The Poem Once Upon a Time, by Gabriel Okara - - Paraphrasing, Central Idea, Summary, Questions, Answers and MCQs

12th class Poem "Once Upon a Time"

Written by

Gabriel Okara

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Original Readings

Once upon a time, son,

they used to laugh with their hearts 

and laugh with their eyes:

"but now they only laugh with their teeth, 

while their ice-block-cold eyes

search behind my shadow.

There was a time indeed

they used to shake hands with their hearts:

but that's gone, son.

Now they shake hands without hearts

while their left hands search

my empty pockets.

'Feel at home!' 'Come again':

they say, and when I come 

again and feel

at home, once, twice,

there will be no thrice-

for then I find doors shut on me.

So I have learned many things, son. 

I have learned to wear many faces 

like dresses - homeface,

officeface, streetface, hostface,

cocktailface, with all their conforming smiles 

like a fixed portrait smile.

And I have learned too

to laugh with only my teeth

and shake hands without my heart.

I have also learned to say, 'Goodbye',

when I mean 'Good-riddance': 

to say 'Glad to meet you',

without being glad; and to say 'It's been 

nice talking to you', after being bored.

But believe me, son.

I want to be what I used to be

when I was like you. I want

to unlearn all these muting things.

Most of all, I want to relearn

how to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror

shows only my teeth like a snake's bare fangs!

So show me, son,

how to laugh; show me how

I used to laugh and smile

once upon a time when I was like you

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Paraphrasing:

Stanza-1 Original Readings

Once upon a time, son,

they used to laugh with their hearts 

and laugh with their eyes:

"but now they only laugh with their teeth, 

while their ice-block-cold eyes

search behind my shadow.

Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-1: Line by Line

“Once upon a time, son, / they used to laugh with their hearts / and laugh with their eyes:”
➡️ The poet tells his son that in the past, people laughed with genuine warmth from their hearts, and their eyes showed real joy.

“but now they only laugh with their teeth, while their ice-block-cold eyes search behind my shadow.”
➡️ He sadly observes that now people only give fake smiles, showing their teeth, while their eyes are cold and emotionless like ice as if they are looking past me, not really seeing me.

Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-1: In a Paragraph

In this stanza, the poet tells his son that in the past, people used to express true emotions. Their laughter came from their hearts and eyes, showing real happiness. But now, people’s laughter has become false and artificial. They only laugh with their teeth, while their cold eyes show no warmth or kindness. The poet feels that people have become suspicious and selfish, always trying to look for hidden motives behind others’ actions.

Stanza-2:

There was a time indeed

they used to shake hands with their hearts:

but that's gone, son.

Now they shake hands without hearts

while their left hands search

my empty pockets.

Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-2: Line by Line

“There was a time indeed they used to shake hands with their hearts:”

➡️ The poet recalls that there was indeed a time when people greeted each other with genuine warmth and heartfelt sincerity in their handshakes.

“but that’s gone, son. Now they shake hands without hearts while their left hands search my empty pockets.”

➡️ He tells his son that such honesty has disappeared. Now, they shake hands without any real feeling, while their hand is secretly checking 

my empty pockets

Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-2: In a Paragraph

In this stanza, the speaker recalls a time when people used to shake hands warmly, with genuine feeling. But now, he tells his son, that sincerity is gone. People shake hands without any real emotion, and at the same time, they are secretly trying to take advantage of him, even checking his pockets for what they can gain.

Stanza-3

'Feel at home!' 'Come again':

they say, and when I come 

again and feel

at home, once, twice,

there will be no thrice-

for then I find doors shut on me.

Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-3: Line by Line

“‘Feel at home!’ ‘Come again’: they say,”

The poet explains that how people politely say phrases like “Feel at home!” or “Come again!” to sound kind and welcoming.

“and when I come again and feel at home, once, twice, there will be no thrice—”

He says that when he visits again and starts to feel comfortable, after one or two visits, the same people stop welcoming him.

“for then I find doors shut on me.”

He finds that the friendliness was only for show — later, they close their doors and hearts to him.

Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-3: In a Paragraph

In this stanza, the speaker describes how people say things like "Feel at home!" and "Come again" to sound welcoming. But if he takes their words seriously and visits once or twice, he realizes he isn’t actually welcome. By the third visit, he finds the doors closed to him, revealing that their words were not sincere.

Stanza-4

So I have learned many things, son. 

I have learned to wear many faces 

like dresses - homeface,

officeface, streetface, hostface,

cocktailface, with all their conforming smiles 

like a fixed portrait smile.

Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-4: Line by Line

“So I have learned many things, son.”
➡️ The poet tells his son that he has learned to adjust and behave like others in this false world.

“I have learned to wear many faces like dresses—homeface, officeface, streetface, hostface, cocktailface,”
➡️ He explains that he has learned to put on different expressions or personalities depending on where he is — at home, office, on the street, or at parties.

“with all their conforming smiles like a fixed portrait smile.”
➡️ He further adds that all these fake smiles look the same — stiff and emotionless, like the smile in a painted picture.

Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-4: In a Paragraph

In this stanza, the speaker tells his son that he has learned to put on different "faces" or expressions for different situations, just like changing outfits. He has a different face for home, work, social events, and being a host. Each of these faces comes with a polite, practiced smile, like a forced, unchanging smile in a portrait, rather than a real, heartfelt expression.

Stanza-5

And I have learned too

to laugh with only my teeth

and shake hands without my heart.

I have also learned to say, 'Goodbye',

when I mean 'Good-riddance': 

to say 'Glad to meet you',

without being glad; and to say 'It's been 

nice talking to you', after being bored.

Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-5: Line by Line

“And I have learned too to laugh with only my teeth and shake hands without my heart.”
➡️ The poet admits that he has also learned to behave falsely — to laugh and greet without real feeling.

“I have also learned to say, ‘Goodbye’, when I mean ‘Good-riddance’:”
➡️ He says that now he even says polite words like “Goodbye” while actually feeling happy to get rid of someone.

“to say ‘Glad to meet you’, without being glad; and to say ‘It’s been nice talking to you’, after being bored.”
➡️ The poet continues that he says polite phrases like “Glad to meet you” or “Nice talking to you” even when he is not happy or interested, showing how fake society has made him.

Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-5: In a Paragraph

In this stanza, the poet admits that he too has become a part of this false world. He has learned to laugh without real joy and to shake hands without real feelings. He has also learned to say polite words that do not reflect his true emotions — saying “Goodbye” when he means “Good-riddance,” and “Glad to meet you” when he is not glad at all. Even when he feels bored, he says “It’s been nice talking to you.” The poet feels sad that honesty has disappeared from human behaviour.

Stanza-6

But believe me, son.

I want to be what I used to be

when I was like you. I want

to unlearn all these muting things.

Most of all, I want to relearn

how to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror

shows only my teeth like a snake's bare fangs!

Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-6: Line by Line

“But believe me, son.”
➡️ The poet turns to his son, asking him to trust his words.

“I want to be what I used to be when I was like you.”
➡️ He expresses his deep desire to regain his lost innocence and honesty, just like his son.

“I want to unlearn all these muting things.”
➡️ He wants to forget all the false behaviours he has learned from society.

“Most of all, I want to relearn how to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror shows only my teeth like a snake’s bare fangs!”
➡️ He feels that his laughter has become lifeless and scary, like a snake’s fangs, and he wishes to laugh genuinely again.

Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-6: In a Paragraph

In this stanza, the poet now turns to his son, asking him to trust his words that he wishes he could be like he was in his younger days, when he was more genuine and innocent just like his son. He wishes to unlearn all these false manners and artificial habits that life has taught him. He especially wants to learn how to laugh sincerely again, because when he looks at himself in the mirror, his laughter looks fake and frightening — like a snake’s open fangs.

Stanza-7

So show me, son,

how to laugh; show me how

I used to laugh and smile

once upon a time when I was like you

Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-7: Line by Line

“So show me, son, how to laugh; show me how I used to laugh and smile once upon a time when I was like you.”
➡️ The poet lovingly asks his son to teach him how to laugh and smile naturally again, the way he did in his innocent childhood.

Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-8: In a Paragraph

In final stanza, the speaker is asking his son to teach him how to laugh and smile genuinely again, the way he did long ago when he was young and innocent like his son. He longs to rediscover the natural, sincere joy he once had, which he feels he has lost over time.

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The Summary of the poem "Once Upon a Time" written by Gabriel Okara:

1. In the poem "Once Upon a Time", Gabriel Okara reflects on how people have lost their sincerity over time, and he shares these thoughts with his son. He remembers a time when people’s smiles and handshakes were warm and heartfelt, but now they are fake, just surface-level gestures with no real feeling behind them. To fit into this changed world, he has learned to put on different "faces" for different situations and to act polite without truly meaning it. However, he misses his genuine, innocent self and wishes he could go back to being like his son—able to laugh, smile, and connect with others honestly. He asks his son to teach him how to be real and joyful again, like he was when he was young.

2. The poem “Once Upon a Time” by Gabriel Okara expresses the poet’s deep regret over the loss of truth, warmth, and sincerity in human relationships. The poet speaks to his son and recalls a time when people were genuine — they laughed with their hearts and greeted others with real affection. But now, people have become artificial; their smiles and handshakes are fake, and their words are empty and insincere. The poet sadly admits that he too has changed with time and learned to wear different “faces” for different occasions, hiding his true emotions. He feels trapped in this world of hypocrisy and longs to regain the innocence, honesty, and pure joy of his childhood. In the end, he turns to his young son, asking him to teach him how to laugh and smile genuinely again, the way he did long ago when he was young and innocent like his son. He longs to rediscover the natural, sincere joy he once had, which he feels he has lost over time.

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The central idea of the poem "Once Upon a Time" written by Gabriel Okara:

1. The central idea of the poem “Once Upon a Time” is the poet’s regret over how modern life has made people insincere and artificial. The poet feels that true emotions, honesty, and warmth have disappeared from human relationships. People now wear false smiles, shake hands without feelings, and use polite words without meaning them. The poet realizes that he too has become a part of this fake world and longs to return to the innocence and truthfulness of his childhood. He wishes to unlearn the false manners of society and relearn how to laugh and smile genuinely again. Through this poem, Gabriel Okara reminds us to keep our hearts pure and emotions real in a world full of pretence.

 

2. The central idea of Gabriel Okara's poem "Once Upon a Time" is the contrast between genuine emotions and the fake, insincere behaviour people adopt as they grow older. The speaker reflects on how, in the past, people laughed and connected with sincerity, but now their actions—like smiling, laughing, and shaking hands—feel hollow and untrustworthy. The speaker has learned to hide his true feelings behind different "faces" to fit in, but he longs to return to a time when he was authentic and honest. He asks his son to teach him how to be genuine and happy again, like he once was in his youth.

3. The central idea of Gabriel Okara’s poem *Once Upon a Time* is the loss of sincerity and authenticity in human relationships as people become more superficial and insincere. The speaker reflects on how people used to express genuine warmth and kindness but now only show fake smiles and empty gestures. To adapt, he himself has learned to put on different faces and act polite without feeling it. However, he longs to return to his former, innocent self and hopes his son can teach him to rediscover genuine laughter and joy. The poem highlights a desire to reconnect with true emotions and authenticity.

Short Questions and Answers of the poem "Once Upon a Time" written by Gabriel Okara:

1. Who is the poet of the poem “Once Upon a Time”?
The poet of the poem “Once Upon a Time” is Gabriel Okara, a famous Nigerian poet and novelist.

2. To whom is the poem addressed?
The poem is addressed to the poet’s son.

3. What does the poet mean by “They used to laugh with their hearts and laugh with their eyes”?
The poet means that in the past, people were sincere and their laughter showed real happiness and kindness.

4. What does the poet mean by “They only laugh with their teeth”?
The poet means that people’s laughter has become fake and meaningless — it shows no real emotion or warmth.

5. What lesson has the poet learned from society?
The poet has learned to hide his true feelings, wear false smiles, and act in a way that pleases others, just like the artificial people around him.

6. What does the poet want to “unlearn”?
He wants to unlearn the fake manners and dishonest habits that modern society has taught him.

7. Why does the poet ask his son for help at the end of the poem?
The poet asks his son to teach him how to laugh and smile sincerely again, like he used to when he was young and innocent.

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Long Questions and Answers of the poem "Once Upon a Time" written by Gabriel Okara:

1. Describe the main theme of the poem “Once Upon a Time.”

The poem “Once Upon a Time” by Gabriel Okara highlights the loss of sincerity and truth in modern human relationships. The poet remembers a time when people were honest, warm, and open-hearted. But now, their smiles, handshakes, and words are fake and selfish. The poet sadly admits that he too has become like them and lost his natural innocence. He feels trapped in this world of hypocrisy and wishes to return to the pure and honest way of life he once knew. In the end, he turns to his son, asking him to teach him how to smile and laugh truly again.

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2. How does Gabriel Okara contrast the past and the present in the poem?
Gabriel Okara contrasts the past as a time of truth and emotional warmth with the present, which is full of falsehood and pretence. In the past, people laughed and greeted each other with real affection. But now, their faces, smiles, and words are artificial. The poet feels that society has lost its genuine human touch. He regrets that he has also changed with time and learned to wear different “faces” to fit in. He wants to regain the innocence and honesty of his childhood and asks his son to guide him back to that pure way of living.

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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) of the poem "Once Upon a Time" written by Gabriel Okara:

1. Who wrote the poem “Once Upon a Time”?

A. W.B. Yeats
B. Gabriel Okara
C. Robert Frost
D. William Wordsworth
✅ Answer: B. Gabriel Okara

2. To whom is the poem addressed?
A. The poet’s father
B. A friend
C. The poet’s son
D. A stranger
✅ Answer: C. The poet’s son

3. What does “laugh with their teeth” mean?
A. Laugh loudly
B. Laugh sincerely
C. Laugh without real feelings
D. Laugh out of joy
✅ Answer: C. Laugh without real feelings

4. What does the poet want to relearn?
A. How to write poetry
B. How to be rich
C. How to laugh and smile sincerely
D. How to make friends
✅ Answer: C. How to laugh and smile sincerely

5. What does the poem criticize?
A. The beauty of nature
B. The artificiality and hypocrisy of modern life
C. The happiness of childhood
D. The role of education
✅ Answer: B. The artificiality and hypocrisy of modern life

6. What is the tone of the poem?
A. Angry
B. Sad and regretful
C. Humorous
D. Joyful
✅ Answer: B. Sad and regretful

7. What does the poet compare his fake smile to?
A. A flower
B. A mirror
C. A snake’s bare fangs
D. A portrait
✅ Answer: C. A snake’s bare fangs

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