5.1 The Kites - Class 6 - Poorvi

Jul 13
4 min read

Updated: Jul 14

Textbook: Poorvi – Class 6

Author: Shirley Hughes

Genre: Poem / Nature and Imagination

📝 Summary

“The Kites” by Shirley Hughes is a vivid and joyful poem about the thrill of flying kites. The poet describes how the wind plays with the kites, lifting them into the sky like bright birds with tails. The poem captures the excitement of children running with their strings and watching their kites dance high above.

Through short, rhythmic lines, the poet paints lively images of springtime winds and colorful skies filled with flying kites. The poem contrasts the cheerful scene of soaring kites with the occasional mishaps when kites get tangled, torn, or fall into trees. Despite this, the mood remains playful and full of wonder.

Overall, the poem celebrates childhood fun, the beauty of nature, and the feeling of freedom that comes with flying a kite. It reflects the spirit of curiosity and the joy of small adventures. The poet uses rich imagery and simple language to connect with young readers and encourage them to enjoy the little pleasures in life.

👤 Character Sketch

No characters are directly named in the poem, but the central figure is the collective image of children who enjoy the outdoors, play with kites, and experience the ups and downs of their adventure with joy and wonder.

📚 Themes

Theme	Description
Joy of Childhood	Celebrates the carefree fun and excitement of flying kites.
Nature and Freedom	The kites flying high represent freedom and connection with nature.
Hope and Disappointment	Shows both the highs of success and the lows of when things go wrong.
Imagination	The poem turns a simple activity into a vivid and magical experience.

✨ Literary Devices / Poetic Devices

Device	Example	Effect
Imagery	“Like coloured birds they fly”	Creates a visual of kites in the sky.
Simile	“Like coloured birds”	Compares kites to birds to enhance their beauty and grace.
Alliteration	“Bright breezy days”	Adds rhythm and musical quality.
Personification	“Wind comes calling”	Gives human traits to wind, making it playful and active.
Rhyme	“Fly–sky,” “found–ground”	Maintains a lyrical and child-friendly rhythm.

📖 Title Justification

The title “The Kites” is simple yet effective. It directly refers to the main subject of the poem—kites—and captures the playful, light-hearted theme. The title also symbolizes freedom, adventure, and the ups and downs of life. Since the poem is a celebration of childhood joy and wonder through the act of kite flying, the title is both suitable and meaningful.

✅ One-Mark Questions

What does the poet compare the kites to? → The poet compares the kites to colourful birds.
How does the wind behave in the poem? → The wind is playful and lifts the kites into the sky.
What happens to some kites in the poem? → Some kites fall, get torn, or are caught in trees.
What feeling does flying a kite give? → It gives a feeling of joy and freedom.
What season is described in the poem? → The poem describes spring with bright breezy days.

✅ Three-Mark Questions

How does the poet describe the movement of the kites in the sky? → The poet describes the kites as flying like colored birds with tails. They dart and climb high above with the help of the wind. Their movement is lively and full of energy, showing the playful nature of both the kites and the wind.
What happens to kites that fall or get tangled? → Some kites lose control and are caught in trees or bushes. Others lie broken on the ground or are found drifting sadly. Even though this shows disappointment, the poet presents it gently, as a natural part of the fun.
What message does the poem give about joy and freedom? → The poem suggests that simple things like flying kites can bring great happiness. It also shows that freedom and fun come with ups and downs, but the joy of trying and playing is always worth it.

🧠 Value-Based Question

What lesson does “The Kites” teach us about dealing with success and failure?→ The poem teaches that while success is wonderful—like a kite flying high—failure is also a part of life. Sometimes kites fall, but that doesn't stop children from trying again. In life, we should enjoy the good moments and learn from failures without giving up. The real joy lies in participating with a happy heart.

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