Done class 12 English chapter 1 my mother at sixty six

Class 12 

Subject English 

Chapter 1

My mother at sixty six 

(Summary for the poem)

 "My Mother at Sixty-six" by Kamala Das

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✅ 20 Words:

The poet sees her ageing mother and feels a deep fear of losing her, hiding her emotions behind a brave smile.

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✅ 40 Words:

While driving to the airport, the poet sees her old, dozing mother looking pale and corpse-like. Overcome with childhood fear of separation, she distracts herself but hides her pain with a smile and a hopeful goodbye.

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✅ 60 Words:

Kamala Das, while driving to Cochin, notices her ageing mother sleeping with an open mouth and a pale face. This reminds her of death and the fear of losing her mother. To distract herself, she watches the lively world outside. At the airport, she feels the same fear but smiles, hiding her emotions while bidding goodbye.

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✅ 80 Words:

In “My Mother at Sixty-six,” Kamala Das captures a moment of emotional pain as she realizes her mother’s old age. During a drive to the airport, the poet sees her mother sleeping with her mouth open, looking pale and lifeless. Overwhelmed with fear of loss, she looks at the vibrant life outside — young trees and children. At the airport, she notices her mother again, pale like the winter moon. Though filled with sorrow, she only smiles to conceal her true feelings.

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(Explanation of the poem)

 stanza-wise explanation of the poem "My Mother at Sixty-six" by Kamala Das in simple English:

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🌸 Stanza 1:

> Driving from my parent’s home to Cochin last Friday morning,

I saw my mother, beside me,

doze, open mouthed, her face

ashen like that

of a corpse and realised with

pain

that she was as old as she looked...

📖 Explanation:

The poet is travelling from her parents’ home to Cochin. Her mother is sitting beside her in the car. She is dozing with her mouth open and looks very pale, like a dead body. This sight makes the poet feel a deep pain as she realizes that her mother has become old and weak. The poet is shocked to see the physical signs of ageing on her mother's face.

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🌳 Stanza 2:

> ...but soon

put that thought away, and

looked out at Young

Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling

out of their homes...

📖 Explanation:

To escape the painful thought of her mother’s ageing and possible death, the poet turns her attention outside. She sees young trees rushing past (as the car moves) and happy children running out of their homes. These images of life, energy, and youth contrast sharply with the image of her old, tired mother. It shows how life moves on, even as people grow old.

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✈️ Stanza 3:

> ...but after the airport’s

security check, standing a few yards

away, I looked again at her, wan,

pale

as a late winter’s moon and felt that

old

familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,

but all I said was, see you soon,

Amma,

all I did was smile and smile and

smile...

📖 Explanation:

After reaching the airport and passing the security check, the poet looks back at her mother, who is standing a little distance away. Her mother looks pale and colourless like the winter moon, symbolizing dullness and the nearness of death. This brings back the poet's old childhood fear — the fear of losing her mother. Despite this pain, she does not express her sorrow. Instead, she smiles repeatedly and says goodbye, trying to stay strong and hopeful.

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(Character sketch of the poet)

character sketch of the poet Kamala Das as seen in the poem "My Mother at Sixty-six":

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✍️ Character Sketch of Kamala Das (as a daughter-poet)

Kamala Das appears in the poem as a sensitive, emotional, and loving daughter. She deeply cares for her ageing mother and feels a painful realisation of mortality when she sees her pale, weak face. Her childhood fear of losing her mother returns, showing her emotional depth and attachment.

Though she is overwhelmed by sorrow, Kamala tries to hide her pain with strength, simply smiling and saying goodbye instead of expressing her fear. This shows her emotional maturity, love, and the silent strength she uses to face separation. She is also observant, noticing the contrast between youth outside the car and the frailty of her mother beside her.

Her poetry reflects her inner turmoil, deep affection, and ability to express complex feelings in simple, moving words.

(Think it out)

NCERT textbook questions from “My Mother at Sixty-six” by Kamala Das 

1. What is the kind of pain and ache that the poet feels?

✅ 20 words:

The poet feels the deep emotional pain of losing her aged mother and relives her childhood fear of separation.

✅ 40 words:

The poet is pained by the sight of her mother’s pale, ageing face. It reminds her of death and brings back her childhood fear of losing her mother. This emotional ache is silent but very powerful, filled with helplessness.

✅ 60 words:

The poet experiences a deep sense of pain on seeing her mother’s pale and weak face, reminding her of death. She is suddenly aware of her mother’s ageing and mortality. This brings back an old ache — the fear of losing her loved one, something she felt since childhood. It’s a mix of sorrow, helplessness, and silent emotional suffering.

✅ 80 words:

Kamala Das feels a sudden, sharp pain when she sees her mother dozing with her mouth open, looking lifeless and pale like a corpse. This visual forces her to accept that her mother is truly growing old. It brings back a familiar ache — the fear she felt as a child whenever she thought of being separated from her mother. The poet tries to suppress this pain, but it lingers as a deep emotional wound, reflecting the universal fear of losing a parent.

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2. Why are the young trees described as ‘sprinting’?

✅ 20 words:

The trees appear to sprint as the car moves fast, symbolizing energy, youth, and contrast to the mother’s ageing.

✅ 40 words:

The trees are described as ‘sprinting’ to show the fast movement of the car. It also symbolises youth, life, and energy, contrasting with the stillness and old age of the poet’s mother, who appears lifeless and weak.

✅ 60 words:

The term ‘sprinting’ is used because the trees appear to be running backward as the car moves forward. Poetically, this movement symbolizes the energy and liveliness of youth. It is a sharp contrast to the still and pale image of her ageing mother, who is sleeping beside her, tired and lifeless. The trees represent life moving on rapidly.

✅ 80 words:

The young trees are described as ‘sprinting’ to reflect the movement of the car. But metaphorically, this image also suggests youth, energy, and the vibrancy of life. It forms a sharp contrast to the still, pale figure of the poet’s mother, who looks lifeless like a corpse. While nature and life outside are moving and active, her mother appears motionless and aged. This contrast highlights the reality of ageing and the inevitability of time passing, bringing death closer.

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3. Why has the poet brought in the image of the merry children ‘spilling out of their homes’?

✅ 20 words:

To contrast her mother’s ageing, the poet shows merry children as symbols of life, energy, joy, and carefree youth.

✅ 40 words:

The image of happy children running out of their homes represents youth, energy, and freedom. It contrasts sharply with the poet’s mother’s old, weak state. This contrast highlights the cycle of life — from youthful energy to ageing stillness.

✅ 60 words:

The poet uses the image of merry children spilling out of their homes to symbolize joy, liveliness, and the freshness of childhood. This scene stands in sharp contrast to her mother’s tired, pale face. It reminds the poet of the difference between youth and old age. Through this image, she portrays the continuous cycle of life, where youth and old age coexist.

✅ 80 words:

Kamala Das includes the image of happy children running out of their homes to show a lively, energetic world full of life and movement. These children symbolize innocence, carefree joy, and the freshness of youth. This image strongly contrasts with the poet’s aged, tired mother, who appears lifeless and pale. By placing these images side by side, the poet highlights the stark reality of ageing and death, set against the background of life that continues to bloom around her.

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4. Why has the mother been compared to the ‘late winter’s moon’?

✅ 20 words:

The mother is pale, dull, and lifeless like the late winter’s moon, symbolising weakness, fading life, and nearing death.

✅ 40 words:

The poet compares her mother to a late winter’s moon because she looks pale, old, and weak. The winter moon lacks brightness and warmth, just like her mother lacks energy and colour. It symbolises the nearing end of life.

✅ 60 words:

The comparison to a late winter’s moon highlights the poet’s mother’s pale and lifeless appearance. Like the moon in winter, which is dim and colourless, her mother looks weak and faded. This image reflects old age and the decline of physical strength and beauty. It also symbolizes the approaching end of life, creating a mood of quiet sorrow and reflection.

✅ 80 words:

The poet compares her mother’s face to a late winter’s moon to express how old and faded she appears. The winter moon is dull, pale, and lifeless, just like her mother, who seems drained of vitality. This image is both visual and symbolic — it conveys the loss of strength and the fragile state of the mother’s health. The use of this metaphor deepens the emotional impact, showing how time has taken away the brightness from her mother’s life, like winter takes brightness from the moon.

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5. What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify?

✅ 20 words:

Her words and smile hide her fear of losing her mother and show hope, love, and emotional strength despite pain.

✅ 40 words:

The poet says, “See you soon, Amma,” and smiles repeatedly to hide her sorrow. Though she feels a deep fear of loss, she chooses to appear strong and hopeful. Her smile represents courage, love, and silent emotional strength.

✅ 60 words:

The poet’s parting words, “See you soon, Amma,” and her continuous smiling signify her attempt to mask the fear and pain of losing her ageing mother. She does not express her emotions openly but instead puts on a brave front. Her smile shows her silent love, emotional maturity, and an effort to give hope and comfort to her mother.

✅ 80 words:

The poet’s repeated smile and the parting words “See you soon, Amma” reflect her inner struggle. Although she is filled with fear and sadness over her mother’s ageing, she chooses not to show her pain. Instead, she smiles to keep the atmosphere light and hopeful. Her smile hides her tears, showing her emotional maturity, silent suffering, and deep love. It also reflects how we often conceal our pain to protect our loved ones and give them a sense of reassurance.

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(Extra questions and answers)

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🌼 1. What does the poet notice about her mother during the car journey?

20 words:

She notices her mother dozing off, her face pale and lifeless, which reminds the poet of her old age.

40 words:

During the journey, the poet sees her mother sleeping with her mouth open. Her face looks pale and dull like a dead body. This sight painfully reminds the poet that her mother is growing very old and weak.

60 words:

While driving to Cochin, the poet observes her mother dozing beside her. Her mouth is open, and her face appears ashen, lifeless, and similar to a corpse. This shocks the poet and brings a wave of sorrow as she realizes how aged and fragile her mother has become. It also awakens her inner fear of losing her someday.

80 words:

During a car ride to Cochin, the poet Kamala Das glances at her mother and is struck by her appearance. She’s dozing with her mouth open, and her face looks extremely pale — almost like that of a corpse. This image instantly brings a wave of emotional pain to the poet. It forces her to confront the reality of her mother’s ageing and mortality. It also revives her childhood fear of separation and the unbearable thought of losing her mother forever.

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🌼 2. How does the poet try to distract herself from the painful thoughts?

20 words:

She looks outside the car window at sprinting trees and happy children to divert her mind from sad thoughts.

40 words:

To avoid thinking about her mother’s ageing, the poet turns her gaze outside. She notices young trees sprinting and children happily playing. These images of liveliness help distract her from the sorrowful reality of her mother’s frailty.

60 words:

When the poet feels overwhelmed by her mother’s aged appearance and the fear of losing her, she shifts her attention to the scenes outside the car. She sees young trees racing past and children spilling out joyfully from homes. These sights represent energy and life, offering a contrast to her mother’s stillness and helping her cope with her inner emotional storm.

80 words:

After seeing her mother dozing with a pale, corpse-like face, the poet feels deeply disturbed and sorrowful. To escape the emotional pain, she deliberately turns her attention away and looks outside the car window. She observes the young trees speeding past, symbolising energy and life, and watches merry children playing, full of joy. These contrasting scenes help her temporarily divert her mind from the painful realisation of her mother’s old age and the fear of imminent separation that troubles her heart.

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🌼 3. What do the young trees and merry children symbolise in the poem?

20 words:

They symbolise youth, life, energy, and hope — contrasting with the poet’s ageing, pale mother who represents nearing death.

40 words:

The young trees and merry children in the poem represent the vibrancy and joy of life. They stand in contrast to the still, pale image of the poet’s mother and symbolise the cycle of life, where youth and ageing coexist.

60 words:

In the poem, the sprinting trees and merry children symbolise the freshness, movement, and energy of life. These vibrant images represent youth, growth, and joy. They stand in stark contrast to the pale, lifeless face of the poet’s mother, who symbolises old age and the approach of death. This contrast deepens the poem’s emotional effect and theme of ageing.

80 words:

The poet uses the images of young trees sprinting and merry children spilling out of their homes as symbols of life’s vitality and energy. These images are bright and full of movement, symbolising the continuation and beauty of life. In contrast, her mother appears still, pale, and lifeless. This sharp opposition highlights the difference between youth and old age. It brings out the poem’s central theme — the inevitable passage of time and how ageing and death silently shadow all human relationships.

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🌼 4. Why does the poet feel the ‘familiar ache’?

20 words:

She feels the familiar ache of childhood fear — the fear of being separated from her mother due to her old age.

40 words:

The poet feels a familiar ache when she sees her old, pale mother. It is the same fear she had as a child — the fear of losing her mother. Seeing her so weak brings back this long-standing emotional pain.

60 words:

As the poet prepares to part from her mother at the airport, she experiences a familiar ache — the same deep fear she felt in childhood about losing her mother. Her mother’s pale, aged face reminds her that death is approaching. This emotional pain resurfaces, revealing the poet’s lifelong attachment and love, and her helplessness against the passage of time.

80 words:

The poet Kamala Das experiences a familiar ache when she looks at her aged mother, standing weak and pale like the winter’s moon. This ache is not new — it’s an old emotional pain she has carried since childhood. It’s the fear of separation, the fear of losing her mother to death one day. This ache reflects the deep bond between them and the sorrow that ageing brings to loved ones. The poem delicately captures this inner emotional turmoil of the poet.

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🌼 5. What does the poet’s repeated smile at the end suggest?

20 words:

The smile hides her sorrow and fear of losing her mother. It shows courage, love, and emotional self-control.

40 words:

Her smile is an attempt to hide the deep pain and fear she feels inside. By smiling repeatedly, she reassures her mother and herself, showing maturity and emotional strength even though she’s heartbroken.

60 words:

The poet’s repeated smile at the end of the poem is symbolic. It is not just a farewell gesture, but a brave attempt to hide her sorrow. Though she’s filled with fear and emotional pain at the sight of her ageing mother, she chooses not to cry. Instead, she smiles to stay strong, offering comfort to her mother and herself.

80 words:

At the end of the poem, the poet smiles again and again while saying goodbye to her mother. This repeated smile holds deep emotional meaning. It’s her way of covering up the intense sadness and fear she feels seeing her mother so old and fragile. The smile is a silent act of strength — she doesn’t want to make her mother sad or anxious. It shows love, emotional maturity, and how we often mask our deepest feelings to protect the ones we love.

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🌼 6. What is the main theme of the poem?

20 words:

The poem explores ageing, fear of loss, emotional separation, and a daughter’s silent sorrow on seeing her mother grow old.

40 words:

The central theme is the passage of time and the inevitable ageing process. It highlights the poet’s deep love for her mother and her silent fear of separation and death. The poem shows how ageing affects relationships, especially between parents and children.

60 words:

The poem focuses on the theme of ageing and the deep emotional pain it brings. Kamala Das expresses her love and concern for her ageing mother, capturing the fear of losing a loved one. The contrast between life’s vibrancy and old age enhances the theme. It also touches upon human helplessness against time and our silent endurance of emotional pain.

80 words:

The main theme of “My Mother at Sixty-six” is the fear of ageing and the inevitable separation it brings. Kamala Das portrays the deep emotional connection between a daughter and her mother, expressing how the signs of old age bring sorrow and anxiety. The poem highlights the contrast between life and death, youth and old age, and captures the silent emotional suffering people go through when faced with the reality of time passing and loved ones growing old, all beneath a surface of quiet acceptance.

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🌼 7. How does the poet create contrast in the poem?

20 words:

She contrasts her pale, old mother with young trees and children to highlight the difference between youth and old age.

40 words:

The poet creates contrast by comparing her lifeless, ageing mother with vibrant images of young trees and cheerful children. These images emphasize the difference between life and decline, reminding the poet of the unstoppable passage of time.

60 words:

Kamala Das contrasts her weak, pale mother with images of youthful energy like sprinting trees and happy children. The liveliness outside the car opposes the dull stillness of her mother inside. This comparison strengthens the poem’s emotional impact by showing how youth and age coexist, and how ageing seems lonely and sad compared to the brightness of life.

80 words:

In “My Mother at Sixty-six,” the poet creates an emotional contrast by setting her ageing, pale mother against the vibrant world outside. As the car moves, she sees sprinting trees and joyful children, full of life and energy. Meanwhile, her mother appears lifeless and dull. This stark contrast between youth and old age intensifies the emotional weight of the poem, showing the poet’s inner struggle and silent sorrow. It reflects how the external world continues happily even as loved ones grow closer to death.

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🌼 8. What role does memory and emotion play in the poem?

20 words:

Memory and emotion connect the poet’s present pain with her childhood fear of losing her mother, adding depth to the poem.

40 words:

The poet’s emotions are deeply tied to her memories. Seeing her aged mother brings back her childhood fear of separation. This memory increases her pain and forms the emotional core of the poem, showing lasting love and silent suffering.

60 words:

Memory and emotion are central to the poem. When the poet sees her old mother, it triggers her childhood fear of losing her. This remembered emotion enhances her current sorrow and makes her pain more intense. The poem becomes a personal reflection of love, attachment, and the emotional struggles we face while dealing with time, ageing, and eventual loss.

80 words:

In the poem, Kamala Das uses memory and emotion to express the pain of seeing her mother age. The sight of her pale, tired face immediately brings back the poet’s childhood fear of being separated from her mother. This emotional memory strengthens the present moment and adds depth to the poem. It shows how certain emotions—like the fear of losing a parent—never truly leave us, and how past and present feelings can intertwine during emotional experiences, especially those involving love and loss.

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🌼 9. How is the title “My Mother at Sixty-six” significant?

20 words:

The title marks the poet’s mother’s age, highlighting the poem’s theme of ageing, loss, and emotional reflection.

40 words:

The title draws attention to the mother’s age — sixty-six — an age symbolising old age and fragility. It sets the tone for the poem, focusing on the mother’s ageing and the poet’s emotional response to it.

60 words:

The title “My Mother at Sixty-six” is significant as it directly refers to the mother’s age, which is the central focus of the poem. Sixty-six represents a stage of life where signs of old age become clearly visible. It sets the emotional tone and prepares the reader for the poet’s reflection on the physical and emotional impact of her mother’s ageing.

80 words:

The title “My Mother at Sixty-six” plays a crucial role in highlighting the central idea of the poem — the reality of ageing and emotional pain that comes with it. The mention of the mother’s exact age shows the poet’s keen observation and emotional involvement. It indicates that this is a specific, significant moment in the poet’s life — the moment she truly notices her mother’s frailty and begins to confront the fear of losing her. It sets the mood of quiet sorrow and reflection.

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🌼 10. Why doesn’t the poet express her fear and sadness openly?

20 words:

She hides her emotions to stay strong for her mother, choosing love and strength over showing her pain and fear.

40 words:

The poet chooses not to express her sadness openly because she doesn’t want to upset her mother. She hides her fear behind a smile, showing maturity and silent strength. It reflects her deep love and desire to protect her mother.

60 words:

Although the poet feels deep emotional pain, she doesn’t express it openly. She smiles instead, hiding her fear of losing her mother. This act of restraint shows her emotional maturity and sensitivity. She wants to protect her mother from worry or sadness. By staying calm and composed, she shows silent love, strength, and the unspoken emotional connection between parent and child.

80 words:

The poet doesn’t express her sorrow and fear openly because she doesn’t want her mother to see her pain. Despite being overwhelmed with emotion, she chooses to smile repeatedly and bid a gentle farewell. This quiet reaction shows her emotional strength, maturity, and deep love. She wants to protect her mother from any distress. Her silence reflects how sometimes, the most powerful emotions are felt but not spoken. It also highlights the human tendency to hide pain to comfort those we love.

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( the poetic devices (also called figures of speech) 

used in the poem “My Mother at Sixty-six” by Kamala Das, along with examples and explanations:

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🌸 1. Simile

Definition: Comparison using like or as.

Example 1:

"Her face ashen like that of a corpse"

→ Compares the mother’s pale face to a dead body to show her frail condition.

Example 2:

"As a late winter’s moon"

→ Compares her mother’s pale face to the dim winter moon, symbolising weakness and ageing.

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🌿 2. Metaphor

Definition: Direct comparison without using like or as.

Example:

"Trees sprinting"

→ The trees appear to sprint as the car moves fast. It's a metaphor for movement and youth.

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🎵 3. Repetition

Definition: Repeating words or phrases for emphasis.

Example:

"Smile and smile and smile..."

→ Repetition of "smile" highlights the poet’s effort to hide pain and stay emotionally strong.

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✈️ 4. Contrast

Definition: Showing differences to highlight a theme.

Example:

Pale, still mother vs. sprinting trees and merry children

→ Contrasts old age with youth and vitality to show the passage of time.

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💭 5. Alliteration

Definition: Repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words.

Example:

"My mother at sixty-six"

→ Repetition of the m sound gives a soft, personal tone.

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🧠 6. Enjambment

Definition: When one line of poetry flows into the next without punctuation.

Example:

The entire poem is one long sentence across multiple lines.

→ Creates a natural, continuous flow of thoughts, just like the poet’s emotional journey.

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🌕 7. Imagery

Definition: Use of vivid language to create mental pictures.

Examples:

"Her face ashen like that of a corpse",

"Trees sprinting",

"Merry children spilling out..."

→ These lines create strong visual images and appeal to the reader’s senses.

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❤️ 8. Symbolism

Definition: Using symbols to represent deeper meanings.

Examples:

Winter moon → Symbolises fading life and old age.

Merry children → Symbolise life, youth, and energy.

Sprinting trees → Represent the fast pace of life.

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