4.3 Mr Nobody - Class 6 - Kumarbharati

Author: Anonymous (Author Unknown)

Genre: Poem (Humorous / Satirical)

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Class 6

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

The poem Mr Nobody humorously describes a mischievous invisible character who is blamed for all the small troubles and mistakes in a household. The poet introduces Mr Nobody as a quiet little man who is never seen but whose mischief is everywhere. He is the one who cracks plates, tears books, leaves doors open, pulls buttons off shirts, and scatters pins around. He never oils the squeaky doors and leaves fingerprints on doors and spills ink. The untidy boots lying around also belong to him. In reality, the poem reflects how people, especially children, avoid taking responsibility for their mistakes and instead blame them on an imaginary figure. The poem, with its simple rhymes and humour, teaches the value of honesty and accountability.

Theme / Central Idea

The poem shows how people blame an imaginary “Mr Nobody” for their mistakes. It highlights human nature of avoiding responsibility and conveys the lesson that honesty is better than excuses.

Character Sketches

Mr Nobody

• Imaginary character blamed for all household mischief.

• Quiet, unseen, but mischievous.

• Tears books, cracks plates, spills ink, and leaves things untidy.

• Symbol of irresponsibility and excuses.

The Family / Children (Implied Characters)

• Do the actual mischief but never admit it.

• Blame everything on Mr Nobody.

• Represent human tendency to avoid blame.

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (5)

1. Infinitive / Gerund

   Sentence: “Mr Nobody likes to break plates.”

   Answer: The infinitive is to break. It shows the action.

   
   

2. Passive Voice

   Change the voice: Mr Nobody tore the book.

   Answer: The book was torn by Mr Nobody.

   
   

3. Modal Auxiliary

   Use ‘can’ in a sentence based on the poem.

   Answer: Mr Nobody can be blamed for every small mischief.

   
   

4. Tense Change

   Change into past tense: Mr Nobody leaves the door ajar.

   Answer: Mr Nobody left the door ajar.

   
   

5. Wh-question framing

   Make a Wh-question for the underlined part: The boots belong to Mr Nobody.

   Answer: Who do the boots belong to?

   
   

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. Question: Have you ever blamed someone else for your mistakes?

   Answer: Yes, sometimes mistakes are blamed on others to avoid scolding, but later I realised it is better to admit the truth.

   
   

2. Question: Why do people invent characters like Mr Nobody?

   Answer: People invent such characters to escape blame and punishment. It is a humorous way of hiding mistakes.

   
   

3. Question: What lesson does the poem teach?

   Answer: The poem teaches us to accept our mistakes and be honest. Taking responsibility makes us trustworthy.

   
   

4. Question: Do you find the poem humorous? Why?

   Answer: The poem is humorous because it blames all mischief on an invisible person. The excuses sound funny but also meaningful.

5. Question: How can children learn to be more responsible?

   Answer: Children can learn responsibility by admitting mistakes, helping in household chores, and keeping things neat.

True or False (5)

1. Mr Nobody is an imaginary character. → True

2. Mr Nobody is always seen in the house. → False (He is never seen.)

3. According to the poem, the cracked plates are blamed on Mr Nobody. → True

4. The poem suggests that real people never make mistakes. → False (It suggests they blame mistakes on Mr Nobody.)

5. Finger marks on the door are blamed on Mr Nobody. → True

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. Question: Who is Mr Nobody and what is his role in the poem?

   Answer: Mr Nobody is an imaginary figure who is blamed for all the mischief in the house. He symbolises irresponsibility and excuses.

   
   

2. Question: What kinds of mischief are blamed on Mr Nobody?

   Answer: Breaking plates, tearing books, leaving doors open, scattering pins, spilling ink, leaving boots around, and leaving squeaky doors unoiled are blamed on him.

   
   

3. Question: Why does the poet say “There’s no one ever sees his face”?

   Answer: The poet says this because Mr Nobody is not real. He is imaginary, created to avoid admitting mistakes.

   
   

4. Question: What lesson does the poem Mr Nobody give to children?

   Answer: The poem gives the lesson that mistakes should not be hidden or blamed on imaginary people. Honesty and responsibility are better.

   
   

5. Question: Why is the poem considered humorous?Answer: The poem is humorous because it exaggerates how all problems in the house are blamed on one invisible man. The playful tone makes it funny while teaching a lesson.

   
   

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

The poem Mr Nobody is a humorous and satirical piece that reflects the habit of blaming others for mistakes. By creating the imaginary figure of Mr Nobody, the poet cleverly shows how people avoid responsibility. The simple rhymes and funny excuses make the poem enjoyable for children. At the same time, it carries an important message about honesty and accountability. The poem is memorable because it entertains while teaching a moral lesson. It reminds us that being truthful and responsible is more valuable than making excuses.

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