Question

Read the extract and complete the activities given below:    [10]

When I had money, money, O! I knew no joy till I went poor; For many a false man as a friend  Came knocking all day at my door. Then felt I like a child that holds A trumpet that he must not blow Because a man is dead; I dared Not speak to let this false world know. Much have I thought of life, and seen How poor men’s hearts are ever light; And how their wives do hum like bees About their work from morn till night. So, when I hear these poor ones laugh, And see the rich ones coldly frown Poor men, think 1, need not go up So much as rich men should come down.

1. Compare the lifestyle of the rich and poor people.
   

   	Rich people		Poor people
   (i)		(i)
   (ii)		(ii)

2. Explain the reasons for which many false friends came knocking at the poet’s door.
3. Define, ‘Friendship’ in your own words.
4. Name and explain the figure of speech in the following line:
   'Much have I thought of life, and seen.'
5. Compose four poetic lines of your own on 'happiness.'

Answer 1

1. 
   

   	Rich people		Poor people
   (i)	Rich people often live in luxury but remain emotionally distant and unsatisfied.	(i)	Poor people lead a simple life but find joy in small things.
   (ii)	They have many false friends who stay around for wealth.	(ii)	They work hard all day but remain happy and content.

2.  
   1. When the poet had money, many false friends pretended to be close to him just for their benefit.
   2. They were only interested in his wealth and not in true friendship.
   3. Once the poet became poor, those false friends disappeared.

3. Friendship is a pure and selfless bond between two people, built on trust, love, and understanding. True friends support each other in happiness and sorrow without expecting anything in return.

4. Figure of Speech: Inversion
   Explanation: The normal word order "I have thought much of life" is changed for poetic effect. This is done to maintain rhythm and rhyme in the poem.

5. Happiness is a light so bright,
   Filling our hearts with pure delight.
   It lives in smiles, in love, in care,
   A joy that spreads when hearts we share.