Against Idleness and Mischief | Lesson 7 | Poem | Summary | Questions | Answers

JANDKNCERT | English | Class 4th | Chant IV

 

Against Idleness and Mischief | Lesson 7 | Poem | Summary | Questions | Answers

 

How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower!

 

How skilfully she builds her cell
How neat she spreads the wax!
And labours hard to store it well
With the sweet food she makes.

 

In works of labour or of skill
I would be busy too;
For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.

 

In books, or work, or healthful play,
Let my first years be past.
That I may give for everyday
Some good account at last.

(Isaac Watts)

 

Short Summary
The poem compares the busy bee, which works hard making honey, with idle people who waste time. The poet advises children to stay active and use their time wisely in reading, working, or playing.

doth — does (old English) — کرتا ہے
labour — hard work — محنت
idle — doing nothing — فارغ
mischief — naughty activity — شرارت
healthful — good for health — صحت بخش
account — report or explanation — بیان

 

Q1. What does the bee do all day?
Answer: The bee works hard collecting honey from flowers all day.

Q2. Where does the bee store honey?
Answer: The bee stores honey in its neatly built cells.

Q3. What does the bee teach us?
Answer: The bee teaches us to be active, hardworking, and not waste time in idleness.

Q4. What lesson does the poet give?
Answer: The poet teaches that idle hands are easily tempted to do mischief, so we must always stay busy in good work.

Q5. Fill in the blanks:
(i) The little bee visits flowers to make honey.
(ii) The little bee lives in a cell.
(iii) Satan finds mischief for idle hands to do.
(iv) The poet wants children to spend their early years in books and play.

 

Worksheet for Students

Q1. What does the bee do all day?

Q2. Why should we avoid being idle?

Q3. Fill in the blanks:
The bee gathers ______ all day.
The bee builds her ______ neatly.