8th Class English Notes (Unit-2.1) A Time to Talk

Take turns and read this text aloud. Be sensitive to other speakers. Do not speak when someone else is speaking. Listen carefully when someone is speaking aloud.

Urdu Translation of the Poem “A Time to Talk”

گفتگو(بات چیت) کا وقت

جب ایک دوست سڑک سے مجھے پکارتا ہے۔

اور اپنے گھوڑے کو ایک معنی خیز چال میں سست رو کر دیتا ہے،

میں خاموش نہیں کھڑا رہ پاتا اور ادھر ادھر دیکھتا ہوں۔

ان تمام پہاڑیوں پر جو میں نے نہیں کھودیں

اور میں جہاں ہوں وہاں سے (آواز دے کر) پکارتا ہوں، کیا بات ہے؟

نہیں، ابھی نہیں، کیونکہ اب بات چیت کا وقت ہے۔

،میں نے اپنی کدال نرم زمین میں ڈالی،

بلیڈ والا سرا اوپر کی جانب، اور پانچ فٹ لمبا

اور بھاری (تھکے تھکے سے) قدموں سے چلتے ہوئے: میں پتھر کی دیوار تک جاتا ہوں

دوستانہ دورے (یعنی اپنے دوست سے ملنے) کے لیے۔

Exercise

A – Discuss with your partner and answer the questions orally.

1. How many people are there in the poem? How do they know each other? How do you know? Can you do it?

Answer: In the poem, there are at least two people: the speaker and their friend who calls to them from the road. They seem to know each other well, as there is a sense of familiarity and camaraderie in the interaction.

We know this because the speaker refers to the person as a friend and describes their response to the friend’s call.

2. What is the setting (location, time of day, weather)? How do you know?

Answer: The setting of the poem appears to be in a rural area, likely on a farm or in the countryside. It seems to be during the day, possibly in the afternoon, as the friend is traveling on horseback.

The weather is not explicitly mentioned, but the imagery suggests a calm and peaceful atmosphere. We can infer the setting from the mention of hills, a stone wall, and the speaker’s hoe, which are typical elements found in rural landscapes.

3. What do you see when you read this poem? Put your thoughts in your words.

Answer: When I read this poem, I envision a serene countryside scene with rolling hills and a dirt road winding through it.

The speaker is working in the fields, possibly tending to their crops or gardening, when their friend passes by on horseback. Rather than stopping their work immediately, the speaker takes a moment to acknowledge their friend’s presence and decides to join them for a chat after finishing their task.

There’s a sense of simplicity and contentment in this scene, emphasizing the importance of human connection and taking time for meaningful interactions amidst the busyness of life.

4. What do you think is the message or theme of this poem?

Answer: The message or theme of the poem seems to be about the value of friendship and human connection in our lives. It emphasizes the importance of taking the time to pause and engage with others, even amidst our daily responsibilities and tasks.

The speaker prioritizes their relationship with their friend over their work, demonstrating the significance of companionship and meaningful conversation.

Moreover, there is a sense of appreciation for the beauty and tranquility of the natural world, as reflected in the rural setting of the poem.

Vocabulary

Hoe, hoed, mellow, plod

Use contextual clues to figure out the meanings. Remember that it is not necessary to know the definitions of all the words in the poem to understand the poem’s meaning.

“Hoe”: In the context of the poem, the speaker mentions thrusting their hoe into the ground. A hoe is a gardening tool used for breaking up soil and weeding. So, in this context, “hoe” refers to the tool the speaker is using for their work in the fields.

“Hoed”: The speaker mentions looking around at “all the hills I haven’t hoed.” From this, we can infer that “hoed” is related to some action done to the hills. Considering the speaker is talking about their work in the fields and using a hoe, “hoed” likely refers to the act of using a hoe to till or work the soil on the hills.

“Mellow”: The speaker describes the ground as “mellow” when they thrust their hoe into it. Given the context of gardening and working in the fields, “mellow” likely refers to the condition of the soil. In gardening terminology, “mellow” soil usually means soil that is soft, crumbly, and easy to work with.

“Plod”: The speaker mentions “plodding” after thrusting their hoe into the ground. “Plod” usually means to walk heavily and slowly, often with a steady, monotonous rhythm. In this context, it seems to suggest the speaker’s methodical and deliberate movement as they continue their work in the fields after acknowledging their friend’s presence.

So, in summary:

• “Hoe” is a gardening tool.
• “Hoed” likely means worked the soil with a hoe.
• “Mellow” describes the softness and ease of working the soil.
• “Plod” suggests the speaker’s slow and steady movement.