CBSE Class 10 English First Flight Fog Poem Summary

CBSE Class 10 English Fog Summary: The poem Fog by Carl Sandburg summary​ is an important part of the CBSE Class 10 English syllabus under the First Flight textbook and is important for the upcoming Class 10 English board exam on 21 February 2026). This short poem has been included to help students understand the use of imagery and metaphor in poetry.

The Fog summary explains how the poet compares fog to a cat, highlighting its silent and mysterious movement. As per the latest CBSE Class 10 syllabus, it is often asked in exams through extract-based questions or short answers. Understanding the poem's theme and literary devices is essential for scoring well in the Class 10 English board exam.

Fog Poem Summary

Here is the poem fog summary. The poet describes the quiet arrival of fog, comparing it to the soft steps of a little cat. Just as a cat moves silently and unnoticed, the fog enters the city slowly and calmly. It spreads over the harbor and the city, folding around everything like a cat resting, observing its surroundings. After some time, the fog quietly moves on, leaving no trace, emphasizing its fleeting and subtle presence.

Poem: Fog

The fog comes

on little cat feet.

It sits looking

over harbour and city

on silent haunches

and then moves on.

– Carl Sandburg

Explanation:

In this poem, the poet personifies fog by comparing it to a cat. He says the fog comes quietly, just like a cat that walks softly on its paws. The fog spreads over the city and the harbour without making a sound, the way a cat calmly sits on its haunches and watches its surroundings. Then, just as quietly as it came, the fog disappears, moving away without a trace.

This comparison helps students visualize the calm, mysterious nature of fog. It also shows how natural elements can be poetic and full of life when observed closely. The use of metaphor and personification adds depth to the poem while keeping the language simple and understandable.

Fog- About The Poet 

Carl Sandburg (1878–1967) was an acclaimed American poet, biographer, journalist, and folklorist born in Galesburg, Illinois, to Swedish immigrant parents.​ From a working-class background, he left school early for labor jobs, served in the Spanish-American War, then became a socialist organizer and Chicago reporter, capturing industrial life's raw energy in free verse.​

His breakthrough Chicago Poems (1916) celebrated urban workers; he won three Pulitzers, including for Lincoln biographies and Complete Poems (1951), with "Fog" in CBSE Class 10 symbolizing nature's stealth.​ Sandburg's populist voice immortalized American heartland struggles through accessible, vivid imagery.

CBSE Class 10 English Fog Conclusion

The poem Fog by Carl Sandburg beautifully captures the quiet and mysterious arrival and departure of fog through the metaphor of a cat. It encourages readers to observe nature closely and appreciate its silent movements.

The simplicity of the poem hides a deeper meaning, reflecting the transient and unpredictable nature of life. This poem helps students understand the power of imagery and metaphor in poetry, making it an important part of the CBSE Class 10 English First Flight syllabus.

CBSE Class 10 Fog Poem summary PDF 

Students preparing for the CBSE Class 10 English exam can easily revise the poem “Fog” by Carl Sandburg with the help of our well-structured summary and explanation notes. This PDF includes the complete poem, detailed explanation, literary devices, and key meanings to support last-minute revisions and concept clarity. The fog poem summary​ PDF download link is provided below for your convenience.

Common Mistakes Students Make While in Fog Poem

Students often lose marks in this poem by missing its symbolic meaning and writing only literal answers.

• Treating the poem as only about weather and missing its symbolic meaning of uncertainty and change.

• Explaining the fog literally and ignoring its comparison with a cat.

• Forgetting to mention imagery and metaphor, which are central to the poem.

• Writing long explanations instead of keeping answers short and precise, as the poem itself is very brief.

• Missing the idea that fog comes silently and leaves silently, reflecting temporary situations in life.

Revision Checklist for Fog – Class 10 CBSE

This checklist helps students revise the key ideas, poetic devices, and message of the poem quickly before exams.

• Poet: Carl Sandburg

• Central idea: Fog represents uncertainty, change, and mystery

• Meaning of fog as a metaphor for temporary phases in life

• Comparison of fog with a cat because it comes, sits, and leaves quietly.

• Poetic devices revised (metaphor, imagery, personification)

• Message of the poem linked to real-life situations and emotions

CBSE Class 10 Fog Poem summary PDF 

Students preparing for the CBSE Class 10 English exam can easily revise the poem “Fog” by Carl Sandburg with the help of our well-structured summary and explanation notes. This PDF includes the complete poem, detailed explanation, literary devices, and key meanings to support last-minute revisions and concept clarity. The fog poem summary​ PDF download link is provided below for your convenience.

Fog Poem Class 10 Summary PDF