NCERT Solutions For Class 7 English Honeycomb (Poem) Chapter 9 Garden Snake - 2025-26
FAQs on NCERT Solutions For Class 7 English Honeycomb (Poem) Chapter 9 Garden Snake - 2025-26
1. What is the central message of the poem 'Garden Snake' in Chapter 9 of the Class 7 English Honeycomb textbook?
The central message of the poem 'Garden Snake' by Muriel L. Sonne is that not all creatures we fear are necessarily harmful. The poem challenges the common misconception and prejudice against snakes by showing that some, like the garden snake, are harmless. It encourages us to base our opinions on facts and observation rather than on preconceived notions and irrational fears.
2. According to the NCERT Solutions, why did the child initially run away from the snake?
The child initially ran away because of a pre-existing fear based on what he had heard: that “some snakes are dangerous.” This immediate reaction was driven by a learned fear rather than a direct threat from the snake itself. The NCERT solutions for this question guide students to identify this cause-and-effect relationship based on the lines in the poem.
3. What crucial information does the mother provide about the garden snake?
The mother provides two crucial pieces of information that change the child's perspective. She explains that:
- The particular snake in their garden is of a “good kind” and is not dangerous.
- It is harmless to people and its diet consists only of insects.
4. How do the NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Chapter 9 help in correctly interpreting the poem's conclusion?
The NCERT Solutions help students understand the shift in the child's attitude at the end. By providing step-by-step answers, the solutions clarify that the child no longer feels fear. Instead of running, he “stands aside and watches him pass.” This demonstrates a change from fear to curiosity and acceptance, which is the key takeaway of the poem as per the CBSE 2025-26 syllabus.
5. How does the poet's choice of words in 'Garden Snake' influence the reader's perception of the snake?
The poet masterfully uses simple and non-threatening language to describe the snake's movements, such as when it “wiggles in the grass.” This contrasts sharply with the initial scary image the child has. By the end, the mother’s calm and reassuring words, calling it a “harmless garden snake,” completely transform the snake from a symbol of danger into a benign creature of nature, demonstrating the power of words to shape perception.
6. What is the significance of the mother’s role in shaping the child’s understanding in the poem?
The mother’s role is highly significant as she represents the voice of reason and wisdom. She acts as a reliable guide who corrects the child's misinformation. Her simple, factual statement serves as the turning point in the poem, transforming the child's fear into informed curiosity. This highlights the importance of education and parental guidance in overcoming irrational fears.
7. The poem describes the child overcoming a “mistake.” What mistake is the poet referring to?
The “mistake” the poet refers to is the child’s initial assumption that all snakes are dangerous and must be feared. It was a mistake to generalise and let a preconceived notion dictate his reaction without any real evidence of danger. After his mother’s clarification, the child realises his error, and there is “no mistake” anymore; he can now watch the snake without fear, having corrected his understanding.
