The Gourd - Lyrics Of The Hearthside By Paul Laurence Dunbar

Original Story：

In the heavy earth the miner
Toiled and laboured day by day,
Wrenching from the miser mountain
Brilliant treasure where it lay.
And the artist worn and weary
Wrought with labour manifold
That the king might drink his nectar
From a goblet made of gold.
On the prince’s groaning table
Mid the silver gleaming bright
Mirroring the happy faces
Giving back the flaming light,
Shine the cups of priceless crystal
Chased with many a lovely line,
Glowing now with warmer colour,
Crimsoned by the ruby wine.
In a valley sweet with sunlight,
Fertile with the dew and rain,
Without miner’s daily labour,
Without artist’s nightly pain,
There there grows the cup I drink from,
Summer’s sweetness in it stored,
And my lips pronounce a blessing
As they touch an old brown gourd.
Why, the miracle at Cana
In the land of Galilee,
Tho’ it puzzles all the scholars,
Is no longer strange to me.
For the poorest and the humblest
Could a priceless wine afford,
If they ‘d only dip up water
With a sunlight–seasoned gourd.
So a health to my old comrade,
And a song of praise to sing
When he rests inviting kisses
In his place beside the spring.
Give the king his golden goblets,
Give the prince his crystal hoard;
But for me the sparkling water
From a brown and brimming gourd!

Expansion and Analysis

Summary and Interpretation

This poem beautifully contrasts the luxurious, man-made treasures crafted by miners and artists for kings and princes with the simple, natural delight found in drinking water from a humble gourd. The miner works hard underground to extract precious metals, and the artist painstakingly creates exquisite goblets for royalty. Yet, the speaker finds greater joy and blessing in the natural, unpretentious cup of water drawn from a sun-ripened gourd in a sunny valley. The poem also references the biblical miracle at Cana, where water was turned into wine, suggesting that true richness and joy can come from the simplest sources.

The poem celebrates simplicity, humility, and the beauty of nature over material wealth and luxury. It teaches that happiness and blessings are not always found in expensive, ornate things but can be discovered in everyday, natural experiences.

Background and Author Introduction

This poem likely belongs to the tradition of pastoral and reflective poetry, which often contrasts the natural world with human artifice and social hierarchy. Although the original author is not specified here, the style and themes resonate with 19th or early 20th-century poets who valued nature and simplicity, such as William Wordsworth or John Clare.

The reference to the "miracle at Cana" links the poem to Christian symbolism, emphasizing spiritual richness and humility. The poem’s tone is contemplative and appreciative of everyday blessings, aligning with educational values encouraging children to appreciate nature and the simple joys of life.

Educational Value and Lessons for Children

Children and students can learn several important lessons from this poem:

• Appreciation of Nature: The poem encourages recognizing the beauty and value in natural, simple things rather than only admiring expensive or artificial objects.
• Hard Work and Creativity: It acknowledges the effort of miners and artists, teaching respect for labor and craftsmanship.
• Humility and Contentment: The speaker finds joy in humble water from a gourd, teaching contentment and gratitude.
• Cultural and Religious Literacy: The reference to the miracle at Cana introduces children to biblical stories and their symbolic meanings.
• Imagery and Poetic Devices: Students can study the poem’s vivid imagery (e.g., "ruby wine," "sunlight–seasoned gourd") and metaphors, enhancing their literary analysis skills.

Practical Applications and Learning Points

• In Daily Life: Children can be encouraged to find joy in simple moments, such as drinking water from a favorite cup or appreciating nature’s gifts.
• In School: The poem can be used to teach poetry analysis, symbolism, and comparative literature (contrasting nature with human artifice).
• In Art and Craft: Inspired by the poem, students might create their own "gourds" or simple cups, linking art to natural materials.
• In Moral Education: The poem supports lessons on gratitude, humility, and respect for all kinds of work.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. Who are the two types of workers mentioned in the poem, and what do they create?
2. What is the speaker’s preferred drink, and why?
3. How does the poem describe the cups used by the king and prince?
4. What miracle from the Bible is referenced, and what does it symbolize in the poem?
5. What lesson does the poem teach about happiness and wealth?

Answers

1. The miner, who extracts treasure from the earth, and the artist, who creates golden goblets.
2. The speaker prefers water from an old brown gourd because it represents natural sweetness and simplicity.
3. The king’s cups are golden goblets, and the prince’s cups are priceless crystal shining with ruby wine.
4. The miracle at Cana, where water was turned into wine; it symbolizes that even the poorest can have something precious if they appreciate simple things.
5. The poem teaches that true happiness and blessings come from simple, natural things rather than expensive or luxurious objects.

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This poem offers a rich opportunity for children to explore themes of nature, work, humility, and joy, making it a valuable resource for both literary and moral education.