👨‍🏫 About the Writer

✍️ Writer Biography Mary Dow Brine (1816–1913) was a well-known American author, poet, and lyricist. She spent most of her life in New York and was highly respected for her contributions to children's literature and sentimental poetry. Her writings often focused on human empathy, family bonds, and the innocent goodness of children.

📚 Famous Works She is most famous for her heart-touching poem "Somebody's Mother". Her other notable works include books like "Papa's Little Daughters", "Bessie and Her Friends", and "Mother's Song".

🖋️ Writing Style Mary Dow Brine's writing style is highly sentimental, narrative, and deeply moralistic. She used simple, everyday language and rhythmic rhyming couplets to make her poems easy to remember. Her stories always carry a strong emotional message about kindness, compassion, and human connection.

🌿 Each and Every Stanza Explanation

➡️ Stanza 1

📜 Original Stanza: The woman was old and ragged and gray,

And bent with the chill of the winter's day.

The street was wet with a recent snow,

And the woman's feet were aged and slow.

🗣️ English-Odia (Pronunciation): ଦ ୱିମେନ୍ ୱାଜ୍ ଓଲ୍ଡ ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ରାଗ୍‌ଡ୍ ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ଗ୍ରେ, ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ବେଣ୍ଟ୍ ୱିଥ୍ ଦ ଚିଲ୍ ଅଫ୍ ଦ ୱିଣ୍ଟର୍ସ ଡେ। ଦ ଷ୍ଟ୍ରିଟ୍ ୱାଜ୍ ୱେଟ୍ ୱିଥ୍ ଏ ରିସେଣ୍ଟ୍ ସ୍ନୋ, ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ଦ ୱିମେନ୍ସ ଫିଟ୍ ୱେଆର୍ ଏଜେଡ୍ ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ସ୍ଲୋ।

📝 Odia Meaning: ମହିଳା ଜଣକ ବୃଦ୍ଧା ଥିଲେ, ତାଙ୍କ ପୋଷାକ ଚିରାଫଟା ଥିଲା ଏବଂ କେଶ ପାଚି ଯାଇଥିଲା। ଶୀତ ଦିନର ପ୍ରବଳ ଥଣ୍ଡାରେ ସେ ନଇଁ ପଡ଼ିଥିଲେ। ସଦ୍ୟ ପଡ଼ିଥିବା ବରଫ ଯୋଗୁଁ ରାସ୍ତାଟି ଓଦା ଥିଲା, ଏବଂ ବୃଦ୍ଧା ମହିଳାଙ୍କ ପାଦ ବହୁତ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଓ ମନ୍ଥର ଥିଲା।

💡 English Meaning: An old woman wearing torn clothes was shivering and bent over because of the extreme winter cold. The road was wet and slippery due to fresh snow, making it very difficult for her weak, aged feet to walk.

🔤 Dictation Words (Easy to Hard):

Gray ➡️ ଧୂସର / ପାଚିଲା

Chill ➡️ ଥଣ୍ଡା

Bent ➡️ ନଇଁ ପଡ଼ିଥିବା

Recent ➡️ ସଦ୍ୟ / ନୂଆ

Ragged ➡️ ଚିରାଫଟା ପୋଷାକ ପିନ୍ଧିଥିବା

➡️ Stanza 2

📜 Original Stanza: She stood at the crossing and waited long,

Alone, uncared for, amid the throng

Of human beings who passed her by,

Nor heeded the glance of her anxious eye.

🗣️ English-Odia (Pronunciation): ସି ଷ୍ଟୁଡ୍ ଆଟ୍ ଦ କ୍ରସିଂ ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ୱେଟେଡ୍ ଲଙ୍ଗ୍, ଏଲୋନ୍, ଅନକେୟାର୍ଡ୍ ଫର୍, ଆମିଡ୍ ଦ ଥ୍ରଙ୍ଗ୍। ଅଫ୍ ହ୍ୟୁମାନ୍ ବିଇଙ୍ଗସ୍ ହୁ ପାସ୍‌ଡ୍ ହାର୍ ବାଇ, ନର୍ ହିଡେଡ୍ ଦ ଗ୍ଲାନ୍ସ ଅଫ୍ ହାର୍ ଆଙ୍ଗସିଅସ୍ ଆଇ।

📝 Odia Meaning: ସେ ରାସ୍ତା ପାର ହେବା ସ୍ଥାନରେ ଛିଡ଼ା ହୋଇ ବହୁତ ସମୟ ଧରି ଅପେକ୍ଷା କଲେ। ସେହି ଲୋକଗହଳି ମଧ୍ୟରେ ସେ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଏକୁଟିଆ ଏବଂ ଅବହେଳିତ ଥିଲେ। ଅନେକ ଲୋକ ତାଙ୍କ ପାଖ ଦେଇ ଚାଲିଗଲେ, କିନ୍ତୁ କେହି ହେଲେ ତାଙ୍କର ଉଦ୍‌ବିଗ୍ନ ବା ଚିନ୍ତିତ ଆଖିର ଚାହାଣିକୁ ଖାତିର୍ କଲେ ନାହିଁ।

💡 English Meaning: She stood at the road crossing for a long time waiting for help. Although she was surrounded by a large crowd of people, she was completely alone and ignored. Nobody cared to look at her worried eyes silently begging for help.

🔤 Dictation Words (Easy to Hard):

Crossing ➡️ ଛକ / ରାସ୍ତା ପାର ହେବା ସ୍ଥାନ

Alone ➡️ ଏକୁଟିଆ

Throng ➡️ ପ୍ରବଳ ଜନଗହଳି

Glance ➡️ ଚାହାଣି

Heeded ➡️ ଧ୍ୟାନ ଦେଲେ / ଖାତିର କଲେ

Anxious ➡️ ଉଦ୍‌ବିଗ୍ନ / ଚିନ୍ତିତ

➡️ Stanza 3

📜 Original Stanza: Down the street, with laugh and shout,

Glad in the freedom of school let out,

Came the boys like a flock of sheep,

Hailing the snow lying white and deep.

🗣️ English-Odia (Pronunciation): ଡାଉନ୍ ଦ ଷ୍ଟ୍ରିଟ୍, ୱିଥ୍ ଲାଫ୍ ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ସାଉଟ୍, ଗ୍ଲାଡ୍ ଇନ୍ ଦ ଫ୍ରିଡମ୍ ଅଫ୍ ସ୍କୁଲ୍ ଲେଟ୍ ଆଉଟ୍। କେମ୍ ଦ ବଏଜ୍ ଲାଇକ୍ ଏ ଫ୍ଲକ୍ ଅଫ୍ ସିପ୍, ହେଲିଂ ଦ ସ୍ନୋ ଲାଇଂ ହ୍ୱାଇଟ୍ ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ଡିପ୍।

📝 Odia Meaning: ସ୍କୁଲ୍ ଛୁଟି ହେବାର ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତାରେ ଖୁସି ହୋଇ, ପିଲାମାନେ ହସ ଓ ପାଟିତୁଣ୍ଡ କରି ରାସ୍ତାରେ ଆସିଲେ। ଗଭୀର ଏବଂ ଧଳା ବରଫକୁ ସ୍ୱାଗତ କରି ସେମାନେ ଗୋଟିଏ ମେଣ୍ଢା ପଲ ପରି ଏକାଠି ମାଡ଼ି ଆସିଲେ।

💡 English Meaning: Happy that the school day was finally over, a group of young schoolboys came running down the street. They were laughing, shouting, and playing together like a flock of sheep, happily enjoying the deep, white winter snow.

🔤 Dictation Words (Easy to Hard):

Shout ➡️ ପାଟି କରିବା

Glad ➡️ ଖୁସି

Flock ➡️ ପଲ / ଗୋଠ

Freedom ➡️ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା

Hailing ➡️ ସ୍ୱାଗତ କରିବା / ଆନନ୍ଦିତ ହେବା

➡️ Stanza 4

📜 Original Stanza: Past the woman so old and gray

Hastened the children on their way,

Nor offered a helping hand to her-

So meek, so timid, afraid to stir

Lest the carriage wheels or the horses' feet

Should crowd her down in the slippery street.

🗣️ English-Odia (Pronunciation): ପାଷ୍ଟ୍ ଦ ୱିମେନ୍ ସୋ ଓଲ୍ଡ ଆଣ୍ଡ ଗ୍ରେ, ହାସେଣ୍ଡ ଦ ଚିଲଡ୍ରେନ୍ ଅନ୍ ଦେଆର୍ ୱେ। ନର୍ ଅଫର୍ଡ ଏ ହେଲ୍ପିଂ ହ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ ଟୁ ହାର୍- ସୋ ମିକ୍, ସୋ ଟିମିଡ୍, ଆଫ୍ରେଡ୍ ଟୁ ଷ୍ଟିର୍। ଲେଷ୍ଟ ଦ କ୍ୟାରେଜ୍ ହ୍ୱିଲ୍ସ ଅର୍ ଦ ହର୍ସେସ୍ ଫିଟ୍ ଶୁଡ୍ କ୍ରାଉଡ୍ ହାର୍ ଡାଉନ୍ ଇନ୍ ଦ ସ୍ଲିପରୀ ଷ୍ଟ୍ରିଟ୍।

📝 Odia Meaning: ସେହି ବୃଦ୍ଧା ମହିଳାଙ୍କ ପାଖ ଦେଇ ପିଲାମାନେ ନିଜ ବାଟରେ ତରବର ହୋଇ ଚାଲିଗଲେ। କେହି ବି ତାଙ୍କୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟର ହାତ ବଢ଼ାଇଲେ ନାହିଁ। ବୃଦ୍ଧା ଜଣକ ଏତେ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଓ ଭୟଭୀତ ଥିଲେ ଯେ ସେ ଘୁଞ୍ଚିବାକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଡରୁଥିଲେ, କାଳେ ଘୋଡ଼ାଗାଡ଼ିର ଚକ କିମ୍ବା ଘୋଡ଼ାର ପାଦ ତାଙ୍କୁ ସେହି ଖସଡ଼ା ରାସ୍ତାରେ ଧକ୍କା ଦେଇ ତଳେ ପକାଇ ଦେବ।

💡 English Meaning: The children quickly rushed past the old woman without offering to help her cross. The poor woman was extremely weak and scared. She was afraid to even take a step, fearing that the passing horse carriages might knock her down on the dangerously slippery road.

🔤 Dictation Words (Easy to Hard):

Stir ➡️ ହଲିବା / ଘୁଞ୍ଚିବା

Hastened ➡️ ତରବର ହୋଇଗଲେ

Meek ➡️ ଦୁର୍ବଳ / ନମ୍ର

Timid ➡️ ଡରୁଆ / ଭୟଭୀତ

Slippery ➡️ ଖସଡ଼ା

Carriage ➡️ ଘୋଡ଼ାଗାଡ଼ି

➡️ Stanza 5

📜 Original Stanza: At last came one of the merry troop,

The gayest laddie of all the group;

He paused beside her and whispered low,

"I'll help you cross, if you wish to go."

🗣️ English-Odia (Pronunciation): ଆଟ୍ ଲାଷ୍ଟ୍ କେମ୍ ୱାନ୍ ଅଫ୍ ଦ ମେରୀ ଟ୍ରୁପ୍, ଦ ଗେୟେଷ୍ଟ ଲାଡି ଅଫ୍ ଅଲ୍ ଦ ଗ୍ରୁପ୍; ହି ପଜ୍‌ଡ୍ ବିସାଇଡ୍ ହାର୍ ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ହ୍ୱିସପର୍ଡ ଲୋ, "ଆଇ'ଲ୍ ହେଲ୍ପ ୟୁ କ୍ରସ୍, ଇଫ୍ ୟୁ ୱିଶ୍ ଟୁ ଗୋ।"

📝 Odia Meaning: ଶେଷରେ ସେହି ଆନନ୍ଦିତ ଦଳରୁ ଜଣେ ବାଳକ ଆସିଲା, ଯିଏ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ଠାରୁ ଅଧିକ ଖୁସିମିଜାଜର ଏବଂ ଉତ୍ସାହୀ ଥିଲା। ସେ ବୃଦ୍ଧାଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ଅଟକିଗଲା ଏବଂ ଧୀର ସ୍ୱରରେ କହିଲା, "ଯଦି ଆପଣ ଯିବାକୁ ଚାହାଁନ୍ତି, ତେବେ ମୁଁ ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ ରାସ୍ତା ପାର ହେବାରେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିବି।"

💡 English Meaning: Finally, out of that cheerful group of boys, the happiest and most lively boy stopped beside the old woman. He spoke to her softly and politely offered to help her cross the dangerous street if she wanted to go.

🔤 Dictation Words (Easy to Hard):

Troop ➡️ ଦଳ

Paused ➡️ ଅଟକିଲା

Merry ➡️ ଆନନ୍ଦିତ

Laddie ➡️ ବାଳକ / ପୁଅ

Gayest ➡️ ସବୁଠାରୁ ଖୁସି / ପ୍ରଫୁଲ୍ଲ

Whispered ➡️ ଫୁସଫୁସ୍ କରି କହିଲା / ଧୀରେ କହିଲା

➡️ Stanza 6

📜 Original Stanza: Her aged hand on his strong young arm

She placed, and so, without hurt or harm,

He guided the trembling feet along,

Proud that his own were firm and strong.

🗣️ English-Odia (Pronunciation): ହାର୍ ଏଜେଡ୍ ହ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ ଅନ୍ ହିଜ୍ ଷ୍ଟ୍ରଙ୍ଗ୍ ୟଙ୍ଗ୍ ଆର୍ମ ସି ପ୍ଲେସଡ୍, ଆଣ୍ଡ ସୋ, ୱିଦାଉଟ୍ ହର୍ଟ ଅର୍ ହାର୍ମ, ହି ଗାଇଡେଡ୍ ଦ ଟ୍ରେମ୍ବଲିଂ ଫିଟ୍ ଏଲଙ୍ଗ୍, ପ୍ରାଉଡ୍ ଦ୍ୟାଟ୍ ହିଜ୍ ଓନ୍ ୱେଆର୍ ଫାର୍ମ୍ ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ଷ୍ଟ୍ରଙ୍ଗ୍।

📝 Odia Meaning: ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ବୃଦ୍ଧ ହାତକୁ ବାଳକଟିର ଶକ୍ତ ଯୁବ ବାହୁ ଉପରେ ରଖିଲେ। ବାଳକଟି ବିନା କୌଣସି ଆଘାତ କିମ୍ବା ବିପଦରେ ତାଙ୍କର ଥରୁଥିବା ପାଦକୁ ଆଗକୁ ବାଟ କଢ଼ାଇ ନେଲା। ସେ ନିଜ ମନରେ ଗର୍ବ ଅନୁଭବ କରୁଥିଲା ଯେ ତାର ନିଜ ପାଦ ଦୃଢ଼ ଓ ଶକ୍ତ ଅଛି ଯାହାଦ୍ୱାରା ସେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିପାରିଲା।

💡 English Meaning: Trusting the boy, the old woman placed her weak hand on his strong arm. Safely and carefully, the boy guided her shaking feet across the road without letting her get hurt. He felt a sense of pride that his youth and strength allowed him to help someone in need.

🔤 Dictation Words (Easy to Hard):

Aged ➡️ ବୃଦ୍ଧ

Harm ➡️ କ୍ଷତି / ଆଘାତ

Firm ➡️ ଦୃଢ଼ / ସ୍ଥିର

Proud ➡️ ଗର୍ବିତ

Guided ➡️ ବାଟ କଢ଼ାଇଲା

Trembling ➡️ ଥରୁଥିବା

➡️ Stanza 7

📜 Original Stanza: Then back again to his friends he went,

His young heart happy and well content.

"She's somebody's mother, boys, you know,

For all she's aged and poor and slow.

🗣️ English-Odia (Pronunciation): ଦେନ୍ ବ୍ୟାକ୍ ଏଗେନ୍ ଟୁ ହିଜ୍ ଫ୍ରେଣ୍ଡସ୍ ହି ୱେଣ୍ଟ୍, ହିଜ୍ ୟଙ୍ଗ୍ ହାର୍ଟ ହ୍ୟାପି ଆଣ୍ଡ ୱେଲ୍ କଣ୍ଟେଣ୍ଟ। "ସି'ଜ୍ ସମବଡିଜ୍ ମଦର୍, ବଏଜ୍, ୟୁ ନୋ, ଫର୍ ଅଲ୍ ସି'ଜ୍ ଏଜେଡ୍ ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ପୋର୍ ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ସ୍ଲୋ।

📝 Odia Meaning: ତା'ପରେ ସେ ଖୁସି ଓ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ସନ୍ତୁଷ୍ଟ ମନରେ ନିଜ ସାଙ୍ଗମାନଙ୍କ ପାଖକୁ ଫେରିଗଲା। ସେ ତାଙ୍କୁ କହିଲା, "ପିଲାମାନେ ତୁମେ ଜାଣ, ଯଦିଓ ସେ ବୃଦ୍ଧା, ଗରିବ ଏବଂ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଅଟନ୍ତି, ତଥାପି ସେ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ କାହାର ନା କାହାର ମାଆ ଅଟନ୍ତି।

💡 English Meaning: After safely dropping the woman, he happily returned to his friends. His heart was full of peace and satisfaction. He explained his actions to his friends by saying that even though the woman is poor, old, and very slow, she is still a precious mother to someone.

🔤 Dictation Words (Easy to Hard):

Poor ➡️ ଗରିବ

Slow ➡️ ମନ୍ଥର / ଧୀର

Content ➡️ ସନ୍ତୁଷ୍ଟ

➡️ Stanza 8

📜 Original Stanza: "And I hope some fellow will lend a hand

To help my mother, you understand,

If ever she's poor and old and gray,

When her own dear boy is far away."

🗣️ English-Odia (Pronunciation): "ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ଆଇ ହୋପ୍ ସମ୍ ଫେଲୋ ୱିଲ୍ ଲେଣ୍ଡ୍ ଏ ହ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ ଟୁ ହେଲ୍ପ ମାଇ ମଦର୍, ୟୁ ଅଣ୍ଡରଷ୍ଟାଣ୍ଡ, ଇଫ୍ ଏଭର୍ ସି'ଜ୍ ପୋର୍ ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ଓଲ୍ଡ ଆଣ୍ଡ ଗ୍ରେ, ହ୍ୱେନ୍ ହାର୍ ଓନ୍ ଡିଅର୍ ବୟ ଇଜ୍ ଫାର୍ ଆୱେ।"

📝 Odia Meaning: "ଏବଂ ମୁଁ ଆଶା କରୁଛି ଯେ ଯଦି କେବେ ମୋ ମାଆ ବୃଦ୍ଧା, ଗରିବ ଏବଂ ଅସହାୟ ହୋଇଯିବେ, ଆଉ ତାଙ୍କର ନିଜ ପୁଅ (ଅର୍ଥାତ୍ ମୁଁ) ବହୁତ ଦୂରରେ ଥିବ, ତେବେ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ କୌଣସି ଭଲ ପିଲା ମୋ ମାଆଙ୍କୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟର ହାତ ବଢ଼ାଇବ।"

💡 English Meaning: The noble boy explained his feelings further. He said that he helped the old woman because he hopes that in the future, if his own mother becomes old and weak and he is not around to help her, some other kind stranger will help her cross the street.

🔤 Dictation Words (Easy to Hard):

Lend ➡️ ଧାର ଦେବା / ବଢ଼ାଇବା

Fellow ➡️ ସାଥୀ / ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି

Understand ➡️ ବୁଝିବା

Away ➡️ ଦୂରରେ

➡️ Stanza 9

📜 Original Stanza: And "somebody's mother" bowed her head

In her home that night, and the prayer she said

Was, "God be kind to the noble boy,

Who is somebody's son, and pride and joy!"

🗣️ English-Odia (Pronunciation): ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ "ସମବଡିଜ୍ ମଦର୍" ବାଓଡ୍ ହାର୍ ହେଡ୍ ଇନ୍ ହାର୍ ହୋମ୍ ଦ୍ୟାଟ୍ ନାଇଟ୍, ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ଦ ପ୍ରେୟାର୍ ସି ସେଡ୍ ୱାଜ୍, "ଗଡ୍ ବି କାଇଣ୍ଡ୍ ଟୁ ଦ ନୋବଲ୍ ବୟ, ହୁ ଇଜ୍ ସମବଡିଜ୍ ସନ୍, ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ପ୍ରାଇଡ୍ ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ଜୟ!"

📝 Odia Meaning: ଏବଂ ସେହି "କାହାର ଜଣେ ମାଆ" ସେଦିନ ରାତିରେ ନିଜ ଘରେ ମୁଣ୍ଡ ନୁଆଁଇ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କଲେ ଯେ, "ଭଗବାନ ସେହି ମହାନ୍ ଦୟାଳୁ ବାଳକ ପ୍ରତି ସଦୟ ହୁଅନ୍ତୁ, ଯିଏକି ନିଶ୍ଚୟ କାହାର ଜଣେ ପୁଅ, ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ପରିବାରର ଗର୍ବ ଓ ଆନନ୍ଦର କାରଣ!"

💡 English Meaning: That night, safely inside her home, the old woman bowed her head in deep gratitude and prayed to God. She asked God to bless and protect the kind, noble boy who helped her, acknowledging that he is a wonderful son who brings great pride and joy to his own parents.

🔤 Dictation Words (Easy to Hard):

Joy ➡️ ଆନନ୍ଦ

Kind ➡️ ଦୟାଳୁ

Prayer ➡️ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା

Bowed ➡️ ମୁଣ୍ଡ ନୁଆଁଇଲେ

Noble ➡️ ମହାନ୍ / ଉଦାର

Pride ➡️ ଗର୍ବ

📝 Summary (English Only)

"Somebody's Mother" by Mary Dow Brine is a deeply touching and beautiful poem about kindness and human empathy. The poem paints a picture of a freezing winter day. An old, weak, and poorly dressed woman is standing at a busy road crossing. The road is dangerously wet and slippery because of a recent snowfall. Although a massive crowd of people walks past her, everyone ignores her, and no one bothers to notice her anxious eyes or offer her any help to cross the busy street safely.

Soon, a group of joyful schoolboys comes running down the street, celebrating their freedom after school. They quickly pass the old woman without paying any attention to her. However, the happiest and most cheerful boy in the group stops. Realizing her fear of the passing horse carriages, he gently offers his strong arm to guide her. He helps her cross the slippery road safely. When he returns to his friends, he explains his noble act by saying that the old woman is "somebody's mother." He hopes that by helping her today, someday, if his own mother ever needs help when he is far away, a kind stranger will extend a helping hand to her. Deeply moved by the boy's kindness, the old woman prays to God that night, asking Him to bless the noble boy who is the pride and joy of his own mother.

📝 Summary (Odia)

ମେରୀ ଡାଓ ବ୍ରାଇନ୍‌ଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ରଚିତ "ସମବଡିଜ୍ ମଦର୍" (କାହାର ଜଣେ ମାଆ) ହେଉଛି ଦୟା ଏବଂ ମାନବିକ ସମ୍ବେଦନଶୀଳତା ଉପରେ ଆଧାରିତ ଏକ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ହୃଦୟସ୍ପର୍ଶୀ କବିତା। କବିତାଟି ଗୋଟିଏ ଶୀତ ଦିନର ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରେ। ଜଣେ ବୃଦ୍ଧା, ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଏବଂ ଗରିବ ମହିଳା ରାସ୍ତା ପାର ହେବା ପାଇଁ ଛକରେ ଠିଆ ହୋଇଥାନ୍ତି। ବରଫ ପଡ଼ିଥିବା କାରଣରୁ ରାସ୍ତାଟି ବହୁତ ଖସଡ଼ା ଏବଂ ବିପଦପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଥାଏ। ଅନେକ ଲୋକ ତାଙ୍କ ପାଖ ଦେଇ ଯାଆନ୍ତି, କିନ୍ତୁ କେହି ହେଲେ ତାଙ୍କର ସାହାଯ୍ୟ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଥିବା ଆଖିକୁ ଦେଖନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ କିମ୍ବା ତାଙ୍କୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ।

କିଛି ସମୟ ପରେ, ସ୍କୁଲ୍ ଛୁଟି ହେବାର ଖୁସିରେ ଉତ୍ସବ ମନାଉଥିବା କିଛି ପିଲା ହସି ହସି ସେହି ବାଟ ଦେଇ ଆସନ୍ତି। ସେମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ବୃଦ୍ଧାଙ୍କୁ ଖାତିର ନକରି ପଳାନ୍ତି। କିନ୍ତୁ ସେହି ଦଳର ସବୁଠାରୁ ଖୁସିମିଜାଜର ଏବଂ ଦୟାଳୁ ବାଳକଟି ସେଠାରେ ଅଟକିଯାଏ। ସେ ବୃଦ୍ଧାଙ୍କ ଭୟକୁ ବୁଝିପାରେ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କୁ ନିଜର ଶକ୍ତ ହାତ ଧରାଇ ନିରାପଦରେ ରାସ୍ତା ପାର କରାଇଦିଏ। ନିଜ ସାଙ୍ଗମାନଙ୍କ ପାଖକୁ ଫେରି ସେ କୁହେ ଯେ ସେହି ବୃଦ୍ଧା ମଧ୍ୟ କାହାର ନା କାହାର ମାଆ। ସେ ଆଶା କରେ ଯେ ଭବିଷ୍ୟତରେ ଯଦି ତାର ନିଜ ମାଆ ଏପରି ଅସହାୟ ହୋଇଯାଆନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ସେ ପାଖରେ ନଥାଏ, ତେବେ ଅନ୍ୟ କୌଣସି ଭଲ ପିଲା ତା' ମାଆକୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିବ। ବାଳକର ଏହି ଦୟାଭାବରେ ଅଭିଭୂତ ହୋଇ ସେହି ବୃଦ୍ଧା ଜଣକ ରାତିରେ ଭଗବାନଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରନ୍ତି ଯେ ଭଗବାନ ସେହି ମହାନ୍ ବାଳକକୁ ସର୍ବଦା ମଙ୍ଗଳ କରନ୍ତୁ, ଯିଏ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ତାର ନିଜ ପରିବାରର ଗର୍ବ ଏବଂ ଆନନ୍ଦ ଅଟେ।

💡 Suggestion for Students

Empathy is one of the greatest human values. Whenever you see an elderly person struggling—whether on the road, on a bus, or in a market—always offer them a helping hand. Treat them with the same respect and care you would want others to give your own grandparents or parents. Read the poem aloud with full expression to feel the emotions of the old woman and the young boy!

👨‍🏫 Suggestion for Teachers: How to Teach

Begin the class by asking a simple emotional question: "How would you feel if your mother needed help crossing a busy road and everyone ignored her?" This will instantly connect the Class VIII students to the core theme of the poem. You can divide the poem into two halves for two days. Emphasize the rhyming couplets (e.g., gray/day, snow/slow) to teach them about poetic rhythm. Finally, create a short values-based discussion forum or an online quiz on the "WithTeachers" platform where students can share real-life examples of when they helped a stranger in need.