Treasure Trove Poems and Short Stories Workbook Answers
Abou Ben Adhem Summary by Leigh Hunt
Abou Ben Adhem Summary About the Poet
Leigh Hunt (19 October, 1784 – 28 August, 1859) was a religious man who was educated in a Christian hospital. His first poems were published in 1801 under the title of “Juvenilia”, and introduced him into a literary and theatrical society. In 1808, he became the editor of ‘The Examiner’, a newspaper founded by his brother. He was a friend and critic to other famous writers like, Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron. He is known today for only a handful of delightful, short lyrics and poems like, The Story of Remine (1816), Foliage (1819, a collection of poem) etc.
Abou Ben Adhem Summary
‘Abu Ben Adheim’ describes the spiritual experience of a religious man ‘Abu’. Through this poem, the poet wishes to express to the readers the importance of kindness and love that we need to show towards our fellow beings.
Abou Ben Adhem Explanation of the Poem
“Abu Ben Adheim (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a-deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like in lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold.”
Explanation: Abu was a gentle and caring man. He did good to everyone. One night he was enjoying a sound and peaceful sleep in his room. Suddenly he woke up and saw his room flooded with moonlight. The room was brightened by the presence of an angel, who looked like a lily in full bloom. The angel was writing something in a golden book.
Word Meanings :
1. Dream of peace – Peaceful dream
2. Rich – Brightened
“Exceeding peace had made Ben Adheim bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
“What wriest thou?- The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.”
“And is mine one?” said Abu. “Nay, not so,”
Replied the angel. Abu spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said, “I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”
Explanation: The extremely peaceful atmosphere of the room made Abu bold enough to ask the angel what was it writing. The angel rose its head and looked at him sweetly. Then it told him that it was making the list of all those who loved the Lord. Abu curiously enquired if his name too was mentioned in it. The angel denied in a subdued yet cheerful voice. Abu requested the angel to add his name among those who loved other fellow beings.
Word Meanings :
1. Exceeding – Increasing
2. Presence – (here) Angel
3. Vision – (here) Angel
4. Sweet accord – Harmony
“The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blest,
And lo! Ben Adheim’s name led all the rest.”
Explanation: The angel granted his request, wrote his name and vanished. The next night the angel came again into his room and showed him the names of those who were lucky enough to be blessed by God’s love. And to Abu’s joy, his name was at the top of the list.
Word Meanings :
1. Vanished – Disappeared
2. Blest – Blessed
Explanation: Thus, Abu was nearer to God because he loved his fellowmen. This poem propagates the idea that we should love humanity and this is the best worship.
Abou Ben Adhem Summary Questions and Answers
Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Abu Ben Adheim (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like in lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:-
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adheim bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
“What wriest thou?- The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.”
(i) Who was Abu Ben Adheim? What did he see one night in the room when he was awakened from his deep sleep?
(ii) Why does the poet compare the moonlight to ‘a lily in bloom’? Name the figure of speech used here.
(iii) What does the poet, Leigh Hunt, mean by ‘deep dream of peace’? How could Abu have peace?
(iv) What encouraged Abu to question the Angel? What did he ask?
(v) How does the Angel respond? What terms does the poet use to refer to the Angel ?
Answer:
(i) Abu was a pious man and belonged to the tribe of good people. He was loving and gentle.
When one night he awoke from deep sleep, he saw an Angel writing something in the Book of Gold. There was moonlight and peace in his room.
(ii) The moonlight which is silvery bright, resembles a white budding lily full of beauty and freshness. Thus, this comparison is made.
The figure of speech used here is ‘Simile’.
(iii) ‘A deep dream of peace’ refers to a peaceful sleep. A restful mind sleeps soundly.
Abu could sleep in peace because he was a simple, innocent, God loving man, who cared for his fellow beings so his life was devoid of any mental stress or unhappiness.
(iv) The extremely peaceful atmosphere in the room made Abu bold enough to question the Angel what it was writing in the Book of Gold.
(v) The Angel looked up sweetly and affectionately and answered Abu’s question. It said that it was writing the names of those who loved the Lord.
The terms used to refer to the angel are ‘presence’ and ‘vision’.
Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
“And is mine one?” said Abu. “Nay, not so,”
Replied the angel. Abu spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said, “I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blest,
And lo! Ben Adheim’s name led all the rest.
(i) Why does Abu lower his tone when the angel replied to his question?
(ii) Does Abu get disheartened by the reply? What request does he make to the angel?
(iii) Does the angel comply to the request of Abu? Does it stay there for long?
(iv) What does it show Abu? What came as a pleasant surprise to him?
(v) What does the poet wish to tell the readers through this poem?
Answer:
(i) Abu lowered his tone because, when he asked the angel if his name was there among those who loved uuu, the Angel replied that his name was not on the list. Thisdepressed Abu slightly.
(ii) No, the Angel’s reply does not dishearten him for long, he cheerfully makes a request to the angel that, if his name is not on the list of those who love the Lord, then his name should be written as the one who loves his fellowmen.
(iii) Yes, the Angel accepted his request and included him in the list of those who loved their fellowmen. After, this it vanished.
Yes, the angel re-visited Abu the following night. It came with a bright light that awakened Abu from his sleep.
(iv) On its second visit, the Angel showed Abu Ben Adheim the names of those whom God had blessed with his love. And Abu’s name was on the top of the list because God loves those who love their fellow men.
(v) The message that the poet gives to his readers through this poem is that, devotion to God is directly proportional to one’s love for one’s fellow being. God resides in the heart of every human being. So to love God one needs to love other human beings.