The Kite: Reading and Initial Comprehension

The Kite: Reading and Initial Comprehension

Introduction to the Poem

"The Kite" is a delightful poem written by Harry Behn, an American poet known for his simple yet vivid imagery that appeals to children. This poem captures the innocent joy of flying a kite and brings to life the dynamic movements of a kite dancing against the bright blue sky. Through carefully chosen words and rhythmic verses, the poet paints a picture that makes us feel as if we are watching the kite ourselves, experiencing its rises and falls, its graceful glides and sudden dips.

The beauty of this poem lies in its descriptive language and visual imagery — the poet uses words that help us see, feel, and imagine the kite's journey through the sky. As we read, we develop an appreciation for nature's simple pleasures and learn how poets use language to create powerful mental pictures.

{{VISUAL: photo: a colorful diamond-shaped kite flying high against a clear blue sky with white clouds and a green field below}}

The Complete Poem

Before we explore the poem stanza by stanza, let us read the complete text:

How bright on the blue
Is a kite when it's new!
With a dive and a dip
It snaps its tail

Then soars like a ship
With only a sail
As over tides
Of wind it rides.

Till it pulls then struggles
And tugs and jiggles.

But a raggedy kite that sags and tears
May never fly again.

{{KEY: type=concept | title=Central Idea of the Poem | text=The poem celebrates the joy and beauty of flying a new kite, describing its graceful movements in the sky. It contrasts the vibrant energy of a new kite with the sad fate of an old, torn kite that can no longer fly, teaching us to appreciate things when they are in their prime.}}

Stanza-by-Stanza Explanation

Stanza 1: The New Kite's Brightness

"How bright on the blue / Is a kite when it's new!"

The poet begins with an exclamation of wonder and delight. When a kite is brand new, it stands out brilliantly against the clear blue sky. The word "bright" suggests not just color but also the freshness and beauty of something untouched. The contrast between the colorful kite and the blue background creates a striking visual image.

• The exclamation mark shows the poet's excitement
• The word "new" emphasizes freshness and perfection
• The color contrast (bright kite vs. blue sky) creates vivid imagery

{{KEY: type=definition | title=Imagery | text=Imagery is the use of descriptive language that appeals to our senses — sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell — to create mental pictures. In this poem, visual imagery dominates, helping us see the kite's movements and colors.}}

Stanza 2: The Kite's Dynamic Movements

"With a dive and a dip / It snaps its tail"

Here, the poet describes the active, energetic movements of the kite. The words "dive" and "dip" are action verbs that show quick, sudden movements. When the kite changes direction rapidly, its tail makes a sharp, cracking sound — this is captured by the word "snaps." These short, punchy words mirror the quick movements they describe.

Key observations:

• "Dive" = moving downward swiftly
• "Dip" = a slight downward movement
• "Snaps" = makes a sharp, crackling sound
• The poet uses sound and action together

Stanza 3: The Kite as a Ship

"Then soars like a ship / With only a sail"

After the dive and dip, the kite rises high again — this upward movement is described with the word "soars." The poet now introduces a simile (a comparison using "like" or "as"), comparing the kite to a ship with a sail. Just as a ship glides smoothly over water using wind power, the kite glides through the air, controlled by the wind.

{{KEY: type=definition | title=Simile | text=A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words like or as. Example: The kite soars like a ship. This comparison helps us understand the kite's graceful movement by relating it to something familiar.}}

"As over tides / Of wind it rides"

The comparison continues. Just as a ship rides over ocean tides (waves), the kite "rides" over invisible "tides of wind" in the sky. This is a beautiful example of metaphor — the poet calls wind currents "tides," borrowing language from the sea to describe the sky. The word "rides" suggests smooth, controlled movement, like a skilled sailor navigating the ocean.

{{VISUAL: diagram: comparison table showing kite vs ship - both use wind power, both glide smoothly, both ride over tides}}

Stanza 4: The Kite's Struggle

"Till it pulls then struggles / And tugs and jiggles"

The mood suddenly changes. The word "Till" (meaning "until") signals a shift. Now the kite is no longer moving smoothly — it begins to struggle. The poet uses a series of action verbs to show the kite's difficulty:

These words create a sense of restlessness and instability. Perhaps the wind has become too strong, or the kite has become tangled, or it's losing altitude. The rhythm of the poem itself becomes jerky and uneven, matching the kite's movements.

{{KEY: type=points | title=Poetic Devices in Movement Description | text=- Alliteration: tugs and jiggles (repeated 'g' sound)

• Onomatopoeia: words that sound like what they mean (jiggles, snaps)
• Action verbs: create a sense of energy and movement
• Rhythm change: shorter, choppier lines mirror the kite's struggle}}

Stanza 5: The Fate of an Old Kite

"But a raggedy kite that sags and tears / May never fly again"

The final lines present a contrast and a sad reality. The poet shifts from describing a new, bright kite to a "raggedy" (torn and worn) kite. The word "sags" means it hangs loosely, no longer taut and proud. The word "tears" means it has rips and holes.

The phrase "may never fly again" is both literal and metaphorical:

• Literally: A damaged kite cannot catch wind properly
• Metaphorically: Things that are neglected or broken lose their beauty and purpose

This ending gives the poem a reflective, almost melancholy tone, reminding us to appreciate and care for our possessions while they are new.

{{KEY: type=exam | title=CBSE Question Pattern | text=Questions often ask students to explain the contrast between the new kite and the old kite, identify poetic devices like simile and imagery, or describe the emotions the poem evokes. Be prepared to quote specific lines to support your answers.}}

Summary and Reflection

"The Kite" is more than just a poem about a toy flying in the sky. It teaches us about:

• The beauty of new beginnings (bright and new kite)
• The joy of freedom and movement (soaring like a ship)
• The reality of struggle and impermanence (the kite that may never fly again)

Through simple language and rich imagery, Harry Behn invites us to observe closely, imagine vividly, and feel deeply — all essential skills for appreciating poetry and developing our own descriptive writing abilities.

{{KEY: type=concept | title=Theme of the Poem | text=The poem celebrates the joy and beauty of flying a kite while also reflecting on the passage of time and the importance of appreciating things in their prime. The contrast between the new and old kite symbolizes the cycle of life — energy, decline, and loss.}}