If you are searching for Bihar Board Class 8 English Chapter 4 Poem Solutions then you are at the right place. Below we have shared the written solutions with the complete question-answer of chapter 4 Poem – “The Last Bargain” for free. This solution is from the new book of class 8 English – Honeydew.
This poem by Rabindranath Tagore is about a man searching for a job that keeps his freedom. He rejects offers of power, gold, and smiles from a king, a rich man, and a girl. Finally, a child offers nothing but lets him stay free, and he accepts.
Bihar Board Class 8 English Chapter 4 Poem Solutions
| Chapter | Poem 4. The Last Bargain |
| Subject | English (Honeydew) |
| Class | 8th |
| Board | Bihar Board |
WORKING WITH THE POEM
1. Who is the speaker in the poem?
Ans: The speaker in the poem is a man who is searching for a job or purpose. He wants to find something meaningful that truly makes him happy.
2. “The king, sword in hand” suggests:
(i) Wealth
(ii) Power
(iii) More power than wealth
Mark the appropriate item in the context of stanza 1.
Ans: (ii) Power
3. The old man offered the speaker a lot of money. Why did he turn down the offer?
Ans: The old man offered the speaker a lot of money to work for him, but the speaker refused. He realized that money alone could not give him true happiness. While the old man was counting his gold coins, the speaker understood that once the money was gone or the job was over, he would be left with nothing. He also felt that working for money would trap him and not bring him the joy or freedom he was looking for. So, he chose to walk away.
4. Find in the poem, lines that match the following. Read both one after another.
(i) I have nothing to give you
Except goodwill and cheer.
Ans: “Come and hire me,” I cried, while in the morning
I was walking on the stone-paved road.
“I hire you with nothing,” said the child.
(ii) Her happiness was no more,
Than sorrow in disguise.
Ans: Her smile paled and melted into tears.
(iii) The king’s might was not worth much.
Ans: But his power counted for naught.
5. How did the speaker feel after talking to the child on the beach?
Ans: After talking to the child on the beach, the speaker felt truly free and happy. The child offered to “hire” him with nothing but goodwill and cheer, unlike the king who offered power, the old man who offered money, or the fair maid who offered beauty. The child’s simple offer made the speaker realize that true happiness comes from things that are pure and free, not from wealth or power. This made him feel light, joyful, and free from any burdens or conditions.
