On the Grasshopper and Cricket

AP/NCERT Solutions for Grade 8 Honeydew Poem 

On the Grasshopper and Cricket

Working with the poem (Page 119)

1. Discuss with your partner the following definition of a poem.

A poem is made of words arranged in a beautiful order. These words, when read aloud with feeling, have a music and meaning of their own.

A poem is like a musical speech with rhythms and metaphors. It's an artistic arrangement of words that enhances meaning. The rhythm and music in a poem show the poet's imaginative power. A good poem leaves a lasting impact, letting readers appreciate its beautiful lines.

2. ‘The poetry of earth’ is not made of words. What is it made of, as suggested in the poem?

Nature's poetry isn't just words but rhythmic songs from its creatures. The changing seasons, like summer and winter, bring joy, sorrow, and excitement to creatures like grasshoppers and crickets. In summer, the grasshopper joyfully hops around and rests under a weed. In winter, the cricket sings with a shrill voice on dark, lonely nights.

3. Find in the poem lines that match the following.

(i) The grasshopper’s happiness never comes to an end.

(i) In summer luxury — he has never done

With his delights,

(ii) The cricket’s song has a warmth that never decreases.

(ii) The cricket’s song, in warmth increasing ever

4. Which word in stanza 2 is opposite in meaning to ‘the frost’?

In stanza 2, the word that is opposite in meaning to ‘the frost’ is ‘warmth’. The word frost indicates a cold or chill experience. On the other hand, warmth in the poem refers to the cricket’s song which brings in warm feelings and can make one feel drowsy and sleepy.

5. The poetry of earth continues round the year through a cycle of two seasons. Mention each with its representative voice.

Earth's poetry lasts all year, in summer, the grasshopper joyfully hops, showcasing the beauty of earth's poetry. In winter, the cricket's song is like a mesmerizing verse. The poem cleverly uses these creatures to illustrate the contrast between the two seasons.