To love and care for people is the best way to be
close to God.

Q.4: What is the message of the poem “The Voice of God”?

Ans: The message of the poem is that we should be very friendly and
loving to other people. This is one of the best things that a man can
do. God is happy with that person who takes care of and serves
mankind.

Q.5: What do you learn about the poet after reading the poem?

Ans: The poet seems to be a good and religious person and he had a
natural bent towards religion. He also seems to be very caring for
people and wants others to do the same. He thinks that this is the
best way to win God’s love.

Q.6: Write something about the poet of the poem “The Voice of
God”.

Ans: The poet of the poem “The Voice of God was Louis 1.
Newman. He was an American poet. After doing his Ph.D. from
Brown University, he started teaching at Columbia. He wrote many
books on religious subjects. The poem “The Voice of God clearly
shows his religious bent of mind.

SUMMARY
The poet, louise I Newman says that he had a strong desire of
hearing the voice of God, to fulfill this purpose he climbed the
topmost part of a religious building, but when he reached their God
ordered him to descend saying that if he wanted to find him, he
should search him among the people because He (God) lives
among the human being. This poem conveys us this message that the
best way of meeting God is serving the humanity. This means that
the best form of worship is serving the suffering humanity If he
wanted to find him, he should search him among the people because
He (God) lives among the human being.

SUMMARY (The Wise Caliph)

Caliph Haroon-ur-Rasheed was a wise Muslim king
of Baghdad. One day when he was holding court, Qazi of the
city brought a disputed case before him. In fact two
persons claimed the same horse. One of them was a beggar
while other was a rich man. Qazi was unable to decide the
case, so he brought it before the caliph for decision.

Caliph Haroon-ur-Rasheed asked the rich man for

presenting facts. The rich man told him that, while he was
riding to the city on the horse, the lame fellow made a request
to him for lift up to the city gate. When they reached the city
gate, the beggar refused to get down and claimed that
horse was his.

Then the beggar told his story. He said that, as he was

riding his horse to the city that morning, the rich man tried to
borrow his horse. As he was stranger for him, so he could not
lend him his horse, but gave him ride up to the city gate. On
reaching the city gate rich man refused to get down
and claimed that horse was his.

Caliph Haroon-ur-Rasheed asked both of them to touch the

horse, one by one. At first the beggar touched the horse. On
his touch it winced, the horse expressed its pleasure by
neighing when the rich man touches it. The caliph gave his
decision that horse belonged to rich man.

SUMMARY
TEACHING
A teacher has a high regard because he fulfils God’s command to
read. A good teacher is one who remains a student forever, He has a
thirst for knowledge. Before teaching others, he must gain
knowledge first, He prefers the welfare and progress of his students
to his own interests, He practices himself what he preaches.
Moreover, the most elegant quality of a teacher is that he takes keen
interest in learning from every source. He does not hesitate in
capturing knowledge from every point in life. He does not keep
himself committed to the books only, but tries to gain knowledge
from everyone, even those are younger or less gifted than himself. It
means that he remains student forever. So, the good teacher is one
who is enthusiastic for gaining knowledge from every source of life.

FISHING:
Fishing is an important profession. In Pakistan both marine and fresh
water fishing are done. Fresh water fishes are small and tasty. The
government is modernizing the fishing industry in Pakistan.
Fishermen are given loan to buy bigger boats and better nets: The
byproducts of fish are glue. manure and liver oil. However, water
pollution is causing great damage to aquatic life especially to fishes.
LITTLE THINGS

1-Explain the main idea of the poem in your own words.

Ans: We should not look down upon little things. Everything has its
importance, how little it may be. As we see every big and great thing
is made up of little things. An ocean is made up of little drops of
water. Little grains of sand make a big desert. In the same way little
errors become big sins. Little deeds of kindness and love console the
hearts and bring happiness in this world.

2-How do little deeds of kindness make our life happy?

Ans: Little deed of kindness and little words of love though little in
it selves, but they have much importance in spreading a pleasant
influence. They may make happy the gloomy hearts. They may
console the broken hearts. They may make smile the weeping
persons. They can make us dear to even our enemies and thus make
this world a happy place to live in.
3) Write five lines about a little out of kindness done by you, and the
result of it?
Ans. Once a poor woman came to my house. She asked us about
some money because her only son was in the hospital and she
needed the money to buy medicines for him. My mother did not
believe on her story but I offered my whole collection of the year
which was about 800 to 900 rupees. In return, the woman gave me
so much prays that I felt very happy on my act.
Sentences
To make fun of – We should not make fun of poor because they are
also human beings alike
To make room – The conductor was trying to make room for
incoming passengers inside the bus
To make money – Most of the people spend their lives in making
money other than doing good deed.
To make a mistake – Aslam is making a mistake by choosing
Qurban as his partner.
To make up – I’ve made up my mind to go to England for higher
studies after the matriculation exam.

Use of made of
That house is made of brick
This cushion is made of foam rubber.
These machines are made of steel.

Idioms
1.  To make the most of
Meaning: To take the fullest advantage of the circumstances
Sentence: he led me use his bicycle for a month so I’m going to
make the most of it.

2.  To make the both ends meet

Meaning: To be able to live within one’s income.
Sentence: I had to take up a part time job to be able to make the both
ends meet.
3. To make one’s mouth water
Meaning: To cause someone to desire something intensely,
especially food.
Sentence: As soon as we got the smell of food, it made our mouth
water.
STANZAS & EXPLANATION
1. Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean,
And the pleasant land.
Reference to context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Little things” written by
an American poetess Julia Carney. In this poem poetess tries to tell
that little things are very important because every big thing is made
of little things.
Explanation:
In these lines poetess tells that little drops of water separately have
no importance but when they are together they make big and
powerful oceans. In the same way this beautiful land of ours is made
by small grains of sand.

2. Little deeds of Kindness,

Little words of love,
Make our world an Eden
Like the Heav’n above.
Explanation:
In these lines poetess says that if we speak small words of sympathy
and love and do little works of kindness. It is sure that this world
will be as peaceful and pleasant as the garden of paradise
named Eden.

SUMMARY
In this poem the poetess is explaining that how little things have
great importance in life. She expresses some factors of the universe
that little drops of water make huge oceans and tiny sand particles
make the beautiful lands, this is really a heart touching poem, that
the little moments of life, even as small as humble they may be
collectively turn into ages and these ages make eternity of the whole
life time. She uses easy and friendly words but these words have
great meaning and impact on us and illuminate a most neglected
truth of life. Julia A. Carney has given us the spectacular explanation
that even tiny mistakes create a huge difference in life our little
errors and mistake lead the soul away from the righteous path
towards sins and wrong doings, so we should prevent ourselves from
doing even a tiny mistake and with our little deeds of kindness and
little words of love we can make the earth like the heaven and a
better place to live in.
A Visit-

Q.1 Why were Mr. Ahmed’s pupil excited?

Ans. Mr. Ahmed’s pupils were excited because they were given a
day off to visit a Model Agricultural Farm. They were naturally very
excited.

Q.2 What surprised the boys when they reached the model farm?

Ans. When the boys reached the farm, they were surprised to see
such a vast area of farm. They were also astonished to see
mechanized farm.

Q.3 What is the name of the machine working in the wheat field?

Ans. The name of the machine working in the wheat field is

“Combine”. Its function is to harvest the crop and tied it into
sheaves.

Q.4 What does a thresher do?

Ans. A Thresher chaff from the grain. From one side of the machine,
a golden rain of sweet smelling machine comes out while from other
end the chaff comes out.

Q.5 How are ploughing, seeding and harvesting done on the model
farm?

Ans. On the model farm, ploughing is done by tractors. The sowing

machine is used for the purpose of seeding whereas harvesting is
done by Combine.

Q.6 How much work can one man do on the machine?

Ans. Machines have made the work easy for the farmer. That’s why
a man can do the work of almost hundred men with the help of
machines.

Q.7 What is an average produce from and ordinary farm? What is

the produce per hectare on the model farm?

Ans. The average produce from an ordinary farm is 13 to 20

quintals. Whereas average produce per hectare on the model farm is
60 to 70 quintals.

Q.8 Why is the is difference in the output of the two?

Ans. There is a difference in the output of the two because of the
machines used in model farm. The use of modern machinery and
chemical, fertilizers in model farm has made work feasible for
farmers. Moreover, spray of pesticides / insecticides and continuous
supply of water has helped to increase the work output.

Q.9 What do they do to kill germs and insects?

Ans. They spray pesticides and insecticides for the prevention of

germs and insects. This process includes washing of tree trunks with
lime water and removal of wild grass and weeds.
Q.10 What do they grow on the model farm?

Ans. They grow wheat, maize, cotton, sugarcane and gram.

Moreover, they also grow vegetables and they also have a large
orchard, where they grow mangoes and oranges.

Q.11 Why were the boys surprised on the vegetable farm?

Ans. The boys were surprised on the vegetable farm to see the
vegetable growing out of the season on the vegetable form. They do
it by the usage of chemical fertilizers; plentiful supply of water and
by the help modern machine.

Sentences

1. Planning – I am planning to take computer classes in the summer

vacations.
2. Model – The engineer presented a new model of car in the
seminar.
3. Irrigate – The farmer has dug the canals to irrigate his land.
4. Plentiful – I’ve got plentiful amount of money to spent on you.
5. Harmful – Pollution is a very harmful disease for this world.

Complete the following Sentences

1. The Headmaster had allowed them a day’s outing.

2. Mr. Haroon received them at the gate and showed them around.
3. With one sweep it seemed to eat up a large area.
4. The pupils watched the working of the machine
with keen interest.
5. No, certainly not.
6. The sowing machine sows, the seed well.
7. No seed goes waste.
8. We use chemical fertilizers to enrich the soil.
9. The visitors were surprised to see growing there such vegetables
as were out of season.
10. He offered the boys fresh tomatoes and cucumbers.
Composition

1. Narrate in your own words how they get so much produce per
hectare on the model farm.

The farmers are able to grow an abundant produce on the model

farm because of the modern techniques. They use modern machines,
which can perform the work of hundred men. Along with, fertilizers
are being used on a vast scale in the farm, so that better and finer
crops can be grown. Moreover, spray of pesticides/insecticides and
non-stop supply of water has helped to increase the work output.

2. Write the sentences to show whether modern methods of

farming are better nor the old ones.

Machines and techniques have made the profession farming easy for
the farmers. Modern methods are better than the old ones because
they are more easy to operate than the old methods.

They have increase the feasibility of work, because of mechanized

means. In this way, one machine can do the work of hundred men.
The old methods worked very slow and took a long time of the
farmer. But today, the time is also saved and good crops can be
grown. Today chemical fertilizers are being used in crops on vast
scale, along with pesticides. These salts provide extra enrichment to
the crops and protect them from diseases. In this manner better crops
could be grown.

Grammar
Use Adjectives in your sentences.
1. Pleasant – This perfume gives a very pleasant smell.
2. Interesting – Physics is an interesting subject.
3. Huge- Sun is very huge as compared to our earth.
4. Vast – Arrangement have been made on vast scale for the
prevention of crimes in the country.
5. Large – This exercise is very large.

Convert the following into Direct Speech.

Mr. Hasan told the visitors that the farm had been doing so well
that they had decided to add a dairy to it. There, Finest cows and
buffaloes would be kept. The farm would use an electric milker to
milk the animals Modern Machinery would make cream and
butter.
Mr. Hasan said to the visitors “The farm has been doing so well that
we have decided to add a dairy to it. Here, finest cows and buffaloes
will be kept. The farm, will use an electric milker to milk the
animals. Modern machinery will make cream and butter.”

Idioms

1. Get rid of – I got rid of problem by my father.

2. Get at – He get at the point after listening the mystery.
King Faisal 

CHAPTER – 6
Question and Answers
Q.1 When was King Faisal born?
Ans. The Late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia was born in 1907. He
was the second son of King Abdul Aziz Ibn Sa’ud.
Q.2 From whom did he receive his religious education?
Ans. King Faisal belonged to a noble and religious family so the
received his religious education from his maternal grandfather
Sheikh Abdullah Bin Latif.
Q.3 When was Faisal made the King?
Ans. Faisal was made King after the illness of his elder brother King
saud in 1964. The council of Ministers chose him as a king because
of his wisdom and intelligence.
Q.4 How did Faisal rule Saudi Arabia?
Ans. Being an able ruler and possessing great qualities of leadership,
Faisal ruled Saudi Arabia wisely and justly Saudi Arabia was
polished under his rule because of his sincere leadership and love for
his country. He did his best for the development of the country.
Q.5 How did he developed his country?
Ans. Keeping a vast governing experience, Faisal took all necessary
steps to develop his country. He spends a lot of money to promote
his people and provided the basic amenities of life to the people at
their footsteps. He setup new industries and mills, provided the
education with stipends and took every step to increase mineral oil’s
production, which is the main source of income. Vast areas deserts
were irrigated and brought under cultivation.

Q.6 What were the feelings of King Faisal about Pakistan?

Ans. King Faisal was a sincere friend and well-wisher of the people
of Pakistan. He showed his sincerity on several occasions by
providing all-out metal and material support. He felt deeply on the
separation of Pakistan. He was the one who gave the “Castle of
Islam” to Pakistan and his name shall live forever in the hearts of
Pakistan.
Q.7 Why was King Faisal against the State of Israel?
Ans. King Faisal was against the state of Israel, because of its
enmity towards the Arabs. Infact, he was aware of the aggressive
designs of European block, that why he condemned the illegal
occupation of Israel. He demanded that the previous state of
Jerusalem should be restored i.e. to be given under the control of
Muslims as a holy Islamic city.
Q.8 What did Faisal do for the Arabs in their war against Israel?
Ans. Faisal made every possible effort to get back the Arab
territories and provided full financial support to Arabs. He never
recognized the state of Israel and did not establish any kind of
relation with it at any level. He was the one who introduce the Arabs
as a community.
Q.9 When was King Faisal killed?
Ans. King Faisal was killed by a wicked nephew of his on 25th
March, 1975. Actually he was murdered by a skillful fabricated plan.
Q.10 How did the Muslims feel over his death?
Ans. The Muslims felt deep sorrow over his death. Pakistan now in
his death as one of their family members had died. His name shall be
written in the letters of gold and will be remembered forever.

Sentences
1. Education – Islam makes it compulsory for all humans to acquire
education.
2. Govern – The President governs the country with an iron hand.
3. Gain – Aslam gained a good profit in his joint venture.
4. Spread – Newspaper are the best media to spread the messages of
Government.
5. Affair – This affair is keeping him occupied.

Complete the following sentences

1. Faisal started taking interest in the affairs of the state.
2. He received religious education from his maternal grandfather.
3. He was made governor of Hijaz when he was only twenty.
4. He helped his father in governing the country.
Composition
1. King Faisal
King Faisal had a royal background that’s why from the very
beginning he was aware from the art of governing. Due to his
intelligence, he was made P.M. in early age. He was a very sincere
and true leader. He made the correct usage of all sources of income.
He used mineral oil as a weapon for Arab to fight with the European
block. he was aware of the aggressive plans of non-Muslims, that’s
why he openly declared it to the Muslim World. He also gave the
solution by awaking the need of unity among the Muslims. he was
only leader who recognized the Arabs as a community in the World.
Now, he is no more but his efforts shall be remembered forever.

2. King Faisal’s Efforts to Unite the Muslims

To create unity among Muslims and to unite them on one platform,
was the main aim of King Faisal. He realized that only solution to
the problems which the Muslims world is currently facing lies in the
unity among the Muslims. He provokes the need of brotherhood
among the Muslims. He gave the idea and practically hold the
Islamic Summit conferences in which all the problems were
discussed at Length. he always supported the Muslims at their hard
times which created an exemplary effect on the Muslims. The best
example is his continuous struggle against the Israeli occupation of
the Arab Territories. Infact, he chose the right path to save the
Muslims from devastation.
Idioms
1. go into – He goes into trouble through his foolishness.
2. go through – Have you gone through my report card?
3. go together – My opinion about this matter does not go together
with yours.
Grammar
Nouns
1. Born – Birth
2. Educate – Education
3. Resign – Resignation
4. Move – Movement
5. Rule – Ruler
6. Govern – Government
7. Serve – Service
8. Visit – A Visit
9. Die – Death
10. Develop – Development

SUMMARY
Shah Faisal of Saudi Arabia was born in 1907. He received religious
education from his maternal grandfather Shaikh Abdullah bin Abdul
Latif. He had qualities of heart and head. He started his career as
governor of Hijaz. Then he was appointed foreign Minister and
Prime Minister. When his elder brother falls seriously ill he was
chosen as king by the Council in 1964. He liked his people and ruled
the country in very successful manner. He increased the produce of
petroleum for development of his country. He established various
factories in his country. He opened schools and hospitals. He
brought vast area of desert under cultivation.
As he was true Muslim, so his strong desire was to unite Muslims of
the world. He tried his best to achieve that goal. He was against the
state of Israel and helped the Arab countries in their war against
Israel.
King Faisal was sincere friend of Pakistan. He always
helped Pakistan in difficult times. He was killed by his nephew
on 25 March 1975. His death was mourned by the entire Muslim
world.

FROM THE RAILWAY CARRIAGE

Q.1: What do you know about Robert Louis Stevenson?
Ans: Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish poet, novelist and
essayist. He was born in Edinburgh in 1850 and died in 1894. His
famous novels are Treasure Island, Kidnapped and Dr. Jekyll and
Mr, Hyde. Robert louis Stevenson loved children and understood
them.
Q.2: What does the poet see from a railway carriage?
Ans: The poet sees a changing scene from the railway carriage. He
sees a large number of things, which include: bridges, houses,
ditches, meadows, horses, cattle, hills, plains, painted stations, cart, a
child, a tramp, mills and rivers, etc.
Q.3: What pleasure does the railway journey give to the poet?
Ans: The poet enjoys watching the natural scene from the railway
carriage. His railway journey becomes a source of great happiness
for him. The railway journey gives him great pleasure.
Q.4: Who is a tramp? What was the tram doing when the railway
carriage passed?
Ans: A tramp is a wandering person who goes from place to place on
foot and does not do regular work. The tramp was standing idly. He
was gazing at the passing railway carriage.
Q.5: What was the child doing?
Ans: The child was clambering and scrambling. He was all alone. He
was busy gathering the brambles.
Q.6: What was the Cart’s scene?
Ans: The cart was running away on the road. It had a load and a man
was also sitting in the cart. The cart was lumping along due to
heavy load on it.
Q.7: What is the message of the poem from a Railway Carriage?
Ans: The message of the poem is that a railway journey is a source
of happiness. It presents a constant changing scene. It provides a
chance to see natural beauty and to enjoy watching them.

STANZAS & EXPLANATIONS

1-Faster than fairies, Faster than witches,
Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches;
And charging along like troops in a battle,
All through the meadows the horses and cattle.
Reference to context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “From a Railway
Carriage” written by Robert Louis Stevenson. In this poem poet
shares his experience of a railway journey with us. He describes its
speed is very amazing. He presents natural scenes seen from the
window of a railway carriage.
Explanation:
Poet says that train runs more quick than the fairies can fly or the
witches can move. When train advances forward it seems as the
soldiers are attacking enemy in a battle field. The train rushes on
leaving bridges, houses, fences and ditches behind. It also leaves
behind the green fields where horses and Cattle were grazing.
2-All of the sights of the hill and plain
Fly as the thick as driving rain;
And ever again, in the wink of an eye,
Painted stations whistle by.
Explanation:
Poet says that all the scenes of hill and plain were being crossed by
train as quick as one drop of rain follows another drop in a storm.
Again and again in very short moment train was crossing stations
with a whistle. From the window of compartment of train, buildings
of stations were seemed as painted pictures.

3-Here is a child who clambers and scrambles;

All by himself and gathering brambles;
Here is a tramp who stands and gazes;
And there is green for stringing the daisies.
Explanation:
In these lines poet says that from the window of the compartment of
train he sees a child climbing a steep ground by himself with
difficulty. The child was also gathering black berries during
climbing. Poet sees a homeless person who was looking at the train
with amazement. He also sees some ladies in a common village
grassy land, they were making garlands of daisy flowers.
4. Here is a cart run away in the road,
Lumping along with man and load;
And here is a mill and there is a river;
Each a glimpse and gone forever!
Explanation:
Poet says that he sees a cart moving slowly in the middle of a
highway it was full of load and a cart driver was sitting on the top of
the load. He sees a water mill and river while travelling in the train.
All these objects appeared and then disappeared so quickly that poet
looked at them for very brief time and they can never be seen again.
SUMMARY
In this poem poet shares his experience of his first railway journey.
He has been amazed by the speed of the train. He says that speed of
train is faster than the speed of fairies and witches. It runs so fast that
the bridges, houses, rows of thorny plants and ditches pass by in a
moment.

It goes forward as quickly as army soldiers attack the enemy in the

battle field. The train runs through common grassy lands where
horses and cattle are grazing. All the sights pass as quickly as drop
of rain follows another drop. Many colourful buildings of stations
appear and disappear in a glance due to the speed of train.

Poet sees a child climbing up steep ground. He moves with difficulty

and gathers black barries. He also sees a homeless person looking at
the train with amazement. He sees some ladies making garlands of
daisies in a common grassy village land. In the middle of road there
was cart with load. Due to heavy load it was moving awkwardly.
The cart man was sitting on the load. He also sees a river and a floor
mill. All these scenes appeared and disappeared in a very short
moment.

THE NATION STRENGTH

In this poem the poet tells about the secret of a nation’s greatness.
He says that greatness of nation does not depend upon heaps of
wealth or gold. He says that real strength of a nation lives in the men
of character. These men up hold the cause of honor and truth, they
remain united and face hardships for long period of time. Such men
are brave, truthful, steadfast, self-respecting and hard working. They
do not care about their personal loss. They sacrifice their personal
interest in the larger interest of their nation. They work while others
enjoy a sound sleep. They bear every trial with courage. They dare
and remain steadfast while others run away. They lay the foundation
of a nation very deep. Then they take nation to the highest point of
glory.

Q.1: What kind of men can lift their country to the sky?

Ans: Brave men who dare while others fly. Men who work while
others sleep. Men who for truth and honor's sake stand fast and
suffer long. In brief, men of character can lift their country to the
sky.

Q.2: What is a nation’s strength?

Ans: A nation’s strength is not gold or wealth. A nation’s strength

depends only on its people. However, those people must be men of
character They must be brave, honest, hardworking, truthful and
men of principles.

Q.3: What is the message of the poem A Nation’s Strength?

Ans: The message of the poem A Nation’s Strength ns that a nation

is strong only by its people. These people should be brave, daring,
hardworking, determined and patient. Such people build a nation’s
pillars deep and lift the nation to the sky.

Q.4: Write three lines on character?

Ans: Character is the sum of distinctive characteristics of an
individual. It is also moral
excellence and firmness. Character shows the traits and disposition
of an individual.

Q.5: Write a few lines on Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Ans: Ralph Waldo Emerson was a poet. He was born in Boston,

USA, in 1803, and died ¡n 1882. His philosophy is everlasting,
because it arose from a desire to make all things new.

1. Not gold, but only men can make,

A people great and strong,
Men who for truth and honour’s sake,
Stand fast and suffer long.

Reference to context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “A Nation’s Strength”
written by an American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. In this poem
poet tells that wealth has nothing to do with the strength of a nation.
It is only man who alone can make a nation great and strong.

Explanation:
In these lines poet says that wealth cannot make a nation strong and
powerful. But only sincere men can make it strong. Brave and
courageous men who are ready to suffer and who can stand firm for
the sake of truth and honour during the period of hardships.

2. Brave men who work while others sleep,

Who dare while other fly
They build a nation’s pillars deep,
And lift them to the sky.

Reference to context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “A Nation’s Strength”
written by an American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson.
In this poem poet tells that wealth has nothing to do with the
strength of a nation. It is only man who alone can make a nation
great and strong.

Explanation:
In these lines poet says that secret of a nation’s greatness are indeed
those heroes who work hard while others waste their time in
enjoying comfortable sleep. They face all challenges of time bravely
and courageously while others run away. Only these brave men can
build their nation on fast and sure foundations of virtue and take it to
highest point of greatness and make it very famous in the community
of nations.
BEAUTIFUL HANDS
Stanzas & Explanation
1. Such beautiful, beautiful hands,
They’re neither white nor small;
And you, I know, would scarcely think
That they were fair at all.
I’ve looked on hands whose from and hue.
A sculptor’s dream might be,
Yet are these aged wrinkled hands
Most beautiful to me.

Reference to context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Beautiful Hands”
written by an American poetess Ellen M. H. Gates.
In this poem poetess praises mother’s hands for their spiritual
beauty. According to her mother’s hands are symbol of love,
sacrifice, labour and affection for her children.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess praises mother’s hands for their spiritual
beauty. She says that though these hands are neither fair nor
small and one would hardly think that they were beautiful ones.
She says that she had seen the form and colour of these hands they
were like dream of an artist who makes statues. Though now these
hands are old and full of sorrows but they are beautiful for her.
2. Such beautiful, beautiful hands!
Though heart were weary and sad.
These patient hands kept toiling on
That children might be glad,
I almost weep when looking back:
To child hood’s distant day!
I think how these hands rested not.
When mine were at their play.

Reference to context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Beautiful Hands”
written by an American poetess Ellen M. H. Gates.
In this poem poetess praises mother’s hands for their spiritual
beauty. According to her mother’s hands are symbol of love,
sacrifice, labour and affection for her children.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess says that when she recalls child hoods days
these hands worked very hard in order to make children happy. She
says that she almost weeps when se recalls that how these hands
rested not when children used to play. Being gloomy and sad they
never stopped working and kept on working.

3. Such beautiful, beautiful hands!

They’re growing feeble now,
And time and pain have left their mark.
On hand, and heart and brow,
Alas! Alas! The nearing time.
And the sad, sad day to me,
When ‘neath the dailies out of sight,
These hands must folded be.

Reference to context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Beautiful Hands”
written by an American poetess Ellen M. H. Gates.
In this poem poetess praises mother’s hands for their spiritual
beauty. According to her mother’s hands are symbol of love,
sacrifice, labour and affection for her children.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess expresses her sorrow and says that she is very
sad to think that day by day these hands are growing weak and old.
The signs of old age are being seen on heart, hand and fore head.
She further says she is sorry to say that sad day is coming nearer in
near future the person having these beautiful hands will pass away
from this world and these beautiful hands would be folded and
buried in grave under the daisy flowers.

4. But oh! Beyond the shadowy lands,

where all is bright and fair.
I know full well these dear old hands
Will palms of victory bear?
When crystal streams, through endless years,
Flow over golden sands,
And where the old are young again.
I’ll clasp my mother’s hands.
Reference to context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Beautiful Hands”
written by an American poetess Ellen M. H. Gates.
In this poem poetess praises mother’s hands for their spiritual
beauty. According to her mother’s hands are symbol of love,
sacrifice, labour and affection for her children.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess says that in coming world where things will be
just, fair and beautiful. There old people will become young again.
There will flow transparent rivers on golden sand. She is hopeful
that there she will meet her mother and hold her hands in her own
hands.

SUMMARY
Poetess praises the hands of the mother for their spiritual beauty. She
says that although these hands are neither good looking nor small
and one can think that they were beautiful ones. She has seen these
hands they were the imagination of an artists. For her they are still
attractive. Further she says for the pleasure of children these hands
worked very hard instead of sorrows and worries. Poetess is sad for
these hands because they are growing weak with the pace of time.
The marks of pain and old age are on fore head, heart and hand. She
feels that her death is fast approaching and one day these hands
would be buried under the daisies. But she is hopeful that beyond
this world of sorrows and sins lies beautiful and eternal world and
her mother’s hands would be victorious there and after death she
would get an opportunity of holding her mothers hands.

Q.1: In first stanza the poetess praises the hands for their spiritual
beauty. What words or phrases tell us that they are not pretty in
physical sense?
Ans: The words or phrases which tell us that they are not pretty in
physical sense are as under.
(1) They are neither white nor small.
(2) They are scarcely fair at all.
(3) Wrinkled Hands.
Q.2: Why does the poetess praises the hands in second stanza?
Ans: The poetess praises the hands in the second Stanza because
they kept on toiling in order to make children happy.
Q.3: In third stanza what does “these hands must folded be” mean?
Ans: “These hands must folded be” means that after death her
mother would be buried in the grave with folded hands on breast.
Q.4: Who does the poetess praise in the poem?
Ans: The poetess praises the hands of her mother for their spiritual
beauty.
 BEAUTIFUL HANDS (SUMMARY)

The poetess pays rich compliments to her mother. She praises the
beauty of her mother’s hands, though these hands are wrinkled and
not beautiful physically, yet they are sacred, sweet and dear to her.
When she was a child these hands worked hard to comfort her and
to make her happy. These hands are now old and weak time is
coming near. When her mother will depart from this world but in
the life hereafter everything will become bright beautiful and young
again. The poet hopes to embrace her mother’s hands there.

CENTRAL IDEA
Mothers keep on working for their children with their hands. Their
hands become weak and wrinkled with the passage of time.
However, the poet appreciates those hands as most beautiful to
her.

Q.1: What do you know about Ellen M.H. Gates? 

Ans: Ellen M. H. Gates was born Torrington, Connecticut
(USA) in 1835 and died in 1920. She wrote religious poems
(hymns) like “The Home of the Soul” and “Eternity”. The
collections of her poems were published in 1897 and 1910.
Q.2: What words or phrases tell us that the hands are
not pretty ¡n the physical sense?
Ans: The poetess uses the words or phrases like ‘neither white
nor smaller, ‘fair at all’ and ‘these aged and wrinkled hands’.
These words and phrases left us that the hands are not pretty
in the physical scene.
Q.3: Why does the poet praise the hands?
Ans: The poet praises the hands of mothers because they keep
working for their children. Although mothers might be tired or
sad, they go on working to make their children glad. Their
patient hands never take rest.
Q.4: Who does the poet praise in the poem Beautiful
Hands? Why does she do so?
Ans: The poet praises mother in particular and all mothers in
general. She appreciates the services rendered by mothers to
bring up their children. Mothers bear a lot of hardships for
their children. Therefore, they are worthy of our praise, love
and respect.
Q.5: What is the message of the poem Beautiful
Hands?
Ans; The message of the poem “Beautiful Hands” is that
mothers do a lot of work for their children. They take no rest
and go on looking after their children patiently. Children
should also appreciate mother’s services to them.
Q.6: What does ‘these hands must folded be’ mean?
Ans: The poet is sad to think of mother leaving her. Her
mother is now very old. She is soon to die. She will lie in the
grave beneath the daisies with her hands folded.
Q.7: What rewards for her mother does the poet think of?

Ans: The poet Is fully confident that her mother will go to paradise
after death. She will be young again there. The poet says that she
will clasp her mother’s hands in the paradise. Mothers will be
rewarded for their sacrifice in giving birth and bringing up their
children.

Q.1: Why did Bilal go to the A Village Fair?

Ans: Bilal had summer vacations. He got tired of the city. He

decided to spend a few days with his cousin Zubair, who lived in the
village.

Q.2: Why was the village decorated! What did Bilal see in the
village when he got down from the bus?
Ans: He saw that the village was decorated with buntings and
colorful flags. The annual village fair was in full swing. The streets
were crowded with men, women and children in a holiday mood.

Q.3: Why was It the best time to visit the village?

Ans: It was the best time to visit the village, because the best event
of the year was going on. The annual village fair was in full swing. It
was the time of fun and enjoyment.

Q.4: What kinds of shops had been set up for the fair?
Ans: A large number of temporary shops had been set up for the
fair. Rings, bangles, pottery, milk churners, toy farming tools, etc.
were on sale. People were doing shopping there.

Q.5: What was title of these shops for the villagers?

Ans: People came from far off places to buy and sell their goods. It
was a good time to do business. As most of the villagers do their
shopping there, these shops were of great use.

Q.6: What were the different entertainments in the fair for the
children?
Ans: The greatest entertainment for the children were the swings
and merry-go-rounds. They gathered around them and waited for
their turns. Then there was the ever popular monkey man with his
clever monkey performing many tricks. There were
conjurers, jugglers and acrobats too, who entertained the children.

Q.7: How did the juggler entertain people?

Ans: The juggler entertained people well. He juggled with seven
balls at a time. He did not drop any one of them

Q.8: How did the conjurer perform his tricks?

Ans: The conjurer took Bilal handkerchief and tore it into pieces.
When he returned into him, it was undamaged. BilaI was
astonished.

Q.9: What is tent pegging?

Ans: Tent pegging is a sport In which wooden pegs are fixed in the
riders have to pull them out with their lances as they ride by at a
gallop.

Q.1O: What made the dogs run in the dog race?

Ans: A rabbit made the dogs run in the dog race. The dog chased
the rabbit to catch It. However, the rabbit reached the mark safely
aid vanished under a cover before the dogs came near.

Q.11 What was the special announcement ?

Ans: The special announcement was that the horse races were to
start in a few minutes.

Q.12: How did the monkey perform his tricks?

Ans: The monkey imitated angry husband with the furious face. He
also imitated a proud man walking with his hands folded behind his
back and his nose up in the air. The monkey also performed some
other tricks.

Q.15: Write a few lines on the restaurants?

Ans: Restaurants were playing popular music. They were serving

delicious food. They were great attraction for those who had come
from remote areas and had no relatives in the village.
Q.16: Write a few lines on the drum beating competition?

Ans: A drum beating competition was going on. Eight drummers

were beating their drums continuously. Everyone was trying to do
his best to win the first prize.