Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
'When night comes I bury my face in my arms and dream that my paper boats float on and on under the midnight stars. The fairies of sleep are sailing in them, and the lading is their baskets full of dreams.'
Select the option that is most likely to be the speaker as per the extract.
The speaker is a young child, as indicated by the innocent, imaginative perspective of floating paper boats, dreaming of fairies, and the simple, hopeful tone throughout the poem.
What can be inferred about the speaker's feelings when night comes?
When night comes, the speaker feels peaceful, contemplative, and filled with wonder. The act of burying his face in his arms and dreaming suggests comfort and security. The speaker's imagination continues into sleep, where he dreams of his boats floating under the stars with fairies carrying dreams.
What kind of beings are the 'fairies of sleep' imagined as? Select the most appropriate option. A. mischievous B. gentle C. fearsome D. playful
B. gentle
Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option from those given in the brackets. The phrase 'lading is their baskets full of dreams' suggests that the speaker imagines the fairies of sleep carefully _____ (carrying his dreams / collecting his wishes) in their baskets.
carrying his dreams
Explanation
((i)) The poem is written from the perspective of a child who engages in the innocent activity of floating paper boats and has an imaginative worldview. The reference to 'playmate of mine in the sky' and the dream of fairies sailing in paper boats reflects a child's imagination. ((ii)) The extract shows the speaker transitioning from day to night peacefully. 'Bury my face in my arms' suggests comfort and rest. The dream of boats floating under midnight stars with fairies shows that the child's imagination and sense of wonder continue even into sleep. ((iii)) The 'fairies of sleep' are imagined as gentle beings who carefully carry baskets full of dreams. The context of sleep, dreams, and the peaceful tone of the poem suggests gentleness rather than mischief, fear, or playfulness. They are nurturing figures who protect and carry the child's dreams. ((iv)) The word 'lading' means loading or carrying cargo. The fairies of sleep are sailing in the paper boats, and their 'lading' (cargo) is baskets full of dreams. This suggests they are carefully carrying the child's dreams, not collecting wishes. The dreams are being transported through the night.