Summary
The poem "My Hobby: Reading" is written by Arunachalam Chandrasekharan. It is a short, inspiring poem from the 8th standard English textbook that celebrates reading as a hobby. The poet expresses how reading serves as a powerful tool for intellectual and emotional growth.
The poem begins with the poet declaring that reading is his hobby, and it helps him in "thought breeding" -- meaning it stimulates his thinking and generates new ideas. Reading takes him to places both near and far, serving as a means of virtual travel and exploration. It keeps his "rational doors ajar," which means it keeps his mind open to reason and intelligence.
The poet further states that reading teaches him to experience the full range of emotions -- to laugh ("cackle") and cry. Most beautifully, it allows him to "fly without wings," a metaphor for the imaginative freedom that reading provides. The poem concludes with a noble wish: if all children could develop the habit of reading, society would become vigorous and strong. The poet believes that a reading culture among children is essential for building a powerful and progressive society.