Class 9 NCERT Solutions English Chapter P.7: Song of the Rain

I am dotted silver threads dropped from heaven. (I am the rain.)

I emerge from the heart of the Sea (The drops of water leave the sea due to the process of evaporation.)

The voice of thunder declares my arrival (Before the rain falls, its arrival is announced by the thunder.)

I descend and embrace the flowers. (Before the rain touches the ground, it falls over the trees and the flowers.)

The rainbow announces my departure (Once the rain is over, you see a rainbow in the sky.)

'I' stands for the rain falling from the sky.

Use the following points to frame an answer based on your imagination.

How you would appear to others as rain?

Use adjectives that can be used to describe water.

Briefly explain the water cycle and the importance of rains.

Why do we feel happy when it rains?

Humans, plants and animals benefit from regular rainfall. Explain in short how rain is essential for survival.

Use your creativity to describe any other characteristic that rain has.  

This is an activity to be carried out by the students

(i) the shimmering drops fall one after the other

(i) love for the earth

In the poem, the poet personifies the rain and says it is a divine gift from the Gods to nature. Nature accepts this gift as a blessing and uses it to nourish her fields and valleys. 

He describes the rain as being beautiful pearls that are plucked from the crown of Goddess Isthtar by the daughter of Dawn.

The poet also says the rain is the dotted silver thread dropped from the heaven by the Gods. It is the messenger of mercy between the lovers field and the cloud. It quenches thirst and cures ailments. The rain is like the tears of heaven. Owing to the above reasons, the rain acquires divine qualities.

This answer depends on each student's views and imagination.

A few guidelines

• Life on earth depends on the rain.

• The farmers depend on the rain for their crops to grow.

• The rain cools down the earth after the intense heat of summer.

• We human beings get all our water supply for various purposes like drinking, cooking and cleaning from the rain.

• Rain is important for the vegetation for grow and thrive. The earth becomes greener because of the rain.

• The rain purifies the atmosphere by bringing down the dust and dirt from the air.

• It causes rivers, waterfalls and streams to flow.

• The water cycle depends on the rain.

The Rain according to the poet pours down in different intensities.

As it pours strongly down in torrents, streams of water gush down the hills. When there is a heavy downpour, the hills are said to laugh with joy.

When it falls a little humbly in light showers, the flowers are said to rejoice. The light rain is gentle on delicate flowers. They are able to bloom again and beautify nature.

When it bows down in ultimate surrender and drizzles gently, the rain seeps into the soil everything on earth is elated as they all enjoy the mild pitter patter of the rain

According to the poet, the rain is 'divine' and 'merciful' and is able to relieve the misery and sufferings of everyone on the earth and in the sky.

When the rain falls on the dry, parched earth after the hot summer, it is said to quench the thirst of the fields and the life forms on earth. The fields and the trees are waiting to be nourished by the rain and are relieved when drops of rain start soaking into them.

Clouds, when filled with rain, look dark and dull, as if they were sick ad need immediate relief.

However, after rains, the clouds appear to get lighter in as if they have shed their burden, making the sky bright again with silver lined fleecy white clouds.

You may use the following points to write your answer.

• All types of vegetation require the embrace of the rain to grow.

• The roots absorb the rain water from the soil.

• Rain irrigates the soil in fields for the growth of seeds.

• Seeds also require water to germinate and grow into new plants.

• Processes like photosynthesis, the ascent of sap and transpiration require rain water.

• Flowers and trees look washed and clean after rains.

• Leaves are cleaned of dust and are free to carry out photosynthesis and respiration.

• Grass grows greener when it is embraced with drizzle of rain.

According to the poet, when the rain falls gently on the earth, every one hears it and welcomes it. However, not everyone is able to perceive its soothing feel, its affectionate nature and its caring attitude. Only a few like the poet are sensitive to the rain and are inspired by its every mood.

The poet, for example, appreciates its beauty and uses expressions like 'the sigh of the sea', 'the laughter of the field' and 'the tears from heaven' to describe the rain.

 He personifies the rain as a gentle being that cares for the earth. It touches the windows with its soft fingers.  To him, its very arrival is like a welcome song. The poet is sensitive enough to look beyond the obvious and value the blessings that the rain bestows on the earth.  

(i) The poet has used vivid imagery to bring out the moods and beauty of the rain.

Sighs may refer to both joy and sadness.

By calling the rain the 'sigh of the sea', the poet implies that the rain brings relief to the sea. It heaves a sigh of relief knowing that it will now have fresh water from the rivers and streams.

The 'sighs of the seas' could also mean the water evaporating and leaving the seas. The 'laughter of the field' refers to the joys, greenery and prosperity that the rain brings when it falls on the fields resulting in a good harvest.

The rain is also said to be the 'tears that fall from heaven' as the heavens grieve at its departure. Tears always bring memories.

(ii) This answer depends on each student's views and imagination.

A few guidelines 

- an agent of floods?

Just as the rain brings joy, laughter and merriment on the earth, it can also be destructive. Heavy rains cause rivers to overflow causing floods and severe damage to life and property.

• Trees fall.

• Crops and fields are destroyed.

• Homes are lost, people are left homeless.

• Animals are washed away.

• Plenty of lives are lost.

• Dams burst.

• In the cities,-roads and railway tracks get flooded.

• Traffic is disrupted

  a source of water for dams? 

• Rain water flows down the hills and along the land to join streams, rivers and rivulets.

• It gets collected in water bodies like lakes.

• Dams are built across rivers and lakes.

• The dam water is then used for several purposes like irrigation, production of hydroelectricity and domestic purposes.

Every living being on the earth has to go through a life cycle. In the poem, the poet personifies the rain and says that like all living things the rain also has to go through a life cycle. The water cycle begins with the sea from where the water evaporates. The evapourated water goes up into the sky and then falls on to the earth where it nourishes all life forms. Like a mortal, its life ends when it flows back into the sea.  It is honourable both in its life and in its death as it serves others through its earthly life.

The poet has ended the poem like a letter.

The writer usually ends a letter with closing words like "your friend", "yours faithfully" or "yours sincerely".

The poet ends his letter with the words "so, with love-"and it is signed by "sighs", "laughter" and "tears".

The sea heaves a sigh of sadness when the water evaporates and it lets out a sigh of relief when the water returns to the sea in the form of rain.

The fields are filled with great happiness when the rain falls on the parched land.

The heavens shed tears filled with memories as they say goodbye to the rain that has been a part of them for some time.

The rain thus represents the sighs of relief and sadness of the sea; the laughter, joy and happiness of the fields; and the tears of the heavens filled with memories.

Phrases which personify autumn are:

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun,

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?

Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,

Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind,

Or on a half reaped furrow fast asleep

Drowsed with the fume of poppies,

This answer depends on each student's views and imagination.

A few guidelines

On the hills:

• Rivulets and streams flowing down the hills

• Waterfalls

• Greenery and freshness all around

• Water rushing over pebbles and stones as it makes its way down the hills

• Streams of red mud flowing along with the rain down the hills

• People living on the hillsides and at the foot of the hills very happy

• Children enjoying themselves in the water falls

In the desert

• Rain fall starts as drizzle

• Sometimes in sudden bursts

• Sometimes as a storm

• Place becomes dark suddenly

• Animals that hide in the sand like desert tortoises/snakes etc come out.

• The sand is wet and gives out a fragrant smell.

• Tiny shoots rapidly sprout out.

• The inhabitants of the desert are happy as the water resources are replenished.

On the hills:

• The water would start collecting in puddles.

• Rivulets and streams would start flowing down the hills

• Waterfalls would start gushing down the sides of the hills

• Water would be rushing over pebbles and stones as it makes its way down the hills.

• Streams of red mud flowing along with the rain down the hills.

In the desert

• Rain fall starts as drizzle.

• Sometimes in sudden bursts.

• Sometimes as a storm/flash floods.

• Rain would not collect in puddles but continue to seep into the dry sand

• Puddles might be observed only if there is a storm or a heavy outburst.

• Rivulets and gullies form during flash floods.

• Water resources in the oasis are replenished.

On the hills: 

Before the rains: 

• The hills would be dry and brown.

• There would be scanty vegetation.

• There would be dust storms.

• Very few animals would graze on the patchy hill slopes.

• The ground would be parched.

After the rains:  

• The hills will appear greener.

• There will be plenty of vegetation.

• The air is clean and pure.

• Cattle will find greener pastures.

• Rivulets and streams would start flowing down the hills.

• Waterfalls would start gushing down the sides of the hills.

In the desert: 

Before the rains: 

• The desert will be hot, dry and dusty.

• There are sand storms.

• People and animals will suffer due to the unbearable heat.

After the rains: 

• The desert cools down.

• The air is cooler.

• The petrichor* after the first rains makes the place pleasant.

• Humans and animals both welcome the change in the climate.

Petrichor: The scent of rain on dry earth, or the scent of dust after rain.