If — By Rudyard Kipling
Word Meaning
keep your head
make allowance for
imposters
knaves
sinew
keep your virtue
unforgiving minute
A. Answer these Questions.
1. In what way can one keep one’s head?
Ans. One can keep one’s head by staying calm and composed when other’s around are panicking, doubting or blaming. The ability to remain rational when other’s are losing control is a mark of true wisdom and inner strength.
2. Why should one make allowance for the doubt of others?
Ans. We should make allowance for the doubt of others because it reflects tolerance and humility. By respecting their uncertainties, we avoid arrogance and acknowledge that no one is always absolutely correct.
3. Why should we not make dreams our masters?
Ans. We should not make dreams our masters because dreams are only goals to inspire us. If we let them rule us, we may lose the common touch with reality and practical life. The poet wants us to use dreams as inspiration, not as an escape from reality.
B. Read these lines and answer the questions with reference to the context.
1. If you can force your heart and nerve And sinew …
Except the Will which says to them, “Hold on!”
(a) Who is being addressed as “you”?
Ans. These lines have been taken from the poem “If” written by Rudyard Kipling.
The poet addresses his son as “you”, but in a general sense he is speaking to all young people.
(b) When do the heart, nerve and sinew give up?
Ans. They give up when a person becomes tired, weak, or exhausted after hard struggle.
(c) What should one do in such a situation?
Ans. One should not give up but use the power of strong will to hold on and continue even when there is nothing left. The determination of the ‘will’ should push a person to keep going.
