Life

Life Class 8th 

The dialogue is based on a dramatic poem in Dogri by Ram Nath Shastri and translated into English by Shivnath. The passing wind asks the question - 'What is life?' of various things in the universe like the stars, the moon, the cloud, the ocean, the earth and little girl. Each of them comes out with their definition of life. Now read the text below and find their answers."

 Summary of “Life”

The prose Life explains the meaning of life through a conversation between the wind and different elements of nature such as the earth, the little girl, the stars, the moon, and the ocean. Each speaker describes life according to their own experience, showing that life does not have one fixed meaning but many interpretations.

At the beginning, the wind reflects on its own life. It realizes that life is not just about moving freely but also about responsibility. When the wind brings rain at the right time and place, it helps life grow. This shows that true life involves awareness, control, and the ability to give when needed.

The earth explains that life is love and care. It accepts everything given to it—rain, rivers, and streams—and transforms them into plants, flowers, and fruits. Even though it carries pain and burden, it continues to give selflessly. This teaches that life is about patience, sacrifice, and nurturing others.

The little girl represents innocence and purity. She does not deeply analyze life, yet she lives it naturally. Her quiet nature and simple existence show that life can be meaningful even without understanding it fully. Innocence itself becomes a form of wisdom.

The stars describe life as shining with one’s own light. Even though each star shines independently, it is still part of a larger universe. This suggests that life is about individuality as well as coexistence, and that everyone has their own importance.

The moon explains that life can also be borrowed and dependent. It does not produce its own light but reflects the sun’s light. Still, it has value and beauty. This teaches that depending on others does not make life meaningless; cooperation is also a part of existence.

The ocean presents life as acceptance and endurance. It holds both sweetness and bitterness, calm and storms. By accepting pain and struggle, it turns suffering into wisdom and strength, symbolized by pearls. Life, therefore, involves patience, self-control, and inner growth.

Through all these voices, the prose conveys that life is complex and cannot be defined in one way. It is a mixture of love, responsibility, sacrifice, independence, dependence, innocence, and endurance. The overall message is that life gains meaning when one understands their role in the world and lives with balance, awareness, and compassion.

Working with the Text

1. What answer did the stars give to the wind?

The stars replied that life is to shine with one’s own brightness. They explained that even when there is no moon in the sky, they continue to shine and light up the darkness. This shows that life means having one’s own identity and value while still being part of the universe.

2. What was the moon’s reply to the wind?

The moon told the wind that life is borrowed light. It does not have its own light but reflects the light of the sun. The moon teaches that dependence is also a part of life and that even borrowed light has beauty and importance.

3. What was the ocean’s response?

The ocean said that life is the ability to accept bitter experiences and remain within one’s limits. It explained that by holding both pain and joy, it creates pearls from suffering. This shows that life is about patience, endurance, and inner strength.

4. What was the earth’s reply to the question put forth to her by the wind?

The earth replied that life is love. It said that whatever water it receives from clouds, rivers, and streams, it stores safely and distributes among the thirsty. Through this, the earth shows that life means giving, nurturing, and caring for others selflessly.

5. What was the little girl doing when the wind saw her?

When the wind saw the little girl, she was lighting new lamps, even though there was no oil left in them. She was trying to bring light into darkness with hope and determination.

6. Why was the wind impressed by the little girl?

The wind was impressed by the little girl because she continued lighting the lamps despite knowing that there was no oil. Her innocence, faith, and silent effort showed true understanding of life without words.

7. Why did the wind join the little girl?

The wind joined the little girl to help the lamps glow. After listening to all answers, the wind realized that life is about helping others and spreading light. By supporting the girl, the wind found its own purpose.

Filler 

A filler is a word or a short group of words used to complete the meaning of a sentence or to fill a gap so that the sentence sounds correct and clear.

 In language work, a filler helps to:

make a sentence complete

connect ideas smoothly

give the sentence its proper sense

Language Work

I. Choose the appropriate filler

He tames animals because he …

✅ (c) is fond of them

He is so lazy that he …

✅ (c) can seldom complete his work

Whichever way you approach the problem, …

✅ (d) it will not be solved

The doctor warns him that unless he gives up smoking, …

✅ (d) he will not recover

Synonyms are words that have the same or nearly the same meaning as another word, even though their spelling and pronunciation may be different.
Synonyms help to:
avoid repetition
improve vocabulary
make writing more clear and interesting

II. Synonyms (at least two each)

abhor – hate, detest

betray – deceive, cheat

counsel – advise, guide

delight – joy, pleasure

educate – teach, instruct

fate – destiny, fortune

generous – kind, charitable

hasty – hurried, quick

intellectual – mental, scholarly

justice – fairness, equity

languid – weak, sluggish

mend – repair, fix

nonsense – foolishness, absurdity

obstacle – barrier, hindrance

palatable – tasty, acceptable

queer – strange, odd

religious – spiritual, devout

sober – serious, calm

transient – temporary, short-lived

urge – encourage, persuade

 Grammar Work

An infinitive is the basic form of a verb, usually with "to" in front (e.g., to eat, to play).

But sometimes "to" is dropped — that's called a bare infinitive.

You use a bare infinitive (no "to") mainly after:

· Sense verbs: see, hear, watch, notice, feel

· Let / make: let him go, make them laugh

· Modal verbs: can, should, must, will, would, may, might, etc.

· Help / bid / dare (sometimes)

· Would rather / had better

If the verb before the blank is NOT from the list above, you add "to."

Answers: Insert 'to' before the infinitive where necessary.

1. I have no money to lend you.

2. We saw the thief run. (saw → sense verb)

3. We heard her sing. (heard → sense verb)

4. They watched their team play. (watched → sense verb)

5. He made us wait for a long time. (made → let/make rule)

6. Let him work. (let → let/make rule)

7. Need I come tomorrow? (modal "need" → bare infinitive)

8. Do you wish to make a complaint?

9. He heard a cock crow and got up. (heard → sense verb)

10. How dare you read my letter? (dare → bare infinitive here)

11. It is up to you to increase your knowledge.

12. Bid him go there. (bid → bare infinitive verb)

13. Good bye! I hope to see you again soon.

14. I would like to be a teacher.

15. He learnt to swim when he was ten years old.

16. I’m tired. I want to go to bed.

17. What have you decided to do?

18. We should speak the truth. (should → modal verb)

19. Where is Sumaya? I need to ask her something. (main verb "need" → takes "to")

20. I’m trying to concentrate. Please stop talking.

Let’s Talk

Question: After reading this lesson, whose definition of life appeals to you the most? Discuss your views with your classmates.

Sample Thought Starter:

I think the Ocean’s definition appeals to me most. The idea that life is about accepting your limits and turning bitter experiences into something valuable feels very real and mature. We all face difficulties, but instead of letting them break us, we can use them to grow—like the Ocean makes pearls from salty water. The Little Girl’s view is beautiful too—life as play and light—but the Ocean’s wisdom feels more meaningful for everyday struggles.

Let’s Write

1. Write a dialogue (100–150 words) on ‘Life Is a Gift’.

(Teacher enters the classroom with a small potted plant.)

Teacher (Sahil) : Class, what do you see here?

Zaid: It’s a small plant, Sir.

Teacher: Yes, but look closer. It started as a seed, pushed through the soil, and is now reaching for the sun. Isn’t life a wonderful gift?

Imran: But sometimes life feels hard, Sir.

Teacher: True. But even challenges are part of the gift. Like rain and sunlight, both are needed for growth. What do you think makes life a gift?

Atif: The people we love, the mornings we wake up, even the lessons we learn from mistakes.

Teacher: Exactly. Every day is unwrapped like a present—full of surprises, learning, and moments to be grateful for. So, how will you use this gift today?

Zaid: By being kind and learning something new.

Teacher: Well said. Life isn’t just given; it’s what we make of it.

(Word count: 148)