Abou Ben Adhem Reference to the Context ICSE Class 9 & 10

Treasure Trove Workbook Solutions: Reference to the Context on “Abou Ben Adhem.”

PASSAGE 1

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

And saw, within the moonlight in his room,

Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,

An angel writing in a book of gold:—

Question i: What kind of person was Abou Ben Adhem?

Answer: Abou Ben Adhem was a virtuous, noble and selfless man. Goodness was the virtuous quality of Abou who used to always think of the goodness of others. 

Question ii: Explain : ‘may his tribe increase!’

Answer: The meaning of the given line is that his tribe remains always happy.

Question iii: What did Abou discover in his room?

Answer: One day when  he woke up suddenly, he saw an angel , beautiful as a lily, writing something in a golden book.

Question iv: Which poetic device is used in the fourth line here?  What is its significance in the context?

Answer: The figure of speech used in the fourth line is ‘simile’ where the narrator compares the beauty of the angel to that of the lily flower.

Question v: How did Abou react on knowing that his name was not among those who live God? Was he depressed or disappointed?

Answer: Abou was a bit shocked on coming to know that  his name was not present in the list of the people who loved God.

But Abou was not disappointed nor was he distressed because he was a brave and peace loving person.

PASSAGE 2

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

And to the presence in the room he said,

“What writest thou?”—The vision raised its head,

And with a look made of all sweet accord,

Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.”

Question i: In whose presence did Abou become bold? What made him bold?

Answer:  In the presence of the angel Abou became bold.

He knew that he was a peace-loving and courageous figure.

Question ii: What did he want to know?

Answer: The protagonist wanted to know whether his name was present in the list of God-loving people.

Question iii: Describe the angel. How did he look at Abou?

Answer: The angel was as beautiful as a lily who had a bright luminous shine.

Question iv: What was he writing in his book of gold?

Answer: In the book of gold, the angel was writing the names of the people who loved God.

Question v: What made Abou pray to the angel to include his name among those who love their fellow men?

Answer: Abou prayed to the angel to include his name among those who loved their fellow men because he was a person who was considerate towards his people. According to history, Abou Bin Adhem ,born in 777AD, was the king of balkh. He led a noble life according to the principles and teachings of the Holy Quran.He abandoned his throne to save his fellow beings.

PASSAGE 3

“And is mine one?” said Abou. “Nay, not so,”

Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,

But cheerly still; and said, “I pray thee, then,

Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”

Question i:WHat did Abou find the angel doing in his room one night?

Answer: Abou found the angel writing something in the book of gold.

Question ii: What was the angel writing?

Answer: The angel was writing the names of the people who loved God.

Question iii: Did the angel’s answer depress you? How did he conduct himself?

Answer: The angel’s answer didn’t depress Abou but shocked him.

Abou peacefully asked the angel to include his name in the book.

Question iv: What request did Abou make to the angel? What pleased and surprised Abou the next night?

Answer: Abou requested the angel  very humbly to include his name in the list of the people who love God.

Abou was pleased to know that he topped the list of the people who loved God when the angel appeared the next night.

Question v: What was the central idea/theme of the poem?

Answer: The central theme of the poem is that those who love others are loved by God.