Working with the poem :-

Q 1. Who is the speaker in the poem ?

Ans. The poet, Rabindranath Tagore, is the speaker in the poem.

Q 2. “The king, sword in hand” suggests.

(i) Wealth

(ii) Power

(iii) More power than wealth

Mark the appropriate item in the context of stanza 1.

Ans. Power

Q3. The old man offered the speaker a lot of money. Why did he turn down the offer ?

Ans. The speaker declined the offer because money could not provide him with happiness and freedom.

Qus 4. Find in the poem, lines that match the following. Read both one after another.

(i) I have nothing to give you

except goodwill and cheer.

Ans. “ I hire you with nothing.”

(ii) Her happiness was no more

than sorrow in disguise.

Ans. “Her smile paled and melted into tears.”

(iii) The king’s might was not worth much.

Ans.  “But his power was counted for naught.”

Qus 5. How did the speaker feel after talking to the child on the beach ?

Ans. After speaking with the child on the beach, the poet felt a sense of happiness and freedom.