7.English (Poetry) - Poem 7

The Sleeping Porter

Class 10 English (Poetry) - Poem 7

Poet: Laxmi Prasad Devkota

🏔️ About the Poem & Poet

Laxmi Prasad Devkota was a famous Nepali poet. In this poem, he describes the hard life of a porter (coolie) who carries heavy loads up the mountains. Despite his physical weakness and poverty, the porter is strong in spirit and finds peace in sleep after a long day of struggle.

📖 Summary (हिन्दी सारांश)

यह कविता एक मेहनती कूली (Porter) की कहानी बताती है।

कूली का संघर्ष:

• कूली की पीठ पर 25 किलो (Twenty-five kilo) का बोझ है। वह पहाड़ पर 6 मील (Six miles) की चढ़ाई चढ़ रहा है।
• उसका शरीर दुबला-पतला और कमजोर है (Skeletal framework)। लेकिन उसका मन मजबूत है।
• सर्दी के मौसम में, जब बर्फ गिर रही है, वह नंगे पैर (Naked feet) चल रहा है। उसकी टोपी गंदी है और पसीने से भीगी है।
• उसके घर में उसकी पत्नी भोजन (Nettles and vines) ढूंढ रही है और उसका बेटा ठंड से कांप रहा है।

सुकून की नींद:

इतनी मेहनत के बाद, रात में वह गहरी नींद (Deep slumber) सोता है। कवि कहते हैं कि वह "नींद के अमीर साम्राज्य" (Rich kingdom of sleep) का राजा है, जहाँ कोई दुख या दर्द नहीं है।

📚 Word Meanings (शब्दार्थ)

Word	Meaning (Hindi)	Meaning (English)
Load	बोझ/वजन	Weight to carry
Spine	रीढ़ की हड्डी	Backbone
Naked	नंगा (बिना जूतों के)	Uncovered/Bare
Stout	मजबूत/दृढ़	Strong and thick
Slumber	नींद	Deep sleep
Cliff	चट्टान/खड़ी ढाल	Steep rock face

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

B.1. Short Answer Questions

Q1. How much load does the porter have on his back?

Ans: The porter has a load of twenty-five kilos on his back.

Q2. What distance does the porter cover in the snows of winter?

Ans: The porter covers a distance of six miles in the snows of winter.

Q3. Who is the hero of the mountain?

Ans: The porter is the hero of the mountain because he conquers nature with his hard work.

Q4. What is the mother searching for?

Ans: The mother (porter's wife) is searching for nettles and vines (wild plants) to cook food.

C.1. Long Answer Questions

Q1. "The porter is out of breath." Why?

Ans: The porter is out of breath because he is carrying a heavy load of twenty-five kilos on his back. He is climbing a steep mountain path for six miles. His body is weak and malnourished, yet he continues to climb. The physical exertion in the thin mountain air makes him breathless.

Q2. Describe the physical appearance of the porter.

Ans: The porter looks very weak and frail. The poet describes his body as a "skeletal framework," meaning he is very thin. He wears a dirty black cap which is stained with sweat. His feet are naked (bare). Despite his weak body, his determination is stout (strong).

Q3. What is the central idea of the poem?

Ans: The central idea is that hard work and endurance conquer all difficulties. The porter represents the struggles of the poor working class. Despite poverty, hunger, and extreme cold, he does his duty for his family. In the end, nature rewards his hard work with a peaceful sleep, where he feels like a king. It highlights the dignity of labour.

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