Cradle Song ~ By Lord Alfred Tennyson
Cradle Song
By Lord Alfred Tennyson
What does little birdie say
Poem in Brief
The poem presents a conversation between a little birdie and its mother, followed by a similar situation involving a little baby and its mother.
The little bird wants to fly away early in the morning. Its mother lovingly asks it to rest a little longer until its wings become stronger. After resting, the bird flies away.
Similarly, the baby wants to get up and “fly away”, but the mother asks the baby to sleep longer until its limbs become stronger. The poem suggests that parents protect and care for their young ones until they are strong and independent enough to face the world.
A. 2-MARK QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
1. Who wrote the poem “Cradle Song”?
Answer: The poem “Cradle Song” was written by Lord Alfred Tennyson.
2. What does the little birdie want to do?
Answer: The little birdie wants to fly away from its nest.
3. When does the little birdie want to fly away?
Answer: The little birdie wants to fly away at the “peep of day”, which means early in the morning.
4. What does the bird's mother ask it to do?
Answer: The mother asks the little birdie to rest a little longer until its wings become stronger.
5. Why does the mother bird ask the birdie to rest?
Answer: She asks it to rest because its little wings are not yet strong enough. She wants them to become stronger before it flies away.
6. What happens after the little birdie rests?
Answer: After resting a little longer, the little birdie becomes ready and flies away.
7. What does the little baby want to do?
Answer: The little baby wants to rise and fly away, just like the little birdie.
8. What does the baby's mother ask it to do?
Answer: The mother asks the baby to sleep a little longer until its little limbs become stronger.
9. Why does the baby need to sleep longer?
Answer: The baby needs to sleep longer because its limbs are still weak. Sleep will help the baby grow stronger.
10. What does the poem compare the baby with?
Answer: The poem compares the little baby with a little birdie.
11. What is meant by “peep of day”?
Answer: “Peep of day” means the early morning, when daylight first appears.
12. What does “fly away” mean in the poem?
Answer: Literally, it refers to the bird flying away. In the case of the baby, it suggests growing up and becoming independent.
13. What is the central idea of the poem?
Answer: The central idea is that parents lovingly care for and protect their young ones until they become strong enough to become independent.
14. Why is the poem called “Cradle Song”?
Answer: It is called “Cradle Song” because it describes a mother gently encouraging her baby to sleep and rest until it grows stronger.
15. What does the mother bird's response show about her?
Answer: It shows that she is loving, caring and protective. She wants her young one to be safe before allowing it to fly away.
16. What do “wings” and “limbs” represent in the poem?
Answer: The wings represent the bird's physical strength needed for flying, while the limbs represent the baby's physical strength needed for growing and becoming independent.
17. What does the word “thy” mean?
Answer: “Thy” is an old-fashioned word meaning “your”.
18. What does the word “longer” suggest in the poem?
Answer: It suggests that both the bird and the baby need a little more rest and time to become strong.
B. 3-MARK QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
1. Describe the conversation between the little birdie and its mother.
Answer:
The little birdie wants to fly away from its nest at the peep of day. Its mother lovingly asks it to rest a little longer until its wings become stronger. The bird obeys its mother, rests for some more time and then flies away.
2. How is the baby's situation similar to that of the little birdie?
Answer:
Both the birdie and the baby want to leave their safe places and become active. The birdie wants to fly away, while the baby wants to rise and “fly away”. In both cases, the mother asks the young one to rest until it becomes physically stronger.
3. How does the mother take care of the little birdie?
Answer:
The mother bird protects her young one and understands that its wings are still weak. She asks the birdie to rest a little longer instead of flying immediately. Once its wings become stronger, the birdie is able to fly away safely.
4. How does the mother take care of the baby?
Answer:
The mother takes care of the baby by allowing it to sleep and rest. She knows that the baby's limbs are still weak and need time to become stronger. Her advice shows her love, patience and concern for the baby's well-being.
5. Explain the similarity between “wings” and “limbs” in the poem.
Answer:
“Wings” belong to the little bird and help it fly, while “limbs” belong to the baby and help it move. Both are symbols of physical strength. The poem shows that young ones need time to develop physical strength before becoming independent.
6. What message does the poem convey?
Answer:
The poem conveys the message that young ones need love, care, protection and time to grow. Parents understand when their children are ready to face the world. They patiently allow them to develop strength before becoming independent.
7. Why does the mother not allow the birdie and baby to leave immediately?
Answer:
The mother knows that both are still too young and physically weak. The bird's wings need to become stronger, while the baby's limbs need to develop. Therefore, she asks them to rest before becoming independent.
8. What does the poem tell us about the relationship between parents and children?
Answer:
The poem shows that parents are loving, protective and patient. They understand the needs of their children and protect them until they are ready to face challenges independently. It also shows that parents encourage independence at the right time.
9. Explain the significance of the repeated idea “a little longer”.
Answer:
The phrase shows the mother's patience and concern. She does not permanently stop the bird or baby from becoming independent. She only asks them to wait until they are stronger and ready. It represents the gradual process of growing up.
10. Why does the baby say “Let me rise and fly away”?
Answer:
The baby imitates the little birdie and expresses a desire to get up and become free. The phrase also symbolically represents the baby's future desire to grow up and become independent.
C. REFERENCE-TO-CONTEXT QUESTIONS
Extract 1
“What does little birdie say
In her nest at peep of day?”
Questions:
a. Who is the little birdie?
Answer: The little birdie is a young bird staying in her nest.
b. What is meant by “peep of day”?
Answer: It means the early morning when daylight first appears.
c. Where is the birdie?
Answer: The birdie is in her nest.
d. What does the birdie want to do?
Answer: She wants to fly away.
Extract 2
“Let me fly, says little birdie,
Mother, let me fly away.”
Questions:
a. Who says these words?
Answer: The little birdie says these words.
b. To whom are they addressed?
Answer: They are addressed to the birdie's mother.
c. What does the birdie want permission to do?
Answer: She wants permission to fly away.
d. Why does she want to fly?
Answer: She wants to leave the nest and fly freely.
Extract 3
“Birdie, rest a little longer,
Till thy little wings are stronger.”
Questions:
a. Who says these words?
Answer: The mother bird says these words.
b. Why does she ask the birdie to rest?
Answer: She asks the birdie to rest until its wings become stronger.
c. What does “thy” mean?
Answer: “Thy” means “your”.
d. What do the wings symbolise?
Answer: They symbolise physical strength and the ability to become independent.
Extract 4
“So she rests a little longer,
Then she flies away.”
Questions:
a. Who is “she”?
Answer: “She” refers to the little birdie.
b. Why does she rest?
Answer: She rests so that her wings can become stronger.
c. What happens after she rests?
Answer: She flies away.
d. What does this tell us about the mother?
Answer: It shows that the mother does not stop the bird from becoming independent; she simply waits until it is strong enough.
Extract 5
“What does little baby say,
In her bed at peep of day?”
Questions:
a. Where is the baby?
Answer: The baby is in her bed.
b. When does the baby speak?
Answer: She speaks at the “peep of day”, or early morning.
c. Who is the baby compared with?
Answer: The baby is compared with the little birdie.
d. What does the baby want?
Answer: The baby wants to rise and “fly away”.
Extract 6
“Baby says, like little birdie,
Let me rise and fly away.”
Questions:
a. What does the baby want to do?
Answer: The baby wants to rise and fly away.
b. Whom does the baby resemble?
Answer: The baby resembles the little birdie.
c. What does “fly away” suggest in the baby's case?
Answer: It suggests growing up and eventually becoming independent.
Extract 7
“Baby, sleep a little longer,
Till thy little limbs are stronger.”
Questions:
a. Who says these words?
Answer: The baby's mother says these words.
b. Why should the baby sleep longer?
Answer: The baby should sleep longer so that her limbs become stronger.
c. What does this reveal about the mother?
Answer: It reveals that she is loving, caring and protective.
d. What does “thy” mean?
Answer: It means “your”.
Extract 8
“If she sleeps a little longer,
Baby too shall fly away.”
Questions:
a. Who is “she”?
Answer: “She” refers to the baby.
b. What will happen if the baby sleeps longer?
Answer: The baby will grow stronger and eventually be able to “fly away”.
c. What does “fly away” mean symbolically here?
Answer: It symbolises growing up and becoming independent.
E. MCQs – COMPREHENSION
1. Who wrote “Cradle Song”?
A. William Wordsworth
B. Lord Alfred Tennyson
C. Robert Frost
D. William Shakespeare
Answer: B. Lord Alfred Tennyson
2. Where is the little birdie?
A. In a cage
B. In a garden
C. In her nest
D. On the ground
Answer: C. In her nest
3. When does the birdie want to fly?
A. At midnight
B. At peep of day
C. At noon
D. At sunset
Answer: B. At peep of day
4. Whom does the birdie address?
A. Her father
B. Her sister
C. Her mother
D. Her friend
Answer: C. Her mother
5. What does the birdie want to do?
A. Sleep
B. Eat
C. Fly away
D. Play
Answer: C. Fly away
6. What does the mother bird ask the birdie to do?
A. Sing
B. Rest
C. Eat
D. Hide
Answer: B. Rest
7. Why should the birdie rest?
A. Her wings need to become stronger.
B. She is hungry.
C. She is afraid.
D. It is raining.
Answer: A. Her wings need to become stronger.
8. What happens after the birdie rests?
A. She sleeps again.
B. She flies away.
C. She falls down.
D. She cries.
Answer: B. She flies away.
9. Where is the little baby?
A. In a nest
B. In her bed
C. In a garden
D. In a cradle outside
Answer: B. In her bed
10. What does the baby want to do?
A. Fly like a bird
B. Rise and fly away
C. Go to school
D. Play outside
Answer: B. Rise and fly away
11. Who asks the baby to sleep longer?
A. The bird
B. The father
C. The mother
D. The sister
Answer: C. The mother
12. What needs to become stronger in the baby?
A. Wings
B. Arms only
C. Limbs
D. Voice
Answer: C. Limbs
13. The baby is compared to the ______.
A. butterfly
B. little birdie
C. kitten
D. flower
Answer: B. little birdie
14. The word “thy” means:
A. my
B. his
C. their
D. your
Answer: D. your
15. “Peep of day” means:
A. late night
B. early morning
C. afternoon
D. evening
Answer: B. early morning
16. What is the meaning of “nest”?
A. A bird's home
B. A bird's food
C. A bird's wing
D. A bird's song
Answer: A. A bird's home
17. What is the meaning of “peep” in “peep of day”?
A. Beginning appearance
B. Loud sound
C. Sleep
D. Darkness
Answer: A. Beginning appearance
18. What is the meaning of “thy”?
A. Their
B. Your
C. Her
D. Our
Answer: B. Your
19. What does “limbs” mean?
A. Wings
B. Arms and legs
C. Feathers
D. Eyes
Answer: B. Arms and legs
20. What does “fly away” mean literally?
A. To sleep
B. To move through the air
C. To walk
D. To swim
Answer: B. To move through the air
G. POETIC DEVICES
1. What is the main literary device used in the comparison between the bird and the baby?
Answer: The poem uses comparison/simile-like parallelism between the little birdie and the little baby. Both want to leave their safe places, and both mothers ask them to rest until they become stronger.
2. Identify the repetition in the poem.
Answer: The ideas “a little longer” and “fly away” are repeated. This creates rhythm and emphasises the similarity between the birdie and the baby.
3. What is the significance of repetition in the poem?
Answer: Repetition gives the poem a musical, soothing quality, appropriate for a cradle song. It also emphasises the mother's gentle advice and the process of growing stronger.
4. Identify the rhyme pattern in the first stanza.
The lines end with:
day – birdie – longer – stronger – longer – away
The important rhyming pairs are day/away and longer/stronger/longer.
5. Why is the poem suitable as a “Cradle Song”?
Answer: The poem has a gentle rhythm, repeated phrases and a soothing conversation between a mother and her young one. The theme of a mother caring for a baby also makes it suitable as a lullaby or cradle song.
I. FILL IN THE BLANKS
1. The poem “Cradle Song” was written by Lord Alfred Tennyson.
2. The little birdie is in her nest.
3. The birdie wants to fly away.
4. The birdie wants to fly at the peep of day.
5. The mother asks the birdie to rest a little longer.
6. The birdie's little wings need to become stronger.
7. After resting, the birdie flies away.
8. The little baby is in her bed.
9. The baby wants to rise and fly away.
10. The mother asks the baby to sleep a little longer.
11. The baby's little limbs need to become stronger.
12. “Thy” means your.
13. The baby is compared with the little birdie.
14. The poem teaches us about the love and care of parents.
J. HIGHER-ORDER THINKING QUESTIONS
1. Why do you think the poet compares a baby with a bird?
Answer:
The poet compares them because both are young and dependent on their mothers. Both want to move away from their safe places, but they first need to become strong. The comparison shows the natural process of growing up and becoming independent.
2. Do you think the mother is stopping the birdie and baby from becoming independent? Give a reason.
Answer:
No. She is not permanently stopping them. She only asks them to wait until they become stronger. Once they are ready, they can leave and become independent.
3. What does the poem teach us about growing up?
Answer:
The poem teaches us that growing up takes time. Young ones need protection, care and guidance while they are weak. Once they become strong and confident, they can face the world independently.
4. Why is the mother's advice important?
Answer:
The mother's advice is important because she understands that the young ones are not yet physically strong. Her advice protects them from danger and gives them enough time to develop before becoming independent.
5. If the birdie flew away before its wings became stronger, what might happen?
Answer:
The birdie might not be able to fly properly and could fall or get hurt. This shows why the mother's advice to wait is sensible.
6. If the baby were to “fly away” literally, would it be possible? What does the phrase actually mean?
Answer:
No, a human baby cannot literally fly like a bird. Here, “fly away” is symbolic. It suggests that the baby will grow up, become strong and eventually become independent.
7. What qualities of the mothers are shown in the poem?
Answer:
The mothers are shown as loving, caring, patient, protective and wise. They understand what their young ones need and guide them without stopping their natural growth.
8. How is the poem relevant to real life?
Answer:
The poem is relevant because parents in real life also protect and guide their children when they are young. As children grow stronger and more confident, parents gradually allow them to become independent.
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