NCERT Class 5 English Marigold: Chapter 3 — My Shadow
This chapter, "My Shadow," from NCERT Class 5 English Marigold, explores the concept of a shadow that follows a person. The poem, written by Robert Louis Stevenson, describes the shadow's peculiar behavior: it mimics the person's movements, grows and shrinks unpredictably, and sometimes stays asleep when the person wakes up early. The poem highlights the mysterious and sometimes amusing nature of shadows, contrasting their growth with that of children. It introduces new words like 'India-rubber ball,' 'buttercup,' and 'arrant,' enriching the reader's vocabulary. This chapter encourages young learners to observe their surroundings and think about the science behind everyday phenomena like shadows, aiding their comprehension and creative thinking skills for CBSE.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 5 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Marigold |
| Chapter | Chapter 3 — My Shadow |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 1 minute |
| Word count | 110 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of a shadow and its characteristics.
- Appreciate poetry and its descriptive language.
- Learn new vocabulary words and their meanings.
- Develop observational skills about light and shadows.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| India-rubber ball | a ball that can bounce very high |
| buttercup | a yellow flower |
| arrant | bad |
| arrant sleepyhead | completely inattentive |
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Practice questions
- What follows the speaker when there is light? Answer: The speaker's shadow follows them.
- How is the shadow like the speaker? Answer: The shadow is very like the speaker from heels to head.
- How does the shadow grow? Answer: The shadow sometimes shoots up taller like an India-rubber ball and sometimes gets so little that there's none of it at all.
- What was the shadow doing one early morning? Answer: The shadow had stayed at home behind the speaker and was fast asleep in bed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the poem 'My Shadow'?
The main theme is the mysterious and playful nature of a shadow that follows a person.
Who is the author of the poem 'My Shadow'?
The author is Robert Louis Stevenson.
What does 'India-rubber ball' mean in the poem?
It refers to a ball that can bounce very high, used to describe how the shadow can suddenly grow taller.
What does 'arrant sleepyhead' imply?
It implies being completely inattentive or lazy, suggesting the shadow was still asleep.
When does a shadow appear?
A shadow appears when there is light.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 5 English — Marigold — Chapter 3 — My Shadow. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.