Crying — Class 5 English (CBSE)
From the current Class 5 English Marigold textbook. Read the poem to understand its humorous take on emotions, then attempt the practice questions.
1. About the poet
Galway Kinnell (1927-2014) was an American poet who won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. He wrote poems that explore deep human emotions in simple, direct language. 'Crying' is a poem that uses humour to talk about sadness and emotional release, showing that it is okay to express your feelings fully.
2. The poem (summary)
'Crying' takes a humorous approach to the act of crying. The poem suggests that 'crying only a little bit is no use' — you must cry 'until your pillow is soaked!' The poet exaggerates the act of crying to make a point: when you are sad, it is better to let your feelings out completely rather than holding them in.
The poem follows a child who decides to cry thoroughly. The humour comes from the exaggeration — the child cries so much that the pillow gets wet, the bed shakes, and the noise is very loud. After all that crying, the child feels much better.
The central message is that it is healthy to express emotions fully. Suppressing feelings does not help. But the poem delivers this message with a smile, not a lecture.
3. Theme and values
| Theme | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Emotional expression | It is okay to cry and show your feelings. |
| Humour | The poem uses exaggeration to make its point in a funny way. |
| Relief | Letting out feelings brings relief. |
| Acceptance | Everyone feels sad sometimes, and that is normal. |
| Honesty | Being honest about your emotions is healthy. |
Values to learn
- It is okay to feel sad sometimes.
- Expressing your feelings helps you feel better.
- You do not need to hide your emotions.
- After sadness, happiness can return.
4. Poetic devices
Hyperbole (exaggeration)
The poet uses extreme exaggeration for humorous effect:
- The pillow is 'soaked' with tears.
- The crying is so loud it shakes the bed.
- The crying goes on for a very long time.
Imagery
Vivid, funny images:
- A wet, soaked pillow.
- A child crying loudly on the bed.
- The contrast between the storm of crying and the calm after.
Repetition
The word 'crying' is repeated to emphasise the central action of the poem.
Humour
The poem's tone is playful. The exaggeration turns a potentially sad topic into something funny and lighthearted.
5. Key vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cry | To shed tears from sadness or pain |
| Soak | To make something completely wet |
| Pillow | A soft cushion for the head while sleeping |
| Sigh | A long, deep breath expressing sadness or relief |
| Wail | To cry loudly with sadness |
| Sob | To cry with short, shaking breaths |
| Relief | The feeling when something sad or painful ends |
| Puddle | A small pool of liquid (here, tears) |
| Weep | To cry (a more formal word) |
| Sniffle | To sniff slightly while crying |
6. Reading comprehension
Questions to think about while reading
- Why does the poet say 'crying only a little bit is no use'?
- What happens when the child cries 'until the pillow is soaked'?
- How does the child feel after crying?
- Is the poem serious or funny? How can you tell?
- What message does the poem give about feelings?
Understanding the tone
The poem is NOT telling children to cry all the time. It is using humour to say: when you feel sad, it is okay to let it out. The exaggeration is meant to make readers smile, not to encourage constant crying.
7. Writing practice
Prompt 1: Describe a time when you felt sad and then felt better after crying or talking to someone.
Prompt 2: Write a short paragraph on why it is important to share your feelings with family or friends.
Prompt 3: Write four lines of a poem about a different emotion — like laughter, excitement, or surprise — using humour and exaggeration.
8. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Taking the poem literally and thinking it encourages excessive crying Fix: The poem uses exaggeration for humour. The message is about healthy emotional expression, not about crying all the time.
- Mistake: Missing the humour in the poem Fix: Look for words and situations that are exaggerated or over-the-top. That is where the humour is.
- Mistake: Thinking the poem is only about sadness Fix: The poem is also about relief, healing, and feeling better after expressing emotions.
9. Self-test
- Who wrote the poem 'Crying'?
- What does the poet say is 'no use'?
- What happens to the pillow in the poem?
- How does the child feel after crying?
- What is the main message of the poem?
10. Answer key
-
Who wrote the poem 'Crying'? Answer: Galway Kinnell.
-
What does the poet say is 'no use'? Answer: Crying only a little bit. You must cry until your pillow is soaked.
-
What happens to the pillow in the poem? Answer: The pillow gets completely wet (soaked) with tears.
-
How does the child feel after crying? Answer: The child feels relieved and better after letting out all the sadness.
-
What is the main message of the poem? Answer: It is healthy to express your emotions fully. Hiding or holding back feelings does not help. When you let them out, you feel better.
11. Quick revision
- Poet: Galway Kinnell (American poet).
- Tone: Humorous, playful, but with a meaningful message.
- Central message: Let your feelings out — it is okay to cry. You will feel better.
- Poetic devices: Hyperbole (exaggeration), imagery, repetition.
- Key line: 'Crying only a little bit is no use. You must cry until your pillow is soaked!'
- The poem balances a serious topic (sadness) with a lighthearted treatment.
- Connect to your own experiences of feeling sad and then feeling better.
