NCERT Book Class 11 English (Woven Words) Poetry 6 Mother Tongue

6 Mother Tongue Padma Sachdev I approached a stem Swinging on a reed And asked him To give me a quill. Irritated, he said I gave you one only the other day A new one, what have you done with it? Are you some sort of an accountant With some Shah Writing account books Where you need a new pen Every other day he asked. No, I don’t work for a Shah I said, but for a Shahni, very kind, Very well off And I am not the only one Working for her She has many servants Ever ready to do her bidding That Shahni is my mother tongue Dogri Give me, a quill, quickly She must be looking for me The reed cut off its hand Gave it to me and said Take it I too am her servant.