Clouds Poem: CBSE Class 1 English Unit 9

What the 'Clouds' Poem is About

The "Clouds" poem is a short and sweet poem about the beautiful white clouds we see in the sky. It describes how clouds look like big white ships sailing across the sky. The poem asks a question: "What are they doing up there?" It then gives a playful answer, suggesting that maybe the clouds are carrying rain to drop on the thirsty plants and flowers below. It's a wonderful way to think about nature and how everything around us works together, even the clouds! This poem encourages us to look closely at the world and use our imagination to understand natural things. It's simple, easy to read, and paints a clear picture in our minds.

Understanding the Poem, Line by Line

1. Line 1-2: "White sheep, white sheep, On a blue hill" — Here, the poet compares clouds to 'white sheep'. Just like white sheep graze on a green hill, the white clouds are floating on the 'blue hill' which is the blue sky. It's a lovely image of clouds moving slowly across the sky.
2. Line 3-4: "When the wind stops, You all stand still" — This means that when there is no wind blowing, the clouds stop moving and stay in one place. Just like sheep might stand still in a field, clouds appear still when the air is calm. The wind is what pushes the clouds around.
3. Line 5-6: "When the wind blows, You walk away slow" — But when the wind starts blowing again, the clouds begin to move. They don't rush, they 'walk away slow' – gently moving across the sky. This shows how clouds are always changing and moving, but not quickly.
4. Line 7-8: "White sheep, white sheep, Where do you go?" — The poem ends with a question, asking the clouds where they go. This makes us wonder and imagine what happens to the clouds after they pass by. Do they go to another place to bring rain? Or do they change shape? It's fun to think about!

New Words and Their Meanings

Sheep

A common farm animal with thick wool, often white, that gives us wool and milk. Here, clouds are compared to white sheep.

Hill

A small mountain or raised area of land. In the poem, the blue sky is called a 'blue hill' because the clouds are seen on it.

Wind

Moving air that we can feel. Wind makes the clouds move across the sky.

Still

Not moving, quiet. When the wind stops, the clouds stand still.

Blows

When the wind moves with force. When the wind blows, it pushes the clouds.

Slow

Moving at a low speed, not fast. The clouds 'walk away slow'.

Understanding Rhyming Words in Poems

Poems often have rhyming words at the end of lines, which makes them sound musical and fun to read! For your exams and understanding poetry, try to identify these rhyming words. In our 'Clouds' poem, 'hill' rhymes with 'still', and 'slow' rhymes with 'go'. Finding rhyming words helps you enjoy the poem more and also helps you remember it. Always read a poem aloud to hear the rhyme and rhythm!

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: What do the clouds look like in the poem? A: Step 1: Read the first line of the poem carefully. Step 2: The poem says, "White sheep, white sheep...". Final answer: In the poem, the clouds look like white sheep.
• Q: What is the 'blue hill' in the poem? A: Step 1: Think about where clouds are usually seen. Step 2: Clouds are in the sky, and the sky is blue. Final answer: The 'blue hill' in the poem is the blue sky.
• Q: What makes the clouds move? A: Step 1: Look at the lines in the poem that talk about clouds moving or standing still. Step 2: The poem says, "When the wind stops, You all stand still" and "When the wind blows, You walk away slow." Final answer: The wind makes the clouds move.
• Q: Find two pairs of rhyming words from the poem. A: Step 1: Read the poem and listen to the sounds at the end of each line. Step 2: Look for words that sound similar. Final answer: One pair is 'hill' and 'still'. Another pair is 'slow' and 'go'.

Frequently Asked Questions