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Study the poem below, and then answer the questions that follows.
A stooped old man and a young man Chanced to meet one day.
The young one said to the elder ln his usual braggart way,
“Why don’t you walk up straight like me?
That’s no way to grow old;
lt’s all a form of habit;
At least that’s what I’m told.”
The old man gave him a knowing look,
And said,
“My dear young friend,
Have you ever examined your wheat field,
And noticed the heads that bend?
If not, just look them over As harvest time draws nigh;
You’ll find that the heads that are empty Are standing tall and high,
But the heads that count in the harvest
Are filled and bending low,
Awaiting the reaper’s sickle;
Their time is short, they know.”
And as the young man passed on by,
He slowly bowed his head,
No doubt he pondered many a day
On the things that the old man said.
From How to Teach Poetry by Amy Z. Davis and Florence Stratton. Heinemann Edu Books, 1984

Answer Text:
(i) Identify two features of oral songs in this poem.
- There is rural setting; Rural imagery;
- use of direct address
- Epigrammatic quality/ a moral lesson
- Easy to remember
- Use of conversation
- Use of repetition
(ii) Identify any two words that you would stress in the second line of the last stanza. Explain your answer.
Slowly’, ‘bowed’ and ‘head’. They are content words and show the shame/ embarrassment that the boy felt.
(iii) How would you perform the fifth line of the first stanza?
-Put on a facial expression indicating pride.
- Employ a boastful, contemptuous tone.
- Walk tall and straight/ use wide expansive gestures.