Something Told the Wild Geese
Rachel Field is an American poet. He is known for writing simple yet thoughtful (চিন্তাশীল) poems about nature and life. His “Something Told the Wild Geese” is a short but meaningful রঅর্থপূর্ণ) nature poem (প্রকৃতি বিষয়ক কবিতা).
In this poem, the poet describes how wild geese know exactly (ঠিক ঠি ভাবে) when to migrate (এক যায়গা থেকে অন্য যায়গায় চলে যাওয়া) from warm lands to safer places before winter begins. Although nature around (চারপাশে) them still looks pleasant (আনন্দদায়ক)—golden fields (সোনালী মাঠ), green leaves (সবুজ পাতা), ripe berries (পাকা বেরি ফল)—the geese feel an inner (অন্তরের) warning (সতর্ক বার্তা). This warning is not spoken aloud (উচ্চস্বরে বলা হয়নি); it is an instinct (সহজাত প্রবৃত্তি), a natural voice (প্রাকৃতিক কন্ঠস্বর) inside (ভেতরে) them that tells them danger (winter) is coming.
Through this simple scene (এই সাধারণ দৃশ্যের মাধ্যমে), the poet highlights (দৃষ্টিগোচর করা) an important idea: nature has its own wisdom (নিজস্ব বুদ্ধি), and living beings (জীবিত প্রাণিরা) often understand (বুঝতে পারে) future danger (ভবিশ্বত বিপদ) before it becomes visible (দৃশ্যমান হওয়ার আগে).
Stanza 1
It was time to go. Though the fields lay golden Something whispered (ফিসফিস করে বলল), "snow".
🟩 Word Meaning:
- Something: An inner voice or natural instinct, a mysterious natural signal
- Geese (বুনো হাঁস): wild birds that fly in groups
- Golden fields (সোনালি মাঠ): fields full of ripe crops
- Whispered (ফিসফিস করে বলা): spoke very softly
- Snow (তুষার): white frozen rain
Paraphrase:
Something (an inner voice or natural instinct) told the wild geese that it was time to leave their home. The fields still looked beautiful and golden after harvest. But a quiet warning told them that snow was coming soon. [কিছু একটা (অন্তরের কন্ঠস্বর অথবা সহজাত প্রবৃত্তি) বুনো হাঁসদের বলল যে এখন যাওয়ার সময় হয়েছে। ফসল কাটার পরে মাঠ তখনও সুন্দর আর সোনালী ছিলো। কিন্তু একটা নিরব সতর্কতা তাদের বলল যে তাড়াতাড়ি শীত আসছে।]
Explanation of Metaphors & Deep Words:
“Something told / whispered / cautioned”
- Here the word 'something' stands for a mysterious natural signal. It represents instinct or the voice we hear in our hear. It is not a real sound, but a natural warning system.
- The words “told / whispered / cautioned” are not a real sound, but a natural warning system.
- “Golden fields” is a symbol of beauty, abundance, and comfort. It shows that danger can exist even when things look safe.
Stanza 2
Berries (ফলগুলো), lustre-glossed (ঝকঝকে উজ্জ্বল ছিল), But beneath (নিচে) warm feathers (উষ্ণ পালকের) Something cautioned (সতর্ক করে বলল), “frost (বরফ আসছে).”
🟩 Word Meaning:
- Stirring (দোলানো, নড়াচড়া করা) moving gently
- Berries (ছোট ছোট ফল) small round fruits
- Lustre-glossed (চকচকে, উজ্জ্বল) shiny, polished
- Beneath (নিচে) under
- Feathers (পালক) the soft covering of birds
- Cautioned (সাবধান করা) warned
- Frost (তুষারপাত, ঠান্ডা বরফ) thin ice on surfaces
Paraphrase:
The leaves were still green and moving in the breeze, and the berries were shiny and ripe. They showed that summer was still there. The world was still warm and lovely. Yet, under their warm feathers, the geese felt a warning that cold frost was approaching. [পাতাগুলো তখনো সবুজ ছিলো এবং সেগুলো মৃদু হাওয়ায় দুলছিলো, আর বেরি ফলগুলো ছিলো পাকা আর উজ্জ্বল। এটিতে বোঝা যাচ্ছিলো যে তখনও গ্রীষ্মকাল ছিলো। যায়গাটা তখনও ছিলো উষ্ণ আর মনোরম। তা সত্ত্বেও, হাসগুলো তাদের উষ্ণ পালকের নিচে একটা সতর্ক সংকেত অনুভব করলো যে হাড় হিম করা শীত আসছে।]
The phrase “beneath warm feathers” shows that the warning is felt internally, it cannot be seen. ["উষ্ণ পালকের নীচে" বাক্যাংশটি দেখায় যে সতর্কতাটি অভ্যন্তরীণভাবে অনুভূত হয়, এটি দেখা যায় না।]
- “Beneath warm feathers” suggests an inner feeling or deep awareness which is not visible.
- “Frost” means cold weather or frozen dew. In this poem, it has also a deep metaphoric meaning. Here frost means danger. The birds realize that frost is coming. It indicates that if they do not leave the place in time, they will fall in danger.
Stanza 3
Steamed (ভরে ছিল) with amber (অ্যাম্বার রঙের) spice (মিষ্টি ঘ্রাণে), But each wild breast (বন্য রাজহাঁসের বুক) stiffened (শক্ত হয়ে উঠল) At remembered ice (আগের শীতের বরফের স্মৃতিতে).
🟩 Word Meaning:
- Sagging নুয়ে পড়া (bending down from weight)
- Orchards ফলের বাগান (gardens of fruit trees)
- Amber সোনালি-বাদামি রঙ (yellow-brown color)
- Spice মসলা, গন্ধ (pleasant strong smell)
- Stiffened শক্ত হয়ে যাওয়া (became hard or tense)
- Remembered মনে পড়া (recalled)
Paraphrase:
The orchards were heavy with ripe fruits. Fruits were hanging and give off a warm, sweet smell. However, the hearts of the geese became tense when they remembered the painful cold of past winters. []
It shows that memory or experience helps creatures to survive. The geese learn from memory, just like humans. []
Explanation of Metaphors & Deep Words:
- “Amber spice” suggests warmth, richness, and late summer.
- “Remembered ice” is a symbol of past suffering and experience. It shows that memory or experience helps creatures make wise decisions for survival. The geese learn from memory, just like humans.
Stanza 4
It was time to fly. Summer sun (গ্রীষ্মের রোদ) was on their wings (তাদের ডানায় লেগে আছে), Winter in their cry (তাদের ডাকের ভেতরে আছে শীতের সুর).
🟩 Word Meaning:
- Fly উড়া (move through the air)
- Cry ডাক, চিৎকার (call or sound of a bird)
Paraphrase & Explanation:
Once again, the inner voice told the geese to fly away. Though the warmth of summer were still touching their wings, their minds were feeling the fearful warning of winter. So, they were preparing to leave their place and fly away. []
Explanation of Metaphors & Deep Words:
- “Winter in their cry” means future danger. The cry reflects knowledge of what is coming. The geese leave before winter arrives. []
Theme of the Poem
The central theme of the poem is natural instinct and foresight. Rachel Field shows that animals, especially birds, possess a deep inner wisdom that helps them survive. Even when nature appears friendly and warm, the wild geese sense danger ahead and act wisely. []
The poem teaches an important lesson:
True wisdom lies in listening to inner warnings, learning from experience, and preparing for the future before it is too late.
This simple nature poem therefore carries a deep message about awareness, survival, and the intelligence of nature. []
Questions and Answers
1. Who wrote the poem “Something Told the Wild Geese”?
Answer: Rachel Field wrote the poem “Something Told the Wild Geese”. She was an American poet who loved nature and its beauty.
2. What did something tell the wild geese?
Answer: An inner voice or natural instinct told the wild geese that it was time to leave their home. Even though the fields still looked beautiful and golden after harvest, a quiet warning told them that snow was coming soon.
Answer: The fields were golden and beautiful. The leaves were still green and moving in the breeze, and the berries were shiny and ripe.
The orchards were heavy with ripe fruits. Fruits were hanging and giving off a warm, sweet smell. However, the hearts of the geese became tense when they remembered the painful cold of past winters.
Answer: The leaves were still green and moving in the breeze, and the berries were shiny and ripe. They showed that summer was still there. The world was still warm and lovely. Yet, under their warm feathers, the geese felt a warning that cold frost was approaching.
5. What does the word “frost” mean here?
Answer: “Frost” means cold weather or frozen dew. In this poem, it has also a deep metaphoric meaning. Here frost means danger. The birds realize that frost is coming. It indicates that if they do not leave the place in time, they will fall in danger.
6. Why did the wild geese stiffen their breasts?
Answer: They stiffened their breast because they remembered the cold of ice.
Once again, the inner voice told the geese to fly away. Though the warmth of summer were still touching their wings, their minds were feeling the fearful warning of winter. So, they were preparing to leave their place and fly away. They stiffened because they remembered the cold of ice.
Answer: The winter was coming soon. That is why the geese decided to fly away.
8. Why did the geese fly away even when the sun was shining?
Answer: They knew the sunshine would not last long. Their hearts told them that cold days were near. So, the geese flew away even when the sun was shining.
9. What is the main message of the poem?
Answer: The poem teaches that nature guides all living things. It tells us to listen to our inner sense and be ready for change.
10. How does the poem make you feel?
Answer: It makes me feel calm and thoughtful. It shows the beauty and wisdom of nature.
11. What makes the geese decide to leave?
Answer: The inner voice told the geese to fly away. Though the warmth of summer were still touching their wings, their minds were feeling the fearful warning of winter. So, they were preparing to leave their place and fly away.
Answer: In the poem, the wild geese symbolize all living things in nature. They show how all living things in nature listen and prepare for change. They act not just by what they see, but by what they feel and remember.
The geese also symbolize readiness and wisdom — they know when to leave even if things seem fine now.
They may also symbolize people who must act before danger comes and not wait until it is too late.
Answer: From the poem, we learn that we should be alert and aware of signs around us, even when everything seems good. It is wise to prepare for bad times before they (bad times) come.
Sometimes our mind can understand what is going to happen. We should not ignore these inner feelings or warnings.
14. What is the central theme of the poem “Something Told the Wild Geese”?
Answer: The central theme is change and preparedness in nature. It teaches us that life keeps changing, and we must adjust to new times just like the geese. It also shows us that the appearance can be different from reality. What seems pleasant can hide danger.
15. In the poem “Something Told the Wild Geese”, what does the poet refer to by ‘something’?
Answer: The word “something” means a soft voice of nature or inner feeling. It is like a small warning that tells the geese to fly away before winter. It is not a person — it is nature speaking quietly to the geese. By “something,” the poet means a mysterious voice, instinct, or inner warning from nature.
16. What does the poem “Something Told the Wild Geese” describe?
Answer: The poem describes how wild geese understand that winter is coming. They feel an inner voice telling them it is time to fly away. It shows how nature gives animals the wisdom to know when to move.
17. What did the “something” tell the wild geese?
Answer: It told the wild geese that it was time to go or fly away. The weather still looked warm, but they felt that snow was coming. Their instinct helped them understand the change in season.
18. What was the condition of the fields when the geese were told to go?
Answer: The fields were still golden with ripe crops. Everything looked bright and beautiful, not cold yet. But the geese knew that soon snow would cover the land.
19. What did the leaves and berries look like?
Answer: The leaves were green and moving in the wind. The berries were bright and shiny, full of color. The nature around still seemed warm and full of life.
20. What was happening beneath the warm feathers of the geese?
Answer: Something inside the geese was warning them about the coming frost. Though their bodies were warm, their minds felt the cold season near. It was their natural instinct speaking to them.
21. What happened to the orchards?
Answer: The orchards were heavy with fruits and bent down. They filled the air with a sweet and spicy smell. Yet, even with this richness, the geese felt winter approaching.
22. Why did each wild breast stiffen?
Answer: Their breasts stiffened because they remembered the cold and ice of the past winter. The memory made them ready to face it again. So, they prepared to leave for a warmer place.
23. What does “Summer sun was on their wings” mean?
Answer: It means the geese flew away while the weather was still warm. The sunshine touched their wings as they rose into the sky. But even then, they knew winter was coming soon.
24. What does “Winter in their cry” suggest?
Answer: It means that although everything in nature looked warm and beautiful, the could understand that things would soon change and winter would come with snow and ice. So, it would be difficult for the birds to live there. So, their voices carried a feeling of coldness and goodbye.
25. What is the main message or hidden meaning of the poem?
Answer: The poem teaches that nature gives every creature wisdom to prepare for change. The geese listen to their inner voice and act before danger comes. It tells us to trust our instincts and live in harmony with nature’s rhythm.