The Miller of the Dee

1. Name one collection of poetry by Charles Mackay.

Ans: Voices from the Crowd is a popular collection of poems written by Charles Mackay.

2. Where did the miller live?

Ans: The miller lived beside the river Dee.

3. Why did the king want to exchange his heart with the miller?

Ans: The king wanted to exchange his heart with the miller because he saw how cheerful and carefree the miller was. Although the king had everything, he felt unhappy, while the miller sang joyfully. This made the king believe that the miller’s heart must be lighter and happier than his own.

4. What makes the miller sing so loud and free?

Ans: The miller led a simple but fulfilling life. He earned his living through honest work at the mill, cared deeply for his wife, children, and friends, and never took loans he couldn’t repay. He was content with what he had and thankful to the river Dee for helping him in his work. These values gave him true happiness and made him sing with joy and freedom.

5. Explain with reference to the context: “Such men as thou are England’s boast, O miller of the Dee!”

Ans: These lines are from the poem “The Miller of the Dee.” In this part, King Hal praises the miller after realizing the true meaning of happiness. Despite living a humble life, the miller was genuinely joyful, responsible, and free from burdens like debt or envy. He worked hard, loved his family, and stayed thankful for nature’s gifts. Seeing this, the king understood that real pride does not come from wealth or status, but from living honestly and peacefully. Therefore, he calls the miller the “boast of England,” showing that people like him represent the true strength and values of the country.

6. Find out four words from the poem that rhyme with ‘Dee’.

Ans: The words that rhyme with “Dee” are: he, thee, free, and me.