The Last Bargain Summary Class 8 English Honeydew

Introduction

In "The Last Bargain", a man rejects offers of power, wealth, and affection, finding true freedom in a child’s innocent offer of "nothing." This summary captures the poem’s themes of simplicity, joy, and the pursuit of genuine fulfillment.

Rabindranath Tagore was a famous poet and writer who loved to write about freedom, happiness, and simplicity. In his poem "The Last Bargain," he shows how things like power and money cannot bring true happiness. Instead, real joy comes from innocence and simple connections, like the child’s offer of "nothing."

Key Points of the Story

• The story begins with a man who is looking for work and wants to be hired.
• As he walks on a stone road, he calls out to people to hire him.
• A king, who arrives in a chariot, offers to hire him using his power, but the man feels this offer is not valuable.
• Next, an old man appears with a bag of gold coins and offers to hire the man with his money, but the man turns down this offer as well.
• Later, a fair maid offers to hire the man with her smile, but her smile fades, and she leaves in tears.
• As the sun sets and the sea waves crash, a child playing with shells approaches the man.
• The child simply says, "I hire you with nothing." This offer makes the man feel truly free.
• This final bargain, made in the innocence of play, brings the man joy and a sense of freedom.
• The story emphasizes that sometimes the simplest things can bring the greatest happiness.
• The man realizes that he is happiest when he is not bound by wealth, power, or superficial offers.

Detailed Summary

Stanza 1

“Come and hire me,” I cried, while in the morning 
I was walking on the stone-paved road. 
Sword in hand the King came in his chariot. 
He held my hand and said, “I will hire you with my power,” 
But his power counted for naught, and he went away in his chariot.

In the first stanza, the man is walking on a road that is made of stones. He is looking for a job and calls out, “Come and hire me.” This shows that he is eager to find work. Suddenly, a king arrives in a fancy chariot, which is like a big, nice car that royalty uses. The king is powerful, and he holds the man's hand. He says, “I will hire you with my power.” However, this power does not help the man find happiness or a job. The king leaves in his chariot, and the man is still without work. This shows us that sometimes, even powerful people cannot help us find what we truly need.

Stanza 2

In the heat of the mid-day the houses stood with
 shut doors. 
I wandered along the crooked lane. 
An old man came out with his bag of gold. 
He pondered and said, “I will hire you with my money.” 
He weighed his coins one by one, but I turned away.

In the second stanza, it is now midday, which means the sun is high in the sky and it is hot outside. The houses are closed, and it feels quiet. The man walks along a winding path, which is not straight but curves. Then, he meets an old man who has a bag full of gold coins. The old man thinks for a moment and says, “I will hire you with my money.” He starts to weigh his coins, counting them one by one. But the man does not take the offer. He turns away, even though the old man has money. This part of the poem teaches us that money is not everything and does not always bring happiness. The man feels that this offer is not right for him.

Stanza 3

It was evening. The garden hedge was all aflower. 
The fair maid came out and said, “I will hire you with a smile.” 
Her smile paled and melted into tears, and she went 
back alone into the dark.

As the day goes on, it becomes evening. The sun is starting to set, and the flowers in the garden are blooming beautifully. At this time, a fair maid comes out, which means she is a pretty young woman. She smiles at the man and says, “I will hire you with a smile.” Her smile is sweet, but then it fades away, and she starts to cry. She goes back into the dark, leaving the man alone. This moment emphasizes that sometimes, a smile or kindness is not enough to make someone happy. The man feels sad for her, and this interaction shows that even a pleasant offer can end in sadness.

Stanza 4

The sun glistened on the sand, and the sea waves broke 
           waywardly. 
A child sat playing with shells. 
He raised his head and seemed to know me and said, 
“I hire you with nothing.” 
From henceforward that bargain struck in child’s play
        made me a free man.

Finally, the scene changes to a beach where the sun shines on the sand, and the waves of the sea crash against the shore. A child is playing with shells, which are pretty little things found on the beach. This child looks up and seems to recognize the man. He says, “I hire you with nothing.” This is a very special moment because it means that the child does not have any money or fancy things to offer. Instead, the child offers the man a deal without expecting anything in return.

This last bargain is very important. The child’s offer is simple and pure. When the man accepts this offer of "nothing," he feels a sense of freedom. From that moment on, he becomes a free man. This means that he is not tied down by the need for money, power, or even a smile. He understands that sometimes the best things in life come from simple, honest interactions and not from material wealth or status.

Conclusion

The man’s journey through the day reflects a universal experience. Everyone goes through times when they seek work or validation from others. However, the poem reminds us that true fulfillment comes from within and from simple, genuine connections with others. The child’s offer of nothing transforms the man’s perspective, allowing him to realize that happiness is not something to be bargained for but something to be embraced in its simplest form. This lesson is timeless and resonates with anyone who has ever searched for meaning and joy in their life.

Theme/ Message

• The main theme of the story is the contrast between material wealth and true happiness.
• The story suggests that the simplest forms of connection, such as a child's innocent offer, can bring the most joy.
• Another important theme is the idea of freedom. The man feels liberated when he accepts the child's offer of 'nothing.'
• It teaches readers that happiness can often be found in unexpected places, like in the innocence of a child.
• Overall, the story encourages us to look beyond material possessions to find what truly matters in life.

Difficult Words

• Bargain: An agreement between two people where they promise to exchange something.
• Chariot: A type of vehicle that was used in ancient times, usually pulled by horses.
• Pondered: Thought carefully about something before making a decision.
• Coins: Small, round pieces of metal used as money.
• Fair: Beautiful or attractive, often used to describe a person.
• Glistened: Shined or sparkled, often used to describe something that reflects light.
• Waves: Movements of water, especially in the sea, that rise and fall.
• Waywardly: In a way that is unpredictable or not controlled.
• Innocence: The state of being pure and free from guilt or wrongdoing.
• Crushed: Pressed or squeezed with force, often used to describe feelings that are hurt.
• Freedom: The state of being free, not being controlled by anyone or anything.
• Superficial: Concerned only with the obvious and not deep or meaningful.
• Connection: A relationship or bond between people, often based on shared feelings or experiences.