Old Man River (Drama)

Poem: On Killing a Tree

by Gieve Patel

Warm up

1. What is a tree?
2. Why are trees important for our survival?
3. How long does it take a tree to grow to its full size?
4. How much time does it take to cut down a tree?

Now read the poem which speaks about the pain of trees.

On Killing a Tree

It takes much time to kill a tree,
Not a simple jab of the knife
Will do it. It has grown
Slowly consuming the earth,
Rising out of it, feeding
Upon its crust, absorbing
Years of sunlight, air, water,
And out of its leperous hide
Sprouting leaves.

So hack and chop
But this alone won’t do it.
Not so much pain will do it.
The bleeding bark will heal
And from close to the ground
Will rise curled green twigs,
Miniature boughs
Which if unchecked will expand again
To former size.

No,
The root is to be pulled out –
Out of the anchoring earth;
It is to be roped, tied,
And pulled out – snapped out
Or pulled out entirely,
Out from the earth-cave,
And the strength of the tree exposed
The source, white and wet,
The most sensitive, hidden
For years inside the earth.

Then the matter
Of scorching and choking
In sun and air,
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering,
And then it is done.

About the Author

Dr. Gieve Patel is one of the prominent Indian poets. His famous works include Evening, Forensic Medicine, and From Bombay Central. He has also penned three plays. He has been conducting a poetry workshop in Rishi Valley School for more than a decade. This poem is taken from his poetry collection ‘Poems’ published in 1966.

Glossary

• jab (v): to poke, or thrust abruptly or sharply with a short, quick blow
• crust (n): the brown, hard outer portion or surface
• leprous (adj): covered with scales
• hide (n): the strong thick outer skin
• miniature (adj): very small

A. Memorize the first two stanzas of the poem.

B. Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions in a sentence or two.

1. It takes much time to kill a tree,
   Not a simple jab of the knife
   Will do it.
   - Can a ‘simple jab of the knife’ kill a tree?
   - Why does it take much time to kill a tree?

2. It has grown
   Slowly consuming the earth,
   Rising out of it, feeding
   Upon its crust, absorbing
   - How has the tree grown?
   - What does the tree feed from the crust?

3. And out of its leperous hide
   Sprouting leaves.
   - What does the phrase ‘leprous hide’ mean?
   - What comes out of the leperous hide?

4. The bleeding bark will heal
   And from close to the ground
   Will rise curled green twigs,
   Miniature boughs
   - What will happen to the bleeding bark?
   - What will rise from close to the ground?

5. The root is to be pulled out –
   Out of the anchoring earth;
   - Why should the root be pulled out?
   - What does ‘anchoring earth’ mean?

C. Based on the understanding of the poem, write down the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks.

The poet explains the process of _____. A lot of work has to be done in order to _____ completely. It cannot be accomplished by merely cutting it with _____. The tree has grown strong with the help of _____ for countless years. Even the _____ of the tree gives rise to _____. The _____ sprouts new twigs and leaves. In a short period, they grow into a new tree. So, to _____ completely, one should take out its roots completely from the soil. Then they should be exposed to _____. Only then the tree will be completely killed.

D. Based on the understanding of the poem, answer the following questions in a sentence or two.

1. What is the poem about?
2. What are the lessons to be learnt from the poem?
3. What are the life sources needed for a tree to grow?
4. What does the poet mean by ‘bleeding bark’?
5. Why does the poet say ‘No’ in the beginning of the third stanza?
6. How should the root be pulled out?
7. What is hidden inside the earth for years?
8. What finally happens to the tree in this poem?

E. Answer the following questions in about 80–100 words.

1. How does the poet bring out the pain of the tree?
2. ‘A tree doesn’t grow in a day.’ Explain it with reference to the poem.
3. Why do you think the poet describes the act of cutting a tree? What effect does it have on you as a reader?

F. Complete the table by identifying lines against the poetic devices from the poem.

Poetic Devices	Poetic lines / Figures of Speech
	It takes much time to kill a tree.
	The bleeding bark will heal.
	Out of the anchoring earth

LISTENING

G. Listen to the passage about Nammazhwar, an environmental crusader from Tamil Nadu. As you listen, answer the following questions. (The listening act can be repeated if required.)

1. Who is Nammazhwar? What is his contribution to farmers and farming?
2. In 1963 he worked for _____ as _____
3. What was the turning point in the life of Nammazhwar?
4. How is the “Bread sandwich method” a boon to the farmers?
5. Pick out ideas from the passage to show that he learnt first and then shared with farmers.
6. Explain in your own words the meaning of “Farming _____ even in the 21st Century”
7. Give the synonyms of ‘rely’ and ‘sustainable’.
8. “He never pushed ideas down anyone’s throat” means
   (a) favoured (b) compelled (c) opposed

WRITING

H. Based on the reading of the poem, complete the web chart given below.

to care for a tree and awaken people’s senses Gieve Patel's poem is about 

I. Look at the two trees. One is a green flourishing tree and the other, a brown withering tree.

The class will now be divided into two groups.
- Group A will list down the agents that support a tree’s growth.
- Group B will list down those that prevent it.

Once the groups are ready with their lists, a few representatives from each group will write down the lists on the blackboard.

Taking clues from the lists on the board, complete the following chart.

I will not_____	I will _
______	______

I will _	I will not_____
______	______

I will _
______

How will you protect trees?

J. Work in pairs. Create three slogans on ‘Saving Trees’.

Remember
- Use catchy, meaningful phrases.
- Do not write complete sentences.
- Ensure that the words at the end rhyme.

Example:
Save a Tree
Get Oxygen for Free

SPEAKING

K. Deliver a short speech for about five minutes on the following.

1. Imagine what will happen if all the trees on the earth disappear. Discuss with your friends and share it with your classmates.
2. Think of a situation where all the trees can speak. What will they talk about?

Let us laugh together

• How do trees access the internet?
  They simply _____ in.

• What will the tree do if the banks are closed?
  It will start its own _____.

• What type of tree fits in your hand?
  A _____ tree.

Read and Enjoy

Dear Friend,

Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter

Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.

Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!

Ilan Shamir

Practice Practice Exercises

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

1. What health hazards are caused when water stagnates around your place?

2. When there is a power shutdown for long hours during floods, what will you do?

3. What precautions would you take if there is an announcement about flooding in your area?

1. What were the important objects that the girls and Jim try to move to the attic? Why?

2. Who came to rescue the children?

3. What happened to Sara?

4. Who is Miss Marsh? How does she help Sara?

5. Who were taken in the boat? Who were left behind?

6. How does Red Cross help the children?

1. The radio announced that

a. the river was above the flood stage.

b. the Burnet Dam had given way.

c. there will be a cloud burst.

d. there will be a cyclone.

2. Mother couldn’t get home from Mrs. Brant’s because

a. it was raining heavily.

b. the bridges between home and the town were under water.

c. there was an emergency at Mrs. Brant’s house.

d. she had broken her leg.

3. The Burnett Dam gave away as

a. it rained for days.

b. the dam was weak.

c. it rained heavily and the snow was melting.

d. the maintenance was poor

4. There was no power because

a. the power house was out of commission.

b. the power house was flooded.

c. the dam gave away.

d. there was fire.

a. She was unconscious out of fear.

b. She had broken her leg below the knee.

c. She was too lazy to walk.

d. She was making a fuss.

1. Why did Jim run from school?

2. Where was Amy’s mother?

3. Why did Amy ask Betty to fill in the water tubs?

4. According to Jim, what are the two things that a person should remember in times of emergency?

5. Why is Jim climbing on the roof?

6. Who were there in the living room? What were they doing?

7. Why were they going to sleep in the attic?

8. Who came in the boat?

9. Who is the founder of the Junior Red Cross?

1. Describe the ‘home alone’ experience of the children.

2. Elaborate the rescue operation undertaken by Mr.Peter.

3. How did Jim prove himself as a good rescuer in the flood situation?

a. How did Amy manage the situation at home?

b. How did the Marshall save the children?

The South Indian floods resulted from heavy rainfall generated by the annual north east monsoon in two thousand fifteen. They affected the region of the South Indian states of and the Union Territory of with Tamil Nadu and the city of particularly hard-hit. More than people were killed and over eighteen lakh people were With estimates of damages and losses ranging from nearly two hundred billion rupees to over one trillion rupees, the were the costliest to have occurred in two thousand fifteen, and were among the costliest natural disasters of the year. The flooding has been attributed to the two thousand fourteen to sixteen

Old lady:

You:

1. Is mountaineering a dangerous sport? Why? (para 1)

2. What is frostbite? (para 2)

3. What are the qualities of a good climber? (para 3)

4. What do climbers carry with them? (para 4)

5. Where is the Mountaineering Institute situated in India? (para 5)

6. What qualities of humankind are brought out by this adventurous sport? (para6)

7. Why do mountaineers deserve praise? (para 6)

8. What kind of visitors does Mount Everest get? (para 6)

1. Texting on his phone, the man swerved into a ditch.

2. It isn’t necessary to cram all night if you have studied a little each day.

3. We climbed up the hill to enjoy the view.

4. I enjoy painting during my holidays.

5. Whether he attends the party or not, I have decided to go.

6. I will stop playing the drums when you go to sleep.

1. I would like to order coffee tea.

2. the rains, we went out.

3. fire, break the glass to escape.

4. I am standing here my friends.

5. We solved the problem a new device developed by our engineers.

6. we are impressed with their performance.

1. The astronauts managed (complete) their training in record time.

2. They learned how (survive) in space without gravity.

3. The best astronaut almost quit (try) to learn the complex information.

4. Their mission appeared (be) in jeopardy.

5. Then Marina encouraged him by saying, "It’s no good (quit) the project right at the end."

6. Being an astronaut will enable you (achieve) great success in life.

7. If you give up (study) now, our mission will be scrubbed.

8. Think of your fellow astronauts who wouldn’t hesitate (help) you in time of trouble.

9. We astronauts must keep on (prepare) for our space launch.

10. Some say it’s no use (travel) to distant planets, because it takes too long.

11. But we really want (visit) other planets and find out if life exists on them.

12. Can you imagine (walk) up to a Martian and shaking hands and (say), “Hello, how are you? “

13. We really look forward (meet) alien creatures and (find) out what they are really like.

14. Many scientists have warned us not (take) this dangerous journey, but we are not discouraged.

15. Travelling to far away planets involves (risk) our lives for the thrill of discovery.

16. However we won’t delay (blast) off into space.

17. Would you like (accompany) us on our journey if you could?

18. During our training we have got used to (be) weightless and (live) under difficult conditions.

19. Scientists admit to (be) intensely curious about life on other planets.

20. I’m sure they would also enjoy (travel) with our crew.

21. We told them (come) with us on our trip, but some of them think it is a waste of time (search) for life that doesn’t exist.

22. We have been taught how (endure) hardships during our training and now we can’t afford (waste) money.

Neptune -10.

Venus- 09.

Mars-18.

Jupiter-11.