Chapter 3

Comprehension I

1. And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, "Speak to us of Children." And he said: Here 'he' refers to 

a. her child.

b. the Prophet.

c. the poet.

Answer:  b. the Prophet.

2. Your children are not your children' means

a. they do not belong to their parents only.

b. the children should have their own space.

c. parents should not be possessive of their children.

Answer: a. they do not belong to their parents only.  

3. They come through you, but are not from you' means

a. though parents give birth to their children they do not own them.

b. children have independent personalities.

c. parents should be indifferent to their children.

Answer: a. though parents give birth to their children they do not own them.:  

4. According to the prophet, what may be given to the children?On Children

Answer: According to the Prophet in "On Children", parents may give their children their love, but not their thoughts.

This means that while parents can love, support, and care for their children, they should not try to control their ideas, dreams, or individuality. Children must be allowed to think for themselves and grow into their own unique selves.

5. 'their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow' means

a. children belong to the future.

b. parents cannot shape their children's future.

c. children have a different vision of life.

Answer: a. children belong to the future.

7. For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.' Discuss the contrast between the underlined phrases.

Answer: The contrast between "the arrow that flies" and "the bow that is stable" highlights the different but equally valuable roles of children and parents.

  • "The arrow that flies" represents the children — full of energy, potential, and directed toward the future.

  • "The bow that is stable" represents the parents — steady, strong, and supportive, providing the foundation from which children are launched into the world.

Though their roles are different, both are loved and valued by the Divine (the Archer). The metaphor suggests that just as an arrow cannot reach its target without a stable bow, children need the strong support of their parents to succeed — but must ultimately journey on their own path.

Comprehension II

1. Why does the prophet categorically state Your children are not your children'?

Answer: The prophet categorically states "Your children are not your children" to emphasize that children are independent beings, not possessions of their parents. He wants to remind parents that, although they give birth to their children, they do not own them. Children come through their parents, not from them.

This statement encourages parents to respect their children's individuality, allow them freedom of thought, and support their unique paths in life, rather than trying to mold them in their own image.

2. What does the metaphor, bows and arrows signify with regard to parent-children relationship?

Answer: The metaphor of bows and arrows in the poem symbolizes the parent-child relationship:

  • Parents are the bows – strong, stable, and grounded. They provide support, direction, and force needed to guide their children.

  • Children are the arrows – full of energy and potential, meant to fly forward into the future, far beyond where the parents can reach.

This metaphor signifies that while parents launch and support their children, they must also let them go to follow their own paths. The image beautifully captures the balance of guidance and freedom in parenting. 

3. According to the prophet, what attitude should parents have towards their children?

Answer: According to the prophet, parents should have an attitude of love, support, and respect for their children's individuality. They should:

  • Love their children, but not try to control their thoughts.

  • Understand that children have their own identities and futures.

  • Not try to make children like themselves, but instead strive to be like their children in openness and growth.

  • Be like stable bows that help the children (arrows) fly towards their own destiny.

In essence, the prophet encourages parents to nurture without possessing, to guide without dictating, and to honour the freedom and uniqueness of their children.

Comprehension III

1.In the light of the poem "On Children" by Kahlil Gibran, children must be granted freedom at multiple levels to truly shape their own lives:

  1. In the light of the poem "On Children" by Kahlil Gibran, children must be granted freedom at multiple levels to truly shape their own lives:

    1. Emotional Freedom:
      Children should be allowed to feel, express, and process emotions without judgment. They must not be forced to suppress or hide their feelings just to please their parents.

    2. Intellectual Freedom:
      They must have the right to think independently, ask questions, and form their own opinions. Parents should guide them but not impose their thoughts or beliefs.

    3. Freedom of Choice:
      Whether it’s about their career, hobbies, friends, or life partners, children should be encouraged to make their own decisions. It builds confidence and responsibility.

    4. Spiritual Freedom:
      Children should be allowed to explore their own understanding of faith, values, and purpose in life. Parents can share their beliefs, but must respect their children’s personal journey.

    5. Freedom to Fail and Learn:
      True growth comes through trial and error. Children should be given space to make mistakes, learn from them, and grow stronger — instead of being overprotected or punished.

    6. Freedom of Identity:
      They must be respected for who they are — their personality, gender identity, preferences, and individuality — without being forced into a mould set by their parents or society.

    Gibran’s poem urges parents to love and support their children, but not to control or claim them, for they belong not to the past, but to the future — a place only they can fully know and create.in

 2. The poem does not focus merely on the lives of children, but also talks about the responsibility of parents. Discuss.
Answer: Yes, the poem "On Children" by Kahlil Gibran is not just about children—it deeply explores the responsibility of parents in a child's life. While the poem celebrates the uniqueness and independence of children, it also serves as a powerful reminder to parents about the right attitude they must adopt while raising them.

Here’s how the poem highlights parental responsibility:

  1. Letting Children Be Themselves:
    Gibran insists that children “have their own thoughts” and that parents must allow them to grow into their own identities. This means parents must respect their children's individuality, rather than trying to mold them into versions of themselves.

  2. Offering Love, Not Control:
    The poem says, “You may give them your love but not your thoughts.” Parents are encouraged to love unconditionally but not impose their own beliefs or desires on their children. The responsibility lies in creating a space where the child feels supported, not controlled.

  3. Being a Stable Support:
    Through the metaphor of the bow and arrow, Gibran suggests that parents are meant to provide direction, strength, and stability so that children can “go swift and far.” Their responsibility is to be strong and steady, even as they let their children fly free.

  4. Understanding Life’s Flow:
    The poet reminds parents that life moves forward, and they should not try to hold their children back. The phrase, “Life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday,” warns against imposing outdated ideas or holding on to the past.

  5. Trusting the Divine Purpose:
    The poem also points to a spiritual responsibility—acknowledging that children come through parents by the will of a higher power. Thus, parenting becomes an act of faith and humility, not ownership.

In conclusion:

The poem teaches that parents are caretakers, not creators of their children’s destiny. Their role is to guide, support, and inspire, not to dominate or dictate. Gibran urges a shift from authority to responsibility, making the poem a timeless guide for thoughtful and compassionate parenting.