Chivvy Summary Class 7 English Honeycomb

Introduction

Grown-ups often give kids advice on how to behave properly. They tell us to speak clearly and not to talk when we're eating. They remind us not to stare at others, point at things rudely, or pick our noses. Sitting up straight and using polite words like "please" and "thank you" are important, they say. Grown-ups also want us to be quiet sometimes, close doors gently, walk properly, and always have a tissue ready for a runny nose. They tell us to keep our hands out of our pockets, pull up our socks, stand tall, and not to put our elbows on the table. Interrupting others is a no-no, and trying to be funny doesn't always work. These rules help us show respect and good manners to everyone around us.

Summary

Grown-ups say things like:

Speak up

Don’t talk with your mouth full

Don’t stare

Don’t point

Don’t pick your nose 

Explanation of the Poem – The poet complains that the elders nag the children by asking them to speak, not to talk when they have food in their mouth, not to stare, not to point finger at someone, not to put their finger in the nostril. The poet has suffered from a lot of nagging by his mother.

Sit up

Say please

Less noise

Shut the door behind you

Don’t drag your feet

Haven’t you got a hankie ?

Take your hands out of

your pockets 

Explanation of the Poem – The poet adds a few more instances of nagging. The parents order children to sit up, to say “please” while talking to someone, not to make noise, to close the door when they pass through it, and not to drag their feet while walking. The mother asks him that he does not have a hankie to use and she also asks him to take his hands out of his pocket.

Pull your socks up

Stand up straight

Say thank you

Don’t interrupt

No one thinks you’re funny

Take your elbows off the table 

Explanation of the Poem –  The poet is so upset of the constant nagging when his mother asks him to pull up his socks, to stand straight, to say “thank you” to others, not to interrupt others when they are talking, and she says that he is not considered to be funny and that he should not keep his elbow on the table.

Can’t you make your own

mind up about anything ?

Explanation of the Poem –  Finally, she nags him by saying that he cannot decide about anything and that he is always confused.

Theme

The theme of the list of directives adults often give to children can be summarized as "Etiquette and Manners." These directives encompass a set of societal norms and behaviors that are expected in various social settings. They aim to teach children how to behave appropriately and respectfully towards others, as well as how to navigate social interactions with consideration and politeness.

List of Difficult Words  With Meaning

 Grown-ups - Elder 

With your mouth full - While eating

Pick your nose - Clean your nose

Interrupt - In between

Make up your mind - Take a decision