SSLC KARNATAKA
Subject – English (3rd Language)
Textbook Solution
UNIT 6 – POETRY
PRAYER FOR DUMB CREATURES
Summary of the Poem
Prayer for Dumb Creatures by G.E. Goodrich is a heartfelt plea to the Creator, asking for the protection and care of animals. The poet emphasizes that these creatures live and die for humans, and it’s our duty to treat them with love and respect. The poem urges us to recognize the silent prayers of these humble beings and respond with compassion
Pre-reading Activity:
If we visit a zoo or a park, we see many animals and insects. We can hear their sounds, and these sounds make us develop love and affection towards them.
What sounds do the following animals and insects make:
- Mice – Squeak
- Hogs – Oink
- Birds – Chirp or Tweet
- Cats – Meow
- Dogs – Bark
- Bees – Buzz
- Horses – Neigh
- Ducks – Quack
- Goats – Bleat
- Lions – Roar
Glossary:
- Starry: Full of stars
- Humble: Modest
- Hast: Has/Have
- Deny: Refuse
- Seal: Metal stamp
- Thou: You
- Dost: Do/Does
- Thee: You
Comprehension Questions:
A. Answer the following questions briefly:
- Who is the poem addressed to?
Ans. – The poem is addressed to the Creator, the Maker of earth, sea, and sky.
2. What request is made in the fifth and sixth lines?
Ans. –The poet requests the Creator to bless the dumb creatures and listen to their voiceless prayers.
3. What is the request made in the last two lines?
Ans. – The poet asks the Creator to teach humans to hear the pleas of the creatures, just as He hears human prayers.
D. List out the rhyming words in the poem.
- King – Wing
- Care – Prayer
- Made – Laid
- Deny – Die
- Plea – Thee
Extra One word answer questions based on the poem
“PRAYER FOR DUMB CREATURES”:
Who created the earth, sea, and sky?
Ans. – Maker
- What did the Creator form along with the sparrow’s wing?
Ans. – Starry
- Who is asked to bless the dumb creatures?
Ans. – Lord
- Whose prayers are referred to as “voiceless”?
Ans. – Creatures
- For whom do the creatures live and die?
Ans. – Us
- What kind of creatures are mentioned in the poem?
Ans. – Humble
- What is the seal of love laid on?
Ans. – Rights
- What are humans asked to hear from the creatures?
Ans. – Plea
- Who laid the seal of love on the creatures?
Ans. – Thou
To whom does the poet compare human prayers?
Ans. – Man’s