Punjab State Board PSEB 11th Class English Book Solutions Poem 5 Confessions of a Born Spectator Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
PSEB Solutions for Class 11 English Poem 5 Confessions of a Born Spectator
Question 1.
What is the poet glad about ?
Answer:
The poet has always remained a spectator. He has never taken part in any athletics competition. He has never been hurt or wounded. All his limbs are intact. Naturally he is very glad.
कवि सदा ही एक दर्शक रहा है। उसने कभी किसी खेल-स्पर्धा में हिस्सा नहीं लिया है। उसे कभी कोई चोट अथवा घाव नहीं हुआ है। उसके सभी अंग सलामत है। स्वाभाविक रूप से वह अत्यंत प्रसन्न है।
Question 2.
The poet admires the athletes. Give reasons for this admiration.
Answer:
The poet admires the athletes for their heroic deeds. He admires them for their fighting spirit and strong determination.
वह खिलाड़ियों के वीरतापूर्ण कार्यों के लिए उनकी प्रशंसा करता है। वह उनकी मुकाबले की भावना तथा दृढ़ इच्छा-शक्ति के लिए प्रशंसा करता है।
Question 3.
Why does he call his spirit bashful ?
Answer:
He calls his spirit bashful because he feels weak and shy in the field of games and sports.
कवि अपनी आत्मा को लज्जालु कहता है क्योंकि वह खेल-कूद के क्षेत्र में स्वयं को कमज़ोर और लज्जालु महसूस करता है।
Question 4.
Write a few lines on the struggle between the poet’s ego and prudence.
Answer:
The poet loves to watch the heroic deeds of athletes. Sometimes, his ego goads him to show his mettle in sports. But then his prudence warns him of the dangers and risks of sports. So he follows the advice of prudence and resolves to remain a spectator. Thus prudence wins.
कवि खिलाड़ियों के वीरतापूर्ण कारनामे देखना पसंद करता है। कई बार उसका अहंकार उसे खेलों में अपनी दिलेरी दिखाने को उत्साहित करता है। किन्तु फिर उसकी समझदारी उसे खेलों के खतरों और जोखिमों के बारे में चेतावनी देती है। इसलिए वह समझदारी द्वारा दी गई नसीहत को मान लेता है और एक दर्शक बना रहने का निश्चय कर लेता है। इस तरह समझदारी की जीत हो जाती है।
Question 5.
List the things that the poet is ready to do for the athletes.
Answer:
He is ready to drink to the health of the athletes. He can dine with them. In order to watch their game, he is prepared to buy even costly tickets.
वह खिलाड़ियों के स्वास्थ्य के लिए शुभकामनाएं देने की खातिर जाम टकराने के लिए भी तैयार है। वह उनके साथ बैठ कर भोजन कर सकता है। उनका खेल देखने के लिए वह महंगी टिकटें खरीदने के लिए भी तैयार है।
Question 6.
Look at the following lines taken from the poem :
My limp and bashful spirit feeds
On other people’s heroic deeds.
What does the poet mean to convey in these lines ? Select the proper option :
(a) He is not sure of his own capabilities to perform such deeds.
(b) He does not like to perform heroic deeds.
(c) He is scared of getting hurt while performing such deeds.
Answer:
(a) He is not sure of his own capabilities to perform such deeds.
Question 7.
Read the following line :
Buy tickets worth their weight in radium.
Now select the correct meaning of this line from the given statements :
(a) The poet gives radium to buy tickets.
(b) The poet would pay anything for buying tickets to watch the games.
(c) The poet does not buy tickets.
Answer:
(b) The poet would pay anything for buying tickets to watch the games.
Question 8.
Read the following lines and answer the questions that follow :
I’m glad that when my struggle begins
Twixt prudence and ego, prudence wins.
(a) The poet’s ego urges him to show some heroism on the playfield. How often does he show it ?
(b) Do you think he wants to show this heroism ?
(c) Write a short note on the poet’s ‘struggle’.
(d) What is he glad about ?
(e) These two lines contain the theme of the poem. Explain.
Answer:
(a) He never shows any heroism on the playfield. He wants to remain a spectator always.
(b) No, he does not want to show this heroism.
(c) The poet watches the heroic deeds of the athletes. His ego goads him to perform similar acts. But his prudence warns him of the dangers and risks of sports. Thus there goes on a struggle between his ego and prudence. However, he follows the advice of the prudence and thus his prudence wins.
(d) The poet has always been a spectator. He has never taken part in any athletics competition. He has never been hurt or wounded. All his limbs are intact. Naturally, he is very glad.
(e) These two lines contain the theme of the poem which is the poet wants to remain a spectator always’. He doesn’t want to take part in any games. His ego sometimes urges him to show some heroism on the playfield. But, his prudence warms him of the dangers of injury. And the spectator listens to the voice of his prudence.
Important Stanzas For Comprehension
Note : A complete Answer Key has been given at the end of the stanzas.
Stanza 1
One infant grows up and becomes a jockey,
Another plays basketball or hockey,
This one the prize ring hates to enter,
That one becomes a tackle or centre,
I am just as glad as glad can be
That I’m not them, that they’re not me.
Questions
1. Give the name of the poet and the poem from which these lines have been taken.
2. What are generally the ambitions of children in games?
3. What peculiarity do you notice in the speaker ?
4. Give the rhyme scheme used in the given stanza.
Answers:
1. These lines have been taken from the poem, Confessions of a Born Spectator’, written by Ogden Nash.
2. Children are often very fond of games. They want to shine in the field of horse riding, boxing, basketball, football, hockey, etc.
3. Generally people are fond of games and want to take part in them. But the speaker is content to remain a spectator.
4. aa bb cc.
Stanza 2.
With all my heart do I admire
Athletes who sweat for fun or hire,
Who take the field in gaudy pomp,
And maim each other as they romp,
My limp and bashful spirit feeds
On other people’s heroic deeds.
Questions
1. Give the name of the poet and the poem from which these lines have been taken.
2. What does the speaker admire ? Who is the speaker ?
3. What do the athletes do to each other ?
4. Give the figure of speech that has been used in the last two lines of the given stanza.
Answers:
1. These lines have been taken from the poem, Confessions of a Born Spectator’, written by Ogden Nash.
2. The speaker admires all types of athletes; those who play for fun as well as those who play for money. The speaker is one of the spectators.
3. The athletes injure each other in a match or contest.
4. Personification.
Stanza 3.
Now A runs ninety yards to score,
B knocks the champion to the floor.
C risking vertebrae and spine,
Lashes his steed across the line, …
‘You’d think my ego it would please
To swap positions with one of these.
Questions
1. Give the name of the poet and the poem from which these lines have been taken.
2. Who are A, B and C in the above lines ?
3. How do you think C risks his vertebrae and spine ?
4. Give the words that rhyme in the given stanza.
Answers:
1. These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘Confessions of a Born Spectator’, written by Ogden Nash.
2. A, B and Care athletes competing in various games.
3. C is running a horse race. He can fall off his horse and break his vertebrae and spine.
4. (score–floor) ; (spine — line) ; (please — these).
Stanza 4.
Well, ego might be pleased enough,
But zealous athletes play so rough,
They do not ever, in their dealings
Consider one another’s feelings.
I’m glad that when my struggle begins
Twixt prudence and ego, prudence wins.
Questions
1. Give the name of the poet and the poem from which these lines have been taken.
2. How will the ego of the speaker be pleased ?
3. What is it about athletes that the speaker doesn’t like ?
4. Write the figure of speech that is used in the following line :
‘Twixt prudence and ego, prudence wins.’
Answers:
1. These lines have been taken from the poem, Confessions of a Born Spectator’, written by Ogden Nash.
2. The speaker’s ego will be pleased if he also makes a mark in the field of sports and games.
3. Athletes play very rough. They don’t care about one another’s feelings.
4. Personification.
Stanza 5.
When swollen eye meets gnarled fist
When snaps the knee, and cracks the wrist,
When calm officialdom demands
Is there a doctor in the stands ?
My soul in true thanksgiving speaks
For this most modest of physiques.
Questions
1. Give the name of the poet and the poem from which these lines have been taken.
2. What dangers of sports are hinted at in these lines?
3. Why is the speaker filled with a feeling of gratitude ?
4. Give the words that rhyme in the given stanza.
Answers:
1. These lines have been taken from the poem, Confessions of a Born Spectator’, written by Ogden Nash.
2. Swollen eyes, broken knees and cracked wrists are some of the dangers involved in sports.
3. The speaker is filled with a feeling of gratitude for keeping his weak body safe from the dangers and risks of sports.
4. (fist – wrist) ; (demands – stands) ; (speaks — physiques).
Stanza 6.
Athletes, I’ll drink to you Or eat with you,
Or anything except compete with you,
Buy tickets worth their weight in radium,
To watch you gambol in a stadium
And reasssure myself anew.
That you’re not me and I’m not you.
Questions
1. Give the name of the poet and the poem from which these lines have been taken.
2. What is the speaker prepared to do ?
3. What is he not prepared to do ?
4. Give the rhyme scheme of the given stanza.
Answers:
1. These lines have been taken from the poem, Confessions of a Born Spectator’, written by Ogden Nash.
2. The speaker is prepared to drink to the health of athletes. He is prepared to eat with them.
3. He is not prepared to compete with the athletes.
4. aaa bb aa.
Confessions of a Born Spectator Poem Summary in English
Confessions of a Born Spectator Introduction:
In this poem, the poet makes fun of athletes. But the fun is light-hearted. It is not meant to be taken seriously. The poet loves to watch the players in various contests. But he never thinks of taking part in them himself. He does not want to have his bones broken and his body injured. He is content to remain a spectator-‘That you are not me and I’m not you.’
Confessions of a Born Spectator Summary in English:
In this poem, the poet makes fun of athletes. But the fun is light-hearted. The poet says that when the children grow up, they feel interested in different sports. One child grows up and becomes a professional horse rider. Another plays basketball or hockey. This one hates to enter the boxing ring. That one loves to play rugby at a particular position in the field.
But the poet says that he is a born spectator. He feels most glad to think that he is not like them, or that they are not like him. The poet admires all the athletes who play for fun or for money. He likes to see the players enter the field in their showy dresses. He also loves to see them hurt and injure each other in the play. But the poet is a born spectator.
He says that his weak and shy spirit loves to feed on the heroic deeds of other people. One player runs ninety yards to score a point for victory. Another one knocks down even a champion. Another endangers even his vertebrae and spine to win a prize in horse riding. One might think that the sight of these brave acts would arouse the poet’s own ego. Then he too would like to be one of the participants in these competitions.
The poet says that his ego might be pleased to change places with some player or athlete. But their game seems to him to be very rough. In their play, they show no regard for one another’s feelings. The born spectator says that often a struggle begins between his ego and his prudence. His ego goads him to become a champion, but his prudence restrains him from doing so.
In boxing, the hard-clenched fist of one boxer strikes at the swollen eye of the opponent. In other games, too, knees are broken and wrists are cracked. While all this violence takes place, the officials show no great concern for the injured players. They merely ask in an indifferent tone if there is any doctor in the stands. Seeing all this, the born spectator feels thankful to God for keeping his weak body safe from such dangers and risks.
Finally considering all the dangers and risks that athletes have to face, the poet decides to remain a spectator. He says that he can drink to the health of athletes. He can eat with them but he can’t compete with them. He would buy even costly tickets to watch their game. But he would never change places with them. The poet reassures himself afresh that he is not like the athletes and the athletes are not like him.
Confessions of a Born Spectator Poem Summary in Hindi
Confessions of a Born Spectator Introduction:
इस कविता में कवि खिलाड़ियों का मजाक उड़ाता है। लेकिन मज़ाक हल्का-फुल्का है। इसे गम्भीरतापूर्वक नहीं लिया जाना चाहिए। कवि भिन्न-भिन्न स्पर्धाओं में खिलाड़ियों को खेलते देखना पसन्द करता है। किन्तु वह स्वयं उनमें भाग लेने के सम्बन्ध में कभी नहीं सोचता है। वह अपनी हड़ियों को तुड़वाना और अपने शरीर को घायल करवाना नहीं चाहता है। वह एक दर्शक बना रहने में ही सन्तुष्ट है – इस बात में ‘कि आप मैं नहीं हो और मैं आप नहीं हूँ।’
Confessions of a Born Spectator Summary in Hindi:
कविता का विस्तृत सार इस कविता में कवि खिलाड़ियों का मजाक उड़ाता है। परन्तु यह मज़ाक हल्के-फुल्के ढंग का है। कवि कहता है कि जब बच्चे बड़े हो जाते हैं तो वे विभिन्न खेलों में रुचि लेने लगते हैं। कोई बच्चा बड़ा होकर पेशेवर घुड़सवार बन जाता है। कोई दूसरा बास्किटबॉल अथवा हॉकी खेलने लगता है। इधर एक बच्चा मुक्केबाज़ी के अखाड़े में प्रवेश करने से घृणा करता है। उधर कोई दूसरा खेल के मैदान में किसी विशेष स्थिति पर रगबी खेलना पसन्द करता है।
किन्तु कवि कहता है कि वह एक पैदाइशी दर्शक है। उसे यह सोच कर अत्यन्त प्रसन्नता अनुभव होती है कि वह उनके जैसा नहीं है, अथवा यह कि वे उसके जैसे नहीं हैं। कवि सभी खिलाड़ियों की प्रशंसा करता है, जो शौक के लिए अथवा पैसे के लिए खेलते हैं। उसे अच्छा लगता है जब वह खिलाड़ियों को भड़कीली पोशाकें पहने हुए मैदान में उतरते देखता है। उसे तब भी अच्छा लगता है जब वे खेल में एक-दूसरे को चोट पहुंचाते हैं और घायल कर देते हैं।
किन्तु कवि एक पैदाइशी दर्शक है। वह कहता है कि उसकी कमज़ोर और लज्जालु आत्मा दूसरे लोगों के वीरतापूर्ण कारनामों को देखकर ही सन्तुष्ट रहना पसन्द करती है। एक खिलाड़ी विजय के अंक प्राप्त करने के लिए नब्बे गज़ की दौड़ दौड़ता है। एक दूसरा किसी चैम्पियन तक को धराशायी कर देता है। कोई अन्य घुड़सवारी में विजयोपहार प्राप्त करने के लिए अपनी पीठ के मनकों और रीढ़ की हड्डी को भी खतरे में डाल देता है। कोई यह सोच सकता है कि इन वीरतापूर्ण क्रियाओं को देख कर कवि का अपना अभिमान जागृत हो उठेगा।
तब वह भी इन मुकाबलों में एक भागीदार बनना चाहेगा। कवि कहता है कि उसका अहंकार शायद किसी खिलाड़ी या पहलवान के साथ जगह बदलने में खुशी महसूस करे। किन्तु उनका खेल उसे बहुत क्रूरता भरा प्रतीत होता है। अपने खेल में वे एक-दूसरे की भावनाओं के प्रति कोई आदर नहीं दिखलाते हैं। पैदाइशी दर्शक कहता है कि उसके अहम् और उसकी समझदारी के बीच प्रायः एक विवाद खड़ा हो जाता है।
उसका अहंकार उसे एक सर्वविजयी खिलाड़ी बनने को प्रेरित करता है, किन्तु उसकी समझदारी उसे ऐसा करने से रोकती है। मुक्केबाज़ी में एक मुक्केबाज़ का कठोर कसा हुआ चूंसा विरोधी की सूजी हुई आँख पर प्रहार करता है। दूसरे खेलों में भी घुटने टूट जाते हैं और कलाइयां चटक जाती हैं। जब यह सारी हिंसा होती है तो अधिकारी लोग घायल खिलाड़ियों के लिए कोई विशेष चिन्ता व्यक्त नहीं करते हैं।
वे मात्र एक भावना रहित स्वर में पूछते हैं कि क्या कोई डॉक्टर दर्शक-दीर्घा में बैठा हुआ है। इन सभी बातों को देख कर पैदाइशी दर्शक ईश्वर का धन्यवाद करता है कि उसने उसके कमज़ोर शरीर को इस तरह के खतरों और जोखिमों से सुरक्षित रखा हुआ है। अन्ततः उन सभी जोखिमों और खतरों को ध्यान में रखते हुए, जिनका सामना खिलाड़ियों को करना पड़ता है, कवि यह निश्चय करता है कि वह सदा एक दर्शक ही बना रहेगा।
वह कहता है कि वह खिलाड़ियों के स्वास्थ्य के लिए शुभकामनाएँ दे सकता है। वह उनके साथ बैठ कर भोजन कर सकता है, परन्तु वह उनके साथ खेल-मुकाबला कभी नहीं कर सकता। उनका खेल देखने के लिए वह भारी कीमत पर टिकट खरीद सकता है। किन्तु वह उनके साथ जगह बदलने की बात कभी नहीं सोच सकता है। कवि अपने मन में फिर से यह निश्चय दोहराता है कि न तो खिलाड़ी लोग उसके जैसा बनें और न ही वह उनमें से किसी एक के जैसा बने।
Confessions of a Born Spectator Poem Translation in Hindi
(Lines 1-6)
One infant grows up and becomes a jockey,
Another plays basketball or hockey,
This one the prize ring hates to enter,
that one becomes a tackle or centre,
I am just as glad as glad can be
That I’m not them, that they’re not me.
Explanation : One child grows up and becomes a professional horse rider. Another plays basketball or hockey. This one hates to enter the boxing ring. That one loves to play rugby at a particular position in the field. But the poet (or the born spectator) feels most glad to think that he is not any one of them, or that they are not like him.
कोई बच्चा बड़ा होकर पेशेवर घुड़सवार बन जाता है। कोई दूसरा बास्किटबॉल अथवा हॉकी खेलने लगता है। इधर एक बच्चा मुक्केबाजी के अखाड़े में प्रवेश करने से घृणा करता है। उधर दूसरा बच्चा खेल-मैदान में किसी विशेष स्थिति पर रगबी खेलना पसन्द करता है। किन्तु कवि (अथवा पैदाइशी दर्शक) को यह सोच कर अत्यन्त प्रसन्नता अनुभव होती है कि वह उनके जैसा नहीं है, अथवा यह कि वे उसके जैसे नहीं हैं।
(Lines 7-12)
With all my heart do I admire
Athletes who sweat for fun or hire,
Who take the field in gaudy pomp,
And maim each other as they romp,
My limp and bashful spirit feeds
On other people’s heroic deeds.
Explanation : The born spectator says that he admires all sorts of athletes – those who play for fun and also those who play for money. He likes to see the players enter the field in their showy dresses. He also likes to see them injure each other in their play. The born spectator says that his weak and shy spirit loves to feed on the heroic deeds of other people. He himself would never take part in them.
पैदाइशी दर्शक कहता है कि वह सभी तरह के खिलाड़ियों की प्रशंसा करता है – जो मनोरंजन के लिए खेलते हैं और वे भी जो पैसे के लिए खेलते हैं। उसे अच्छा लगता है जब वह खिलाड़ियों को भड़कीली पोशाकें पहने हुए मैदान में उतरते देखता है। उसे तब भी अच्छा लगता है जब वे खेल में एक-दूसरे को घायल कर देते हैं। पैदाइशी दर्शक कहता है कि उसकी कमज़ोर और लज्जालु आत्मा दूसरे लोगों के वीरतापूर्ण कारनामों को देखकर ही सन्तुष्ट रहना पसन्द करती है। वह स्वयं उनमें कभी भाग लेना पसन्द नहीं करता है।
(Lines 13-18)
Now A runs ninety yards to score,
B knocks the champion to the floor.
C risking vertebrae and spine,
Lashes his steed across the line,
You’d think my ego it would please
To swap positions with one of these.
Explanation : One player runs ninety yards to score a victory. Another knocks down even a champion. Another endangers his vertebrae and spine to win a prize in horse riding. One might think that the born spectator’s ego might like to change places with one of these prize fighters.
एक खिलाड़ी विजय प्राप्त करने के लिए नब्बे गज़ की दौड़ दौड़ता है। एक दूसरा खिलाड़ी किसी योद्धा तक को भी धराशायी कर देता है। कोई अन्य घुड़सवारी में विजयोपहार प्राप्त करने के लिए अपने पीठ के मनकों और रीढ़ की हड्डी को भी खतरे में डाल देता है। कोई यह सोच सकता है कि पैदाइशी दर्शक का अहम् शायद इन खिलाड़ियों में से किसी एक के साथ अपना स्थान बदलने की इच्छा रखता हो।
(Lines 19-24)
Well, ego might be pleased enough,
But zealous athletes play so rough,
They do not ever, in their dealings
Consider one another’s feelings.
I’m glad that when my struggle begins
‘Twixt prudence and ego, prudence wins.
Explanation : The born spectator says that his ego might be pleased to change places with some player or athlete, but their game seems to him to be very rough. In their play, they show no regard for one another’s feelings. The born spectator says that often a struggle begins between his ego and his prudence. His ego goads him to become a champion, but his prudence restrains him from doing so. He feels glad that his prudence wins in the end.
पैदाइशी दर्शक कहता है कि उसका अहम् शायद किसी खिलाड़ी या पहलवान के साथ जगह बदलने में खुशी महसूस करे, किन्तु उनका खेल उसे बहुत क्रूरता वाला प्रतीत होता है। अपने खेल में वे एक-दूसरे की भावनाओं के प्रति कोई आदर नहीं दिखलाते हैं। पैदाइशी दर्शक कहता है कि उसके अहम् और उसकी समझदारी के बीच प्रायः एक विवाद खड़ा हो जाता है। उसका अहम् उसे एक सर्वविजयी खिलाड़ी बनने को प्रेरित करता है, किन्तु उसकी समझदारी उसे ऐसा करने से रोकती है। उसे प्रसन्नता महसूस होती है कि अन्त में उसकी समझदारी जीत जाती है।
(Lines 25–30)
When swollen eye meets gnarled fist
When snaps the knee, and cracks the wrist,
When calm officialdom demands
Is there a doctor in the stands ?
My soul in true thanksgiving speaks
For this most modest of physiques.
Explanation : In boxing, the hard clenched fist of one boxer strikes at the swollen eye of the opponent. In other games, too, knees are broken and wrists are cracked. While all this violence goes on, the officials show no great concern for the injured players. They merely ask in an indifferent tone if there is any doctor in the stands. Seeing all this the born spectator feels thankful to God for keeping his weak body safe from such dangers and risks.
मुक्केबाजी में एक मुक्केबाज़ का कठोर कसा हुआ चूंसा विरोधी की सूजी हुई आँख पर प्रहार करता है। दूसरे खेलों में भी घुटने टूट जाते हैं और कलाइयां चटक जाती हैं। जब यह सब हिंसा हो रही होती है तो अधिकारी लोग घायल खिलाड़ियों के लिए कोई विशेष चिन्ता व्यक्त नहीं करते हैं। वे मात्र एक भावना-रहित स्वर में पूछते हैं कि क्या कोई डॉक्टर दर्शक-दीर्घा में बैठा हुआ है। इन सभी बातों को देख कर पैदाइशी दर्शक ईश्वर का धन्यवाद करता है कि उसने उसके कमज़ोर शरीर को इस तरह के खतरों और जोखिमों से सुरक्षित रखा हुआ है।
(Lines 31-37)
Athletes, I’ll drink to you
Or eat with you,
Or anything except compete with you,
Buy tickets worth their weight in radium,
To watch you gambol in a stadium
And reassure myself anew
That you’re not me and I’m not you.
Explanation : Keeping all the above-mentioned things in view, the born spectator has decided to remain a spectator and never to become a player. He says that he will gladly drink to the health of athletes and also dine with them. He is willing to do anything with them except compete with them. In order to watch their game, he is even prepared to buy tickets worth their weight in radium. But he can never think of changing places with them. The born spectator reassures himself afresh that neither the athletes takes his place nor he becomes one of them.
उपर्युक्त सभी बातों को ध्यान में रखते हुए पैदाइशी दर्शक ने सदा एक दर्शक ही बना रहने और कभी एक खिलाड़ी न बनने का निश्चय कर लिया है। वह कहता है कि वह खिलाड़ियों के स्वास्थ्य के लिए शुभकामना व्यक्त करने के लिए प्रसन्नतापूर्वक प्याले टकरा सकता है और उनके साथ भोजन भी कर सकता है। वह उनके साथ खेलमुकाबला करने के अतिरिक्त कोई भी अन्य बात करने को तैयार है। उनका खेल देखने के लिए वह टिकटों के भार के बराबर रेडियम का मूल्य देने को भी तैयार है। किन्तु वह उनके साथ जगह बदलने की बात कभी नहीं सोच सकता है। पैदाइशी दर्शक अपने मन में फिर से यह निश्चय दोहराता है कि न तो खिलाड़ी लोग उसकी जगह लें और न ही वह उनमें से किसी एक जैसा बने।
Confessions of a Born Spectator Central Idea Of The Poem in English
In this, poem the poet makes fun of athletes. But the fun is light-hearted. It is not meant to be taken seriously. The poet loves to watch the players in various contests. But he never thinks of taking part in them himself. He does not want to have his bones broken and his body injured. He is content to remain a spectator ‘That you’re not me and I’m not you.’
Confessions of a Born Spectator Central Idea Of The Poem in Hindi
इस कविता में कवि खिलाड़ियों का मज़ाक उड़ाता है। किन्तु मज़ाक हल्का-फुल्का है। इसे गम्भीरतापूर्वक नहीं लिया जाना चाहिए। कवि भिन्न-भिन्न स्पर्धाओं में खिलाड़ियों को देखना पसन्द करता है। किन्तु वह स्वयं उनमें भाग लेने के सम्बन्ध में कभी नहीं सोचता है। वह अपनी हड्डियों को तुड़वाना और अपने शरीर को घायल नहीं करवाना चाहता है। वह एक दर्शक बना रहने में ही सन्तुष्ट है – इस बात में कि ‘आप मैं नहीं हो, और मैं आप