If you are searching for Bihar Board Class 8 English Chapter 1 Poem Solutions then you are at the right place. Below we have shared the written solutions with the complete question-answer of chapter 1 Poem – “The Ant and the Cricket” for free. This solution is from the new book of class 8 English – Honeydew.
This poem is a fable about a carefree cricket who sings all summer but faces hunger in winter, and a wise ant who works hard. The cricket asks the ant for food and shelter, but the ant reminds him of his laziness. Students will learn the importance of planning for the future and working hard.
Bihar Board Class 8 English Chapter 1 Poem Solutions
| Chapter | Poem 1. The Ant and the Cricket |
| Subject | English (Honeydew) |
| Class | 8th |
| Board | Bihar Board |
WORKING WITH THE POEM
1. The cricket says, “Oh! what will become of me?” When does he say it, and why?
Ans: The cricket says this line when winter comes and he has no food left at home. The ground is covered with snow and he cannot find even a small piece of food to eat. There are no flowers or leaves on the trees. The cricket is very worried because he is hungry and cold. He is scared that he might die without food. He feels sorry that he did not save any food during the summer months when there was plenty to eat.
2. (i) Find in the poem the lines that mean the same as “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” (Shakespeare).
Ans: The lines in the poem that mean the same as “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” are: “But we ants never borrow; we ants never lend.”
2. (ii) What is your opinion of the ant’s principles?
Ans: The ant’s idea about saving for the future is very good. Everyone should work hard and save something for difficult times. But I think the ant is too harsh. When the cricket asks for help, the ant refuses completely. A true friend should help during tough times. The ant could have shared some food with the cricket and also taught him the lesson about working hard. Being helpful to others in need is also an important quality.
3. The ant tells the cricket to “dance the winter away”. Do you think the word ‘dance’ is appropriate here? If so, why?
Ans: Yes, the word “dance” is very appropriate here. The ant is being sarcastic and making fun of the cricket. During summer, the cricket was singing and dancing instead of working and saving food. Now the ant is telling him to do the same thing in winter – keep dancing and singing until summer comes back. The ant is being mean and saying this to make the cricket feel bad about his lazy behavior. The word “dance” shows how the ant is mocking the cricket for not being serious about his future.
4. (i) Which lines in the poem express the poet’s comment? Read them aloud.
Ans: The lines in the poem that express the poet’s comment are: “Folks call this a fable. I’ll warrant it true.”
4. (ii) Write the comment in your own words.
Ans: The poet is saying that people call this story a fable, and he believes it teaches us a true lesson. The story shows us what happens when someone is lazy and does not plan for the future. The cricket enjoyed the summer by singing and dancing but did not think about the winter. When hard times came, he had nothing to eat. The ant worked hard during summer and saved food, so he was safe in winter. The poet wants us to learn that we should always work hard and prepare for difficult times instead of just having fun and being careless.
