The poem “Including All My Friends” by Randy Bassett is a touching and uplifting work that promotes the values of empathy, social inclusion, and equal treatment for children with special needs. The poet highlights the joyful world of children where everyone loves to play together without discrimination. They play games like hide-and-seek, climb trees, ride bikes, and cheerfully welcome any new friend who joins them.
The poem also addresses the painful reality of bullying. “Bad guys” or bullies attempt to bother these children by uttering hurtful words about their skin color, hair, speaking manner, or physical disabilities. However, the children refuse to listen to or be discouraged by these negative remarks, knowing that such bullies are morally wrong. The poem reminds us that although some children may need a special tube to breathe or a special chair (wheelchair) to move, human beings are all fundamentally the same underneath. We all play, laugh, and sleep. The poet concludes that mean people are mistaken because they only judge others “skin-deep” (by outer appearance), whereas true value lies in seeing beyond outer physical differences with compassion and understanding.
English Note: Randy Bassett and his wife Susan are co-founders of “Opening Hearts”. Motivated by their own children, they work tirelessly to help improve the lives of children with special needs and their families. They have received local and provisional awards for their noble efforts.
Backyard – An area at the back of a house /
Guys – A informal word used to address a group of boys or girls / , ,
Special tube – An apparatus used by people who have difficulty in breathing /
Special chair – A wheelchair used by people with physical disabilities /
Hide and seek – A children’s game (Luka-chhippi) where one hides and others search /
Skin-deep – Not very deep, superficial, limited to outer appearance / -,
Bother – To annoy, disturb, or trouble someone / ,
Backyard – An area at the back of a house / рдШрд░ рдХреЗ рдкреАрдЫреЗ рдХрд╛ рдЕрд╣рд╛рддрд╛ рдпрд╛ рдЖрдВрдЧрди
Guys – A informal word used to address a group of boys or girls / рд▓реЛрдЧ, рдмрдЪреНрдЪреЗ, рд╕рд╛рдереА
Special tube – An apparatus used by people who have difficulty in breathing / рд╕рд╛рдВрд╕ рд▓реЗрдиреЗ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рд╡рд┐рд╢реЗрд╖ рдЙрдкрдХрд░рдг рдпрд╛ рдирд▓реА
Special chair – A wheelchair used by people with physical disabilities / рд╡рд┐рд╢реЗрд╖ рдХреБрд░реНрд╕реА (рд╡реНрд╣реАрд▓рдЪреЗрдпрд░)
Hide and seek – A children’s game (Luka-chhippi) where one hides and others search / рд▓реБрдХрд╛-рдЫрд┐рдкреА рдХрд╛ рдЦреЗрд▓
Skin-deep – Not very deep, superficial, limited to outer appearance / рдХреЗрд╡рд▓ рдмрд╛рд╣рд░реА рд░реВрдк-рд░рдВрдЧ, рд╕рддрд╣реА
Bother – To annoy, disturb, or trouble someone / рдкрд░реЗрд╢рд╛рди рдХрд░рдирд╛, рддрдВрдЧ рдХрд░рдирд╛
Mean – Unkind, rude, malicious / рджреБрд╖реНрдЯ, рд╕реНрд╡рд╛рд░реНрдереА, рдЕрд╕рдВрд╡реЗрджрдирд╢реАрд▓
Section 2
Text of the Poem with Hindi Line-by-Line Translation
Who are the тАШbad guysтАЩ mentioned in the poem? Why are they called тАШbad guysтАЩ?
ЁЯТб Solution:
The ‘bad guys’ mentioned in the poem are the mean, insensitive bullies who make fun of children with special needs. They are called ‘bad guys’ because they use hurtful words regarding the physical appearances, speech, skin, or disabilities of these children instead of accepting them with love.
The ‘bad guys’ mentioned in the poem are the mean, insensitive bullies who make fun of children with special needs. They are called ‘bad guys’ because they use hurtful words regarding the physical appearances, speech, skin, or disabilities of these children instead of accepting them with love.
What can we understand тАШif we use more than our sightтАЩ?
ЁЯТб Solution:
If we use more than our sight (i.e., if we look with empathy, understanding, and kindness rather than just eyes), we can realize that beyond outer physical differences, all human beings share the same emotions, need for love, joy, and basic humanity.
If we use more than our sight (i.e., if we look with empathy, understanding, and kindness rather than just eyes), we can realize that beyond outer physical differences, all human beings share the same emotions, need for love, joy, and basic humanity.
Why do you think these lines have been spoken? Explain each: – Line a: “We didnтАЩt want to hear their words.”
ЁЯТб Solution:
This line is spoken because the comments of the bullies were full of prejudice and hurtfulness. The children chose to ignore their negative remarks to maintain their self-respect and happiness.
This line expresses the self-confidence of the children. They know that having a disability or a different appearance does not make them inferior, so the bullies’ harsh words are morally wrong and false.
This line highlights that some children face medical challenges requiring supportive medical apparatus, but such physical needs do not diminish their right to play and make friends.
This line encourages people to look beyond physical appearance and judge others through heart, compassion, and character.
This line criticizes the shallow nature of bullies who judge people solely on the basis of outer skin, hair, or appearance, ignoring their inner beauty and humanity.
This line is spoken because the comments of the bullies were full of prejudice and hurtfulness. The children chose to ignore their negative remarks to maintain their self-respect and happiness.
This line expresses the self-confidence of the children. They know that having a disability or a different appearance does not make them inferior, so the bullies’ harsh words are morally wrong and false.
This line highlights that some children face medical challenges requiring supportive medical apparatus, but such physical needs do not diminish their right to play and make friends.
This line encourages people to look beyond physical appearance and judge others through heart, compassion, and character.
This line criticizes the shallow nature of bullies who judge people solely on the basis of outer skin, hair, or appearance, ignoring their inner beauty and humanity.
Section 4
Appendix-I Listening Task & Practice Exercise Solutions (Unit 3 Inclusion)
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Appendix-I Listening Task & Practice Exercise Solutions (Unit 3 Inclusion)
Part 1
Main Course Listening Text Summary (Annual Prize Distribution – Inclusion)
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Main Course Listening Text Summary (Annual Prize Distribution – Inclusion)
Practice Exercise – Identifying Assistive Devices for Special Needs
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Practice Exercise – Identifying Assistive Devices for Special Needs
Task: Read the descriptions from Appendix-I Practice Exercise and name the assistive device.
Description 1:“When a person puts on this device he is able to listen better. It can be stressful when we use it for the first time. Everything sounds different and probably louder…”
Name of Device:Hearing Aid
Description 2:“It is used as a mobility tool. It is used to detect objects in the path of a user. Its length depends upon the height of the user. It extends from the floor to the waist… white cane.”
Name of Device:White Cane
Description 3:“It is a device that enables people with motor disabilities including those caused by polio. It can support deformities like ankle, knee-ankle and hip-knee… calipers / artificial limbs.”
Name of Device:Calipers / Braces / Artificial Limbs
Description 4:“This device comes in various models which allow manual movement. It can be moved by the hands of the seated person or by another person… wheelchair.”