Comprehensive, textbook-grounded solutions for DAV Class 5 Moral Science Chapter 14: Lives of Great Men (Child & World – Learning). Explore Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s immortal poem ‘A Psalm of Life’, understand how great biographies inspire perseverance, and discover complete solved questions based on the DAV CMC curriculum.
Poem Analysis: A Psalm of Life
The lives of great men act as beacon lights across the rough seas of human existence. When individuals face crushing defeat or despair, the noble struggles of historical heroes revive their courage and instill fresh hope.
“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footsteps on the sands of time;
Footsteps, that, perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labour and to wait.”
— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Glossary & Word Meanings:
1. Sublime: Noble, grand, and exalted in character.
2. Solemn: Serious, sacred, and grave.
3. Forlorn: Lonely, sad, and abandoned.
Textbook Exercises & Solved Questions
A. Answer These Questions
Q1. What do lives of great men remind us?
Answer: The lives of great men remind us that we too can make our lives noble, sublime, and purposeful. When we depart from this world, we can leave behind memorable footsteps of virtue, achievement, and service that inspire future generations to overcome adversity.
Q2. Have you read the biography of any great person? What did you learn from his/her biography?
Answer: Yes, I have read the autobiography of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam titled ‘Wings of Fire’. From his life, I learned that humble beginnings and financial hardship cannot stop someone with curiosity, dedication, and patriotism. Dr. Kalam taught us to dream big, work with unwavering integrity, and persevere through failures until success is achieved.
B. Footsteps on the Sands of Time: Action Plan
To leave noble footsteps on the sands of time as guided by Longfellow, young students should:
- Work with continuous dedication without being discouraged by setbacks (“up and doing, with a heart for any fate”).
- Cultivate patience and trust in gradual progress (“learn to labour and to wait”).
- Offer assistance and moral courage to struggling peers (“a forlorn and shipwrecked brother”).