English Literature and Grammar
"Poetry is the overflow of powerful feelings...recollected in tranquility." by William Wordsworth
Saturday, January 20, 2024
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth VIII, 2024
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Saturday, December 23, 2023
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Thursday, August 17, 2023
"Little Red" by Jessica McDonald
Monday, June 12, 2023
Be the Best of Whatever You Are by Douglas Malloch
Be the Best of
Whatever You Are
by Douglas Malloch
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.
If you can’t be a bush be a bit of the grass,
And some highway some happier make;
If you can’t be a muskie then just be a bass--
But the liveliest bass in the lake!
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 we must do is the near.
An American Poet |
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!
Word meanings
Scrub (noun) - an area of land covered with) short trees and bushes, growing on dry ground of low quality
Valley (noun) - an area of low land between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it; the land that a river flows through
Example: In the valley below cows were
grazing peacefully.
Rill (noun) a shallow channel cut by water flowing over rock or soil
Muskie (noun) a type of fish
Summary of the
poem
Be the Best of Whatever You Are by Douglas Malloch motivates us to make the most of our circumstances, and be the best version of ourselves, regardless of our position or role in life. It emphasizes that it's not always about being in the most important position, but rather about doing our best and making a positive impact wherever we are.
The poem
suggests that if we cannot be the most prominent tree on a hill, we should try
to be the best small bush or scrub by a stream. If we cannot be a powerful
muskie fish, we should aim to be the liveliest bass in the lake. It highlights
that it's not about being the biggest or most powerful, but about being the
best at what we do.
The poem
also reminds us that not everyone can be a leader or a captain; there are roles
for all of us. It encourages us to embrace the tasks at hand, whether they are
big or small, and to give our best effort. It emphasizes that our value is not
determined by our size or status but by how well we fulfill our potential and
contribute positively to the world.
In summary, the poem is a reminder to be the best version of ourselves, to make the most of our abilities and circumstances, and to contribute positively in whatever role or position we find ourselves in.
Dear readers,
Please, never hesitate to comment because your comment inspires me much to write. Moreover, any correction regarding the writings will be largely appreciated and valued, and you can ask me any grammatical question regarding English. I promise I would try my best to assist you, all. Thank you very much.
Prepared by
Md. Saiful Alam
BA Honours, BEd (1st Class) and MA in English
An MPO registered Assistant Teacher of English
Email: suman64924@gamil.com
Sunday, June 11, 2023
If by Rudyard Kipling for class seven, New Curriculum, 2023, English
If
by Rudyard Kipling
(1865 – 1936) an English novelist, short-story writer, poet, and journalist |
‘If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
Word Meanings
Pitch and toss- a gambling game
Sinew – (noun) strong band of
tissue in the body connecting a muscle to a bone
Except - not including
Hold on – to not give up
Summary of the
poem 'If' by Rudyard Kipling:
Rudyard Kipling's poem "If" is about the qualities and virtues that a person should possess to navigate through life successfully. It describes various situations and challenges, highlighting the importance of perseverance, humility, and inner strength.
The first stanza talks about the ability to gather wealth and take risks with it, without thinking much about the outcome. It emphasizes the importance of starting over and not dwelling on past losses.
The second stanza speaks to the idea of pushing oneself beyond physical and mental limits, continuing to strive even when faced with exhaustion or adversity. It encourages holding on and not giving up, relying on the willpower to endure.
Overall, the poem encourages readers to remain determined, resilient, and focused, regardless of the difficulties they encounter. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, facing challenges with courage, and never losing hope.
Dear readers,
Please, never
hesitate to comment because your comment inspires me much to write. Moreover,
any correction regarding the writings will be largely appreciated and valued,
and you can ask me any grammatical question regarding English. I promise I would
try my best to assist you, all. Thank you very much.
Md. Saiful Alam
BA Honours, BEd (1st Class) and
MA in English
An MPO registered Assistant Teacher of
English
Email: suman64924@gamil.com
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth VIII, 2024
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