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Class 8 English Somebody’s Mother Summary
Summary of Somebody’s Mother Class 8
Somebody’s Mother About the Poem
The poem ‘Somebody’s Mother’ tells the touching story of an old, poor woman struggling to cross a snowy street, ignored by the crowd. A kind schoolboy stops to help her, thinking of his own mother, showing empathy and kindness to a stranger.
Somebody’s Mother Summary Class 8
Somebody’s Mother Stanza-wise Explanation
Stanza 1
The woman was old and ragged and grey
And bent with the chill of the Winter’s day.
The street was wet with a recent snow
And the woman’s feet were aged and slow.
Explanation : This stanza introduces us to an elderly woman. She is described as old, dressed in torn and shabby clothes andhas grey hair. She is hunched over, likely due to both age and the cold winter weather. The street is wet and slippery because it has recently snowed. Her movements are slow and weak, showing how fragile and helpless she is in such harsh conditions.
Stanza 2
She stood at the crossing and waited long,
Alone, uncared for, amid the throng
Of human beings who passed her by
Nor heeded the glance of her anxious eyes.
Explanation : The woman stands at a street crossing, waiting for someone to help her cross. She is surrounded by a crowd but no one stops or notices her. Despite her worried and pleading glances, the people remain indifferent and simply walk past her. This highlights society’s lack of compassion and how the elderly often feel invisible and neglected.
Note : There is a mistake in the NCERT book-in the 8th line, the last word is printed as ‘eyes’ but according to the original poem, it should be ‘eye’.
Stanza 3
Down the street, with laughter and shout,
Glad in the freedom of ‘school let out’,
Came the boys like a flock of sheep,
Hailing the snow piled white and deep.
Explanation : A group of schoolboys appears, joyfully running and playing as school has just ended. They are full of energy and excitement, like a flock of playful sheep. They are happy to be free and enjoy the snow, unaware of the woman’s presence or her need for help. This contrast shows the carefree spirit of youth and the struggles of old age.
Stanza 4
Past the woman so old and grey
Hastened the children on their way.
Nor offered a helping hand to her
So meek, so timid, afraid to stir
Explanation : The children rush past the old woman without even thinking of stopping. No one offers to help her, although she looks scared and helpless. She is too timid and fearful to step onto the road by herself, afraid of getting hurt. This stanza emphasises how people, even children, often overlook the needs of the elderly.
Stanza 5
Lest the carriage wheels or the horses’ feet
Should crowd her down in the slippery street.
At last came one of the merry troop,
The gayest laddie of all the group;
Explanation : The woman fears being hit or run over by the wheels of carriages or horses if she tries to cross the road. After everyone else has ignored her, finally one cheerful and lively boy from the group notices her. He is described as the ‘gayest laddie’, meaning he is the happiest and most spirited of all the boys.
Note In line 20,3rd word is printed as ‘laddie’ in the NCERT book, but the original poem uses the word ‘lad’.
Stanza 6
He paused beside her and whispered low,
‘I’ll help you cross, if you wish to go.’
Her aged hand on his strong young arm
She placed andso, without hurt or harm,
Explanation : The kind boy stops and speaks gently to the woman, offering to help her cross the road. She accepts his offer by placing her weak, aged hand on his strong arm. Thanks to his support, she crosses safely, without falling or being hurt. This moment of kindness stands out in the poem.
Stanza 7
He guided the trembling feet along,
Proud that his own were firm and strong.
Then back again to his friends he went,
His young heart happy and well content.
Explanation : The boy carefully leads the woman across, noticing how her feet tremble with fear and weakness. He feels proud that he has the strength and confidence to help someone in need. After helping her, he returns to his friends, feeling happy and deeply satisfied by his good deed.
Stanza 8
‘She’s somebody’s mother, boys, you know,
For all she’s aged and poor and slow’,
‘And I hope some fellow will lend a hand
To help my mother, you understand’,
Explanation : The boy tells his friends that the old woman is someone’s mother, even if she looks poor and weak. He relates her situation to his own mother and hopes that if she is ever in such a condition, someone would be kind enough to help her too. This shows the boy’s empathy and mature thinking.
Stanza 9
‘If ever she’s poor and old and grey,
When her own dear boy is far away.’
And ‘somebody’s mother’ bowed low her head
In her home that night and the prayer she said
Explanation : The boy imagines a future where his own mother might be old, poor and alone while he is far away. Meanwhile, the old woman reaches her home and thinks about the kindness she received. She bows her head in prayer, grateful for the help and kindness shown to her.
Stanza 10
Was ‘God be kind to the noble boy,
Who is somebody’s son and pride and joy!’
Explanation : The old woman prays for the young boy, asking God to bless him. She calls him a noble boy someone full of goodness and kindness – and acknowledges that he must be the pride and joy of his parents. Her prayer reflects the emotional impact of the boy’s simple act of humanity.
Somebody’s Mother Values Extracted from the Poem
- Compassion Showing kindness to those in need, especially the elderly and helpless.
- Empathy Understanding and relating to others’ situations as if they were your own.
- Respect for the Elderly Caring for aged people who may feel ignored or abandoned.
- Selflessness Helping someone without expecting anything in return.
- Humanity One small act of kindness can bring hope and gratitude to someone’s life.
- Moral Responsibility Teaching that even a child can take moral actions and inspire others.
- Gratitude Being thankful and praying for those who show love and support.
- Role Modelling Setting a good example for others to follow, especially among peers.
Somebody’s Mother Class 8 Word Meanings
- Ragged — Torn and shabby; worn-out clothes
- Grey — Refers to grey hair, showing old age
- Bent — Not standing straight; hunched over due to weakness or age
- Chill — Cold; referring to the winter weather
- Throng — A large crowd of people
- Heeded — Paid attention to or noticed
- Anxious — Worried or uneasy
- Glad — Happy or joyful
- Troop — A group of people, especially children moving together
- Gayest — Happiest or most cheerful (old usage)
- Laddie — A young boy (used in old English or Scottish)
- Meek — Gentle, humble or submissive
- Timid — Shy or scared
- Carriage — A vehicle pulled by horses, used in earlier times
- Crowd her down — Push her over or cause her to fall in the busy street
- Slippery — Smooth and wet, easy to fall on
- Trembling — Shaking due to fear, cold or weakness
- Firm — Strong and steady
- Content — Satisfied and happy
- Noble — Good-hearted, kind and morally strong
- Pride and joy — Someone (like a child) who brings great happiness and honour to their family