38
The arrow
Textbook: Part 3, pp. 14–16
GoalUnderstand figurative meaning in a poem; judge the results of a thoughtless act.
New words
figurative · majoziyconsequence · oqibatcare, caution · ehtiyotregret · afsus
Explanation
In a poem a thing sometimes means another idea beyond its own meaning. This is figurative meaning. The textbook has the poem “O‘q” (The arrow) by Hamza Imonberdiyev, where an arrow shot from a bow turns aside so as not to harm the creatures in its path, and in the end comes back to the wicked man who shot it. Hamza Imonberdiyev wrote many poems and books for children. We do not retell the poem; we read our own text. Before every action we think: “Who might this harm?”
Worked examples
“The stone”. Jahongir found a stone in the yard and threw it at a target. The stone missed and smashed the neighbour’s window pane to bits. Frightened, Jahongir hid in a corner. But inside he heard a voice: “This is not right.” He went to the neighbour, apologised and promised to replace the glass with his own savings. From that day on he never did anything without thinking.
Figurative meaning: an arrow or stone is a sign of a thoughtless act.
Class activity
“Think first”: the teacher names a situation (kicking a ball into the street) and children find the consequences and the right way.
Practice
1
What did Jahongir throw the stone at?
A target
2
What did the stone break?
The neighbour’s window pane
3
What did Jahongir do at first?
Hid in fear.
4
What right thing did he do afterwards?
Apologised and promised to replace the glass.
5
What is figurative meaning?
The idea a thing expresses beyond its own meaning