A Friend Found in Music
Reflect and Respond
I prefer to listen to instrumental music because it is peaceful and helps me concentrate while studying. Instrumental music allows me to feel emotions without words, and I can enjoy the beauty of musical instruments like the flute, violin, and sitar.
I love their music because it is soothing, soulful, and meaningful. Their songs and tunes can make me feel happy, relaxed, or emotional. Their music represents the rich heritage of Indian culture and reaches people of all ages and backgrounds.
Check Your Understanding — Poet’s Diary
Let Us Appreciate the Poem
Personification — Music is given the human ability to “move” someone emotionally, as if it were a living person capable of touching human feelings.
| Metaphor (from the poem) | Simile (rewritten) |
|---|---|
| Music is the ocean | Music is as vast as an ocean. |
| Music is the rhythm | Music is like a rhythm. |
| Music is the therapy | Music is as healing as therapy. |
| Music is the needed friend | Music is as comforting as a needed friend. |
Example — shore (A) / core (B) | blue (C) / through (B) | cheerful (A) / care (B)
Impact: It gives the poem a musical and rhythmic flow, which is fitting since the poem is about music itself. The rhyme makes it pleasing to hear and easy to remember — like a song.
The poet repeats ‘music’ to emphasise its central importance in her life. It shows that music is everywhere — in her happiness, sadness, and every emotion. The repetition also creates a rhythmic, song-like flow in the poem. This device is called Anaphora.
The poet wishes to convey that music is a true and faithful friend. It heals sadness, lifts spirits, brings joy, and gives comfort when no one else seems to care. Music is essential for our emotional well-being and is always available to us.
(ii) Thoughtful — The poet is reflecting deeply and sincerely on how music has been a constant companion throughout her life, making the mood contemplative and grateful.
The poet uses first-person pronouns — “I,” “me,” and “my” — throughout the poem. For example:
This confirms that the poet is sharing her own personal feelings and experiences with music — not describing someone else.
Critical Reflection — Extract
…feeling sad, depressed, or low in spirits. It is a common English idiom meaning to feel unhappy or melancholic.
This line directly shows that music elevates the poet’s mood and makes her happy.
“To make sure I pull through” signifies that music helps the poet overcome difficult times and gives her the strength and courage to succeed even when situations are challenging and hard.
TRUE — Throughout the poem, the poet describes music as her ocean, rhythm, therapy, and friend — it is central to every emotion in her life.
A. Music brings comfort during sadness. The extract specifically focuses on how music acts as therapy when the poet feels blue and helps her pull through difficulties.
Answer the Following Questions
Music has the power to deeply touch the poet’s heart and soul. Its rhythm and beauty affect her so strongly that she feels it in the deepest part of herself — her very core. The music stirs her emotions and connects directly with her inner being, going beyond the surface level.
The poet compares music to a ‘needed friend’ because, just like a true friend, music is always there for her. It comforts her when she is sad, celebrates with her when she is happy, and supports her when no one else seems to care.
The poet has an attitude of deep love, gratitude, and admiration towards music. She sees music as her ocean, rhythm, therapy, and friend. She depends on it for emotional support and considers it an essential part of her life — not a luxury but a necessity.
This poem has a universal appeal because music is loved by everyone, regardless of age, language, or culture. People all over the world turn to music for joy, comfort, and healing.
I completely relate to the poet’s feelings. Like her, I also find music to be a faithful friend. When I feel sad or stressed, listening to my favourite songs makes me feel better. When I’m happy, music makes my mood even more joyful.
Music helps me focus while studying and relax during free time — just as the poet describes. It truly is a companion for every emotion and every moment.
Vocabulary in Context — Emotions
😊 Positive Emotions (Happiness)
😢 Negative Emotions (Sadness)
| # | Sentence with correct word |
|---|---|
| 1 | The familiar tune stimulated a rush of nostalgia, transporting listeners back to cherished moments from their past. |
| 2 | The soulful ballad expressed the singer’s anguish, leaving the audience moved by the intensity of their emotions. |
| 3 | The pianist played a soulful melody on the stage, creating an ambience of melancholy. |
| 4 | The festive symphony filled the air with jubilant tones, lifting the spirits of everyone present on the joyous occasion. |
Vocabulary III & IV — Phrasal Verbs
| # | Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | move out — planning to move out of his parents’ house | To leave a place where one has been living |
| 2 | moved in — new neighbours moved in yesterday | To begin living in a new home or place |
| 3 | moved on — it’s time I moved on | To start doing or discussing something new |
| 4 | move over — move over a bit so I can sit down | To shift position to make space for someone |
| 5 | move along — police told the crowd to move along | To go to a new position, especially to make room |
| 6 | moved off — bus moved off as passengers were seated | To start moving; to leave |
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Q1. How are the two speakers connected? | (i) Parent-child |
| Q2. Where is the conversation? | (i) Music centre |
| Q3. Which instrument is the reason for the problem? | (i) Sitar |
| Q4. What is the problem being discussed? | (i) Inability to play the musical instrument |
| Q5. What was the unsuccessful solution? | (i) Practising for longer hours |
| Q6. What is the final decision taken? | (ii) Pick a simpler instrument |
Writing Task — Invitation Letter
Indore, Madhya Pradesh — 452001
Dear Dadaji and Dadiji,
I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and high spirits. It has been a long time since we met, and I miss your loving company, the wonderful stories you tell, and the delicious laddoos Dadiji makes.
I’m writing to share some exciting news with you both! Our school is organising a grand Musical Evening on 21 June, 2026, to celebrate World Music Day. The event will be held in our school auditorium from 6:00 p.m. onwards.
I am very happy to inform you that I have been chosen to present a Sitar recital at this event. I have been practising hard for the past few weeks, and your presence would mean the world to me. Performing in front of you both will surely boost my confidence and make this evening truly memorable.
Please do come a little early so that we can spend some time together before the programme begins. Mummy and Papa are also eagerly waiting to see you.
Looking forward to your loving presence on this special day.
Aarav
Sender’s Address → Date → Salutation (Dear ___) → Body (3–4 paragraphs) → Closing (Yours affectionately / lovingly) → Name
Learning Beyond the Text
The seven swaras are: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni (Shadja, Rishabh, Gandhar, Madhyam, Pancham, Dhaivat, Nishad).
According to ancient Indian tradition, these notes originated from sounds of animals and birds in nature:
- ‘Music’ by Walter de la Mare (given on Page 34 of the textbook)
- Songs and poems by Rabindranath Tagore on music and nature
- Hindi poems like “Sangeet” or “Geet” by famous Indian poets
Quick Revision — Key Terms & Central Theme
🎵 Music is the rhythm that touches our deepest soul
💊 Music is the therapy that heals our sadness
🤝 Music is the loyal friend that never leaves us — Central Theme of “A Friend Found in Music”