Summary: Bed in Summer | English Language for Primary 2 PDF Download

Introduction

"Bed in Summer" is a simple poem by Robert Louis Stevenson. It tells us about a child's life in winter and summer. The child shares how they feel about going to bed early in summer when it's still bright outside. The poem shows the child's wish to play instead of sleeping during the day.

Key Points of the Poem

• The poem is about a child's daily life in different seasons.
• It shows how the child's routine changes between winter and summer.
• It expresses the child's feelings about going to bed early in summer.

Summary

Stanza 1

In winter I get up at night 
And dress by yellow candlelight. 
In summer, quite the other way, 
I have to go to bed by day.

This stanza tells us that the child wakes up early in the dark during winter and gets dressed using candlelight. In summer, the situation is different, and the child has to sleep during the daytime when it is still light outside.

Stanza 2

I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the treе,
Or hear the grown-up people's feet
Still going past me in the street.

This stanza describes what the child sees and hears after going to bed in summer. The child notices birds jumping on trees and hears the sound of adults walking on the street, showing that it is still daytime.

Stanza 3

This stanza shares the child's feelings about having to sleep when the sky is clear and blue. The child finds it tough to go to bed in the daytime when they want to play outside.

Message

The poem teaches us about the child's wish to enjoy the bright summer days and how sleep time can feel unfair when it’s still light outside.

New Words with Meanings

• Street: A road in a town or city where people walk.
• Seem: To feel or appear in a certain way.