Class-07: Whose Child is This? | Meaning | Theme | Questions & Answers

Whose Child is This?

"Whose child is this?" I asked one day 

Seeing a little one out at play.

"Mine", said the parent with a tender smile.

"Mine to keep a little while 

To bathe his hands and comb his hair, 

To tell him what he is to wear,

To prepare him that he may always be good 

And each day do the things he should."

"Whose child is this?" I asked again, 

As the door opened and someone came in "Mine", said the teacher with the same tender smile.

"Mine to keep just for a little while.

To teach him how to be gentle and kind. 

To train and direct his dear little mind, 

To help him live by every rule 

And get the best he can from school."

"Whose child is this?" I ask once more, 

Just as the little one entered the door.

"Ours", said the parent and the teacher as they smiled, 

And each took the hand of the little child.

"Ours to love and train together 

Ours this blessed task forever."

কবিতার আবৃত্তি টি শুনে নিতে পারেনঃ

এই শিশুটি কার?

"এই শিশুটি কার?" একদিন জিজ্ঞাসা করলাম,

একটিকে খেলতে দেখে পাশে দাঁড়ালাম।

"আমার", বলল মা স্নিগ্ধ হাসি হেসে,

"সাময়িকই আমার, যত্ন নিতে বেশে।

হাত ধুয়ে দেওয়া, চুল আঁচড়ানো,

কি পরবে, কেমন চলবে, শেখানো।

ভালো হতে যেন পারে সব সময়,

প্রতিদিন করুক সে উচিত কাজ ও দায়িত্ব-নিয়মে রয়।"

"এই শিশুটি কার?" আবার জিজ্ঞেস করলাম,

দরজা খুলতেই এক জন এল সামনে তখন।

"আমার", বলল শিক্ষক মিষ্টি হাসি মুখে,

"কিছু সময়ের জন্যই আমার যত্নে থাকে।

ভদ্র ও সদয় হবার পাঠ আমি দিই,

তার ছোট্ট মনটিকে গড়ার কাজ করি।

নিয়ম মানা শেখাই, শিক্ষা পাইয়ে দিই,

স্কুল থেকে সে যেন সর্বোচ্চটি নিতে জানে ঠিকই।"

"এই শিশুটি কার?" আবারও প্রশ্ন করলাম,

ছোট্টটি যখন দরজায় এসে দাঁড়ালাম।

"আমাদের", বলল মা ও শিক্ষক একসাথে,

হাসল তারা শিশুটির হাত ধরে শান্ত মনে।

"ভালোবাসা ও শিক্ষা আমরা দেবো মিলেমিশে,

এই আশীর্বাদস্বরূপ দায়িত্ব আমাদের চিরদিনের জন্যে।"

Theme of the Poem: Whose Child is This?

The poem shows how both parents and teachers share the care of a child. Parents teach love, care, and good habits at home. Teachers guide the child at school with rules and learning. In the end, both work together to help the child grow. The main theme is shared love, care, and responsibility for a child's future.

Read the poem silently and answer these questions:

1. Who asked the question, "Whose Child is This?" in the poem?

2. How many times did he/she ask the question, "Whose child is this?

3. Who answered the question in stanzas 1, 2, and 3?

4. Why do both parent and teacher smile and answer the question, "Whose child is this?" by saying "Mine" and "Ours"?

Answers:

1. Who asked the question, "Whose Child is This?" in the poem?

Answer: In the poem, the speaker, a kind and thoughtful person, asked the question, “Whose child is this?” The speaker wanted to know who takes care of the child and helps him grow. This person is someone who cares about children’s lives and future.

2. How many times did he/she ask the question, "Whose child is this?"

Answer: The speaker asked the question “Whose child is this?” three times in the poem. Each time, the child was seen in a new moment. The repeated question shows how both parents and teachers are part of the child’s life and growth.

3. Who answered the question in stanzas 1, 2, and 3?

Answer: In stanza 1, the parent answered and said the child was theirs.

In stanza 2, the teacher answered and also said the child was theirs.

In stanza 3, both the parent and the teacher answered together and said, “Ours.”

4. Why do both parent and teacher smile and answer the question, "Whose child is this?" by saying "Mine" and "Ours"?

Answer: Both parent and teacher smile because they both love and care for the child. The parent teaches at home, and the teacher teaches at school. They work together to help the child grow. That’s why they say “Mine” and finally say “Ours” with joy.