It is not growing like a tree
In bulk, doth make Man better be;
Or standing long an oak, three hundred year,
To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere:
A lily of a day
Is fairer far in May,
Although it fall and die that night -
It was the plant and flower of Light
In small proportions we just beauties see;
And in short measures life may perfect be.
Difficult words:
Bulk - बहुत बड़ा, large in quantity
Doth - does
Oak - एक बड़ा पेड़ ओक,
Log - लट्ठा
Bald - गंजा, बिना पत्ते का
Sere - सूखा, dry
Fairer - more beautiful, ज्यादा सुंदर
Although- हालांकि, though
Proportion - ratio, अनुपात
Measures - काल, माप, period
Explanation:
( Becoming a great man does not mean growing big like a tree. And it doesn't even mean to live long for three hundred years like the Oak tree and fallacy last dry log without leaves.
The flower of lily blooming in May is more beautiful than that Oak. Though lily will fall the same day yet it was a flower that gave happiness.
We enjoy beauty in smaller things. It doesn't require to be large to be beautiful. Short life can also be perfect like that of lily.)
हिंदी अर्थ:
व्यक्ति का आकार में बहुत बड़ा हो जाना ही उसकी महान बन जाना नहीं है। या फिर ओक के पेड़ की तरह 300 वर्ष खड़े रहना और फिर सूखकर पत्ता विहीन (गंजा) होकर और लठ्ठ बनकर गिर जाना भी महानता नहीं है।
इससे अच्छी तो एक दिन की लिली ( कुमुदिनी का फूल) है जो मई के महीने में बहुत सुंदर दिखता है। हालांकि वो उसी रात को गिर कर मर (मुरझा) जाने वाला है परन्तु वह प्रसन्नता का पौधा था।
हम छोटी छोटी चीजों में ही खुशी ढूंढ़ते हैं और छोटा समय (जीवन काल) भी पूर्ण हो सकता है।
Important points:
1. Qualities of lily
Its a beautiful flower. Though it's life is only one day long, it gives joy to us. It's life is impressive.
2. Qualities of Oak
Oak is very large tree. It lives for about 300 hundred years. At least it falls like a dry and bald log. It's life is not impressive.
3. Two objects of nature mentioned here
Lily and Oak are mentioned here.
4. How is lily better / difference between lily and Oak
Lily is very beautiful flower. It lives only for one day but gives joy but Oak lives for three hundred years but is not impressive.
5. Message / teachings of the poem
The message of the poem is that it is not always essential to lead a long life to be great. Even smaller life span like that of lily can also make us great. Our greatness depends on how much joy we give to others.
Q-A
Answer the following questions:
1. Why is lily called 'a flower of light"?
Lily is called the ‘flower of Light’ because it blooms during the light of the day. As the day ends, its life also comes to an end. Besides, it spreads the joy that is a symbol of light.
2. What does the poet say about an Oak tree?
The poet says that the Oak tree stands long and tall for 300 years.
3. 'Quality is better than quantity.' Justify the statement.
The statement "quality is better than quantity" suggests that it is preferable to have a smaller amount of something that is of high quality, rather than a larger amount of something that is of lower quality. This statement holds true in many different contexts.
4. How can life be made perfect in short measures?
According to the poet, human life can be perfect by doing good and noble deeds.
5. Why does the poet prefer the lily to the Oak?
The poet compares two things from nature, an oak tree and a lily flower, to human life. He believes that a person should aspire to live a meaningful life, much like the short but sweet life of a lily flower, rather than living for many years without doing any good deeds. Therefore, the poet prefers the lily over the oak.
6. Why is the word 'Man' spelt with a capital 'M' in the second line?
The word ‘Man’ spelt with a capital ‘M’ in the second line because that we’re not made better by mere “bulk” or standing long.”