4.8 An Autumn Greeting - Class 6 - Kumarbharati

Author: George Cooper

Genre: Poem (Nature / Seasonal)

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Class 6

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

The poem An Autumn Greeting by George Cooper describes the arrival of autumn through a playful conversation between the wind and the leaves. One day, the wind invites the little leaves to come out to the meadows and play, telling them to put on their colourful dresses of red and gold as summer has ended and the days are growing cold. Hearing the wind’s call, the leaves come fluttering down, dancing and singing soft songs as they fly across the meadows. Winter soon arrives, and the leaves are content to fall asleep in the earth, while snow covers them like a warm, soft blanket. The poem personifies the leaves and wind, creating a vivid and joyful picture of seasonal change in nature.

Theme / Central Idea

The poem highlights the beauty of autumn and the natural cycle of life. It teaches acceptance of change and shows how nature embraces each season with joy and contentment.

Character Sketches

The Leaves

• Cheerful and playful.

• Obey the call of the wind and flutter down happily.

• Wear colours of red and gold, symbolising autumn.

• Content to rest under the snow in winter.

The Wind

• Personified as a playful guide.

• Calls the leaves to dance and play in the meadows.

• Brings change by announcing the arrival of autumn.

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (5)

1. Infinitive / Gerund

   Sentence: “The wind asked the leaves to play.”

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

   
   

2. Passive Voice

   Change the voice: The snow covered the leaves.

   Answer: The leaves were covered by the snow.

   
   

3. Modal Auxiliary

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

   Answer: The leaves will dance in the meadows when the wind calls them.

   
   

4. Tense Change

   Change into past tense: The leaves dance and sing in the meadows.

   Answer: The leaves danced and sang in the meadows.

   
   

5. Wh-question framing

   Make a Wh-question for the underlined part: The wind gave the leaves dresses of red and gold.

   Answer: What dresses did the wind give the leaves?

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. Question: What do you like most about the autumn season?

   Answer: The most liked thing about autumn is the colourful leaves. Their red and golden shades make nature look beautiful.

   
   

2. Question: How does the poet make the leaves seem alive?

   Answer: The poet personifies the leaves by making them dance, sing, and wear dresses. This makes them seem cheerful and alive.

   
   

3. Question: What lesson do you learn from the leaves being content in winter?

   Answer: The lesson learned is that we should accept change with happiness. Like the leaves, we must be content with every stage of life.

   
   

4. Question: If the wind invited you to play, what would you do?

   Answer: If the wind invited me, I would run and play outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and freedom.

   
   

5. Question: Why is this poem called An Autumn Greeting?

   Answer: The poem is called An Autumn Greeting because it welcomes the autumn season with joy, dance, and colourful images of leaves.

True or False (5)

1. The poem describes the arrival of summer. → False (It describes autumn and winter.)

2. The wind invites the leaves to dance in the meadows. → True

3. The leaves wear red and gold dresses in autumn. → True

4. The leaves are unhappy to fall and sleep in the earth. → False (They are content.)

5. Snow covers the leaves like a mantle. → True

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. Question: How does the wind invite the leaves in the poem?

   Answer: The wind invites the leaves to come to the meadows and play, telling them to wear red and golden dresses as summer has ended and autumn has arrived.

   
   

2. Question: What do the leaves do when they hear the wind’s call?

   Answer: The leaves come fluttering down, dancing and flying across the meadows. They sing soft songs as they move happily.

   
   

3. Question: How does the poet describe the arrival of winter?

   Answer: The poet describes winter as a time when the leaves fall asleep in earthy beds, and snow covers them like a soft, white mantle.

   
   

4. Question: What is the main message of the poem An Autumn Greeting?

   Answer: The main message is to embrace change with joy and contentment. Just as leaves accept the end of their cycle, we should accept life’s changes gracefully.

   
   

5. Question: How does the poet personify the leaves in the poem?

   Answer: The poet personifies the leaves by making them wear dresses, dance, sing, and play. This creates a lively and joyful image of autumn.

   
   

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

The poem An Autumn Greeting by George Cooper is a joyful description of the autumn season. It beautifully personifies the leaves and wind, turning nature into playful companions. The imagery of leaves in red and gold dresses, dancing in the meadows, and resting under a snowy mantle makes the poem charming and vivid. The poem is memorable because it combines simplicity with imagination. It teaches acceptance of change and shows how each season in life has its own beauty. The gentle rhythm and rhyme make it musical and suitable for children.

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