Sushovan Pal

 

  "Orpheus with His Lute" Stanza 1 “Orpheus with his lute made trees, And the mountain tops that freeze, Bow themselves, when he did sing: To his music plants and flowers Ever sprung; as sun and showers There had made a lasting spring.” Elaboration and Analysis: This stanza paints a picture of the mythical figure Orpheus, a musician so talented that his music had supernatural effects. The poet says that when Orpheus played his lute and sang, even trees and frozen mountain tops would "bow themselves"—in other words, his music moved even the silent, unfeeling parts of nature. This is a powerful image of art’s reach: even the cold, distant mountain tops are moved and respond respectfully to the beauty of his music. Then, the stanza says that wherever Orpheus played, "plants and flowers ever sprung; as sun and showers there had made a lasting spring." Here, the poet’s metaphor suggests that Orpheus’s music had the same life-giving effect as suns...

  "The Banyan Tree," Setting and Mood Setting: The poem takes place by a quiet pond, beside which stands an old, majestic banyan tree. The mood is calm, thoughtful, and tinged with nostalgia, as the poet recalls memories and contemplates the passage of time and the beauty of nature. Stanza-wise Description and Explanation Stanza 1 (O you shaggy-headed banyan tree, Standing on the edge of the pond, Do you remember the little child Who played beneath your branches, Or the birds who once lived in you but have now flown away?) Explanation: The poet begins by affectionately addressing the banyan tree as if it is alive and can recall the past. The tree is called "shaggy-headed," suggesting its wild, lush appearance. The poet asks if the tree remembers the joy of children playing and the birds that once made their home among its branches, highlighting nostalgia and the passage of time. Stanza 2 (Sometimes, a young child would sit by the window, And l...

  The Heart of a Lion In a quiet neighborhood lived a young boy named Leo. He had a wild imagination and loved to read stories about dragons and heroes, but he was often held back by his own fears. Leo was afraid of the dark, nervous about speaking in class, and hesitant to try new activities. To him, bravery was a superpower reserved for fictional characters in his books, not for an ordinary boy like himself. His parents encouraged him to be more confident, but Leo found it easier to stay in his comfort zone. One Tuesday morning, his school announced a new initiative: the "Local Heroes Project." The goal was to help students understand that courage is found in everyday life. Mr. David, Leo’s teacher, announced, “Bravery isn't about being fearless. It’s about facing your fear to do what is right. It is the courage that turns ordinary people into heroes in their own communities.” Leo felt a flicker of interest but was also anxious. For the project, he was assigned to...

  Good Etiquette Builds a Man In a busy town lived a young boy named Arjun. He was energetic, cheerful, and loved spending time playing with his friends, riding his bicycle, and exploring new things. However, Arjun often found it hard to understand why his parents and teachers reminded him so often about manners and good behavior. At times, he would forget to greet elders properly, interrupt conversations, or speak loudly in places where calm was expected. His parents tried to explain that good manners build respect, but Arjun thought it was too formal and sometimes boring. One bright Monday morning, the school announced a special event called "Good Manners Week." The purpose was to encourage all students to practice respect, kindness, and proper etiquette every day. Mrs. Iyer, Arjun’s teacher, explained during the assembly, “Good etiquette is like a key that opens many doors in life. It shapes your character, earns you respect, and builds trust among people. Remember, h...

  The Lesson of Patience Ravi was a bright and enthusiastic student who lived in a bustling town filled with schools, parks, and libraries. From an early age, he had dreamt of becoming a great scientist, someone who could discover new things and make the world a better place. Ravi loved learning about the world, reading books, and exploring new ideas. However, there was one subject that made him anxious — mathematics. No matter how hard he tried, some problems seemed too difficult to solve, and when he failed, frustration would quickly take over his mind. Often, when Ravi came across a challenging math problem, he felt overwhelmed and wanted to give up immediately. He would put down his pen, sigh deeply, and think that maybe he wasn’t meant to be good at this subject. This made him feel disappointed and less confident in his abilities. Ravi’s parents noticed his discouragement and tried to encourage him, but the change did not come easily. One day, during a math class, Ravi...