This page features a video of the poem “The Pencil’s Story”, prescribed under the Karnataka State Syllabus for 9th Standard English First Language. Along with its summary in three languages and transliterated songs. It serves as a valuable learning resource for students and parents, with each song accompanied by its respective lyrics for easy sing-along. The synchronized lyrics help learners follow and recite the song as it progresses, making memorization and learning by heart easier, more effective, and enjoyable.
Lyrics
English
I am a little pencil, and my name is H and B,
I lie upon the mantlepiece for everyone to see;
I’m handled forty times a day, it is a weary life,
And when my wits are rather dull I’m sharpened with a knife!
I scrawl when Tommy has me, and I draw all sorts of things,
From submarines and aeroplanes to cabbages and kings;
I write a lovely letter when Miss Phvllis is about,
And if by chance I make mistakes Miss Phyllis rubs them out.
And if I slip and tumble down I’m certain to be missed,
For mother wants me badly when she does the washing-list,
And Father makes me keep the score when he begins to play
I’m just a little pencil, but I have a busy day.
I really never am allowed to grow up as I ought,
I’m getting shorter everyday (it’s awful to be short).
And when the knife begins on me I ache in every joint,
I put it in that way because you’re sure to see the point.
I’m very glad I’m useful, though my speech is always dark,
But every time they handle me I always make my mark!
But sorrow seems to follow me in spite of many a friend,
For when I’m meditating I am bitten at the end.
I am a little pencil, and my name is H and B,
I lie upon the mantlepiece for everyone to see;
I’m getting shorter every day, and every day I’m older,
And when my last few hours have come they’ll put me in a holder!
I lie upon the mantlepiece for everyone to see;
I’m handled forty times a day, it is a weary life,
And when my wits are rather dull I’m sharpened with a knife!
I scrawl when Tommy has me, and I draw all sorts of things,
From submarines and aeroplanes to cabbages and kings;
I write a lovely letter when Miss Phvllis is about,
And if by chance I make mistakes Miss Phyllis rubs them out.
And if I slip and tumble down I’m certain to be missed,
For mother wants me badly when she does the washing-list,
And Father makes me keep the score when he begins to play
I’m just a little pencil, but I have a busy day.
I really never am allowed to grow up as I ought,
I’m getting shorter everyday (it’s awful to be short).
And when the knife begins on me I ache in every joint,
I put it in that way because you’re sure to see the point.
I’m very glad I’m useful, though my speech is always dark,
But every time they handle me I always make my mark!
But sorrow seems to follow me in spite of many a friend,
For when I’m meditating I am bitten at the end.
I am a little pencil, and my name is H and B,
I lie upon the mantlepiece for everyone to see;
I’m getting shorter every day, and every day I’m older,
And when my last few hours have come they’ll put me in a holder!
Summary
The poem presents a little pencil describing its busy daily life in a humorous way. Although it is handled many times and becomes tired, it is happy that it is useful to people. Tommy uses it for drawing many things, while Miss Phyllis uses it for writing letters and correcting mistakes. The pencil also helps the mother with her washing list and the father while keeping score in games. As it grows shorter each day and finally reaches the end of its life, the pencil continues to take pride in the marks it makes.
Author
Florence Hoatson