Short autobiography of a brook 20 to 30
Answers
The brook starts out from the dwelling place of birds such as the coot (a water bird) and the hern (archaic word for heron). It makes a sudden rush as it flows out. The presence of sunlight causes the brook’s water to sparkle as it flows among the fern. It then continues its journey by flowing down a valley. While doing so, the sound of the flowing brook resembles that of people quarrelling. Hence the phrase, ‘bicker down a valley’.
The brook flows down along hills. Sometimes, it also glides between long and narrow hill ranges, called ridges. Thorpes refer to small villages or hamlets. Between two small towns, the brook passes several thorpes and a large number of bridges. The numbers used in this line such as ‘thirty’, ‘twenty’, ‘half a hundred’ should not be taken in the literal sense. These numbers are used to give the impression of ‘several’ or ‘many’ and to maintain the rhythm of the poem.
Finally, the brook passes Philip’s farm and flows into the overflowing river.
The brook further states that men are transient. They come and go over time. But it outlives men and continues forever.
The lines ‘For men may come and men may go, /But I go on for ever.’, are repeated several times in the entire poem.
As the brook flows over stony paths, its water makes a chattering sound. This sound is high pitched, hence the phrase ‘sharps and trebles’ (both, high pitched notes in music).
As water flows past an obstacle, a reverse motion is created that leads to swirling. These are known as eddies. A lot of bubbles are also formed.
As the brook flows over pebbles, the sound it makes is similar to that made while talking rapidly. Hence the phrase, ‘babble on the pebbles’.
The brook does not flow in a straight line. It makes a lot of turns and etches out a path full of curves. ‘Fret’ means ‘fuss’ or ‘worry’. The brook forms so many curves, that it seems as if it is constantly troubling its banks to change shape. The brook continues beside many fields as well as fallow lands. ‘Fairy forelands’ refer to promontories. These are masses of land that overlook the brook. These promontories are home to plants such as willow weed and mallow. The brook passes them on its journey.
As the brook flows, on its way to the overflowing river, it makes a continuous sound. The sound is like that of people talking. Hence, the line ‘I chatter, chatter, as I flow”.
The brook repeats that although men are transient, it goes on forever.
Autobiography of brook
My life is quite similar to that of a man. I am born in high mountains where coot and herons live. I am quite active and noisy as I flow down valleys and ridges till I join a river and become one with it. After joining the river, I become quite peaceful and flow quietly. Similarly, after becoming mature and adult man also becomes calmer and more composed. In spite of the similarities between man and me there is one stark dissimilarity also, which I keep telling the readers frequently in the refrain ‘For men may come and men may go, But I go on forever.’ This refrain contrasts man’s mortal existence with the brook’s immortal life.
I also teach men many important lessons of life. I teach them the lesson of determinedly moving on, overcoming all obstacles; and finding a detour round rock-ridden course. I inspire man to move towards his goal like me if he is to achieve his goals. His path may be full of obstacles, but he must keep moving like me. As I start my journey from high mountains, on my way to the river I flow down many valleys, hills; slip between many ridges, flow by many villages, towns and cities, passing under many bridges, ultimately I join the brimming river. Similarly, man must pass by and overcome many obstacles before reaching his goal or destination. I teach men the lesson of perseverance, flowing energetically despite all obstacles, and never giving up.