The Child’s Prayer by Sir Muhammad Iqbal
The poem ” The Child’s Prayer” is about the pious and upright wishes of a child. It begins with the noble words in which the child expresses his heart. He says that his wishes come to his lips as a supplication. He prays God that he longs to become a candle so he can vanish the murkiness of the world and fill it with light. The writer actually intends to state that he may turn into an illuminated individual with the goal that he can expel the ignorance of the world. He wishes to edify the entire world with his knowledge. He wishes to be a candle that benefits others while it is waxing. He likewise needs to embellish his country as blooms decorate a garden. The child supplicates that he may become like a delightful blossom so he can embellish his dearest land with his wonderful presence and fragrance of knowledge like the blooms adorn the garden.
He wants to love knowledge with the same passion and zest that we find in a month for a candle. He implores that his passion to love the candle of knowledge be like that of a moth which goes around the shining light in zest and passion.
The child longs to become a missionary. He implores God that he may serve poor people and the destitute and it might become the principal mission of his life. He equally needs to be thoughtful towards the weak and those in torment.
In the last line, the child prays God to protect him from all snares of evil. He petitions God for a solid will and faith with the goal that he could lead his life in the ethical ways.
Thus, the child wants his whole life to be spent in the service of mankind.
Understanding the poem
Question No.1 Who is the speaker in the poem and to whom it is addressed?
Answer: The speaker of the poem is a child and the poem is addressed to God.
Question No. 2 What does the child wish to be? List his wishes in the order they are discussed in the poem.
