GIFTS OF GRACE: HONOURING OUR VOCATIONS
Class 9th English NCERT solutions
About the Poet Anonymous
The poet is anonymous, which means that the poet’s name is not known.
This is meaningful because the poem speaks not only for one individual but gives a collective voice to the people of Bharat. The poem celebrates ordinary workers and artisans whose daily efforts contribute to society.
Explanation of the Poem
Lines 1–3
The poet begins by celebrating the different vocations of Bharat. The craftspeople create beautiful things using colours and different shades. The artisans play lutes and express their feelings, hopes and dreams through music. Their music echoes through the streets.
The poet shows t the work of craftspeople and artisans is not just ordinary work. It is a beautiful expression of their skill, creativity and emotions.
Lines 4–7
The poet describes different workers and their occupations. The carpenters work with wood with great accuracy and precision. The electricians work with cables and wires and are shown humming cheerfully while they work.
The boatmen gather their nets from the shore, sail and sing while working. Their songs tell stories about their life at sea. The shoemakers take pride in making good-quality footwear for people who walk, dance, run and jump.
Through these examples, the poet shows that every worker performs an important job with skill, care and pride.
Lines 8–9
The poet describes the pleasant singing of the cook and the rhythm of the designer and mason. Each worker celebrates the special nature of their own profession.
The poet says that the voice of a person’s vocation becomes a part of their identity. Though all the workers have different occupations, their different voices come together to create the varied and beautiful voice of Bharat.
The poet therefore repeats the idea of “Bharat celebrating” to show that the nation is enriched by the many different people and professions that make up its society.
Vocabulary
Vocations – occupations or professions
Myriad – countless; very many
Hues – shades or colours
Lutes – musical instruments with strings
Hailing – expressing or calling out with praise or feeling
Mathematical precision – exactness and accuracy
Humming – making a low continuous sound
Shore – the edge of the sea or a water body
Artisans – skilled people who make things by hand
Affirming – showing or stating something positively
Poetic Devices
1. Repetition
Repetition is used to emphasise the widespread and continuous nature of work and celebration across the nation.
Example: “I hear… I hear”; “I hear Bharat celebrating.”
2. Personification
Personification gives human qualities to the nation, making it appear alive and expressive through its people.
Example: “Bharat celebrating.”
3. Imagery
Imagery creates strong visual and sensory pictures of different kinds of work and craftsmanship.
Examples:
“woven with colours and myriad hues” suggests the richness, creativity and beauty of the craft.
“out of wood with mathematical precision” highlights the careful skill, accuracy and expertise involved in the work.
4. Tone
The overall tone of the poem is celebratory, respectful and appreciative, honouring all forms of labour.
5. Symbolism
Symbolism is used to represent deeper ideas related to work, creativity and identity.
Examples:
“colours”, “lutes” and “dreams” symbolise creativity and emotions.
“voice” symbolises self-expression and dignity.
6. Alliteration
Alliteration adds rhythm and musical quality by repeating the same initial consonant sound.
Examples: “carpenters celebrating”; “varied vocations”.
7. Metaphor
A metaphor directly compares two ideas to highlight the deep connection between work and identity.
Example: “The voice of their vocation is the voice of their identity.”
This suggests that a person’s profession helps define who they are and expresses their sense of self and dignity.
8. Rhyme Scheme
The poem is written in free verse, with no fixed rhyme scheme. This allows the ideas to flow naturally.
Yes. I’ll ignore all handwritten notes/check marks and type only the printed textbook content. For subjective answers, I’ll keep the meaning correct but can make the language clearer and more student-friendly.
GIFTS OF GRACE: HONOURING OUR VOCATIONS
Reflect and Respond (NCERT Page 57)
Given below are four riddles. Read and identify who these people are.
1.In furrows deep, secrets I sow,
As time passes, I watch them grow.
Who am I? __________
2.From wheel to kiln, my skills is born,
Step by step, art takes form.
Who am I? __________
3.I lay foundations, brick by brick,
To build a house, it’s me you pick.
Who am I? __________
4.I work with pots, pans, and spice,
Creating dishes that taste so nice.
Who am I? __________
ANSWERS.
1. Farmer
2. Potter
3. Mason
4. Cook
What is the role and relevance of the people you identified in the riddles? How do they contribute to the society? Discuss with your classmates and teacher.
These people play a vital role in society through their skills and labour.
The farmer grows food and ensures food security for everyone.
The potter creates essential household items and preserves traditional crafts.
The mason builds houses and infrastructure, providing shelter and safety.
The cook prepares food, nourishing people and bringing comfort through meals.
Together, they contribute to society by meeting basic needs, sustaining livelihoods and maintaining cultural traditions. Their work highlights the dignity of labour and shows that every profession is important for a balanced and functioning society.
Check Your Understanding (NCERT Page 60)
I. Based on your understanding of the poem, state whether the following statements are true or false. Also, rectify the false statements.
1. The poem highlights the skilled work of craftsmen.
2. The poet shares that musicians express emotions through their instruments.
3. The carpenters in the poem are admired for their logical work.
4. The electricians in the poem are recognised for their crucial role in lighting up lives.
5. The poem pays homage to shoemakers who manufacture quality footwear.
6. The poem celebrates the patriotism of the people of Bharat.
7. The poet feels that each vocation deserves to be respected.
Answers.
1. True
2. True
3. False
Correction: The carpenters are admired for their skill and mathematical precision, not merely logical work.
4. True
5. True
6. True
7. True
II. Let us appreciate the poem.
Q.1 Rhyme Scheme and Lineation
(i) Does the poem strictly adhere to a rhyme scheme, or is it in free verse?
Ans. The poem does not strictly follow a rhyme scheme. It is written in free verse, allowing the poet freedom to express ideas without being bound by a fixed rhyming pattern.
(ii) What is the impact of the varying length of lines in the poem?
Ans. The varying length of the lines creates a natural and flowing rhythm. It reflects the diversity of different vocations and makes the poem sound like different voices coming together in celebration.
(iii) What is the pattern in the structure of most lines of the poem?
Ans. Most lines follow a descriptive and repetitive structure, referring to different workers and their actions. This gives equal importance to various vocations and maintains unity in the poem.
Q.2 Speaker
Who appears to be the speaker and what is her/his role here?
Ans. The speaker appears to be a keen observer, or the poet, who listens to and appreciates the voices of people across the nation. The speaker’s role is to celebrate and honour the dignity of labour and the unity of Bharat through its different vocations.
Q.3 Tone and Mood
(i) Fill in the blanks with suitable options from the box given below.
Options: serious, celebratory, hostile, reverential, joyful, sympathetic
A. The tone is __________ and __________, depicting a sense of admiration and respect for the artisans and craftspersons.
B. There is a __________ mood throughout the poem, capturing the vibrancy and richness of cultural traditions and skills.
Ans.
A. celebratory; reverential
B. joyful
Q.4 Imagery
(i) Select any two descriptions from the poem that evoke visual images.
Ans. Any two descriptions from the poem that evoke visual images are:
1. “Those of craftsperson, each one celebrating their craft, woven with colours and myriad hues.”
2. “The carpenters celebrating; they create anything out of wood with mathematical precision.”
These lines create strong visual pictures of colourful crafts and carefully crafted wooden objects.
(ii) Fill in the blanks with suitable phrases.
The poem includes auditory imagery through mentions of artisans with lutes, __________, and __________, emphasising the sounds associated with each vocation.
Ans. singing; humming
Q.5 Metaphor
(i) State whether the following sentence is true or false.
The mention of “delicious singing” of the cook is a metaphor because it implies that the quality of the singing can be equated to the experience of tasting something delicious.
Ans. True
Q.6 Personification
(i) Select the line that tells us that the poet personifies vocations by attributing human-like qualities to them.
Ans. “The voice of their vocation is the voice of their identity.”
The poet personifies the vocation by giving it a “voice”. This suggests that a person’s work can express their identity and individuality.
Q.7 Repetition
(i) Why might the poet have begun and ended with the same line—“I hear Bharat celebrating, the varied vocations I hear!”?
Ans. The poet begins and ends with the same line to emphasise unity and continuity. The repetition reinforces the idea that the celebration of labour is constant and collective, bringing together different professions and regions.
Q.8 Alliteration
(i) Identify two examples of alliteration from the poem.
Ans. Two examples of alliteration in the poem are:
1. “varied voices” – repetition of the “v” sound.
2. “carpenters celebrating” – repetition of the “c” sound.
These examples add rhythm and musical quality to the poem and strengthen its celebratory tone.
Q.9 Symbolism
(i) Each vocation in the poem symbolises something more than just a job. What does it symbolise?
Ans. Each vocation symbolises identity, dignity and cultural heritage. The poem suggests that work is not merely a job but also a meaningful expression of creativity, contribution and national unity.
Critical Reflection (NCERT Page 62)
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
The shoemakers affirming the quality of their work, for the feet that walk, dance, run, jump, return home.
The delicious singing of the cook, or the rhythm of designer, mason, each celebrating what belongs to them and to none else.
1. The poet says that the shoemakers ‘affirm’ the quality of their work. What does ‘affirm’ refer to here?
(i) to make adjustments in
(ii) to declare with confidence
(iii) to label the goods
(iv) to justify the efforts
Ans. (ii) to declare with confidence
2. What do quality shoes help with, according to the poet?
Ans. According to the poet, quality shoes help the feet walk, dance, run, jump and return home, showing how shoemakers support all movements of daily life.
3. What does ‘return home’ symbolise besides the literal act of returning?
Ans. ‘Return home’ symbolises safety, comfort and belonging. Beyond the literal meaning, it suggests that good workmanship supports people through their journeys and brings them back securely to their homes.
4. Identify the phrase that tells us that every worker’s contribution is distinct.
Ans. The phrase that shows every worker’s contribution is distinct is: “each celebrating what belongs to them and to none else.”
5. Complete the following with suitable words.
__________ for the feet that walk, dance, run, jump, return __________
Ans. quality shoes; home
I. Answer the following questions.
1. Why does the poet say, “I hear Bharat celebrating, the varied vocations I hear”?
Ans. The poet says this to show that India’s true celebration lies in the work of its people. The sounds of different professions working together create a collective rhythm, reflecting unity in diversity and pride in honest labour.
2. What does the electrician humming while getting ready for work suggest?
Ans. The electrician humming suggests happiness, enthusiasm and pride in his profession. It shows that work is not a burden but a source of joy and purpose, reflecting satisfaction and a positive attitude towards one’s daily responsibilities.
3. Explain the significance of the line, “The voice of their vocation is the voice of their identity.”
Ans. This line means that a person’s work helps define their identity. Their skills and dedication reflect who they are, showing that dignity, self-worth and recognition come from meaningful labour and contribution to society.
4. Do you think the role of all the people belonging to different vocations is important in our daily lives? Support your answer with a reason.
Ans. Yes, the role of people belonging to different vocations is very important in our daily lives. Farmers provide food, electricians ensure safety and light, artisans create essential goods, and workers meet everyday needs. Each vocation supports society and keeps daily life balanced and functional.
5. Why is the poet celebrating all the vocations in the poem? Explain by giving examples from your context.
Ans. The poet celebrates all vocations to show respect for honest labour and the dignity of work. In our daily life, teachers educate us, sanitation workers keep our surroundings clean, and electricians ensure safety. Each profession contributes to society and deserves appreciation.
6. How does the poet use sensory imagery to bring out the beauty of everyday work?
Ans. The poet uses sensory imagery by appealing to sound, sight and movement. Phrases like “humming”, “singing”, “rhythmic work”, colours and precision help readers hear, see and feel everyday labour, making ordinary work appear lively, graceful and meaningful rather than dull or mechanical.
Vocabulary in Context (NCERT Pages 63 & 64)
I. People of different vocations are being described in the poem. Match the vocations given in the box below with the descriptions that follow.
Vocations given:
ASHA worker, confectioner, sericulturist, welder, horticulturist, goldsmith
1. A person who studies or grows garden plants: __________
2. A trained female community health worker: __________
3. A producer of raw silk: __________
4. A person whose job is making or selling sweet and chocolates: __________
5. A metalworker who specialises in working with precious metals: __________
6. A person who fuses materials together: __________
Ans.
1. horticulturist
2. ASHA worker
3. sericulturist
4. confectioner
5. goldsmith
6. welder
II. Identify the word from Column 2 that is not a synonym of the words given in Column 1.
Column 1. Column 2
1. myriad. (i) countable, innumerable, numerous, abundant
2. hues. (ii) shades, tints, drawing, colours
3. precision. (iii) exactness, accuracy, correctness, calculation
4. varied (iv) assorted, diverse, uniform, different
5. delicious. (v) mouth-watering, inedible, tasty, flavourful
Ans.
1. myriad – countable
2. hues – drawing
3. precision – calculation
4. varied – uniform
5. delicious – inedible
Writing Task (NCERT Page 66)
I. Your school will be organising a ‘Career Mela’ in which students are to be made familiar with the different career options. Complete the poster for the event given below.
Ans.
ABC Public School
Career Mela
To spread awareness about various career options
25 February
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
School Auditorium
Highlights/Attractions
• Detailed information for all streams
• Counsellors for all career options
• Interactive session ins with professionals
Chart Your Future at Career Mela
Free
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