Somebody's Mother Chapter Notes | Chapter Notes For Class 8 PDF Download

Introduction

Have you ever helped a stranger and felt good about it? 

In “Somebody’s Mother” by Mary Dow Brine, we read about a young boy who shows kindness to an old woman on a cold winter day.  She is alone and afraid to cross the street, but no one helps her until this kind-hearted boy stops. Through this simple and touching story, the poet reminds us that a small act of care can mean a lot, and we should treat others with the same love we would give our own family.

About the Poet

Mary Dow Brine (1816–1913) was an American poet known for writing poems with strong feelings, gentle lessons, and love for family life. Many of her poems talk about kindness, sympathy, and doing the right thing. Her most famous poem is “Somebody’s Mother,” which teaches children and adults to be caring and respectful toward the elderly, especially when they are alone and in need of help.

Mary Dow Brine

Key Points of the Poem

• The poem “ Somebody’s Mother” is about an old woman standing alone at a snowy street crossing.
• Many people walk by, but no one helps her.
• A group of schoolboys comes by, happy that school is over.
• Only one boy stops to help the woman cross the street safely.
• He thinks of his mother and hopes someone will help her one day, too.
• The old woman is very touched and prays for the kind boy that night.
• The poem teaches kindness, empathy, and respect for elders.

Explanation of the Poem

Stanza 1

The woman was old and ragged and grey
And bent with the chill of the Winter’s day.
The street was wet with a recent snow
And the woman’s feet were aged and slow.
She stood at the crossing and waited long,
Alone, uncared for, amid the throng

Explanation:
The poet describes an old woman who looks poor and tired. Her clothes are torn, and her hair is grey. She is feeling very cold because it’s a winter day. The road is slippery with fresh snow, and her feet move slowly. She is standing at the side of the road, waiting to cross. Many people are walking by, but no one notices or cares about her.

Stanza 2

Of human beings who passed her by
Nor heeded the glance of her anxious eyes.
Down the street, with laughter and shout,
Glad in the freedom of "school let out,"
Came the boys like a flock of sheep,
Hailing the snow piled white and deep.

Explanation:
The people who pass by do not pay attention to the old woman or see the worry in her eyes. Then, a group of schoolboys runs down the street, happy because school is over. They laugh and shout as they enjoy the snowy street. The poet compares them to a “flock of sheep” moving together, full of excitement.

Stanza 3

Past the woman so old and grey
Hastened the children on their way.
Nor offered a helping hand to her—
So meek, so timid, afraid to stir
Lest the carriage wheels or the horses’ feet
Should crowd her down in the slippery street.

Explanation:
The boys hurry past the old woman without offering help. She is gentle and shy, afraid to move. She worries that she might fall under the wheels of a carriage or get hurt by horses passing through the street. The road is slippery, and she is too scared to cross by herself.

Stanza 4

At last came one of the merry troop,
The gayest laddie of all the group;
He paused beside her and whispered low,
‘I’ll help you cross, if you wish to go.’
Her aged hand on his strong young arm
She placed, and so, without hurt or harm,

Explanation:
Finally, one of the boys, the happiest and most cheerful one, sees the old woman and stops. He gently asks if she would like help crossing the road. She places her old, weak hand on his strong, young arm. With great care, he helps her cross the street safely, showing his kindness and strength.

Stanza 5

He guided the trembling feet along,
Proud that his own were firm and strong.
Then back again to his friends he went,
His young heart happy and well content.
"She’s somebody’s mother, boys, you know,
For all she’s aged and poor and slow."

Explanation:
The boy feels proud and happy as he helps the woman walk with her shaky steps. After guiding her across the street, he goes back to his friends. He feels good because he did something kind. He reminds his friends that the woman is someone’s mother—even if she is old and poor now, she was once loved and cared for too.

Stanza 6

“‘And I hope some fellow will lend a hand
To help my mother, you understand,"
"If ever she’s poor and old and grey,
When her own dear boy is far away."
And "somebody’s mother" bowed low her head
In her home that night, and the prayer she said”

Explanation:
The boy says he hopes that if his mother is ever old and helpless, someone else will help her the way he helped this woman. He understands that kindness can go around what you give may come back. Later that night, the old woman bows her head in prayer at home, touched by the boy’s good deed.

Stanza 7

Was "God be kind to the noble boy,
Who is somebody’s son, and pride and joy!"

Explanation:
The old woman prays to God, asking Him to bless the kind boy who helped her. She calls him a “noble boy” because of his good heart. She knows he is someone’s son and hopes his family is proud of him. Her prayer is full of love and thankfulness.

Theme/Message

Theme

• Kindness to strangers: The poem shows that helping someone in need, even a stranger, is a noble act.
• Respect for the elderly: The boy treats the old woman with care, even when others ignore her.
• Empathy: The boy imagines how he’d feel if his own mother was in her place.
• Moral values: It teaches us to be good-hearted, thoughtful, and respectful in everyday life.

Message

• A small act of kindness can have a big impact.
• We should treat others the way we would want our loved ones to be treated.
• Even when others don’t care, doing the right thing matters.
• Helping others brings true happiness and inner peace.

Difficult Words

• Ragged: Torn or worn out, showing signs of age.
• Throng: A large group of people gathered together.
• Meek: Quiet, gentle, and submissive.
• Timid: Shy or lacking confidence.
• Hasten: To move or act quickly.
• Trembling: Shaking slightly, often due to fear or cold.
• Proud: Feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction from one's own achievements.
• Content: Satisfied; feeling happy with what one has.
• Bow: To bend the upper part of the body forward as a gesture of respect.
• Prayer: A request or expression of thanks to a higher power.
• Noble: Having high moral qualities; honourable.
• Joy: A feeling of great happiness.
• Anxious: Feeling worried or nervous.
• Glance: A brief look.
• Carriage: A wheeled vehicle for people, often pulled by horses.