Class: VIII > Summer Friends > Textual Questions and Answers

 Summer Friends

Summary: This is not the poem of birds but about the friends. Here the poet hints at two kind of friends by mentioning two birds. The Swallow was a fair-weather friend as he flies away when the weather turns cold and dismal. On the other hand, the sparrow, like a true friend remains attached to us. So, he wishes to have real friends like the sparrow.

The swallow is called a guest because it stays with us for a limited period of time and flies away at the advent of winter like a guest.

The poet says that old friends may get separated but their hearts remain close to us.

During winter the sparrow clings close (emotionally attached) to us like a real friend.

The swallow leaves the poet in winter season in search of warm weather as he may not want to share the sorrow of the poet.

The swallow leaves the poet in winter just like, a fair weather friend leaves the poet in his misfortune.

The poet wants a friend like swallow who will be with the poet in the days of sorrow.

I think the poet would like to have ‘Sparrow’ as a friend as he himself says that he prays for a bird who will sing in frost.