Lesson-1

A Letter to God

By G.L. Fuentes

“Faith Is Like Wifi, It Is Invisible But It Has The Power To Connect You To What You Need.

A Letter to God Introduction

The storey "A Letter to God" by G.L Fuentes is about having unquestionable faith in something. The plot takes place in a Latin American country. After discovering his entire crop yield destroyed by a devastating hailstorm, the story's protagonist, Lencho, writes a letter to God asking for help from the almighty. Despite the fact that his wishes are partially, if not completely, granted, he is ungrateful in the end and questions the honesty and modesty of the postmasters who helped him with money (anonymously) in the name of God.

A Letter to God Summary

G.L. Fuentes' storey "A Letter to God" depicts a farmer's unwavering faith in God. It all starts with a farmer named Lencho hoping for a rainstorm to irrigate his cornfield. He is confident that his harvest will bring him huge profits, as it does every year. Rainfall did fall, much to his delight, but it quickly turned into a hailstorm, destroying his entire crop field. The damage threatened the family's survival because their entire livelihood was dependent on the year's harvest. Despite their disappointment, the family maintained a firm faith in the Almighty. Despite working day and night in the field, Lencho knew how to write and decided to write a letter to God explaining his situation and asking for help. He went to town to post his letter to "God." When the postmaster noticed the letter, it initially amused him, but it then motivated him to do something for the farmer in order to maintain his enormous faith. He contributes from his salary and collects funds from coworkers and friends who have generously contributed to a charitable cause. To his dismay, he was only able to collect 70 pesos, which he wrapped in an envelope to appear as a response from the deity. When he discovers the letter, the writer (Lencho) is not surprised, but rather irritated because the amount is less than what he expected. He writes another letter to God, this time expressing his disappointment and distrust in the post office employees who he believes have stolen the remaining funds.

A Letter to God Lesson Explanation

The house – the only one in the entire valley – sat on the crest of a low hill. From this height, one could see the river and the field of ripe corn dotted with the flowers that always promised a good harvest. The only thing the earth needed was a downpour or at least a shower. Throughout the morning Lencho – who knew his fields intimately – had done nothing else but see the sky towards the northeast.

• Crest: Top of a hill
• Dotted: Full Of
• Downpour: Heavy Rain
• Intimately: Closely

Lencho, the farmer, lived on the only house that was there on the top of a hill. The hill was low-heighted. From there, a river and a ready-to-harvest corn field were visible. The field belonged to Lencho and he had the utmost confidence that the harvest would reap great profits. The only thing that he awaited was rainfall. In this hope, he spent an entire morning gazing at the sky in the north-east direction from where a drizzle was expected to shower on his field.

“Now we’re really going to get some water, woman. The woman who was preparing supper, replied, “Yes, God willing”. The older boys were working in the field, while the smaller ones were playing near the house until the woman called to them all, “Come for dinner. It was during the meal that, just as Lencho had predicted, big drops of rain began to fall. In the north-east huge mountains of clouds could be seen approaching. The air was fresh and sweet. The man went out for no other reason than to have the pleasure of feeling the rain on his body, and when he returned he exclaimed, “These aren’t raindrops falling from the sky, they are new coins. The big drops are ten cent pieces and the little ones are fives.”

• Exclaimed- cry out suddenly in surprise, strong emotion, or pain.

While looking at the sky, the man confidently tells his wife that they will have a rain shower, to which the lady responds, "only if everything goes as they hope and expect." When Lencho's wife summons everyone for dinner, their older children were working in the field and their younger children were playing near the house. Drops of rain begin to fall during this time, proving the farmer's prediction correct. The wind was pleasant, and clouds could be seen moving in from the north-east. Lencho goes outside to enjoy the sensation of the droplets on his skin. He compares the drizzle to coins, with larger droplets worth ten cents and smaller ones worth five cents. He says this because the raindrops will ensure a good crop, which will earn them a lot of money.

With a satisfied expression he regarded the field of ripe corn with its flowers, draped in a curtain of rain. But suddenly a strong wind began to blow and along with the rain very large hailstones began to fall. These truly did resemble new silver coins. The boys, exposing themselves to the rain, ran out to collect the frozen pearls.

• Regarded- Consider Or Think Of In A Specified Way
• Draped- Adorn, Cover, Or Wrap (Someone Or Something)
• Hailstones- A Pellet Of Hail
• Resemble- Have A Similar Appearance To Or Qualities In Common With (Someone Or Something); Look Or Seem Like.
• Exposing- make (something) visible by uncovering it.; reveal

Lencho reflected on the field and the flowers covered in droplets that appeared to be wrapped in a curtain as everything went as planned. Unexpectedly, strong winds began to blow, resulting in a hailstorm. Satirically, the writer refers to these frozen rain pellets as "new silver coins." The innocent boys became playful and went out in the rain to play and collect these "frozen pearls" hailstones.

“It’s really getting bad now,” exclaimed the man. “I hope it passes quickly. It did not pass quickly. For an hour the hail rained on the house, the garden, the hillside, the cornfield, on the whole valley. The field was white as if covered with salt.

The farmer now starts worrying and hopes that the storm gets over quickly, which, to his utmost disappointment, didn’t. The hailstones covered the entire valley including the house, garden, hillside, and cornfield. It made everything look so white that it seemed as if it was covered in salt.

Not a leaf remained on the trees. The corn was totally destroyed. The flowers were gone from the plants. Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness. When the storm had passed, he stood in the middle of the field and said to his sons, “A plague of locusts would have left more than this. The hail has left nothing. This year we will have no corn.” That night was a sorrowful one. “All our work, for nothing. There’s no one who can help us”.”We’ll all go hungry this year.”

• plague- a destructively numerous inflow or multiplication of a harmful animal, infestation
• locusts- Insects which fly in big groups and destroy crops

As everything went against the plan, Lencho became stressed and disappointed. The trees' leaves had fallen, the corns had been smashed, and the flowers had also fallen from their plants. While standing in the withered fields, he expressed his dismay and sorrow to his sons by remarking that the storm's impact was worse than that of crop-destroying insects. All of their efforts had been in vain. He felt helpless because there was no corn left and feared that they would have to starve this time.

But in the hearts of all who lived in that solitary house in the middle of the valley, there was a single hope: help from God. “Don’t be so upset, even though this seems like a total loss. Remember, no one dies of hunger.””That’s what they say: no one dies of hunger. “

• solitary:  Existing alone; lonely.

Even after everything had gone wrong, the family maintained hope in their hearts of hearts. Even when there was nothing left, they had faith in the Almighty. They encouraged one another and recalled a proverb that states that no one ever dies of starvation.

All through the night, Lencho thought only of his one hope: the help of God, whose eyes, as he had been instructed, see everything, even what is deep in one’s conscience. Lencho was an ox of a man, working like an animal in the fields, but still he knew how to write. The following Sunday, at daybreak, he began to write a letter which he himself would carry to town and place in the mail. It was nothing less than a letter to God.

• conscience- an inner sense of right and wrong.
• ox of a man- hardworking
• daybreak- The time in the morning when daylight first appears

Lencho spent the entire night contemplating the only option left to him, which was to seek the assistance of God, who, he had been told, has eyes and ears everywhere. He considered writing a letter to God in which he expressed his grievances. Despite having spent so many years working on the farm, he still knew how to write. He began writing on Sunday morning and planned to mail it himself by going to town.

“God, he wrote, “if you don’t help me, my family and I will go hungry this year. I need a hundred pesos in order to sow my field again and to live until the crop comes, because the hailstorm….” He wrote ‘To God’ on the envelope, put the letter inside and, still troubled, went to town. At the post office, he placed a stamp on the letter and dropped it into the mailbox.

• Pesos- the basic monetary unit of Mexico, several other Latin American countries, and the Philippines

In his letter to God, he expressed his poverty and stated that he needed 100 pesos to regenerate the crops while also surviving until they were ready to harvest. He wrote on the envelope, "To God, The letter was then stamped at the post office and dropped in the mailbox.

One of the employees, who was a postman and also helped at the post office, went to his boss laughing heartily and showed him the letter to God. Never in his career as a postman had he known that address. The postmaster – a fat, amiable fellow – also broke out laughing, but almost immediately he turned serious and, tapping the letter on his desk, commented, “What faith! I wish I had the faith of the man who wrote this letter. Starting up a correspondence with God!”

• Amiable- Friendly And Pleasant
• Correspondence- Communication by exchanging letters with someone.

Lencho's letter was discovered by a postman, who was also an employee of the post office, and was shown to the postmaster. They were both amused, but the postmaster, who was fat and friendly, took a serious tone right away. He was astounded by Lencho's faith in God and wished he had the same.

So, in order not to shake the writer’s faith in God, the postmaster came up with an idea: answer the letter. But when he opened it, it was evident that to answer it he needed something more than goodwill, ink and paper. But he stuck to his resolution: he asked for money from his employees, he himself gave part of his salary, and several friends of his were obliged to give something’for an act of charity’.

• goodwill- friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude
• resolution- a firm decision to do or not to do something.
• obliged- grateful

With good intentions, the postmaster read the letter and considered responding in order to maintain the writer's faith. However, the writer anticipated a different response that could not be met with pen, paper, and morals. The farmer had requested 100 pesos. The postmaster, along with his colleagues and a few friends who were eager to contribute to a good cause, gathered a sum of money to assist Lencho.

It was impossible for him to gather together the hundred pesos, so he was able to send the farmer only a little more than half. He put the money in an envelope addressed to Lencho and with it a letter containing only a single word as a signature: God

Despite his best efforts, he was only able to collect less than half of the required amount. He then addressed it to Lencho, accompanied by a letter signed by God.

The following Sunday Lencho came a bit earlier than usual to ask if there was a letter for him. It was the postman himself who handed the letter to him while the postmaster, experiencing the contentment of a man who has performed a good deed, looked on from his office. Lencho showed not the slightest surprise on seeing the money; such was his confidence but he became angry when he counted the money. God could not have made a mistake, nor could he have denied Lencho what he had requested.

• contentment- Satisfaction

The following Sunday, Lencho arrived a little earlier than expected in search of a response. The postman joyfully and surprised handed him the letter that had been waiting for him, while the postmaster, satisfied, oversaw it from his office. On the contrary, the farmer became disheartened when he saw that the money was less than what he had requested. His faith was unshaken, and he believed that God could not make such a mistake.

Immediately, Lencho went up to the window to ask for paper and ink. On the public writing table, he started to write, with much wrinkling of his brow, caused by the effort he had to make to express his ideas. When he finished, he went to the window to buy a stamp which he licked and then affixed to the envelope with a blow of his fist. The moment the letter fell into the mailbox the postmaster went to open it. It said: “God: Of the money that I asked for, only seventy pesos reached me. Send me the rest, since I need it very much. But don’t send it to me through the mail because the post office employees are a bunch of crooks. Lencho.”

After being disappointed, he went in search of ink and paper to write to God again. His brows curled as a result of the concentration with which he was drafting a new request. When he was finished, he affixed it with a stamp. The postmaster took it out of the mailbox as soon as he dropped it in. Lencho complained that he had only received 70 pesos and that the remaining amount was desperately needed. He questioned the integrity and honesty of post office employees and suggested that the money not be sent via postal service because he suspected that the post office staff had stolen the missing amount.

About the Author

On July 11, 1897, Gregorio Lopez Y Fuentes was born in Lanzarote, Canary Islands. At the age of ten, he went to sea for the first time with his father as a deck boy. Fuentes worked on cargo ships sailing from the Canary Islands to Trinidad and Puerto Rico as a teenager. He also sailed to South America from the Spanish cities of Valencia and Sevilla. At the age of twenty-two, he moved permanently to Cuba. Fuentes, a lifelong cigar smoker, died in 2002 at the age of 105 from cancer.

Lesson-2

Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom

By Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom Introduction

This chapter is an excerpt from Nelson Mandela's autobiography (born July 18, 1918), South Africa's first black president. Excerpts from "Long Walk to Freedom" include a description of the inauguration ceremony, citations from his speech, his journey to becoming a freedom fighter, the struggle, and a tribute to other freedom fighters and countless others who fought for their freedom. In South Africa, a brutal practise known as "apartheid" was practised. Apartheid is the practise of discriminating against people based on their race. It was one of the most brutal societies, depriving dark-skinned people of their basic rights. This lesson provides an overview of how Nelson Mandela and others carved their way to a society in which there will be no discrimination based on their skin colour, caste, race, age, or gender.

Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom Summary

This chapter is an excerpt from Nelson Mandela's autobiography (born July 18, 1918), South Africa's first black president. It begins with a description of their inaugural ceremony, which took place on May 10, 1994, at which the entire nation, as well as many international leaders, celebrated the victory of a newly and fairly elected government. The President and the two Deputy Presidents delivered speeches, which were followed by an impressive air show of fighter jets and helicopters. Long ago, in the first decade of the twentieth century, white supremacy instituted apartheid, making life a living hell for the dark-skinned population. It gave birth to one of the world's most inhumane societies. Many people have struggled and made sacrifices in the name of basic human rights. The author expressed his desire to express gratitude to all freedom fighters who did not live to see this autumn day. He referred to the citizens as the country's most valuable asset. It was from these people that he gained his courage. Mandela believes that a courageous person is one who has overcome fear rather than one who is fearless. He also mentioned the two responsibilities that every human being has and how, in order to fulfil his obligation to society, he neglected his obligation to his family. He became a people's man after realising that the concept of freedom was an illusion for him and others like him. He then joined the African National Congress and fought for his rights until he became the country's first black president. According to him, the oppressor is a prisoner just like the oppressed. When the former deprives the oppressed of their freedom, he deprives himself of humanity. As a result, the oppressor is also not free.

Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom Lesson Explanation

TENTH May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days I had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil. The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheater formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colors and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.

• Dawned- (of a day) began
• Pleasantly- giving a sense of happy satisfaction or enjoyment; satisfying
• Besieged- to be surrounded by
• Dignitaries- a person considered to be important because of high rank or office.
• Sandstone- a sedimentary rock consisting of sand or quartz grains cemented together, typically red, yellow, or brown in color.
• Amphitheatre- an open-air theatre
• Supremacy- the state or condition of being superior to all others in authority, power, or status

Nelson Mandela was sworn in as South Africa's first black Head of State on May 10th. His anti-racist party came to power after years of struggle. Until then, white Presidents had always held the position. As a result, the author described the day as "bright and clear." It was a hopeful morning. Many notable people began congratulating him on his victory days before this date. For the first time in the country's history, such a large number of international leaders gathered for their inauguration ceremony. The ceremony was held in an open circular sandstone building made up of Union buildings in Pretoria city.

On that lovely autumn day I was accompanied by my daughter Zenani. On the podium, Mr de Klerk was first sworn in as second deputy president. Then Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first deputy president. When it was my turn, I pledged to obey and uphold the Constitution and to devote myself to the wellbeing of the Republic and its people.

• Deputy- Second in command
• Sworn- given under oath; determined to stay in the role specified
• Pledged- committed (a person or organization) by a solemn promise.

On his special day, the author was accompanied by his daughter, Zenani. First, the two Vice Presidents took the oath of office. Then, when his turn came, he pledged to respect, defend, and uphold the Constitution, as well as to devote his entire life to the welfare of the country.

To the assembled guests and the watching world, I said: “Today, all of us do, by our presence here… confer glory and hope to newborn liberty. Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud. We, who were outlaws, not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil. We thank all of our distinguished international guests for having come to take possession with the people of our country of what is, after all, a common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity.”

• Assembled- (of people) gather together in one place for a common purpose
• Confer- grant
• Glory- honour
• Outlaws- because of its policy of apartheid, many countries had earlier broken off diplomatic relations with South Africa
• On our own soil- in our own country
• Possession- ownership
• Dignity- the state or quality of being worthy of respect.

The author also mentions parts of his speech in which he stated that his presence gave rise to hope for a new beginning. Previous rulers were discriminatory and lasted for a long time, but those given the opportunity to rule now (ANC) would oppose discrimination. He is delighted to host a ceremony attended by world leaders. It is an accomplishment in and of itself. There was a time when South Africa lost all of its international political relationships as a result of its practise of apartheid. Other nations are now content to have healthy democratic relationships when there is no segregation based on race or gender. Finally, they have gained power, and they have promised to make everyone proud. He thanked everyone, especially the international leaders, for joining them in celebrating their achievement, which he described as a step toward a more equal society in which every human being is treated fairly.

“We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement. Let freedom reign. God bless Africa!”

• Emancipation- the fact or process of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions
• Liberate- free; release
• Bondage- the state of being a slave
• Discrimination- being treated differently or unfavourably
• Deprivation- the damaging lack of material benefits considered to be basic necessities in a society
• Oppression- prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority.
• Glorious- having, worthy of, or bringing fame or admiration.
  Reign- rule; govern

He mentions that they have finally achieved political freedom after much struggle. His government promised to free everyone from the still-existing poverty, hardship, and inequalities of all kinds, as well as to assure everyone of a country in which no community is considered inferior. He then declares that freedom should reign supreme, and that God should shower his blessings on their land.

A few moments later we all lifted our eyes in awe as a spectacular array of South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers roared in perfect formation over the Union Buildings. It was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force, but a demonstration of the military’s loyalty to democracy, to a new government that had been freely and fairly elected. Only moments before, the highest generals of the South African defence force and police, their chests bedecked with ribbons and medals from days gone by, saluted me and pledged their loyalty. I was not unmindful of the fact that not so many years before they would not have saluted but arrested me. Finally a chevron of Impala jets left a smoke trail of the black, red, green, blue and gold of the new South African flag.

• Awe- amazed
• Spectacular- beautiful in a dramatic and an eye-catching way
• Array- an impressive display
• Troop- soldiers or armed forces
• Precision- accuracy
• Bedecked- decorate
• Unmindful- not conscious or aware
• Chevron- a pattern in the shape of a V
• Trail- series; chain

Immediately following the newly elected President's address to the audience, an impressive display of fighter jets, helicopters, and soldier transporters lifted everyone's heads in the sky. It represented both perfection and the military's respect and obedience to the free country. The high commanders, who have received medals for their bravery, saluted and pledged their loyalty as well. Mandela mentions that he was well aware that the commanders who were now saluting him would have arrested him under the previous rule because he was considered a criminal during the oppressive white supremacy. Finally, the air show concluded with the formation of the South African flag in the sky from smoke beneath the jets.

The day was symbolized for me by the playing of our two national anthems, and the vision of whites singing ‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika’ and blacks singing ‘Die Stem’, the old anthem of the Republic. Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem they once despised, they would soon know the words by heart.

• Symbolized- be a symbol of
• Lyrics- the words of a song
• Despised- hated, had a very low opinion of

The author recalls the day as the playing of two national anthems of the country, one for whites and one for blacks. On that day, no one knew the words to the blacks' anthem, but Mandela was confident that everyone would soon learn this anthem that they had once despised.

On the day of the inauguration, I was overwhelmed with a sense of history. In the first decade of the twentieth century, a few years after the bitter Anglo-Boer war and before my own birth, the white-skinned peoples of South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned peoples of their own land. The structure they created formed the basis of one of the harshest, most inhumane, societies the world has ever known. Now, in the last decade of the twentieth century, and my own eighth decade as a man, that system had been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognized the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.

• Overwhelmed- have a strong emotional effect
• Erected- build; construct
• Racial domination- when people of one race have power over another race
• Inhumane-cruel, brutal
• Overturned- reverse.

On the day of the inaugural ceremony, the author reflected on the days when this entire apartheid system first emerged. It resulted in inequity and poor treatment of people with dark skin. They were denied their most basic fundamental rights. As a result, one of the most brutal and inhumane societies on the planet was born. This started long before he was born. This system created an environment of extreme cruelty and injustice for a specific segment of the community. Now, in his eighth decade as a man, he and countless others have changed the entire system to treat all humans as humans, regardless of colour, caste, gender, or age.

That day had come about through the unimaginable sacrifices of thousands of my people, people whose suffering and courage can never be counted or repaid. I felt that day, as I have on so many other days, that I was simply the sum of all those African patriots who had gone before me. That long and noble line ended and now began again with me. I was pained that I was not able to thank them and that they were not able to see what their sacrifices had wrought.

• Unimaginable- difficult or impossible to imagine
• Patriots- a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies

This equal and free country was made possible by the sacrifices of countless other men and women who fought their entire lives for this day. The author wishes he could thank them all, but they did not live to see the outcome of their bravery. Nelson Mandela derived his courage and strength from all of these people and wishes to make them proud.

The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in my country and my people. All of us will spend many years, if not generations, recovering from that profound hurt. But the decades of oppression and brutality had another, unintended, effect, and that was that it produced the Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, the Bram Fischers, the Robert Sobukwes of our time* — men of such extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity that their like may never be known again. Perhaps it requires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character. My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, but I have always known that its greatest wealth is its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds.

• Apartheid- a policy or system of segregation on grounds of race
• Profound- very great or intense
• Unintended- not planned or meant

Many people have been scarred by the oppression policy, and it will take a long time for them to recover. The author mentions that while this difficult period had its negative consequences, it also exposed a number of strong and courageous men who stood up and raised their voices. As a result, it took that level of unjust treatment to produce such great heroes. He claims that while South Africa is rich in minerals and gems, its greatest strength is its people.

It is from these comrades in the struggle that I learned the meaning of courage. Time and again, I have seen men and women risk and give their lives for an idea. I have seen men stand up to attacks and torture without breaking, showing a strength and resilience that defies the imagination. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

• Comrades- a colleague or a fellow member of an organization
• Resilience- the ability to deal with any kind of hardship and recover from its effects
• Defies- refuse to obey
• Triumph- great victory or achievement

Nelson Mandela drew strength to fight injustice from all of the great nationalists he mentioned above, who risked their lives for freedom and tolerated ill-treatment but never gave up fighting. He discovered that "courage" did not imply the absence of fear, but rather the ability to overcome fear. The man who overcomes his fear is referred to as brave.

No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Even in the grimmest times in prison, when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits, I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, perhaps just for a second, but it was enough to reassure me and keep me going. Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.

• Grimmest- very serious or gloomy
• Glimmer- shine faintly with a wavering light
• Pushed to our limits- pushed to the last point in our ability to bear pain
• Reassure- say or do something to remove the doubts

One is taught by society to despise people because of their skin colour, age, gender, or religion. No one is born with a hatred for others. According to the author, if people can be taught hatred, they can also be taught love and brotherhood. Mandela would see a smidgeon of humanity and kindness in one of the guards during their most trying times in prison, and that was enough to keep him going. He believes that human goodness can be suppressed but never eliminated.

In life, every man has twin obligations — obligations to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children; and he has an obligation to his people, his community, his country. In a civil and humane society, each man is able to fulfil those obligations according to his own inclinations and abilities. But in a country like South Africa, it was almost impossible for a man of my birth and colour to fulfil both of those obligations. In South Africa, a man of colour who attempted to live as a human being was punished and isolated. In South Africa, a man who tried to fulfil his duty to his people was inevitably ripped from his family and his home and was forced to live a life apart, a twilight existence of secrecy and rebellion. I did not in the beginning choose to place my people above my family, but in attempting to serve my people, I found that I was prevented from fulfilling my obligations as a son, a brother, a father and a husband.

• Obligations- a duty or a commitment
• Civil- courteous and polite
• Inclination- natural tendencies of behaviour
• Inevitably- unavoidably
• Twilight- half-light, semi-darkness
• Secrecy- the action of keeping something secret
• Rebellion- the action or process of resisting authority, convention or control

According to the author, every human being has a responsibility to both his or her family and society. Under normal circumstances, a person can maintain a balance between the two, but it was never easy in countries like South Africa. When a person of colour stood up for his society, he was arrested and removed from his family, preventing them from fulfilling both responsibilities. Mandela did not prioritise his people over his family at first, but it was only later that he realised that by being present for his people, he was jeopardising his obligations to his own family.

I was not born with a hunger to be free. I was born free — free in every way that I could know. Free to run in the fields near my mother’s hut, free to swim in the clear stream that ran through my village, free to roast mealies under the stars and ride the broad backs of slow-moving bulls. As long as I obeyed my father and abided by the customs of my tribe, I was not troubled by the laws of man or God. It was only when I began to learn that my boyhood freedom was an illusion, when I discovered as a young man that my freedom had already been taken from me, that I began to hunger for it. At first, as a student, I wanted freedom only for myself, the transitory freedoms of being able to stay out at night, read what I pleased and go where I chose. Later, as a young man in Johannesburg, I yearned for the basic and honorable freedoms of achieving my potential, of earning my keep, of marrying and having a family — the freedom not to be obstructed in a lawful life.

• Stream- a small, narrow river
• Mealies- a maize plant
• Abided- obeyed
• Boyhood- the state or time of being a boy
• Illusion- a false idea or belief
• Transitory- not permanent
• Yearned- have an intense feeling or longing for something

The author did not plan to oppose the apartheid system from an early age. He grew up in South Africa just like any other kid. He only had to follow his father's rules or the customs of his tribe. As he grew older and became more aware of how people of colour are treated, he decided to take a stand. He had an internal desire for freedom, first for himself (staying out late, etc.) and later for a basic life not just for himself, but for everyone. In Johannesburg, they had to fight for a peaceful marriage, a family, and basic amenities that everyone has access to where there is law and order.

But then I slowly saw that not only was I not free, but my brothers and sisters were not free. I saw that it was not just my freedom that was curtailed, but the freedom of everyone who looked like I did. That is when I joined the African National Congress, and that is when the hunger for my own freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of my people. It was this desire for the freedom of my people to live their lives with dignity and selfrespect that animated my life, that transformed a frightened young man into a bold one, that drove a law-abiding attorney to become a criminal, that turned a family-loving husband into a man without a home, that forced a life-loving man to live like a monk. I am no more virtuous or self-sacrificing than the next man, but I found that I could not even enjoy the poor and limited freedoms I was allowed when I knew my people were not free. Freedom is indivisible; the chains on anyone of my people were the chains on all of them, the chains on all of my people were the chains on me.

• Curtailed- reduce; impose a restriction on
• Dignity- the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect
• Frightened- afraid or anxious
• Monk- a member of a religious community of men typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
• Virtuous- having or showing high moral standards
• Indivisible- unable to be divided or separated

Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) after realising that his basic rights were being robbed not only of him, but of all those who looked like him. He was driven by a desire to liberate his people from injustice. This fire transformed the author from a scared to a brave man, from a lawyer to the one breaking the law, from a family man to a man without a home, and from a lively man to a monk. It was the realisation that he and his people had limited freedom that transformed him into a selfless man, as opposed to before. He believes that freedom cannot be divided. Taking it away from some meant taking it away from everyone, which meant taking it away from the author.

I knew that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred; he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.

• Prejudice- a strong dislike without any good reason

He mentions that the need to liberate the oppressor is just as great as the need to liberate the oppressed because the oppressor is bound by the shackles of hatred. He bears the weight of all the people he has tormented, as he bears the curses of all their families. He becomes a business prisoner for taking away someone else's freedom and making them a prisoner. As a result, he has been stripped of his humanity and must be freed.

About the Author

Nelson Mandela was a great hero who gave black South Africans their freedom. On July 18, 1918, he was born in the village of Mvezo in Umtata, South Africa's Cape province. He fought against South Africa's 'apartheid' regime, which believed in racial segregation. He was imprisoned in South Africa for more than thirty years. When his party won democratic elections in 1994, he became South Africa's first black president. This passage appears in Nelson Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. It tells the storey of the glorious struggle for freedom waged by South African blacks against the apartheid regime.

Lesson-3

Two Stories About Flying

(1) His First Flight

   By Liam O’ Flaherty

“The journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step”

His First Flight Introduction

"Liam O' Flaherty's" storey is about a young bird who is afraid to fly for the first time. He believes that his wings will not be able to support him. Despite his younger siblings flying fearlessly with much shorter wings, he couldn't muster the courage. He was punished by being forced to go hungry if he did not try. Thus, it was his mother who forced him to fly by enticing him with food. The lesson demonstrates how one hesitates to take the first step and how fear is all in one's mind. Because "the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself," one should have faith in one's abilities.

His First Flight Summary

"Liam O' Flaherty's" storey "His First Flight" is about a young seagull who is afraid to fly. Despite their much shorter wings, his younger siblings flew fearlessly, whereas he couldn't muster the courage to trust his own wings. When he saw his parents perfecting the art of flying for his younger siblings, the young seagull became sad. His parents chastise and mock him for not even attempting. They even refer to him as a "coward." They beg him to try and threaten him with leaving him alone and hungry if he does not. The next day, he is left alone, and when he becomes hungry, he tries to attract the attention of his family members. His son is only noticed by his mother, who is withering a fish in an attempt to eat it. The young seagull cries out in desperation, hoping that his mother will come to his aid. He becomes ecstatic when he sees his mother approaching him with the fish. But when he notices his mother has stopped mid-way, he becomes enraged out of hunger and dives at the fish, forgetting for a moment that he is afraid to fly. He finally took his first flight. Everyone in his family celebrates his victory by cheering and dancing around him. He also tries to float in the sea, which he was once afraid of. As a result, he overcomes his fear and realises that it is all in his head.

His First Flight Lesson Explanation

THE young seagull was alone on his ledge. His two brothers and his sister had already flown away the day before. He had been afraid to fly with them. Somehow when he had taken a little run forward to the brink of the ledge and attempted to flap his wings he became afraid. The great expanse of sea stretched down beneath, and it was such a long way down — miles down. He felt certain that his wings would never support him; so he bent his head and ran away back to the little hole under the ledge where he slept at night.

• Seagull- a bird that lives near the sea and has short legs, long wings, and white and grey feathers
• Ledge- a narrow horizontal shelf projecting from a wall (or here) a cliff
• Brink- the extreme edge of land before a steep slope or a body or water
• Expanse- a wide continuous area of something

The plot revolves around a young seagull who is in the process of learning to fly. He, unlike his younger brothers and sisters, is terrified of flying. Except for him, when they attempted to fly for the first time near the edge of the sea, they all succeeded. He couldn't put his faith in his wings. He became terrified of the vast sea and convinced himself that he would never be able to fly. As a result, he was embarrassed and disheartened, and he retreated to the ledge where he usually slept.

Even when each of his brothers and his little sister, whose wings were far shorter than his own, ran to the brink, flapped their wings, and flew away, he failed to muster up courage to take that plunge which appeared to him so desperate. His father and mother had come around calling to him shrilly, upbraiding him, threatening to let him starve on his ledge unless he flew away. But for the life of him he could not move.

• Flapped- (of a bird) move (its wings) up and down when flying or preparing to fly
• Muster- gather
• Plunge- jump or dive
• Shrilly- with a high pitched and piercing voice or sound
• Upbraiding- scold

Despite the fact that his younger siblings' wings were shorter than his, he could not muster the courage, no matter how hard he tried. His parents chastised him for not trying again, but he was too terrified to move.

That was twenty-four hours ago. Since then nobody had come near him. The day before, all day long, he had watched his parents flying about with his brothers and sister, perfecting them in the art of flight, teaching them how to skim the waves and how to dive for fish. He had, in fact, seen his older brother catch his first herring and devour it, standing on a rock, while his parents circled around raising a proud cackle. And all the morning the whole family had walked about on the big plateau midway down the opposite cliff taunting him with his cowardice.

• Herring- a soft-finned sea fish
• Devour- eat quickly
• Cackle- laugh in a loud, harsh way
• Cowardice- lack of bravery

He had been alone for a day after attempting because his parents were preoccupied with his siblings. They assisted his siblings in learning to fly and dive for food (fish). His older brother even caught his first fish, which he proudly ate while his parents celebrated. His parents mocked him all the way to school that morning for being a coward.

The sun was now ascending the sky, blazing on his ledge that faced the south. He felt the heat because he had not eaten since the previous nightfall. He stepped slowly out to the brink of the ledge, and standing on one leg with the other leg hidden under his wing, he closed one eye, then the other, and pretended to be falling asleep. Still they took no notice of him. He saw his two brothers and his sister lying on the plateau dozing with their heads sunk into their necks. His father was preening the feathers on his white back. Only his mother was looking at him. She was standing on a little high hump on the plateau, her white breast thrust forward. Now and again, she tore at a piece of fish that lay at her feet and then scrapped each side of her beak on the rock. The sight of the food maddened him. How he loved to tear food that way, scrapping his beak now and again to whet it.

• Ascending the sky- the act of rising up through the air
• Preening-to tidy and clean its feathers
• Hump- a rounded raised mass of earth or land
• Scrapped- discard

The sun had now risen, and he was feeling the heat more than ever because he had been fasting since the previous night. To attract his family's attention, he stepped off his ledge and pretended to sleep on one leg. Nonetheless, no one noticed him. His siblings were sleeping, his father was cleaning his feathers with his beak, and his mother was eating fish on another plateau when he walked by. Because he was starving, the seagull became enraged when he saw the fish. He liked to tear fish apart and scrape his beak every now and then.

“Ga, ga, ga,” he cried begging her to bring him some food. “Gaw-col-ah,” she screamed back derisively. But he kept calling plaintively, and after a minute or so he uttered a joyful scream. His mother had picked up a piece of the fish and was flying across to him with it. He leaned out eagerly, tapping the rock with his feet, trying to get nearer to her as she flew across. But when she was just opposite to him, she halted, her wings motionless, the piece of fish in her beak almost within reach of his beak. He waited a moment in surprise, wondering why she did not come nearer, and then, maddened by hunger, he dived at the fish.

• Derisively- in a manner expressing contempt or ridicule.
• Plaintively- sad
• Uttered- make a sound with one’s voice
• Halted- stopped

He screamed in hunger to his mother, who screamed back angrily, but he kept crying, which soon turned into a joyful scream when he saw his mother flying towards him with the piece of fish. As she got closer, he became excited and leaned forward. She came to a sudden halt not far from him. He dived at the fish out of excitement and hunger, not realising for a moment that he was afraid to fly.

With a loud scream he fell outwards and downwards into space. Then a monstrous terror seized him and his heart stood still. He could hear nothing. But it only lasted a minute. The next moment he felt his wings spread outwards. The wind rushed against his breast feathers, then under his stomach, and against his wings. He could feel the tips of his wings cutting through the air. He was not falling headlong now. He was soaring gradually downwards and outwards. He was no longer afraid. He just felt a bit dizzy. Then he flapped his wings once and he soared upwards. “Ga, ga, ga, Ga, ga, ga, Gaw-col-ah,” his mother swooped past him, her wings making a loud noise. He answered her with another scream. Then his father flew over him screaming. He saw his two brothers and his sister flying around him curveting and banking and soaring and diving.

• Monstrous- horrible
• Seized- grab
• Headlong- with the head foremost
• Soaring- flying or rising high in the air
• Swooped- (especially of a bird) move rapidly downwards through the air
• Curvetting- perform a series of jumps on the hind legs

He became so enthralled that he fell the first time he tried. For a brief moment, he was stunned and stood motionless in terror. All of this happened in an instant, and soon his feathers opened as he flew. The wind was brushing against his breast feathers, stomach, and wings. He could feel himself piercing the air. He was no longer afraid. He was a little nervous at first, but his mother came with him. The entire family screamed with delight, celebrating his triumph over fear.

Then he completely forgot that he had not always been able to fly, and commended himself to dive and soar and curve, shrieking shrilly. He was near the sea now, flying straight over it, facing straight out over the ocean. He saw a vast green sea beneath him, with little ridges moving over it and he turned his beak sideways and cawed amusedly.

• Shrieking- making a high-pitched piercing cry or sound
• Shrilly- loudly and forcefully
• Ridges- a long, narrow hilltop, mountain range, or watershed
• Cawed- utter a caw

He forgot he was afraid of it once he had overcome it. He did everything he had previously feared. He was flying straight over the sea, and he could see the greenery and mountains below him. He screamed with delight as he celebrated his victory.

His parents and his brothers and sister had landed on this green flooring ahead of him. They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly. He dropped his legs to stand on the green sea. His legs sank into it. He screamed with fright and attempted to rise again flapping his wings. But he was tired and weak with hunger and he could not rise, exhausted by the strange exercise. His feet sank into the green sea, and then his belly touched it and he sank no farther. He was floating on it, and around him his family was screaming, praising him and their beaks were offering him scraps of dog-fish. He had made his first flight.

• Beckoning- gesture

When he landed, his family landed alongside him as a proud gesture. In their high pitched voices, they screamed and shouted in delight. He then went into the sea, where he became terrified and panicked. He attempted to flee but became exhausted and weak from hunger. As a result, when he calmed down, he began floating in the sea he had once feared. His family was overjoyed and offered him food as a form of praise. He had finally overcome his fear and taken his first flight.

About the Author

Liam 0′ Flaherty was a novelist and short storey writer from Ireland. He was born on August 28, 1896, and died on September 7, 1984. He was born in the remote Galway village of Gort Nag Capall. He enrolled at Rockwell College in 1908. With his best-selling novel 'The Informer,' he rose to literary prominence (1925). Return of the Brute, his next novel, was also a huge success. 0' Flaherty will be remembered as a key figure in Ireland's literary renaissance.

 

(2) Black Aeroplane 

By Frederick Forsyth

Black Aeroplane Introduction

The lesson "Black Aeroplane" by Frederick Forsyth reflects on how fantasising distorts one's judgement and causes problems. In this chapter, the narrator is a pilot who is so eager to see his family and eat a good breakfast that he chooses to face the storm rather than do the right thing. He miraculously escapes with the assistance of a mysterious aeroplane.

Black Aeroplane Summary

The storey "Black Aeroplane" is about a pilot who is happy and content to fly over a sleeping city (at night time). He's taking a flight from Paris to London. While on the plane, he fantasises about his upcoming vacation with his family. He also fantasises about the delectable breakfast he'll have upon arrival. As soon as he crosses Paris, he notices the dark clouds that foreshadowed the impending storm. For the sake of safety, the correct decision would have been to return to Paris. But he is overshadowed by his dreams, and in order not to delay them, he jeopardises the lives of his passengers and drives straight into the storm. Everything goes dark, he can't see, all of his navigation instruments stop working, and he loses control of the plane. He saw another plane whose pilot was more than willing to rescue them when all hope had been lost. The author was in a panic because there was very little fuel left. The unidentified pilot led them out of the storm and vanished as soon as they saw light. When he asks the lady in the control room about the other pilot after landing, he is taken aback when she tells him that his was the only plane in the sky.

Black Aeroplane Lesson Explanation

THE moon was coming up in the east, behind me, and stars were shining in the clear sky above me. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. I was happy to be alone high up above the sleeping countryside. I was flying my old Dakota aeroplane over France back to England. I was dreaming of my holiday and looking forward to being with my family. I looked at my watch: one thirty in the morning.

It was late at night, when the sky was clear and the stars twinkled. The pilot felt at ease flying above a country that had dozed off while he was flying from France to England. It was half past one a.m., and he was daydreaming about going on vacation with his family.

‘I should call Paris Control soon,’ I thought. As I looked down past the nose of the aeroplane, I saw the lights of a big city in front of me. I switched on the radio and said, “Paris Control, Dakota DS 088 here. Can you hear me? I’m on my way to England. Over.” The voice from the radio answered me immediately: “DS 088, I can hear you. You ought to turn twelve degrees west now, DS 088. Over.”

When the plane arrived in France, the pilot considered informing the Paris Control personnel of its presence and requesting instructions. The lights of Paris were blaring at him at the time. He notified the Control Agency, who responded with additional instructions on how to proceed. The control room in Paris directed him to turn 12 degrees west.

I checked the map and the compass, switched over to my second and last fuel tank, and turned the Dakota twelve degrees west towards England. ‘I’ll be in time for breakfast,’ I thought. A good big English breakfast! Everything was going well — it was an easy flight.

• Compass- instrument for telling direction

After receiving the instructions, the pilot suited up and followed them while turning on the last fuel tank. During this time, he was daydreaming about his time with his family, and then he began to consider having a satisfying breakfast at the destination point. He was at ease because everything was going according to plan.

Paris was about 150 kilometres behind me when I saw the clouds. Storm clouds. They were huge. They looked like black mountains standing in front of me across the sky. I knew I could not fly up and over them, and I did not have enough fuel to fly around them to the north or south. “I ought to go back to Paris,” I thought, but I wanted to get home. I wanted that breakfast. ‘I’ll take the risk,’ I thought, and flew that old Dakota straight into the storm.

The plane had just passed through Paris when he noticed clouds in the sky. The presence of clouds made flying dangerous due to the possibility of a storm. The pilot compared them to "black mountains" because they were so large and dark. He knew he couldn't pass them because there was no way he could go above them or escape them with the amount of fuel left in the last tank. The correct decision would have been to return to Paris safely. However, the pilot's decision was clouded by his desire to see his family. He was so desperate to see his family and eat the English breakfast he had been craving all day that he risked not returning. As a result, he flew the plane directly into the storm.

Inside the clouds, everything was suddenly black. It was impossible to see anything outside the aeroplane. The old aeroplane jumped and twisted in the air. I looked at the compass. I couldn’t believe my eyes: the compass was turning round and round and round. It was dead. It would not work! The other instruments were suddenly dead, too. I tried the radio.

Because of the storm, it was so dark outside the plane that nothing could be seen. He began to lose control of the plane. Because of the bad weather, the compass and other instruments had also stopped working. He was rendered helpless.

“Paris Control? Paris Control? Can you hear me?” There was no answer. The radio was dead too. I had no radio, no compass, and I could not see where I was. I was lost in the storm. Then, in the black clouds quite near me, I saw another aeroplane. It had no lights on its wings, but I could see it flying next to me through the storm. I could see the pilot’s face — turned towards me. I was very glad to see another person. He lifted one hand and waved. “Follow me,” he was saying. “Follow me.” ‘He knows that I am lost,’ I thought. ‘He’s trying to help me.’

He attempted to contact the Paris Control Agency, which had previously assisted him, but was unable to connect due to inclement weather. When everything else failed in the middle of nowhere, he saw a ray of hope when he saw another plane. When he saw another pilot's face and willingness to assist him in escaping the storm, he felt relieved. He thought to himself that the other pilot was very nice because he knew they were lost and was attempting to assist him.

He turned his aeroplane slowly to the north, in front of my Dakota, so that it would be easier for me to follow him. I was very happy to go behind the strange aeroplane like an obedient child. After half an hour the strange black aeroplane was still there in front of me in the clouds. Now there was only enough fuel in the old Dakota’s last tank to fly for five or ten minutes more. I was starting to feel frightened again. But then he started to go down and I followed through the storm. Suddenly I came out of the clouds and saw two long straight lines of lights in front of me. It was a runway! An airport! I was safe! I turned to look for my friend in the black aeroplane, but the sky was empty. There was nothing there. The black aeroplane was gone. I could not see it anywhere.

• Runway- a strip of hard ground along which aircraft take off and land
• Frightened- terrified
• Followed- chased
• Obedient- one who obeys
• Glad- happy

The other pilot flew ahead of the lost plane to make it easier for them to follow, while the author trailed behind him like a "obedient child." He was also terrified because there was so little fuel left. Only then did he begin to emerge from the storm and see the runway, allowing him to safely land his plane. When he turned to thank the other pilot, he noticed that the plane that had assisted him had vanished as soon as he emerged from the storm.

I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota near the control tower. I went and asked a woman in the control centre where I was and who the other pilot was. I wanted to say ‘Thank you’. She looked at me very strangely, and then laughed. “Another aeroplane? Up there in this storm? No other aeroplanes were flying tonight. Yours was the only one I could see on the radar.” So who helped me to arrive there safely without a compass or a radio, and without any more fuel in my tanks? Who was the pilot on the strange black aeroplane, flying in the storm, without lights?

• Radar- a system for detecting the presence, direction, distance, and speed of aircraft, ships, and other objects, by sending out pulses of radio waves which are reflected off the object back to the source
• Strangely- in a strange manner

The author had no idea where he had landed, but he was not concerned about leaving his plane unattended. He went right into the control room to inquire about the other pilot. To his astonishment, the lady informed him that due to bad weather, there was no other plane in the sky except his. He is left perplexed, with many unanswered questions in his mind.

About the Author

Frederick Forsyth was born in Ashford, Kent, England on August 25, 1938. He attended Tonbridge School before enrolling at the University of Granada in Spain. He joined the RAF and rose through the ranks to become a jet fighter pilot. In 1965, he became a journalist and joined the BBC as an assistant diplomatic correspondent.

Lesson-4

From the Diary of Anne Frank

By Anne Frank

“Laziness might be attractive, but work gives satisfaction.”

From the Diary of Anne Frank Introduction

This lesson is based on "Diary of a Young Girl" or "Anne Frank's Diary." It is an autobiography that was published for the first time in 1947. Anne expresses her thoughts in a diary that was given to her on her thirteenth birthday. She refers to the diary as "kitty," and considers it to be her only true friend. She talks about her childhood, her family, and a variety of other topics that she has never discussed with anyone else.

From the Diary of Anne Frank Summary

In this lesson, Anne discusses being lonely and having no one to talk to despite the fact that she was surrounded by family and around 30 people she referred to as "friends." As a result, she decides to keep a diary of her feelings. It is unusual for her to keep a diary, but she is in desperate need of a true friend. As a result, she decides to call her diary "kitty," and, unlike other people, she intends to include more than just facts in it. She begins by writing her background to make it easier for anyone who reads it later to understand. She talks about her family and her early childhood, when they all moved, as well as her early schooling.

After giving us a brief history of her life, she moves on to the present day and tells us about the result day. Everyone in the class is worried about their results, and some of the boys are even placing bets. Anne was certain of herself and her friends. Except for her maths professor, who was constantly annoyed by her talking habits, she got along well with all of the teachers. As a result, he began punishing her with essays on strange topics such as "Chatterbox," to which she responded with wit.

She wrote amusing essays in which she explained that this was a trait she inherited from her mother and that there was little she could do about it. He continued to give her essays until she wrote a satire. Mr Keesing never singled her out for talking after that third and final assignment.

From the Diary of Anne Frank Lesson Explanation

WRITING in a diary is a really strange experience for someone like me. Not only because I’ve never written anything before, but also because it seems to me that later on neither I nor anyone else will be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year -old schoolgirl. Oh well, it doesn’t matter. I feel like writing, and I have an even greater need to get all kinds of things off my chest.

• Musings- a period of reflection or thought

Because it was her first time writing in a diary about her feelings and experiences, the author considers it strange and unusual. She believes this because she believes that no one will be interested in reading about the past of a young schoolgirl in the future. She believes that she will not be interested in reading it later. But then she puts these thoughts aside and decides that if she feels like writing, she should do so. She feels compelled to write because she has been harbouring a lot of thoughts that she needs to get off her chest. It is well known that writing one's thoughts can be therapeutic; she decides to keep a diary.

‘Paper has more patience than people.’ I thought of this saying on one of those days when I was feeling a little depressed and was sitting at home with my chin in my hands, bored and listless, wondering whether to stay in or go out. I finally stayed where I was, brooding: Yes, paper does have more patience, and since I’m not planning to let anyone else read this stiff-backed notebook grandly referred to as a ‘diary’, unless I should ever find a real friend, it probably won’t make a bit of difference. Now I’m back to the point that prompted me to keep a diary in the first place: I don’t have a friend.

• Listless- with no energy or interest
• Brooding- engaged in or showing deep thought about something that makes one sad, angry, or worried.
• Prompted- provoke

Paper, according to the author, has a much greater capacity to absorb thoughts than people. People have short attention spans, but a piece of paper, despite being a non-living thing, would not refuse to absorb her thoughts. This realisation struck her one day when she was feeling particularly depressed and perplexed. At the time, she couldn't decide whether to go out or stay at home. She sat depressed and in deep thought when she finally decided to stay at home. Again, she believed that paper had more patience, and she decided to write down everything that came to mind because she did not intend to make anyone read it unless she found a "real friend." She meant a "true friend" with whom she could share all her secrets. The author then returns to the point at which she considered starting to write. It's because she's lonely and doesn't have anyone to talk to.

Let me put it more clearly, since no one will believe that a thirteen-year-old girl is completely alone in the world. And I’m not. I have loving parents and a sixteen-year-old sister, and there are about thirty people I can call friends. I have a family, loving aunts and a good home. No, on the surface I seem to have everything, except my one true friend. All I think about when I’m with friends is having a good time. I can’t bring myself to talk about anything but ordinary everyday things. We don’t seem to be able to get any closer, and that’s the problem. Maybe it’s my fault that we don’t confide in each other. In any case, that’s just how things are, and unfortunately, they’re not liable to change. This is why I’ve started the diary

• Confide- to tell personal things privately to a person that one trusts
• Liable- likely (here)

She then goes on to explain why she is in need of a friend. She believes that no one will believe that a young girl like her is so alone, which she is not because she has a loving family, about 30 people she can call "friends," loving aunts, and a safe place to stay. This portrays a clear picture of a happy family, but one thing is missing in her life: the presence of a true friend with whom she can share everything. She has a good time with her friends; they talk about things, but not real things that are going on in their lives. Despite their best efforts, they are unable to get any closer. She believes that it is because she is unable to trust anyone with her personal information that she is unable to connect with her friends. She believes that the current situation cannot be changed and, as a result, she feels compelled to record her thoughts in a diary.

To enhance the image of this long-awaited friend in my imagination, I don’t want to jot down the facts in this diary the way most people would do, but I want the diary to be my friend, and I’m going to call this friend ‘Kitty’. Since no one would understand a word of my stories to Kitty if I were to plunge right in, I’d better provide a brief sketch of my life, much as I dislike doing so.

• Enhance- intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.
• Plunge- jump or dive quickly

When someone writes in a diary, they usually list all of their personal information in a formal manner, which the author does not want to do. This is because she wanted to give her need for a friend a shape, so she names the diary "kitty." She believes that writing without providing details about the background storey would be ineffective if she hopes that someone will read her diary one day. So, despite her reluctance, she shares some details about her life.

My father, the most adorable father I’ve ever seen, didn’t marry my mother until he was thirty-six and she was twenty-five. My sister, Margot, was born in Frankfurt in Germany in 1926. I was born on 12 June 1929. I lived in Frankfurt until I was four. My father emigrated to Holland in 1933. My mother, Edith Hollander Frank, went with him to Holland in September, while Margot and I were sent to Aachen to stay with our grandmother. Margot went to Holland in December, and I followed in February, when I was plunked down on the table as a birthday present for Margot.

• Adorable- lovable, cute
• Emigrated- leave one’s own country in order to settle permanently in another.
• Plunked- to put down

She describes her father as the most lovable father imaginable. He father married her mother when he was 36 years old and she was 25 years old. Her sister Margot and she were both born in Frankfurt. Anne's father moved to Holland when she was four years old, followed by her mother in September, while both sisters stayed with their grandmother in Aachen. Margot was also sent to Holland in December, and Anne arrived in February as a birthday present for Margot.

I started right away at the Montessori nursery school. I stayed there until I was six, at which time I started in the first form. In the sixth form my teacher was Mrs Kuperus, the headmistress. At the end of the year we were both in tears as we said a heartbreaking farewell. In the summer of 1941 Grandma fell ill and had to have an operation, so my birthday passed with little celebration.

• Farewell- an act of parting or of making someone’s departure

Anne was sent to a Montessori nursery school in Holland. (It was her first school.) She began in first form. Mrs Kuperus, the headmistress, was her sixth-form teacher, and she even cried at the end of the year. The author's birthday could not be properly celebrated in 1941 because her grandmother became ill and had to undergo surgery.

Grandma died in January 1942. No one knows how often I think of her and still love her. This birthday celebration in 1942 was intended to make up for the other, and Grandma’s candle was lit along with the rest. The four of us are still doing well, and that brings me to the present date of 20 June 1942, and the solemn dedication of my diary.

• Intended- planned
• Solemn- characterized by deep sincerity
• Dedication- commitment

Sadly, her grandmother abandoned them in January 1942. Anne misses her grandmother more than anyone else realises. This year's birthday was to be celebrated with zeal in order to make up for last year's. She then mentions how well her family is doing, which summarises her background and brings her to the present date of June 20, 1942, when she is writing her diary.

                                                  Saturday, 20 June 1942

Dearest Kitty,

Our entire class is quaking in its boots. The reason, of course, is the forthcoming meeting in which the teachers decide who’ll move up to the next form and who’ll be kept back. Half the class is making bets. G.N. and I laugh ourselves silly at the two boys behind us, C.N. and Jacques, who have staked their entire holiday savings on their bet. From morning to night, it’s “You’re going to pass”, “No, I’m not”, “Yes, you are”, “No, I’m not”. Even G.’s pleading glances and my angry outbursts can’t calm them down. If you ask me, there are so many dummies that about a quarter of the class should be kept back, but teachers are the most unpredictable creatures on earth.

• Quaking- shake or tremble
• Staked- bet, chanced
• Pleading- to make an emotional appeal
• Glances- take a brief or hurried look
• Outbursts- a sudden release of strong emotion
• Dummies- an object designed to resemble and serve as a substitute for the real or usual one
• Unpredictable- not able to be predicted; changeable

On June 20, 1942, Anne begins writing in her diary, addressing it as "kitty," her friend. She mentions how nervous her entire class is about their results. It is unpredictable and will be decided by a meeting of teachers who will choose which students will be moved to the next class and which will be held back. Many students were placing wagers. Some had staked their entire summer savings. She and her friend G made fun of the nervous boys as well. They kept saying to each other, "I'm not going to pass!" while others consoled them, saying, "Yes, you would." G was polite as she tried to keep them quiet while Anne scolded them, but nothing worked. Anne believes that about a quarter of the class should not be allowed to pass because they rarely respond or participate in any of the activities. They are referred to as "dummies" by her. However, this may not be the case because teachers' decisions are unpredictable.

I’m not so worried about my girlfriends and myself. We’ll make it. The only subject I’m not sure about is maths. Anyway, all we can do is wait. Until then, we keep telling each other not to lose heart.

• Not to lose heart- not be discouraged

The author claims that she is unconcerned about her friends because she knows they will pass. The only subject in which she is unsure is mathematics. She appears to be struggling with the subject. But all they could do was wait for the results and keep their spirits up.

I get along pretty well with all my teachers. There are nine of them, seven men and two women. Mr Keesing, the old fogey who teaches maths, was annoyed with me for ages because I talked so much. After several warnings, he assigned me extra homework. An essay on the subject, ‘A Chatterbox’. A chatterbox — what can you write about that? I’d worry about that later, I decided. I jotted down the title in my notebook, tucked it in my bag and tried to keep quiet.

• Old fogey- an old fashioned person
• Annoyed- slightly angry; irritated
• Chatterbox- a person who likes to chatter; talkative
• Jotted- write (something) quickly

She describes how she gets along well with all of her teachers except the math professor. The author's chattiness irritated him all the time. Despite several warnings, Anne continued to talk in his classes, prompting him to assign her extra homework as punishment. The first assignment was to write an essay about "Chatterbox," which she thought was an odd topic to write about because what could one write about that? For the time being, she jotted down the topic in her notebook, tucked it into her bag, and concentrated on remaining silent.

That evening, after I’d finished the rest of my homework, the note about the essay caught my eye. I began thinking about the subject while chewing the tip of my fountain pen. Anyone could ramble on and leave big spaces between the words, but the trick was to come up with convincing arguments to prove the necessity of talking. I thought and thought, and suddenly I had an idea. I wrote the three pages Mr Keesing had assigned me and was satisfied. I argued that talking is a student’s trait and that I would do my best to keep it under control, but that I would never be able to cure myself of the habit since my mother talked as much as I did if not more, and that there’s not much you can do about inherited traits.

• Ramble- to talk or write at length in confused or inconsequential ways
• Convincing- capable of causing someone to believe that something is true or real; powerful
• Trait- quality
• Inherited- derived genetically from one’s parents or ancestors.

After finishing the rest of her homework, the author came across the note she made as a reminder for the essay. She began to consider the subject. "While chewing the tip of my fountain pen," is a sign that a person is deep in thought. While anyone could mention random things written to fill pages, she wanted to present concrete arguments in support of talking. She stated that she will try to improve herself as a student, but that talking is something that cannot be completely avoided. This is because she inherited it from her mother, which is how she ended up writing three pages on the subject.

Mr Keesing had a good laugh at my arguments, but when I proceeded to talk my way through the 2next lesson, he assigned me a second essay. This time it was supposed to be on ‘An Incorrigible Chatterbox’. I handed it in, and Mr Keesing had nothing to complain about for two whole lessons. However, during the third lesson he’d finally had enough. “Anne Frank, as punishment for talking in class, write an essay entitled — ‘Quack, Quack, Quack, Said Mistress Chatterbox’.”

• Proceeded- to begin a course of action
• Incorrigible- not able to be changed
• Mistress- a woman in a position of authority or control

The professor found Anne's arguments amusing, but when she did not stop talking in the following lesson, he assigned her yet another assignment as punishment. "An incorrigible chatterbox" was the topic. The term incorrigible refers to a bad habit that is difficult to break. He assigned her this topic because he was fed up with her constant chattering during his lessons. The professor did not say anything to her for a while after receiving this assignment, but when he lost patience, he handed her another assignment as punishment on the topic 'Quack, Quack, Quack, Said Mistress Chatterbox.'

The class roared. I had to laugh too, though I’d nearly exhausted my ingenuity on the topic of chatterboxes. It was time to come up with something else, something original. My friend, Sanne, who’s good at poetry, offered to help me write the essay from beginning to end in verse and I jumped for joy. Mr Keesing was trying to play a joke on me with this ridiculous subject, but I’d make sure the joke was on him.

• Roared- laughed (here)
• Exhausted- completely used up
• Ingenuity- the quality of being clever, original and inventive
• Verse- writing arranged with a metrical rhythm, typically having a rhyme
• Ridiculous- deserving or inviting derision or mockery; absurd

The entire class burst out laughing when the professor scolded her for the third time and punished her. As a result, she was forced to pretend to be amused as well. She ran out of ideas after writing about the same subject twice. As a result, her poet friend Sanne offered to assist her in writing in rhyme. This entire assignment scenario was designed to make Anne feel embarrassed, but she made certain that she provided an effective response.

I finished my poem, and it was beautiful! It was about a mother duck and a father swan with three baby ducklings who were bitten to death by the father because they quacked too much. Luckily, Mr Keesing took the joke the right way. He read the poem to the class, adding his own comments, and to several other classes as well. Since then I’ve been allowed to talk and haven’t been assigned any extra homework. On the contrary, Mr Keesing’s always making jokes these days.

Yours,
Anne
[Extracted from The Diary of a Young Girl,
with slight adaptation]

• Contrary- opposite in nature, direction, or meaning

She completed her third assignment in the form of a poem, which turned out to be fantastic. She wrote a satire in which a father swan bites his three baby ducklings to death because they are too noisy. Fortunately for her, the professor dismissed it. The professor recited the entire poem in front of the class while also making his own remarks. As a result of this incident, the author was able to speak for an extended period of time without having to complete any additional homework as punishment. Also, Mr. Keesing, the professor, began cracking jokes in front of the class now and then.

About the Author

Anne Frank was a German Jew who lived from 12 June 1929 to February/March 1945. During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II, the twelve-year-old Jewish girl wrote 'The Diary of Anne Frank' while hiding with her family and four friends in Amsterdam. After two years in hiding, the group was betrayed and transported to Bergen, where Anne and her elder sister Margot died of typhus in 1945. Her father, Otto, the only survivor of the group, discovered her diary and had it published in English as 'The Diary of a Young Girl.'

Lesson-5

The Hundred Dresses Part I

By El Bsor Ester

The Hundred Dresses Part I Introduction

The lesson "The Hundred Dresses I" is about Wanda, a girl who claims to have a hundred dresses. Her classmates mocked her because her claims contradicted the fact that she was always seen wearing the same dress. Her classmates thought her name was "funny." It was because everyone else's names were "easier" than 'Wanda Petronski.' Her name was unusual because she was a Polish immigrant who had moved to America with her family. She was impoverished and had few friends. She was quiet and always sat in the far corner of the classroom. The truth about the hundred dresses was revealed when she entered a drawing contest with her hundred drawings. They were the same hundred dresses she'd mentioned before. They were all breathtakingly beautiful.

The Hundred Dresses Part I Summary

The plot revolves around Wanda Petronski, a quiet and shy Polish immigrant who immigrated to America with her family. She went to school with American kids who thought her name was strange, possibly the strangest in the class. This is due to the fact that they all had simpler names. She was impoverished and always wore a faded blue dress. Her classmates made fun of her because she claimed to have a hundred dresses "all lined up" in her closet, despite the fact that she was always seen wearing one. Peggy and Maddie, her two best friends, were the ones who teased her the most. Peggy was the most well-known girl at school, while Wanda was barely known.

Peggy and Maddie used to stand in line for Wanda before school, even if it meant being late. Maddie, a poor girl herself, was offended when Peggy mocked Wanda. She was afraid she would be next. She wanted Peggy to stop making fun of Wanda, but she couldn't bring herself to confront her for fear of losing her best friend. Peggy's intention was never to hurt Wanda, but she was curious as to why Wanda felt compelled to lie about having a hundred dresses in her closet.

The truth about the same hundred dresses revealed on the drawing competition's result day. The room was lined with one hundred drawings of various dresses, each of which was stunning. She did, in fact, have "a hundred dresses all lined up" that day, but in the classroom. Peggy and Maddie, who were awestruck at the time, realised the theory of a hundred dresses and felt guilty for having treated her badly.

The Hundred Dresses Part I Lesson Explanation

TODAY, Monday, Wanda Petronski was not in her seat. But nobody, not even Peggy and Madeline, the girls who started all the fun, noticed her absence. Usually Wanda sat in the seat next to the last seat in the last row in Room Thirteen. She sat in the corner of the room where the rough boys who did not make good marks sat, the corner of the room where there was most scuffling of feet, most roars of laughter when anything funny was said, and most mud and dirt on the floor. Wanda did not sit there because she was rough and noisy. On the contrary, she was very quiet and rarely said anything at all. And nobody had ever heard her laugh out loud. Sometimes she twisted her mouth into a crooked sort of smile, but that was all.

• Scuffling of feet- noisy, dragging movements of the feet on the ground

Wanda Petronski is the protagonist of this storey, as are her classmates Peggy and Madeline, who tease her. On Monday, the plot of the storey begins. Wanda's absence went unnoticed by Peggy and Madeline. These were the girls who initiated all of the teasing. Wanda usually sat in the corner of the classroom with the less-than-academically brilliant and loud guys. That was the dirtiest part of the classroom, but Wanda was not like those boys. She was so quiet that no one had ever heard her laugh.

Nobody knew exactly why Wanda sat in that seat, unless it was because she came all the way from Boggins Heights and her feet were usually caked with dry mud. But no one really thought much about Wanda Petronski, once she sat in the corner of the room. The time when they thought about Wanda was outside of school hours — at noon-time when they were coming back to school or in the morning early before school began, when groups of two or three, or even more, would be talking and laughing on their way to the school yard. Then, sometimes, they waited for Wanda — to have fun with her.

No one ever understood why Wanda sat there because she was nothing like those boys. There were only educated guesses that it was because she was from Boggins Heights and her shoes were always filthy from all the mud. People hardly noticed her in the classroom because she was always silent and alone. They only thought of her before or after school hours, when groups of kids would gather to mock her. Some people used to wait even if it meant being late for school.

The next day, Tuesday, Wanda was not in school, either. And nobody noticed her absence again. But on Wednesday, Peggy and Maddie, who sat down front with other children who got good marks and who didn’t track in a whole lot of mud, did notice that Wanda wasn’t there. Peggy was the most popular girl in school. She was pretty, she had many pretty clothes and her hair was curly. Maddie was her closest friend. The reason Peggy and Maddie noticed Wanda’s absence was because Wanda had made them late to school. They had waited and waited for Wanda, to have some fun with her, and she just hadn’t come. They often waited for Wanda Petronski — to have fun with her.

Wanda's absence from the meeting on Tuesday went unnoticed. However, it wasn't until Wednesday that Maddie and Peggy noticed her absence. It was also the time when they waited before school to mock her but ended up being late because she didn't show up. Peggy was the most well-known girl who dressed neatly. She sat with the class's top students. No one ever inquired as to why Wanda was no longer attending school. They only cared that they couldn't make fun of her.

Wanda Petronski. Most of the children in Room Thirteen didn’t have names like that. They had names easy to say, like Thomas, Smith or Allen. There was one boy named Bounce, Willie Bounce, and people thought that was funny, but not funny in the same way that Petronski was.

Wanda was a Pole who had immigrated to the United States. Her classmates thought "Wanda Petronski" was a strange name because they all had simpler and easier "American" names, with the exception of a guy named Willie Bounce, who they thought sounded funny but was still inferior to "Petronski." Her name was long and unfamiliar to them. This demonstrates that those children did not understand diversity and that whatever they did was done in haste.

Wanda didn’t have any friends. She came to school alone and went home alone. She always wore a faded blue dress that didn’t hang right. It was clean, but it looked as though it had never been ironed properly. She didn’t have any friends, but a lot of girls talked to her. Sometimes, they surrounded her in the school yard as she stood watching the little girls play hopscotch on the worn hard ground.

• Didn’t hang right- didn’t fit properly
• Hopscotch- a game in which children hop into and over squares marked on the ground

Wanda was usually seen in a faded blue dress that was too small for her. Even though it was clean, it appeared unironed. This demonstrates that Wanda came from a poor family that couldn't afford too many dresses. Ironically, a lot of people talked to her, but she didn't have any friends because they all talked to her to mock her. They found everything amusing, from her storey about a hundred dresses to her strange name. When she used to sit on the ground and watch little girls play, other students surrounded her and mocked her.

“Wanda,” Peggy would say in a most courteous manner as though she were talking to Miss Mason. “Wanda,” she’d say, giving one of her friends a nudge, “tell us. How many dresses did you say you had hanging up in your closet?” “A hundred,” Wanda would say. “A hundred!” exclaimed all the little girls incredulously, and the little ones would stop playing hopscotch and listen. “Yeah, a hundred, all lined up,” said Wanda. Then her thin lips drew together in silence. “What are they like? All silk, I bet,” said Peggy. “Yeah, all silk, all colours.” “Velvet, too?” “Yeah, velvet too. A hundred dresses,” Wanda would repeat stolidly. “All lined up in my closet.” Then they’d let her go. And then before she’d gone very far, they couldn’t help bursting into shrieks and peals of laughter.

• Nudge- a gentle push
• Incredulously- showing unwillingness to believe
• Courteous- polite, respectful
• Stolidly- calm, dependable, and showing little emotion and animation
• Shrieks- scream

Peggy used to ask Wanda how many dresses she had in a very polite and respectful tone, with no intention of hurting her. They mocked her because they couldn't figure out why she made up the storey about the hundred dresses. They did all of this oblivious to the fact that it could harm her. Nobody believed her when she said she had a hundred dresses lined up in her closet. The little girls would stop playing to see what was going on as the other girls screamed in surprise. Wanda would respond to their inquiries by stating that she, too, had dresses made of velvet and silk. Unfortunately, they all used to mock her after she left.

A hundred dresses! Obviously, the only dress Wanda had was the blue one she wore every day. So why did she say she had a hundred? What a story! “How many shoes did you say you had?” “Sixty pairs. All lined up in my closet.” Cries of exaggerated politeness greeted this.

“All alike?” “Oh, no. Every pair is different. All colours. All lined up.” Peggy, who had thought up this game, and Maddie, her inseparable friend, were always the last to leave. Finally Wanda would move up the street, her eyes dull and her mouth closed, hitching her left shoulder every now and then in the funny way she had, finishing the walk to school alone.

• Exaggerated- overemphasise
• Her eyes dull- having eyes wanting brightness, liveliness, and vivacity

Wanda's words were difficult to believe because the only dress she was seen wearing was the faded blue one. No one could figure out why she lied. They were never rude to her, even when they were teasing her. Thus, they continued to question her in the same tone about the number of shoes she claimed to have, to which she replied "sixty," each pair different. Though she was polite, it was Peggy's idea to embarrass her like that. Peggy and Maddie, the inseparable friends, were the last to leave school, while Wanda would return alone with her dull eyes and strange behaviour.

Peggy was not really cruel. She protected small children from bullies. And she cried for hours if she saw an animal mistreated. If anybody had said to her, “Don’t you think that is a cruel way to treat Wanda?” she would have been very surprised. Cruel? Why did the girl say she had a hundred dresses? Anybody could tell that that was a lie. Why did she want to lie? And she wasn’t just an ordinary person, else why did she have a name like that? Anyway, they never made her cry.

• Bullies- someone who hurts or frightens someone else, often over a period of time, and forcing them to do something that they do not want to do.
• Mistreated- to treat someone badly

Peggy was not the mean girl she had previously been portrayed as. She rescued children from whoever was torturing them and couldn't stand it when animals were mistreated. She claimed she wasn't being rude to Wanda. Wanda's lie about the number of dresses she owned seemed very strange to her, and her name was even stranger. They never made Wanda cry, no matter how much they teased her.

As for Maddie, this business of asking Wanda every day how many dresses and how many hats, and how many this and that she had was bothering her. Maddie was poor herself. She usually wore somebody’s hand-me-down clothes. Thank goodness, she didn’t live up on Boggins Heights or have a funny name.

Maddie didn't like the idea of making fun of Wanda's abundance of clothes and accessories because she cared about her, but because she was poor herself. She wore clothes given to her by others, but she wasn't as poor as Wanda, didn't live in Boggins Heights, and didn't even have a strange name.

Sometimes, when Peggy was asking Wanda those questions in that mocking polite voice, Maddie felt embarrassed and studied the marbles in the palm of her hand, rolling them around and saying nothing herself. Not that she felt sorry for Wanda, exactly. She would never have paid any attention to Wanda if Peggy hadn’t invented the dresses game. But suppose Peggy and all the others started in on her next? She wasn’t as poor as Wanda, perhaps, but she was poor. Of course she would have more sense than to say she had a hundred dresses. Still she would not like for them to begin on her. She wished Peggy would stop teasing Wanda Petronski.

Maddie didn't like teasing Wanda, so when Peggy asked her those questions, she would silently count the marbles in her hand while pretending to play with them. Maddie would never have known Wanda existed if that dress-up game hadn't been invented. She was uneasy not because she cared about Wanda, but because she was afraid she might be next. Even though she wasn't stupid enough to say she had a hundred dresses, she wished Peggy wouldn't tease Wanda.

Today, even though they had been late to school, Maddie was glad she had not had to make fun of Wanda. She worked her arithmetic problems absentmindedly. “Eight times eight — let’s see…” She wished she had the nerve to write Peggy a note, because she knew she never would have the courage to speak right out to Peggy, to say, “Hey, Peg, let’s stop asking Wanda how many dresses she has.” When she finished her arithmetic she did start a note to Peggy.

• Absentmindedly- distracted

Wanda didn't show up that day, and after waiting for her for so long, Maddie and Peggy were late for school. Maddie was secretly relieved that they wouldn't be able to make fun of Wanda. She was preoccupied with her own thoughts and was unable to concentrate on her studies. After finishing arithmetic, she kept thinking about writing a note to Peggy telling her to stop making fun of Wanda, which she did. She wanted to write a note because she didn't have the courage to say it to her face.

Suddenly she paused and shuddered. She pictured herself in the school yard, a new target for Peggy and the girls. Peggy might ask her where she got the dress that she had on, and Maddie would have to say it was one of Peggy’s old ones that Maddie’s mother had tried to disguise with new trimmings so no one in Room Thirteen would recognise it.

• Shuddered- shake, tremble
• Disguise- to give a different appearance to conceal its identity

Maddie shook as she wrote the note to Peggy, imagining herself as a new target for Peggy and the girls. She was afraid they'd ask her where she got that dress, which was actually Peggy's. Maddie's mother had it remade with new laces and ribbons so that none of her classmates recognised it.

If only Peggy would decide of her own accord to stop having fun with Wanda. Oh, well! Maddie ran her hand through her short blonde hair as though to push the uncomfortable thoughts away. What difference did it make? Slowly Maddie tore into bits the note she had started. She was Peggy’s best friend, and Peggy was the best-liked girl in the whole room. Peggy could not possibly do anything that was really wrong, she thought.

She wished Peggy would stop having fun with Wanda by herself. Suddenly, she "ran her hand through her hair" as a gesture to clear her mind. She reasoned to herself that Peggy was the most popular girl in the room and her best friend, so she couldn't be wrong. As a result, she tore and threw away the note. She was also concerned about losing her friend Peggy.

As for Wanda, she was just some girl who lived up on Boggins Heights and stood alone in the school yard. She scarcely ever said anything to anybody. The only time she talked was in the school yard about her hundred dresses. Maddie remembered her telling about one of her dresses, pale blue with coloured trimmings. And she remembered another that was brilliant jungle green with a red sash.

“You’d look like a Christmas tree in that,” the girls had said in pretended admiration.

• Scarcely- hardly; barely
• Trimmings- decoration
• Sash- a long strip or loop of cloth worn over one shoulder or round the waist, especially as part of a uniform or official dress
• Pretended- not genuine
• Admiration- respect and warm approval

Maddie began to think about Wanda after she had cleared her mind about confessing to Peggy. Wanda, she thought, was just another girl in Boggins Heights who didn't talk to anyone. She recalls Wanda mentioning her pale blue dress and jungle green dress with a red sash. The girls mocked her by saying she looked like a Christmas tree in that dress.

Thinking about Wanda and her hundred dresses all lined up in the closet, Maddie began to wonder who was going to win the drawing and colouring contest. For girls, this contest consisted of designing dresses and for boys, of designing motorboats. Probably Peggy would win the girls’ medal. Peggy drew better than anyone else in the room. At least, that’s what everybody thought. She could copy a picture in a magazine or some film star’s head so that you could almost tell who it was. Oh, Maddie was sure Peggy would win. Well, tomorrow the teacher was going to announce the winners. Then they’d know.

Maddie was thinking about Wanda when she remembered the drawing contest in which the boys had to design motorboats and the girls had to design dresses. Because she was the best artist in the room, Peggy was the obvious winner of that competition. She was able to replicate exact images as well as recognisable portraits. She was confident that Peggy would win, and the results were to be announced the following day, when everyone would know what had happened.

The next day it was drizzling. Maddie and Peggy hurried to school under Peggy’s umbrella. Naturally, on a day like this, they didn’t wait for Wanda Petronski on the corner of Oliver Street, the street that far, far away, under the railroad tracks and up the hill, led to Boggins Heights. Anyway, they weren’t taking chances on being late today, because today was important.

• Drizzling- rain lightly
• Hurried- quick

The day the results were to be announced, it was lightly raining, so the two best friends dashed to school without waiting for Wanda. They usually waited for her on Oliver Street, which led to Boggins Heights, where Wanda lived, but they didn't that day. Even if it hadn't been raining that day, they wouldn't have waited for her because the results were to be announced that day

“Do you think Miss Mason will announce the winners today?” asked Peggy. “Oh, I hope so, the minute we get in,” said Maddie. “Of course, you’ll win, Peg.” “Hope so,” said Peggy eagerly. The minute they entered the classroom, they stopped short and gasped. There were drawings all over the room, on every ledge and windowsill, dazzling colours and brilliant, lavish designs, all drawn on great sheets of wrapping paper. There must have been a hundred of them, all lined up. These must be the drawings for the contest. They were! Everybody stopped and whistled or murmured admiringly.

• Gasped- catch one’s breath with an open mouth, owing to pain or astonishment.
• Ledge- shelf
• Windowsill- ledge or sill forming the bottom part of a window
• Dazzling- extremely impressive, beautiful, or skilful
• Lavish- gorgeous
• Murmured- say something in a low or distinct voice
• Admiringly- in a way that shows respect or warm approval

When Peggy and Maddie entered the classroom, Peggy asked Maddie if Miss Mason would announce the results, to which Maddie replied, 'yes.' Maddie told her that she thought Peggy would win, but when they entered the class, there were drawings all over the place. They dazzled everyone with their brilliance. These were the entries for the competition.

As soon as the class had assembled, Miss Mason announced the winners. Jack Beggles had won for the boys, she said, and his design for an outboard motor was on exhibition in Room Twelve, along with the sketches by all the other boys.

• Assembled- gather together in one place for a common purpose

After everyone had settled, Miss Mason announced the winners. Jack Beggles had triumphed among the lads. He drew an outboard motor, which was displayed in Room No. 12 alongside other boys' drawings.

“As for the girls,” she said, “although just one or two sketches were submitted by most, one girl — and Room Thirteen should be proud of her — this one girl actually drew one hundred designs — all different and all beautiful. In the opinion of the judges, any one of the drawings is worthy of winning the prize. I am very happy to say that Wanda Petronski is the winner of the girls’ medal.

She then discussed the submissions from the girls. She mentioned one such girl who had submitted a hundred designs, each of which was so beautiful that the judges thought any of them deserved the gold medal. Wanda was declared the competition's winner by Miss Mason, who was overjoyed.

Unfortunately, Wanda has been absent from school for some days and is not here to receive the applause that is due to her. Let us hope she will be back tomorrow. Now class, you may file around the room quietly and look at her exquisite drawings.” The children burst into applause, and even the boys were glad to have a chance to stamp on the floor, put their fingers in their mouths and whistle, though they were not interested in dresses. “Look, Peg,” whispered Maddie. “There’s that blue one she told us about. Isn’t it beautiful?” “Yes,” said Peggy, “And here’s that green one. Boy, and I thought I could draw.”

She went on to say that Wanda hadn't come in a few days and that she hoped she'd be there the next day. She directed everyone's attention to the flawless collection, to which they applauded and whistled. Maddie and Peggy even saw the blue dress that Wanda had mentioned; it was stunning. Peggy sighed, "I thought I could draw," implying that the drawings left her in awe.

About the Author

Eleanor Estes (May 1906 – July 15, 1988) was a children's author and librarian from the United States. Her novel, 'Ginger Pyre,' was awarded the Newfry Medal. Eleanor based the storey 'The Hundred Dresses' on her own real-life experience as the recipient of Peggy's hand-me-down dresses.

Lesson-6

The Hundred Dresses Part II

By El Bsor Ester

The Hundred Dresses Part II Introduction

In continuation of the previous lesson, "The Hundred Dresses II" explains why Wanda Petronski hasn't been attending school. The Petronskis decided to relocate to a large city where no one would notice their unusual surname. When Maddie and Peggy heard the note, they became concerned because they realised they would never be able to make amends for all of their teasing. Only after learning that Wanda liked them and had dedicated one of the hundred dresses (drawings) to each of them do the girls feel relieved.

The Hundred Dresses Part II Summary

The lesson begins with all of the students in Room 13 looking at Wanda Petronski's wonderful drawings. Only then does Miss Mason receive a note from Wanda's father informing her that neither of his two children will be attending the school because they are moving to a big city where no one will judge them for their names. Miss Mason was taken aback and expressed her disappointment to the class. Wanda's father's letter had an impact on Maddie. She felt compelled to apologise to Wanda right away. Peggy and Maddie, two best friends, rush to Boggins Heights in the hopes that the family hasn't moved yet. However, there was no sign of life in or around the house, much to their dismay. Maddie lost sleep over the fact that she was a coward who couldn't stand up to injustice. That day, she resolved never to let anyone tease her like that again. That weekend, Peggy and Maddie decided to write Wanda a letter that was supposed to be apologetic but ended up being a friendly note asking her how she liked the new place. Weeks passed with no response until Miss Mason announced one day near Christmas that she had heard from Wanda. Wanda wrote in that letter that she misses everyone and that she intends to give Maddie and Peggy one dress each because she has a whole new lot of hundred dresses lined up in her new house. They were both delighted to receive it and later realised that it was their faces she had drawn alongside the dresses. As a result, they both concluded that Wanda liked them.

The Hundred Dresses Part II Lesson Explanation

WHILE the class was circling the room, the monitor from the principal’s office brought Miss Mason a note. Miss Mason read it several times and studied it thoughtfully for a while. Then she clapped her hands. “Attention, class. Everyone back to their seat.” When the shuffling of feet had stopped and the room was still and quiet, Miss Mason said, “I have a letter from Wanda’s father that I want to read to you.” Miss Mason stood there a moment and the silence in the room grew tense and expectant. The teacher adjusted her glasses slowly and deliberately. Her manner indicated that what was coming — this letter from Wanda’s father — was a matter of great importance. Everybody listened closely as Miss Mason read the brief note.

• Listened closely- listened with attention

Everyone was looking at Wanda's amazing drawings and admiring them when the class monitor brought a piece of paper for Miss Mason. Miss Mason had to read that note several times because she couldn't believe what was written on it. Finally, she decided to gather the class and read it aloud. Wanda Petronski's father had written her a letter. For a brief moment, she remained silent, creating tension in the minds of her students. She adjusted her spectacles, emphasising the significance of that note. Everyone was paying close attention as she began reading it.

Dear Teacher:

My Wanda will not come to your school any more. Jake also. Now we move away to big city. No more holler ‘Pollack’. No more ask why funny name. Plenty of funny names in the big city.
Yours truly,

Jan Petronski

The letter started with a greeting to Miss Mason. Wanda's father stated that he would no longer send both of his children, Wanda and Jake, to school. He mentioned that they were moving to another city, a big one where no one would notice their unusual name, a big city with a lot of people with unusual names. (Wanda's classmates thought her name was strange and amusing.) Wanda was a Polish immigrant to America, so her name was unfamiliar.)

A deep silence met the reading of this letter. Miss Mason took off her glasses, blew on them and wiped them on her soft white handkerchief. Then she put them on again and looked at the class. When she spoke her voice was very low. “I am sure that none of the boys and girls in Room Thirteen would purposely and deliberately hurt anyone’s feelings because his or her name happened to be a long, unfamiliar one. I prefer to think that what was said was said in thoughtlessness. I know that all of you feel the way I do, that this is a very unfortunate thing to have happened — unfortunate and sad, both. And I want you all to think about it.”

Everyone was speechless after hearing what was in that letter. Miss Mason, too, was taken aback, so she cleaned her glasses, put them back on, and spoke to the class in hushed tones. She expressed her displeasure to the class and asked them to reassure her that nothing was done on purpose to harm Wanda. She gave the children the benefit of the doubt, claiming that everything they did was unintentional. Whatever happened was "sad" and "unfortunate," she said. She advised the students to think about it as well.

The first period was a study period. Maddie tried to prepare her lessons, but she could not put her mind on her work. She had a very sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach. True, she had not enjoyed listening to Peggy ask Wanda how many dresses she had in her closet, but she had said nothing. She had stood by silently, and that was just as bad as what Peggy had done. Worse. She was a coward. At least Peggy hadn’t considered they were being mean but she, Maddie, had thought they were doing wrong. She could put herself in Wanda’s shoes.

Everyone began to reflect on what was written in the letter and how they each made Wanda feel. Maddie couldn't concentrate on her studies during their first period because she was sick from not stopping Peggy at the appropriate time. Things might have turned out differently if she had stopped Peggy from playing the dress-up game with Wanda. Although Maddie never teased Wanda, she did not stop Peggy from doing so, making her just as bad, if not worse. Peggy's intentions were never to hurt Wanda, and she had no idea that her game was hurting her feelings. Maddie, on the other hand, was aware of the impact, but she remained silent, making her a coward for not standing up to what is wrong.

Goodness! Wasn’t there anything she could do? If only she could tell Wanda she hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings. She turned around and stole a glance at Peggy, but Peggy did not look up. She seemed to be studying hard. Well, whether Peggy felt badly or not, she, Maddie, had to do something. She had to find Wanda Petronski. Maybe she had not yet moved away. Maybe Peggy would climb the Heights with her, and they would tell Wanda she had won the contest, that they thought she was smart and the hundred dresses were beautiful.

Maddie wished for a chance to apologise to Wanda, who was filled with guilt and regret. She looks at Peg, hoping she is thinking about Wanda as well, but she is busy studying. Regardless of what Peggy was thinking, Maddie made the decision to act. She hoped Wanda hadn't already moved away so she could apologise and thank her for her hundred dresses.

When school was dismissed in the afternoon, Peggy said, with pretended casualness, “Hey, let’s go and see if that kid has left town or not.” So Peggy had had the same idea! Maddie glowed. Peg was really all right. The two girls hurried out of the building, up the street toward Boggins Heights, the part of town that wore such a forbidding air on this kind of a November afternoon, drizzly, damp and dismal.

• Damp and dismal- wet and sad (here, expressing a state of hopelessness)
• Forbidding- Unfriendly or threatening in nature

That day, after school, Peggy asked Maddie if they could go check to see if Wanda had moved or not. Maddie was relieved to learn that they both intended to apologise to Wanda. They both hurried to Boggins Heights, Wanda's home, in order to find her. During this season, the area was generally wet, and the mood was depressing and hopeless.

“Well, at least,” said Peggy gruffly, “I never did call her a foreigner or make fun of her name. I never thought she had the sense to know we were making fun of her anyway. I thought she was too dumb. And gee, look how she can draw!” Maddie could say nothing. All she hoped was that they would find Wanda. She wanted to tell her that they were sorry they had picked on her, and how wonderful the whole school thought she was, and please, not to move away and everybody would be nice. She and Peggy would fight anybody who was not nice. The two girls hurried on. They hoped to get to the top of the hill before dark.

Peggy tries to console herself by saying that at least she didn't refer to her as a foreigner because she was an immigrant. She also didn't make her feel different because she had an unfamiliar name. She was always under the impression that Wanda had no idea those girls were mocking her. Above all, Wanda is a fantastic artist. Maddie, on the other hand, was speechless. What she hoped for was an opportunity to confess, make amends, appreciate her, and try to keep her from leaving. She even considered telling Wanda about her plan to protect her if anyone tried to bother her in any way. They hurried to get there before it got dark.

“I think that’s where the Petronskis live,” said Maddie, pointing to a little white house. Wisps of old grass stuck up here and there along the pathway like thin kittens. The house and its sparse little yard looked shabby but clean. It reminded Maddie of Wanda’s one dress, her faded blue cotton dress, shabby but clean. There was not a sign of life about the house. Peggy knocked firmly on the door, but there was no answer. She and Maddie went around to the back yard and knocked there. Still there was no answer.

They noticed a white little house up there and assumed it belonged to Wanda Petronski. Like Wanda's worn-out blue dress, the house and its surroundings were "shabby but clean." Along the path leading to the house, thin clumps of grass grew. They looked like skinny kittens. There was no one to be seen around the house. They knocked on both the front and back doors, but received no response.

There was no doubt about it. The Petronskis were gone. How could they ever make amends? They turned slowly and made their way back down the hill. “Well, anyway,” said Peggy, “she’s gone now, so what can we do? Besides, when I was asking her about all her dresses, she probably was getting good ideas for her drawings. She might not even have won the contest, otherwise.”

• (To) make amends- to show that one is sorry by doing something else

The Petronskis were gone, and with them, Maddie and Peggy's last chance to make amends. To console herself, Peggy began to say that Wanda must have looked for drawing inspiration only after she began her dress-up game. Wanda would not have won the drawing competition if she hadn't done so.

Maddie turned this idea carefully over in her head, for if there were anything in it she would not have to feel so badly. But that night she could not get to sleep. She thought about Wanda and her faded blue dress and the little house she had lived in. And she thought of the glowing picture those hundred dresses made — all lined up in the classroom. At last Maddie sat up in bed and pressed her forehead tight in her hands and really thought. This was the hardest thinking she had ever done. After a long, long time, she reached an important conclusion. She was never going to stand by and say nothing again.

Maddie also tried to persuade her after what Peggy said, saying that if this is the case, she shouldn't feel so bad. Later that night, however, she couldn't sleep because she kept thinking about Wanda's little house, her faded blue dress, both shabby but clean, and her glorious hundred dresses, which were all lined up in the classroom, rather than the "closet." Finally, she sat in her bed and began to think deeply, the most difficult thing she'd ever done. She clenched her fists around her brow, indicating that she was really trying to concentrate. She came to the conclusion after much and deep thought that she will always stand up to wrongs and will never say nothing when she has to.

If she ever heard anybody picking on someone because they were funny looking or because they had strange names, she’d speak up. Even if it meant losing Peggy’s friendship. She had no way of making things right with Wanda, but from now on she would never make anybody else that unhappy again.

• Picking on someone- criticising someone

She resolved that she would never allow anyone to make fun of others because of their appearance, name, clothing, or origin. She would not be afraid to speak out against Peggy, even if it meant losing her friend. She couldn't go back in time to make amends with Wanda, no matter how badly she wanted to, but she will never let another person feel embarrassed or unhappy again.

On Saturday Maddie spent the afternoon with Peggy. They were writing a letter to Wanda Petronski. It was just a friendly letter telling about the contest and telling Wanda she had won. They told her how pretty her drawings were. And they asked her if she liked where she was living and if she liked her new teacher. They had meant to say they were sorry, but it ended up with their just writing a friendly letter, the kind they would have written to any good friend, and they signed it with lots of X’s for love. They mailed the letter to Boggins Heights, writing ‘Please Forward’ on the envelope.

On Saturday, they sat down and decided to write a letter to Wanda, telling her about the contest and asking her where she is now and how she likes it there. No matter how much they wanted to apologise, they couldn't muster the courage to do so, so they ended up writing a friendly letter to Wanda as if she were a good friend. Because they didn't know her new address, they mailed it to Boggins Heights with the note 'Please forward.'

Days passed and there was no answer, but the letter did not come back, so maybe Wanda had received it. Perhaps she was so hurt and angry she was not going to answer. You could not blame her. Weeks went by and still Wanda did not answer. Peggy had begun to forget the whole business, and Maddie put herself to sleep at night making speeches about Wanda, defending her from great crowds of girls who were trying to tease her with, “How many dresses have you got?” And before Wanda could press her lips together in a tight line, the way she did before answering, Maddie would cry out, “Stop!” Then everybody would feel ashamed the way she used to feel.

Wanda did not respond, but they did not receive the letter back, so they concluded that it must have reached Wanda, but she was so upset that she did not respond. They waited for weeks and received no response. Peggy began to forget about the whole thing, whereas Maddie used to play out scenarios in her head before going to bed in which she defended Wanda. She imagined scenarios in which large groups of girls surrounded Wanda and asked her, "How many dresses do you have?" and as soon as anyone could say anything more, Wanda would interrupt and say "stop," making them all feel embarrassed.

Now it was Christmas time and there was snow on the ground. Christmas bells and a small tree decorated the classroom. On the last day of school before the holidays, the teacher showed the class a letter she had received that morning.

“You remember Wanda Petronski, the gifted little artist who won the drawing contest? Well, she has written me, and I am glad to know where she lives, because now I can send her medal. I want to read her letter to you.”

It was the winter season, and there was snow on the ground everywhere. Christmas had arrived. Their classrooms were decorated with bells and a small tree. Miss Mason informed the students that she had received a letter from Wanda Petronski that day. She is overjoyed to have received it because she can now send her the medal as well.

Dear Miss Mason,

How are you and Room Thirteen? Please tell the girls they can keep those hundred dresses, because in my new house I have a hundred new ones, all lined up in my closet. I’d like that girlPeggy to have the drawing of the green dress with the red trimming, and her friend Maddie to have the blue one. For Christmas, I miss that school and my new teacher does not equalise with you. Merry Christmas to you and everybody.

Yours truly,

Wanda Petronski

The letter started out in a very friendly tone. Wanda asked how everyone was doing and if they could keep her hundred dresses because she has another hundred dresses "lined up in her closet" in her new house. She specifically requested that Maddie and Peggy take her dress home with them. Peggy wore the green dress with red trimmings, while Maddie wore the blue one. She expressed her feelings for Miss Mason and wrote that her new teacher would never be able to replace her. She ended the letter by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and mentioning how much she missed everyone in Room 13.

On the way home from school Maddie and Peggy held their drawings very carefully. All the houses had wreaths and holly in the windows. Outside the grocery store, hundreds of Christmas trees were stacked, and in the window, candy peppermint sticks and cornucopias of shiny transparent paper were strung. The air smelled like Christmas and light shining everywhere reflected different colours on the snow. “Boy!” said Peggy, “this shows she really likes us. It shows she got our letter and this is her way of saying that everything’s all right. And that’s that.” “I hope so,” said Maddie sadly. She felt sad because she knew she would never see the little tight-lipped Polish girl again and couldn’t ever really make things right between them.

• Cornucopias- decorative containers (usually containing flowers and fruits)
• Holly- a shrub having prickly dark green leaves, small white flowers, and red berries. It is used in Christmas decorations.

It was the Christmas season, and all of the houses were decked out. Christmas trees, candy peppermint sticks, and other Christmas items were available in grocery stores. The atmosphere was vibrant and upbeat. When Peggy realised that this gesture implied that Wanda liked the drawings, she and Maddie took them home with great care. They also assumed she received their letter and that everything was fine between them. Maddie, on the other hand, was heartbroken because she would never see that Polish, close-lipped girl again. She'd never have the opportunity to make amends.

She went home and she pinned her drawing over a torn place in the pink-flowered wallpaper in the bedroom. The shabby room came alive from the brilliancy of the colours. Maddie sat down on her bed and looked at the drawing. She had stood by and said nothing, but Wanda had been nice to her, anyway.

When Maddie got home, she hung her drawing on the part of the wall where her pink-flowered wallpaper had been slightly torn. Maddie's room was also shabby, but the drawing brought it to life. She kept staring at the drawing, remembering how nice Wanda had been to them.

Tears blurred her eyes and she gazed for a long time at the picture. Then hastily she rubbed her eyes and studied it intently. The colours in the dress were so vivid that she had scarcely noticed the face and head of the drawing. But it looked like her, Maddie! It really looked like her own mouth. Why it really looked like her own self! Wanda had really drawn this for her. Excitedly, she ran over to Peggy’s

Maddie's vision blurred as she stared at the drawing Wanda had given her. She rubbed her eyes and realised Wanda had drawn Maddie's face along with the dress. The dress's colours were so bright and vibrant that the face was barely visible. Maddie became enthralled and dashed over to Peggy to see if she had noticed it as well.

“Peg!” she said, “let me see your picture.” “What’s the matter?” asked Peggy, as they clattered up to her room where Wanda’s drawing was lying face down on the bed. Maddie carefully raised it. “Look! She drew you. That’s you!” she exclaimed. And the head and face of this picture did look like Peggy.

She asked for the picture as soon as she arrived at Peggy's house. On the bed, the drawing was turned upside down. Maddie raised her hand, and yes, that was Peggy in the drawing. Both were taken aback and amazed at the same time.

“What did I say!” said Peggy, “She must have really liked us, anyway.” “Yes, she must have,” agreed Maddie, and she blinked away the tears that came every time she thought of Wanda standing alone in that sunny spot in the school yard, looking stolidly over at the group of laughing girls after she had walked off, after she had said, “Sure, a hundred of them, all lined up.”

Peggy exclaims that she was correct in her assessment that Wanda liked them. Maddie, whose eyes welled up with tears every time she remembered Wanda looking at the girls laughing at her, agreed with Peggy.

About the Author

Eleanor Estes (May 1906 – July 15, 1988) was a children's author and librarian from the United States. Her novel, 'Ginger Pyre,' was awarded the Newfry Medal. Eleanor based the storey 'The Hundred Dresses' on her own real-life experience as the recipient of Peggy's hand-me-down dresses.

Lesson-7

Glimpses of India

 (1) A Baker from Goa

   By Lucio Rodrigues

Glimpses of India – A Baker from Goa Introduction

'A Baker from Goa' is about the importance of bakers in Goan culture, which dates back to when the Portuguese ruled over the city of Goa. The Portuguese may have left, but the bread-makers' status remains unassailable. The author recalls his childhood days and their excitement at seeing the baker in this storey. They were so excited that they would rush to him as soon as they awoke, without even brushing their teeth.

Glimpses of India – A Baker from Goa Summary

The lesson begins with the narrator's elders frequently recalling the time when Goa was under Portuguese rule. They discuss how the importance of bakers has persisted in their villages even after the Portuguese left. In Goa, they are referred to as 'Paders.' The mixers, moulders, and time-tested furnaces continue to provide Goans with their famous bread loaves. It is possible that the originals no longer exist, but their profession is carried on by their sons. In some parts of the village, the thud of their bamboo stick can still be heard. During their childhood, the same jingling thud would wake the narrator and his friends, who would rush to him without brushing or washing their teeth properly. The loaves were collected by the maid-servant of the house, while the children sorted the bread bangles for themselves. Goa's culture and traditions place a high value on bakery products. Bol, or sweet bread, is given as a wedding gift, cakes and Bolinhas, or coconut cookies, are eaten at every festival, and the lady of the house makes sandwiches for her daughter's wedding. Previously, bakers wore a unique knee-length frock known as 'kabai,' but during the narrator's childhood, they wore a shirt and trousers that were slightly shorter in length than usual. They usually paid their bills at the end of each month. Bakery has remained a profitable profession, allowing them to keep their families happy and prosperous.

Glimpses of India – A Baker from Goa Lesson Explanation

OUR elders are often heard reminiscing nostalgically about those good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. Those eaters of loaves might have vanished but the makers are still there. We still have amongst us the mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves. Those age-old, time-tested furnaces still exist. The fire in the furnaces has not yet been extinguished. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo, heralding his arrival in the morning, can still be heard in some places. Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession. These bakers are, even today, known as pader in Goa.

• Reminiscing nostalgically- thinking fondly of the past
• Loaves- (plural form of loaf) bread that is shaped and baked in a single piece and can be sliced for eating
• Vanished- disappear suddenly and completely
• Moulders- a person who moulds dough into a shape
• Furnaces- an enclosed structure in which materials can be heated to very high temperatures
• Extinguished- cause a fire to cease to burn
• Heralding- announcing
• Pader- word for baker in Portuguese language

The storey transports us to a time when the Portuguese ruled Goa. They were well-known for their breads. The narrator frequently encounters his elders reminiscing about "those good old days," and tells them that the famous breads date back to the time when Goa was ruled by the Portuguese. They reflect on the past and inform them that, while the Portuguese have left Goa, the bakers of bread continue to exist, albeit not in the original locations, and that their legacy is being carried on by their sons. Paders are still used to refer to bakers. Everything about baking hasn't changed, from the people who shape the bread loaves to the furnaces that have withstood the test of time. The sound of their arrival, as well as the thud of their bamboo stick, can still be heard, just as it was in the past.

During our childhood in Goa, the baker used to be our friend, companion and guide. He used to come at least twice a day. Once, when he set out in the morning on his selling round, and then again, when he returned after emptying his huge basket. The jingling thud of his bamboo woke us up from sleep and we ran to meet and greet him. Why was it so? Was it for the love of the loaf? Not at all. The loaves were bought by some Paskine or Bastine, the maid-servant of the house! What we longed for were those bread-bangles which we chose carefully. Sometimes it was sweet bread of special make.

• Companion- a person with whom one spends a lot of time
• Jingling- make or cause to make a light metallic ringing sound

The baker was their friend and companion during their childhood days in Goa, according to the narrator. The baker used to come twice a day, once while he was on his way to sell his loaves and once when he returned with an empty basket, having sold all the loaves. The children were awakened by the sound of his bamboo stick. The kids were overjoyed to meet him and select from the bread bangles and Kankon he had made especially for them. While bangles were for children, loaves were for adults and were usually collected by the household maid-servant.

The baker made his musical entry on the scene with the ‘jhang, jhang’ sound of his specially made bamboo staff. One hand supported the basket on his head and the other banged the bamboo on the ground. He would greet the lady of the house with “Good morning” and then place his basket on the vertical bamboo. We kids would be pushed aside with a mild rebuke and the loaves would be delivered to the servant. But we would not give up. We would climb a bench or the parapet and peep into the basket, somehow. I can still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves. Loaves for the elders and the bangles for the children. Then we did not even care to brush our teeth or wash our mouths properly. And why should we? Who would take the trouble of plucking the mango-leaf for the toothbrush? And why was it necessary at all? The tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely, after all!

• staff – stick
• Rebuke- an expression of disapproval; a scolding
• Fragrance- a pleasant, sweet smell
• Parapet- railing, a low protective wall
• bangles- here, refers to the bread in the shape of a bangle called ‘Kankon’

With his bamboo stick, the baker frequently made a musical entrance. His one hand held the basket above his head, while the other smacked the bamboo on the ground. He would go from house to house, greeting the ladies before handing them the loaves. The children would be scolded and made to stand aside by their parents. But, no matter how eager they were, they would climb a bench or a wall to peer into the basket. They didn't even bother brushing their teeth before eating those bread bangles because it seemed like a waste of time to pluck mango leaves from the branches and use them to brush their teeth. They thought brushing was unnecessary because hot tea could easily clean their mouths, and they believed that animals like the tiger never brushed their teeth.

Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol, just as a party or a feast loses its charm without bread. Not enough can be said to show how important a baker can be for a village. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement. Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. Thus, the presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is absolutely essential.

• Feast- a large meal, typically a celebratory one
• bolinhas – another name for coconut cookies

Bread is an important part of Goan culture, as evidenced by its presence at all important occasions. Sweet breads at weddings, sandwiches at engagement parties, and cakes and coconut cookies at Christmas, among other occasions, necessitate the presence of a baker in every village.

The baker or bread-seller of those days had a peculiar dress known as the kabai. It was a singlepiece long frock reaching down to the knees. In our childhood we saw bakers wearing a shirt and trousers which were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants. Even today, anyone who wears a half pant which reaches just below the knees invites the comment that he is dressed like a pader!

Bakers were known to wear unique knee-length frock dresses known as 'kabai.' During his childhood, the narrator observed them wearing shirts and pants that were shorter in length than usual. It was so much a part of their identity that even if someone wears that trouser length today, he is said to have dressed like a baker, or 'pader' as it was called in the olden days.

The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. Monthly accounts used to be recorded on some wall in pencil. Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the old days. The baker and his family never starved. He, his family and his servants always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was an open testimony to this. Even today any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.

• Plump physique- pleasantly fat body
• Open testimony- public statement about a character or quality

The baker used a pencil to make a monthly record of bills on a wall and then collected the money at the end of the month. Baking has always been a lucrative business. The baker's family and employees have always been cheerful and joyful. The baker was usually fat, which indicated that he had a lot to eat and thus was wealthy. Even today, a well-built body is compared to that of a baker.

About the Author

Lucio Rodrigues (1916-73) was an outstanding Konkani essayist. He contributed articles in both English and Konkani to a variety of periodicals and magazines. He was a visiting professor of folklore at many universities, as well as an English professor in Mumbai and Goa. His essays were published posthumously under the titles 'Of Soil and Soul' and 'Konkani Folk Tales.' His writings are distinguished by subtle humour and informal narration.

 

(2) Coorg

By Lokesh Abrol

“Coorg is a coffee country, famous for its rainforests and spices”

Glimpses of India – Coorg Introduction

The lesson provides us with a fascinating look at Karnataka's smallest district and its people. The weather is beautiful all year, with plenty of rain during the monsoon season. The Coorg people are known to be among the bravest. The main crop grown in this region is coffee. A wide range of animals can be found here, and the area is surrounded by stunning Brahmagiri hills, islands, and Tibetan settlements.

Glimpses of India – Coorg Summary

The author describes the hill station of Coorg, which is located in the western ghats of Karnataka. It is located in the middle of the state of Karnataka, halfway between Bengalore and Mangalore. Coorg is best visited between September and March. The region is well-known for its coffee plantations and spices. There are many rainforests, which cover 30% of the land. The Coorgi men are brave warriors who, due to their trustworthiness, are allowed to keep firearms without a licence. The women of Coorg are stunning. Coorg is also known as Kodavu, and the Kodavus are Hindus by religion, but their customs are distinct from those of mainstream Hindus.

They marry within the confines of their community. Kodavus are thought to be of Greek or Arabic ancestry. There were some soldiers from Alexander's army who settled there. Furthermore, because the Kodavus' ethnic dress, Kuppia, is similar to the Arab garment Kuffia, it is speculated that their ancestors were either Arabs or Kurds. Coorg is the source of the Kaveri River. The Mahaseer fish can be found in the river. Along the river, many animals and birds can be seen, including kingfishers, langurs, squirrels, and elephants.

Tourists can unwind in the tranquil atmosphere while also participating in adventure sports such as river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, mountain biking, rock climbing, and trekking. Animals such as Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs, and slender loris can be spotted on the nature trails. The main tourist attractions are the Brahmagiri hills, Nisargdham island, and the Tibetan settlements of Bylakuppe. Coorg provides visitors with a taste of India's diverse cultures.

Glimpses of India – Coorg Lesson Explanation

MIDWAY between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore sits a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of god. This land of rolling hills is inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures.

• Drifted from- been carried along gently by hair
• Martial- having to do with war

Coorg, a place so beautiful that it appears to be a piece of heaven that has strayed from God's kingdom and landed on Earth. It is located halfway between Mysore and Mangalore. It is a region with low hills of varying heights. Coorg men are brave warriors, and Coorg women are beautiful. There are also a variety of wild animals in the area.

Coorg, or Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is home to evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations. Evergreen rainforests cover thirty percent of this district. During the monsoons, it pours enough to keep many visitors away. The season of joy commences from September and continues till March. The weather is perfect, with some showers thrown in for good measure. The air breathes of invigorating coffee. Coffee estates and colonial bungalows stand tucked under tree canopies in prime corners.

• Canopies- roof-like coverings made of trees that form a shelter
• Prime- here, best
• Invigorating- strong (here)

It is one of Karnataka's smallest districts, also known as Kodagu. Evergreen rainforests cover 30% of Coorg's land area, and the region receives rain for the majority of the year, especially during the monsoon season. The months of September through March are ideal for visiting Coorg. The weather is pleasant, and there is some rain, so it is worthwhile to go. Because of the abundance of coffee plantations, the air is filled with the strong aroma of coffee.

The fiercely independent people of Coorg are possibly of Greek or Arabic descent. As one story goes, a part of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled here when return became impractical. These people married amongst the locals and their culture is apparent in the martial traditions, marriage and religious rites, which are distinct from the Hindu mainstream. The theory of Arab origin draws support from the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus. Known as kuppia, it resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

• Mainstream- a tradition which most people follow
• Tales of Valour- stories of courage and bravery, usually in a war
• Descent- origin

The Coorg people are thought to be of Greek or Arabic origin and are generally ferocious. This theory arose as a result of their clothing style. They are typically dressed in a long, black coat with an embroidered waist belt known as a Kuppia. Kuppia is a type of kuffia worn by Arabs and Kurds. It is also said that some of Alexander's army members were unable to return to their homeland and thus settled here while returning from the south. Coorg people marry each other, and their cultures and rituals differ greatly from those practised by Hindus.

Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality, and they are more than willing to recount numerous tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army, and the first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even now, Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a licence.

• Most decorated- having received the maximum number of awards for bravery in a war

In general, the people are very welcoming and warm. They are always willing to entertain with stories about their forefathers. They are known to be independent, ferocious, and brave, as evidenced by the fact that the Coorg regiment in the Indian army has received the most bravery awards. General Cariappa, the first chief of the Indian Army, was from Coorg. Furthermore, unlike others who require a licence, these are the only people who are permitted to carry firearms freely. This demonstrates that the Coorgis are also trustworthy.

The river, Kaveri, obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg. Mahaseer — a large freshwater fish — abound in these waters. Kingfishers dive for their catch, while squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit for the mischief of enjoying the splash and the ripple effect in the clear water. Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the river by their mahouts.

• Mischief- playful behaviour
• Ripple effect- a small wave or series of waves on the surface of water, especially as caused by a slight breeze or an object dropping into it
• Mahouts- a person who works with, rides, and tends an elephant

Coorg's evergreen forests and hills supply water to the Kaveri River, a major river in South India. The birds are looking for a large freshwater fish called Mahaseer, which is found in these waters. Squirrels and langurs enjoy bathing in these waters while throwing half-eaten fruits into them.

The most laidback individuals become converts to the life of high-energy adventure with river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking. Numerous walking trails in this region are a favourite with trekkers.

• Laidback-relaxed, not in a hurry
• Rafting- travelling in a river in a raft (a floating platform made by tying planks together)
• Canoeing- travelling in a river in a canoe (a large, narrow boat)
• Rappelling- going down a cliff by sliding down a rope
• Trails- paths created by walking

Tourists who visit Coorg to relax in the natural beauty of the area are also drawn to the various adventure sports activities available, such as river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, and mountain climbing. The paths in the hills are formed by the footsteps of walkers who trek there.

Birds, bees and butterflies are there to give you company. Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy. I do, however, prefer to step aside for wild elephants.

A variety of animals may be encountered while walking in their area. Birds, bees, and butterflies buzz around you, while squirrels and langurs watch from the trees. Coorg is also home to wild elephants.

The climb to the Brahmagiri hills brings you into a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. A walk across the rope bridge leads to the sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama. Running into Buddhist monks from India’s largest Tibetan settlement, at nearby Bylakuppe, is a bonus. The monks, in red, ochre and yellow robes, are amongst the many surprises that wait to be discovered by visitors searching for the heart and soul of India, right here in Coorg.

• Panoramic view- a view of a wide area of land

Climb up to the Brahmagiri hills for a panoramic view of the beautiful city of Coorg. Coorg is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, such as the island of Nisargadhama and Bylakuppe, India's largest Tibetan settlement. Monks dressed in red, orange, and yellow garments can also be found in the Coorg district, where their way of life is a fascinating sight for visitors. A diverse mix of cultures can be seen here, representing the heart and soul of India.

About the Author

Lokesh Abrol is a well-known physician. In Gurgaon, he established the first private multispecialty hospital. He also works as a social worker. In Gurgaon, he founded the first stray cow shelter. Lokesh Abrol is also a well-known author. The current essay on 'Coorg' highlights his keen observation and ability to paint a vivid picture of the wonderful land known as Coorg.

(3) Tea from Assam

By Arup Kumar Dutta

“Pranjol, a youngster from Assam, is Rajvir’s classmate at school in Delhi. Pranjol’s father is

the manager of a tea-garden in Upper Assam and Pranjol has invited Rajvir to visit his home

during the summer vacation”

Glimpses of India – Tea from Assam Introduction

The lesson is about two friends, Pranjol and Rajvir, who are spending the summer in Pranjol's hometown of Assam. Assam is known as the "Tea Kingdom." It has the world's highest concentration of plantations. Throughout their journey, they talk about the various 'legends' who are said to have discovered tea. The storey describes the popularity of tea as a beverage.

Glimpses of India – Tea from Assam Summary

The plot revolves around the infamous beverage 'tea,' explaining its history and discovery. It begins with two friends, Pranjol and Rajvir, preparing to travel to Assam, Pranjol's hometown, when a tea vendor approaches them and asks if they would like some freshly made tea. They purchase two cups and join nearly every other person in their compartment. From there, the journey begins, and Pranjol begins reading his detective book, while Rajvir chooses to take in the scenery. Soft green paddy fields were followed by tea bushes.

Rajvir is ecstatic to see such vast tea plantations, but Pranjol is unable to match his enthusiasm because he was born and raised in Assam, also known as "Tea Country." When Rajvir first went there, he did a lot of research on how tea was discovered and discovered that it dates back to 2700 B.C. According to what he read, it was first consumed in China and then made its way to Europe in the 16th century, where it was primarily popular for its medicinal properties. There are several stories about how it was discovered, one involving a Chinese Emperor and another involving a Buddhist monk.

The former enjoyed the taste of it, while the latter used it to induce sleep. While they were having this conversation, they arrived at their destination, where Pranjol's parents were waiting to greet them and take them to their tea garden. They passed through a cattle bridge and gave way to a truck loaded with tea leaves, which alerted them to the fact that it was the second sprouting season. Rajvir had done a lot of research before coming, which impressed Pranjol's father, and he intended to learn a lot more.

Glimpses of India – Tea from Assam Lesson Explanation

“CHAI-GARAM… garam-chai,” a vendor called out in a high-pitched voice. He came up to their window and asked,”Chai, sa’ab?” “Give us two cups,” Pranjol said. They sipped the steaming hot liquid. Almost everyone in their compartment was drinking tea too. “Do you know that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world?” Rajvir said. “Whew!” exclaimed Pranjol. “Tea really is very popular.”

• Chai– Tea
• Garam– hot
• Sa’ab- Sahab or Sir
• Steaming- extremely hot
• Exclaimed- cry out suddenly in surprise

A tea vendor approaches two friends at a train station and asks if they want to buy some freshly-made hot tea. They decide to share two cups of tea with the rest of the passengers in their compartment. Pranjol uses this to highlight the fact that "almost eighty crore cups of tea are consumed every day throughout the world," while Rajvir is taken aback. Tea is, indeed, a popular beverage all over the world.

The train pulled out of the station. Pranjol buried his nose in his detective book again. Rajvir too was an ardent fan of detective stories, but at the moment he was keener on looking at the beautiful scenery. It was green, green everywhere. Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before. Then the soft green paddy fields gave way to tea bushes. It was a magnificent view. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see. Dwarfing the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade-trees and amidst the orderly rows of bushes busily moved doll-like figures.

• Paddy fields- a field where rice is grown
• Backdrop- lie behind or beyond; serve as a background to
• As far as eye could see- for a long distance until something is so far away and small it cannot be seen anymore
• Dwarfing- cause to seem small or insignificant in comparison
• Sturdy- strong
• Amidst- in the middle of

Pranjol began reading his detective book as soon as the train began moving. Both of their friends were huge fans of detective novels, but Rajvir chose to focus on the scenery at the time. There was a lot of greenery around, which Rajvir had never seen before. Tea plantations followed the green paddy fields. Only tea bushes were visible as far as he could see, so much so that the narrator compared it to a "sea" of tea bushes. There were hills with dense forests in the background. There were orderly rows of tall and strong trees moving in the wind between the tea plantations. It was a breathtaking view.

In the distance was an ugly building with smoke billowing out of tall chimneys. “Hey, a tea garden!” Rajvir cried excitedly. Pranjol, who had been born and brought up on a plantation, didn’t share Rajvir’s excitement. “Oh, this is tea country now,” he said. “Assam has the largest concentration of plantations in the world. You will see enough gardens to last you a lifetime!”

• Billowing- moving or flowing outwards
• Concentration- cluster

While the train was moving, Rajvir noticed an unsightly building with smoke billowing from it. It was a tea plantation! Rajvir became enthralled, but Pranjol, who had witnessed it all as a child, couldn't match his friend's enthusiasm. Pranjol informs him that they have arrived in Assam, also known as "tea country." The state is home to the most tea plantations in the world.

“I have been reading as much as I could about tea,” Rajvir said. “No one really knows who discovered tea but there are many legends.” “What legends?” “Well, there’s the one about the Chinese emperor who always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water giving it a delicious flavour. It is said they were tea leaves.”

Rajvir had done a lot of research on tea and how it came to be discovered before visiting Tea Country. There were several theories, one of which was about a Chinese Emperor who drank boiled water. When he was boiling the water, a few leaves fell into it and it tasted delicious. Those leaves were said to be tea leaves.

“Tell me another!” scoffed Pranjol. “We have an Indian legend too. Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep. “Tea was first drunk in China,” Rajvir added, “as far back as 2700 B.C.! In fact words such as tea, ‘chai’ and ‘chini’ are from Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than as beverage.”

• Ascetic- characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.
• Banished- get rid of

When Pranjol inquired, Rajvir related another storey about an Indian legend known as Bodhidharma. He was a Buddhist monk who had shaved his eyelids because meditating made him sleepy. Tea plants eventually grew out of his eyelids, and when consumed after boiling with water, they helped him sleep. Rajvir also mentioned a few facts, such as the fact that tea dates back to 2700 B.C. and was first consumed in China. All of these words, including 'chai' and 'chini,' are derived from the Chinese language. Tea was introduced to Europe relatively late—in the sixteenth century—and was thought to have medicinal properties.

The train clattered into Mariani junction. The boys collected their luggage and pushed their way to the crowded platform. Pranjol’s parents were waiting for them. Soon they were driving towards Dhekiabari, the tea-garden managed by Pranjol’s father . An hour later the car veered sharply off the main road. They crossed a cattle-bridge and entered Dhekiabari Tea Estate.

• Clattered- (loud noise made by the train brakes)
• Veered- change direction

The train had come to a halt, and the boys had arrived at their destination, where they gathered their belongings and de-boarded the train, only to find a crowded platform. Pranjol's parents had arrived to greet them. After taking a turn and crossing a cattle-bridge, they arrived at Dhekiabari, Pranjol's tea garden, after nearly an hour.

On both sides of the gravel-road were acre upon acre of tea bushes, all neatly pruned to the same height. Groups of tea-pluckers, with bamboo baskets on their backs, wearing plastic aprons, were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.

• Gravel- small, rounded stones often mixed with sand
• Pruned- cut away from a tree

Their tea garden covered a large plot of land. All of the bushes had been cut to the same height and cared for. Tea pluckers were seen in the fields wearing an apron and carrying bamboo baskets to pluck the newly sprouted leaves.

Pranjol’s father slowed down to allow a tractor, pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves, to pass. “This is the second-flush or sprouting period, isn’t it, Mr Barua?” Rajvir asked. “It lasts from May to July and yields the best tea.” “You seem to have done your homework before coming,” Pranjol’s father said in surprise. “Yes, Mr Barua,” Rajvir admitted. “But I hope to learn much more while I’m here.”

• Sprouting period- when a plant sends out new growth (second harvest of tea leaves in a season)

Pranjol's father yielded to a tractor loaded with tea leaves on their way to the fields. When Rajvir notices this, he shows off his knowledge by mentioning that this is the second sprouting period of the year, which lasts from May to July and produces an excellent yield. Pranjol's father, who appears impressed, responds that he appears to have done extensive research before coming. Pranjol, who was eager to learn more about the amazing beverage, expressed his desire to do so.

About the Author

Amp Kumar Datta was born in the Assam town of Jorhat in 1946. He attended cAanacar and Delhi University for his education. For many years, he was an English professor at JB College in Jorhat. His published works, including 'The Adventure Stories' (1978) and Brahmaputra (2001), have been translated into numerous foreign languages

Lesson-8

Mijbil the Otter

By Gavin Maxwell

“Gavin Maxwell lives in a cottage in Camusfearna, in the West Highlands in Scotland. When his dog Jonnie died, Maxwell was too sad to think of keeping a dog again. But life without a pet was lonely…”

Mijbil the Otter Introduction

The author describes how his life changed after he decided to domesticate an otter after losing his pet dog in this lesson. He takes us through his journey of adjusting, playing, and travelling with Mijbil (or Mij) the otter from Iraq to London, and how he formed an inseparable bond with him along the way.

Mijbil the Otter Summary

The storey begins with the author and a friend travelling to Basra. During their journey, the author expresses his desire to domesticate an otter because life had become lonely for him after he had lost his pet dog. His friend suggested he get one from the marshes along the Tigris River in Iraq. When they arrived at their destination, they discovered that only a friend's mail had arrived. The friend left after a few days, while the narrator was still waiting for his mail. He went to his room after receiving it, only to find an otter (brought to him in a sack) and two Arabs with a note. It was a present from a friend. He named the otter Mijbil, or Mij for short. It took some time for Mij to open up and become comfortable in his surroundings. He was so covered in mud that it took nearly a month of cleaning and washing to reveal his true colour.

Mij enjoyed playing with water so much that he learned to turn on the faucet on his own. He was convinced that every drop of water should be squished and splashed until the bowl was empty. Everything was going swimmingly in Basra, but it was time to return to London. Because British airlines do not allow animals, he had to book another flight that allowed Mij on the condition that he be transported in a box. The narrator placed him in a box an hour before the flight so Mij could get used to it before leaving for a quick meal. When he returned, the box was still there, and Mij had made a mess of it by destroying the inner lining. As a result, blood began to drip from the holes. He hurried despite his fear. They were a long distance from the airport, and the flight was scheduled to depart in ten minutes.

He cleaned it all up, jumped in a cab, and arrived just in time. He told the storey to a very nice and generous air hostess, who advised him to keep the box on his lap. Gavin had a lot of respect for the air hostess because she was so nice to him. As soon as he opened the box, the otter leaped out and vanished, causing a commotion. Passengers were terrified. In an attempt to get a hold of Mij, a lady climbed up her chair, and the author got himself covered in curry. The air hostess offered assistance and returned him to Gavin, and they eventually arrived in London.

Mij liked to play with ping-pong balls and marbles. He even made a game out of the author's broken suitcase. It had the potential to keep him engrossed for an extended period of time. While taking the lead, the narrator took him for walks and played with him. People in London had wild guesses about Mij because they were unfamiliar with otters. Some people mistook it for a baby seal, squirrel, or even a hippo. The author received the most startling reaction when a labourer digging the hole asked, "What is that supposed to be?"

Mijbil the Otter Lesson Explanation

EARLY in the New Year of 1956 I travelled to Southern Iraq. By then it had crossed my mind that I should like to keep an otter instead of a dog, and that Camusfearna, ringed by water a stone’s throw from its door, would be an eminently suitable spot for this experiment.

• Crossed my mind- (a thought) came into my mind
• A stone’s throw- a very short distance
• Otter- a semi aquatic fish-eating mammal of the weasel family, with an elongated body, dense fur, and webbed feet
• Eminently- highly; very

In the early months of 1956, shortly after the death of the author's dog, he travelled to Southern Iraq. He was too lonely without a pet, but this time he wanted to keep an otter instead of a dog. He thought it was a good idea to keep an otter at Camusfearna because otters loved water. Camusfearna was the ideal location to test this novel idea of domesticating an otter because it was surrounded by water.

When I casually mentioned this to a friend, he as casually replied that I had better get one in the Tigris marshes, for there they were as common as mosquitoes, and were often tamed by the Arabs. We were going to Basra to the Consulate-General to collect and answer our mail from Europe. At the Consulate-General we found that my friend’s mail had arrived but that mine had not.

• As common as mosquitoes- easily found 
• Tamed- domesticate (an animal)

When the author mentioned his desire to domesticate an otter to a friend, the latter suggested that he get one from the marshes along the Tigris River, where otters were very common and were generally tamed by the Arabs. When the narrator and his friend were on their way to Basra, they had this conversation. When they arrived, they discovered that only a friend's mail had arrived.

I cabled to England, and when, three days later, nothing had happened, I tried to telephone. The call had to be booked twenty-four hours in advance. On the first day the line was out of order; on the second the exchange was closed for a religious holiday. On the third day there was another breakdown. My friend left, and I arranged to meet him in a week’s time. Five days later, my mail arrived.

• Cabled- sent a message by telegraph (an old method of communication)
• Breakdown- a mechanical failure

When the author attempted to connect to England via telegraph and received no response, he attempted to connect via a call that required reservations a day in advance. He couldn't contact them for another three days due to a holiday and technical difficulties. Finally, his friend left, and they agreed to meet again in a week. After another 5 days, his mail arrived.

I carried it to my bedroom to read, and there, squatting on the floor, were two Arabs; beside them lay a sack that squirmed from time to time. They handed me a note from my friend: “Here is your otter…”

• Squatting- crouch or sit with one’s knees bent and one’s heels close to or touching one’s buttocks or the back of one’s thighs
• Squirmed- twisted about

When the narrator received the mail, he went to his bedroom to read it, only to be met by two Arab men carrying a sack that twisted itself over and over. They presented him with a note from his friend stating that the otter was a gift from him. The otter was stowed away in the sack.

With the opening of that sack began a phase of my life that has not yet ended, and may, for all I know, not end before I do. It is, in effect, a thraldom to otters, an otter fixation, that I have since found to be shared by most other people, who have ever owned one.

• Thraldom- (old fashioned) being under the control of
• Fixation- a very strong attachment or feeling

The author saw domesticating an otter as the start of a new phase of his life, which is still ongoing. He developed deep affection and a special bond with the otter that could only be understood by those who had previously owned an otter.

The creature that emerged from this sack on to the spacious tiled floor of the Consulate bedroom resembled most of all a very small, medievally-conceived, dragon. From the head to the tip of the tail he was coated with symmetrical pointed scales of mud armour, between whose tips was visible a soft velvet fur like that of a chocolate-brown mole. He shook himself, and I half expected a cloud of dust, but in fact it was not for another month that I managed to remove the last of the mud and see the otter, as it were, in his true colours.

• Medievally conceived- an imagination of the middle ages

The otter appeared on the tiled floor as soon as the narrator opened the sack. He resembled a miniature version of the ancient imaginary creature known as the dragon. He was completely covered in mud, with small patches of soft velvet fur visible beneath it. The fur looked like the skin of a chocolate brown mole. He shook himself to get rid of the majority of it, but it took another month of cleaning and washing to bring out his true colour.

Mijbil, as I called the otter, was, in fact, of a race previously unknown to science, and was at length christened by zoologists Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell’s otter. For the first twentyfour hours Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor as far from my bed as possible. The second night Mijbil came on to my bed in the small hours and remained asleep in the crook of my knees until the servant brought tea in the morning, and during the day he began to lose his apathy and take a keen, much too keen, interest in his surroundings.

• Christened- named
• Hostile- unfriendly
• Aloof and indifferent- keeping a distance
• Apathy- absence of interest
• Crook of my knees- soft inside part where you bend your knee

The author named his pet 'Mijbil,' or simply 'Mij.' Mijbil belonged to a race of otters named Lutrogale Perspicillata Maxwelli, which had recently been discovered by a zoologist and was thus known as Maxwell's otter. It took some time for the otter to open up and feel at ease in his new surroundings. On the first day, he was at a distance, on the second day, he slept with the narrator in his bed, lying on the crook of his knees, and on the third day, he began to become more familiar with his surroundings.

I made a body-belt for him and took him on a lead to the bathroom, where for half an hour he went wild with joy in the water, plunging and rolling in it, shooting up and down the length of the bathtub underwater, and making enough slosh and splash for a hippo. This, I was to learn, is a characteristic of otters; every drop of water must be, so to speak, extended and spread about the place; a bowl must at once be overturned, or, if it will not be overturned, be sat in and sploshed in until it overflows. Water must be kept on the move and made to do things; when static it is wasted and provoking.

• So as to speak- as it were (one could say this)
• Provoking- causing anger or some other reaction
• Plunging- falling; sinking
• Sploshed- splashed
• Static- motionless

Gavin made an otter a belt, just like a dog, to wear on the lead wherever they went. He discovered Mij enjoyed playing with water when he first took the otter into the bathroom. He would roll and jump in the water like a hippopotamus. Otters were known to be irritated by still water, so they played with it and splashed it until the last drop was in the bowl/bucket. Otters preferred moving water, so when Mijbil saw still water, he appeared to become enraged and would sit in it, splash it, and attempt to tip it over in the bowl.

Two days later, Mijbil escaped from my bedroom as I entered it, and I turned to see his tail disappearing round the bend of the corridor that led to the bathroom. By the time I got there he was up on the end of the bathtub and fumbling at the chromium taps with his paws. I watched, amazed; in less than a minute he had turned the tap far enough to produce a trickle of water, and after a moment or two achieved the full flow. (He had been lucky to turn the tap the right way; on later occasions he would sometimes screw it up still tighter, chittering with irritation and disappointment at the tap’s failure to cooperate.)

• Fumbling- trying to do something in a clumsy manner
• Trickle- flow in a small stream
• Chittering- make a twittering or chattering sound
• chromium- a hard white metal used to make taps

Soon after becoming acquainted with the location, the otter escaped alone to the bathroom and attempted to open the tap with his paws. Surprisingly, he was able to open the tap enough to get a trickle of water and then more to get the full flow because he began by turning it in the right direction. On other occasions, he would twist it tighter by moving it in the opposite direction, only to be disappointed when no water flowed from it.

Very soon Mij would follow me without a lead and come to me when I called his name. He spent most of his time in play. He spent hours shuffling a rubber ball round the room like a four-footed soccer player using all four feet to dribble the ball, and he could also throw it, with a powerful flick of the neck, to a surprising height and distance. But the real play of an otter is when he lies on his back and juggles with small objects between his paws. Marbles were Mij’s favourite toys for this pastime: he would lie on his back rolling two or more of them up and down his wide, flat belly without ever dropping one to the floor.

• Flick- a quick, light movement
• Shuffling- dragging (here)
• Dribble- repeated hits on a ball to make it go ahead
• Pastime- distraction; entertainment

The otter quickly learned to follow the author without being led. When he called its name, it would come to him. Mij enjoyed playing a lot. He'd spend most of his time with a ball, dragging and pushing it around the room and chasing it. Otters are known to enjoy lying on their backs and juggling objects between their paws. Mij, on the other hand, enjoyed playing with marbles and never dropped one on the floor. He would roll two or more marbles on his broad, flat stomach.

The days passed peacefully at Basra, but I dreaded the prospect of transporting Mij to England, and to Camusfearna. The British airline to London would not fly animals, so I booked a flight to Paris on another airline, and from there to London. The airline insisted that Mij should be packed into a box not more than eighteen inches square, to be carried on the floor at my feet. I had a box made, and an hour before we started, I put Mij into the box so that he would become accustomed to it, and left for a hurried meal.

• Accustomed- familiar
• Dreaded the prospect- was in great fear of something that would happen in the future

After a peaceful stay in Basra, it was time to take Mijbil to England, and the author was nervous even thinking about travelling with him. Because British Airways refused to transport animals, he booked with another airline, which insisted on Mij being transported in a box no larger than eighteen inches square. The flight from Basra to England was not direct. They had to fly to Paris first, then to London. As instructed by the airline, the narrator placed Mij in a box an hour before takeoff, allowing it enough time to become comfortable before departing for a quick meal.

When I returned, there was an appalling spectacle. There was complete silence from the box, but from its airholes and chinks around the lid, blood had trickled and dried. I whipped off the lock and tore open the lid, and Mij, exhausted and blood spattered, whimpered and caught at my leg. He had torn the lining of the box to shreds; when I removed the last of it so that there were no cutting edges left, it was just ten minutes until the time of the flight, and the airport was five miles distant. I put the miserable Mij back into the box, holding down the lid with my hand.

• An appalling spectacle- a shocking scene
• Whipped off- quickly took off
• Trickled- drip, flow
• Shreds- pieces

Following the meal, the narrator faced his greatest fear. The box was motionless, and blood was dripping from the air holes. He panicked and opened the box, only to discover the inner lining ripped by a terrified Mij. The narrator cleaned the box and removed every piece of the sharp metal lining. It was only ten minutes until the flight took off that everything was back in place, and they had to cover a five-mile distance. Gavin put Mij in the box and closed the lid with his hand to keep him from escaping.

I sat in the back of the car with the box beside me as the driver tore through the streets of Basra like a ricochetting bullet. The aircraft was waiting to take off; I was rushed through to it by infuriated officials. Luckily, the seat booked for me was at the extreme front. I covered the floor around my feet with newspapers, rang for the air hostess, and gave her a parcel of fish (for Mij) to keep in a cool place. I took her into my confidence about the events of the last half hour. I have retained the most profound admiration for that air hostess; she was the very queen of her kind. She suggested that I might prefer to have my pet on my knee, and I could have kissed her hand in the depth of my gratitude. But, not knowing otters, I was quite unprepared for what followed.

• Ricocheting bullet- a bullet with changes direction after hitting a surface
• Infuriated- very angry
• Took her into my confidence- here, shared with her my experiences or secrets

The narrator scurried into a cab after cleaning up the mess. The cab sped up, negotiating the turns like a ricocheting bullet. He arrived just before the flight took off, which irritated the officials. He took his seat and handed Mijbil's fish food package to the air hostess for refrigeration. He told her about the incident that had caused them to be delayed, and she gladly understood while telling him what to do next. Gavin had a lot of respect for the air hostess because she was so helpful. He heeded her advice and sat with the box on his lap. He felt like kissing her hand as a gesture of gratitude for her assistance.

Mij was out of the box in a flash. He disappeared at high speed down the aircraft. There were squawks and shrieks, and a woman stood up on her seat screaming out, “A rat! A rat!” I caught sight of Mij’s tail disappearing beneath the legs of a portly white turbaned Indian. Diving for it, I missed, but found my face covered in curry. “Perhaps,” said the air hostess with the most charming smile, “it would be better if you resumed your seat, and I will find the animal and bring it to you.”

• Portly- stout

Mij jumped out of the box and vanished as soon as the author opened it. There was chaos everywhere, passengers were terrified, and a lady climbed onto her chair. When he saw Mij beneath the seat of a white-turbaned man, he tried to catch him and ended up with his face covered in curry, only to discover that Mij had vanished. Just then, the air hostess offered to assist Mij in his search and advised him to return to his seat.

I returned to my seat. I was craning my neck trying to follow the hunt when suddenly I heard from my feet a distressed chitter of recognition and welcome, and Mij bounded on to my knee and began to nuzzle my face and my neck.

• Craning- stretch out one’s body or neck in order to see something
• Distressed- troubled
• Recognition- identification; acknowledgement
• Nuzzle- to rub gently with the nose
• Bounded on to- climbed up quickly

When the air hostess asked him to, the narrator returned to his seat and began looking for Mij. Only then did he hear some chittering as Mij climbed up his knee to reach his face. Mij had come back.

III.

After an eventful journey, Maxwell and his otter reach London, where he has a flat

Mij and I remained in London for nearly a month. He would play for hours with a selection of toys, ping-pong balls, marbles, rubber fruit, and a terrapin shell that I had brought back from his native marshes. With the ping-pong ball he invented a game of his own which could keep him engrossed for up to half an hour at a time. A suitcase that I had taken to Iraq had become damaged on the journey home, so that the lid, when closed, remained at a slope from one end to the other. Mij discovered that if he placed the ball on the high end it would run down the length of the suitcase. He would dash around to the other end to ambush its arrival, hide from it, crouching, to spring up and take it by surprise, grab it and trot off with it to the high end once more.

• Terrapin shell- the shell of small turtle found in North America
• Engrossed- completely interested in
• Ambush- to attack suddenly from a hidden position
• Crouching- squat; adopt a position where the knees are bent and the upper body is brought forward and down, typically in order to avoid detection or to defend oneself
• Trot off- to leave

They stayed in London for a month, during which Mij learned to immerse himself in a plethora of games. Ping-pong balls, marbles, rubber fruit, and a terrapin shell were among his favourite toys. For about 30 minutes, he was occupied by a ping-pong ball. Gavin's suitcase had been damaged during the trip. It slanted from one end to the other. Mij would roll the ball from one end of the field to the other. Then he'd dash to the far end and hide, waiting for the ball to arrive. He'd jump up just in time to catch the ball off guard. Then he'd catch the ball and sprint back to the top of the suitcase. He'd hit the ball from the other end again, which was thrilling.

Outside the house I exercised him on a lead, precisely as if he had been a dog. Mij quickly developed certain compulsive habits on these walks in the London streets, like the rituals of children who on their way to and from school must place their feet squarely on the centre of each paving block; must touch every seventh upright of the iron railings, or pass to the outside of every second lamp post. Opposite to my flat was a single-storied primary school, along whose frontage ran a low wall some two feet high. On his way home, but never on his way out, Mij would tug me to this wall, jump on to it, and gallop the full length of its thirty yards, to the hopeless distraction both of pupils and of staff within.

• compulsive: irresistible
• rituals: a religious ceremony
• tug: pull
• gallop: run fast

Gavin would walk Mij and exercise him like a pet dog. Mij ran around the streets in the same way that schoolchildren did. Like children, they developed habits such as placing their feet in the centre of each block that came their way, touching every seventh pole of the railing, and crisscrossing out of the street light poles. Opposite the author's flat was a primary school with only the ground floor under construction. A low-rise wall, nearly two feet high, ran along the school's perimeter. Mij would pull Gavin towards the wall, jump on it, and run the entire length of it at high speed on their way back home. He would draw the attention of the students and faculty members inside the school.

It is not, I suppose, in any way strange that the average Londoner should not recognise an otter, but the variety of guesses as to what kind of animal this might be came as a surprise to me. Otters belong to a comparatively small group of animals called Mustellines, shared by the badger, mongoose, weasel, stoat, mink and others. I faced a continuous barrage of conjectural questions that sprayed all the Mustellines but the otter; more random guesses hit on ‘a baby seal’ and ‘a squirrel.’ ‘Is that a walrus, mister?’ reduced me to giggles, and outside a dog show I heard ‘a hippo’. A beaver, a bear cub, a leopard — one, apparently, that had changed its spots — and a ‘brontosaur’; Mij was anything but an otter.

• Barrage of conjectural questions- a stream of questions filled with guesses

Because otters are not a common sighting in London, the author found it odd that the residents were unable to identify one. People made wild guesses about Mij. Otters are members of the Mustelline family, which also includes the badger, mongoose, weasel, stoat, mink, and others. All of the animals in the group could be guessed except Otter. The most popular guesses were a baby seal or a squirrel. Some people thought Mijbil was a hippo, a beaver, a leopard, a walrus, and so on.

But the question for which I awarded the highest score came from a labourer digging a hole in the street. I was still far from him when he laid down his tool, put his hands on his hips, and began to stare. As I drew nearer I saw his expression of surprise and affront, as though he would have me know that he was not one upon whom to play jokes. I came abreast of him; he spat, glared, and then growled out, “Here, Mister — what is that supposed to be?”

• affront: insult
• spat: past tense of spit

The most shocking response came from a labourer digging a hole who paused his work to observe Mij. The man set aside his tool, rested his hands on his back, and stared at Mij. His expressions of surprise and annoyance indicated that he would not put up with any nonsense. He spat, stared at them, and asked the author loudly what that (Mijbil) was supposed to be.

About the Author

Gavin Maxwell was a Scottish naturalist who lived from July 15, 1914 to September 7, 1969. His work with otters is his most well-known. Maxwell grew up in a small village near Port William in Scotland. In 1969, he died of cancer.

Lesson-9

Madam Rides the Bus

By Vallikkannan

Madam Rides the Bus Introduction

The lesson "Madam Rides the Bus" is about a brave eight-year-old who had a strong desire and the courage to follow through on it. She enjoyed looking at the hustle and bustle of the street, and her favourite part was seeing a bus arrive and depart. As a result, she developed a strong desire to travel by bus. She needed all sorts of information about the bus trip, as well as the bus fare, and she needed to plan it so that she could be home before her mother woke up from her afternoon nap. As a result, the storey recounts how she innocently but responsibly fulfilled her deepest desire, as well as her experiences on the bus ride. What happens to make her realise the reality of death.

Madam Rides the Bus Summary

The lesson is about an eight-year-old girl named Valli who didn't have any friends to play with and so spent her time watching what was going on in the street. Her favourite part was looking out the window at the bus that passed through her village every hour. Every time the bus passed by, she was filled with joy as she looked at the new set of passengers. She, too, eventually desired to travel by bus. Soon, the wish became a desire, and she made it her mission to fulfil it. She began listening in on conversations between her neighbours who took the bus frequently, and in the process, she would ask a few careful questions here and there to gather more information. She knew that the town was six miles away from her village and that the bus took 45 minutes to travel one way. A one-way fare was thirty pence, making a round-trip fare of sixty pence.

 As a result, she began planning and re-planning her escape during her mother's afternoon nap and returning without her mother noticing. She needed to save money, which was difficult because she had to resist the temptations of candy, peppermint, and merry-go-round. She eventually saved enough money, and one fine day, the brave eight-year-old took the bus during non-peak hours. She refused to accept assistance from the conductor or other passengers. Everyone found it amusing to see such a small girl acting like an adult all by herself. The conductor was joking, so he referred to Valli as a grown-up'madam.' Valli, who was short in stature, would stand on her seat to get a better view out the window, despite everyone's advice to sit for her own safety. Valli was irritated every time someone intruded on her business because she did not consider herself a child.

She didn't want to be friends with an elderly lady who was concerned about her because she didn't think she was socially capable. She was interested in what was going on outside, and the sight of a running cow in the middle of a road was unexpectedly amusing to her. She refused to get off the bus when they arrived in town because she was too scared to do so alone. She returned with great zeal until she came across a lifeless cow on the road. It was the same cow that had been so happy before. Valli was terrified at the thought of how a creature so full of life could transform into something horrible in an instant.

She sat silently for the remainder of the journey. When she arrived home, she found her mother and aunt discussing the endless possibilities in the world outside. Valli confirmed what her mother was saying, which surprised both of them. She then explained her reaction by saying she was casually agreeing with what her mother was saying. Her aunt then referred to Valli as a nose-poking child who acts like a grown-up lady, but only Valli understood what she meant because no one knew about her bus trip.

I.

THERE was a girl named Valliammai who was called Valli for short. She was eight years old and very curious about things. Her favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house, watching what was happening in the street outside. There were no playmates of her own age on her street, and this was about all she had to do.

• Curious- eager to know or learn something

The plot revolves around an eight-year-old girl named Valliammai, or Valli for short. Valli, like any other child, is curious about new and unknown things, which leads her to spend the entire day staring at the hustle and bustle of the street. Furthermore, she has no friends to play with, so her only option is to observe what is going on outside.

But for Valli, standing at the front door was every bit as enjoyable as any of the elaborate games other children played. Watching the street gave her many new unusual experiences.The most fascinating thing of all was the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town. It passed through her street each hour, once going to the town and once coming back. The sight of the bus, filled each time with a new set of passengers, was a source of unending joy for Valli.

Even though she couldn't play with her friends, she found that watching what was going on in the world to be just as entertaining. She learned a lot of new things during the process, and the best part was watching the bus arrive and depart from her village to a nearby town. The bus crossed the village street every hour, once on its way to town and once on its way back. Valli was filled with excitement and joy every time the bus crossed the street with a new set of passengers.

Day after day she watched the bus, and gradually a tiny wish crept into her head and grew there: she wanted to ride on that bus, even if just once. This wish became stronger and stronger, until it was an overwhelming desire. Valli would stare wistfully at the people who got on or off the bus when it stopped at the street corner. Their faces would kindle in her longings, dreams, and hopes. If one of her friends happened to ride the bus and tried to describe the sights of the town to her, Valli would be too jealous to listen and would shout, in English: “Proud! proud!” Neither she nor her friends really understood the meaning of the word, but they used it often as a slang expression of disapproval.

• Wistfully- longingly
• Kindle- set alight (fire), here, feelings
• A slang expression- informal words, often used within a close group

After watching the bus arrive and depart for a couple of days, she wished she could ride it just once. Soon, the wish grew stronger and became a desire, indicating that there was now a greater desire to travel by bus. She'd be mesmerised by the expressions on the faces of those who got off the bus. Her desire grew to the point where she would be jealous if any of her friends took the bus and told her about their experiences. When she heard them, she would exclaim, "Proud!, Proud!" She and her friends had no idea what the word "proud" meant, but they used it to express their disapproval.

Over many days and months Valli listened carefully to conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus, and she also asked a few discreet questions here and there. This way she picked up various small details about the bus journey. The town was six miles from her village. The fare was thirty paise one way — “which is almost nothing at all,” she heard one well-dressed man say, but to Valli, who scarcely saw that much money from one month to the next, it seemed a fortune. The trip to the town took forty-five minutes. On reaching town, if she stayed in her seat and paid another thirty paise, she could return home on the same bus. This meant that she could take the one-o’clock afternoon bus, reach the town at one forty-five, and be back home by about two forty-five…
On and on went her thoughts as she calculated and recalculated, planned and replanned.

• Discreet questions- careful questions

To fulfil her desire to travel by bus alone, she needed to be well-prepared with all kinds of information. As a result, she began to pay attention to conversations between her neighbours who were used to taking the bus and, in the process, asked a few more careful questions to gain more information. In this manner, she devised a strategy and learned that the town was six miles from the village, that the one-way fare was thirty paise, which was nothing for a well-dressed man but was too much for Valli, and that the trip duration on one side was forty-five minutes. If she paid thirty more paise, the same bus that had taken her to town would return her. Thus, if she could board the bus at one o'clock in the afternoon and arrive at one forty-five, she could return to the village by two-forty-five. She calculated that way to save that much money and time to sneak out without anyone noticing.

II.

Well, one fine spring day the afternoon bus was just on the point of leaving the village and turning into the main highway when a small voice was heard shouting: “Stop the bus! Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised commandingly

The riding day arrived after much re-planning and re-calculation. The bus was on its way to the main highway when they heard a shouting voice commanding them to stop.

The bus slowed down to a crawl, and the conductor, sticking his head out the door, said, “Hurry then! Tell whoever it is to come quickly.” “It’s me,” shouted Valli. “I’m the one who has to get on.” By now the bus had come to a stop, and the conductor said, “Oh, really! You don’t say so!” “Yes, I simply have to go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus, “and here’s my money.” She showed him some coins. “Okay, okay, but first you must get on the bus,” said the conductor, and he stretched out a hand to help her up. “Never mind,” she said, “I can get on by myself. You don’t have to help me.”

When the conductor heard the voice, the bus slowed down, and when he saw Valli, a small girl, he asked her to tell the one who was supposed to travel to hurry up. When Valli informed him that she was a passenger, he was taken aback by the sight of such a young girl and ordered the bus to come to a halt. The conductor couldn't believe she was about to travel alone. She then handed him her bus ticket. The conductor offered her assistance in climbing the bus, but as responsible and proud as she was, she made it clear that she did not require assistance.

The conductor was a jolly sort, fond of joking. “Oh, please don’t be angry with me, my fine madam,” he said. “Here, have a seat right up there in front. Everybody move aside please — make way for madam.” It was the slack time of day, and there were only six or seven passengers on the bus. They were all looking at Valli and laughing with the conductor. Valli was overcome with shyness. Avoiding everyone’s eyes, she walked quickly to an empty seat and sat down

• Slack time-a time when there is not much work

When little Valli refused to accept any assistance, the conductor sarcastically told her not to be angry with him because he was only trying to help. He addressed her as'madam' and escorted her to her seat, telling other passengers to make room for the'madam.' Because it was late afternoon, not many people were out and about, so everyone's attention was focused on Valli. Together with the conductor, they all adored her. Valli became shy as everyone laughed, so she hurried to her seat.

“May we start now, madam?” the conductor asked, smiling. Then he blew his whistle twice, and the bus moved forward with a roar. It was a new bus, its outside painted a gleaming white with some green stripes along the sides. Inside, the overhead bars shone like silver. Directly in front of Valli, above the windshield, there was a beautiful clock. The seats were soft and luxurious.

Again, in a sarcastic tone, the conductor seeks'madam's approval before embarking on the journey, and then blows his whistle twice to signal the driver to begin the bus. The bus was brand new, as evidenced by the gleaming overhead silver bars. The seats were extremely comfortable, and there was a clock directly in front of Valli. The outside was painted a brilliant white with green stripes down the sides.

Valli devoured everything with her eyes. But when she started to look outside, she found her view cut off by a canvas blind that covered the lower part of her window. So she stood up on the seat and peered over the blind.

• Devoured- read quickly and eagerly (here)
• Canvas- a coarse fabric
• Blind- a partition

She quickly looked around the bus and turned towards the window to get a better view of the outside, but she couldn't get a full view because she was too short and the window blinds were obstructing her view. As a result, she decided to stand up so that she could look properly.

The bus was now going along the bank of a canal. The road was very narrow. On one side there was the canal and, beyond it, palm trees, grassland, distant mountains, and the blue, blue sky. On the other side was a deep ditch and then acres and acres of green fields — green, green, green, as far as the eye could see.

The bus was travelling on a very narrow road. On one side, there was a canal, and beyond it, there were trees, distant mountains, and a large blue sky. On the other hand, there was plenty of greenery all around.

Oh, it was all so wonderful! Suddenly she was startled by a voice. “Listen, child,” said the voice, “you shouldn’t stand like that. Sit down.” Sitting down, she looked to see who had spoken. It was an elderly man who had honestly been concerned for her, but she was annoyed by his attention.

Valli was having a great time when she was abruptly asked to sit down. She noticed an old man showing concern for her as she sat down to see who told her so. Valli became irritated because he was still in no mood for anyone's help or advice.

“There’s nobody here who’s a child,” she said haughtily. “I’ve paid my thirty paise like everyone else.” The conductor chimed in. “Oh, sir, but this is a very grown-up madam. Do you think a mere girl could pay her own fare and travel to the city all alone?” Valli shot an angry glance at the conductor and said, “I am not a madam. Please remember that. And you’ve not yet given me my ticket.” “I’ll remember,” the conductor said, mimicking her tone. Everyone laughed, and gradually Valli too joined in the laughter. The conductor punched a ticket and handed it to her. “Just sit back and make yourself comfortable. Why should you stand when you’ve paid for a seat?” “Because I want to,” she answered, standing up again.

• Haughtily- proudly

Valli was too proud to accept anyone's assistance and thus informed the old man that she was not a child. She claimed that she was just like everyone else on the bus and that she could take care of herself. She, like everyone else, had paid the full fare. The conductor remarked that she is a "grown up madam" because a child could never afford to pay for a bus ticket. Valli irritably instructed the conductor not to address her as madam and reminded him that she had not yet received the ticket. The conductor then responded by imitating her tone, which caused everyone to laugh. Valli, too, burst out laughing. "Just sit back and make yourself comfortable," the conductor said as he handed her the ticket. "Why should you stand if you've already paid for a seat?" Valli responded proudly, saying she'd do whatever she wanted

“But if you stand on the seat, you may fall and hurt yourself when the bus makes a sharp turn or hits a bump. That’s why we want you to sit down, child.” “I’m not a child, I tell you,” she said irritably. “I’m eight years old.” “Of course, of course. How stupid of me! Eight years — my!” The bus stopped, some new passengers got on, and the conductor got busy for a time. Afraid of losing her seat, Valli finally sat down. An elderly woman came and sat beside her. “Are you all alone, dear?” she asked Valli as the bus started again. Valli found the woman absolutely repulsive — such big holes she had in her ear lobes, and such ugly earrings in them! And she could smell the betel nut the woman was chewing and see the betel juice that was threatening to spill over her lips at any moment. Ugh! — who could be sociable with such a person?

• Repulsive- causing strong dislike

They tried to persuade her that they were genuinely worried about her and that if she continued to stand, she would injure herself. She stated once more that she was eight years old and thus not a child. The conductor did not pass up the opportunity to have a good laugh as well. When the bus came to a stop and more passengers boarded, she quickly sat down to save her seat when an elderly woman sat next to her. The lady stared at Valli before asking if she was alone. Valli developed a strong dislike for the lady with large holes in her earlobes. She didn't like her earrings either, and from the way she was chewing betel nut, she was the last person Valli wanted to socialise with.

“Yes, I’m travelling alone,” she answered curtly. “And I’ve got a ticket too.” “Yes, she’s on her way to town,” said the conductor. “With a thirty-paise ticket.” “Oh, why don’t you mind your own business,” said Valli. But she laughed all the same, and the conductor laughed too. But the old woman went on with her drivel. “Is it proper for such a young person to travel alone? Do you know exactly where you’re going in town? What’s the street? What’s the house number?” “You needn’t bother about me. I can take care of myself,” Valli said, turning her face towards the window and staring out.

• Curtly- rudely brief or abrupt
• Drivel- silly nonsense

Despite being irritated by the elderly lady, Valli responded by saying that, yes, she was travelling alone, and with her own ticket. Clearly, the conductor took every opportunity to tease Valli and have a good laugh. Valli joined him in his laughter, while the old lady continued to interrupt by asking abrupt questions out of concern. She was concerned about Valli's safety and whether she would be able to reach her destination safely on her own. Valli reassured her that she could travel alone and began looking out the window to avoid further conversation.

III.

Her first journey — what careful, painstaking, elaborate plans she had had to make for it! She had thriftily saved whatever stray coins came her way, resisting every temptation to buy peppermints, toys, balloons, and the like, and finally she had saved a total of sixty paise. How difficult it had been, particularly that day at the village fair, but she had resolutely stifled a strong desire to ride the merry go-round, even though she had the money.

• Thriftily- spend money carefully
• Resolutely stifled- suppressed/ controlled with determination

Without a doubt, she had put in countless hours of planning and saving for her first bus trip. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for her. She resisted every temptation at the village fair, including peppermints, toys, balloons, and the merry-go-round. She was able to save sixty pence after putting in so much effort.

After she had enough money saved, her next problem was how to slip out of the house without her mother’s knowledge. But she managed this without too much difficulty. Every day after lunch her mother would nap from about one to four or so. Valli always used these hours for her ‘excursions’ as she stood looking from the doorway of her house or sometimes even ventured out into the village; today, these same hours could be used for her first excursion outside the village.

• Ventured out- went cautiously, courageously

When the financial issue was resolved, the next challenge was to sneak out without being noticed. Valli's mother usually slept from one to four o'clock in the afternoon. Valli used to benefit from this and would go on village excursions. It could be used for an outing outside of the village this time.

The bus rolled on now cutting across a bare landscape, now rushing through a tiny hamlet or past an odd wayside shop. Sometimes the bus seemed on the point of gobbling up another vehicle that was coming towards them or a pedestrian crossing the road. But lo! somehow it passed on smoothly, leaving all obstacles safely behind. Trees came running towards them but then stopped as the bus reached them and simply stood there helpless for a moment by the side of the road before rushing away in the other direction.

• Hamlet: a small settlement with a few houses.
• Gobbling up: to swallow or eat hastily

The bus had now arrived in an area devoid of trees. It was a desolate landscape with a few shrubs strewn about. It passed through a small settlement and a roadside shop. Valli thought the bus would swallow the oncoming vehicles and pedestrians as it travelled at high speeds, but it passed safely, overcoming all obstacles. When the bus was moving, it appeared as if trees were rushing towards it and stopping as soon as it reached them. The trees appeared to be running away from the bus as it passed through them.

Suddenly Valli clapped her hands with glee. A young cow, tail high in the air, was running very fast, right in the middle of the road, right in front of the bus. The bus slowed to a crawl, and the driver sounded his horn loudly again and again. But the more he honked, the more frightened the animal became and the faster it galloped — always right in front of the bus.

• Glee- happiness and joy

Valli was excited and overjoyed. Suddenly, a cow appeared in the middle of the road, directly in front of the bus. The bus slowed down to let her pass and honked several times. Unfortunately, it grew more terrified and dashed in front of the bus. As the driver blew more horns, the cow became enraged and continued to run faster and faster.

Somehow this was very funny to Valli. She laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes. “Hey, lady, haven’t you laughed enough?” called, the conductor. “Better save some for tomorrow.” At last the cow moved off the road. And soon the bus came to a railroad crossing. A speck of a train could be seen in the distance, growing bigger and bigger as it drew near. Then it rushed past the crossing gate with a tremendous roar and rattle, shaking the bus. Then the bus went on and passed the train station. From there it traversed a busy, well-laid-out shopping street and, turning, entered a wider thoroughfare. Such big, bright-looking shops! What glittering displays of clothes and other merchandise! Such big crowds! Struck dumb with wonder, Valli gaped at everything.

• Thoroughfare- a busy public road
• Merchandise- things  for sale
• Railroad crossing- an intersection where a railway line crosses a road or path

Valli found the cow incident to be extremely amusing and burst out laughing so hard that tears welled up in her eyes. The conductor teased her once more, telling her that it was enough for the day and that she should save some laughter for the next day. The cow wandered off the road on its own, and the bus came to a halt at a level crossing, where the train was visible as a tiny dot. The train grew in size as it approached. The train passed through with a huge roar, shaking the entire road and the bus with it. The bus began to move and soon arrived at a narrow street. It reached a wider road after making a turn. On the road, there were large, brightly lit shops with merchandise for sale. Valli was drawn to all of the lights and decorations. She took a close look at everything.

Then the bus stopped and everyone got off except Valli.  “Hey, lady,” said the conductor, “aren’t you ready to get off? This is as far as your thirty paise takes you.” “No,” Valli said, “I’m going back on this same bus.” She took another thirty paise from her pocket and handed the coins to the conductor. “Why, is something the matter?” “No, nothing’s the matter. I just felt like having a bus ride, that’s all.” “Don’t you want to have a look at the sights, now that you’re here?” “All by myself? Oh, I’d be much too afraid.” Greatly amused by the girl’s way of speaking, the conductor said, “But you weren’t afraid to come in the bus.” “Nothing to be afraid of about that,” she answered.

When the bus arrived at its destination, everyone except Valli disembarked. The conductor informed her that this was the final stop, and she immediately took another thirty paise from her pocket to purchase a ticket back to the village. She stated that she only intended to take the bus, and when he asked her to walk nearby, she stated that she was too afraid. While remaining calm throughout the journey, the conductor responded by saying that if she wasn't afraid to travel alone in the bus without anyone's assistance, why was she afraid to roam around town? Valli responded confidently that there was nothing to be concerned about in terms of the bus ride.

“Well, then, why not go to that stall over there and have something to drink? Nothing to be afraid of about that either.” “Oh, no, I couldn’t do that.” “Well, then, let me bring you a cold drink.” “No, I don’t have enough money. Just give me my ticket, that’s all.” “It’ll be my treat and not cost you anything.” “No, no,” she said firmly, “please, no.” The conductor shrugged, and they waited until it was time for the bus to begin the return journey. Again there weren’t many passengers.

The conductor asked if she wanted to get a drink at a nearby stall or if he could bring her a drink if she was afraid to get off the bus, but Valli said she didn't have enough money. The conductor insisted that it was his treat, but Valli refused, and the two of them waited for a new set of passengers to board. There were fewer passengers this time as well.

IV.

Won’t your mother be looking for you?” the conductor asked when he gave the girl her ticket. “No, no one will be looking for me,” she said.

Concerned about Valli, the conductor inquired whether her mother would be looking for her as she was alone. Valli immediately responded that no one was waiting for her.

The bus started, and again there were the same wonderful sights. Valli wasn’t bored in the slightest and greeted everything with the same excitement she’d felt the first time. But suddenly she saw a young cow lying dead by the roadside, just where it had been struck by some fast-moving vehicle. “Isn’t that the same cow that ran in front of the bus on our trip to town?” she asked the conductor. The conductor nodded, and she was overcome with sadness. What had been a lovable, beautiful creature just a little while ago had now suddenly lost its charm and its life and looked so horrible, so frightening as it lay there, legs spreadeagled, a fixed stare in its lifeless eyes, blood all over…

• Spreadeagled- spread out

The journey back began, and Valli was just as excited as she had been the first time. She was looking at everything with zeal when she came across a dead cow by the roadside. It was probably hit by a fast-moving vehicle. Valli confirmed with the conductor that the cow they had seen earlier was the same. Her demeanour shifted from happy to sad. She was perplexed as to how a lovable and playful creature could suddenly transform into a horrible and lifeless one.

The bus moved on. The memory of the dead cow haunted her, dampening her enthusiasm. She no longer wanted to look out the window. She sat thus, glued to her seat, until the bus reached her village at three forty. She stood up and stretched herself. Then she turned to the conductor and said, “Well, sir, 1 hope to see you again.” “Okay, madam,” he answered her, smiling. “Whenever you feel like a bus ride, come and join us. And don’t forget to bring your fare.” She laughed and jumped down from the bus. Then away she went, running straight for home.

• Haunted- returned repeatedly to her mind; was impossible to forget

Valli's enthusiasm was sapped by the sight of the dead cow, and she stopped looking out the window. She sat in silence on her seat until she arrived home around three-forty. While deboarding, she expressed her desire to see the conductor again, to which the conductor replied sarcastically, telling her not to forget her fare the next time she planned to travel. Valli returned home.

When she entered her house she found her mother awake and talking to one of Valli’s aunts, the one from South Street. This aunt was a real chatterbox, never closing her mouth once she started talking. “And where have you been?” said her aunt when Valli came in. She spoke very casually, not expecting a reply. So Valli just smiled, and her mother and aunt went on with their conversation.

When Valli returned home, she discovered her mother awake from her afternoon nap. Her mother was conversing with one of her aunts who lived on South Street. The aunt talked so much that Valli referred to her as a "real chatterbox." It took a lot of effort to get her to stop talking. She even asked Valli a question and then resumed talking without giving her enough time to respond. Valli also took advantage of the situation by avoiding any discussion about where she had been.

“Yes, you’re right,” her mother said. “So many things in our midst and in the world outside. How can we possibly know about everything? And even when we do know about something, we often can’t understand it completely, can we?” “Oh, yes!” breathed Valli. “What?” asked her mother. “What’s that you say?” “Oh,” said Valli, “I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge.” “Just a chit of a girl, she is,” said her aunt, “and yet look how she pokes her nose into our conversation, just as though she were a grown lady.” Valli smiled to herself. She didn’t want them to understand her smile. But, then, there wasn’t much chance of that, was there?

Pokes her nose- takes an interest in something that doesn’t concern her

While her mother and aunt were conversing, her mother was overheard discussing the endless possibilities in the world that one was unaware of, and even if one was aware, it was another thing to comprehend. Valli confirmed what her mother was saying, which surprised both of them. She then explained her reaction by saying she was casually agreeing with what her mother was saying. Her aunt then referred to Valli as a nose-poking child who pretended to be a grown-up lady, but only Valli understood what she meant because, after all, no one knew about her bus trip.

About the Author

Vallikannan is the pen name of R.S. Krishnaswamy, a well-known writer. He was born on November 12, 1920, in a village near Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, and died on November 9, 2006. He was a well-known Tamil author, journalist, critic, and translator. He began writing at a young age and had 25 books published by the time he was thirty. In his lifetime, he wrote 75 books. He wrote novels, poetry collections, plays, and essays, among other things. In 1978, he received the Sahitya Akademi award for his critical works on contemporary Tamil poetry.