CBSE Class 4 English Marigold – I Had a Little Pony – CBSE NCERT Study Resources
All Question Types with Solutions – CBSE Exam Pattern
Explore a complete set of CBSE-style questions with detailed solutions, categorized by marks and question types. Ideal for exam preparation, revision and practice.
Very Short Answer (1 Mark) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)
These are 1-mark questions requiring direct, concise answers. Ideal for quick recall and concept clarity.
The moral is that we should take care of our belongings and not let others misuse them. It also teaches us to stand up against cruelty.
The moral is to take care of things we love and not lend them to those who might misuse or harm them.
The poem shows the bond by describing how the girl cares for the pony and gets upset when it is mistreated.
It teaches that sharing is good, but we must ensure the other person will respect and care for what we share.
Children learn to respect animals and stand up against unfair treatment.
Very Short Answer (2 Marks) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)
These 2-mark questions test key concepts in a brief format. Answers are expected to be accurate and slightly descriptive.
The little girl in the poem is named Mary. She is the owner of the pony mentioned in the poem.
Mary lent her pony to a lady because the lady asked to borrow it. The poem shows Mary's kindness in sharing her pony.
The lady whipped and lashed the pony, making it tired and unhappy. This made Mary very upset.
Mary felt sad and angry. She decided never to lend her pony to the lady again because of the cruel treatment.
The poem teaches us to be kind to animals and not to misuse others' trust. It also shows the importance of standing up against cruelty.
The pony was little and belonged to Mary, who cared for it deeply until the lady mistreated it.
Whipped and lashed means the lady hit the pony hard with a whip, causing it pain and distress.
Mary refused because the lady was cruel to the pony. Mary loved her pony and did not want it to suffer again.
The little girl lent her pony to the lady because the lady asked to borrow it. However, the lady did not take good care of the pony, which made the girl unhappy.
The lady whipped and slashed the pony, which was very cruel. This made the little girl sad because she loved her pony dearly.
The little girl described her pony as little and dear to her. She loved her pony very much and was heartbroken when it was mistreated.
The little girl said she would never lend her pony to anyone again because of the bad experience she had with the lady.
At the end of the poem, the little girl feels angry and regretful for lending her pony to the lady. She vows not to make the same mistake again.
The poem is a cautionary tale because it warns us about trusting others with our belongings without knowing how they will treat them. It also teaches the importance of kindness and responsibility.
Short Answer (3 Marks) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)
These 3-mark questions require brief explanations and help assess understanding and application of concepts.
The speaker gave away her pony because the people who borrowed it treated it poorly. They whipped and lashed the pony, which made the speaker sad. She believed in kindness towards animals and did not want her pony to suffer.
The poem teaches that sharing is good, but we must also ensure that the person we share with treats our belongings or pets with care and respect. If someone misuses what we share, it is okay to stop sharing with them.
The speaker felt hurt and angry when she saw her pony being whipped and lashed. She loved her pony and could not bear to see it in pain. This made her decide to never lend the pony again.
The poem shows a strong bond because the speaker cares deeply for her pony. She refuses to let anyone harm it, showing that animals deserve love and protection just like humans.
If someone treated my pet badly, I would politely ask them to stop and explain why their actions are wrong. If they continued, I would not lend my pet to them again, just like the speaker in the poem.
Standing up for what is right, like the speaker did for her pony, teaches us courage and responsibility. It helps protect those who cannot speak for themselves, such as animals, and sets a good example for others.
The little girl felt sad because her pony was her beloved companion. She loved and cared for it deeply, and losing it made her feel lonely. The poem shows how strong the bond between a child and their pet can be.
The girl felt heartbroken and betrayed because the lady did not keep her promise. She learned that not everyone can be trusted, which made her more cautious about lending her belongings in the future.
The poem highlights that pets, like the pony, need love and care. The girl was responsible for her pony, and when it was taken away, she missed it dearly. This teaches us to value and protect our pets.
The girl could have set clear rules or asked for a guarantee before lending her pony. For example:
1. She could have gone with the lady to ensure the pony's safety.
2. She could have only lent it to someone she trusted completely.
The poem relates to real life by teaching us about trust and responsibility. Just like the girl, we sometimes lend things to others, but we must be careful. It also shows how losing something precious can make us wiser.
Long Answer (5 Marks) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)
These 5-mark questions are descriptive and require detailed, structured answers with proper explanation and examples.
The poem I Had a Little Pony shows a loving and caring relationship between the girl and her pony. The girl treats her pony with kindness and affection, as seen in lines like 'I lent him to a lady', which suggests she trusted others with her beloved pet.
The girl's feelings are evident when she describes how the lady was unkind to the pony, making it clear that the girl was upset by this mistreatment. The phrase 'But whipp'd and slashed and drove so fast' shows her sadness and anger at how the pony was treated. The poem highlights the bond between the girl and her pony, emphasizing themes of love, trust, and responsibility towards animals.
The moral lesson of the poem I Had a Little Pony is about responsibility and kindness towards animals. The girl learns that lending her pony to someone careless resulted in its suffering, teaching her to be more careful about who she trusts with her pet.
Children can apply this lesson by:
- Being responsible for their pets and ensuring they are treated well.
- Choosing trustworthy people to care for their animals when needed.
- Understanding that animals have feelings and deserve love and respect.
The poem encourages children to think before making decisions that affect others, especially those who depend on them, like pets.
The poem I Had a Little Pony shows a loving and caring relationship between the girl and her pony. The girl treats her pony with kindness, calling it 'my little pony', which shows she feels a sense of ownership and affection. She also shares her food with the pony, indicating her generosity and bond with the animal.
The poem highlights their bond through simple actions like the girl feeding the pony and the pony following her. This shows trust and friendship between them. The girl's sadness when the pony is taken away further proves how much she loved and valued her little companion.
The poem I Had a Little Pony teaches us the importance of kindness and responsibility towards animals or things we love. The girl in the poem takes good care of her pony by feeding it properly and keeping it warm, showing how we should treat our pets with love.
The moral lesson is that when we care for others, whether animals or people, we build strong and happy relationships. However, the poem also shows that sometimes we may lose things we love, teaching us to cherish them while we have them.
Children can apply this lesson by:
- Being gentle and responsible with their pets.
- Understanding that love and care make relationships stronger.
- Learning to appreciate what they have before it's gone.
The moral lesson of the poem I Had a Little Pony is about responsibility and kindness towards animals. The girl in the poem takes good care of her pony, but when she lends it to someone else, the pony is mistreated. This teaches us that we should always be careful about whom we trust with our belongings or pets.
Children can apply this lesson by:
- Being kind to animals and treating them with care.
- Not lending their pets or belongings to people who may not respect them.
- Standing up against cruelty, just like the girl in the poem who refuses to lend her pony again.
The poem also teaches us to be responsible for our actions and to protect those who depend on us, whether they are pets or friends.
Case-based Questions (4 Marks) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)
These 4-mark case-based questions assess analytical skills through real-life scenarios. Answers must be based on the case study provided.
'I had a little pony,
His name was Dapple-grey.'
Why do you think the poet chose the name Dapple-grey for the pony? Explain with reference to the poem.
The poet likely chose the name Dapple-grey to describe the pony's appearance. The word dapple means having spots or patches of a different color, and grey refers to the pony's primary coat color. Together, Dapple-grey suggests the pony had a beautiful, spotted grey coat, making it unique and visually appealing. This name helps readers imagine the pony's charming and distinctive look, adding to the poem's vivid imagery.
'I lent him to a lady
To ride a mile away.'
What does this action tell us about the speaker's character? Explain with reasons.
The speaker's action of lending the pony to a lady shows that they are kind and trusting. By sharing their beloved pony, the speaker demonstrates generosity and a willingness to help others. The phrase 'To ride a mile away' suggests the speaker trusted the lady enough to let her take the pony far, indicating a strong sense of goodwill. This reflects the speaker's friendly and caring nature.
'She whipped him, she lashed him,
She rode him through the mire.'
How does this ending make you feel about the lady? Justify your response with examples from the poem.
The ending makes the lady seem cruel and unkind. The words 'whipped' and 'lashed' show she treated the pony harshly, causing it pain. Riding the pony 'through the mire' (mud) further highlights her lack of care, as she didn’t consider the pony's comfort. This behavior contrasts sharply with the speaker's kindness, making the lady appear selfish and mean.
'I had a little pony,
His name was Dapple-grey'
Why do you think the poet chose the name Dapple-grey for the pony? How does this name reflect the pony's appearance or personality?
The poet likely chose the name Dapple-grey because it describes the pony's color and appearance. Dapple means having spots or patches of a different color, and grey is a shade between black and white. Together, the name suggests the pony had a lovely grey coat with spots or patches, making it unique and beautiful.
This name reflects the pony's gentle and friendly personality, as described later in the poem. Names like these often help readers visualize the character better.
In the poem I Had a Little Pony, the poet says, 'I lent him to a lady to ride a mile away.'
What does this line tell us about the poet's nature? How would you feel if you lent your favorite toy or pet to someone?
This line shows that the poet was kind and trusting, as they willingly lent their beloved pony to a lady. It also suggests the poet was generous and helpful.
If I lent my favorite toy or pet to someone, I might feel:
- Happy to share something special with others.
- Worried if the person would take good care of it.
- Excited to see them enjoy it, just like I do.
Sharing things we love can be both rewarding and a little scary!
The poem I Had a Little Pony ends with the lines:
'And she whipped him,
And she slashed him,
And she rode him through the mire.'
How does this ending make you feel? What lesson do you think the poet wants to teach us through these lines?
This ending makes me feel sad and angry because the lady was cruel to the pony. The poet wants to teach us that:
- We should always be kind to animals and treat them with care.
- Trusting the wrong person can sometimes lead to bad outcomes.
- Sharing is good, but we must also be careful about who we share with.
The poem reminds us to be responsible and compassionate toward animals and others.
The action of lending the pony to a lady shows that the speaker is kind-hearted and trusting. The speaker was willing to share their beloved pony with someone else, indicating a sense of generosity. However, the poem also hints at the speaker's disappointment when the lady mistreated the pony, teaching us that trust should be given wisely.
Additionally, this situation highlights the importance of responsibility and care when borrowing or handling someone else's belongings.
The pony likely felt hurt, scared, and mistreated because of the lady's harsh actions. Animals, like humans, deserve kindness and respect.
From this, we learn two important lessons:
- We should always treat animals with compassion and gentleness.
- If we borrow something, we must take good care of it and return it in the same condition.
The poem reminds us that being cruel has consequences, as the speaker decided never to lend the pony to the lady again.
If I were the lady, I would have treated the pony with love and care. Instead of whipping and lashing, I would:
- Gently guide the pony with soft words and patience.
- Ensure the pony is well-fed and rested.
- Thank the speaker for trusting me with their pony.
This way, the pony would feel safe, and the speaker would be happy to lend it again. The poem teaches us that kindness builds trust, while cruelty breaks it.
Why do you think the speaker decided to give the pony away? What does this tell us about the speaker's character?
The speaker gave the pony to the old woman because she was kind and wanted to help someone in need. This shows that the speaker is compassionate and generous. The poem teaches us the value of sharing and caring for others, especially those who are older or less fortunate.
Additionally, the speaker's action reflects a sense of responsibility and empathy, as they thought about the well-being of the pony and the old woman.
What does the word 'lame' mean in this context? How does this detail affect the story?
In the poem, lame means that the pony had difficulty walking, likely due to an injury or weakness in its legs. This detail is important because:
- It explains why the speaker might have decided to give the pony to the old woman—perhaps the pony needed special care.
- It adds a layer of sympathy to the story, making the speaker's act of kindness even more meaningful.
The word lame helps us understand the pony's condition and the speaker's thoughtful decision.
How does this description help us visualize the scene? What emotions does it evoke in the reader?
The phrase old and grey paints a clear picture of the woman as elderly and perhaps frail. This description:
- Helps us imagine her as someone who might need help, making the speaker's gesture of giving the pony more touching.
- Evokes feelings of pity and respect for the old woman, as well as admiration for the speaker's kindness.
The imagery of the old woman adds depth to the poem, making it more emotional and memorable.
'I had a little pony,
His name was Dapple-grey,
I lent him to a lady,
To ride a mile away.'
Why do you think the speaker lent the pony to the lady? What does this tell us about the speaker's nature?
The speaker lent the pony to the lady because they were kind and helpful. The line 'I lent him to a lady, To ride a mile away' shows that the speaker was willing to share their beloved pony with someone in need. This tells us that the speaker has a generous and caring nature. Sharing something precious, like a pony, reflects a good heart and a willingness to help others.
What happened to the pony because of the lady's actions? How would you feel if you were the speaker in this situation?
The lady 'whipped and slashed' the pony and made it tired and unhappy. Because of her rough treatment, the pony suffered. If I were the speaker, I would feel very sad and angry because the pony was mistreated despite being lent kindly. The poem teaches us the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect.
Do you think this is the right decision? Give a reason for your answer.
Yes, the speaker's decision not to lend the pony again is right because the lady did not take care of it. The pony was treated badly, and the speaker learned that not everyone can be trusted with something precious. This teaches us to be careful about whom we trust and to protect what we love. However, the speaker could also try to find someone more responsible next time if they still want to help others.