NCERT Solutions Class 9, English, Beehive, Poem, Chapter- 3, Rain on the Roof.
Thinking about the Poem
I. 1. What do the following phrases mean to you? Discuss in class.
(i) humid shadows
Solution: “Humid shadows” refer to the dark clouds that produce rain.
(ii) starry spheres
Solution: “Starry spheres” refer to the night sky abounding in stars.
(iii) what a bliss
Solution: "What a bliss" refers to the happiness of the poet. When it rains poet gets into his cottage and enjoy the patter of rain upon the roof.
(iv) a thousand dreamy fancies into busy being start
Solution: This refers to the various imaginary thoughts and fantasies that are aroused in the poet’s mind.
(v) a thousand recollections weave their air-threads into woof
Solution: This phrase means that numerous memories intermingle to form a beautiful picture that the poet recollects.
2. What does the poet like to do when it rains?
Solution:
When it rains the poet wants to lie on bed in a cottage and listen to pitter-patter sound of the rain.
3. What is the single major memory that comes to the poet? Who are the “darling dreamers” he refers to?
Solution:
The poet’s mother is the single major memory that comes to his mind. ‘Darling dreamers’ are those ‘kids’ who remember their mothers like the poet.
4. Is the poet now a child? Is his mother still alive?
Solution:
No, the poet is not a child now.He is a grown up man. He remembers her when he is inside his cosy cottage and enjoy the pattern of rain on the roof.
II. 1. When you were a young child, did your mother tuck you in, as the poet’s did?
Solution:
Yes, my mother used to tuck me in when I was a young child, just like the poet’s mother did.
2. Do you like rain? What do you do when it rains steadily or heavily as described in the poem?
Solution:
Yes, I like the rain. When it rains steadily I get into my house and enjoy the weather with family. We enjoy tea. It is wonderful experience
3. Does everybody have a cosy bed to lie in when it rains? Look around you and describe how different kinds of people or animals spend time, seek shelter etc. during rain.
Solution:
No, everybody is not fortunate enough to have a cosy bed to lie in when it rains. Not everybody gets to enjoy the comfort of cosy homes during rain. I have seen animals seeking shelter under trees and under the tin roofs of the small roadside tea stalls. The people passing by shoo away these animals and try to shrink themselves under the limited space of these shops. The poor animals are left shivering and drenching on the roads. The shopkeepers of such stalls are delighted as the people waiting for the rain to subside often end up buying tea and snacks.