1.3 — Trees are the Kindest Things I Know
Class 8 • English (Maharashtra Board) • Based on the textbook poem by Harry Behn • Big fonts • Show/Hide Answers
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Q1. Pick poem words that rhyme with the following.
(a) fun — ? (b) no — ? (c) now — ? (d) sight — ? (e) fly — ?
Answer:
(a) sun (b) know, grow (c) cow(s), boughs (d) light, night (e) sky, lullaby.
Q2. Pick lines that create a picture in your mind.
Write any four vivid lines from the poem.
• “And in the Spring, new buds of green.”
• “And spread a shade for sleepy cows.”
• “And gather birds among their boughs.”
• “They are the first when day’s begun / To touch the beams of morning sun.”
• “They are the last to hold the light, when evening changes into night.”
• “And when a moon floats on the sky, they hum a drowsy lullaby.”
• “And spread a shade for sleepy cows.”
• “And gather birds among their boughs.”
• “They are the first when day’s begun / To touch the beams of morning sun.”
• “They are the last to hold the light, when evening changes into night.”
• “And when a moon floats on the sky, they hum a drowsy lullaby.”
Q3. The poet calls trees the “kindest things”. List five facts from the poem that prove their kindness.
Answer in points.
- They “do not harm” and “simply grow”.
- They “spread a shade” for sleepy cows (give comfort).
- They “gather birds among their boughs” (offer shelter).
- They “touch the beams of morning sun” and are “last to hold the light” (keep us company through the day).
- They “hum a drowsy lullaby” under moonlight (soothe and calm).
- They give “new buds of green” in Spring and fruits in Autumn (suggested by the textbook note: trees offer food).
Q4. Find words/phrases from the poem that describe the following.
(1) ——— cows (2) ——— new buds (3) ——— sun (4) ——— lullaby (5) ——— trees
Answer:
(1) sleepy cows (2) green new buds (3) morning sun (4) drowsy lullaby (5) kindest trees.
Q5. Pick out lines that convey the following meanings.
(a) Trees provide shelter for animals.
(b) Trees provide food for all.
(c) Trees are most lovable.
(d) Children love to listen to songs from trees.
(e) Trees live a simple life.
(b) Trees provide food for all.
(c) Trees are most lovable.
(d) Children love to listen to songs from trees.
(e) Trees live a simple life.
(a) “And spread a shade for sleepy cows.” / “And gather birds among their boughs.”
(b) “In Autumn they offer fruit …” (implied in textbook note: offer=give; Autumn=fall).
(c) “Trees are the kindest things I know.”
(d) “They hum a drowsy lullaby … of sleepy children long ago.”
(e) “They do not harm, they simply grow.”
(b) “In Autumn they offer fruit …” (implied in textbook note: offer=give; Autumn=fall).
(c) “Trees are the kindest things I know.”
(d) “They hum a drowsy lullaby … of sleepy children long ago.”
(e) “They do not harm, they simply grow.”
Q6. Vocabulary: Give meanings from the lesson context.
boughs, offer, Autumn, drowsy, lullaby.
boughs: branches | offer: give | Autumn: fall season |
drowsy: sleepy | lullaby: soft song to put children to sleep.
Q7. Write the theme of the poem in 2–3 lines.
Focus on kindness and service of trees.
Trees silently serve all beings—giving shade, shelter, beauty, food, and comfort through every part of the day and seasons. Their harmless, giving nature makes them the “kindest things”.
Q8. Quote two lines that create sound or light imagery.
Pick one for sound, one for light.
Sound: “They hum a drowsy lullaby.”
Light: “They are the first when day’s begun / To touch the beams of morning sun.” or “They are the last to hold the light…”.
Light: “They are the first when day’s begun / To touch the beams of morning sun.” or “They are the last to hold the light…”.
Q9. Identify the figure of speech in “They hum a drowsy lullaby”. Explain.
Name and justification.
Personification: The trees are given a human ability to “hum” a lullaby, making nature feel alive and caring.
Q10. Write any three pairs of rhyming words from the poem.
List pairs only.
know–grow, cows–boughs, begun–sun, light–night, sky–lullaby.
Q11. Reference to Context: “They are the first when day’s begun / To touch the beams of morning sun.”
What does this show about trees?
It shows how trees greet the new day before us, catching the first light and sharing it with the world—symbolizing hope, freshness, and constant companionship.
Q12. How do trees serve in different seasons, according to the poem and textbook note?
Mention Spring and Autumn.
In Spring, trees bring “new buds of green”; in Autumn, they offer fruit—thus giving beauty and food across seasons.
Q13. What values should we learn from trees as shown in the poem?
Write any four.
Kindness, harmless living, generosity (offering shade/food), simplicity, and constant service without expectation.
Q14. Pick out adjectives from the poem: (a) —— cows (b) —— buds (c) —— lullaby (d) —— sun.
Fill with exact poem words.
(a) sleepy (b) new (buds) of green (c) drowsy (d) morning.
Q15. Write a short note (80–100 words): “Trees as gentle companions of our day”.
Use poem ideas from dawn, noon, evening, night.
From dawn, trees “touch the beams of morning sun”, welcoming us with freshness. Through the day they give shade and shelter to animals and birds. At dusk they are “the last to hold the light”, stretching the evening’s comfort. At night, beneath the moon, they “hum a drowsy lullaby”, calming children into sleep. Quietly, without harm, they simply grow—kind companions at every hour.
Q16. Name the poet and the poem.
Answer in one line.
“Trees are the Kindest Things I Know” by Harry Behn.