6.English (Poetry) - Poem 6

Koel

Class 10 English (Poetry) - Poem 6

Poet: Puran Singh

🐦 About the Poem & Poet

Puran Singh was a Punjabi poet who wrote extensively in English. In this poem, he addresses the "Koel" (Cuckoo bird). He admires its beautiful song but wonders why it is so restless. The poem explores the hidden pain behind the sweet voice of the Koel, which sings in search of its beloved.

📖 Summary (हिन्दी सारांश)

कवि पूरन सिंह कोयल (Koel) को संबोधित करते हुए पूछते हैं:

• "हे कोयल! तुम्हें कौन सी बिजली (Lightning) ने जला दिया है जो तुम काली हो गई हो? फिर भी तुम्हारी आवाज़ इतनी ताज़ा और मीठी क्यों है?"
• कोयल आम के पत्तों (Mango-leaves) में छिपी रहती है और वहां से गाती है।
• उसकी ऊंची तान (High-pitched strains) कवि के दिल में हजारों यादें जगा देती है।
• कोयल जवाब देती है: "मेरे पंख प्रेम की आग (Fire of Love) में जल गए हैं। मैं अपने प्रिय (Beloved) से बिछड़ गई हूँ, इसलिए मैं बेचैन हूँ।"
• कोयल कहती है कि बगीचा जितना हरा-भरा होता है, उसका दिल उतना ही जलता है, और वह लगातार पूछती रहती है—"मेरा प्रिय कहाँ है?"

📚 Word Meanings (शब्दार्थ)

Word	Meaning (Hindi)	Meaning (English)
Lightning	बिजली	Flash of light during storm
Singed	झुलसा हुआ/हल्का जला हुआ	Slightly burnt
Charred	जलकर काला होना	Burnt to charcoal
Concealed	छिपा हुआ	Hidden
Strains	सुर/तान	Musical notes/Melody
Restless	बेचैन/व्याकुल	Uneasy/Unable to rest

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

B.1. Short Answer Questions

Q1. Who wrote the poem 'Koel'?

Ans: Puran Singh wrote the poem 'Koel'.

Q2. What does the Koel do in the mango leaves?

Ans: The Koel conceals (hides) herself in the mango leaves and sings.

Q3. What singed the Koel's wings?

Ans: The fire of love singed the Koel's wings.

Q4. Why is the Koel restless?

Ans: The Koel is restless because she is separated from her beloved and is searching for him.

C.1. Long Answer Questions

Q1. "The fire of love has charred my wings." Explain.

Ans: In this line, the Koel answers the poet's question about her black color. She metaphorically says that she is not black due to ordinary fire or lightning, but due to the intense "fire of love" and separation. The pain of missing her beloved is so strong that it feels like a fire that has burnt (charred) her wings and turned her black.

Q2. How does the Koel's song affect the poet?

Ans: The Koel's song has a deep impact on the poet. Her high-pitched notes wake up a thousand memories in the poet's soul. Although the song is sweet, it also makes the poet restless because he can feel the pain and longing hidden in the bird's voice.

Q3. Why does the Koel call the garden's greenness a burning fire?

Ans: Usually, a green garden is a symbol of happiness and peace. But for the separated Koel, it is torture. The more beautiful and green the garden is, the more she misses her beloved. The beauty of nature (mango blossoms) acts like a spark that ignites her pain even more. Therefore, she says, "The greener the garden, the brighter burns my heart."

-- Class 10 English (Bihar Board) Notes --