Nine Gold Medals
NCERT Textbook ‘Kaveri’ Nine Gold Medals
NINE GOLD MEDALS
Line-by-Line Explanation
Poem by David Roth
This detailed explanation explains every line of the poem in simple language, with difficult words, meanings and the deeper idea behind each stanza.
Empathy, Sympathy and Compassion
The first page also asks you to understand these three words.
1. Sympathy
You feel sorry for someone’s suffering.
Example:
“I am so sorry for what is happening to you. Do you want something to eat?”
➡️ Sympathy = Feeling sorry for someone.
2. Empathy
You try to understand what another person is feeling by imagining yourself in their situation.
Example:
“I can imagine how you feel. I understand that you are upset and why.”
➡️ Empathy = Understanding another person’s feelings.
3. Compassion
You understand someone’s suffering and want to do something to help them.
Example:
“I understand why you feel terrible. I will spend some time with you so that you don’t feel lonely.”
➡️ Compassion = Understanding suffering + wanting to help.
Easy trick to remember:
Sympathy → “I feel sorry for you.”
Empathy → “I understand how you feel.”
Compassion → “I understand and I will help you.”
🏅 Why is the title “Nine Gold Medals” important?
Normally, in a race, only the first three positions receive gold, silver and bronze medals.
But in this poem, all nine athletes receive gold medals because they demonstrated something more valuable than speed—they demonstrated empathy, cooperation and humanity.
So, the title “Nine Gold Medals” perfectly captures the central idea of the poem.
One-line summary for students:
**“Nine Gold Medals” teaches us that helping others and showing humanity can be a greater victory than winning a competition
Poem Explanation
Stanza 1
“The athletes had come from all over the country”
Meaning: Athletes from different parts of the country had gathered at the Special Olympics to participate in the competitions.
Difficult words: Athletes – people who take part in sports competitions.
All over the country – from different parts of the country.
Deeper idea: The poet tells us that this was a major sporting event in which athletes from many places were participating.
“To run for the gold, for the silver, and bronze”
Meaning: The athletes had come to compete and win medals—gold for first place, silver for second place and bronze for third place.
Difficult words: Run for – compete for or try to win.
Gold – first position; Silver – second position; Bronze – third position.
Deeper idea: They were competing with the aim of winning medals.
“Many weeks and months of training”
Meaning: The athletes had spent many weeks and months practising and preparing themselves for the competition.
Difficult words: Training – regular practice to improve one’s ability.
Deeper idea: This tells us that the athletes had worked very hard for the event.
“All coming down to these games.”
Meaning: All their hard work and months of preparation had finally led to this important sporting event.
Difficult words: Coming down to – reaching the final important moment or point.
Deeper idea: Their months of effort would now be tested in the games.
Stanza in simple words:
Athletes from different parts of the country had come to compete in the Special Olympics. They had trained for months with the dream of winning medals. Now, the moment for which they had worked so hard had arrived.
Stanza 2
“The spectators gathered around the old field”
Meaning: People who had come to watch the competition gathered around the sports field.
Difficult words: Spectators – people who watch a sporting event.
Gathered – came together.
Old field – the sports ground where the event was taking place.
“To cheer on all the young women and men”
Meaning: The spectators were there to encourage and support the young athletes.
Difficult words: Cheer on – encourage someone by shouting, clapping or showing support.
Deeper idea: The audience wanted to motivate all the participants.
“The final event of the day was approaching”
Meaning: The last competition of the day was about to begin.
Difficult words: Approaching – coming nearer.
Deeper idea: Everyone was getting ready for the final race.
“Excitement was high to begin.”
Meaning: Everyone was extremely excited and eager because the final event was about to start.
Difficult words: Excitement was high – people were very excited.
Stanza in simple words:
A large crowd had gathered around the field to encourage the athletes. The final race of the day was about to begin, so everyone was very excited.
Stanza 3
“The blocks were all lined up for those who would use them”
Meaning: The starting blocks had been properly arranged for the runners.
Difficult words: Blocks – starting blocks used by runners to get into position before a race.
Lined up – arranged in a proper line.
Deeper idea: The athletes were getting ready for the race.
“The hundred-yard dash and the race to be run”
Meaning: The competition was a hundred-yard dash, which is a short and fast race.
Difficult words: Dash – a quick run.
Race to be run – the race that was about to take place.
Deeper idea: The runners were going to compete in a short-distance race.
“These were nine resolved athletes in the back”
Meaning: There were nine determined athletes standing at the starting line, ready to participate.
Difficult words: Resolved – firmly determined.
Athletes – sportspeople.
Deeper idea: All nine runners were serious and determined to do their best.
“Poised for the sound of the gun.”
Meaning: The nine runners were ready and waiting for the sound of the starting gun, which would signal them to begin running.
Difficult words: Poised – ready and prepared.
Sound of the gun – the signal to start the race.
Stanza in simple words:
Nine determined athletes took their positions for the hundred-yard race. They were ready to run as soon as they heard the starting signal.
Stanza 4
“The signal was given, the pistol exploded”
Meaning: The starting signal was given and the starter’s pistol was fired.
Difficult words: Signal – a sign or indication to begin.
Pistol – a small gun.
Exploded – here it means the pistol was fired with a loud sound.
Deeper idea: The race had officially begun.
“And so did the runners all charging ahead”
Meaning: As soon as the pistol was fired, all the runners started running forward very quickly.
Difficult words: Charging ahead – moving forward rapidly and energetically.
Deeper idea: Every athlete wanted to get ahead of the others.
“But the smallest among them, he stumbled and staggered”
Meaning: However, the smallest runner lost his balance and began to move unsteadily.
Difficult words: Stumbled – lost one’s balance while walking or running.
Staggered – moved unsteadily, as if about to fall.
Deeper idea: The runner could not maintain his balance.
“And fell to the asphalt instead.”
Meaning: Instead of continuing to run, the boy fell down on the hard surface of the running track.
Difficult words: Asphalt – the hard material used to make roads and some running tracks.
Deeper idea: His race was suddenly interrupted because he fell.
Stanza in simple words:
The race began and all nine runners rushed forward. Unfortunately, the smallest runner lost his balance, stumbled and fell onto the track.
Stanza 5
“He gave out a cry of frustration and anguish”
Meaning: The fallen runner cried out because he was extremely disappointed and emotionally hurt.
Difficult words: Frustration – disappointment caused by being unable to achieve what one wants.
Anguish – extreme emotional pain or suffering.
Gave out a cry – cried out loudly.
Deeper idea: He was not merely physically hurt; he was also deeply disappointed because his chance of winning seemed to be gone.
“His dreams and his efforts dashed in the dirt”
Meaning: The boy had dreamed of succeeding and had worked very hard, but his fall seemed to destroy all his hopes.
Difficult words: Dreams – hopes or ambitions.
Efforts – hard work.
Dashed – destroyed or ruined.
In the dirt – figuratively, completely ruined.
Deeper idea: This means his hopes seemed to be destroyed when he fell.
“But as sure as I’m standing here telling this story”
Meaning: The poet says that he is absolutely certain about what happened next because he is narrating the incident himself.
Difficult words: As sure as – certainly; without doubt.
Deeper idea: The poet creates suspense and prepares us for an unexpected event.
“The same goes for what next occurred.”
Meaning: The poet says that what happened next was equally certain and remarkable.
Difficult words: Occurred – happened.
Deeper idea: Something surprising is about to happen.
Stanza in simple words:
The fallen athlete was extremely disappointed because his hard work and hopes seemed to have been ruined. The poet then prepares us for the surprising thing that happened next.
Stanza 6
“The eight other runners pulled up their heels”
Meaning: The other eight runners stopped running.
Difficult words: Pulled up their heels – stopped or slowed down suddenly.
Deeper idea: They were in a race and could have continued towards victory, but they chose to stop.
“The ones who had trained for so long to compete”
Meaning: These eight athletes had also spent many weeks and months training hard for this competition.
Deeper idea: They had their own dreams of winning, just like the fallen athlete.
“One by one they all turned round and went back to help him”
Meaning: Instead of continuing the race, each of the eight runners turned around and went back to help the fallen boy.
Difficult words: One by one – individually, one after another.
Turned round – changed direction and went back.
Deeper idea: This is the most important moment of the poem. They sacrificed their own chances of winning to help another athlete.
“And brought the young boy to his feet.”
Meaning: The eight runners helped the fallen boy stand up.
Deeper idea: They did not leave him alone. They showed kindness, empathy, compassion and sportsmanship.
Stanza in simple words:
The eight runners stopped their own race and went back to help the boy who had fallen. They helped him stand up instead of continuing towards victory.
Stanza 7
“Then all the nine runners joined hands and continued”
Meaning: After helping the fallen boy, all nine athletes held each other’s hands and continued towards the finish line together.
Difficult words: Joined hands – held each other’s hands.
Deeper idea: They were no longer competing against one another. They were moving forward as one group.
“The hundred-yard dash now reduced to a walk”
Meaning: The race was originally supposed to be a fast sprint, but now the nine athletes were walking slowly together.
Difficult words: Dash – a quick run.
Reduced to a walk – changed from a race into a walk.
Deeper idea: Winning was no longer their priority. Supporting one another had become more important.
“And a banner above that said (Special Olympics)”
Meaning: Above the field was a banner carrying the words “Special Olympics.”
Difficult words: Banner – a large piece of cloth or sign displaying words or a message.
Deeper idea: The words on the banner became especially meaningful because the athletes were demonstrating the real spirit of the Special Olympics.
“Could not have been more on the mark.”
Meaning: The banner could not have expressed a more appropriate message for what was happening.
Difficult words: On the mark – exactly right; appropriate or suitable.
Deeper idea: The athletes were showing exactly what the Special Olympics should represent: care, equality, cooperation and humanity.
Stanza in simple words:
The nine athletes joined hands and walked together towards the finish line. The race was no longer about individual victory. Their behaviour perfectly represented the true spirit of the Special Olympics.
Stanza 8
“That’s how the race ended, with nine gold medals”
Meaning: The race ended with all nine athletes being treated as winners and receiving gold medals.
Deeper idea: Normally, a race has only one first-place winner, but here all nine deserved recognition for their extraordinary act of kindness and sportsmanship.
“They came to the finish line holding hands still”
Meaning: All nine athletes reached the finish line while continuing to hold hands.
Deeper idea: This shows that they remained united until the very end.
“And a standing ovation and nine beaming faces”
Meaning: The spectators stood up and applauded loudly to honour the athletes. The nine athletes had bright, happy and proud expressions on their faces
Reflect and Respond (NCERT Page 156)
- Work in pairs. Discuss the difference between Olympics, Special Olympics and Paralympics.
The Olympics, Special Olympics and Paralympics differ mainly in who participates and how events are organised.
The Olympics are for athletes without disabilities and focus on high-level international competition.
The Paralympics are for athletes with physical disabilities, where events are adapted to different types of impairments and performance is judged competitively.
The Special Olympics are for athletes with intellectual disabilities and emphasise participation, confidence, and personal growth rather than winning.
Thus, while all three promote sports, they serve different groups of athletes and different purposes.
- Work in pairs to match the words ‘empathy’, ‘sympathy’, and ‘compassion’ to the sentences given in the table below.
Sympathy: I am so sorry for what is happening to you. It is sad, do you want something to eat?
Empathy: I can imagine how you feel. I understand that you are upset and why.
Compassion: I understand how you feel. I will spend some time with you, so that you don’t feel lonely.
III. Work in pairs. List the words you associate with empathy. Share your responses with your classmates and teacher.
Ans.
Understanding
Listening
Sensitivity
Sharing feelings
Respect
Caring
Kindness
Concern
Support
Emotional connection
Check Your Understanding
(NCERT Pages 158–160)
- Work in pairs. Match the words and phrases in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may read the poem again and infer the contextual meaning. Check your answers with the teacher.
Column 1. Column 2
- dashed in the dirt. (i) walk or move with difficulty
- stumbled. (ii) destroyed
- staggered. (iii) a hard black substance used to make roads and paths
- anguish. (iv) step awkwardly, lose balance and almost fall
- asphalt. (v) extreme pain or suffering
Ans. 1. – (ii), 2. – (iv), 3. – (i), 4. – (v), 5. – (iii)
- Identify the gist of each stanza. Write the number of the stanza in the boxes given.
Spectators cheered participants of different events and waited enthusiastically for the final event to start.
All runners dashed ahead as soon as they heard the gun shot; suddenly, one of the athletes tripped and fell on the ground.
The race finished with nine athletes holding hands and winning the well-deserved gold medal; their smiles, and spectators standing up to applaud, conveyed everything.
Participants got ready at the starting line and the determined athletes waited for the sound of the gun.
Athletes from various parts of the country had gone through rough months of training; had big dreams of winning a medal.
The eight athletes stopped to help the young fallen athlete stand up, forgetting that they were competing.
Nine athletes held the banner and walked hand in hand; this gesture represented the ethos of Special Olympics.
The young athlete felt his dreams were shattered and cried in pain and disappointment, but something unique happened.
Ans.
Stanza 2
Stanza 4
Stanza 8
Stanza 3
Stanza 1
Stanza 6
Stanza 7
Stanza 5
III. Let us appreciate the poem.
- Two examples of alliteration from the poem are
(i) ____________________ (ii) ____________________
Ans.
(i) “stumbled and staggered”
(ii) “holding hands”
- Give three examples of visual imagery from the poem.
(i) ____________________
(ii) ____________________
(iii) ____________________
Ans.
(i) “The spectators gathered around the old field”
(ii) “fell to the asphalt instead”
(iii) “They came to the finish line holding hands still”
- Give an example of auditory imagery from the poem.
(i) ____________________
Ans.
(i) “The signal was given, the pistol exploded”
- How does the use of imagery make the poem more appealing?
Ans. Imagery makes the poem vivid and lively. It helps readers clearly imagine the race, the fall, the help given by the runners, and the final walk to the finish line, making the emotions stronger and the poem more engaging.
- How does the spectators change from the beginning to the end of the poem?
Ans. At the beginning, spectators are excited and cheering for a competitive race. At the end, they stand in ovation, moved by the athletes’ kindness and unity rather than by victory.
- What is the overall mood created by the poem?
Ans. The mood shifts from excitement and tension to sympathy, compassion and finally joy and admiration.
- What is the message being conveyed by the poem?
Ans. The poem conveys that humanity, empathy, and cooperation are greater than winning medals and true success lies in helping others.
Critical Reflection (NCERT Pages 160–162)
- Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
Extract 1
The eight other runners pulled up on their heels The ones who had trained for so long to compete One by one they all turned round and went back to help him
And brought the young boy to his feet.
(i) Select the correct option to complete the sentence.
The phrase ‘pulled up on their heels’ means that the runners __________.
- moved aside
- stopped running
- tried to run faster
- jumped ahead
(ii) Mention one character trait common to all the eight other runners.
(iii) What is the tone of the poet in these lines?
(iv) How might the young athlete have felt on being helped by the others?
(v) Would you consider this incident as a turning point in the poem? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Ans.
(i) B. stopped running
(ii) One common character trait of the eight runners is compassion (or kindness / empathy).
(iii) The tone of the poet in these lines is admiring and emotional. The poet appreciates the runners for their kindness and humanity.
(iv) The young athlete might have felt grateful, relieved, and comforted. He may also have felt happy that he was not left alone in his difficult moment.
(v) Yes, this incident is a turning point in the poem. It changes the race from a competition into an act of unity and kindness. From this moment, the focus shifts from winning medals to helping and supporting one another.
Extract 2
That’s how the race ended, with nine gold medals
They came to the finish line holding hands still
And a standing ovation and nine beaming faces
Said more than these words ever will.
- How did the nine contestants feel when they reached the finishing line together?
- Why do you think all the nine contestants were given gold medals?
- Complete the sentence appropriately.
The holding of hands signifies a feeling of __________.
- Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
The spectators giving a ‘standing ovation’ indicates that they were __________.
- amazed
- speechless
- distracted
- thoughtful
(v) Explain the last line of the extract.
Ans.
- The nine contestants felt happy, proud and united when they reached the finishing line together. They felt satisfied because they showed kindness and teamwork instead of competing selfishly.
- All nine contestants were given gold medals because they showed true sportsmanship, empathy, and unity. Their act of helping one another was more important than winning the race.
- Unity and togetherness
(iv) A. amazed
- The last line means that the emotions of the runners and the spectators were so powerful that they could not be fully expressed in words. Their smiles and the applause showed the true spirit of humanity.
- Answer the following questions.
Q.1 Describe how the setting established in the first two stanzas of the poem create a vivid atmosphere for the events that follow.
Ans. In the first two stanzas, the poet describes athletes coming from different parts of the country after months of hard training. The spectators gather around the field with excitement for the final event. This creates a lively and competitive atmosphere filled with hope, ambition, and anticipation, making the later incident more emotional and meaningful.
Q.2 How do you think the youngest athlete might have felt when he fell?
Ans. When the youngest athlete fell, he must have felt shocked, embarrassed and deeply disappointed. After months of training, his dreams seemed shattered in a moment. He may have felt helpless and frustrated, thinking he had lost his chance to win and prove himself.
Q.3 Why were the athletes eager to begin the race?
Ans. The athletes were eager to begin the race because they had trained for many weeks and months with dedication and hard work. They had big dreams of winning medals and making their country proud. The race was the moment to prove their effort and determination.
Q.4 What does the transformation of the hundred-yard dash to a walk symbolise?
Ans. The transformation of the hundred-yard dash into a walk symbolises unity, compassion and true sportsmanship. It shows that helping others is more important than winning. The runners chose kindness over competition, proving that humanity and togetherness are greater achievements than individual victory.
Q.5 How might the poem be different if the focus was solely on individual achievement rather than collective support?
Ans. If the poem focused on individual achievement, it would have been a simple story about competition and winning medals. The emotional impact would be less powerful and the moral message would be lost. Instead of inspiring kindness, the poem would only highlight personal success and rivalry.
Q.6 How does the poet’s use of language and tone enhance the reader’s engagement with the poem?
Ans. The poet uses simple and clear language, which makes the poem easy to understand and emotionally touching. The tone shifts from excitement to sadness and finally to admiration. This change keeps the reader interested and helps them feel the emotions of the athletes more deeply.
Q.7 What might be the poet’s purpose of writing this poem?
Ans. The poet’s purpose in writing this poem is to highlight the true meaning of sportsmanship. Through the incident of the race, the poet wants to show that compassion, empathy and unity are more important than winning medals.
The poem teaches readers that real success lies in helping others and standing together in difficult moments. It encourages us to value humanity over competition.
Vocabulary in Context (NCERT Pages 162 & 163)
1.The phrase ‘standing ovation’ is an example of an adjective-noun collocation. Identify two other similar examples from the poem.
Collocation is a pair or group of words that habitually appear together.
Ans. Two other examples of adjective-noun collocations from the poem are:
Young boy
Nine gold medals
These word pairs are commonly used together and form natural combinations in English.
- Complete the table given below by writing four nouns in Column 2 that collocate with the adjectives in Column 1. One example has been done for you. You may take the help of a dictionary.
Column 1. Column 2
- Big – Disappointment, failure,surprise, decision
- Heavy – Rain, traffic, loss, bur
- den
- Strong – Wind, feeling, support, argument
- Large – Number, crowd, amount, area
- Great – Effort, achievement, success, importance
III. Choose the correct adjectives from those given in the box for the underlined words given in the sentences below. Ensure you do not use the same adjective twice.
Positive — significant — youngest — noisy — loud
1.The littlest athlete was moving at a steady pace.
2.The eight athletes had a smiling attitude.
3.When the athlete fell, he gave a huge cry of pain.
4.The spectators saw a terrible difference in the athletes who had only come to compete.
5.The gaudy crowd cheered the runners enthusiastically.
Ans.
Youngest
Positive
Loud
Significant
Noisy
Writing Task (NCERT Page 165)
1.Work in pairs to write three creative slogans on Special Olympics.
One example of a slogan on Special Olympics has been given below.
Special Olympics: Igniting a Universe of Potential
Present your slogans in a creative manner and share with your classmates and teacher.
Steps to write a slogan –
- Understand the theme on which you want to write a slogan.
- Brainstorm ideas and use them to create the slogan.
- Keep it brief and simple.
- It should not be more than eight to ten words.
- Make the slogan catchy.
Slogans:
Where Courage Competes and Humanity Wins
Beyond Medals, We Celebrate True Champions
Redefining Victory Through Unity and Determination
Now, create a poster based on the inspiration you have drawn from the poem. Present your poster to the class and display it on the classroom board.
Steps to design a poster
Include all vital information.
Remember to place the slogan you created.
Colour and decorate your poster.
Use top, bottom, and sides of the poster for other important information.
Write down the ideas.
Include some illustrations, a call for action, if needed.
Present your poster as a box item.
