Chivvy – Class 7 English NCERT Solutions

Explore the solutions for “Chivvy,” Class 7 English NCERT. This delightful poem by Michael Rosen teaches children about the constant stream of instructions they receive from adults. The poem humorously portrays the relationship between children and grown-ups, highlighting how children often feel overwhelmed by the numerous rules and instructions. It also encourages readers to think about the balance between teaching good manners and allowing children their natural freedom of expression.

Summary of the Poem (Gist)

The poem “Chivvy” is a light-hearted take on how adults constantly instruct children about proper behavior and manners. It lists various common phrases that grown-ups use to correct children’s behavior, such as “Speak up,” “Don’t stare,” and “Say please.” The poem ends with an ironic twist where adults, after giving so many instructions, ask children why they can’t make up their own minds about anything.

हिंदी सारांश: “चिव्वी” कविता में बताया गया है कि कैसे बड़े लोग बच्चों को लगातार अच्छे व्यवहार और शिष्टाचार के बारे में निर्देश देते रहते हैं। कविता में ऐसे कई वाक्य दिए गए हैं जो बड़े लोग अक्सर बच्चों को कहते हैं, जैसे “जोर से बोलो,” “घूरो मत,” और “कृपया कहो।” कविता का अंत एक व्यंग्यात्मक मोड़ के साथ होता है जहां बड़े लोग, इतने सारे निर्देश देने के बाद, बच्चों से पूछते हैं कि वे किसी भी चीज के बारे में खुद क्यों नहीं सोच सकते।

Word Meanings from the Poem

Pre-reading Discussion

Do you like to be always told what to do or not to do? Do grown-ups do this, in your experience?

As a student, I sometimes feel overwhelmed when adults constantly tell me what to do or what not to do. In my experience, grown-ups often give instructions about everything – from how to eat properly to how to behave in public. While their intentions are good, it can sometimes feel restrictive and annoying. For example, they might tell us to “sit straight” while eating, “don’t run in the corridor” at school, or “speak softly” when guests are at home. These constant instructions, though meant for our good, can sometimes make us feel like we can’t do anything on our own.

Working with the Poem

Question 1: Discuss these questions in small groups before you answer them. (i) When is a grown-up likely to say “Don’t talk with your mouth full”? (ii) When are you likely to be told “Say thank you”? (iii) When do you think an adult would say “No one thinks you are funny”?

Let me answer each part:

(i) Grown-ups typically say “Don’t talk with your mouth full” during mealtimes when children try to speak while eating. This often happens when children are excited to share something and can’t wait to finish chewing their food first. For example, when a child tries to tell a story about their school day while eating dinner.

(ii) Adults remind children to “Say thank you” in many situations, such as:

• When receiving a gift from someone
• After someone helps with homework or other tasks
• When getting something from a shop or restaurant
• When leaving someone’s house after a visit

(iii) Adults might say “No one thinks you are funny” when a child:

• Makes inappropriate jokes during serious situations
• Tries to get attention by acting silly during class or important occasions
• Repeatedly interrupts conversations with unnecessary comments
• Uses humor to avoid doing important tasks

Question 2: The last two lines of the poem are not prohibitions or instructions. What is the adult now asking the child to do? Do you think the poet is suggesting that this is unreasonable? Why?

In the last two lines – “Can’t you make your own mind up about anything?” – the adult is suddenly asking the child to think independently and make their own decisions. This is quite ironic because throughout the poem, adults have been giving constant instructions about how to behave.

Yes, the poet is definitely suggesting that this is unreasonable, and here’s why:

• Children are rarely given the chance to make their own choices because adults constantly direct their behavior
• After giving so many rules and instructions, it’s unfair to suddenly expect children to be independent decision-makers
• The poem shows how adults send mixed messages – they want children to be independent but also want them to follow every instruction without question
• It’s like asking someone to learn to swim while never letting them enter the water

Question 3: Why do you think grown-ups say the kind of things mentioned in the poem? Is it important that they teach children good manners, and how to behave in public?

Grown-ups say these things because they want to:

• Help children develop good habits and manners
• Teach children how to behave appropriately in different situations
• Prepare children for life in society
• Keep children safe and healthy
• Pass on cultural and social values

Yes, it is important that adults teach children good manners and proper behavior because:

• Good manners help children integrate well into society
• Proper behavior shows respect for others and helps build positive relationships
• These skills are essential for success in school, work, and life

However, there should be a balance. While teaching manners is important, adults should:

• Allow children some freedom to learn from their own experiences
• Explain the reasons behind rules instead of just giving orders
• Remember that children need space to be playful and creative
• Avoid being too controlling or critical

Question 4: If you had to make some rules for grown-ups to follow, what would you say? Make at least five such rules. Arrange the lines as in a poem.

Here are some rules for grown-ups, written from a child’s perspective:

Please listen when we speak
Don’t say “Because I said so”
Let us make some mistakes
Don’t compare us with others
Give us time to play and dream
Don’t expect us to be perfect
Remember you were young too
Smile more, scold less
Let us be children sometimes
Trust us to learn and grow