English Class 9 — Kaveri
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Nine Gold Medals — David Roth

🎓 Class 9 English CBSE Theory Ch 5 — The World of Limitless Possibilities ⏱ ~30 min
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Before You Read — Nine Gold Medals

Reflect & Respond — Empathy, Sympathy, Compassion

Empathy vs Sympathy

Match: "I can imagine how you feel. I understand that you are upset."

This is Empathy — you are placing yourself inside another person's emotional experience, not just acknowledging it from a distance. Empathy says "I feel with you"; sympathy says "I feel for you."
Compassion in Action

"I understand why you feel terribly low. I will spend time with you so you don't feel lonely."

This is Compassion — empathy translated into action. Compassion doesn't stop at understanding; it moves the person to actively do something to alleviate another's suffering.
Vocabulary Warm-up

What word do you associate with a race where someone falls and is helped up? Can sport be about more than winning?

Words associated: solidarity, compassion, sportsmanship, empathy, dignity, collective victory. Yes — sport at its finest is about human connection, not just the scoreboard. This poem proves it.
Olympics vs Paralympics vs Special Olympics

What is the difference between these three sporting events?

Olympics: World's largest international sports event for able-bodied athletes.
Paralympics: For athletes with physical, sensory, or intellectual disabilities — held in the same city as the Olympics.
Special Olympics: For children and adults with intellectual disabilities — focused on inclusion, personal achievement, and community.
Content Type: Narrative Poem  |  Poet: David Roth (American singer-songwriter and poet)  |  Setting: A Special Olympics hundred-yard dash race  |  Central Theme: Empathy, Collective Humanity, and the True Spirit of Sport
DR

David Roth

American Poet Singer-Songwriter 20th Century

David Roth is an American singer-songwriter and poet known for crafting emotionally resonant narratives that centre on themes of compassion, human dignity, and community. "Nine Gold Medals" is among his most celebrated works — a poem that began as a song about a real incident witnessed at a Special Olympics event. Roth's writing style is characterised by a clear, sequential narrative voice, vivid imagery, and a quiet but powerful moral vision. The poem has been widely shared as a testament to the idea that how we treat one another in moments of vulnerability defines us more than any medal or record ever could.

Nine Gold Medals

— David Roth

Stanza 1 1The athletes had come from all over the country 2To run for the gold, for the silver, and bronze 3Many weeks and months of training 4All coming down to these games.
Paraphrase: Athletes from across the nation had gathered after months of rigorous preparation, with all their hopes and hard work converging on this single event. Visual Imagery — "run for the gold, for the silver, and bronze" evokes the physical medals and the hierarchy of achievement. Alliteration — "coming down" and the repetition of "for the" creates a rhythmic, cumulative build-up.
Stanza 2 5The spectators gathered around the old field 6To cheer on all the young women and men 7The final event of the day was approaching 8Excitement was high to begin.
Paraphrase: A crowd of supporters surrounded the track to encourage all the competitors. The air was charged with anticipation as the final and most-awaited event of the day drew near. Visual Imagery — "gathered around the old field" paints a communal scene of shared expectation. The collective cheering unites spectators and athletes in a single emotional experience.
Stanza 3 9The blocks were all lined up for those who would use them 10The hundred-yard dash and the race to be run 11These were nine resolved athletes in the back of the starting line 12Poised for the sound of the gun.
Paraphrase: The starting blocks were placed, and nine determined competitors stood ready at the start line, bodies tense and focused, waiting for the starter's pistol to fire. Visual Imagery — "poised for the sound of the gun" creates a freeze-frame of physical readiness and focused concentration — the last moment of stillness before explosive action. "Nine resolved athletes" emphasises the individual dignity and determination of each competitor.
Stanza 4 13The signal was given, the pistol exploded 14And so did the runners all charging ahead 15But the smallest among them, he stumbled and staggered 16And fell to the asphalt instead.
Paraphrase: The race began with an explosive start as all runners surged forward — but the smallest athlete lost his footing, stumbled, and crashed heavily onto the hard track surface. Auditory Imagery — "the pistol exploded" uses violent, loud diction to convey the sudden, jarring start. Alliteration — "stumbled and staggered" creates a stumbling, faltering sound that mirrors the action. The "smallest among them" immediately creates sympathy — the most vulnerable athlete is the one who falls.
Stanza 5 17He gave out a cry of frustration and anguish 18His dreams and his efforts dashed in the dirt 19But as sure as I'm standing here telling this story 20The same goes for what next occurred.
Paraphrase: The fallen boy cried out in pain and despair — months of preparation and his deepest hopes seemed to have been destroyed in an instant. But the narrator signals that something equally remarkable was about to happen. Auditory Imagery — "a cry of frustration and anguish" makes the emotional pain palpable. Metaphor — "dreams and efforts dashed in the dirt" conflates the physical fall with the crushing of aspiration — both dreams and body are literally brought to the ground. The narrator's interjection ("as sure as I'm standing here") breaks the narrative frame — a storytelling device that heightens anticipation.
Stanza 6 21The eight other runners pulled up on their heels 22The ones who had trained for so long to compete 23One by one they all turned round and went back to help him 24And brought the young boy to his feet.
Paraphrase: Every single one of the remaining eight athletes — each deeply invested in winning after months of training — came to a halt, turned back, and returned to assist the fallen competitor, lifting him up. Symbolism — "brought the young boy to his feet" carries both literal and symbolic meaning: they physically raised him and, symbolically, restored his dignity and participation. "One by one" shows the spontaneous, individual moral choice of each athlete — it was not coordinated, but instinctive. This stanza is the emotional turning point of the poem.
Stanza 7 25Then all the nine runners joined hands and continued 26The hundred-yard dash now reduced to a walk 27And a banner above that said (Special Olympics) 28Could not have been more on the mark.
Paraphrase: All nine athletes linked hands and completed the race together — walking, not sprinting. The banner overhead reading "Special Olympics" had never felt more appropriate or meaningful. Irony — The race designed to find the fastest runner becomes a slow walk — yet this "defeat" of speed produces the most powerful victory. Symbolism — The "banner" of Special Olympics becomes not just a label but a living declaration of the event's deepest values: inclusion, solidarity, and the celebration of each individual.
Stanza 8 29That's how the race ended, with nine gold medals 30They came to the finish line holding hands still 31And a standing ovation and nine beaming faces 32Said more than these words ever will.
Paraphrase: The race concluded with every one of the nine athletes receiving a gold medal — they crossed the finish line hand in hand. The crowd's standing ovation and the joy on all nine faces spoke more eloquently than any words could. Symbolism — Nine gold medals — normally reserved for first place — symbolise that humanity and compassion are first-place values. Visual Imagery — "nine beaming faces" creates a radiant, joyful image of collective triumph. The final line — "said more than these words ever will" — is the poet's quiet acknowledgement of the limits of language when faced with the power of human kindness.

Narrative Arc — Nine Gold Medals

Click each stage to explore the poem's emotional journey

Setting (St. 1–3) Rising (St. 4–5) Climax (St. 5–6) Turn (St. 6–7) Resolution (St. 7–8)
Setting / Exposition (Stanzas 1–3): The poem opens at a Special Olympics hundred-yard dash. Athletes from across the country arrive after months of training, crowds gather with excitement, and nine determined competitors line up at the starting blocks. The mood is one of competitive anticipation and collective hope.
Rising Action (Stanzas 4–5): The race begins explosively, but the smallest athlete stumbles and crashes to the ground. He cries out in pain and despair — his months of training apparently destroyed in a second. The narrator hints dramatically that something extraordinary is about to happen.
Climax (Stanza 5–6 boundary): The emotional crisis — the fallen athlete's anguish, and the moment of decision for the other eight. Will they race for victory or respond to a fellow competitor's need? This is the moral heart of the poem, and it is resolved through the spontaneous, unanimous decision of the eight runners.
The Turning Point (Stanzas 6–7): One by one, all eight runners stop, turn back, and help the fallen boy to his feet. Together, they join hands and walk — not sprint — to the finish line. The race is transformed from a contest of speed into a ceremony of solidarity.
Resolution (Stanzas 7–8): All nine athletes receive gold medals and cross the finish line together, hand in hand. The crowd gives a standing ovation, and nine joyful faces communicate what words cannot: that the highest form of winning is the choice to care for another human being.

Vocabulary in Context — Nine Gold Medals

stumbled
verb (past tense)
Tripped or lost one's balance while walking or running, nearly falling
"He stumbled on the uneven track surface and couldn't regain his footing."
staggered
verb (past tense)
Moved unsteadily, lurching from side to side as if about to fall
"After the impact, he staggered for two steps before falling to the ground."
asphalt
noun
A hard, black paving material used to surface roads, tracks, and paths
"The hard asphalt track made his fall far more painful than it would have been on grass."
anguish
noun
Severe emotional or physical pain; intense suffering or distress
"His cry of anguish was heard by the entire crowd, immediately silencing the cheering."
dashed in the dirt
idiom / phrase
Completely destroyed or ruined — often refers to hopes, dreams, or plans being shattered
"His months of preparation seemed dashed in the dirt the moment he fell."
resolved
adjective
Firmly determined; having made a clear and unwavering decision
"Nine resolved athletes stood at the starting line, their minds focused on the race ahead."
poised
adjective
Ready and balanced in position, waiting to act immediately; composed and prepared
"The runners crouched at the blocks, poised for the sound of the starting gun."
standing ovation
noun phrase / collocation
A prolonged, enthusiastic round of applause during which the audience rises to its feet as a mark of exceptional appreciation
"The standing ovation from the crowd showed how deeply moved everyone was by the act of kindness."

Check Your Understanding

Stanza Gist Matching — Identify the Stanza

L1 Remember Which stanza describes: "Spectators cheered participants and waited enthusiastically for the final event to start"?
Stanza 2 — The second stanza describes the crowd gathering around the field, cheering for all competitors, with excitement building as the final event approaches.
L1 Remember Which stanza describes: "The race finished with nine athletes holding hands and winning gold medals"?
Stanza 8 — The final stanza describes the nine athletes crossing the finish line together, hand in hand, receiving gold medals to a standing ovation from the crowd.
L1 Remember Which stanza describes: "The eight athletes stopped to help the young fallen athlete stand up"?
Stanza 6 — This stanza depicts each of the eight runners individually stopping, turning back, and physically helping the fallen boy back to his feet.

Literary Appreciation

L4 Analyse Identify two examples of alliteration from the poem.
Examples of alliteration:
(i) "stumbled and staggered" — the repeated 'st' sound mirrors the faltering, unsteady movement of the athlete.
(ii) "signal was given" — the 's' and 'g' sounds also create a subtle rhythmic effect at the race's start.
L4 Analyse Give three examples of visual imagery from the poem.
Visual imagery examples:
(i) "fell to the asphalt" — the reader can picture the hard, dark surface and the impact of the fall.
(ii) "nine beaming faces" — a vivid image of nine joyful, radiant expressions of shared triumph.
(iii) "the blocks were all lined up" — a precise, visual snapshot of the organised starting positions before the race begins.
L4 Analyse Give an example of auditory imagery from the poem.
Auditory imagery: "The signal was given, the pistol exploded" — the word "exploded" makes the reader almost hear the sharp, sudden crack of the starting gun, creating a vivid sonic impression of the race beginning.
L5 Evaluate How does the poet's tone change from the beginning to the end of the poem?
At the beginning (stanzas 1–3), the tone is energetic and expectant — focused on competition, training, and the excitement of athletic achievement. In stanzas 4–5, the tone shifts to distress and pathos as the young athlete falls. The turning point in stanza 6 introduces a quiet, awe-struck tone of moral surprise. By the final stanzas, the tone becomes warmly celebratory and emotionally profound — almost reverential — as the poet acknowledges that what occurred defies adequate verbal expression ("said more than these words ever will"). The overall arc moves from competitive tension to transcendent human warmth.
L5 Evaluate What does the transformation of the hundred-yard dash to a walk symbolise?
The transformation symbolises the triumph of compassion over competition. A race is defined by speed — the fastest wins. By converting the race into a walk, the athletes collectively declare that human solidarity matters more than personal victory. The walk also symbolises equality: all nine reach the finish line at the same time, receiving the same gold medal, suggesting that a world where everyone crosses together is more valuable than one where only the fastest succeeds. The slower pace gives the moment a ceremonial, almost sacred quality — a deliberate act of communal affirmation.
L6 Create What is the poet's purpose in writing this poem, and how might the poem be different if the focus were on individual achievement rather than collective support?
David Roth's purpose is to celebrate the instinct of human compassion — particularly in a competitive environment where self-interest is the norm. The poem argues that empathy expressed in action (the runners stopping to help) represents a higher form of victory than a medal. If the poem focused on individual achievement, it would likely celebrate the fastest runner who continued to race and won — a conventional sports narrative. The fallen athlete would remain a footnote. By choosing collective support as its subject, the poem radically redefines what "winning" means, suggesting that the nine athletes who walked to the finish line achieved something far greater than any individual sprint could.

Extract-Based Questions (CBSE Format)

Extract 1 — The Act of Compassion

"The eight other runners pulled up on their heels
The ones who had trained for so long to compete
One by one they all turned round and went back to help him
And brought the young boy to his feet."
(i) L2 The phrase "pulled up on their heels" means that the runners: A. moved aside  B. stopped running  C. tried to run faster  D. jumped ahead
B. stopped running. "Pulled up on their heels" is an expression meaning to brake suddenly and come to a halt — they quite literally dug their heels into the track to slow themselves down and stop.
(ii) L4 Mention one character trait common to all eight runners.
Empathy / compassion. Despite months of training and the desire to win, each of the eight athletes independently chose to prioritise the needs of a fellow competitor over their own competitive ambition — an act that reveals deep empathy and an instinctive sense of human solidarity.
(iii) L2 What is the tone of the poet in these lines?
The tone is quietly awe-struck and admiring. The poet narrates the actions of the eight runners with restrained but deep appreciation — the simple, factual language ("one by one they all turned round") gives the act a quiet dignity that makes it more powerful than any dramatic description could.
(iv) L5 Would you consider this incident a turning point in the poem? Justify.
Yes, this is unquestionably the turning point. Before this moment, the poem follows a conventional sports narrative — preparation, competition, crisis. The decision of the eight runners to stop and help transforms the poem's entire direction and meaning. The race ceases to be about speed and becomes a meditation on human kindness. Everything that follows — the walk to the finish, the gold medals, the standing ovation — flows from this single, pivotal act of collective compassion.
(v) L4 How might the young fallen athlete have felt on being helped by the others?
The young athlete would have experienced a profound emotional shift — from the despair of seeing his dreams "dashed in the dirt" to an overwhelming sense of gratitude, belonging, and joy. Being physically lifted and then completing the race hand in hand with his peers would have replaced his anguish with a feeling of acceptance and dignity. The experience would likely be more memorable and meaningful to him than any individual medal could have been.

Extract 2 — The Finish Line

"That's how the race ended, with nine gold medals
They came to the finish line holding hands still
And a standing ovation and nine beaming faces
Said more than these words ever will."
(i) L2 How did the nine contestants feel when they reached the finishing line together?
The nine contestants felt joyful, united, and deeply content — their "beaming faces" convey a radiant happiness that transcends the outcome of any individual competition. They arrived as a group, which meant no one was a loser; the shared experience of empathy and solidarity created a satisfaction far deeper than competitive victory could produce.
(ii) L5 Why do you think all nine contestants were given gold medals?
The gold medals represent the organisers' recognition that what the nine athletes achieved was beyond the ordinary definition of winning. By walking together and choosing human solidarity over competition, they all performed an act of extraordinary moral excellence. Gold, the highest honour, was the only appropriate symbol for what had occurred: a demonstration that the spirit of sport — at its finest — is about uplifting one another, not defeating one another.
(iii) L4 Complete the sentence: "The holding of hands signifies a feeling of ___________."
Unity / solidarity / brotherhood / belonging. Holding hands is a gesture of connection and equality — it physically enacts the poem's central value that all nine athletes matter equally, and that their bond as human beings is more important than their ranking as competitors.
(iv) L2 The spectators giving a "standing ovation" indicates that they were: A. amazed  B. speechless  C. distracted  D. thoughtful
A. Amazed. A standing ovation is an act of exceptional appreciation — the crowd rose to their feet because they had witnessed something that moved them profoundly and surpassed their expectations of what sport could be. The spontaneous gesture reflects collective amazement at the athletes' humanity.
(v) L5 Explain the last line of the extract: "Said more than these words ever will."
The poet humbly acknowledges that the sight of nine beaming faces and the sound of a standing ovation communicated the power and beauty of what happened more eloquently than any poem, story, or spoken description could. This line is a form of poetic humility — the poet recognises that some moments of human goodness are beyond language. It also invites the reader to imagine the scene directly, to feel it rather than merely read about it, making the ending emotionally resonant and open.

Vocabulary in Context — Collocations

A collocation is a pair or group of words that habitually appear together in natural language. The phrase "standing ovation" is an adjective-noun collocation from the poem.

standing ovation
adjective + noun
Applause given while standing — the highest form of audience appreciation
The performance earned a five-minute standing ovation from the audience.
final event
adjective + noun
The last competition in a programme — carries the weight of accumulated anticipation
The final event of the day was the relay race, watched by the entire crowd.
big disappointment
adjective + noun
A significant feeling of sadness arising from unmet expectations
Losing the race by a fraction of a second was a big disappointment for the team.
heavy training
adjective + noun
Intense, demanding physical preparation over an extended period
Months of heavy training prepared the athletes for the competition.
strong belief
adjective + noun
A conviction held with great confidence and certainty
It was their strong belief in teamwork that led to their collective gold medals.
great achievement
adjective + noun
An accomplishment that is exceptional in scale, difficulty, or significance
Completing the race together was their greatest achievement of all.

Writing Task — Slogans & Poster for Special Olympics

Task 1: Write three creative slogans for Special Olympics. Slogans must be brief (8–10 words maximum), catchy, and reflect the values of inclusion, empathy, and solidarity.

Steps to Write a Powerful Slogan

Understand the theme — Special Olympics celebrates ability, not disability
Brainstorm key ideas: inclusion, potential, joy, solidarity, courage
Keep it brief and memorable — 8 to 10 words maximum
Make it catchy — use rhythm, rhyme, or alliteration if possible
Ensure it inspires action or emotion in the reader
Avoid clichés — aim for a fresh, original perspective

Sample Slogans:

  1. "Every step forward is a victory worth celebrating."
  2. "When we lift each other, we all reach the finish line."
  3. "Special Olympics: Where courage medals, not just speed."

(Reference: "Special Olympics: Igniting a Universe of Potential" — NCERT example)

Task 2: Create a poster inspired by the poem "Nine Gold Medals". Your poster should include a slogan, key images or text, and a call to action encouraging participation in the Special Olympics.

Steps to Design a Meaningful Poster

Include vital information: event name, date, and key message
Write down your key ideas before drawing or designing
Place your slogan prominently — it is the poster's heart
Use top, bottom, and sides for additional information
Include illustrations that reflect empathy and solidarity
Add a call to action: "Participate. Include. Inspire."

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the poet of Nine Gold Medals in Class 9 Kaveri Unit 5?
The poem "Nine Gold Medals" is written by David Roth, an American singer-songwriter and poet. The poem is based on a real incident witnessed at a Special Olympics event and has been widely celebrated for its message of compassion and human solidarity.
How many stanzas does Nine Gold Medals have?
The poem has 8 stanzas, each with 4 lines (quatrains). The poem follows a clear narrative progression from the setting of the race (stanza 1–3), the fall and crisis (stanzas 4–5), the turning point (stanza 6), and the collective resolution (stanzas 7–8).
What does "standing ovation" mean in Nine Gold Medals?
A "standing ovation" occurs when an audience rises to their feet to applaud, expressing exceptional appreciation and admiration. In the poem, the crowd's standing ovation signals their recognition that the nine athletes had demonstrated something far greater than athletic performance — they had shown the highest form of human empathy and solidarity.
What is a collocation and what examples appear in Nine Gold Medals?
A collocation is a pair or group of words that naturally and habitually appear together. Examples from the poem include "standing ovation" (adjective + noun), "final event" (adjective + noun), "hundred-yard dash" (compound noun), and "nine beaming faces" (number + adjective + noun). These natural word combinations make language more fluent and natural.
What is Nine Gold Medals — David Roth about in NCERT Class 9 Kaveri?

Nine Gold Medals — David Roth is from NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri (NEP 2020 textbook) covering literary and language concepts with vocabulary, devices, and CBSE-aligned exercises.

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