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    1.1. Be The Best - My English Book - Std 8 - Marathi and Semi-English Medium - Maharashtra Board

    • Jul 2
    • 9 min read

    Updated: Jul 3

    Chapter Information / पाठ परिचय



    Chapter:

    Unit 1 — Chapter 1.1: Be The Best  

    Type:

    Poetry

    Poet:

    Douglas Malloch  

    Textbook:

    My English Book, Std 8, Maharashtra State Board

    Assessment:

    School-level examination following MSBSHSE guidelines

    मराठी टीप: हा पाठ शालेय परीक्षेत येतो. हे पाठ्यपुस्तक इयत्ता ८ वी साठी आहे — MSBSHSE च्या मार्गदर्शक तत्त्वांनुसार तयार केलेले.


    About the Poet / कवी परिचय


    Douglas Malloch was an American poet. This famous poem is about doing our best in whatever we do in life. The poet explains that we should not worry about our size or position. He uses beautiful examples from nature to show that every single person has an important role to play.  

    मराठी टीप: डग्लस मलोच हे एक अमेरिकन कवी होते. या कवितेत त्यांनी सांगितले आहे की कोणतेही काम लहान किंवा मोठे नसते. आपण जे काही करू, ते आपण सर्वोत्तम केले पाहिजे.

    Exam Tip: The poet's name and the poem's central idea may be asked as a short answer.


    Full Text / पूर्ण कविता


    Stanza 1

    If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill, Be a scrub in the valley but be The best little scrub by the side of the rill; Be a bush if you can't be a tree.  

    Stanza 2

    If you can't be a bush be a bit of the grass, And some highway happier make; If you can't be a muskie then just be a bass But the liveliest bass in the lake!  

    Stanza 3

    We can't all be captains, we've got to be crew, There's something for all of us here, There's big work to do, and there's lesser, to do, And the task you must do is the near.  

    Stanza 4

    If you can't be a highway then just be a trail, If you can't be the sun be a star; It isn't by size that you win or you fail Be the best of whatever you are!  

    Stanza-wise Meaning / कडव्यांचा अर्थ


    Stanza 1

    If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill, Be a scrub in the valley but be The best little scrub by the side of the rill; Be a bush if you can't be a tree.  

    English Meaning: If you cannot be a tall pine tree on a hill, be a small scrub in the valley. But you should be the best scrub near the small stream. मराठी अर्थ: जर तुम्ही टेकडीवरील उंच पाईन वृक्ष होऊ शकत नसाल, तर दरीतील एक लहान झुडूप व्हा. पण ओढ्याच्या जवळील सर्वात सुंदर झुडूप व्हा. Exam Tip: Direct questions about the difference between a pine and a scrub are often asked from this stanza.  


    Stanza 2

    If you can't be a bush be a bit of the grass, And some highway happier make; If you can't be a muskie then just be a bass But the liveliest bass in the lake!  

    English Meaning: If you cannot be a bush, become grass and make the side of the highway beautiful. If you cannot be a big muskie fish, be the most active bass fish in the lake. मराठी अर्थ: जर तुम्ही झुडूप होऊ शकत नसाल, तर गवत होऊन रस्ता सुंदर करा. जर तुम्ही माशांची मोठी जात (मस्की) होऊ शकत नसाल, तर तलावातील सर्वात आनंदी बास मासा व्हा. Exam Tip: Word meanings for 'muskie' and 'bass' (names of fish) are common questions here.  


    Stanza 3

    We can't all be captains, we've got to be crew, There's something for all of us here, There's big work to do, and there's lesser, to do, And the task you must do is the near.  

    English Meaning: Everyone cannot be the captain of a ship; we also need the crew to work. There are both big and small jobs in life, and we must do the work that is given to us. मराठी अर्थ: जहाजावर सर्वजण कॅप्टन होऊ शकत नाहीत, खलाशांचीही गरज असते. जगात मोठी आणि छोटी दोन्ही कामे आहेत, आणि आपण आपले काम निष्ठेने केले पाहिजे. Exam Tip: The comparison of 'captains' and 'crew' is a very important 2-mark question.  


    Stanza 4

    If you can't be a highway then just be a trail, If you can't be the sun be a star; It isn't by size that you win or you fail Be the best of whatever you are!  

    English Meaning: If you cannot be a broad highway, be a narrow path. We do not win or fail based on our size, but on how well we do our job. मराठी अर्थ: जर तुम्ही मोठा रस्ता होऊ शकत नसाल, तर एक छोटी वाट व्हा. आपण आपल्या आकारामुळे जिंकत किंवा हरत नाही, तर आपण कसे काम करतो यावर ते ठरते. Exam Tip: The central message of the poem is usually tested from this final stanza.  


    Poetic Devices / काव्यात्मक उपकरणे

    Device / उपकरण

    Example from poem

    Simple Effect

    मराठी स्पष्टीकरण

    Rhyme (यमक)

    hill / rill, make / lake  

    Creates a musical rhythm in the poem.

    कवितेच्या ओळींच्या शेवटी येणारे समान उच्चारांचे शब्द.

    Repetition (पुनरावृत्ती)

    "If you can't be a..."  

    Emphasizes the main idea that there are alternatives.

    एकाच शब्दाची किंवा वाक्याची पुनरावृत्ती करून प्रभाव वाढवणे.

    Metaphor (रूपक)

    "captains" and "crew"  

    Compares leading and supporting roles in real life.

    एका गोष्टीची तुलना थेट दुसऱ्या गोष्टीशी करणे.

    Alliteration (अनुप्रास)

    "highway happier"  

    The repetition of the 'h' sound sounds pleasant.

    एकाच अक्षराच्या ध्वनीची पुनरावृत्ती.

    मराठी टीप: या पाठातील अलंकार लक्षात ठेवा — परीक्षेत नाव आणि एक उदाहरण विचारले जाऊ शकते.


    Central Theme and Values / केंद्रीय भाव आणि मूल्ये


    Theme Table / विषय सारणी

    Theme / विषय

    How it appears

    Doing your best (सर्वात्तम प्रयत्न करणे)

    The poet tells us to do our job perfectly, no matter what it is.  

    Value of small things (लहान गोष्टींचे महत्त्व)

    A small scrub or grass is as important as a tall pine tree.  


    Values / मूल्ये

    • Dedication (समर्पण): We must complete our assigned tasks with full focus and hard work.

    • Self-respect (स्वाभिमान): Every person has value, whether they are a 'captain' or 'crew'.  


    Central Message / केंद्रीय संदेश

    The central message is that size or position does not decide your success. You win in life by being the very best at whatever role you are given.  

    मराठी टीप: कोणतेही काम लहान किंवा मोठे नसते. आपण जे काम करतो, ते उत्कृष्टपणे केले पाहिजे हाच या कवितेचा संदेश आहे.


    Practice Questions / सराव प्रश्न

    The questions for Types 1 to 6 are based on Stanza 1.


    TYPE 1 — True/False (1M each)

    1. State True or False: 'A pine tree grows on top of the hill.' Answer: True  

    2. State True or False: 'A scrub is found on the top of the hill.' Answer: False  

    3. State True or False: 'The poet tells us to be a tree if we can't be a bush.' Answer: False  

    4. State True or False: 'A rill is a small stream.' Answer: True  

    5. State True or False: 'The poet wants us to be the best little scrub in the valley.' Answer: True  

    मराठी टीप: उताऱ्यातील/कवितेतील माहितीवरूनच उत्तर द्या.


    TYPE 2 — Choose the Correct Alternative (1M each)

    1. Where does the pine tree grow? (A) valley (B) top of the hill (C) side of the rill (D) lake Answer: (B)  

    2. What should you be if you can't be a pine? (A) captain (B) scrub (C) sun (D) highway Answer: (B)  

    3. Where should the best little scrub be? (A) top of the hill (B) in the lake (C) by the side of the rill (D) in the sky Answer: (C)  

    4. What should you be if you can't be a tree? (A) bush (B) pine (C) star (D) muskie Answer: (A)  

    5. The word 'rill' rhymes with: (A) tree (B) hill (C) bush (D) scrub Answer: (B)  

    मराठी टीप: चुकीचे पर्याय ओळखून बरोबर उत्तरापर्यंत पोहोचा.


    TYPE 3 — Answer in One Word/Phrase (1M each)

    1. According to the poem, what grows on top of the hill? Answer: A pine  

    2. According to the poem, what is found in the valley? Answer: A scrub  

    3. According to the poem, what is found by the side of the rill? Answer: The best little scrub  

    4. According to the poem, what should you be instead of a tree? Answer: A bush  

    मराठी टीप: उत्तर एका शब्दात किंवा वाक्यांशात द्या.


    TYPE 4 — Complete the Lines (1M each)

    1. Complete the line: 'If you can't be a pine on the top of the _____' Answer: hill  

    2. Complete the line: 'Be a scrub in the valley but _____' Answer: be  

    3. Complete the line: 'The best little scrub by the side of the _____' Answer: rill  

    4. Complete the line: 'Be a bush if you can't be a _____' Answer: tree  

    मराठी टीप: यमक जुळणारे शब्द आठवा (उदा. hill आणि rill, be आणि tree).


    TYPE 5 — Answer in 2-3 Sentences (2M each)

    1. What is the main difference between a pine tree and a scrub?

      Answer: A pine tree is very tall and grows on the top of a hill. A scrub is a small plant that grows down in the valley.

      मराठी टीप: पाईन झाड उंच आणि टेकडीवर असते, तर झुडूप लहान आणि दरीत असते हे सांगा.

        

    2. What does the poet advise if you cannot be a pine?

      Answer: If you cannot be a tall pine tree, the poet advises you to be a scrub. He wants you to be the best little scrub by the side of the stream.

      मराठी टीप: पाईन होता आले नाही तर ओढ्याजवळचे उत्तम झुडूप व्हावे, असे कवी सांगतो.


    3. Where does the poet want the scrub to grow?

      Answer: The poet wants the scrub to grow in the valley. Specifically, it should grow nicely by the side of the rill (stream).

      मराठी टीप: झुडपाने दरीत आणि ओढ्याच्या (rill) बाजूला वाढावे असे कवीला वाटते.  


    4. What does Stanza 1 tell us about nature?

      Answer: Stanza 1 tells us that nature has both big and small things, like pines and scrubs. Both have their own beautiful place in the environment.

      मराठी टीप: निसर्गात मोठ्या आणि लहान दोन्ही गोष्टींना स्वतःचे महत्त्व असते हे सांगा.  


    5. What does the poet mean by "Be a bush if you can't be a tree"?

      Answer: The poet means that if you cannot do a very big job (like a tree), you should not feel sad. You should do a smaller job (like a bush) perfectly.

      मराठी टीप: मोठे काम मिळाले नाही तरी लहान काम अत्यंत चांगल्या प्रकारे करावे.  


    TYPE 6 — Answer in 4-5 Sentences (3M each)

    1. How does the poet use nature to explain his message in the first stanza? Answer: The poet uses contrasting images from nature to explain his point. He compares a tall pine tree on a hill to a small scrub in the valley. He also compares a large tree to a small bush. Through these examples, he shows that even if we are small like a scrub, we can still be the best in our place.

      मराठी टीप: १) पाईन आणि झुडूप यांची तुलना. २) झाड आणि बुश यांची तुलना. ३) लहान असूनही आपण सर्वोत्तम कसे असू शकतो हे सांगा.  


    2. Explain the lines: "Be a scrub in the valley but be / The best little scrub by the side of the rill".

      Answer: These lines mean that we should accept our current position in life. A scrub is a small plant in a valley, but it can make the side of a stream look beautiful. The poet wants us to be proud of our work, even if it seems small or unimportant. We should always aim to be the absolute best at whatever we do.

      मराठी टीप: १) ओढ्याजवळचे झुडूप निसर्गाला सुंदर बनवते. २) आपले काम लहान असले तरी त्याचा अभिमान बाळगा. ३) जे काम करू ते सर्वोत्कृष्ट असावे.  


    3. Why is it okay to be a 'bush' and not a 'tree' according to the poem? Answer: According to the poem, it is completely okay because every size has a purpose. A tree is tall and grand, but a bush has its own beauty and usefulness. The world needs both big and small things to be complete. Therefore, being a bush means you still have an important role to play in making the world better.

      मराठी टीप: १) जगात मोठ्या आणि लहान दोन्ही गोष्टींची गरज असते. २) झुडपाचेही स्वतःचे सौंदर्य असते. ३) प्रत्येक भूमिकेला स्वतःचे महत्त्व असते.  


    TYPE 7 — Word Meanings / Vocabulary in Context (1M each)

    (Questions are based on the whole poem)

    1. The word 'scrub' means...

      Answer: an area covered with small, low plants

      मराठी अर्थ: लहान वनस्पती/झुडुपे

      मराठी टीप: ओढ्याच्या बाजूला असलेली छोटी झाडे.  


    2. The word 'rill' means...

      Answer: a stream

      मराठी अर्थ: ओढा

      मराठी टीप: पाण्याचा छोटा प्रवाह.  


    3. The word 'crew' means...

      Answer: sailors who work on a ship

      मराठी अर्थ: खलाशी

      मराठी टीप: जहाजावर काम करणारे लोक.  


    4. The word 'trail' means...

      Answer: a narrow path

      मराठी अर्थ: अरुंद रस्ता किंवा पायवाट

      मराठी टीप: महामार्गापेक्षा (highway) लहान असलेली वाट. 

       

    5. The word 'lesser' means...

      Answer: unimportant

      मराठी अर्थ: कमी महत्त्वाचे

      मराठी टीप: 'big work' च्या विरुद्ध अर्थाचा शब्द.  


    TYPE 8 — Personal Response (2M each)

    (Questions are based on the whole poem)


    1. Do you think we should accept failure in our efforts? Why?

      Answer: Yes, we should accept failure. Failure teaches us important lessons and helps us understand our mistakes. Like the poem says, we do not win or fail by our size, but by how much effort we put in.

      मराठी टीप: होय, अपयश स्वीकारले पाहिजे कारण ते आपल्याला चुकांमधून शिकवते. (तुमचे स्वतःचे कोणतेही योग्य कारण येथे लिहिता येईल.)  


    2. Which line from the poem do you like most, and why?

      Answer: I like the line "Be the best of whatever you are!" the most. I like it because it gives a very positive message that every person is special and capable of doing great things in their own way.

      मराठी टीप: तुम्हाला आवडलेली कोणतीही ओळ निवडा आणि ती का आवडली याचे एक सोपे कारण द्या.

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