Malu Bhalu — Class 5 English (CBSE)
From the current Class 5 English Marigold textbook. Read the poem about a brave polar bear cub learning to swim, then attempt the practice questions.
1. About the poem
'Malu Bhalu' is a poem about a little polar bear cub named Malu who lives in the snowy Arctic. Malu is curious and brave. The poem follows her journey as she learns to swim — a skill every polar bear needs to survive. Her mother encourages her, and after some hesitation, Malu dives into the cold water and discovers she can swim. The poem celebrates courage, learning new things, and the love between a mother and her cub.
2. The poem (summary)
Malu is a little polar bear who lives in the icy Arctic with her mother. She watches the other polar bears swimming and wants to try. At first, she is scared of the cold water. Her mother gently encourages her, telling her that she can do it. Finally, Malu gathers her courage and jumps into the water. To her delight, she can swim! She is proud of herself, and her mother is proud too.
The poem is about growing up, trying new things, and the support that parents give their children. It also teaches children that it is okay to be scared at first — what matters is that you try.
3. Theme and values
| Theme | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Courage | Malu overcomes her fear and tries swimming. |
| Growing up | Learning new skills is part of growing up. |
| Mother's love | Malu's mother encourages and supports her. |
| Perseverance | Keep trying — you may succeed. |
| Nature | The poem describes polar bears and the Arctic environment. |
Values to learn
- It is okay to be scared when trying something new.
- With encouragement, you can overcome your fears.
- Parents and teachers are there to support you.
- Practice helps you learn new skills.
- Be proud of your achievements.
4. Poetic devices
Rhyme scheme
The poem has a regular rhyme scheme that creates a gentle, encouraging rhythm — like a mother soothing her cub.
Imagery
The poet creates vivid Arctic images:
- Snow and ice everywhere.
- A little white polar bear cub.
- The cold, blue water.
- Malu's first splash and swim.
Personification
Malu and the other polar bears are given human feelings and thoughts. This helps readers connect with the animals emotionally.
Dialogue
The mother polar bear speaks words of encouragement, adding warmth to the poem.
5. Key vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bhalu | Bear (in Hindi) |
| Cub | A young bear or other animal |
| Arctic | The icy region around the North Pole |
| Brave | Willing to face danger or difficulty |
| Curious | Wanting to know or learn new things |
| Hesitate | To pause because of uncertainty or fear |
| Encourage | To give someone confidence |
| Splash | The sound or action of entering water |
| Glide | To move smoothly and easily |
| Proud | Feeling pleased about an achievement |
6. Reading comprehension
Questions to think about while reading
- Where does Malu live?
- What does Malu want to learn?
- How does Malu feel before jumping into the water?
- How does Malu's mother help her?
- How does Malu feel after she learns to swim?
Understanding the journey
Malu's journey from fear to success is a pattern all children can relate to. The poem shows that with encouragement and practice, you can learn anything. The pride Malu feels is the reward for her courage.
7. Writing practice
Prompt 1: Describe a time when you were scared to try something new but succeeded. How did you feel before and after?
Prompt 2: Write a short paragraph about a skill you learned recently (cycling, swimming, writing in cursive). Who helped you?
Prompt 3: Imagine you are Malu's mother. Write a few words of encouragement you would say to Malu before her first swim.
8. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Not knowing that 'Bhalu' means 'bear' in Hindi Fix: The title 'Malu Bhalu' means 'Malu the Bear'. The poet uses a Hindi word.
- Mistake: Thinking the poem is only about polar bears Fix: The polar bear is a metaphor for any child learning something new. The poem applies to all children.
- Mistake: Forgetting to mention the mother's role Fix: The mother's encouragement is a key part of the poem. Mention her support in your answers.
9. Self-test
- What does 'Bhalu' mean?
- Where does Malu live?
- What does Malu learn to do in the poem?
- How does Malu feel before she jumps into the water?
- Who encourages Malu to try swimming?
10. Answer key
-
What does 'Bhalu' mean? Answer: 'Bhalu' means 'bear' in Hindi.
-
Where does Malu live? Answer: Malu lives in the Arctic (the icy, snowy region at the North Pole).
-
What does Malu learn to do in the poem? Answer: Malu learns to swim in the cold Arctic water.
-
How does Malu feel before she jumps into the water? Answer: Malu is scared and hesitant. The cold water is intimidating at first.
-
Who encourages Malu to try swimming? Answer: Malu's mother encourages her and gives her the confidence to try.
11. Quick revision
- Title meaning: 'Malu Bhalu' means 'Malu the Bear'.
- Setting: The Arctic (snow, ice, cold water).
- Central theme: Courage, learning new skills, mother's support.
- Key message: It is okay to be scared. What matters is that you try.
- Poetic devices: Imagery, personification, dialogue, rhyme.
- Malu's journey: Fear -> Encouragement -> Success -> Pride.
- Connect to your own experiences of learning something new.
- Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.
