Samacheer Kalvi Class 11 English Solutions Poem 1 Once Upon A Time

1. Based on your understanding of the poem answer the following questions in one or two sentences each:

Question i. What do you associate with the title of the poem?
Answer: The poem's title reminds us of old fables where good ideas and feelings were common, not just in society but also in people's hearts. It suggests a time when things were simpler and more sincere.
In simple words: The title makes us think of old stories where people were truly good and kind.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for associations with a title, link it to the core themes or settings the title evokes in stories or common phrases.

Question ii. What is the relationship between the narrator and the listener?
Answer: The narrator of the poem is a father, and the person listening to him is his son. This father-son relationship forms the basis of the entire conversation in the poem.
In simple words: The narrator is the father, and the listener is his son.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying the relationship between characters helps understand the tone and purpose of their dialogue.

Question iii. What happens to the poet when he visits someone for the third time?
Answer: When the poet visits someone for the third time, the door is closed on his face, meaning he is not welcomed inside. This shows that people only pretend to be welcoming for a short time.
In simple words: On the third visit, the poet finds the door shut, showing he is no longer welcome.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to specific actions and their consequences in the poem, as they often reveal deeper meanings about human behavior.

Question iv. Pick out the expressions that indicate conflicting ideas.
Answer: The expressions that show conflicting ideas are:

• To say "Goodbye" when one actually means "Good-riddance".
• To say "Glad to meet you" while not truly feeling glad.
• To say "It's been nice talking to you" after feeling bored.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to identify conflicting ideas, look for phrases where the outward expression differs from the inner intention.

Question v. How does the poet compare his face with dresses?
Answer: The poet compares his face to dresses because, just like one changes clothes daily according to trends and seasons, he changes his facial expressions. He has a different "face" for various situations, such as for the office, home, friends, parties, and the street, showing a lack of genuine self. This constant change reflects how he adapts himself to different social roles.
In simple words: The poet changes his face like changing clothes, having different expressions for work, home, friends, or parties.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify metaphors and similes in poetry. Explaining the comparison helps show your understanding of the poet's message.

Question vi. What does the poet mean when he says "goodbye"?
Answer: When the poet says "goodbye", he actually means "good-riddance", indicating that he is happy for the person to leave. This reveals the insincere nature of his social interactions.
In simple words: When the poet says "goodbye", he truly means he is glad the person is leaving.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand how sarcasm or irony is used to convey a deeper, often opposite, meaning than what is literally said.

Question vii. What pleasantries does the poet use to fake cordiality?
Answer: The poet uses several pleasantries to pretend to be friendly. He says "glad to meet you" even when the visit is bothering him. If a conversation is boring, he says "It's nice talking to you". He also says "Goodbye" when he really wishes for "good riddance". All these phrases are used to fake friendliness and politeness. These are common social masks people wear.
In simple words: The poet uses polite phrases like "glad to meet you" and "nice talking to you" and "goodbye" even when he doesn't mean them, just to seem friendly.

🎯 Exam Tip: When analyzing fake pleasantries, focus on the contrast between the words spoken and the actual feelings implied.

Question viii. What does he desire to unlearn and relearn?
Answer: The poet desires to unlearn all the false and artificial behaviors he has picked up as an adult. He wants to relearn the genuine and innocent qualities he had during his childhood. He yearns for a return to true feelings and natural expressions.
In simple words: He wants to stop fake adult behaviors and learn to be truly honest and innocent like a child again.

🎯 Exam Tip: The poet's longing to "unlearn" and "relearn" highlights the theme of lost innocence and the desire for authenticity.

Question ix. How is the poet's laugh reflected in the mirror?
Answer: In the mirror, the poet's laugh only shows his teeth, not any real warmth from his heart or genuine human feeling. His teeth look like a snake's fangs, implying that his false laughter could be harmful or dangerous. This shows his laugh is not sincere.
In simple words: In the mirror, his laugh only shows his teeth, like a snake's fangs, without any real warmth from his heart.

🎯 Exam Tip: Poetic imagery, like "snake's fangs", is crucial. Explain what the image represents (e.g., hidden danger, insincerity) to fully answer the question.

Question x. What does the poet long for?
Answer: The poet longs to return to his childhood days, a time when he was innocent and truly happy. He wishes to regain the pure, honest way he used to laugh and behave. This shows his sadness about how he has changed as an adult.
In simple words: The poet wants to go back to his childhood when he was innocent and genuinely happy.

🎯 Exam Tip: The poet's longing for childhood is a key theme, representing a desire for authenticity and freedom from social artifice.

Question xi. Mention the qualities the child in the poem symbolizes.
Answer: The child in the poem symbolizes several pure qualities. A child is guileless and innocent, multiplying joy by sharing it and reducing sorrow by sharing worries with friends. Children do not hold grudges, forgiving and forgetting wrongs quickly. Their friendships are genuine, and their laughter is natural and comes from the heart. This represents a state of true self.
In simple words: The child represents innocence, pure happiness, quick forgiveness, true friendship, and natural, honest laughter.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked what a character or element symbolizes, list all the positive traits or ideas it represents in the context of the poem.

2) Fill in the blanks choosing the words from the box given and complete the summary of the poem:
Answer: The poet Okara in this narrative monologue painfully condemns the (a) duplicity displayed by adults, both in their words and actions. Here, a father laments to his son about the negative changes that creep into the attitude and behaviour of humans, when they grow into (b) adults. He says that people used to be (c) genuine when they laugh and the honesty would be reflected in their eyes. But, people of modern times laugh (d) superficially. Their handshakes used to be warm and happy conveying a sense of togetherness, but nowadays the handshakes have become a mere (e) falsity. He warns his son that people are not trust-worthy and have become so selfish that they are concerned only about their own (f) personal benefits.

People utter words of welcome and exchange (g) pleasantries, but those words come only from the tip of their tongues and not from the depth of their hearts.

Humans have learned the art of changing their (h) facial expressions according to situations merely to ensure social acceptance. They wear (i) masks and exhibit multiple faces. The narrator admits that he has also changed into a hypocrite. However, he tells his son that though he (j) fakes his expressions, he does all these against his will. He says he wants to become a (k) child again and laugh genuinely.

He wants to (l) unlearn the unreal things and (m) relearn how to laugh as he had done once upon a time. When he laughs before the (n) mirror, he sees no expression. His teeth are bare like that of the (o) fangs of a snake. So, he asks his son to show him how to laugh the way he used to laugh when he was a kid like him.
In simple words: The poet talks about how adults become fake, losing their true feelings and laughter. He wishes to unlearn these artificial ways and relearn the genuine joy and honesty of a child, hoping his son can teach him.

🎯 Exam Tip: For fill-in-the-blanks, always read the entire passage first to understand the context, then choose the most suitable word for each blank from the given options.

3a) Interpret each of the expressions used in the poem in one or two lines:

Question i. Laugh with their eyes.
Answer: Eyes are often called the windows to the soul, so when someone laughs with their eyes, it means their laughter is sincere and comes from deep, true feelings. It shows genuine happiness. This happens when the person is truly amused.
In simple words: To "laugh with their eyes" means to laugh truly and sincerely, showing real feelings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Interpreting poetic expressions requires explaining their deeper meaning beyond the literal words, often linking them to human emotions.

Question ii. Shake hands without hearts.
Answer: This expression describes a handshake that lacks any real warmth, emotion, or sincerity. It is a mere formal gesture without any genuine connection or friendly feeling behind it. It's done out of obligation, not true welcome.
In simple words: A handshake "without hearts" is a formal gesture that shows no real warmth or feeling.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand how physical actions in poetry can symbolize emotional states or a lack thereof.

Question iii. Like a fixed portrait smile.
Answer: A "fixed portrait smile" refers to a smile that stays the same, without changing, regardless of a person's actual feelings or moods. It's an artificial, unchanging smile, like one held for a photograph, showing no true emotion. This kind of smile can feel distant.
In simple words: This means a fake smile that doesn't change with real feelings, like a frozen smile in a photo.

🎯 Exam Tip: Poetic comparisons often highlight what is artificial or unnatural, contrasting it with genuine human expression.

Question iv. Hands search my empty pockets.
Answer: This expression means that in today's society, relationships are often valued based on a person's wealth or power. People might check for "empty pockets" to see if there's any financial gain or benefit from a relationship, rather than valuing the person themselves. Money often drives interactions.
In simple words: "Hands search my empty pockets" means people are only interested in how much money or power someone has.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for imagery related to money or possessions, as it often comments on societal values or materialism.

Question v. To unlearn all these muting things.
Answer: "Muting things" refers to all the artificial behaviors, dishonest expressions, and insincere pleasantries that adults adopt, which suppress their true self. To "unlearn" them means to get rid of this falseness and return to a natural, honest way of behaving and expressing oneself. This is about shedding societal norms that force people to hide their real feelings.
In simple words: To "unlearn muting things" means to get rid of all the fake behaviors that stop a person from being their true self.

🎯 Exam Tip: The desire to "unlearn" implies a previous learning of undesirable traits, connecting to the poem's theme of lost innocence.

3b) Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any form of the following:

i) But now they only laugh with their teeth
While their ice-block- cold eyes

Question a. Who are they?
Answer: "They" refers to the people of modern times, who have adopted artificial and insincere ways of interacting. These are the adults who have lost their childhood innocence. They represent a society that values formality over genuine feeling.
In simple words: "They" are the people living in today's world, who often act fake.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a question asks "who are they?", identify the group or type of people the poet is describing in the given lines.

Question b. Explain ice-block – cold – eyes
Answer: "Ice-block - cold - eyes" means that modern people greet each other with laughter that does not reach their eyes, indicating a lack of warmth. Their eyes are cold and emotionless, showing no genuine feeling. It means that while they might smile, their eyes betray their true, distant feelings. They lack emotional connection.
In simple words: This means eyes that are cold and show no real feeling, even when the person is laughing.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain metaphors by connecting the literal image (ice-block) to the abstract quality it represents (coldness, lack of emotion).

Question c. Identify the figure of speech used here.
Answer: The figure of speech used here is a metaphor. "Ice-block - cold - eyes" directly compares eyes to ice-blocks, implying their coldness without using "like" or "as". This comparison is made without stating "eyes are like ice-blocks", making it a direct comparison. This powerful imagery describes the lack of warmth.
In simple words: The figure of speech is a metaphor, comparing eyes directly to ice-blocks to show they are cold.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that a metaphor makes a direct comparison, while a simile uses "like" or "as" for comparison.

ii) Most of all, I want to relearn
How to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror Shows only my teeth like a Snake's bare fangs !'

Question a. Why does the poet want to relearn how to laugh?
Answer: The poet wants to relearn how to laugh because his current laughter is false and artificial, showing only his teeth like a snake's fangs. He wants to get rid of this insincere behavior and learn to laugh genuinely and naturally, as he did in his childhood. His goal is to be authentic once more.
In simple words: The poet wants to relearn how to laugh because his current laugh is fake, and he wants to laugh naturally again.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the poet's desire to relearn with the description of his current, artificial behavior. This highlights the contrast he aims to resolve.

Question b. Whom does the poet want to relearn from?
Answer: The poet wants to relearn from his son. He sees his son as possessing the innocence and natural behavior that he has lost. Children, like his son, naturally express joy without pretense. He looks to his son as a teacher of true emotions. The son represents a purer form of humanity.
In simple words: The poet wants to learn how to laugh genuinely from his son.

🎯 Exam Tip: The child in the poem often symbolizes innocence and truth, making them the ideal figure for the poet to learn from.

Question c. Mention figure of speech used here.
Answer: The figure of speech used here is Simile. The line "my laugh in the mirror Shows only my teeth like a Snake's bare fangs!" directly compares his teeth to snake's fangs using the word "like". This comparison highlights the sharpness and potentially harmful nature of his insincere smile. It vividly paints a picture of artificiality.
In simple words: The figure of speech is Simile, comparing the poet's teeth to "snake's bare fangs" using the word "like".

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify similes by looking for comparison words such as "like" or "as" that explicitly draw a parallel between two different things.

Additional Appreciation Questions:

(i) Once upon a time, son
They used to laugh with their hearts And laugh with their eyes:

Question a. Who does 'they' refer to?
Answer: "They" refers to the people of the past, specifically those who lived during a time when feelings and interactions were more genuine and sincere. These are the people from a simpler, more innocent era. They represent a contrast to modern society.
In simple words: "They" refers to people who lived in the past, when things were more real.

🎯 Exam Tip: Context is key. "Once upon a time" usually points to a past era, helping identify the group referred to by "they".

Question b. How did they laugh?
Answer: They laughed with their hearts and their eyes, meaning their laughter was truly heartfelt and sincere. It was not just a surface-level expression but came from deep inside, reflecting genuine joy and warmth. This shows their authenticity.
In simple words: They laughed with real feelings from their hearts and showed it in their eyes.

🎯 Exam Tip: Contrast this "heartfelt" laughter with the artificial laughter of modern people described elsewhere in the poem.

(ii) There was a time indeed
They used to shake hands with their hearts.
But that's gone, son
Now they shake hands without hearts
Write their hands search
My empty pockets.

Question a. When did people shake their hands with hearts?
Answer: People used to shake hands with their hearts in the past, before the arrival of modernism and its artificiality. This was a time when human interactions were more sincere and genuine. It was a time of true connection.
In simple words: People shook hands with true feeling before modern times came.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for phrases that indicate a time frame ("Once upon a time," "before the arrival of modernism") to answer "when" questions.

Question b. What does the phrase 'Search my empty pockets' mean?
Answer: The phrase "Search my empty pockets" means that people evaluate a person's worth based on their wealth or financial status. It suggests that in modern society, relationships and respect are often given to those with money, and those without are disregarded. People prioritize material gain over genuine connection. This implies a transactional view of relationships.
In simple words: It means people judge a poet's value by how much money or wealth they have.

🎯 Exam Tip: Interpret figurative language by explaining the underlying message or societal critique it conveys.

(iii) "I have learned to wear many faces"
And I have learned too
To laugh with only my teeth.
And shake hands without my heart.

Question a. What did the poet learn to wear?
Answer: The poet learned to wear many faces, meaning he learned to adopt different expressions and personas for various situations. He also learned to laugh without genuine warmth and shake hands without true feeling. He wears these "faces" to fit in with society's expectations. This shows his adaptation to insincerity.
In simple words: The poet learned to put on many different faces, meaning he acts differently in different situations.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify actions or behaviors mentioned in the poetic lines to answer direct questions about what a character has learned or done.

Question b. Find out the alliterated words
Answer: The alliterated words are "hands-heart". Alliteration is when words that are close together start with the same sound. This pairing emphasizes the connection (or lack thereof) between the physical action and the emotion. It highlights the main point.
In simple words: "Hands-heart" are the alliterated words because they start with the same 'h' sound.

🎯 Exam Tip: Alliteration involves the repetition of initial consonant sounds in words that are close to each other.

(iv) So, show me, son
How to laugh; show me how used to laugh and smile.

Question a. Whom does the poet ask to show?
Answer: The poet asks his son to show him how to laugh genuinely and how he used to laugh and smile naturally. He sees his son as a pure, innocent example of authentic expression. The son embodies the qualities the poet desires to regain.
In simple words: The poet asks his son to show him how to laugh and smile truly.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognize that direct addresses ("son") often indicate who is being asked or taught in the poem.

Question b. What does he want to learn from his son?
Answer: He wants to learn how to laugh genuinely and smile naturally, just as he did in his childhood. He wants his son to teach him how to be authentic and free from the artificial behaviors he has adopted as an adult. He seeks to regain his lost innocence. This is a desire for a pure existence.
In simple words: He wants his son to teach him how to laugh honestly and naturally, like when he was a child.

🎯 Exam Tip: The poet's yearning to learn from his son emphasizes the child's role as a symbol of lost purity and naturalness.

Figure of Speech:

🎯 Exam Tip: Learning to identify different figures of speech enhances your understanding and appreciation of poetry. Practice recognizing common ones like simile, metaphor, alliteration, and repetition.

C. Explain the following with reference to the context:

i) Once upon a time, son
They used to laugh with their eyes:
Answer: These lines are from the poem "Once Upon a Time" by Gabriel Okara. The poet speaks these words to his son while describing how people behaved in the past. He remembers a time when people had true feelings and laughed from their hearts, and this warmth showed in their eyes. They met each other with genuine feelings, unlike today's superficial interactions.
In simple words: The poet tells his son that in the past, people laughed truly from their hearts, and their eyes showed their real warmth.

🎯 Exam Tip: For context-based questions, always mention the poem and poet, then briefly explain the background before interpreting the lines.

ii) There will be no thrice
Answer: These lines are from the poem "Once Upon a Time" by Gabriel Okara. Through this line, the poet expresses a sarcastic feeling. He means that in the modern world, people invite guests to "feel at home" and "come again." However, these words are not heartfelt. Guests might be welcomed once or twice, but if they visit a third time, the doors will remain shut. This highlights the insincere hospitality of modern society. People often just go through the motions of being friendly.
In simple words: The poet sarcastically says that after two visits, people will not be welcome a third time, showing that modern hospitality is not real.

🎯 Exam Tip: Sarcasm is used to imply the opposite of what is literally said. Recognizing it helps uncover the poem's critique of society.

iii) I have learned to wear my faces
Like dresses ............
Answer: These lines are from the poem "Once Upon a Time" by Gabriel Okara. Here, the poet talks about the personal changes he has gone through. He describes how he changes his behavior to suit different situations and occasions, slowly losing his natural self. He compares this change in behavior to how one changes dresses for different events, showing his adaptation to various social roles. This indicates a loss of authenticity. He has become a different person for different scenarios.
In simple words: The poet says he has learned to change his face (expressions) for different situations, just like changing clothes.

🎯 Exam Tip: A direct comparison using "like" or "as" (simile) is often used to illustrate how something abstract (behavior) relates to something concrete (dresses).

iv) I want to be what I used to be.
Answer: These lines are from the poem "Once Upon a Time" by Gabriel Okara. The poet says these words to express his strong desire to return to his childhood days. He longs for the innocence he once had and is unhappy with the changed person he has become. He wants to unlearn his fake adult behaviors and relearn how to behave naturally. This statement shows his deep wish to get rid of all the artificiality in his life. He yearns for genuine emotions.
In simple words: The poet wants to return to his innocent childhood self, free from all the fake ways he has learned as an adult.

🎯 Exam Tip: This line encapsulates the central theme of the poem: the poet's regret over lost innocence and his yearning for authenticity.

4. Answer the following questions in about 100-150 words each:

Question I. Explain the things the poet has learned when he grew into an adult.
Answer: When the poet grew into an adult, he learned many fake attitudes and behaviors because he had to survive in society. He felt forced to wear a "face mask," meaning he behaved differently in various situations. For example, he acted one way at the office, another at a party, and yet another on the street. He felt he changed his expressions like changing dresses for different occasions. This artificiality is expressed in the line, "I have learned to wear many faces Like dresses."

The poet realized that the different "faces" he put on were not his real self. He also learned to keep an artificial smile ready for all occasions. He learned to say things he didn't truly mean just because they were the "correct" things to say in a situation. For instance, he would politely greet people with "Glad to meet you" even when he wasn't interested in them. He also learned to laugh only with his teeth, without genuine expression, and shake hands without feeling. Sadly, he feels that like other adults, he has forgotten how to be a natural, sincere person. His journey to adulthood has stripped him of true emotions and replaced them with pretense.
In simple words: As an adult, the poet learned to be fake, changing his expressions like clothes for different places like work or parties. He learned to smile without meaning it, say things he didn't feel, and shake hands without warmth. He sadly forgot how to be his true, natural self.

🎯 Exam Tip: When detailing what the poet learned, categorize his learned behaviors (e.g., changing faces, artificial smiles, insincere greetings) and link them to the broader theme of societal pressure.

Question II. This poem is nothing but criticism of modern life. Justify this statement.
Answer: The poem 'Once Upon A Time' indeed serves as a strong criticism of modern life. Throughout the poem, the poet laments the fake behavior and insincerity of people in the present day. He observes that modern individuals do not laugh genuinely from their hearts, and their handshakes lack warmth. Every interaction seems to be a mere formality rather than a heartfelt connection. He finds that relationships are often measured by a person's money or power, rather than their true character.

People utter pleasantries and words of welcome that come only from their lips, not from the depth of their hearts. They have mastered the art of changing their facial expressions to suit various social situations, wearing many "masks" to gain acceptance. The poet admits to becoming a hypocrite himself, although he expresses a desire to unlearn these artificial ways and return to the genuine laughter and innocence of childhood. The fixed portrait smile, cold eyes, and the searching of empty pockets all symbolize a world where authenticity has been replaced by superficiality and self-interest. The poem powerfully highlights the emptiness and pretense of modern human interaction, urging a return to simpler, more honest ways.
In simple words: This poem criticizes modern life because it shows how people are fake, their laughter and handshakes are not real, and they only care about money. The poet talks about how he also became insincere and wishes to be genuine like a child again, proving the poem is a strong critique of modern ways.

🎯 Exam Tip: To justify a statement about the poem's criticism, provide specific examples from the text (like fake laughter, empty handshakes, changing faces) and explain how each example illustrates the poet's critique of modern society.

Question III. "Face is the index of the mind" Does this adage concur with the views of the poet?
Answer: The common saying "face is the index of the mind" suggests that a person's face openly shows their true feelings and thoughts. However, in the poem 'Once Upon A Time,' the poet shows a different view about modern people. He says they hide their true feelings and use fake expressions just to fit in with society. The poet changes his own facial expressions for different situations, such as a "home face," "office face," or "street face," like changing clothes. Even when people say pleasant things, their minds hold different thoughts, and they often feel bored. Thus, the poet observes that for people today, their faces do not genuinely reflect what they are thinking or feeling inside. This makes the adage "face is the index of the mind" not agree with the poet's observations about how people behave now. The poet expresses sadness over this loss of genuine expression in society.
In simple words: The poet does not agree that the face shows the mind, at least for modern people. He believes people wear different "faces" and hide their true feelings to fit in, even saying nice things when they are bored.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing if an adage concurs, clearly state whether it does or doesn't, then use specific examples from the poem to support your argument about the poet's perspective.

கவிஞரைப் பற்றி:

கேப்ரியேல் ஒக்காரா (Gabriel Okara) 1921 ம் ஆண்டு பிறந்த நைஜீரிய கவிஞரும், புதின எழுத்தாளரும் ஆவார். இவருடைய கவிதைகள் அதிகமான மொழிகளில் மொழிபெயர்க்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. The call of the river nun என்ற இவரது கவிதை நூல் நைஜீரிய இலக்கிய விழாவில் சிறந்த இலக்கிய விருதை 1953 ல் பெற்றுள்ளது.
இவரின் சில கவிதைகள் Black Orpheus என்ற புத்தகத்தில் வெளிவந்ததன் மூலம் 1960ல் தலைச்சிறந்த எழுத்தாளராக உருவாக்கிக் கொண்டவர்.ஆகவே இவருக்கு Commonwealth கவிஞர் விருதும் வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
ஒக்காராவின் கவிதைகள் மக்களின் எதார்த்த வாழ்வைப்பற்றி தொடங்கி, மகிழ்ச்சியான தருணங்களை சொல்லி மீண்டும் எதார்த்த வாழ்க்கைக்கு இட்டுச் செல்வதாக அமைந்திருக்கும். ஒக்காரா தன்னுடைய கவிதையிலும், உரை நடையிலும் ஆப்ரிக்காவின் சிந்தனைகள், கிராமிய வழக்கு ஆகியவற்றை எடுத்துயம்புவதாக உருவாக்கியிருக்கிறார்.
The voice ໙ g 4. The Fisherman's invocation (1978), Little snake and Little frog (1981) An adventure to Juju Island (1992) ஆகியவை இவரின் சிறந்த படைப்புகள்.

கவிதையைப் பற்றி:

இக்கவிதை ஒரு தந்தை தன் மகனிடம் பேசுவதாக ஒக்காரா அமைந்திருக்கிறார். கவிதையாளர் தான் சிறுவயதாக இருக்கும் போது கற்றுக் கொண்ட நல்ல பழக்க வழக்கத்தையும், சிறு குழந்தைகளின் நல்ல உள்ளத்தையும் அதிகமாக நேசிப்பதாகவும், தானும் அந்த சிறுவயதான குழந்தைபோல் மகிழ வேண்டுமென்றும், இப்போது உள்ள உலக மாயையை வெருப்பதாகவும் தன் எளிய நடையில் தன் மகனிடம் கூறுகிறார்.

Once Upon A Time Summary In Tamil

மகனே, முன்னொரு காலத்தில்
இனிமையான இதயத்தோடும்
நேரிய அன்பு பார்வையோடும் புன்னகைத்தார்கள்
ஆனால் இப்போதோ வெறும் உதட்டளவில் புன்னகைக்கிறார்கள்,
அவர்களது கண்கள்
உள்ளொன்று வைத்து புறமொன்று பேசுகின்றன.
உண்மையில் ஒரு காலம் இருந்தது
அவர்கள் தங்கள் இதய அன்போடு கைகுலுக்கிக் கொண்டார்கள்
ஆனால் மகனே அவை தற்போது இல்லை
தற்போது மனம் இல்லாமல் கைகுலுக்கிக் கொள்கிறார்கள்
அவர்கள் இடது கைகள்
காலியாக உள்ள என் பைகளை துழாவுகின்றன.

உங்கள் வீடாக கருதுங்கள், மறுபடியும் வாருங்கள்
மனிதர்கள் சொல்கிறார்கள், நானும் வரும்போதெல்லாம் என் வீடாக கருதினேன்
திரும்பவும் சென்றேன், வீட்டைப் போல் உணர்ந்தேன், முதல் முறை, இரண்டாம்முறை
ஆனால் மூன்றாவது முறை
அவர்கள் எனக்கு கதவுகளை மூடிக்கொண்டார்கள்.
அதனால் நான் பலபாடங்களை கற்றுக்கொண்டேன், மகனே
நான் ஆடைகள் போன்று பல முகங்களை
அணிய கற்றுக்கொண்டேன் - வீட்டின் முகம்,
அலுவலக முகம், தெரு முகம், தொகுப்பாளர் முகம்
கவலை உணர்ச்சிகளை காட்டும் முகம், நிலையான உருவப்பட
புன்னகைப்போல் அப்புன்னகை நிலையான ஏமாற்றமும் செயற்கையாக இருந்தது.

நானும் கற்றக்கொண்டேன்
செயற்கையாக சிரித்துக்கொள்ள கற்றுக்கொண்டேன்
மனம்மில்லாமல் கைகுலுக்கிக் கொண்டேன்
"பிரியாவிடை (good bye) சொல்ல கற்றுக்கொண்டேன்
"ஒழிந்தது நல்லதே" என நினைக்கும் இடத்தில்:
"சந்தித்ததில் மகிழ்ச்சி என சொல்ல வேண்டியிருந்தது
மகிழ்ச்சியாக இல்லாமல் அவர்களிடம் “உங்களோடு பேசுவதில் மகிழ்ச்சி அடைகிறேன் என சலிப்புடன் பொய் கூறினேன்.
சந்தித்தது மகிழ்ச்சியாக உள்ளது" என சலித்து பொய் கூறினர்
ஆனால் நம்பு மகனே
நான் உன்னைப்போல் இருக்கும்போது
நான் எனக்கு பிடித்ததை செய்யவில்லை
எல்லாவற்றையும் மிகைப்படுத்திக் கூறும் செயல்களை கற்காமல் இருக்க, நான் திரும்பவும்
சிரிக்க கற்றுக்கொண்டேன், கண்ணாடியில் சிரிக்க,
உதட்டளவில் பாம்பின் விஷம் கொண்ட பற்கள் போல.
மகனே என்னிடம் காட்டு
எப்படி மகிழ (சிரிக்க) வேண்டும் என்று; என்னிடம் வெளிப்படுத்து
நான் எவ்வாறு புன்னகைத்தேன் என்று
அன்றோரு காலம் நான் மகிழ்ந்தது போல்.