Don't Tell
About the Poem
Poet: Unknown What it is about: A child has MANY secret skills and ABILITIES that nobody knows about. The child wants to KEEP these as secrets. The poem is about CONFIDENCE and the JOY of having hidden talents.
The Poem
I can climb the tallest tree,
I can swim across the sea,
I can fly up in the sky —
Don't tell! It's a secret — please don't try!
I can jump a thousand feet,
I can run along the street,
I can hide without a sound —
Don't tell! My secrets are safe and sound!
I can dance upon a cloud,
I can laugh and sing out loud,
I can make a friend of the wind —
Don't tell! My secret lies within!
Understanding the Poem
The Child's Secret Skills
| Skill | Real or Imagined? |
|---|---|
| Climb the tallest tree | Possibly REAL |
| Swim across the sea | IMAGINED (too far!) |
| Fly up in the sky | IMAGINED |
| Jump a thousand feet | IMAGINED |
| Run along the street | REAL |
| Hide without a sound | REAL |
| Dance upon a cloud | IMAGINED |
| Laugh and sing out loud | REAL |
| Make a friend of the wind | IMAGINED |
Why Does the Child Say 'Don't Tell'?
The child ENJOYS having SECRETS. Some skills are REAL — the child CAN climb trees and run fast. But others are IMAGINARY — things the child DREAMS of doing.
Saying 'Don't tell' makes it feel SPECIAL and MYSTERIOUS!
Real vs Imaginary
Real Things You Can Do
| Activity | How to Learn |
|---|---|
| Climb a tree | Practice safely, with help |
| Run fast | Play outdoor games |
| Hide well | Play hide and seek |
| Sing loudly | Practice songs |
| Laugh | Be happy! |
Imaginary Things (Fun to Dream About)
| Activity | Why It's Fun to Imagine |
|---|---|
| Swimming across the sea | Exploring the deep ocean |
| Flying in the sky | Seeing the world from above |
| Jumping a thousand feet | Bouncing like a superhero |
| Dancing on a cloud | Being soft and free |
| Making friends with the wind | Being one with nature |
Rhyme and Rhythm
Rhyming Couplets
Each stanza has PAIRS of lines that rhyme.
| Couplet | Rhyming Words |
|---|---|
| I can climb the tallest TREE / I can swim across the SEA | Tree — Sea |
| I can fly up in the SKY / Don't tell! It's a secret — please don't TRY! | Sky — Try |
| I can jump a thousand FEET / I can run along the STREET | Feet — Street |
| I can hide without a SOUND / Don't tell! My secrets are safe and SOUND! | Sound — Sound |
Repetition
'I can' is repeated MANY times. This makes the poem feel CONFIDENT and PROUD.
What We Can Learn
1. Everyone Has Hidden Talents
You might be good at DRAWING, SINGING, JUMPING, or TELLING STORIES. These are YOUR secret powers!
2. It's OK to Have Secret Dreams
Not everyone needs to know everything about you. Having SECRET dreams and wishes is SPECIAL.
3. Be Confident
The child says 'I can' with CERTAINTY. We should also believe in ourselves and our abilities.
4. Imagination is Wonderful
Even if you cannot REALLY fly, you can IMAGINE flying. Imagination is a gift.
Your Secret Talents
Discover Your Hidden Skills
Ask yourself:
| Question | Your Answer |
|---|---|
| What is something you can do very well? | |
| What is something you would love to learn? | |
| What is a secret dream you have? | |
| What makes you feel PROUD? | |
| What do your friends say you are good at? |
My Secret Talents (Example)
'I can draw a beautiful butterfly, I can whistle a pretty tune, I can make my little sister laugh, Don't tell — I'll tell you soon!'
Activities
Activity 1: Write Your Own 'Don't Tell' Verse
Write a verse about YOUR secret talents:
I can __________,
I can __________,
I can __________ —
Don't tell! It's a secret, that's my plan!
Activity 2: Secret Talent Show
In class, have a 'SECRET TALENT' show:
- Everyone shares ONE thing they can do
- It can be real (sing a song) or imaginary (fly like a superhero)
- CELEBRATE everyone's talents!
Activity 3: Draw Your Secret
Draw a picture of ONE secret talent you have. Do not show anyone yet. It is YOUR SECRET!
Words to Learn
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Secret | Something known only to you (or a few people) |
| Thousand | 1000 |
| Hide | Go where no one can see you |
| Sound | Noise |
| Cloud | White/grey fluffy thing in the sky |
| Within | Inside |
Common Mistakes
-
'The child can really fly and swim across the sea.' — No! These are IMAGINARY abilities. The child is DREAMING and using IMAGINATION.
-
'Don't tell means never sharing anything.' — No! It is PLAYFUL. The child is pretending to have secrets. We can still share things with trusted people.
-
'The child is lying.' — No! The child is not lying. The poem is about IMAGINATION and PRETEND PLAY, which is healthy for children.
-
'Secrets are always bad.' — Not all secrets! Some secrets are FUN and PLAYFUL, like a secret talent or a surprise gift.
Quick Self-Test
Q1: What is the poem about? A1: A child who has secret talents and abilities.
Q2: Name one thing the child says 'I can' do. A2: Climb the tallest tree, swim across the sea, fly in the sky, jump a thousand feet, etc.
Q3: Are ALL the things the child says real? A3: No, some are REAL (climbing, running) and some are IMAGINARY (flying, swimming across the sea).
Q4: Why does the child say 'Don't tell'? A4: To make the talents feel SPECIAL and SECRET. It adds MYSTERY and FUN.
Q5: What is the rhyming pattern of the poem? A5: Rhyming couplets (pairs of lines rhyme: tree-sea, sky-try, feet-street).
Q6: Can YOU climb a tree, swim, or fly? A6: Most people can climb (with care) and swim (with practice). Flying needs imagination!
Q7: Why is it good to have secret talents? A7: It makes you feel SPECIAL and CONFIDENT. Everyone has hidden strengths.
Q8: Write ONE line about YOUR secret talent. A8: (Your own creative answer!)
