The textbook poem 'Aatmakathya' by Jaishankar Prasad expresses the poet's reluctance to write his autobiography. The poet feels his life lacks grand achievements ('chhote se jeevan ki kaise badi kathaayein'). He compares his life to an empty pot ('gaagar reeti') devoid of joy. Moreover, he fears that revealing his past will only expose his own weaknesses and the deceit of others ('pravanchana'), making a mockery of his simplicity. Ultimately, his silent sorrow is too exhausted to be articulated, leading him to prefer silent endurance over narrating his pain.