Detailed Summary: The Storyteller | Oxford English for Class 4 PDF Download

About the Poet

Nicholas Horsburgh is a poet who writes beautiful poems about the fun and magical things in childhood. He loves to use stories and imagination to show the wonderful world that children live in. Even though he isn’t very famous, many kids enjoy his poems because they are entertaining and easy to understand. His poems have a nice rhythm and use words that make them enjoyable to read. Through his writing, Nicholas helps children love stories and appreciate the magic in the world around them.

Key Points of the Poem

• The poem consists of four stanzas, each exploring the theme of storytelling.
• It describes a storyteller who entertains children at the end of their day.
• Children are depicted as being tired yet eager to listen to enchanting stories.
• The tales include elements of fantasy, such as shadows and phantoms, which evoke feelings of fear and wonder.
• Despite the chill of fear, the children continue to cherish and share these stories.
• The repeated phrase "What stories he told then!" emphasizes the magic and impact of the storyteller's words.

Detailed Summary

Stanza 1
What stories he told the children!
At the end of day,
When tired of play,
All bathed and well fed,
They cuddled in bed.
What stories he told then!

In this stanza, the poet is telling us about a special time when children get ready for bed after a long day of playing. Imagine after playing games, running around, and having lots of fun, the children are all tired. They have taken a bath and had something yummy to eat, so they feel nice and clean and happy. Now, they are snuggled in their beds, feeling warm and cozy. This is when a storyteller, who we can think of as a kind and loving person, comes to tell them wonderful stories. The children are very excited to hear these tales, and they love listening to him. The phrase “What stories he told then!” shows how much the children enjoyed these stories. It's like a magical time that they look forward to every day.

Stanza 2
What stories he told the children!
Their eyes open wide,
With him by their side,
They listened in awe,
To fables of yore.
What stories he told then!

In the second stanza, we see the children’s excitement grow. When the storyteller is there, their eyes are wide open because they are so curious and eager to hear what he has to say. Being “by their side” means he is sitting close to them, which makes them feel safe and happy. The phrase “they listened in awe” means they are amazed by the stories. They are not just hearing the words; they are really feeling the magic of the tales. The stories he tells are “fables of yore,” which means they are old stories that have been told for a long time. These stories are often about animals that can talk or have special lessons. The children love these stories, and it shows how much they cherish this time of imagination and wonder.

Stanza 3
What stories he told the children!
Of shadows that crept,
While they soundly slept;
And phantoms that played
If first they'd not prayed!
What stories he told then!

In this stanza, the storyteller shares some spooky stories. He talks about “shadows that crept” which means there are dark shapes that move quietly, almost like they are sneaking around. This part of the story happens while the children are soundly sleeping, which means they are sleeping very deeply and peacefully. The storyteller also mentions “phantoms that played.” Phantoms are like ghosts, and in these stories, they might be playful or mischievous. There is a little warning in the story too: “if first they'd not prayed.” This suggests that the children should say their prayers before going to sleep to feel safe. It teaches them that sometimes, scary things can happen, but if they do the right things, like praying, they can feel better and be protected. This stanza is exciting and a little bit scary, making it fun for the children.

Stanza 4
What stories he told the children!
Now they feel a chill,
Yet repeat them still,
To their young and old,
Those stories of gold.
What stories he told then!

The final stanza tells us how the children feel after hearing these stories. They might feel a little “chill,” which means they are a bit scared or excited from the spooky tales, but they still love them very much. Even though the stories can be spooky, they like to tell them again and again. They share these stories with both younger kids and older people, which shows that these tales are special and timeless. The phrase “stories of gold” means that these stories are very precious and valuable to them. Just like gold is shiny and important, these stories shine in their hearts and minds. The children remember and retell these stories because they bring joy, excitement, and a little thrill into their lives. 

Theme/ Message

This poem is about a parent who tells wonderful stories to their children every night. After a fun day of playing, the children get ready for bed, feeling happy and safe. They listen carefully as their parent shares exciting tales of old legends, mysterious shadows, and friendly phantoms. Even when some stories are a little spooky, the children love them so much that they like to tell these special stories to others too. The poem shows how storytelling brings families closer and makes bedtime magical and memorable.

Difficult Words

• Stories: Narratives or tales that are told to entertain or inform.
• Cuddled: Held closely in a comforting way.
• Awe: A feeling of amazement and reverence, often mixed with fear.
• Phantoms: Ghost-like figures or spirits that are often imagined in tales.
• Creeped: Moved slowly and stealthily, often in a sneaky manner.
• Chill: A sudden feeling of coldness, often associated with fear.
• Prayed: Spoke to a higher power, often seeking help or protection.
• Yore: A long time ago; referring to the past.
• Fed: Provided food to; nourished.
• Gold: Symbolically represents something precious or valuable.
• Bathed: Washed or cleaned oneself, often in water.
• Tired: Feeling in need of rest; fatigued.
• Shadows: Dark shapes produced by a body coming between rays of light.
• Repeat: To say or do something again.
• Children: Young human beings, typically under the age of 18.