Set 1 :

(a) The poet drove away the painful thought of the distressing reality that her mother was getting old and she might die anytime. 

(b) When she looked out of the car, she saw young trees on the roadside, which appeared to be moving. She also saw a group of children, merrily rushing out of their homes to play. 

(c) As the poet passed through security check at the airport and happened to look at her mother, she was again haunted by the same fear of losing her to death. This shows that the joyful scene earlier didn’t help drive away the painful thought from her mind. 

(d) The merry children are symbolic of the exuberance of youth. The energetic and lively children present a contrast to the poet’s mother who has grown old and pale.

Set 2 : 

(a) The poet put away the thought of the-distressing reality of her mother getting old and of her impending death. 

(b) The ‘sprinting trees’ signify time that has passed at a fast pace. 

(c) The merry children epitomise bubbly youth. They represent the exuberance and liveliness of young age. 

(d) The poet makes use of these images to emphasise the contrast between old age and youth.

Set 3 :

(a) The poet Kamala Das looked out at young trees. 

(b) Seeing her aged mother, she felt insecure about the fact that she might be separated from her mother. The poet was also feeling guilty for neglecting her. She wondered if she would see her mother alive next time. However, she soon put these thoughts away. 

(c) The young sprinting trees symbolise happiness, strength and vigour which are the characteristics of youth in contrast to the dullness of old age.

(d) As the poet looked outside the window of her moving car, the trees appeared to be moving fast in the opposite direction. So, they are described as sprinting.