Trees Poem by Harry Behn – Line-by-Line Explanation, Interesting Facts, Moral, and Vocabulary (Class 8)
Trees are the Kindest Things I Know
Trees are the kindest things I know,
They do not harm, they simply grow.
And spread a shade for sleepy cows,
And gather birds among their boughs.
They give us fruit, in leaves above,
And wood to make our houses of,
And leaves to burn on Hallowe’en,
And in the Spring new buds of green.
They are the first when day’s begun
To touch the beams of morning sun.
They are the last to hold the light,
When evening changes into night.
And when a moon floats on the sky
They hum a drowsy lullaby
Of sleepy children long ago…
Trees are the kindest things I know.
Introduction
Have you ever imagined what would happen if all the trees on Earth disappeared overnight?
There would be less oxygen to breathe, birds would lose their homes, summers would become much hotter, many animals would struggle to survive, and fruits like mangoes, apples, and coconuts would disappear.
This is exactly why the poet Harry Behn calls trees "the kindest things" he knows. In this beautiful poem, he explains how trees silently help humans, animals, birds, and the environment without expecting anything in return.
Let's understand the poem line by line with simple explanations, real-life examples, and amazing facts.
Lines 1–2
Trees are the kindest things I know,
They do not harm, they simply grow.
Explanation
The poet believes that trees are the kindest living things because they never hurt anyone. They quietly grow throughout their lives and continue helping everyone around them.
Interesting Fact
A tree never eats its own fruits. It grows fruits only for birds, animals, and humans. This shows how selfless trees truly are.
Real-Life Example
Even if people throw stones at a mango tree to get its fruits, the tree still gives sweet mangoes every year.
Life Lesson
Kind people continue doing good even when others are unkind.
Lines 3–4
And spread a shade for sleepy cows,
And gather birds among their boughs.
Explanation
Trees provide cool shade where animals can rest comfortably. Their branches also become safe homes for birds.
Interesting Fact
A large banyan tree can support hundreds of birds, squirrels, insects, and other small animals. It works like a free apartment built by nature.
Real-Life Example
In villages, cows, goats, and travelers often rest under trees during hot afternoons.
Lines 5–6
They give us fruit, in leaves above,
And wood to make our houses of.
Explanation
Trees provide delicious fruits and valuable wood that is used for making houses, furniture, doors, windows, and many everyday items.
Interesting Fact
A healthy apple tree can produce hundreds of apples every year, yet it never eats a single one.
Real-Life Example
The wooden chair, study table, bed, or cupboard in your home most likely came from a tree.
Lines 7–8
And leaves to burn on Hallowe'en,
And in the Spring new buds of green.
Explanation
The poet says that even dry leaves are useful. During spring, trees grow fresh green buds, showing that nature begins a new life.
Interesting Fact
Many trees look completely dry during winter, but they are only resting. When spring arrives, they grow fresh leaves again.
Real-Life Example
After the rainy season or spring, trees become green again, making parks and gardens look beautiful.
Lines 9–10
They are the first when day's begun
To touch the beams of morning sun.
Explanation
Because trees are tall, they receive the first rays of sunlight every morning.
Interesting Fact
Trees prepare their own food using sunlight through a process called photosynthesis. At the same time, they release oxygen that humans and animals need to survive.
Real-Life Example
If you wake up early, you'll notice the tops of trees shining with sunlight before many buildings.
Lines 11–12
They are the last to hold the light,
When evening changes into night.
Explanation
Trees continue reflecting sunlight even when the day is ending. Their tops remain bright for a little longer before darkness arrives.
Interesting Fact
Some of the tallest trees in the world grow over 100 metres high, almost as tall as a 30-storey building.
Real-Life Example
During sunset, the tops of trees often glow golden while the ground has already started becoming dark.
Lines 13–15
And when a moon floats on the sky
They hum a drowsy lullaby
Of sleepy children long ago...
Explanation
The poet imagines that when the wind blows through the leaves at night, trees sing a soft lullaby that helps children sleep peacefully.
Interesting Fact
Research shows that spending just twenty minutes around trees can reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
Real-Life Example
If you've ever sat under a tree on a windy evening, you've probably heard the gentle rustling of leaves. It feels calm and relaxing.
Last Line
Trees are the kindest things I know.
Explanation
The poet repeats the first line to emphasize his message. Trees provide oxygen, fruits, wood, medicine, shade, beauty, and homes for countless living creatures. They keep giving without expecting anything in return.
Amazing Facts About Trees
The oldest known tree in the world is more than 4,800 years old.
A large tree absorbs around 20 kilograms of carbon dioxide every year, helping reduce pollution.
Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth and can grow up to about 90 centimetres (3 feet) in a single day under ideal conditions.
The largest tree by volume is a giant sequoia, which weighs more than 2 million kilograms.
Scientists estimate there are more than 60,000 different species of trees around the world.
Trees can communicate with one another through underground fungal networks, sometimes called the "Wood Wide Web," by sharing nutrients and warning signals.
Moral of the Poem
The poem teaches us that trees are the greatest example of kindness and selfless service. They give us oxygen, food, shelter, medicine, and beauty without asking for anything in return. We should respect nature, plant more trees, and protect forests for future generations.
Vocabulary
Kindest – सबसे दयालु – سب سے مہربان
Harm – नुकसान – نقصان
Simply – बस / केवल – صرف
Grow – बढ़ना – بڑھنا
Shade – छाया – سایہ
Sleepy – उनींदा – نیند بھرا
Cow – गाय – گائے
Gather – इकट्ठा करना – جمع کرنا
Bird – चिड़िया – چڑیا
Bough – पेड़ की बड़ी शाखा – درخت کی بڑی شاخ
Fruit – फल – پھل
Wood – लकड़ी – لکڑی
House – घर – گھر
Burn – जलाना – جلانا
Halloween – एक पश्चिमी त्योहार – مغربی تہوار
Spring – वसंत ऋतु – بہار
Bud – कली – کلی
Beam – किरण – کرن
Morning – सुबह – صبح
Evening – शाम – شام
Night – रात – رات
Moon – चाँद – چاند
Float – तैरना / ऊपर दिखाई देना – تیرنا / آسمان میں نظر آنا
Hum – गुनगुनाना – گنگنانا
Drowsy – उनींदा – غنودہ
Lullaby – लोरी – لوری
Touch – छूना – چھونا
Light – रोशनी – روشنی
Conclusion
"Trees" by Harry Behn is more than just a poem—it is a reminder that nature gives us countless gifts every day. Trees provide oxygen, fruits, shade, homes for birds, wood, medicine, and beauty. They ask for nothing in return. By planting and protecting trees, we are protecting our own future and creating a healthier planet for generations to come.
Your queries
8th class english maharashtra board pdf
8th class english maharashtra board question answer
Std 8 English Textbook PDF Maharashtra Board
8th class english maharashtra board syllabus
8th class english maharashtra board pdf download
8th Class English Government Textbook PDF
8th class english maharashtra board pdf free download
8th Class English Textbook PDF with answers
Std 8 English Textbook PDF Maharashtra Board PDF Download
8th Class English Government Textbook PDF
Std 8 English Balbharati Textbook PDF
English textbook Class 8 PDF
