Working through Class 8 English Notes Chapter 5 Somebody’s Mother Summary in English simplifies the understanding of long chapters.
Class 8 English Somebody’s Mother Summary
Somebody’s Mother Summary in English
The poem is about an old, poor woman who is standing at a busy street crossing on a cold winter day. She is weak, scared, and unable to cross the street because of the slippery road and rushing traffic. Many people walk past her, including a group of happy schoolboys who just got out of school. None of them stop to help her — except one kind boy.
This boy notices her fear and gently offers to help her cross the street. He carefully guides her across, feeling proud and happy that he could help someone in need. Afterward, he tells his friends that the woman could be somebody’s mother — just like his own — and he hopes that someone would help his mother if she was ever old and alone.
That night, the old woman prays for the boy, asking God to bless him for his kindness.
The poem teaches us to be kind, empathetic, and helpful — especially to the elderly. A small act of kindness can mean a lot to someone in need.
Somebody’s Mother Word Meanings
- Ragged – worn out and torn clothes, फूटे फूराने / जीर्ण-शीर्ण
- Grey – dull, lacking colour; aged, धुंधला / बूढ़ा
- Bent – curved due to age or weakness, झुका हुआ
- Chill – cold weather, सर्दी / ठंड
- Aged – very old, वृद्ध / बूढ़ा
- Slow – moving without speed, धीमा
- Crossing – a place where people cross the road, चौराहा / सड़क पार करने की जगह
- Uncared for – ignored or not looked after, उपेक्षित / जिसकी देखभाल न हो
- Throng – a large crowd of people, भीड़
- Heeded – paid attention, ध्यान देना / गौर करना
- Glance – to look quickly at somebody, झलक
- Anxious – worried or nervous, चिंतित
- Freedom – state of being free स्वतंत्रता
- Flock – group (used for animals or children playfully), झुंड
- Hailing – greeting or calling out, स्वागत करना / फूकारना
- Piled – gathered in a heap, ढेर लगाना
- Hastened – moved quickly, जल्दी करना / तेजी से बढ़ना
- Offered – gave or presented something, प्रस्ताव देना / देना
- Meek – quiet, gentle, and submissive, विनम्र / नम्र
- Timid – shy and fearful, डरपोक / संकोची
- Stir – move slightly, हिलना / हलचल करना
- Lest – (here) for fear that, एसा न हो कि
- Carriage – horse-drawn vehicle, घोड़ा गाड़ी
- Slippery – surface that is hard to walk on due to being wet, फिसलन भरा
- Merry – happy, खुश
- Troop – a group, especially of children or soldiers, दल / झुंड
- Gayest – most cheerful, lively, and full of joy, सबसे खुशमिजाज, जीवंत और आनंद से भरा हुआ
- Laddie – a young boy (Scottish/old- fashioned), लड़का
- Whispered – spoke in a soft voice, फूसफूसाना
- Harm – injury or damage, हानि / नुकसान
- Trembling – shaking due to fear or weakness, कांपता हुआ
- Content – satisfied, संतुष्ट
- Fellow – another person, साथी
- Lend – (here) help, मदद करना
- Bowed – bent forward (often as a sign of respect), झुकना
- Noble – good-hearted, honorable, महान / उदार
- Pride – Feeling pleasure when someone do good for you, गर्व