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Reference to the context

Read these lines from the poem and answer the questions that follow.

1. Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute you forget;

But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet,

And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred,

And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word.

a. A person who says unkind words says them and .
i. forgets them ii. remembers them

iii. spreads them iv. stops them

b. What effect do such words create in a sad heart?

c. How do such words affect a happy person?

d. What analogy has the poet used to describe the effect of harsh words on the listener?

2. Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget;

But there’s gladness still a-swelling, and there’s joy a-circling yet,

And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.

a. Who forgets after speaking words of cheer and kindness?

i. the listener ii. the spectator

iii. the audience iv. the speaker

b. Which feelings linger even when the words are forgotten?

c. Whose sweet music can be heard?

d. In the above lines, which word can be considered a synonym for ‘comfort’?
i. cheer ii. relief iii. cosiness iv. contentment

Time to think and answer

1. Do you think speaking kindly to people will really help in creating lasting impressions on
someone? Share your thoughts. value kindness

2. Has anyone ever talked to you unkindly? How did it feel? How do you tackle such
situations? life skill handling emotions

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