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For God knows it is good to give;

We may not have so long to live, If someone needs Let’s connect
your help, but they
So if we can, can’t help you back,
will you still help them?
Let's do each day a kindly deed, Give an example of such

an incident from your life.
And stretch a hand to those in need,

Bird, beast or man.

—Robert William Service

About the Poet
Robert William Service (1874–1958) was a British-Canadian poet and writer who has often been called ‘the Bard of
the Yukon’. He is known for his poems ‘The Shooting of Dan McGrew’ and ‘The Cremation of Sam McGee’. His book
Songs of a Sourdough, also related to the Klondike Gold Rush and the theme of gold-mining, became very popular.

Time to answer
A. Choose the correct answer.

1. Which of these lines tells you that the beggar is very old?

Who bore the bitter load of life, Anon I spied a shabby dame

Who held a hand like withered claw She was so poor and frail and old

2. What is the theme of the poem?

that we should not give alms to the poor

that we should ignore the beggars that come up to us

that beggars are a nuisance on the street

that we should be kind to whoever is in need whether it is a bird, animal or
human being

3. Which poetic device is used in this line—‘a hand like withered claw’?

alliteration simile

metaphor personification

B. Answer these questions.

1. Describe the beggar.
2. What was the poet’s attitude towards the beggar?

3. Describe the working wife and how she treats the beggar.

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