About the Author
John Berryman was an American poet. He was born in 1914. He wrote many poems about life, feelings, and sad things. This poem is short but full of deep thoughts. He wants us to learn how to face loss.
What’s the Story About?
This is a poem, not a long story. It tells about a small boy and his red ball.
One day, the boy plays near water. He bounces his ball – up, down, up, down. He is happy. The ball is his best toy.
Suddenly, the ball falls into the water! It rolls and goes deep inside. The boy cannot get it back.
He stands and looks at the water. His eyes fill with tears. He feels very sad. The ball is gone forever.
The poet watches the boy. He does not go to help. He does not say, “I will buy you a new ball.”
Why? Because the poet knows – this is the boy’s first big loss. Everyone loses something special one day. We have to learn to live without it.
The ball is small, but the lesson is big. The boy will grow stronger by feeling this pain.
Who’s Who in the Story
- The Boy – A small child who plays with his ball. He loses it in the water and feels very sad.
- The Ball – A simple red toy that bounces happily but falls into the water and gets lost.
- The Poet – The writer who watches the boy and thinks deeply about life, loss, and growing up.
Themes and Moral
Themes (Main Ideas)
- Loss – Losing something you love.
- Growing up – Learning to handle sadness.
- Letting go – We cannot keep everything forever.
Moral (Lesson)
- It is okay to feel sad when you lose something.
- No one can fix every loss – not even money or new things.
- Pain teaches us to become strong.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
- Ball – A round toy used for playing. Example: The boy loves his red ball.
- Bounce – To jump up and down again and again. Example: The ball bounces happily.
- Harbour – A place near the sea or river where boats stay. Example: The ball falls into the harbour.
- Merrily – In a happy and cheerful way. Example: He bounces it merrily.
- Loss – When something is gone or taken away. Example: The boy feels his first loss.
- Ultimate – The final or last stage of something. Example: He shakes with ultimate shaking.
- Desperate – Very sad, worried, or hopeless. Example: His eyes are desperate.
- Intrude – To go where you are not wanted; to disturb. Example: The poet does not intrude on his grief.
- Grief – Deep sadness or pain from loss. Example: The boy learns to carry his grief.
- Responsibility – A duty or understanding to care or act properly. Example: Now he knows the responsibility of loss.
Quick Tip for Students
Close your eyes. Think of your favourite toy. What if it broke? How would you feel? This poem is about that same feeling. Read it aloud – you will understand the boy’s heart.