My Shadow — Class 5 English (CBSE)
From the current Class 5 English Marigold textbook. Read the poem to enjoy a child's playful curiosity about their shadow, then attempt the practice questions.
1. About the poet
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) was a Scottish author and poet. He wrote many famous novels like 'Treasure Island' and poems for children collected in 'A Child's Garden of Verses'. His poems are loved for their simple language, musical rhythm, and ability to see the world through a child's eyes.
2. The poem (summary)
In 'My Shadow', a child observes their shadow with curiosity and wonder. The shadow follows the child everywhere — it goes in and out, it grows tall and small, it jumps and runs. Sometimes the shadow is very tall, sometimes very short. The child wonders where the shadow goes when there is no light and why the shadow sometimes disappears. The poem captures the innocent questions a child might ask about this mysterious companion that is always there.
The central theme is the joy of observation and the natural curiosity of childhood. The poet does not explain the science of shadows — he simply presents the child's perspective with wonder and delight.
3. Theme and values
| Theme | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Curiosity | The child is curious about why the shadow behaves the way it does. |
| Observation | The child carefully watches the shadow's movements. |
| Wonder | The poem celebrates the magic of everyday things. |
| Playfulness | The shadow is like a playful friend who jumps and runs. |
| Imagination | The child imagines the shadow as a living being. |
Values to learn
- Stay curious about the world around you.
- Observe nature and natural phenomena carefully.
- Ask questions and try to find answers.
- Find joy in simple, everyday things.
4. Poetic devices
Rhyme scheme
The poem uses a regular AABB rhyming couplet pattern. This creates a bouncy, sing-song rhythm that matches the playful mood of the poem.
Personification
The poet gives human qualities to the shadow. The shadow 'jumps', 'runs', and 'follows' the child as if it were a living friend. This makes the poem more engaging for young readers.
Imagery
The poet creates clear images:
- The shadow growing very tall.
- The shadow becoming very small or disappearing.
- The shadow following the child everywhere.
Hyperbole (exaggeration)
The child exaggerates the shadow's behaviour — for example, the shadow is described as being 'taller than me' in a certain light.
5. Key vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Shadow | A dark area or shape made when light is blocked |
| Follow | To go after or behind someone |
| Leap | To jump high or far |
| Shoots | Moves quickly or grows suddenly |
| Nippers | Small children (informal, old-fashioned word) |
| Proper | Correct, right, or real |
| Observe | To watch carefully |
| Curious | Wanting to know or learn something |
| Disappear | To go away or become invisible |
| Companion | A friend or someone you spend time with |
6. Reading comprehension
Questions to think about while reading
- What does the child notice about the shadow?
- Where does the shadow go when it disappears?
- How does the child feel about the shadow?
- Why does the shadow change size?
- What does the shadow do when the child jumps?
Understanding the child's perspective
The child does not understand the science of light and shadows. Instead, the child treats the shadow as a friend or playmate. This innocence is what makes the poem charming.
Science connection
Shadows are made when light is blocked by an object. The shadow changes size and shape because of the angle of the light source. The shadow disappears in darkness because there is no light to be blocked.
7. Writing practice
Prompt 1: Describe your own shadow. When is it tall? When is it short? When does it disappear?
Prompt 2: Imagine your shadow is a character. Write a short story about a day you spent with your shadow.
Prompt 3: Write four lines of a poem about something else in nature that interests you — like the moon, rain, or a bird.
8. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking the shadow is a real person or living thing in the poem Fix: The shadow is not alive. The poet uses personification — treating the shadow as if it were alive.
- Mistake: Confusing 'shadow' with 'shade' Fix: A shadow is the dark shape of an object. Shade is a cool area away from direct sunlight.
- Mistake: Writing that the shadow disappears because it 'goes away' Fix: The shadow disappears when there is no light. Without light, there is no shadow.
9. Self-test
- Who wrote the poem 'My Shadow'?
- How does the child describe the shadow's behaviour?
- What happens to the shadow when the child jumps?
- Why does the shadow sometimes disappear?
- Name one poetic device used in the poem.
10. Answer key
-
Who wrote the poem 'My Shadow'? Answer: Robert Louis Stevenson.
-
How does the child describe the shadow's behaviour? Answer: The child describes the shadow as following them everywhere, jumping when they jump, growing tall and short, and sometimes disappearing.
-
What happens to the shadow when the child jumps? Answer: The shadow also jumps, as if it is copying the child's movements.
-
Why does the shadow sometimes disappear? Answer: The shadow disappears when there is no light (in darkness). Shadows need light to be visible.
-
Name one poetic device used in the poem. Answer: Personification (the shadow is described as if it were a living person) or rhyme (AABB couplets).
11. Quick revision
- Poet: R.L. Stevenson (Scottish, wrote 'Treasure Island' and 'A Child's Garden of Verses').
- Central theme: Childhood curiosity and wonder at everyday things.
- Poetic devices: Personification, imagery, rhyme, hyperbole.
- The shadow follows, jumps, grows, shrinks, and disappears.
- Shadow science: Shadows need light. They change size with light angle.
- Read the poem aloud to enjoy its musical rhythm.
- Observe your own shadow at different times of the day.
