The Poem - The Wind, By Robert Louis Stevenson - - Paraphrasing, Central Idea, Summary

 

Poem "The Wind"

BY 

Robert Louis Stevenson

National Book Foundation

(11h Class - Federal Board) 

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Poem "The Wind" 

Original Readings (Text)

I saw you toss the kites on high 

And blow the birds about the sky; 

And all around I heard you pass, 

Like ladies' skirts across the grass- 

O wind, a-blowing all day long, 

O wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did, 

But always you yourself you hid. 

I felt you push, I heard you call, 

I could not see yourself at all- 

O wind, a-blowing all day long, 

O wind, that sings so loud a song!

O you that are so strong and cold, 

O blower, are you young or old? 

Are you a beast of field and tree,

Or just a stronger child than me? 

O wind, a-blowing all day long, 

O wind, that sings so loud a song!.

Paraphrasing line by line and in a paragraph of the poem "The Wind" Written by Robert Louis Stevenson:

( Stanza 1) ** Original Readings **

I saw you toss the kites on high 

And blow the birds about the sky; 

And all around I heard you pass, 

Like ladies' skirts across the grass- 

O wind, a-blowing all day long, 

O wind, that sings so loud a song!

Paraphrasing (Line by Line) of Stanza 1:

Line 1: I saw you toss the kites on high

→ The poet says he saw the wind making the kites fly high up in the sky.

Line 2: And blow the birds about the sky;

→ He saw the wind was also pushing the birds, making them move and flutter in the air.

Line 3: And all around I heard you pass,

→ The poet could hear the wind blowing all around him.

Line 4: Like ladies' skirts across the grass -

→ He compares the soft sound of the wind to the rustling of ladies’ skirts brushing the grass as they walk.

Line 5: O wind, a-blowing all day long,

→ The poet addresses the wind, saying it blows continuously the entire day.

Line 6: O wind, that sings so loud a song!

→ The wind seems to sing loudly as it blows, creating different sounds in nature.

Paraphrasing (In a Paragraph):

In this stanza, the poet describes how he sees the wind making the kites fly high up in the sky and blowing the birds from place to place. As the wind moves around, he can hear its sound all over, like the soft rustling of ladies’ skirts brushing against the grass. The poet lovingly addresses the wind, calling it something that blows all day long and sings loudly, as though it has its own musical voice.

( Stanza 2) ** Original Readings **

I saw the different things you did, 

But always you yourself you hid. 

I felt you push, I heard you call, 

I could not see yourself at all- 

O wind, a-blowing all day long, 

O wind, that sings so loud a song!

Paraphrasing (Line by Line) of Stanza 2:

Line 1: I saw the different things you did,

→ The poet notices many things the wind does — how it moves and affects things.

Line 2: But always you yourself you hid.

→ He says that although the wind’s actions can be seen, the wind itself cannot be seen.

Line 3: I felt you push, I heard you call,

→ The poet could feel the wind’s force pushing against him and hear its whistling sound.

Line 4: I could not see yourself at all -

→ But even then, he could not actually see the wind—it remains invisible.

Line 5: O wind, a-blowing all day long,

→ Again, he calls out to the wind that keeps blowing endlessly.

Line 6: O wind, that sings so loud a song!

→ The wind continues to “sing” loudly through its whooshing and whistling sounds.

Paraphrasing (In a Paragraph):

In this stanza, the poet tells how he notices many actions of the wind — how it moves and affects everything around him. He can feel the wind pushing him and hear its voice calling, yet he cannot actually see it. The wind remains invisible even though its power and presence are felt everywhere. The poet again repeats that the wind blows throughout the day and sings loudly, filling the air with its powerful song.

( Stanza 3) ** Original Readings **

O you that are so strong and cold, 

O blower, are you young or old? 

Are you a beast of field and tree,

Or just a stronger child than me? 

O wind, a-blowing all day long, 

O wind, that sings so loud a song!.

Paraphrasing (Line by Line) of Stanza 3:

Line 1: O you that are so strong and cold,

→ The poet describes the wind as being very strong and cold in nature.

Line 2: O blower, are you young or old?

→ The poet wonders if the wind is young or old—giving it a human-like quality.

Line 3: Are you a beast of field and tree,

→ He imagines whether the wind might be some kind of wild creature that roams through the fields and trees.

Line 4: Or just a stronger child than me?

→ Or maybe, he says, the wind is like a child—but stronger and more powerful than him.

Line 5: O wind, a-blowing all day long,

→ Once again, he calls to the ever-blowing wind.

Line 6: O wind, that sings so loud a song!

→ He ends by repeating how the wind sings its loud, powerful song throughout the day.

Paraphrasing (In a Paragraph):

Here, the poet calls the wind strong and cold, showing respect for its power. He curiously wonders about its nature — whether the wind is young or old, or whether it is some kind of creature that lives among the trees and fields. Then, he imagines the wind might be like a strong child, more powerful than himself. Once again, he ends the stanza by admiring the wind that blows all day long and sings its loud, endless song.

 

Summary Writing Steps to Follow:

1. Read the poem "The Wind" by Robert Louis Stevenson carefully.

2. After reading, write a summary of the poem in your own words including the following elements

• The main theme or message of the poem.
• A brief description of the speaker's feelings and emotions. 
• Key imagery or symbols used in the poem. 

3. Your summary should be clear, concise, and well-organized. 

4. Aim to capture the essence of the poem while keeping your summary within 100- 150 words.

Summary of the poem "The Eagle" Written by Robert Louis Stevenson:

In the poem "The Wind," the speaker describes the wind’s powerful influence on the world around it. They see how the wind lifts kites high, moves birds through the sky, and rustles the grass like the soft touch of skirts. Although they notice these effects and hear the wind’s sounds, they can never actually see the wind itself - it remains hidden and mysterious. The speaker wonders about the wind’s nature—whether it is old or young, like a wild creature or just a stronger being. Throughout the poem, the wind is depicted as an unseen but forceful and continuous presence, singing a loud and powerful song all day long.

The Central Idea of the poem  "The Eagle" Written by Robert Louis Stevenson:

The central idea of the poem "The Wind" by Robert Louis Stevenson is the speaker's fascination with the wind. The poem explores the wind's powerful and mysterious nature through vivid imagery. The wind is described as influencing the world by lifting kites, moving birds, and rustling through the grass, yet it remains unseen. The speaker reflects on the wind’s strength and presence, wondering about its age and nature. Overall, the poem captures a sense of wonder and curiosity about this unseen, powerful force of nature.

Short Questions and Answers:

Q1. Who is the poet of the poem “The Wind”?
A. The poem “The Wind” is written by Robert Louis Stevenson.

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Q2. What things does the poet see the wind doing?
A. The poet sees the wind tossing kites high in the sky, blowing birds about, and rustling the grass softly.

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Q3. How does the poet describe the sound of the wind?
A. The poet says the wind makes a sound like ladies’ skirts brushing the grass and sings a loud, continuous song.

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Q4. Can the poet see the wind?
A. No, the poet cannot see the wind itself; he can only feel and hear it.

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Q5. What question does the poet ask the wind?
A. The poet asks whether the wind is young or old, or if it is like a wild creature or a strong child.

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Q6. How does the poet feel about the wind?
A. The poet feels amazed and curious about the wind’s power and mystery. He admires it as a strong and living force of nature.

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Q7. What is the main idea of the poem “The Wind”?
A. The main idea is that the wind is an invisible but powerful and continuous force that moves through nature, bringing life and music to the world.

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Q8. What does the repeated line “O wind, a-blowing all day long” show?
A. It shows that the wind never stops blowing and remains active throughout the day.

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Long Questions and Answers:

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Q1. Describe how the poet presents the wind in the poem “The Wind.”
A. In the poem “The Wind,” Robert Louis Stevenson presents the wind as a powerful, mysterious, and ever-moving force of nature. The poet describes how the wind tosses kites high in the air, moves birds across the sky, and creates soft musical sounds as it passes through the grass. Though the poet can feel its touch and hear its voice, he cannot see the wind itself, which makes it even more fascinating. He personifies the wind as a living being that sings and plays all day long. Through his words, the poet expresses his admiration for the wind’s invisible power and its constant presence in the natural world.

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Q2. What feelings does the poet express towards the wind?
A. The poet expresses a sense of wonder, curiosity, and admiration toward the wind. He is amazed by how the wind moves everything — birds, kites, and trees — yet remains invisible. He wonders whether the wind is old or young, or perhaps a strong child like himself. These thoughts show the poet’s imaginative and playful attitude. The wind’s strength and endless movement make the poet respect it as one of nature’s greatest forces. His tone throughout the poem is full of curiosity and appreciation for the beauty and mystery of the natural world.

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Q3. What message does the poem “The Wind” convey?
A. The poem conveys a message about the hidden power and beauty of nature. It teaches readers to admire and respect the forces that cannot be seen but can be felt everywhere. The wind symbolizes nature’s energy — invisible, strong, and continuous. Through simple yet musical language, the poet reminds us that nature is full of wonders that we often take for granted. The poem encourages us to observe the world around us more closely and to value the unseen powers that make life beautiful and alive.

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Q4. How does the poet use imagination to describe the wind?
A. The poet uses his imagination to make the wind come alive in the poem. He personifies the wind as if it were a living being that sings, plays, and moves freely. He imagines the sound of the wind as the soft rustling of ladies’ skirts and even asks if the wind is young or old, or a strong child. This imaginative description helps readers picture the wind’s movements and feel its presence, even though it cannot be seen. The poet’s creative expressions make the poem musical, lively, and full of wonder.

MCQs from the Poem “The Wind”

1. Who is the poet of the poem “The Wind”?

A) William Wordsworth

B) Robert Louis Stevenson

C) Percy Bysshe Shelley

D) Thomas Hardy

✅ Answer: B) Robert Louis Stevenson

2. What does the poet see the wind doing to the kites?

A) Breaking them

B) Tossing them high in the sky

C) Pulling them down

D) Ignoring them

✅ Answer: B) Tossing them high in the sky

3. How does the poet compare the sound of the wind?

A) Like roaring thunder

B) Like ladies’ skirts brushing the grass

C) Like birds chirping

D) Like waves crashing

✅ Answer: B) Like ladies’ skirts brushing the grass

4. Can the poet actually see the wind?

A) Yes, very clearly

B) Only at night

C) No, he cannot see it

D) Only when it rains

✅ Answer: C) No, he cannot see it

5. What question does the poet ask the wind?

A) Where it comes from

B) Whether it is young or old

C) Whether it is tired

D) Whether it likes the rain

✅ Answer: B) Whether it is young or old

6. How does the poet describe the wind’s nature?

A) Weak and gentle

B) Strong and cold

C) Warm and soft

D) Hot and dusty

✅ Answer: B) Strong and cold

7. What is the repeated line in the poem?

A) “O wind, a-blowing all day long”

B) “The wind is free and wild”

C) “The wind sleeps at night”

D) “O wild and whirling breeze”

✅ Answer: A) “O wind, a-blowing all day long”

8. What quality of the wind does the poet admire most?

A) Its color

B) Its power and mystery

C) Its silence

D) Its stillness

✅ Answer: B) Its power and mystery

9. What does the wind symbolize in the poem?

A) The noise of the city

B) The invisible power of nature

C) The anger of people

D) The passing of time

✅ Answer: B) The invisible power of nature

10. What tone does the poet use in the poem?

A) Angry and fearful

B) Curious and admiring

C) Sad and hopeless

D) Boring and dull

✅ Answer: B) Curious and admiring