KSEEB Class 10 · English (1st language) · KTBS Revised 2024-25
The Sarus Cranes
Chapter summary, hard words and model exam answers for Karnataka Board Class 10 English.
Free online summary and notes (Karnataka Board Class 10 English). Read it here, no PDF download needed.
About the author
Manmohan Singh (poet). "The Sarus Cranes" is a poignant poem about faithful birds and the violence of a hunter - a staple of Karnataka SSLC poetry on nature and compassion.
Summary
Two sarus cranes live together in a marsh - tall, graceful birds known for lifelong pairing. Their presence beautifies the wetland and suggests harmony between nature and quiet human observers.
Two sarus cranes live together in a marsh - tall, graceful birds known for lifelong pairing. Their presence beautifies the wetland and suggests harmony between nature and quiet human observers.
A hunter fires and kills the male crane. The sudden violence breaks the peace of the marsh. The act is quick, but its consequences ripple through the poem's emotional landscape.
A hunter fires and kills the male crane. The sudden violence breaks the peace of the marsh. The act is quick, but its consequences ripple through the poem's emotional landscape.
The surviving crane searches for her mate. She circles, calls and refuses to accept his death. Her behaviour shows attachment that is not merely instinct but deep bond.
The surviving crane searches for her mate. She circles, calls and refuses to accept his death. Her behaviour shows attachment that is not merely instinct but deep bond.
She gathers blood-stained feathers and wings in grief. The poem dwells on her sorrow as if the birds feel loss the way humans do at a funeral.
She gathers blood-stained feathers and wings in grief. The poem dwells on her sorrow as if the birds feel loss the way humans do at a funeral.
The marsh, sky and onlookers become witnesses to both beauty and brutality. The poet invites us to see the killing not as sport but as tragedy.
The marsh, sky and onlookers become witnesses to both beauty and brutality. The poet invites us to see the killing not as sport but as tragedy.
The poem ends as a plea for mercy toward living creatures. SSLC students are expected to link imagery of cranes with themes of love, violence and responsibility.
The poem ends as a plea for mercy toward living creatures. SSLC students are expected to link imagery of cranes with themes of love, violence and responsibility.
Hard words & meanings
| sarus | the sarus crane - a large Indian bird famous for pair bonding |
| marsh | soft wetland where cranes live |
| mourning | expressing sorrow for the dead |
| feathers | light structures covering a bird's body |
| bond | strong connection between the pair of cranes |
| compassion | pity and care for suffering creatures |
| brutality | harsh, senseless harm |
| witness | nature and observers that see the killing |
| plaintive | a cry full of sorrow - often used for the bird's call |
Model exam answers, grammar & audio
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