Let’s Play
– Kate Greenaway
| Let’s Play – Kate Greenaway School is over, Oh, what fun! Lessons finished, Play begun. Who’ll run fastest, You or I? Who’ll laugh loudest? Let us try. | চলোখেলি কেট গ্রিনওয়ে স্কুল শেষ, ওহ, কী মজা! পাঠ শেষ, খেলা শুরু। কে দ্রুত দৌড়াবে, তুমি নাকি আমি? কে সবচেয়ে জোরে হাসবে? চলো চেষ্টা করি। |
Let’s Play: Word Meaning
Let’s – চল (চলো)
Play – খেলি / খেলা
School – স্কুল
is – আছে / হলো
over – শেষ
Oh – আহা / ওহ
what – কী
fun – মজা
Lessons – পাঠ / ক্লাস
finished – শেষ হয়েছে
Play – খেলা
begun – শুরু হয়েছে
Who’ll (Who will) – কে করবে
run – দৌড়াবে
fastest – সবচেয়ে দ্রুত
You – তুমি
or – বা / নাকি
I – আমি
Who’ll – কে করবে
laugh – হাসবে
loudest – সবচেয়ে জোরে
Let – চল / দাও
us – আমরা / আমাদের
try – চেষ্টা করি
Let’s Play: Summary
“Let’s Play” is a short, joyful poem that celebrates the excitement children feel when school ends for the day. As soon as lessons finish, the children burst with energy and happiness, ready to run, laugh, and play together. The poem emphasizes playful competition—wondering who can run the fastest or laugh the loudest. It captures the carefree spirit of childhood and the simple joy found in playtime.
Let’s Play: Themes
1. Joy of Childhood
The poem highlights the pure, innocent happiness children feel when they get to play. It captures childhood as a time full of freedom, movement, fun, and laughter.
2. Freedom After Responsibility
There’s a contrast between “lessons finished” and “play begun,” symbolizing the shift from duty to enjoyment. The moment school ends becomes a celebration of freedom.
3. Friendship and Togetherness
The poem shows the bond between children who play together, challenge each other, and share laughter. Play becomes a way of connecting.
4. Innocent Competition
The friendly questions—Who’ll run fastest? Who’ll laugh loudest?—show how children enjoy simple, light‑hearted competition without seriousness or conflict.
Answers the following questions:
(a) What is the main theme of the poem “Let’s Play”?
The main theme is children’s joy and excitement after school when they can play freely.
(b) Why did the poet write this poem “Let’s Play”?
The poet wrote it to show how happy and excited children feel when school ends and playtime begins.
(c) How is it fun for the children in the poem “Let’s Play”?
It is fun because they can run, laugh, and enjoy with friends without any rules.
(d) What emotions does the poem “Let’s Play” express?
The poem expresses happiness, excitement, and playful mood.
(e) Who are the possible speakers in the poem “Let’s Play”?
The speakers are likely school children talking to one another.
(f) What does the phrase “Lessons finished, play began” suggest?
It means schoolwork is over and now the children can start playing.
(g) Why does the poet use questions like “Who’ll run fastest?” and “Who’ll laugh loudest?”
The poet uses these questions to show the friendly competition and excitement among children.
(h) What literary devices are used in the poem “Let’s Play”?
- Rhyme (fun–run, fastest–loudest)
- Repetition (You or I?)
- Questioning (Who’ll run fastest?)
- Exclamation (Oh, what fun!)
FOR MORE PRACTICE
(i) How does the poem show the innocence of children?
It shows innocence through their simple happiness and playful questions, without any worries.
(j) What message does the poem give to readers?
The message is that children should enjoy playtime and be happy after working hard in school.
(k) What effect does the short length of the poem have on readers?
It makes the poem feel quick, lively, and energetic—just like children’s play.
(l) How does the poet create excitement in the poem?
Through questions, short lines, and exclamation marks, making the poem fast and cheerful.
(m) What does the line “School is over” signify?
It means school time is finished and children are free.
(n) Why does the poet use an exclamation mark in the second sentence (“Oh, what fun!”)?
To show the strong joy and excitement of the children.
(o) What is the poet’s purpose in using “lessons finished”?
To show that work is done, so now children can relax and play.
(p) What do you understand about the school from “play began”?
It shows the school probably allows children to go and play freely after lessons.
(q) What idea do you get from the question “Who will run fastest?”
It tells us the children are eager, energetic, and ready to compete in a friendly way.
(r) What do you understand from “… you or I?”
It shows friendly challenge between two children.
(s) Who will laugh loudest? What does it imply?
It implies children want to enjoy the most and have lots of fun together.
(t) Why does the poet say “Let us try”?
It means children are ready to play and enjoy, not worrying about winning or losing.
(u) How many stanzas are there in this poem and what is their significance?
There is 1 stanza.
Its significance: the single stanza makes the poem short, simple, and energetic, like children’s quick excitement.
Extra questions:
- What is the title of the poem?
Answer: The title of the poem is “Let’s Play”.
- Who wrote the poem?
Answer: Kate Greenaway wrote the poem.
- What is said to be over in the poem?
Answer: School is said to be over in the poem.
- How do the children feel after school is over?
Answer: The children feel it is “fun” after school is over.
- What has begun after the lessons are finished?
Answer: Play has begun after the lessons are finished.
- Who is asked to compete in running fastest?
Answer: “You” and “I” are asked to compete in running fastest.
- What are they encouraged to do to find out who will laugh loudest?
Answer: They are encouraged to try to find out who will laugh loudest.
- What does the expression “Oh, what fun!” convey?
Answer: The expression “Oh, what fun!” conveys joy and excitement.
- What is the meaning of the line “Let us try”?
Answer: The meaning of the line “Let us try” is an invitation to attempt or test something.
- How many lines are there in the poem?
Answer: There are eight lines in the poem.
