Trains Summary Class 7 English Oxford

About the Poet

Humayun Kabir, the poet of the poem "Trains," was a renowned Indian poet, philosopher, and educationist. He was born on February 22, 1906, in Bengal and later became a prominent figure in the literary and academic circles of India. Kabir's works often reflect his deep contemplation on various aspects of life, nature, and human experiences.

Key Points of the Poem

• The poem "Trains" by Humayun Kabir consists of six stanzas.
• The speaker in the poem is observing trains passing by from their window.
• The poem vividly describes the different types of trains and the experiences associated with them.
• It explores the sights, sounds, and mysteries surrounding trains during both day and night.
• The poem delves into the relentless journey of trains and the destinations they reach.

Detailed Summary

Stanza 1
Mother, I sit by my window for hours on end
And watch the long trains rumble past.
Some are dark and journey tediously,
No doors, no window, no shining lamps.
Slowly they move: like huge elephants
That move like shadows in the shadowy dark.

In this stanza, the poet is telling us about sitting by a window and watching long trains passing by. Some of these trains are dark and move slowly as if they were huge elephants. They don't have doors, windows, or shining lights. The poet compares them to shadows moving in the dark, emphasizing their slow and massive presence.

Stanza 2
Sometimes a train comes flashing past
With many windows lit by many lamps
That dance and whirl with movement swift.
A marriage procession with music loud,
Shrill whistles that rise above the din
Of the rhythmic beat of wheels revolving fast.

In this part of the poem, the poet talks about a train that moves quickly with bright windows illuminated by many lamps. The poet describes the scene as if it were a marriage procession with loud music. The train's swift movement is emphasized by the imagery of whirling lights and the rhythmic beat of the wheels.

Stanza 3
On hot afternoons you go to sleep
And with dizzy heat swoons all the world,
Even the crows doze and forget to caw,
The dog lies in the shade with hanging tongue
I watch for hours and still the tireless trains
March on and on along their iron road.

This stanza depicts hot afternoons when everything seems to be drowsy due to the intense heat. Even the crows are sleepy and silent. The poet observes this scene for hours, noticing how the trains continue their journey tirelessly along their iron tracks, unaffected by the heat that makes everything else drowsy.

Stanza 4
Sometimes at night in my sleep I hear
The low distant rumble Of the train.
I rub my eyes and sit upon my bed
And beneath the light of the flickering moon
Moves the long shadowy outline far away
Like a huge serpent crawling through the night.

In this part of the poem, the poet talks about hearing the distant rumble of a train at night while half-asleep. The poet describes how the train's sound creates an image of a long, shadowy outline moving in the moonlight, resembling a large serpent slowly crawling through the darkness.

Stanza 5
Where do all these trains go day and night?
You say they bore their way through hills,
They roar over bridges across mighty streams,
They crash through forests and vast plains,
But at the end of their restless journeyings—
Where do they go and finally rest?

The final stanza raises a question about the destination of the trains that travel ceaselessly day and night. The poet wonders where these trains go after passing through hills, crossing bridges, and moving through forests and plains. The poem leaves us with a sense of curiosity about the ultimate destination and resting place of these tireless trains. 

Theme/ Message

Theme

• Wonder of Movement: The theme of constant motion and progress is evident throughout the poem, emphasizing the dynamic nature of trains and their journeys.
• Time and Transition: The poem reflects on the passage of time, as symbolized by the trains moving ceaselessly across landscapes.
• Exploration and Adventure: There is a theme of exploration and the unknown, as the trains traverse various terrains and reach distant destinations.

Message

• Appreciation of Routine: The poem suggests finding beauty and intrigue in the ordinary, such as the regular sight of passing trains.
• Reflection on Life's Journey: Through the metaphor of trains, the poem prompts contemplation on life's journey, destinations, and the persistence of movement.
• Curiosity and Wonder: It encourages curiosity about the world and the mysteries that lie beyond one's immediate surroundings.

Difficult Words

1. Tediously: In a way that is tiresomely long or slow.
2. Shrill: A high-pitched and piercing sound.
3. Swoons: Fainting or losing consciousness from extreme emotion or heat.
4. Din: A loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise.
5. Tireless: Showing great effort or energy without fatigue.
6. Rumble: A continuous deep, resonant sound.
7. Serpent: A large snake.
8. Restless: Unable to rest or relax due to anxiety or boredom.
9. Journeyings: The act of traveling from one place to another.
10. Roar: A full, deep, prolonged cry uttered by a lion or other large wild animal.