Part B — Poetry
Poem 1: Prayer of the Woods
Class 12 General English | PSEB | A Rainbow of English
Poet: Anonymous
1. Central Idea of the Poem
The poem “Prayer of the Woods” presents the voice of the woods as a plea to human beings not to destroy trees. The woods provide many essential things throughout human life: warmth during cold nights, shade during summer, fruits to quench thirst, timber for houses and boats, and wood for tools and furniture. Wood is also used to make a cradle at the beginning of life and a coffin at its end.
The poem reminds us that trees are generous providers. They serve humanity in countless ways, yet they ask for very little in return. The woods finally make a humble request: “Harm me not.” The central message is that human beings should respect, protect and preserve trees because they are essential to life and human well-being.
2. Comprehension and Enjoyment
Q1. Give the central idea of the poem.
Answer:
The poem highlights the importance of trees and the many benefits they provide to human beings. Trees give us shade, fruits, timber, warmth and materials for houses, furniture, boats, tools and other objects. They accompany us through every stage of life, from the cradle to the coffin. The woods ask human beings not to harm them. The poem teaches us to respect nature, protect trees and recognise our dependence on them.
Q2. Read the given lines and answer the questions that follow.
“I am the heat of your hearth on the cold winter nights, the friendly shade screening you from the summer sun, and my fruits are refreshing draughts quenching your thirst as you journey on.”
(a) How can the woods give us heat as well as coldness?
Answer: The woods provide heat through firewood used in a hearth during cold winter nights. They provide coolness through their shade during hot summer days.
(b) Name the figure of speech used in the line “the friendly shade screening you from the summer sun”.
Answer: Personification is used here. The shade is described as “friendly,” a quality usually associated with human beings.
(c) List the things the woods give us.
Answer: The woods give us:
- Heat and warmth during cold winter nights.
- Cool and friendly shade during summer.
- Fruits that refresh us and quench our thirst.
- Timber for houses, furniture and boats.
- Wood for tools, cradles and coffins.
(d) What does the phrase “refreshing draughts” refer to?
(i) Juicy bites of the fruits
(ii) Licking raindrops fallen on the fruits
Answer: Neither option is expressed accurately. In the poem, “refreshing draughts” refers to the refreshing liquid or juice obtained from the fruits, which helps quench thirst. If the textbook requires selecting only one of the two printed options, option (i) appears to be the intended answer, though “juicy bites” is not the precise meaning of “draughts.”
Q3. Read the given lines and answer the questions that follow.
“I am the handle of your hoe, the door of your homestead, the wood of your cradle, and the shell of your coffin.”
“I am the bread of kindness and the flower of beauty. Ye who pass by, listen to my prayer: Harm me not.”
(a) Write down the line in the poem that explains the statement: “The wood accompanies us from birth till death.”
Answer: “I am the wood of your cradle, and the shell of your coffin.”
This line shows that wood is associated with the beginning and the end of human life.
(b) “I am the bread of kindness and the flower of beauty.” This means the woods give us:
(i) Business and love
(ii) Food and decoration
(iii) Kind feelings and loveliness
Answer: (iii) Kind feelings and loveliness.
The phrase suggests that the woods offer kindness, beauty and pleasure to human beings.
(c) Who is the speaker in the poem?
Answer: The speaker is the woods, personified as a living being that provides many benefits to humanity and asks people not to harm it.
(d) What is the prayer of the woods to human beings?
Answer: The woods pray that human beings should not harm or destroy them. They ask people to recognise their value, protect trees and preserve nature for future generations.
3. Important Points for Revision
- The poem is titled “Prayer of the Woods” and its author is anonymous.
- The woods provide warmth, shade, fruits, timber and beauty.
- Wood is used for tools, houses, boats, cradles and coffins.
- The woods are personified as a speaker who addresses human beings.
- The poem’s central request is: “Harm me not.”
- The poem teaches environmental awareness, gratitude and the importance of protecting trees.
Exam preparation tip: Learn the central idea and practise the four comprehension questions in your own words. Remember the examples of how trees serve humanity throughout life, as these support the poem’s central message.