Prepare thoroughly for your Class 9 English exams with our comprehensive guide to On Killing a Tree by Gieve Patel. This post includes a detailed summary, the theme of the poem, word meanings for easy understanding, and explanatory answers to textbook questions. Additionally, explore extra questions and answers to enhance your preparation, along with an explanatory summary in Hindi for better clarity. Designed to meet CBSE standards, this guide ensures a clear grasp of the poem's message, helping students excel in their tests. Perfect for students using the Beehive textbook and looking for NCERT solutions!
Summary of On Killing a Tree by Gieve Patel
Gieve Patel’s poem On Killing a Tree shows how hard it is to destroy nature because it’s so strong and stubborn. The poem explains that cutting a tree down isn’t enough—it’s not like snapping a twig. Trees aren’t weak. They grow slowly, feeding on soil and sunlight for years, building their strength bit by bit. Even if you hack at the trunk with an axe, the tree can heal and grow back.To really kill it, you have to dig it out of the ground. The roots, which are usually hidden and safe underground, need to be dragged into the open. Once they’re exposed to the sun and air, they dry up and die. This process isn’t quick or easy—it’s harsh and deliberate.
The poem makes you realise two things: how tough nature is, and how cruel humans can be to destroy it. It’s almost like a warning—we might think we’re powerful, but killing something as simple as a tree takes a lot of effort. It’s a sad reminder to respect nature instead of harming it.
