Chapter 13 

                                                     LAUGHING SONG


1. What is the main idea of the poem?

Answer: The main idea of the poem is joy and happiness. The poet describes how nature and human beings laugh together in harmony, creating a cheerful and lively atmosphere filled with joy.


2. What question is asked in the Warmer section?

Answer: The Warmer section asks how different people laugh in different ways and encourages students to show mimicry of various kinds of laughter, preparing them for the joyful theme of the poem.


3. How do the green woods laugh?

Answer: The green woods laugh with the voice of joy. This means the forest appears lively and happy, as if nature itself is laughing.


4. How does the stream laugh?

Answer: The stream runs laughing by. This shows the flowing water moving happily and gently, creating a joyful sound.


5. What does “dimpling stream” suggest?

Answer: The dimpling stream suggests small ripples on the water surface that look playful, showing happiness and movement.


6. How does the air laugh?

Answer: The air laughs with our merry wit. This shows that human happiness and intelligence fill the atmosphere with joy.


7. What role do humans play in the poem?

Answer: Humans contribute to the joyful environment by singing, laughing, and using their wit, making nature even more cheerful.


8. How does the green hill laugh?

Answer: The green hill laughs with the noise of happiness. This means even the hills seem alive with joyful sounds.


9. What does the meadow represent in the poem?

Answer: The meadow represents freshness and life. It laughs with lively green, showing beauty and happiness in nature.


10. How does the grasshopper laugh?

Answer: The grasshopper laughs in the merry scene, representing the joyful sounds of insects in nature.


11. Who are Mary, Susan, and Emily?

Answer: Mary, Susan, and Emily are children or young girls mentioned in the poem who sing joyfully with sweet voices.


12. How do Mary, Susan, and Emily express happiness?

Answer: They express happiness by singing joyfully with their sweet round mouths, singing “ha, ha, he.”


13. What does “sweet round mouth” mean?

Answer: It refers to the innocent and cheerful singing voices of children.


14. Where do the painted birds laugh?

Answer: The painted birds laugh in the shade, where the table with cherries and nuts is spread.


15. Why are the birds called painted birds?

Answer: They are called painted birds because of their colourful feathers, making them look like beautiful paintings.


16. What is spread under the shade?

Answer: A table with cherries and nuts is spread under the shade, showing enjoyment and togetherness.


17. What does the table with fruits symbolize?

Answer: The table symbolizes celebration, sharing, and happiness in nature.


18. What invitation does the poet give?

Answer: The poet invites everyone to come, live, be merry, and join him in singing joyfully.


19. What does “be merry” mean?

Answer: It means to be happy, joyful, and full of life.


20. What is meant by “sweet chorus”?

Answer: Sweet chorus means a group of voices singing together joyfully.


21. Why does the poet repeat laughter in the poem?

Answer: The repetition of laughter emphasizes joy and creates a musical rhythm.


22. What feeling does the poem create?

Answer: The poem creates a feeling of happiness, peace, and harmony between humans and nature.


23. How does nature behave like humans in the poem?

Answer: Nature behaves like humans by laughing, showing emotions, and sharing joy.


24. What literary device is used when nature laughs?

Answer: Personification is used, giving human qualities to nature.


25. How does the poem show unity?

Answer: The poem shows unity by bringing together woods, streams, hills, birds, insects, and humans.


26. What is the tone of the poem?

Answer: The tone of the poem is cheerful, joyful, and celebratory.


27. Why is the poem suitable for children?

Answer: The poem is simple, joyful, and full of imagery that children can easily imagine and enjoy.


28. How does the poem reflect innocence?

Answer: It reflects innocence through children’s laughter and the natural joy of the environment.


29. What role does music play in the poem?

Answer: Music appears through singing, chorus, and rhythmic laughter, adding joy.


30. How does the poem connect humans and nature?

Answer: It shows that humans and nature share the same joy and happiness.


31. What message does the poet convey?

Answer: The poet conveys that life should be lived joyfully in harmony with nature.


32. What is meant by “merry wit”?

Answer: Merry wit means joyful intelligence or cheerful thinking.


33. Why is shade mentioned in the poem?

Answer: Shade represents comfort and relaxation where joy and sharing happen.


34. How does colour enhance the poem?

Answer: Words like green woods, lively green, and painted birds add brightness and joy.


35. What does laughter symbolize in the poem?

Answer: Laughter symbolizes happiness, life, and harmony.


36. How does repetition affect the poem?

Answer: Repetition makes the poem musical and emphasizes joy.


37. Why does the poet invite others to join him?

Answer: The poet believes joy increases when shared.


38. What is special about the chorus “ha, ha, he”?

Answer: It represents pure, natural laughter and joy.


39. How does the poem end?

Answer: The poem ends with an invitation to join in joyful singing.


40. What is the overall message of the poem?

Answer: The poem teaches us to enjoy life, laugh freely, and live happily with nature and others.

Answer by Mrinmoee