Notes based on the ‘What a Bird’ Poem published in Class 6 NCERT textbook ‘Poorvi’. The Notes include a summary, themes, central idea, message and poetic devices. Click here for explanation of “What a Bird Thought’.
Poem: What a Bird Thought
I lived first in a little house,
And lived there very well,
I thought the world was small and round,
And made of pale, blue shell.I lived next in a little nest,
Nor needed any other,
I thought the world was made of straw,
And nestled by my mother.One day, I fluttered from my nest,
To see what I could find,
I said the world is made of leaves,
I have been very blind.At length I flew beyond the tree,
Quite fit for grown-up labours,
I don’t know how the world is made,
And neither do my neighbours.
Vocabulary Notes
- Lived – Stayed in a place. रहा – किसी जगह पर रहना।
- Pale – Light in colour. फीका – हल्के रंग का।
- Shell – The hard outer covering of an egg. खोल – अंडे का सख्त बाहरी हिस्सा।
- Nest – A bird’s home, usually made of straw or twigs. घोंसला – पक्षी का घर, आमतौर पर तिनकों से बना होता है।
- Nestled – Cuddled or stayed close for comfort. सहारा लिया – आराम के लिए पास में रहना या दुबकना।
- Fluttered – Flew or moved lightly. फड़फड़ाया – हल्के से उड़ा या हिला।
- Blind – Not able to see or understand something. जिसे दिखाई न दे – कुछ देखने या समझने में असमर्थ होना।
- Labours – Hard work or tasks. मेहनत – कठिन काम या कार्य।
- Neighbours – People or birds living nearby. पड़ोसी – पास में रहने वाले लोग या पक्षी।
Summary
The poem “What a Bird Thought” talks about a bird’s journey as it grows. First, the bird lives in an egg and thinks the world is small and blue. Then, the bird moves to a nest and believes the world is made of straw.
As the bird grows and flies out, it sees the world is much bigger, full of leaves and trees. Finally, as the bird becomes older, it realizes it still does not know everything about the world.
The poem teaches that our understanding grows as we explore, but we never stop learning.
Themes
The theme of the poem “What a Bird Thought” is growing up and understanding more about the world. At first, the bird thinks its world is small, but as it explores, it learns more.
The poem shows that as we grow and see new things, our ideas change. It also teaches that learning never stops. Even when we think we know a lot, there is always more to learn.
In short, the poem is about how our view of the world gets bigger as we experience new things.
Central Idea
The central idea of the poem “What a Bird Thought” is that our understanding of the world changes as we grow and explore. The bird’s journey from thinking the world is small to realizing it’s much bigger represents how we expand our knowledge through new experiences.
As we mature, we learn that the world is more complex than we first thought, but even then, we may not fully understand everything. The poem highlights the importance of growth, curiosity, and continuous learning.
Message
The message of the poem “What a Bird Thought” is that our understanding of the world grows as we explore and learn more. Just like the bird, we start with a small view of the world, but as we experience new things, our knowledge expands.
The poem also teaches that it’s okay not to know everything. Even as the bird grows older, it realizes there’s still so much it doesn’t understand. This shows that learning is a lifelong process, and there’s always more to discover.
In short, the message is about being curious, open to learning, and accepting that we don’t always have all the answers.
Poetic Devices
The poem “What a Bird Thought” uses several poetic devices that enhance its meaning and imagery. Here are the key poetic devices used in the poem:
1. Rhyme Scheme
The poem follows a consistent ABCB rhyme scheme, where the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme. This creates a sense of flow and rhythm in the poem:
- “I lived first in a little house,
And lived there very well,
I thought the world was small and round,
And made of pale, blue shell.”
2. Imagery
The poet uses descriptive language to create mental images, helping readers visualize the bird’s journey and its surroundings. Examples include:
- “A little house” (the egg), “pale, blue shell,” “made of straw,” and “made of leaves.”
3. Personification
The bird’s thoughts and actions are given human-like qualities, making it easier for readers to connect with the bird’s journey:
- “I thought the world was small and round” – the bird thinks about its world like a human would.
4. Symbolism
The stages of the bird’s life (house, nest, tree) symbolize different stages of personal growth and learning:
- The “little house” represents the bird’s time in the egg.
- The “nest” symbolizes childhood and protection.
- The bird’s flight beyond the tree represents maturity and independence.
5. Repetition
Certain words and phrases are repeated to emphasize the bird’s changing understanding of the world:
- “I thought the world…” repeats to show how the bird’s view of the world evolves with each stage of growth.
6. Alliteration
The repetition of consonant sounds in nearby words adds musicality to the poem:
- “I lived first in a little house,” (repetition of the ‘l’ sound)
- “been very blind” (repetition of the ‘b’ sound)
- “neither do my neighbours” (repetition of the ‘n’ sound)
7. Metaphor
The bird’s world at each stage is metaphorically compared to objects or materials:
- “Made of pale, blue shell” – the egg is described as a world.
- “Made of straw” – the nest is its world.
