Chapter: 11. The Old Brown Horse
A. Answer these questions.
The horse’s main activity in its old age is watching the world go by from over the fence. He feels quite sad about his master riding in a motor-car instead of with him. His “tired old head” is mentioned resting on the topmost bar of the fence. The poet wants the reader to understand that the horse was once young, full of life, and active, just like the reader might be now. A “kindly touch” brings the horse comfort, causes him to sigh, and makes him “doesn’t mind so much” his lonely situation, temporarily easing his sadness. B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
‘Well, folks, I’ve had my day-’
a. The horse is referring to his past “day” as his prime, active, and useful period of life when he was young and worked with his master.
b. He implies that his current role or usefulness is over or greatly diminished; he is no longer needed in the same way.
c. This line contributes to a mood of resignation, melancholy, and a quiet acceptance of his aging and forgotten state. “Then the old brown horse gives a little sigh / As he feels the kindly touch”
a. The horse sighs because he feels the kindly touch of a hand on his mane or shaggy coat, along with a friendly word from someone who stops by.
b. This sigh is primarily a sign of relief and contentment. It indicates that the kindness offered brings him a moment of comfort and acknowledges his presence, rather than deepening his sadness.
c. This reveals the horse’s deep longing for companionship, attention, and affection, which he rarely receives in his old age. C. Think and answer.
If the horse could truly speak, its most urgent message would likely be a plea for remembrance, kindness, and compassion towards all beings, especially those who are old, forgotten, or no longer serve a direct purpose. It might say, “Please remember that even when one’s useful days are done, the need for kindness and connection never ends. A simple moment of acknowledgment can brighten a lonely life.” (Example Answer) An object in my community that has changed significantly is the local public telephone booth. In the past, it was a vital part of community communication, especially for those without home phones or needing to make calls on the go. People would line up to use it, and it was a common meeting point or emergency contact. Now, with almost everyone having mobile phones, the telephone booth stands mostly unused, often broken, and covered in graffiti. It’s become a relic, a nostalgic reminder of a bygone era. I feel a mix of appreciation for the convenience of modern communication and a slight sadness for the loss of that physical community hub, which symbolized a time when connections felt more deliberate and less constant. 
Answer key