Class 8 English - TELANGANA
Poetry: Somebody's Mother
Somebody's Mother by Mary Dow Brine is a touching and inspiring poem included in the Class 8 English curriculum for Telangana (TSBSE) students. The poem tells the story of an old, ragged woman struggling to cross a busy, icy street alone. While many people pass her by without care, a young schoolboy stops to help her safely across. This chapter matters greatly for board exams as it teaches the core values of empathy, kindness, and respect for elders. Questions from this chapter typically test comprehension of stanzas, appreciation of poetic devices, and the central theme of helpfulness.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Theme of Empathy and Kindness
The poem highlights how a small act of kindness by a young boy brings immense joy to an elderly stranger and leaves a lasting positive impact.
The Agony of the Old Woman
It describes the vulnerability of the old woman, who is frail, timid, and afraid of the cold, wet street and the bustling crowd.
The Helper's Noble Motive
The schoolboy helps the woman not for reward, but because he thinks of her as someone's mother who might one day need similar help.
Rhyme Scheme and Rhythm
The poem is written in rhyming couplets with an AABB rhyme scheme, making the narration musical and easy for Class 8 students to recite and remember.
Universal Message
It conveys the moral lesson that treating others with care and respect makes the world a better place, reminding us that we should care for others as we would want our own family treated.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In Telangana (TSBSE) Class 8 English examinations, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 8 marks. Common question types include reading comprehension passages with short-answer questions, identification of rhyming words and poetic devices, and paragraph questions focusing on the central theme and character sketch of the schoolboy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the old woman hesitant to cross the street?
The old woman was old, weak, and ragged, and she was afraid of the fast-moving horse-drawn carriages and the slippery, icy street.
What did the schoolboy say to his friends after helping the old woman?
He said, 'She's aged and poor, and slow, I'd help her across, if you would go, because some time, and you know it's best, she may be somebody's mother, guess?'
What is the moral of the poem 'Somebody's Mother'?
The moral is that we should always help those in need, especially the elderly, because kindness given to others will eventually return to our own loved ones.
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