ENGLISH –

XI
According to New Course - 2022
→Poem#01 The Character of a Happy Life
→Poem#02 Don’t Quit
→Poem#03 Ozymandias
→Poem#04 Good Timber
→Poem#05 Lucy Gray
→Poem#06 The Abbot of Canterbury
→Poem#07 Sur Kahori
 Poem#01
"THE CHARACTER OF A HAPPY LIFE"
Introduction of the Poet
The poem “The Character of a Happy Life”, has been written by Sir Henry Wotton. He was born in
Kent and the son of country gentleman. In this poem Wotton has described the characteristics of
a person who can truly be called a happy man.

Introduction of the Poem

We find Wotton’s poem is a sharp sense of contrast between the uneasy life of the ambitious
man and the contented life of man satisfied to live an obscure life of peaceful virtue. Sir Henry
Wotton wrote from experience; for he was a distinguished servant of the crown who had seen for
himself the rise and fall of ambitious men. The poem consisting of six stanzas of regular couplet
rhymed.
“Nature is the peace not the Land.”
__________________________________ John Keats
Summary
A person who has freedom of will and thought leads a happy life. He does not act according to
other people’s wishes. His only weapon is his simplicity and truth.
Such an upright man is not a slave of his desires. He is always prepared for death. This man is
not concerned about being famous or in what people say about him publicly or privately.
This upright man is not jealous of chance or foul play. He knows that flattery gives the deepest
wounds. He does not abide by the rules of the society which compel a person to do unwanted
deeds. He follows the rules of goodness which will lead him to the right path.
A happy man’s life is freed from numerous when he is sad, he retires in his comfort of clear
conscience. He hasn’t got a high position. Therefore, people don’t flatter him or nick him at his
down fall. A happy man prays to God regularly. In this prayer he does not ask for rocks but he
asks God to be gracious and merciful on him. His favorite positive is good book or friend. A man
who is truly happy is free from slavery of his desires. He isn’t ambitious. He does not expect too
much therefore his hopes aren’t shattered. He doesn’t fear a downfall. This man hasn’t got lands
or wealth and yet he has everything. He has got the greatest wealth of contentment and
happiness.

“Multiple Choice Questions”

1. The poem “Character of a happy life” is composed by ______________.
Sir Henry
William Shakespeare Wotton Thomas Campion Sir Walter Scott
2. Sir Henry Wotton was born in ______________.
156
1639 8 1564 1546
was a ______________
3. Sir Henry Wotton poet.
Religiou
Romantic s Imaginative Supernatural
4. Sir Henry Wotton was born in ______________ .
Ken
Cocker mouth t Sussex Dublin
5. ______________ King gave him a regular pension.
James John Tom Edward
6. How happy is he born or ______________.
Taugh
Teach t Learnt Behaved
7. And simple truth his utmost ______________.
Variet Skil
Art y Habit l
8. Whose passions not his ______________ are.
Maste
Governor r Companion Comrade
9. Of public fame, or ______________ breath;
Privat
e Mass Friend None of them
10. Who ______________ none that chance doth raise.
Envie
s Jealous Pride Vanity
How deepest wounds are given by
11. ______________.
Prais
Admiration e Money Good
12. Whose ______________ is his strong retreat?
Conscienc
e Body Mind None of them
13. The man is freed from ______________ band.
Servil
e Natural Acts Habits
14. Of hope to rise, or fear to ______________.
Fal
l Down Up Earth
15. With a ______________ book or friend.
Religiou
s Romantic Natural Dramatic
16. The strong retreat of a man is his __________________.
conscienc
heart Thoughts Mind e
17. According to the poet, a happy man cares much about _____________.
Characte
Worldly needs Material uplift r finance
18. A happy man’s armour is his _______________ thought.
Honest Loft
Clever y Deep y
A happy man’s
19. days are _______________.
joyfu Harmles
l Carefree s playful
20. _________ is the utmost skill of an honest man.
Honest Simplicit
Truth y y Wisdom
21. A happy man does not serve another’s ______________.
Order Direction Wish Will
22. A happy man’s soul is always prepared for ________________.
Deat
Exam Fight Quarrel h
23. According to the poet, the deepest wounds are always given by _____________.
Prais
Back biting e Trust Friendship
 “QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS”
What sort of freedom does he enjoy according to the lines “United unto the
Q#1 world” by
care of public fame or private breath?
A happy man discerns that the world is full of color. He does not
Ans: involve himself in the
worldly gains and beauty. He does not want to be famous among the people and does not want
to be famous among the people and does take care about the intentions & opinion of the people
which they will establish about him.

Q#2 Briefly explain the meaning of the word “Nor rules of state” & “Rules of good”.
Ans: Basically, the poets distinguish between the types of governing. Firstly “Rules of state”
means to the country or the state. Each and every government follows certain rules but this rule
fulfills her interest and intensions and sometimes proves insolvent for the country men. While
“Rules of good” means he has got triumph over the hearts and the emotions of the people. He
uses the mild accent and preaches good teaching of God among them which make them aware
about the weight of life.
Q# Why did he get deepest wounds by praise?
3
Ans A pious man hates flattery because it spoils anybody’s nature. It may also bring
: enmity. That’s why he got deepest wounds by Praise.
“Envy is a great sin and spoils anybody’s nature” (Oscar Wilde)

Q#4 What is meant by “Whose passions not his master are and whose soul is still
prepared for death”?
Ans: The poet is describing the foremost qualities of the modest man. He asserts that a pious
man has totally command over his desire. He never runs behind the worldly gains. The second
quality of a pious person is that he is fully prepared to meet the Almighty Allah because he
spends his life according to the dogmas which is prescribed by God.

Q#5: Attempt to explain briefly how Sir Henry Wotton’s Happy Man ‘having nothing
yet hath all.’
Ans: A happy man does not have very much with respect to material objects. He may not have
vast and wide lands or bank balance or other luxuries, but he possesses contended mind and a
happy and joyful heart. This is what Henry Wotton called “everything” in this poem. Because,
“A contend mind is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this
world.” Q#6: Why does a happy man pray to God?
Ans: A happy man always prays to God, not because of His material blessings or worldly objects
but because He is almighty, He is worth-adoration, and He deserves to be prayed and worshiped.

Q#7 Describe the lines “Whose passions not his masters are?
Ans: In their lines the poet describes one of the foremost qualities of a man who bears such a
good character. He has total command over his passions. He does not allow his character to
destroy under the influence of his passion & sentiments.

Q#8 Describe the lines of “Public Fame, or Private Breath”?

Ans: A pious man has complete awareness about the way of the world. He does not involve him a
lot in this world to become famous and does not care what gossips tell about him in private
furthermore he enjoys his life in care free manner.
Q#9 Who is free from servile band and how?
Ans: The man who does not indulge himself in the materialistic world is free from servile band
because he has no hope to rise and fear to fall but has hope for the rewards in the second world.
Q10: How does Sir Henry Wotton’s man enjoy his spare-time? (Important)
Ans: Sir Henry Wotton’s man enjoy his spare time in praying to God and reading the religious books. He spends his days
in harmless joys. He never perplexes others and he is even jealous of no one. His whole day is the model of an idealistic
life.
Q11: What does Henry Wotton’s man use for his defense? (Important)
Ans: Henry Wotton’s man had a character that helps him to live a happy life in the world and in here after as
well. Henry Wotton’s man is a paragon of upright man. He is honest enough morally and practically so he was
not envied by any person and thus has no enemy as well. Relying on this face, Wotton’s man neither need
towers nor armor for his defense. He is well defended by his honest thoughts and deeds. His life is a
paradigm of happy living.
Q12: What are the qualities of a happy man as described in the poem, ‘The Character of a Happy Life.’?
(Important)
Ans: A happy man has following good qualities:
i) He is not a slave to other people’s wishes, and is master of his own will.
ii) He has full control over his passions and desires.
iii) He does not envy anybody who has risen to a high position either by chance or through some wicked means.
iv) He prays to God Day and night. He thanks God more for His grace rather than for worldly gifts that He has
given him.
v) He passes his day in reading a good book or in the company of a good friend.
Q13: What does the poet mean when he says that a happy man does not serve another’s will? OR What a happy man
is taught from his very birth? (Important)
Ans: According to Sir Henry Wotton, a happy man does not serve’s another will. He is the master of himself. He does
what his heart says. He is not a puppet on the hands of others. Whatever decisions a happy man takes in his life is based
upon his own will and not of others.
Q14: What is the central idea of the poem, ‘The Character of Happy Life’? (Important)
Ans: The poet described the characteristics of a noble and happy man, who is honest, simple, not
slave of his desires. He follows the rules of goodness, which will lead him to the right path.
Q15: Write the rhyming scheme of the poem. (Important)
Ans: The rhyming scheme of this poem is ABAB. First line rhymes with the third line while second
line rhymes with the fourth line.’
 Poem#2
Don’t Quit
Introduction to the Poet
Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959) was born in Birmingham, England but was educated in United States as his
family moved there. Owing to his themes and languages used in his works, he became known as the People’s
poet. His poems often had an inspirational and optimistic view of everyday life. His poetry was read the most
during the first half of the 20th century. His first book, “A Heap O’ Living’ became a best-seller. It was followed
by similar collections of his optimistic rhymes, Just Folks (1918), Rhythms of Childhood (1924), Life’s Highway
(1933), and Living the Years (1949)

Central Idea of the Poem

Don’t Quit is a motivational poem which motivates us to never quit for any cause. It's all about perseverance,
tenacity, determination and will-power to not to give up - especially when the things are going wrong,
and when one is seemingly swimming against the tide. This poem reminds us that there are seeds of success
in every failure, and that's why we mustn't quit.

Words-Meanings
Words Meanings
Trudge To walk slowly
Quit To Stop
Queer Stage
Pace Speed
Twist An unexpected change
Stuck Caught
Tint Shade
Sigh A long deep breath

“Multiple Choice Questions”

1. The figure of speech in “The silver tint of the cloud of doubt is _______________”
A Personification B Metaphor C Onomatopoeia D Simile
2. When the things seem worst’, we should ______________.
A Run away B Take some other C Stop moving D Stick to them
way ahead
3. “You might succeed with another blow”, means you _________________.
A Give the blow B Receive the blow C Continue the D Withdraw the
struggle struggle

4. The struggler learns too late that he _____________________.

A Was unable to B Was close to his C Should have D Should have quit
struggle victory taken rest
5. The moral of the poem is that we should _________________.
 A Face challenges B Enjoy success C Run away from the D Only think
of life hardships of life positively

6. ‘So stick to the fight when you’re _______________.’

A Hardest hit B Betrayed C Unhappy D Unlucky

7. The phrase ‘golden crown’ means _____________.

A Wealth B Power C Victory D Throne

8. In the first stanza of the poem, ‘sigh’ symbolizes___________.

A Happiness B Regret C Courage D Pain

“QUESTIONS & ANSWERS”

Q1: What is the poet’s message in the first stanza? (Important)
Ans: Life is a journey and it is not always easy. Sometimes it is pleasant while other times things tend to go wrong.
Regardless of how meticulously you have planned everything, some things still go awry. There are times when the
funds are limited and one finds themselves in debt they must persist. Stop for a while and take a rest but do not
give up. When a person gives up, life becomes meaningless. There is nothing worthwhile to fight for and all will to
live diminishes. Although the problem seems colossal, if they only fight for a little longer, victory will be theirs.
The progress may seem slow but you are still progressing and that is a sign of success. One more try and you shall
succeed.
Q2: Why does the poet term life ‘queer with twists and turns?’ (Important)
Ans: The poet means by this phrase that time never remains same for everyone. No one knows what is there in the
future ahead. Life is fill of suspense. It has twists and turns. Trough and crest are a part of life. The good times and
bad times are equally unpredictable.
Q3: What is the benefit of not quitting as suggested in the poem? (Important)
Ans: Humans have a tendency to work within their comfort zone and when a hardship strikes, they tend to flee or
battle with it only for a while before giving up. However, this poem significantly inspires all its readers to never
quit and never give up in the face of calamity. This is life and it is full of surprises. Think of it as a ride, sometimes
high and sometimes low. The one who manages to stick until the end wins the victory cup. Although the victory
seems far, it is close. One must just persevere.
 Poem#3
Ozymandias
Introduction of the Poet
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) was born in Sussex and educated at Eton and University College, Oxford.
He was a close friend of Byron and a generous admirer of Keats, whose death moved him to write the great
elegy. Adonais. His notable works include Prometheus Unbound, the Cenci, Lines Written Among the
Euganean Hills, Ode to the Wet Wind, The Cloud and many others. His greatest passages have a pure and
intense lyrical quality that demands his recognition as a major poet. Like so many English pets, he loved the
sea, a love which cost his life for he was drowned when sailing a small boat of Spezia.

Central Idea of the Poem

Ozymandias was a Greek name for the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II, famous for the number of architectural
structures which he got constructed. Shelley wrote the poem Ozymandias which describes a broken state of
Ramesses II, lying forgotten in the desert. The theme of the poem is that Graveyards are full of the people
who thought themselves indispensable.
Words-Meanings
Words Meanings
Frown A displeasing or concentrating face
Visage A human or animal face
Sculptor Ann artist who makes sculptor
Mock Make fun of
Pedestal The base of sculpture
Colossal Huge
Remains The parts left over

“Multiple Choice Questions”

1. ‘Ozymandias’ is a poem depicting that life is _______________.
A Beautiful B Transient C Attractive D Alluring
2. The poet met a traveller from:
A An ancient land B Abroad C A neighboring D A desert
Country
3. The traveller told the poet that he had seen ______________ in the desert.
A A statue B A sculptor C An oasis D A snake
4. The words on the base of statue tell us that the king Ozymandias was a ___________ king.
A Kind B Humble C Proud D Cruel
5. The message of the poem for all powerful authority and glory is ______________.
A ‘Sand stretch far B ‘Frown and C ‘Nothing remains’ D ‘Stamped on these
away’ wrinkled lips’ lifeless things’
6. In the poem, ‘Ozymandias’, the condition of the statue is _____________.
A Good B Bad C Excellent D Marvellous

7. ‘My name is Ozymandias – King of Kings;’ is __________ literary device.

 A Simile B Irony C Personification D Metaphor

8. One of the following lines does NOT make use of alliteration in the poem.
The lone and I met a traveller Nothing beside D Half sunk, a
level sands from an antique remains. Round shattered visage
A stretch far away. B land C the decay. lies, whose frown

“QUESTIONS & ANSWERS”

Q1: What did the traveller see in the desert and whom he told about it? (Important)
Ans: The traveller saw a trunkless statue of Ozymandias in the desert. The visage of statue lay near the
statue half sunk. He told the poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, about this statue.
Q2: How can you say that the sculptor was a great artist? (Important)
Ans: The sculptor who made the statue of Ozymandias was indeed a great artist as he had observed
Ozymandias very carefully before making the sculpture. The cruelty and proud nature of Ozymandias
was clearly shown on the shattered visage. Ozymandias died long ago but once you see the sculpture
of him, you will get to know about all his characteristics.
Q3: What was written on the pedestal of the statue of Ozymandias? (Important)
Ans: On the pedestal of the statue of Ozymandias the following lines are written:
“My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
Q4: What is the meaning of the phrase in the poem, “the heart that fed”? (Important)
Ans: The phrase “the heart that fed” clearly reflects that the sculptor had made the statue whole
heartedly. He thoroughly observed the physical attributes of Ozymandias and then ventured to make
the statue of him.
Q5: What is ironic about the fate of Ozymandias? (Important)
Ans: It seems ironical that the proud words written on the pedestal of statue mocks at the
situation present around it. There was a barren desert all around the statue and there were no
buildings or greenery.
Q6: What is the message of the poem? (Important)
Ans: Ozymandias was a Greek name for the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II, famous for the number of
architectural structures which he got constructed. Shelley wrote the poem Ozymandias which
describes a broken state of Ramesses II, lying forgotten in the desert. The theme of the poem is that
Graveyards are full of the people who thought themselves indispensable.
Q7: The proud Ozymandias lies forgotten in the desert. Comment. (Important)
Ans: Ozymandias was a proud and cruel Egyptian King. He thought that his empire and his name
would live forever but he was mistaken in this sense. He ordered he sculptor to make his colossal
statue below which some proud lines were written. After a long time, his dynasty vanished and
Egypt became a desert. His statue was also shattered due to some reasons. Now, his statue is
trunkless without a visage. Nothing remarkable exists beside his statue except the sand dunes.
 Poem#4
Good Timber
Introduction of the Poet
Douglas Malloch was an American poet. He is also known as lumberman’s poet because of writing so much for
woodcutters and simple forest life.

Central Idea of the Poem

“A man grows when he comes out of his comfort zone.’’

Words Meanings
Timber Wood used to make furniture
Scrubby Unimportant
Toil Hardship
Patriarchs Guardian
Counsel Talk
Scars Marks of wound

“Multiple Choice
Questions”
1.The poem explain to us that good qualities always develop in ________________.

a Hardships b Ease c Idleness d Illness

2.“Never became a forest king” means never ________________.

A Became a lion b Acquired a c Possessed courage d Enjoyed life

prominent position to fight
3.“But lived and died as he began” points out towards _________ human being.

A A courageous b An effortless c A wealthy d A successful

4.In the poem, “Good Timber”, the poet discusses themes of ____________.

A Nature, wealth & b Power, relationship c Nature, struggle & d Nature, nurture &
defeat & hope fulfilment chaos
5.The poem teaches us that the people reach their true potential by overcoming _____________.

a Feelings b Enemies c Desires d Adversities

6.“But lived and died a scrubby thing” means lived a/an ________________ life.

a Unimportant b High status c Useful d Comfortable

7.“By Sun and sold, by rain and snow” is _____________ literary device.

a Metaphor b Oxymoron c Alliteration d Simile

8.“Broken branches” in last stanza is the example of ___________.
a Simile b Metaphor c Hyperbole d None of these
 “QUESTIONS & ANSWERS”
Q1: What is the significance of the title of the poem? (Important)
Ans: “Good Timber” means the wood of fine quality which is used for making furniture. It is a
metaphorical statement which has been used for human beings. The good qualities grow in a
human being after facing adversities.
Q2: What happens to the people who work hard? (Important)

Ans: The people who work hard create a difference in this world. Success kisses the feet of those persons who
strive hard in their life.

Q23: How can one achieve one’s true potential in life according to the poem? (Important)

Ans: For achieving the true potential in life, one must come out of the comfort zone. Failure lies in the comfort
zone and success is outside the comfort zone. In our bad times, we learn so many things which makes us
strong enough to face every situation in life.

Q4: Why does the poet suggest people to be like good timber? (Important)

Ans: Poet wants us to be like good timber as it is the symbol of courage. Strong trees are made by bearing
strong winds. So, a man should also come out of his comfort zone to become stronger than ever.

Q5: Which poetic devices are used in this poem? (Important)

Ans: Alliteration, Oxymoron and metaphor is used in this poem.

 Poem#5

LUCY GRAY
Introduction of the Poet
William Word Worth was born in 1770 at Cocker mouth in Lake District. He was educated at
Hawk shed Grammar School and then at St. John’s College, Cambridge. His early poems reflect
his love for natural beauty, which he expressed in a unique and artificial style. Some of William’s
poems are Lyrical Ballads, Poems in Two Volumes and An Evening Walk. William Words Worth is
also known for his achievements as a critic.

Introduction of the Poem

Poem entitled Lucy Gray was written in 1799 and published in the second edition of “Lyrical
Ballads.” It tells us the story of a simple tragedy in a cold bleak countryside. The poem has a
steady and regular rhythm as a longer lines rhyme together as well as the shorter lines rhyme
with each other. The language of the ballad is plain and simple.
Summary
Lucy Gray was a beautiful little girl who lived in a wild moor with her parents. Their house was
located in the countryside far away from the cities. Nobody neighbored their house and Lucy
lived without having any friends and playmates.
In Western countryside, it is said that if the moon is clearly seen during daylight, a storm appears in
that area. One-day Lucy’s mother went town for shopping in the noon. After a while, he father
realized that the moon can be seen and predicted a storm in few hours. He quickly told Lucy to take a
lantern and go to the town to help her mother. Lucy obeyed her father and was on her way to the
city.
Unfortunately, the storm appeared as soon as Lucy left for the town. It started to snow thickly
that made it difficult for Lucy to see through. As she was wandering in the snowy atmosphere,
she fell in a crevice and died. Her mother somehow returned home at night.
When the little girl did not come back, her parents went out in the snowy mountains shouting for
their daughter, but they never found Lucy. On their way home, they found footprints on a
wooden bridge in the middle. They concluded that perhaps Lucy Gray fell down and had died.
When we go through the hills, a solitary song is heard in the wind, which echoes in the
mountains.
Some people think that she died that day while some say she lives as a part of nature.

“Multiple Choice Questions”

1. Lucy Gray was composed by ______________.
William Shakespeare Shelly William Wordsworth Spenser
2. “Lucy Gray” was written in ______________.
179
9 1800 1770 1802
3. Lucy Gray was published in ______________.
179
9 1800 1770 1802
4. William words worth was born in ______________.
177
0 1850 1770 1746
5. William Wordsworth was born at ______________.
Cocker
mouth Dublin Sussex Kent
6. Lucy Gray was appeared in the 2nd edition of ______________ ballads.
Ironical Critical Lyrical Social
7. “Lucy Gray was the model of ______________.
 Obedienc
e Faithfulness Sincerity Locality
8. Lucy Gray lives in the wide______________.
Village City Moor Hovel
the victim of
9. Lucy Gray became ______________ .
Stor
Earthquake m Flood None of them
10. Lucy Gray took the ______________to guide her.
Bulb Stick Lantern Father
11. No mate, no ______________ Lucy knew.
Comrad
Friend e Companion Cousin
12. You yet may spy the ______________ at play.
Hav
e Deer Fawn Sparrow
13. To-night will be a ______________night.
Storm
Misty y Dark Gloomy
14. The minster-clock has just struck ____________.
2 3 5 6
15. Not blither is the mountain ______________.
Ro
Hare Antelope e Deer
16. The______________ came on before it is time.
Stor
m Flood Earthquake None of them
17. The ______________ parents all that night.
Wretche
Fortunate Unfortunate d Miserable
18. Yet some ______________ that to this day.
Observe Percept Maintain Keep
19. And sings a ______________ song.
Melancholy Melodious Classical Proc
20. That ______________ in the wind.
Whistl
e Flow Glideth Stop
21. William Wordsworth was died in ______________.
1872 1850 1851 1852
22. The poet chanced to see Lucy Gray ___________________.
At the break of day In the evening In the afternoon At night
23. Lucy’s father asked Lucy to go to the town with a lantern to bring her ___________.
mothe
Aunt Sister Brother r
to her father that she would ____________ go to the town to take back
24. Lucy replied her
mother.
Sadl
Gladly y Unwillingly probably
25. Lucy couldn’t reach the town because ____________.
 It was She lost her way
late She didn’t get any Her mother reached in
stor
conveyance home m
26. The wooden bridge was at distance of _________ from Lucy’s home.
A mile A furlong A kilometer A few feet
27. Lucy’s parents became certain of her death when they saw ________________.
Her foot Her
prints body Her lantern Her shoes
believe that Lucy can
28. Some people still be seen __________________.
In mountains In wind In town On bridge
29. People believe Lucy can be seen doing these activities except ______________.
Talking to
Looking straight Singing songs Moving rapidly people
 “QUESTIONS & ANSWERS”
Q#1 Why did William Wordsworth say that Lucy Gray” a solitary child?
Ans. William Wordsworth said “Lucy Gray” a solitary child because she lived on the wild moor. She
had no friends and companions to play with. She used to live along with her parents in the
unpopulated area.
Q#2 At what time of the day did William Wordsworth see this view?
Ans. William Wordsworth saw this view at the dawn.
Q#3 Why did William Wordsworth remain ignorant to see the sweet face of “Lucy
Gray”?
Ans. William Wordsworth remained ignorant to see the sweet face of Lucy Gray because she has
become the victim of the storm by drowning into the ditch from the vacant part of the Wooden
Bridge.
Q#5 What did Lucy’s parent do after they saw the foot mark of Lucy in the snow?
Ans. When the Lucy’s Parent found the foot mark of Lucy’s feet. They started following them.
They tracked the foot marks through the snow then hedge & by the long stone wall and they
crossed an open field and reached the middle of t he plank of the bridge but they lost her foot
marks beyond the middle of bridge.
Q#6 What do people think about Lucy Gray? (Important)
Ans. People think about Lucy Gray that she is alive yet and you can see Wild moor. She sings
solitary songs which whistles in the wind but never looks back, this song can be heard by the
distance.
Q#7 Briefly narrate the tragic story of Lucy Gray. (Important)
Ans: Lucy was a little girl. She lived alone with her parents, on wide moor. Once when her mother had gone to
the market her father saw a full moon in the afternoon which is the prediction of a storm, according to the local
belief. Her father asked her to go, with a lantern, to take her mother back. She went on hurriedly. When she was
on the way storm came earlier than it was expected. Lucy lost her way and never reached the town. Her parents
searched her whole night long, but they could never found her. Some people still believe that she is alive and
walks over the moor.
Q#8 Briefly discuss in what ways Lucy Gray resemble the older traditional type of
ballad? Ans: Lucy Gray is an excellent illustration of typical ballads of Northern England. It has a
heart-
touching story. Its language and narration are simple. An emotional wave continuously flows
within the verses. In the last it has a tragic end which is an essential element of northern ballads.
So, it is a classical typical northern ballad telling a tragic story.
Q#9 On what observations did the father predict the storm?
The father, when he was working in his field, saw a full moon in the sky, &
Ans: it was 2 o’clock
in the afternoon so he, according to the local belief, predicted the storm.
Q#10 Where and with whom did Lucy live?
Ans: Lucy lived with her parents in wide green mountainous valley. She was the only
child of her parents; she had no neighborhood. Even though, she has no friend
and no companion
to play with.
Q#11 Why and where had she been going when the storm came?
Ans: Her father asked her to go to take her mother back home from the nearby town. So, she
had
been going there when the storm came.
Q#12 What do the people say about her, even today?
Ans: People of that area still believe that she has not died. But she is a living child, even today.
Q#13 Who was Lucy Gray and how did she look like?
Ans: Lucy Gray was mere child of her child, a model of obedience, loyalty and faithfulness she
was caught in the storm and died. Lucy Gray looked like a fawn at play and hare spying in
the
green field with joy.
Q#14 Did Lucy Gray prove her an obedient child?
Ans: Once upon a time, Lucy mother went to the town as it was the stormy night that’s why her
father commanded her to take a lantern and brought your mother back to the cottage. He
accepted
the ordered but unfortunately the storm came before the expected time and gulped her. By
showing this conduct, she proved her an obedient child.
Q#15 Why could Lucy gray not reach the town?
Ans: Lucy Gray, the model of obedience, could not reach the town because the storm came
before
its expected time. She wandered up and down on the hills and last she lost her way and
at drowned
into the ditch that’s why she could not reach the town.
Q#16 How did the parents come to know about the death of Lucy gray?
(Important)
Ans: In the beginning, they thought that they lost Lucy Gray. Suddenly, her mother found the
broken hawthorn edge and by
food marks of Lucy in the snow; they followed them through the the
long stone wall, and crossed an open field and saw the same foot marks. In the last, they
reached the Wooden bridge which was broken in the middle. They made up their mind, that she
was drowned by this space. By this way, she came to know about Lucy death.
Q#17 What did Lucy mean when she said ‘yonder is the moon’? (Important)
Ans: Yonder is an archaic word which means ‘far away’. When Lucy’s father commanded her to
go to the town then she said this line. This line means that evening is far away and she would
return home from the town before evening.
Q18 Why did Lucy take lantern with her? (Important)
Ans: Lucy took a lantern with her because there was a prediction of upcoming storm. In story
weather there is darkness everywhere and the moorland was full of ditches. So, she took a
lantern so she would come home with her mother safely.
Q19 Do you think that the tragedy would have been prevented if Lucy’s father himself
had gone down the town? (Important)
Ans: Yes, the tragedy would have been prevented if Lucy’s father himself had gone down the
town but he was busy in his work so he persuaded Lucy Gray to go to the town.
 Poem#06
"THE ABBOT OF CANTERBURY"
Introduction
The poem The Abbot of Canterbury, included in our book, is a ballad. Ballads have crude
language because fine writing would not be suitable for the telling of this straightforward and
amusing folk story. King John ruled England from 1199 to 1219, was a very unpleasant man and
a thoroughly bad kind.

Structure of Poem
The Abbot of Canterbury is a ballad of unknown poet telling an ancient story consisting of 100
lines of regular rhythm.
Summary
There was a king of England whose name was King John. He ruled England very cruelly and he
always did the wrong thing. Once he came to know that there was an Abbot of Canterbury who
was leading life better than the king. He had one hundred servants and each one there wore fifty
gold chains and velvet coat. They were always ready to serve the Abbot. For very minor things
they used to go to the city of London.
This way of leading life angered the king and his sent for the Abbot to explain his position before the
king. The Abbot said to him that he was spending the money so luxuriously because he had inherited
a lot of money from his fore fathers. The king disbelieved him and charged him to be a traitor.
The king said to Abbot that his life and properties would be confiscated by the government if he
could not answer his three questions. There was given three weeks’ time to answer those
questions.
• The first question was what his worth and value was when he was having such a precious
crown on his head.
• The second question was how soon he could make the journey of the whole world.
• The third question was that he was thinking at that time when he was talking to the Abbot
of Canterbury.
After listening three questions the Abbot was very much confuse. He confessed that he had no
mind to answer those difficult questions. He went to many universities but no one was able to
answer him. Then the shepherd of the Abbot offered him that he would imposter the Abbot
prodded he was given the relevant dress of the Abbot.
In reply to the first question, he said that his value was twenty-nine pence. In response to the
second question, he said if he rose with the sun and rode with the same, he would complete the
journey of the world in 24 hours. In response to the third question, he said that he thinking that
he was talking to the Abbot by him was not the Abbot but the shepherd. The king was very
happy, he rewarded him and pardoned the Abbot.

“Multiple Choice Questions”

1. ______________ composed the poem of The Abbot of Canterbury.
Anonymou
Robert Frost P.B Shelly William Shakespeare s
2. ______________ was the king of England at the time of story.
John Tom James None of them
3. The poem “The Abbot of Canterbury” belongs to the ______________.
 Abbo
t King John Bishop Pardoner
4. Abbot was ______________ by nature.
Hospitable Wise Romantic Courteous
5. ______________ Men were entertained by Abbot in his house.
100 50 20 30
6. The King John felt ______________ against Abbot.
Courtesy Jealousy Hospitable None of them
7. ______________ reported to King John about the luxurious life style of Abbot.
Common King’s
People Official Queen Shepherd
______________
8. The King asked questions to Abbot.
2 3 1 5
9. The King gave the space of ______________ weeks to answer the riddles.
2 3 1 4
10. Abbot went to Cambridge and ______________ University.
Oxfor
d Harvard Essex Dublin
11. Shepherd was going to ______________.
Home Church Fold Market
12. ______________ gave the answers of three questions.
Shepherd Abbot Doctor
13. There were ______________ days left when abbot met the shepherd.
3 2 5 7
14. ______________ Days had passed when Abbot met the shepherd.
3 18 15 14
15. First question asked by king is about______________
Worth Ride the whole What he thinks
16. Second question asked by king is about______________.
Ride the
Worth whole What he thinks
17. Third question asked by king is about______________.
Worth Ride the whole What he thinks
18. ______________ is the worth of king according to shepherd.
2
30 9 31 28
19. In ______________ hours king will ride the whole world.
24 22 21 20
sold among the false
20. Jesus Christ was Jews in ______________ pence.
3
20 0 24 29
21. The shepherd went to the court to ______________ him.
Pardo
n Forgive Fight Quarrel
22. On third answer, king John swear the ______________.
Mass Saint John Saint Bittle God
23. The king offered shepherd to be the ______________.
Abbo
King t Shepherd Tom
24. Shepherd can neither write nor______________.
 Rea
Memorize d Learn Study
25. The ballad ‘The Abbot of Canterbury’ is narrated in ____________ person.
First Second Third First and third
26. The poet says to the reader that he is going to tell a __________ story.
Sad Funny Terrible Folk
27. King John was jealous of Abbot’s housekeeping and high ___________.
Renow
Character Respect Business n
28. King John feared that the Abbot was working against his _____________.
People Policies Crown Ministers
Abbot if he did not answer his three questions he would be
29. King John told the ____________.
Beheade
d Poisoned Banished Fined
30. After listening to the King’s question, the Abbot rode to _______ universities.
Oxford &
Oxford and California Oxford & Canterbury Oxford & Campbell Cambridge
31. The Abbot requested the King to give him _________ weeks space.
Thre
e Four Five Six
32. While going back to his home, the Abbot met a _______________.
Shepher
Farmer Friend Neighbor d
33. The shepherd demanded Abbot’s ___________ to answer King’s questions.
Horse and
Lands House dress Wealth

“QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS”
What did King John hear about the
Q#1 Abbot?
Ans. The officials of the King John who rode to fair London town told that Abbot was leading a
pompous and respectable life which was far better than your way of survival. He had a fully
furnished house and he fed/entertained hundred men in single day. He had servant in score who
wore fifty gold chain and waited the Abbot return in velvets garments.
Q#2 Why did King John turned against him and what did he decide after hearing
about
Abbot?
Ans. Because of his envious nature, King John turned against him. He called Abbot and blamed
on him that you are working against my crown and for that fault you must lost your life and living.
Your safety lies only in the condition if you answer my three questions.
Q#3 What did the Abbot say to the King after having the questions and how many
space did
he take for answering?
Ans. The Abbot asserted that these questions are very difficult questions for a person like me
who got a shallow wit. He took three weeks space to King to answer these questions according to
the splendor of the king dignity.
What are the three questions and what was the funniest answer of
Q#4 these questions
given by the shepherd? (Important)
Ans. The questions which were asked by the King as follow:
What was his (King) exact worth when he was sitting on the thrown
1. and
crown of gold so fair on his head?
2. How soon he may ride the whole world about?
3. What is the king thinking at that time?
The funniest answer which was applied by shepherd as follow.
1. The Jews Christ was sold among the false Jews in thirty pence so your worth
is 29 pence one pence worse than He (J.C)
2. If you ride with the sun and ride with the same so you will consume 24 hours
to ride the whole world about.
3. The third answer shepherd gave that you are thinking I am the Abbot but I
am a poor shepherd.
What offer did the king give to the shepherd & why did he refuse the offer?
Q#6 (Important)
The King offered to the shepherd that I want to make you the Abbot in place
Ans. of the former
Abbot but shepherd refused the offer because he didn’t have any
knowledge about reading or
writing.
Who was the king of England at the time of story and when did he
Q#7 resign?
Ans: King John was the ruler of England at the time story. He ruled the country from 1199
to 1216 A .D. He was not a good ruler because he ruled with power and unfair manners.
Q#8 What was an abbot?
Abbot means bishop. An abbot is the highest official of a local church. As
Ans: here in this poem Abbot of
Canterbury means the bishop of Canterbury, a county of England.
Q#9 Why was the King John hostile to the Abbot of Canterbury? (Important)
Ans: When the king heard about Abbot of Canterbury that he was leading a life far superior
than him. He felt hostility against him and called him. In his court, and put the accusation of
treason against him.
Q#1 What had the Abbot to do in order to save himself from being beheaded?
0 (Important)
Ans: The abbot was asked three questions by the king. He was given a space of three weeks to
answer the questions, and warned that if he failed to give the answershe would be
beheaded.
Q#11 Why, on leaving the court, did he ride to Oxford and Cambridge?
The questions were obviously very difficult to answer, so the abbot went to the Oxford &
Ans: Cambridge
universities & to the other intellectuals to find the solutions.
Q#12 What was the shepherd doing when he met him?
The shepherd was going to the cattle-house when the abbot went back to
Ans: his home and
met him.
Q#13 How did the real abbot benefit from his shepherd’s bold tricks?
(Important)
The abbot succeeded in saving his life and got pardon from the king with timely help
Ans: the of
his shepherd.
Q#14 When he met the shepherd how many days had passed since the give
King had n him
the three riddles to answer?
When the abbot met the shepherd, he (the abbot) had wasted most of the
Ans: given time and only
three days were left to give the answers of the questions.
Q#15 What did the shepherd propose to do?
The shepherd suggested the abbot that he (the shepherd) would go to
Ans: answer the dispute
because he not only knew the answers of the queries but he also resembles the abbot so no one
in the whole London town would be able to identify him.
Q#16 In answering the riddle, how did the shepherd justify valuing the king at
twenty-nine pence?
Ans: The shepherd told the king that it is said that Jesus Christ was sold among the Jews for
thirty (30) pence.
The value of the king should not be more or equal to the Christ. So he is evaluated as only one penny
less, than his worth will be 29 pence.
Q#17 How did he know the answer to the third riddle?
Ans: The shepherd knew that the king must be under the impression that the Abbot was
answering the question. He used his disguise to the answer of the third question.
Q#18 How did King John behave on finding out that he had been
deceived?
Unexpectedly, when the king came to know that he was being deceived,
Ans: he was greatly
amused & showed his joy after every answer to his question
Q#19 What reward did the shepherd receive?
The shepherd received a reward of a life time pension of four nobles a
Ans: week.
Q#2
0 Who was an abbot and why was he victimized?
An abbot is a clergyman who is in charge of monastery. The king of
Ans: England named king
John heard about him that he was leading a far better life than he. That’s why King John felt Jealous
and asked three questions to him.
Q#21 Why was Abbot charged by the King John?
Ans: King Officials supplied the information about Abbot to the king. They told that he had great
reputation and wealth and was living with great pomp and show. He kept better house and
entertained the hundred men in his house. Thinking about all these things into the mind he
(Abbot) was charged by the king John.
Q#22 How did Abbot prove himself innocent before king?
Ans: The Abbot proved himself innocent by requesting before King John that he had never spent
anything which was not his own but spent my own money which I earn by the fair means. He
further said that you will not punish me for the same act.
Q#23 Where did he go after receiving his punishment?
Ans: When he heard the punishment, he became very sad and went to the oxford and
Cambridge University and met the learned and the wise men. All the people failed to answer
them and excused to the abbot.
Q#24 How did he come to know about abbot and how did king treat him?
Ans: King officials supplied the information about abbot to the king John that Abbot is leading a
for better life than you. After hearing it, king felt envy and put three hard questions to him. He
alarmed him of he is not able to ask thin questions so he has to lose his live and life.
Q#25 What are crozier, miter rochet and cope?
Ans: These are all parts of the ceremonial attire of a bishop or abbot. The crosier is a staff of
office like a shepherd’s cloak but often richly ornamented. The miter is a tall cap. The rochet is
gown and the cap is a cloak worn over the rocket.
Q#26 What is the main idea of this ballad? (Important)
Ans: The main idea of this ballad is ‘Don’t judge the book by its cover.’ Sometimes a foolish
person may talk intelligently. We should never underestimate anyone.
 Poem#07
"Sur Khahori"
Introduction
Khahori means wandering ascetics or those who search. This sur contains the verses n
the wandering life of ascetics who symbolize search of reality by following spiritual path
to have glimpses of the reality.

Introduction to the Poet

Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (1689-1752) was born at a village near Halla Haveli of present district Matiari, Sindh. His father
Syed Habib was one of the prominent figures in the area. Shah Abdul Latif was a pious person and had nothing to do
with worldly luxuries. He spent his whole life in worship and austerities. His poetry’s collection ‘Shah Jo Risalo’ is the
poetry of love, kindness, brotherhood, peace and love of motherland. Shah Jo Risalo consists of 30 chapters and each
chapter is called “Sur”. The poetry of Shah Latif portrays nature and its signs in a generally clear and enthusiastic way.
The impact of his great work on Sindhi literature is so incredible which intoxicated all the writers after his time.

Introduction to the Translator

Amina Khamisani (1919-2007) was a renowned educationist and writer. She did her M.A English from University of Sindh
and Diploma in English Literature from Oxford University, UK. She served as a faculty member of English Department,
University of Sindh. Her remarkable work is the translation of Shah Jo Risalo in English.

Explanation of Verses
Words-Meanings
Multiple Choice Questions
Questions and Answers