Gifts of Grace
voice of their identity.”
Reflect and Respond — Riddles
| Person | Role & Contribution to Society |
|---|---|
| 🌾 Farmer | Grows food for the entire nation; without farmers, no one would have food to eat. |
| 🏺 Potter | Creates clay pots and vessels used in daily life; preserves a traditional craft. |
| 🧱 Mason | Constructs homes, roads, and buildings; provides shelter to people. |
| 🍳 Cook / Chef | Prepares food that nourishes families; keeps people healthy and satisfied. |
True / False — Rectify False Statements
| # | Statement | Answer | Correction (if False) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The poem highlights the skilled work of craftspersons. | True | — |
| 2 | Musicians express emotions through their instruments. | True | — |
| 3 | Carpenters are admired for their logical work. | False | Carpenters are admired for creating anything out of wood with mathematical precision. |
| 4 | Electricians are recognised for lighting up lives. | True | — |
| 5 | The poem pays homage to shoemakers who manufacture quality footwear. | True | — |
| 6 | The poem celebrates the patriotism of the people of Bharat. | False | The poem celebrates the various vocations and skills of the people, not patriotism. |
| 7 | The poet feels each vocation deserves to be respected. | True | — |
Appreciation of the Poem
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does the poem follow a strict rhyme scheme? | No — it is written in free verse with no regular rhyme at line endings. |
| Impact of varying line length? | Creates a natural, flowing rhythm mirroring the diversity of vocations. Gives each worker’s contribution its own space and importance. |
| Pattern in most lines? | Each line names a specific vocation + describes what the worker does. E.g., “The carpenters celebrating; they create anything out of wood with mathematical precision.” |
The speaker appears to be a keen observer or a common citizen of Bharat who witnesses the work of various artisans. The speaker’s role is to act as a celebrant and a witness — honouring all vocations and declaring their importance to society.
Poetic Devices at a Glance
“sailing and singing” — ‘s’ sound.
Critical Reflection — I (Extract: Shoemakers)
(ii) to declare with confidence. Shoemakers are proud of their craft and confidently declare the quality of their footwear.
Quality shoes help people walk, dance, run, jump, and return home safely — supporting all physical activities and movements of daily life.
‘Return home’ symbolises completing one’s journey safely and successfully. It means reaching one’s goals and finding safety and comfort at the end of every endeavour. Metaphorically, well-crafted shoes support people through all of life’s journeys — from work to leisure, adventure to rest.
This phrase clearly tells us that every worker’s skill and contribution is unique and cannot be replicated by anyone else.
…all the varied activities and journeys that human feet undertake in daily life. The shoemaker’s work supports every movement and moment of a person’s life.
Critical Reflection — II (Answer the Following)
The poet says this to celebrate the rich diversity of skills and occupations across Bharat. Every worker — from carpenter to cook to boatman — contributes uniquely. The poet wants to show that the sounds of work are the sounds of celebration. The repetition emphasises that this recognition is continuous and all-encompassing.
‘Humming’ suggests the electrician is happy, enthusiastic, and content with his vocation. It shows he does not view work as a burden but as a source of joy and pride. Workers who love their vocation find happiness in even the routine preparation for their day’s work.
This is the most important line in the poem. A person’s work is not separate from who they are — it defines their identity. A potter is known by his pots, a carpenter by his woodwork. Each vocation gives a person their place in society, their sense of self-worth, and their cultural identity. It elevates every vocation — however ordinary — to the level of personal dignity and pride.
Yes, absolutely. Every vocation plays a vital and irreplaceable role:
The poet celebrates all vocations because every skill-based work contributes to society’s smooth functioning. In our own daily lives:
- The auto-rickshaw driver who takes us to school every morning.
- The vegetable vendor who supplies fresh produce to our neighbourhood.
- The electrician who repairs power lines after a storm.
- The mason who built the walls of our school.
These sensory details make ordinary labour seem extraordinary — helping the reader feel, see, and hear the energy of everyday work.
Vocabulary in Context
| # | Description | Vocation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Studies or grows garden plants | horticulturist |
| 2 | Trained female community health worker | ASHA worker |
| 3 | A producer of raw silk | sericulturist |
| 4 | Makes or sells sweets and chocolates | confectioner |
| 5 | Metalworker specialising in precious metals | goldsmith |
| 6 | A person who fuses materials together | welder |
| Word | NOT a Synonym | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| myriad | countable | Myriad means countless — ‘countable’ is the opposite. |
| hues | drawing | Hues means shades/colours — ‘drawing’ is unrelated. |
| precision | calculation | Precision means exactness/accuracy — not the same as calculation. |
| varied | uniform | Varied means diverse — ‘uniform’ means all the same (opposite). |
| delicious | inedible | Delicious means tasty — ‘inedible’ means cannot be eaten (opposite). |
Writing Task — Career Mela Poster
Haiku Poems on Vocations
A pot rises from the earth,
Art born from the soil.
Rain and sun work together,
Golden harvest blooms.