Whose Child is This? - Anonymous - Poem / Poetry Appreciation / Exercises on Poem / Question-Answer on Poem / Theme and Summary of Poem / Poem Analysis

Poem: Whose Child is This?   

Author: Anonymous   

English Version	Bengali Translation
"Whose child is this?" I asked one day  Seeing a little one out at play.	একদিন আমি জিজ্ঞেস করলাম, "এই বাচ্চাটি কার?"  বাইরে ক্রীড়ারত ছোট একটি বাচ্চাকে দেখে।
"Mine", said the parent with a tender smile.	বাবা/মা প্রীতিপূর্ন হেসে বললো, "আমার"।
"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."	"আমার, কিছুক্ষণ দেখাশুনা করতে হাত ধুতে ও তার চুল চিবুনি দিয়ে আঁচড়াতে কী পরতে হবে তা তাকে বলতে সবসময় ভালো হতে পারে তার জন্য তাকে প্রস্তুত করতে  আর প্রতিদিন তার বিষয়গুলো করা উচিত।"
"Whose child is this?" I asked again,  As the door opened and someone came in	আমি আবার জিজ্ঞেস করলাম, "এই বাচ্চাটি কার?"  দরজাটি খুলল এবং কেউ একজন ভেতরে ঢুকল
"Mine," said the teacher with the same tender smile.	শিক্ষিকা অবিকল প্রীতিপূর্ণ হেসে বললেন, "আমার"।
"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."	"আমার," ঠিক কিছুক্ষন দেখাশুনা করতে  কীভাবে নম্র ও সদয় হতে হয় তা তাকে শিক্ষা দিতে। আদুরে ক্ষুদে মনকে প্রশিক্ষিত ও পরিচালিত করতে, প্রতিটি নিয়ম মেনে চলতে সাহায্য করতে  আর বিদ্যালয় থেকে সর্বোৎকৃষ্ট কিছু পেতে"।
"Whose child is this?" I ask once more,  Just as the little one entered the door	"আমি আবারও জিজ্ঞেস করলাম, এই বাচ্চাটি কার"?  যেইমাত্র বাচ্চাটি দরজায় ঢুকল।
"Ours", said the parent and the teacher as they smiled.  And each took the hand of the little child.	বাবা ও শিক্ষিকা হেসে বললেন, "আমাদের",  আর প্রত্যেকে ছোট বাচ্চাটির হাত ধরলেন।
"Ours to love and train together  Ours this blessed task forever."	"আমাদের, একসাথে ভালোবাসতে ও শিক্ষা দান করতে  এই মহান কাজটি চিরদিন আমাদের।

Paraphrase: "Whose Child is This?"

Original Poem Lines	Detailed & Simple Paraphrase
"Whose child is this?" I asked one day Seeing a little one out at play.	One day, the person telling the story sees a young child playing outside and wonders out loud, "Who is responsible for taking care of this child?"
"Mine", said the parent with a tender smile. "Mine to keep a little while	A parent answers with a warm, loving smile, saying that the child is theirs to look after and protect for a period of time.
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."	The parent explains their daily duties at home: keeping the child clean (like washing hands and brushing hair), picking out clothes for them, and most importantly, teaching them how to behave well and do the right things every single day.
"Whose child is this?" I asked again, As the door opened and someone came in	Later on, a door opens and someone walks into the room. The speaker asks the same question again to see who is responsible for the child now.
"Mine," said the teacher with the same tender smile. "Mine," to keep just for a little while,	A teacher answers with the exact same warm and loving smile. The teacher says that the child is theirs to take care of for a short part of the day.
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."	The teacher explains their specific job: teaching the child to be nice and polite to others, guiding their young brain to learn and grow, helping them follow instructions, and making sure they get a great education while at school.
"Whose child is this?" I ask once more, Just as the little one entered the door	Right as the little child finally walks through the door, the speaker asks the question one final time.
"Ours", said the parent and the teacher as they smiled. And each took the hand of the little child.	This time, both the parent and the teacher smile together and answer, "He is ours." Then, they each hold one of the child's hands to show their support.
"Ours to love and train together Ours this blessed task forever."	They agree that raising the child is a team effort. They promise to share the wonderful, lifelong job of loving, guiding, and teaching the child together.

Summary of the Poem

A Team Effort

The poem "Whose Child is This?" is a beautiful and simple story. It talks about who is truly responsible for taking care of a child. It shows us that raising a child is not a job for just one person. Instead, it is a special team effort between the family at home and the teachers at school.

The Parent's Job

At the start of the poem, the speaker sees a little child playing outside and asks, "Whose child is this?" A parent smiles sweetly and answers, "Mine." The parent then explains what they do at home. They say it is their job to take care of the child's physical needs. For example, the parent washes the child's hands, brushes their hair, and helps them pick out clothes to wear. Most importantly, the parent teaches the child how to be a good person and how to do the right things every single day.

The Teacher's Job

Later in the poem, the speaker asks the exact same question again. This time, a teacher smiles warmly and also answers, "Mine." The teacher explains that they also get to take care of the child for a short time during the day. The teacher's job is very important, too. They help the child's young mind learn and grow. They teach the child how to be gentle, polite, and kind to others. The teacher also helps the child learn how to follow instructions and rules so they can get the best possible education while they are at school.

Sharing the Love

At the very end of the poem, the little child walks through the door. The speaker asks the question one last time. This time, both the parent and the teacher smile together and say, "Ours." They both hold the child's hands to show their support. This beautiful moment shows that they are a team. They promise to work together to love, guide, and teach the child. The poem tells us that raising a child is a wonderful, shared job that works best when parents and teachers do it together.

Another Summary

The poem "Whose Child is This?" tells a beautiful story about how raising a child is a shared team effort between parents and teachers. At first, a parent says the child is "mine," explaining that their job at home is to take care of the child's daily needs, like washing their hands, brushing their hair, and teaching them to be good. Later, a teacher also says the child is "mine," explaining that their job at school is to help the child's mind grow by teaching them to be kind, follow rules, and learn as much as possible. Finally, when the child walks into the room, both the parent and the teacher hold the child's hands and say the child is "ours," showing that they promise to work together forever to love, guide, and teach the child as one big team.

Theme

The core theme of "Whose Child is This?" centers on the idea that raising and nurturing a child is a shared, collective responsibility. It explores the concept of a child's identity and belonging, emphasizing that the well-being and growth of a child require the dedicated teamwork of both parents and teachers within a community. Ultimately, the poem conveys the profound message that every child deserves unwavering love, care, and attention from all the guiding adults in their lives.  

Short Question Answer

Answer the following questions:   

• (a) In the poem "Whose Child is This?" who asked the question?   

• (b) How many times did he/she ask the question, "Whose child is this?"   

• (c) Who answered the question in stanzas 1, 2, and 3?   

• (d) What is the main subject of the poem?   

• (e) What feelings does the speaker express regarding the child?   

• (f) What does the repeated questioning in the poem signify?   

• (g) How does the poem highlight the theme of community?   

• (h) What is the overall message of the poem?   

• (i) Why do you think the poem emphasizes the shared responsibility?   

• (j) What is the teacher's responsibility toward the child according to the poem?  

Answers to Question ("Whose Child is This?")

(a) The poet asked the question, "Whose child is this?" in the poem.   

(b) He asked the question, "Whose child is this?" three times.   

(c) Parent answered the question in stanza 1. Teacher answered the question in stanza 2. On the contrary, both parent and the teacher answered the question in stanza 3.   

(d) The main subject of the poem is a child's identity, about who the child belongs to, emphasizing themes belonging and care.   

(e) The speaker expresses feelings of concern and compassion for the child, as well as a desire to ensure that the child is cared for and loved.   

(f) The repeated questioning signifies the speaker's deep curiosity and concern about the child's background and their need for warmth and connection.   

(g) The poem highlights the theme of community by suggesting that the well-being of children is a collective responsibility.   

(h) The overall message of the poem is that every child deserves love and attention. It prompts readers to reflect on the importance of nurturing and protecting children.   

(i) I think, the poem emphasizes the shared responsibility to highlight the importance of community and teamwork in nurturing and educating a child for their well-being and growth.   

(j) According to the poem, the teacher's role is to teach the child kindness, gentleness, and help them succeed in school by following rules.

More Questions with Answers

1. Who are the people answering the questions in the poem?

The people answering the questions are a parent and a teacher. They both share how they take care of the child.  

2. What does the parent do for the child at home?

The parent takes care of everyday needs, like washing the child's hands and brushing their hair. They also teach the child how to be good and do the right things.  

3. What is the teacher's job at school?

The teacher's job is to help the child's mind grow and learn new things. They also teach the child to be kind and to follow rules.  

4. Why does the speaker ask "Whose child is this?" so many times?

The speaker asks the question multiple times to find out who is truly responsible for the child. This helps show that many different adults care for the little one.  

5. How do the parent and teacher look when they speak?

Both the parent and the teacher speak with a very sweet and "tender smile". This shows that they love the child very much and are happy to help.  

6. What happens when the little child walks through the door?

When the child walks into the room, both the parent and the teacher hold the child's hands. They smile together and proudly say the child is "ours".  

7. What does the word "ours" mean at the end of the story?

The word "ours" means that the child belongs to both the family and the school. It shows that the parent and the teacher are a team working together.  

8. What is the main message of this poem?

The main message is that raising a child is a shared job. Parents and teachers must work together as a community to love and teach the child.  

9. Why do they call raising the child a "blessed task"?

They call it a "blessed task" because helping a child grow is a very special and wonderful job. Both the parent and the teacher feel lucky to share this duty forever.  

10. Is one person more important than the other in the child's life?

No, the poem shows that both the parent and the teacher are equally important to the child. They each have special jobs that help the child succeed and grow.  

কবিতার মূল বিষয়বস্তু

"Whose Child is This?" কবিতাটি মূলত একটি শিশুর পরিচর্যা, শিক্ষা এবং ভবিষ্যৎ গঠনের দায়িত্ব নিয়ে লেখা । এই কবিতায় খুব সুন্দরভাবে তুলে ধরা হয়েছে যে, একটি শিশুকে সঠিকভাবে বড় করে তোলা কেবল একজনের কাজ নয়; বরং এটি পরিবার (পিতামাতা) এবং বিদ্যালয় (শিক্ষক) উভয়ের একটি যৌথ ও সম্মিলিত দায়িত্ব ।  

১. পিতামাতার দায়িত্ব (বাড়ির পরিবেশ)

কবিতার শুরুতে কথক বাইরে খেলতে থাকা একটি ছোট বাচ্চাকে দেখে প্রশ্ন করেন, "এই বাচ্চাটি কার?" । উত্তরে একজন বাবা/মা অত্যন্ত প্রীতিপূর্ণ ও স্নেহময় হাসি দিয়ে বলেন, "আমার" । এরপর তিনি তার দৈনন্দিন দায়িত্বগুলোর কথা বর্ণনা করেন। তিনি বলেন যে, বাড়িতে শিশুটির শারীরিক যত্ন নেওয়া তার কাজ—যেমন তার হাত ধুইয়ে দেওয়া, চুল আঁচড়ে দেওয়া এবং তাকে কী পরতে হবে তা ঠিক করে দেওয়া । সবচেয়ে বড় কথা, শিশুকে সবসময় ভালো মানুষ হিসেবে প্রস্তুত করা এবং প্রতিদিন তার যে কাজগুলো করা উচিত, তা করতে শেখানোই হলো পিতামাতার প্রধান দায়িত্ব ।  

২. শিক্ষকের দায়িত্ব (বিদ্যালয়ের পরিবেশ)

কিছুক্ষণ পর, যখন দরজা দিয়ে কেউ একজন ভেতরে প্রবেশ করেন, কথক পুনরায় একই প্রশ্ন করেন, "এই বাচ্চাটি কার?" । এবার একজন শিক্ষিকা ঠিক একই রকম স্নেহময় হাসি দিয়ে উত্তর দেন, "আমার" । শিক্ষিকা জানান যে, দিনের একটি নির্দিষ্ট সময়ের জন্য শিশুটির দেখাশোনার দায়িত্ব তার ওপর থাকে । শিক্ষিকার কাজ হলো শিশুটিকে নম্র, ভদ্র এবং দয়ালু হতে শেখানো । তিনি শিশুটির কচি মনকে সঠিক পথে পরিচালিত করেন, তাকে বিদ্যালয়ের প্রতিটি নিয়ম মেনে চলতে সাহায্য করেন এবং স্কুল থেকে যেন সে সর্বোৎকৃষ্ট শিক্ষাটি পায় তা নিশ্চিত করেন ।  

৩. যৌথ দায়িত্ব (সম্মিলিত প্রচেষ্টা)

কবিতার একেবারে শেষ অংশে, যখন শিশুটি নিজে দরজা দিয়ে ঘরে ঢোকে, কথক শেষবারের মতো প্রশ্নটি করেন । এবার বাবা/মা এবং শিক্ষিকা উভয়েই একসাথে হেসে উত্তর দেন, "আমাদের" । তারা দুজনেই সস্নেহে ছোট বাচ্চাটির হাত ধরেন । তারা একমত হন যে, শিশুটিকে শুধু একা নয়, বরং একসাথে মিলে ভালোবাসতে হবে এবং শিক্ষা দিতে হবে । শিশুটিকে সঠিকভাবে গড়ে তোলার এই মহান কাজটি তারা চিরদিন একসাথেই পালন করবেন ।  

উপসংহার: পরিশেষে, কবিতাটি আমাদের এই শিক্ষাই দেয় যে, প্রত্যেকটি শিশুরই ভালোবাসা এবং মনোযোগ পাওয়ার অধিকার রয়েছে । একটি শিশুর সুন্দর ভবিষ্যৎ নিশ্চিত করতে পিতামাতা এবং শিক্ষক—উভয়কেই একটি দলের মতো কাজ করতে হবে ।