The poet suggests that the boy is learning several valuable lessons from the loss of the ball. These lessons include:
- The meaning of loss : The boy is learning what it means to lose something, as he has experienced the loss of his ball and realizes that it is a part of life
- Responsibility : The loss of the ball makes the boy sense his first responsibility, as he has to face the consequences of his actions and learn how to cope with the loss
- Growth : The poet implies that the boy is growing up in a world of possessions, where he will lose things and have to buy replacements. However, he will never be able to buy back the thing he had lost
- Coping with loss : The boy is learning to cope with the loss of the ball and experiencing grief, which is a natural response to loss
- The importance of loss and responsibility : The poet wants the boy to understand the importance of loss and responsibility in life, as it is an inevitable part of life that we all have to face
In summary, the poet believes that the boy is learning valuable lessons from the loss of the ball, including the meaning of loss, responsibility, growth, coping with loss, and the importance of loss and responsibility in life.