Vocation by Rabindranath Tagore

When the gong sounds ten in the morning and I walk to school by our
lane.
Every day I meet the hawker crying, 'Bangles, crystal
bangles! '
There is nothing to hurry him on, there is no road he must
take, no place he must go to, no time when he must come home.
I wish I were a hawker, spending my day in the road, crying,
'Bangles, crystal bangles! '
When at four in the afternoon I come back from the school,
I can see through the gate of that house the gardener digging
the ground.
He does what he likes with his spade, he soils his clothes
with dust, nobody takes him to task if he gets baked in the sun or
gets wet.
I wish I were a gardener digging away at the garden with
nobody to stop me from digging.
Just as it gets dark in the evening and my mother sends me to bed,
I can see through my open window the watchman walking up and
down.
The lane is dark and lonely, and the street-lamp stands like
a giant with one red eye in its head.
The watchman swings his lantern and walks with his shadow at
his side, and never once goes to bed in his life.
I wish I were a watchman walking the streets all night,
chasing the shadows with my lantern.

1. Introduction to the Poem:

 The poem is called "Vocation" and it's written by Rabindranath Tagore.

 It talks about a child's thoughts and wishes as they walk to school.

2. Encounter with the Hawker:

 Every day, the child meets a hawker who sells bangles.

 The hawker's job seems carefree - he doesn't have a strict schedule or a place
he must go to.
 The child wishes they could be like the hawker, spending the day on the road
selling bangles.

3. Observing the Gardener:

  When the child returns from school in the afternoon, they see a gardener
working.
 The gardener is free to do what he likes with his spade, getting dirty without
anyone scolding him.
 The child wishes they could be a gardener, digging in the garden without
anyone stopping them.

4. Watching the Watchman:

 In the evening, as the child is sent to bed by their mother, they see a watchman
outside.
 The lane is dark and lonely, with only a streetlamp providing light.
 The watchman walks all night, carrying a lantern and chasing shadows.
 The child wishes they could be the watchman, walking the streets all night
with a lantern.

5. Conclusion:

 The poem ends with the child expressing their wishes to be like the hawker,
the gardener, and the watchman.
 Each occupation symbolizes freedom and independence from the routine of
school and home.
 The child dreams of a life where they can choose their own path and work
without constraints

Word Meanings
1. Vocation: A person's job or occupation; what they do for a living.

2. Hawker: Someone who sells goods, usually by calling out to people in the street.

3. Bangles: Bracelets that are worn around the wrist, usually made of metal, glass, or
plastic.

4. Crystal: A type of clear, shiny material that can be shaped into jewelry or
decorations.

5. Gardener: A person who takes care of a garden, planting and maintaining flowers,
plants, and trees.

6. Spade: A tool with a flat metal blade and a long handle, used for digging.

7. Soils: Gets dirty or covered in soil (dirt).

8. Reprimand: To scold or criticize someone, usually for doing something wrong.

9. Watchman: A person whose job is to guard or patrol an area, often at night.

10. Swings: Moves back and forth or side to side.

11. Lonely: Feeling sad because one is alone or isolated.

12. Street-lamp: A tall light that is usually placed at intervals along streets or roads to
provide illumination at night.

13. Giant: Something very large or big.

14. Shadow: A dark area or shape caused by an object blocking light.

15. Lantern: A portable light source, often with a transparent case protecting the flame.

16. Chasing: Running after or pursuing something or someone.

17. Constraints: Limits or restrictions that hold someone back from doing what they
want.