Question Answers Class 11 Chapter 2.1 Yuvakbharati English Maharashtra Board

Cherry Tree

Brainstorming – Solutions

(A1)

(i) Find proof from the poem for the following.

a. The poet has mentioned different seasons.

• Summer: “And suddenly that summer near the end of May.”
• Spring: “Next spring I watched three new shoots grow.”
• Monsoon: Implied through “A monsoon blight / Shrivelled the slender stem.”
• Season in Kashmir: “Spent a season in Kashmir,” indicating a time span across seasons.

b. The poet’s minute observations of the steady growth of the cherry tree.

• Initial emergence: “I found a tree had come to stay. / It was very small, five months child.”
• New shoots: “Next spring I watched three new shoots grow.”
• Height and fruit: “Six feet high my own dark cherry, / And I could scarcely believe it-a berry.”
• Blossoms: “And next year there were blossoms small / Pink, fragile, quick to fall.”

c. The colour imagery in the poem.

• Green: “Made a miracle from green growing pain” and “The plant gradually saw lush green leaves grow on it” (from Ice Breakers).
• Pink: “Pink, fragile, quick to fall” (describing blossoms).
• Red: Implied in “Ripened and jeweled in the sun” (referring to the cherry fruit).
• Blue: “Looking up through leaves at the blue / Blind sky.”

d. The struggle of the cherry tree for survival.

• Animal damage: “Goats ate the leaves.”
• Tool damage: “The grass cutter scythe / Split it apart.”
• Natural disaster: “A monsoon blight / Shrivelled the slender stem.”
• Resilience: “Even so. / Next spring I watched three new shoots grow, / The young tree struggle, upward thrust.”

(ii) State whether the following statements are True or False. Correct the false statements by finding evidence from the poem to support your remark.

a. The cherry tree did not take long to grow.

• False.
• Correction: The tree took eight years to mature: “Eight years have passed / Since I placed my cherry seed in the grass.”

b. Birds and insects were benefitted from the tree.

• True.
• Evidence: “Birds made a nest on the tree which was fully grown and laden with flowers” and “While bees in an ecstasy drank / Of nectar from each bloom.”

c. The poet was exalted at the sight of the cherry tree.

• True.
• Evidence: The poet’s joy is shown in: “And I could scarcely believe it-a berry” and “Yes, I! – praised Night and Stars and tree: / That small, the cherry, grown by me.”

d. The poem has an underlying message about the importance of trees.

• True.
• Evidence: The poem emphasizes the tree’s value: “Birds made a nest on the tree” and “I lay on the grass, at ease, / Looking up through leaves at the blue / Blind sky.”

e. The poet repents planting the cherry tree.

• False.
• Correction: The poet feels fulfilled: “But richer by a cherry tree at my door” and “That small, the cherry, grown by me.”

(A2)

(i) Discuss in groups, reasons/ consequences/ effects:

a. The life of the cherry tree was threatened.

• Reason: The tree faced natural and external threats, such as animals: “Goats ate the leaves.”
• Reason: Human activity caused damage: “The grass cutter scythe / Split it apart.”
• Reason: Environmental factors posed a threat: “A monsoon blight / Shrivelled the slender stem.”
• Consequence: These threats weakened the tree, causing it to shrivel and nearly die: “Shrivelled the slender stem.”
• Effect: Despite the challenges, the tree showed resilience: “Even so. / Next spring I watched three new shoots grow,” highlighting nature’s ability to recover.

b. The cherry blossomed.

• Reason: The tree overcame its struggles through natural resilience and time: “Next spring I watched three new shoots grow.”
• Reason: The poet’s initial act of planting and minimal care allowed growth: “And watered it once and went to bed.”
• Consequence: The tree produced delicate blossoms: “And next year there were blossoms small / Pink, fragile, quick to fall.”
• Effect: The blossoms attracted wildlife, benefiting the ecosystem: “Birds made a nest on the tree” and “While bees in an ecstasy drank / Of nectar from each bloom.”
• Effect: The poet experienced joy and fulfillment: “I lay on the grass, at ease, / Looking up through leaves at the blue / Blind sky.”

(ii) A small thought, put in action, led to a great achievement. Pick out the lines from the beginning and end of the poem and explain their significance.

Lines from the beginning:

“Must have a tree of my own,” I said, / And watered it once and went to bed.

• Significance: These lines depict the poet’s simple, spontaneous thought to plant a cherry seed, marking the humble beginning of the tree’s journey. The act of planting and watering, though minimal, reflects a small action driven by a personal desire for ownership and connection with nature. This sets the stage for the tree’s eventual growth, showing how a small idea can initiate significant outcomes.

Lines from the end:

“And moon-moths and singing crickets and I / Yes, I! – praised Night and Stars and tree: / That small, the cherry, grown by me.”

• Significance: These closing lines highlight the great achievement resulting from the poet’s initial action. The fully grown cherry tree, now bearing fruit and supporting wildlife, becomes a source of pride and joy for the poet. The exclamation “Yes, I!” emphasizes his personal fulfillment and connection to the tree, underscoring the poem’s message that a small thought, when acted upon, can lead to a meaningful and lasting impact.

(A3)

The cherry tree has inspired the poet to compose the poem. Such poems, describing Nature or aspects of Nature are called ‘Nature poems’. Find out some expressions from the poem that bring out the elements of beauty of Nature.

“Made a miracle from green growing pain”

• This expression highlights the beauty of nature’s resilience, portraying the vibrant green growth of the cherry tree as a miraculous transformation despite its struggles.

“Pink, fragile, quick to fall”

• The description of the cherry blossoms as pink and delicate captures the fleeting, delicate beauty of nature’s creations, emphasizing their transient charm.

“Ripened and jeweled in the sun”

• This phrase depicts the cherry fruit as sparkling jewels under sunlight, showcasing nature’s ability to produce vivid, radiant beauty.

“Looking up through leaves at the blue / Blind sky”

• The imagery of gazing through dappled leaves at the vast blue sky evokes the serene and expansive beauty of nature, creating a sense of tranquility.

“While bees in an ecstasy drank / Of nectar from each bloom”

• This expression illustrates the lively interaction between bees and blossoms, highlighting the vibrant and harmonious beauty of nature’s ecosystem.

“And moon-moths and singing crickets and I / Yes, I! – praised Night and Stars and tree”

• The mention of moon-moths, crickets, stars, and the tree together conveys the enchanting beauty of nature at night, uniting various elements in a harmonious celebration.

(A4)

(i) Read the line.

Pink, fragile, quick to fall

Answer:

• The line “Pink, fragile, quick to fall” exemplifies Climax.
• The words progress from “pink” (indicating a healthy, vibrant state of the blossom) to “fragile” (suggesting delicacy) to “quick to fall” (implying the end of the blossom’s lifecycle).
• This ascending order reflects the increasing significance of the blossom’s stages, from blooming to ripening and falling, highlighting the transient nature of its beauty.

(ii) Find out examples from the poem.

Alliteration:

Example 1: “Green growing pain”

• Explanation: The repetition of the ‘g’ sound in “green” and “growing” emphasizes the vibrant, ongoing process of the cherry tree’s growth, enhancing the rhythmic quality of the line.

Example 2: “Blossoms small”

• Explanation: The ‘b’ sound in “blossoms” and the ‘s’ sound in “small” create a soft, melodic effect, drawing attention to the delicate beauty of the cherry blossoms.

Antithesis:

Example 1: “Came back thinner, rather poor, / But richer by a cherry tree at my door”

• Explanation: The contrast between “thinner, rather poor” (physical and material loss) and “richer” (emotional and spiritual gain) highlights the poet’s fulfillment from the cherry tree despite personal hardships.

Example 2: “Small, the cherry, grown by me”

• Explanation: The juxtaposition of “small” (the tree’s modest size) with “grown by me” (its significant personal value) underscores the contrast between physical appearance and emotional importance.

Personification:

Example 1: “The young tree struggle, upward thrust / Its arms in a fresh fierce lust”

• Explanation: The tree is given human qualities, such as struggling and thrusting its “arms” with “lust,” portraying it as actively fighting for survival, which emphasizes its resilience.

Example 2: “Cherries have a way of growing, / Though no one’s caring very much or knowing”

• Explanation: The cherries are personified as having an innate ability to grow independently, reflecting nature’s persistent and autonomous beauty despite neglect

(A5)

(i) ‘Cherry Tree’ is a narrative poem. Features that make it a narrative poem are given below. Justify them with proper examples.

a. The poem has a beginning, a middle, and an end.

Beginning: The poem starts with the poet planting a cherry seed: “Eight years have passed / Since I placed my cherry seed in the grass.”

• This introduces the initial action and sets the narrative in motion.

Middle: The tree’s growth and struggles are described: “Goats ate the leaves, the grass cutter scythe / Split it apart and a monsoon blight / Shrivelled the slender stem.”

• This section details the challenges and development over time.

End: The poem concludes with the tree’s maturity and the poet’s joy: “That small, the cherry, grown by me.”

• This provides closure, showing the tree’s success and the poet’s fulfillment.

b. Different places are mentioned.

The poet’s home is referenced, where the tree grows: “But richer by a cherry tree at my door.”

• This establishes the primary setting of the narrative.

Kashmir is mentioned: “Spent a season in Kashmir.”

• This indicates a temporary shift in location, adding depth to the narrative’s setting.

c. Characters are referred to.

The poet is a central character: “Must have a tree of my own,” I said.

• His actions and emotions drive the narrative.

The cherry tree is personified as a character: “The young tree struggle, upward thrust / Its arms in a fresh fierce lust.”

• Its growth and struggles are central to the story.

Wildlife, such as birds and bees, are characters: “Birds made a nest on the tree” and “While bees in an ecstasy drank / Of nectar from each bloom.”

• They interact with the tree, enriching the narrative.

d. Incidents are arranged in a sequence.

The poet plants the seed: “I placed my cherry seed in the grass.”

• This is the initiating event.

The tree faces threats: “Goats ate the leaves, the grass cutter scythe / Split it apart and a monsoon blight.”

• These challenges occur sequentially.

The tree grows and survives: “Next spring I watched three new shoots grow.”

• This shows progress in the timeline.

The tree bears fruit and blossoms: “Ripened and jeweled in the sun” and “And next year there were blossoms small.”

• These events mark the culmination of the sequence.

e. There is a dialogue between the poet and the reader or the characters of the poem.

The poet addresses the reader directly: “Must have a tree of my own,” I said.

• This creates a conversational tone, engaging the reader.

The poet’s exclamation involves the reader: “Yes, I! – praised Night and Stars and tree.”

• This invites the reader to share in the poet’s joy and connection with nature.

f. It is a time-bound poem.

The poem spans eight years: “Eight years have passed / Since I placed my cherry seed in the grass.”

• This establishes a clear timeline.

Specific seasons mark time: “And suddenly that summer near the end of May” and “Next spring I watched three new shoots grow.”

• These references anchor the narrative in a temporal framework.

The poet’s absence for a season: “Spent a season in Kashmir.”

• This further emphasizes the passage of time within the poem.

(ii) Compose 8 to 10 lines. Narrate any incident in your life without using any rhyming pattern.

One summer afternoon, I decided to plant a small vegetable garden in my backyard. I dug the soil, sowed tomato and cucumber seeds, and watered them carefully. Days passed, and I checked the patch every morning, hoping for signs of growth. One day, tiny green sprouts emerged, fragile but determined. I felt a quiet thrill watching them push through the earth. Weeds crept in, so I spent hours pulling them out to protect the young plants. By late summer, I harvested a few ripe tomatoes, their taste a small reward for my patience and care.

(iii) Write an appreciation of the poem considering the following points :

About the Poem, Poet, and Title

The poem “Cherry Tree” is a narrative poem by Ruskin Bond, a renowned Indian author born in 1934 in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. Known for his evocative writings about nature and life in the Indian hills, Bond received the Sahitya Akademi Award and Padmashri for his contributions to literature. The title “Cherry Tree” is apt, as it centers on the poet’s experience of planting and nurturing a cherry seed that grows into a tree over eight years, symbolizing resilience and the beauty of nature.

Theme/Summary/Gist of the Poem

The poem narrates the journey of a cherry tree, planted by the poet as a seed, which faces numerous challenges like being eaten by goats, split by a scythe, and shriveled by a monsoon blight. Despite these adversities, the tree survives and grows, producing shoots, leaves, a berry, and eventually blossoms. The poet, after returning from a season in Kashmir, is overjoyed to find the tree flourishing, bearing fruit and blossoms. The poem celebrates the miracle of nature, the joy of nurturing, and the resilience of life, culminating in the poet’s ecstasy as he admires the tree’s beauty under the stars.

Poetic Style/Language, Poetic Devices Used in the Poem

Bond employs a simple yet vivid narrative style, blending free verse with a conversational tone to create an intimate connection with the reader. The language is descriptive, painting a clear picture of the tree’s growth and the poet’s emotions. Poetic devices include:

• Imagery: Vivid descriptions like “dappled green,” “pink, fragile, quick to fall” blossoms, and “jeweled in the sun” create a rich visual experience.
• Personification: The tree is depicted as struggling with “upward thrust” and “fierce lust” for light, air, and sun, giving it human-like qualities.
• Alliteration: Phrases like “green growing pain” and “sleepiest breeze” enhance the musical quality.
• Climax: The line “Pink, fragile, quick to fall” arranges words in ascending order of delicacy, emphasizing the blossoms’ vulnerability.
• Metaphor: The tree symbolizes resilience and the rewards of small beginnings. The poem’s structure, with its chronological progression, mirrors the tree’s growth, making it engaging and relatable.

Special Features/Novelties/Focusing Elements

The poem’s narrative structure, spanning eight years, is a standout feature, presenting a time-bound journey from seed to blossoming tree. The focus on minute details, such as the tree’s struggles and the poet’s observations, highlights Bond’s sensitivity to nature. The poem’s vivid imagery and personification of the tree create a sense of intimacy, while the inclusion of diverse elements like birds, bees, and moon-moths adds ecological depth. The poet’s personal involvement, from planting the seed to praising the tree, makes the poem a deeply personal reflection on nurturing and growth.

Message/Values/Morals in the Poem

The poem conveys the message that small, humble beginnings can lead to great achievements with patience and care. It underscores the resilience of nature and the importance of nurturing life, whether a tree or an idea. The poem also promotes environmental awareness, highlighting the interconnectedness of living beings (birds, bees, and the poet) with the tree. The value of perseverance is evident in the tree’s survival against odds, inspiring readers to appreciate and protect nature.

Your Opinion About the Poem

I find “Cherry Tree” to be a heartwarming and inspiring poem that beautifully captures the bond between humans and nature. Ruskin Bond’s simple yet evocative language makes the poem accessible yet profound, appealing to readers of all ages. The vivid imagery and personification make the cherry tree a relatable character, while the theme of resilience resonates deeply. The poem’s focus on the joy of nurturing and the miracle of growth leaves a lasting impression, encouraging me to appreciate the small wonders of nature and the rewards of patience.

(iv) Write a summary of the poem using the following points. • Title • Introductory paragraph (about the poem, type, Nature, tone) • Main body (the central idea, gist of the poem) • Conclusion (opinion, views, appeal)

Summary of the Poem “Cherry Tree”

Title The poem “Cherry Tree” by Ruskin Bond is a heartfelt narrative that celebrates the growth of a cherry tree from a seed to a blossoming tree, symbolizing resilience and the beauty of nature.

Introductory Paragraph “Cherry Tree” is a narrative poem that falls under the genre of nature poetry, characterized by its vivid depiction of the natural world and the poet’s personal connection to it. Written by Ruskin Bond, a celebrated Indian author known for his love of nature, the poem captures the journey of a cherry tree over eight years. The tone is reflective, joyful, and reverent, blending wonder at nature’s miracles with a sense of personal fulfillment. The poem’s simple yet evocative language makes it accessible and emotionally resonant.

Main Body The central idea of “Cherry Tree” is the celebration of nature’s resilience and the joy of nurturing life from humble beginnings. The poem narrates the poet’s experience of planting a cherry seed, which he initially forgets about after watering it once. Despite facing threats like goats eating its leaves, a scythe splitting it, and a monsoon blight shriveling its stem, the tree survives and grows. By the next spring, it produces new shoots, and over time, it reaches six feet, bearing a single berry and later delicate pink blossoms. The poet, returning from a season in Kashmir, is overjoyed to see the tree thriving, adorned with blossoms and visited by birds, bees, and moon-moths. The poem culminates in the poet’s ecstatic praise of the night, stars, and the tree he nurtured, emphasizing the miracle of growth and the interconnectedness of life.

Conclusion In my view, “Cherry Tree” is a beautiful ode to nature’s tenacity and the rewards of patience and care. The poem’s vivid imagery and narrative style make it engaging, while its message about the value of small beginnings is inspiring. It appeals to readers to appreciate and protect nature, recognizing the profound joy that comes from nurturing life. The poem’s universal themes and Ruskin Bond’s heartfelt portrayal make it a timeless piece that encourages environmental consciousness and personal reflection.

(A6)

(i) Write the poem ‘Cherry Tree’ in the form of a story

Eight years ago, I, a young dreamer, decided I wanted a tree of my own. I planted a cherry seed in the grass, watered it once, and then forgot about it as life carried me away. Cherries, however, have a stubborn way of growing, even without much care. That summer, near the end of May, I discovered a tiny tree, barely five months old, struggling through the wild grass. It faced relentless challenges: goats nibbled its leaves, a grass-cutter’s scythe split its fragile stem, and a monsoon blight shriveled it. Yet, the tree endured. The next spring, I watched in awe as three new shoots pushed upward, reaching fiercely for light, air, and sun. I could only wait, marveling at nature’s resilience, as time and rain worked their magic. A year later, I left for Kashmir, returning thinner and poorer, but my heart leapt when I saw my cherry tree, now six feet tall, standing proudly at my door. A single berry, ripened and jeweled in the sun, hung from a branch-a miracle I could scarcely believe. The next year, delicate pink blossoms bloomed, fragile and quick to fall in the slightest breeze. Lying on the grass, I gazed through the dappled green leaves at the blue sky, watching finches flit and bees drink nectar in ecstasy. As the sun set and stars appeared, moon-moths and crickets joined me in praising the night, the stars, and my small cherry tree-a tree I had grown, a testament to life’s quiet triumphs.

(ii) Write in 100 words what the cherry tree in the poem symbolises.

The cherry tree in Ruskin Bond’s poem symbolizes resilience, hope, and the rewards of nurturing small beginnings. Despite facing adversities like goats, a scythe, and monsoon blight, the tree survives and thrives, reflecting nature’s indomitable spirit. It represents the power of perseverance, showing how even a forgotten seed can grow into a flourishing tree with patience and time. The tree also symbolizes the poet’s personal growth and connection to nature, as its blossoms and berries bring him joy and fulfillment. Ultimately, it underscores the beauty of life’s miracles and the importance of caring for the environment.

(iii) You have studied the lesson ‘The Call of the Soil’ from prose 1.3. Compare ‘Cherry Tree’ with ‘The Call of the Soil’ and find out the element of joy of nurturing for the author and the poet.

Both Ruskin Bond’s “Cherry Tree” and Venkat Iyer’s “The Call of the Soil” highlight the profound joy of nurturing life, albeit in different contexts. In “Cherry Tree”, the poet plants a cherry seed and, despite minimal care and numerous threats, experiences ecstasy watching it grow into a blossoming tree over eight years. The joy stems from witnessing the tree’s resilience and beauty, culminating in personal fulfillment as he admires its blossoms and wildlife. Similarly, in “The Call of the Soil”, Iyer finds joy in nurturing organic rice crops, reconnecting with the land after leaving his corporate life. His satisfaction arises from cultivating healthy, chemical-free produce and sustaining the soil’s fertility. Both texts emphasize the emotional reward of fostering life-Bond through a single tree and Iyer through farming-highlighting patience, care, and a deep connection to nature as sources of joy.