1.‘Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still. For once on the face of the Earth let’s not speak in any language, let’s stop for one second, and not move our arms so much.
Questions:
1.‘Let’s not spoken in any language’, says the poet. Why?
2. What should we not do for a second?
Answer:
1. The people of the world have been indulging in wars and bloodshed on minor excuses. If they keep quiet, they may not indulge in reasoning, disputes and quarrels. So, let them keep quiet and not speak in any language. This will ensure peace and prosperity.

2. We should cease all activities for a second. Man has used his arms only to kill and destroy others. Therefore, let them not move their arms so much as to harm others.

2.‘It would be an exotic moment without rush, without engines, we would all be together in a sudden strangeness.
Fishermen in the cold sea would not harm whales and the man gathering salt would look at his hurt hands.
Questions:
1. What will happen if there is no rush or running of engines?
2. How would all of us feel at that moment?
Answer:
1. There will be peace all around if there is no rush or the sound of the running of engines and machines.
2. All of us will enjoy the unusualness and sudden strangeness of that moment.

3.‘Those who prepare green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire, victory with no survivors, would put on clean clothes and walk about with their brothers in the shade, doing nothing. What I want should not be confused with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about; I want no truck with death.
Questions:
1. What sort of wars are mentioned in the above lines?
2. According to the poet, what should it not be confused with? What does the poet refuse to deal with?
Answer:
1. Green wars, wars with poisonous gases and wars with the fire are the different kinds of wars.
2. The poet is advocating for silence or stillness. Stillness should not be confused with total inactivity. Total inactivity brings death. The poet refuses to associate (or deal) with death. Thus, he is not advocating for death.

4.‘If we were not so single-minded about keeping our lives moving, and for once could do nothing, perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness of never understanding ourselves and of threatening ourselves with death.
Perhaps the Earth can teach us as when everything seems dead and later proves to be alive. Now I’ll count up to twelve and you keep quiet and I will go’.
Questions:
1. What do people pursue single-mindedly? Which is the better course the poet suggests?
2. When can a huge silence do us good?
Answer:
1. People pursue single-mindedly on keeping their lives moving. The poet suggests that it would be better if they give themselves rest for some time. For once they may do nothing.
2. A huge silence can do us a lot of good when we are disappointed at not understanding ourselves or threatening ourselves with death.