A Concrete Example is a humorous poem from the NCERT Class 8 English Poorvi textbook. Written by Reginald Arkell, the poem introduces the reader to Mrs. Jones, a neighbour with a unique stone-filled garden.
Through playful language, irony, and a surprising ending, the poem encourages students to appreciate different perspectives and discover beauty in unexpected places.
A Concrete Example Worksheet
This humorous poem describes the speaker’s neighbour, Mrs. Jones, who loves a very unusual garden filled mostly with stones. Her garden has a winding path, a lily pond, a rockery, and a strange sundial. Instead of large colourful flowers, she grows tiny delicate plants between the stones.
When Mrs. Jones proudly shows the garden, she spends fifteen minutes talking about one beautiful flower. The speaker looks around but cannot find it. Finally, Mrs. Jones smiles and says, “You’re standing on it!” This surprising ending creates humour and shows that beauty is often a matter of personal perspective.
Moral / Learning
– Beauty depends on individual perspective.
– Everyone has unique tastes and interests.
– We should respect others’ passions, even if they differ from ours.
– Humour makes everyday life enjoyable.
Extra Question Answers
Q1. What is unusual about Mrs. Jones’s garden?
Ans. It is filled mainly with stones and tiny plants instead of large flowers.
Q2. Why does the speaker say the plants could be planted with a pin?
Ans. Because they are extremely small and delicate.
Q3. What is the tone of the poem?
Ans. The tone is humorous, amusing, and light-hearted.
Q4. What is the irony in the poem?
Ans. The speaker searches for the beautiful flower, but it is actually beneath their feet.
Q5. What does the poem teach us about beauty?
Ans. Different people appreciate beauty in different ways, and even ordinary things can be special.