Bholi

 Introduction:

This story tells us what a simple village girl is capable of. K A Abbas, the writer of this story highlights the triumph of Bholi against social injustice. Bholi was a target for everyone as she was dull and ugly because of a disease and a fall. Her life turns when she joins a nearby school where her teacher encourages her and helps her to become a learned and confident person. She refuses to marry a person who demanded dowry.

Meanings:

Cot= bed

Backward= slow learner

Pockmarks= spots on the skin

Stammered= fumbled for words

Mimicked= copy, imitate

Prosperous= doing well, rich

Plenty= a lot of

Tehsildar= an officer of the government

Representative= spokesperson

Consulted= discussed

Shrunk= reduced

Matted= untidy

Fear-laden= full of fear

Squatted= to sit with one’s knees bent

Fascinated= attracted

Orchard= land planted with fruit trees

Sobbing= noisy crying

Soothing= reduce pain or discomfort

Disgrace= dishonor, shame

Nodded= bow your head in a direction to give your approval, saying yes with a head gesture

Astonished= impressed, greatly surprised

Blossomed= grow, bloom

Throbbed= beat, pulse

Ginning= the process of treating (ginning) the cotton, dividing seed from cotton

Proposal= offer

Certainly= definitely

Witless= fool, not clever, without wisdom

Muttered= murmur

Grocer= a person who sells household goods and food items

Procession= March, Parade

Splendour= lavishness

Envious= jealous

Auspicious= good, favorable

Clad= dressed

Garland= wreath of flowers and leaves

Veil= cover

Poised= calm

Humiliate= insult

Considerate= thoughtful

Streaming= flowing

Triumphant= winning

Gambled= bet

Downcast= low, cast down

Prospective= would be

Contempt= disrespect, disregard

Struck= hit, bang

Flung= aim, launch

Startled= sudden shock

Thunderstruck= shocked

Contemptible= offensive

Violently= strong or extreme manner

Dumb= dull, not clever

Heartless= unkind

Rooted= fixed

Grief= sorrow

Steady= firm

Contemplating= thinking, observing

Summary:

Ramlal, the Numberdar had three sons and four daughters. Sulekha was the youngest of all. She was called ‘Bholi’ for being a simpleton. She was dull and stammered because some part of her brain had got damaged due to an injury during her childhood. She was ugly because of the pockmarks she got when she suffered from smallpox at the age of two. Ramlal was always worried about her as it seemed impossible to get her married as she had an ugly face and a dumb mind.

One day, the Tehsildar visited their village to open a girl’s primary school. He persuaded Ramlal to send his daughters to school. Ramlal’s wife was against sending girls to school because no boy would marry a girl who went to school. As she thought that Bholi had no chance of getting married, she suggested that Bholi should go to school.

Bholi felt that she was to visit a better place as she was dressed up and her hair was washed and oiled before being taken to school. In school, she met a teacher who was very kind and polite to her. She encouraged Bholi to study and speak with confidence. This filled hope in Bholi and she began to go to school every day.

As years passed the village became a small town with some facilities like a cotton mill, a cinema, and the primary school upgraded as a secondary school. Bholi’s parents decided to marry her to a lame wealthy old widower who was willing to marry her without any dowry. They thought it to be the best marriage proposal for their dumb daughter.  

On the wedding day, Bishamber, the bridegroom discovered that Bholi had pockmarks and demanded dowry of five thousand rupees. Though Ramlal begged for mercy and even placed his turban at the groom’s feet, the groom was not convinced. Ramlal had to give the money in order to save his family’s honour and his daughter’s marriage.

Bholi could not bear all this and refused to marry the greedy, contemptible old man. People accused her of being shameless. Ramlal was filled with grief and said that now no one would marry his daughter. He was worried about what would she do in the future. Bholi replied that she would take care of her parents when they grew old and would teach in her school. Her teacher was quietly watching all this and she was proud of the decision.

Read and Find Out (Answers to the questions given on Page 54)

1. Why is Bholi’s father worried about her?

Bholi fell off a cot as a child due to which her brain was slightly damaged. She learned to speak very late and used to stammer. Her face and whole body were covered with pockmarks. Her father was worried about her marriage prospects.

2. For what unusual reason is Bholi sent to school?

The Tehsildar had asked Ramlal to send his daughters to the new school. As Ramlal’s wife felt that sending girls to school affected their marriage prospects adversely, she did not want to send any of her daughters to school. Anyway, Bholi’s marriage prospects were not good. So Bholi was sent to school.

Read and Find Out (Answers to the questions given on Page 55)

1.Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school?

Bholi was afraid at first. The gentle, and loving manner of her teacher made her comfortable. She was looking forward to her new life by the time the first day ended. Initially, she did not enjoy it, but by the time she went home, she had liked school.

2.Does she find her teacher to be different from the people at home?

Bholi had been a neglected child at home. She was criticised and everyone made fun of her. But, she found her teacher to be entirely different. Her teacher did not make fun of her ugliness or her stammering. She encouraged her tenderly. Her affection deeply touched Bholi’s heart.

Read and Find Out (Answers to the questions given on Page 58)

1. Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal?

Bholi’s parents accepted Bishamber’s marriage proposal as he was a well-to-do grocer and had not asked for any dowry.

2. Why does the marriage not take place?

At the time of marriage, Bishamber asked for a dowry of five thousand rupees because he saw Bholi’s pock-marked face. Ramlal had no choice but to pay. But, Bholi refused to marry the greedy man. She asserted her rights and dignity. Thus the marriage party was turned away.

Think About It (Answers to the questions given on Page 62)

1. Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school. What made her feel that she was going to a better place than her home?

The day she was going to school forced her parents to dress her nicely. She was bathed and her hair was properly done. Until then she was not being taken care of. The special treatment she received made her feel that she was going to a better place.

2. How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life?

Bholi stammered and was just a bundle of nerves when she attended school in the beginning. Her teacher treated her kindly and encouraged her to have confidence and be bold. She taught her to read and write and made her an independent girl who was aware of her rights. Thus, she changed her life.

3. Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the marriage? What does this tell about her?

Bholi agreed to the match at first to fulfil her parents’ wishes. Later on, she rejected the marriage when the bridegroom asked for dowry. This tells us that Bholi was not a timid and dumb girl. She was aware of her rights. She also knew how to fight for her own dignity and feared no one.

4. Bholi’s real name is Sulekha. We are told this right at the beginning. But only in the last but one paragraph of the story is Bholi called Sulekha again. Why do you think she is called Sulekha at that point in the story?

The word Bholi means a simpleton. Throughout the story, she had been a simpleton who hardly expressed her opinion on any matter. The word Sulekha means ‘a person with a beautiful sense of letters’. In this story, this word has a larger meaning of being a literate, intelligent, and mature individual. After her education, Bholi has really changed to Sulekha and her assertion at the time of her marriage is her announcement to the world that she is no more a Bholi, but is a Sulekha.

Talk about it (Answers to the questions given on Page 62)

1. Bholi’s teacher helped her overcome social barriers by encouraging and motivating her. How do you think you can contribute towards changing the social attitudes illustrated in this story?

We can contribute by saying no to taking or giving dowry. We must not discriminate between a boy and a girl. Both should be given equal rights and opportunities to grow. We must also learn to respect those who are differently-abled and treat them at par.

2. Should girls be aware of their rights and assert them? Should girls and boys have the same rights, duties, and privileges? What are some of the ways in which society treats them differently? When we speak of ‘Human rights’, do we differentiate between girl’s rights and boy’s rights?

Yes, there is a differentiation between girl’s and boy’s rights. Although equal in the eyes of law, society treats them differently. Parents spend more on a boy’s education than that of a girl. A girl is just trained to be a wife and mother. Girls must make use of their education to preserve their self-reliance and dignity. They must be ready to demand their due and fight for it.

3. Do you think the characters in the story were speaking to each other in English? If not, in which language were they speaking? (you can get clues from the names of the persons and the non-English words used in the story.)

No, I do not think so. They spoke in Hindi. Several words like ‘numbsrdar, tehsildar sahib, izzat, and pitaji’ are ample proof of that. Even the names of characters like ‘Ramlal’ and ‘Bholi’ support that.

The Sermon at Benares

Introduction/ Theme:

The Sermon at Benares tells us the early life of Buddha. He was born as a prince. He was married to a princes and had a son. He was shielded from the outside world. He led a luxurious life till he was exposed to the sufferings of the world. He left his palace, all the worldly pleasures, and went in search of salvation. After attaining spiritual awakening, he gave his first sermon in the city of Benares.

The only son of a woman named Kisa Gotami was dead. In her grief, she searched for medicine to bring him back to life. She was sent to Buddha. Buddha made her realize that all men are mortal and a wise person should not grieve at what is bound to happen for it only enhances pain and suffering.

Meanings:

Sacred =  related to God and religion

Scriptures =  the sacred writings of a religion

Befitted =  be appropriate for; suited

Chanced upon =  came across by chance

Alms =  money or food given to poor people; charity

Enlightenment =  a state of high spiritual knowledge

Wandered =  to move without a fixed course

Vowed =  solemnly promise to do a specified thing

Preached =  deliver a religious address to an assembled group of people

Sermon =  a talk on religious or moral subject

Holy =  sacred, righteousness

Dipping places =  bathing areas of a river or a water body

Inscrutable =  something which cannot be understood

Kinsmen =  a man who is one of a person’s blood relations

Lamenting =  expressing regret or disappointment about something

Slaughter =  killing of animals for food

Afflicted =  affected adversely, made to happen against

Summary:

Gautama Buddha was born to a North Indian royal family as a prince and was named Siddhartha Gautama. When he was twelve years old, he was sent to a faraway place to study Hindu sacred scriptures. He returned after four years and got married to a princess. They had a son and they continued to live the royal life for about ten years. The royals were shielded from all the unpleasant experiences of the outside world.

One day, while he was on his way for hunting, Siddhartha came across a sick man, an aged man, a funeral procession, and a monk begging for alms. He was troubled by the experience and wanted to find salvation for the sufferings. He wandered for seven years in search of spiritual knowledge. He sat under a peepal tree and attained salvation. He began preaching by giving his first sermon in the city of Benares.

There was a lady named Kisa Gotami whose only son had died. Suffering with unending pain and grief, she went from house to house looking for medicine to bring her son back to life. People started thinking that the lady had lost her senses. One day, she met a man who directed her towards Buddha. Buddha asked her to bring mustard seeds. He said that the seeds must be procured from a house that had seen no death. Kisa Gotami once again went on a search from house to house. Sadly, she could not find any home in which there were no deaths.

She was disheartened and sat looking at the city’s lights being lighted and extinguished. She realized that she had been selfish. She came to know that men were mortal and no one could escape it. This was what Buddha wanted her to understand. According to Buddha, feelings of grief and sorrow only increase man’s pain and suffering thus, deteriorating the health. Therefore, a wise person should be aware of nature’s functioning and must not grieve at something bound to happen. Only then he can be free of sorrow and be blessed.

Thinking About the Text (Answers to the questions given on Page 135)

 1. When her son dies, Kisa Gotami goes from house to house? What does she ask for? Does she get it? Why not?

After the death of her only son, Kisa Gotami was overcome with grief. She went from door to door asking for medicine. Nobody could provide any medicine. Because no medicine can bring a dead person back to life.

 2. Kisa Gotami again goes from house to house after she speaks with the Buddha. What does she ask for? Does she get it? Why not?

Buddha asks Kisa to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where there was no death. She went from door to door, but couldn’t find such a house. She could not get the seeds as death is inevitable and anyone is bound to die.

3. What does Kisa Gotami understand the second time that she failed to understand the first time? Was this what Buddha wanted her to understand?

She realised that death was common to all. She failed to understand it the first time as she was being selfish in her grief. Yes, this is what Buddha wanted her to understand, that everyone who is born has to die one day.

4. Why do you think Kisa Gotami understood this only the second time? In what way did Buddha change her understanding?

Earlier, she could see only her grief. When she went from door to door the second time, she understood that everyone was dealing with the loss of a beloved one. Gautama Buddha helped her to understand all this, as he told her to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where death had never knocked at the door.

5. How do you usually understand the idea of selfishness? Do you agree with Kisa Gotami that she was being selfish in her grief?

A selfish person is one who thinks only about himself or herself. Kisa Gotami was being selfish. She could not accept the death of her only son. She couldn’t realise that we are humans and it is natural for us to die. Yes. I agree that she was being selfish in her grief.

Reach for the Top - Maria Sharapova

 

Meanings to words and phrases:

disarming: likable

at odds with: in conflict with

poised: calm, elegant

pinnacle: the most successful point, the highest point of

rapid: fast, quick

ascent: growth, climb

endure: suffer patiently, withstand,

heart-wrenching: extremely sad

depress: sadden, feeling low

quitting: leaving, stopping, not going further

pursue: follow

bagging: winning

meteoric: very rapid

ambition: goal, aim

amply: plentifully

parades: displays, shows

sophisticated: fashionable

at odds with: in disagreement with

fizzy: aerated, bubbly

pigeon-holed: classified, categorized

unwavering: steady, firm

grudge: oppose, mind

Summary:

The success story of Maria Sharapova inspires us to remain determined and be ready to make sacrifices in order to fulfill our dreams. On 22 August 2005, Maria became the top-seeded player in the world women’s tennis player rankings. This lesson tells us about

At the tender age of nine, she left her home in Siberia, Russia to get training in tennis. She went to Florida in USA with her father. Maria suffered a painful separation from her mother for a period of two years. She could not see her father too as he remained busy working, arranging funds for all her needs. She was bullied by her seniors and being a foreigner, she had to suffer all that patiently. Maria did not feel depressed, rather she was prepared for greater insults too in order to achieve her aim.

Her mantra for success is to work hard and face the toughest competition. Although she was trained in the US, she considers herself to be a Russian and is willing to represent Russia at the Olympics too.

Her favourite hobbies are fashion, singing, and dancing. She loves reading novels written by Arthur Conan Doyle. Her love for fashionable evening gowns is in contrast to her liking for pancakes with chocolate spread and orange flavoured aerated drinks. The monetary gains and the fame incurred by Maria are well deserved.

Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph.1. How is Maria’s personality a mix of contrasts?
The maturity, balanced mind and inner strength of Maria do not appear to be in accordance with her glamorous dress or her charming manner and ready smile. There seems to be some mismatch between her

2. What does Maria declare to be her ‘mantra for success’?
Maria works really hard to fulfill her dreams. She does not shy away from making any sacrifice. She does not allow herself to be emotional and sentimental. She is very competitive and works hard to be the best in whatever she does. She is driven by her hunger to succeed and the dream of becoming the world number one in women’s tennis. This is her mantra for success.

3. Why was Maria brought to Florida in the USA by her father? Why didn’t her mother go with her? How did Maria respond to this separation?
Maria was brought to Florida, USA, by her father, Yuri, to get trained as a professional tennis player and reach great heights of success and stardom in this sport. Her mother, Yelena, did not go with her because of visa restrictions. This two-year separation was very painful for the young girl. But Maria endured this

4. Describe Maria’s struggle to reach at the top of the world in the field of the women tennis.
Maria started working to achieve her goal at a very young age, making any sacrifices required. She had to face separation from her mother and stay in completely unfamiliar and hostile surroundings for years. She also faced humiliation but never let it affect negatively. She took it as a challenge and with her mental toughness and competitive nature; she succeeded in achieving her goal.

5. In addition to tennis, what else is Maria fond of?
Maria’s first love is tennis. Apart from this sport, she is fond of fashion, singing and dancing like any other young girl of her age. She also likes to read Arthur Canon Doyle’s novels, is fond of sophisticated evening gowns and enjoys pancakes with chocolate-spread and fizzy orange drinks.

 6. The lives of Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova have much in common to prove that determined and consistent hard work paves the way to success. Identify the points of comparison and contrast in the lives of these two great players. (Long Answer Question)

Santosh Yadav, the legendary mountaineer from India, and Maria Sharapova, Russia’s tennis sensation who trained in the USA, are living examples that single-minded determination and dedication and consistent hard work are the way to success. Both young women had to struggle against odds to reach the top. Santosh belonged to a small village in the Rewari district of Haryana while Maria came from the frozen plains of Siberia where she did not have adequate training facilities.

 

Although both girls were supported by their respective parents, Santosh, at times, had to struggle to make her conservative family agree to her decisions, while Maria’s parents were willing to make any sacrifice to help Maria succeed. However, both the young girls had to sacrifice the loving and protective environment of their homes in order to train for their passion.

Both the women had unwavering determination, physical and mental strength, and undivided focus on their goals. They both rose to the number one position in their respective areas within a short span of four years. While Sharapova moved from the frozen Siberia to the plains of Florida, Yadav moved from the plains of Rewari to the frozen Mount Everest. But both of them are devout patriots and their love for their country remains constant.

Grammar Exercises:

Working in small groups of 4–5 students, go back over the two passages on Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova and complete the table given below with relevant phrases or sentences.

Points of Comparison/Contrast	Santosh Yadav	Maria Sharapova
1. Their humble beginning	She was born in the small village of Joniyawas of Rewari District in Haryana.	She was born in the frozen plains of Siberia.
2. Their parents’ approach	Her parents disapproved of her wish to study at a school in Delhi, however, later they accepted it.	Her father worked hard to arrange funds for her training.
3. Their will power and strong desire to succeed	Then there was no looking back for this determined young girl.	When you come from nothing and you have nothing, then it makes you very hungry and determined.
4. Evidence of their mental toughness	Equipped with an iron will, physical endurance, and an amazing mental toughness, she proved herself repeatedly.	Instead of letting that depress me, I became more quietly determined and mentally tough. I learned how to take care of myself.
5. Their patriotism	I felt proud as an Indian.	Though Maria Sharapova speaks with a pronounced American accent, she proudly parades her Russian nationality.

 

The Hack Driver

Meanings:

Magnificent: glorious, majestic

Legal briefs: written legal documents

Summons: court order

Detective: investigator

Shadowy: dark, dim

Unpleasant: horrible

Rejoiced: felt happy, felt joyful

Witness: viewer, observer, who saw something happening

Eager: impatient, curious

Expectation: belief, supposition

Disappointed: upset

Agreeable: pleasing, nice

Poker game: a type of card game

Hack: A horse drawn vehicle, horse cart

Hangs out: To spend time doing nothing in particular

Affection: love and care for someone

Bargain: to negotiate the price of something

Black box on wheels: refers to the horse cart (the cart appeared like this)

Owes: be in a debt/ an obligation to pay money

Suspicious: doubtful

Hack Driver: the one drives a horse cart or hack

Confidence: trust, belief

Earnestly: sincerely

Proceed: to begin

Deceiving: cheating

Admire: praise, appreciate

Regret: to be sorry

Cheerily: happily

Hesitated: be in two minds, confused, unable to decide

Admitted: confess, agree

Lingered: waited around

Swede: a native or inhabitant of Sweden, or a person of Swedish descent

Concluded: to arrive at an opinion

Exhausted: used up, finished, tired

Poolroom: A place to play pool, a betting shop

Scarcely: hardly

Greasy meal: oily food

Pastures: grassland

Creeks: a stream, a body of flowing water

Adventures; exploit or event

Philosophy: ideology, beliefs

Meadows: fields, pastures

Resumed: restarted, continued

Cornered: forced into a place or situation

Enormous: huge

Represents: to be appointed to act on behalf of or speak for someone

Retired: Here, went inside

Seized: grabbed, snatched, got hold of

Frightened: afraid or anxious

Retreat: to pull back

Whispered: murmured

Disrespectful: rude, impolite

Examine: to look or consider a person or place, to assess

Barn: outhouse, shelter

Stable: A place where horses are kept

Shameful: disgraceful

Promising: hopeful

Hinted: suggested

Digging: tilling,

Ditch: a drain or trench

Loafing: spend time doing nothing

Hunt: search for

Begged: requested

Anxious: concerned, worried

Folks: people

Summary

The narrator of the story explains that after completing his graduation he started working with a famous law firm in the city. He was working as an assistant clerk there. He was not very happy with his job of serving summons because sometimes he had to face harsh situations while serving them. One day, he got the task of serving summons to Oliver Lutkins who was a key witness in some case. He lived in a small town named New Mullion.

The narrator was very excited to visit a small and beautiful town but his excitement ended by the dull appearance of the town. He saw a cheerful and nice deliveryman at the station. He enquired about Oliver Lutkins as he was new to the town and wanted to find him. The deliveryman told him that Oliver was a nasty man who owed debts to many people. The deliveryman, who introduced himself as Bill cunningly got to know that the lawyer came to serve summons to Lutkins relating to a court case.

The narrator made a deal with Bill. He hired Bill’s hack and went on a search for Lutkins. Bill impresses the narrator with his friendly manner and manages to trap him. They visit different places in search of Lutkins. Bill always asks the lawyer to stay behind. They go to Fritz’s to catch Lutkins while playing poker. They were told that he has gone to Gustaff for a shave. At Gustaff’s they weren’t able to meet him.  

Bill described Lutkins as a cunning man and guessed that he must have gone to Gray’s for a shave. They could not find him there. They were told that someone saw him at the pool room. Here somebody said that he left the poolroom after buying cigarettes.

In the afternoon, Bill offered him to buy lunch from his wife as it would be less costly than at the restaurant. They had lunch at Wade’s hill which was a very beautiful place. By that time the narrator was totally impressed by Bill’s nice and cheery nature. He even started comparing village people to city people. Later on, they went to search for Lutkins at his mother’s house on the basis of information derived from one of his friends.

There the lady received them horribly and they hurriedly left the place as she was about to attack them with a hot iron rod. At last, the lawyer had to leave without serving summons to Lutkins. The next day he was scolded badly by his chief and was again sent to New Mullion with a companion who knew Lutkins. Upon reaching the station, the lawyer happily pointed out that Bill was such a helpful person to him search Lutkins.

At this time, the truth was revealed by his companion from the law firm that the hack driver was none other than Lutkins himself. The clerk felt so bad and ashamed of how he had been fooled by a villager.

Read and Find Out (Answers to the questions on Page 47)

1. Why is the lawyer sent to New Mullion? What does he first think about the place?

The lawyer was sent to New Mullion to serve summons on Oliver Lutkins, who was needed as a witness in a law case.

He first thinks that the place must be a sweet and a simple country village.

2. Who befriends lawyer? Where does he take him?

A hack driver at the station, who called himself Bill Magnuson, befriends him. He told the lawyer that he knew Lutkins and would help in finding him. Bill took him to all the places where Lutkins was known to hang out. He took the lawyer to Fritz’s shop, where Lutkins played a lot of poker; to Gustaff’s barbershop and then to Gray’s barbershop; to the poolroom and several other places before finally taking him to Lutkins’ mother’s farm. However, Oliver Lutkins was not found.

3. What does Bill say about Lutkins?

Bill told the lawyer that Lutkins was a hard person to find as he was always busy in some activity or the other. He owed money to many people, including Bill, and had never paid back anybody. He also said that Lutkins played a lot of poker and was good at deceiving people.

Read and Find Out (Answers to the questions on Page 50)

1. What more does Bill say about Lutkins and his family?

Bill told the lawyer that he knew the mother of Lutkins’. He said that she was a terror. He narrated an incident when he took a trunk to her once and she almost took his skin off because he did not carry it carefully. He also said that she was very tall and bulky. She was very quick and could talk a lot. He said that Lutkins must have heard that somebody was chasing him and consequently would have gone into hiding at his mother’s place.

2. Does the narrator serve the summons that day?

No, the narrator did not serve the summons that day.

3. Who is Lutkins?

The hack driver himself is Lutkins but pretends to be Bill Magnuson. He tricks the lawyer to avoid the summons.

Think About It (Answers to the questions on Page 53)

1. When the lawyer reached New Mullion, did ‘Bill’ know that he was looking for Lutkins? When do you think ‘Bill’ came up with his plan for fooling the lawyer?

No, ‘Bill’ did not know initially that the lawyer was looking for him.

He must have made his plan for fooling the lawyer when the lawyer told him that he was looking for Lutkins, as he knew that he was required as a witness but did not want to give his testimony.

2. Lutkins openly takes the lawyer all over the village. How is that no one lets out the secret? (Hint: Notice that the hack driver asks the lawyer to keep out of sight behind him when they go into Fritz’s.) Can you find other such subtle ways in which Lutkins manipulates the tour?

Lutkins never allows the lawyer to reach the place where the imaginary Lutkins is supposed to be present at a given time. The way he weaves stories about Lutkins’ vagabond nature and the way he scares the lawyer about Lutkins’ mother are ways of fooling the lawyer devised by the hack driver. Everywhere he does not allow the lawyer to ask about Lutkins but he himself pretends to ask about him, which the villagers are knowing is a pretense. So the villagers also join in the whole drama.

3. Why do you think Lutkin’s neighbours were anxious to meet the lawyer?

Almost the entire village had enjoyed Lutkins making a fool of the lawyer. Only Lutkins’ neighbours had not seen the lawyer but had come to know what happened. They wanted to see the gullible man whom Lutkins had taken for a ride. That is why tiny wanted to meet him.

4. After his first day’s experience with the hack driver the lawyer thinks of returning to New Mullion to practice law. Do you think he would have reconsidered this idea after his second visit?

No, absolutely not. After knowing how Lutkins had made fool of him, he would never return to New Mullion to practice law.

5. Do you think the lawyer was gullible? How could he have avoided being taken for a ride?

Yes, the lawyer was gullible. He believed every word of what Oliver Lutkins alias Bill Manguson said. He should have asked about Lutkins from other villagers. Instead, he depended completely on the hack driver.

Reach for the Top - Santosh Yadav

Meanings to words and phrases:

contentment: satisfaction

affluent: wealthy, rich, well-to-do

inline with: following or in accordance with, according to, agreeing to

custom: tradition

politely: gently

urge: a strong desire

check it out: find out the truth, to know what is truth

answered in the affirmative: gave a positive reply, saying yes

no looking back: to progress without interruption or impediment, the progress continued

enrolled: took admission into, joined into

headed straight for: went towards, proceeded to

matured: developed, grown-up

resistance: the ability not to be affected by something, the capacity to endure

equipped: supplied with, having

physical endurance: strength

culmination: end, the final stage

scaled: climbed

annals: historic records

bestowed upon her: honored her with, awarded with

top honors: the highest award

Summary:

Santosh Yadav was born to wealthy landowners in Joniyawas, a village in Rewari district of Haryana. She was the youngest child, a sister to five elder brothers. She had to study in the village school as per the village traditions. Since childhood, she was opposed to the customs, preferred wearing shorts to the traditional dress.

At the age of sixteen, like other girls in the village, she was forced to get married but she resisted. She insisted on getting educated before getting married. She took admission in a school in Delhi but her parents refused to support her. She threatened them that she would work part-time to pay the school fee. Her parents accepted her desire to get higher education.

After high school, Santosh joined the Maharani college at Jaipur and lived at the Kasturba hostel. There she saw the villagers climb the Aravalli hills. She was curious and went to the hills. She found a group of mountaineers and wanted to join them in climbing the hills. They agreed and it was her first step in mountaineering.

Within four years, in 1992, she climbed Mount Everest. Her qualities of determination, physical and mental strength impressed her seniors. Her fellow climbers appreciated her concern for others and her willingness to work in a team. She saved the life of a fellow climber named Mohan Singh by sharing her oxygen cylinder with him. She joined an Indo-Nepalese woman expedition and climbed Everest twice, thus becoming the first woman in the world to climb the peak twice.

Santosh cannot describe the immense feeling of happiness and pride when she was on top of the world. As she hoisted the Indian flag, she felt proud to be an Indian. Being an environmentalist, she brought down five hundred kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.

Textual Questions and Answers:

I. Answer these questions in one or two sentences each. (The paragraph numbers within brackets provide clues to the answers.)

Q1. Why was the ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings surprised? (1)

The holy man who blessed Santosh’s mother was surprised because Santosh’s grandmother said that they did not want a son. As her mother already had five sons, they only wanted to be blessed with a gifted girl child. The holy man was surprised because every mother wanted to give birth to a son, contrary to Santosh’s mother.

Q2. Give an example to show that even as a young girl Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable. (2)

Santosh was not always content with her place in a traditional way of life. She began living life on her own terms from the start. Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts.

Q3. Why was Santosh sent to the local school? (3)

Although her parents were wealthy and could send her to a good school in the city of Delhi, they sent her to the village school because they followed the traditions.

Q4. When did she leave home for Delhi, and why? (4)

A. At the age of sixteen, Santosh left for Delhi and got admission in a school there. She wanted to get good education before getting married. Although her parents did not support her initially, they were forced by her determination and accepted her decision.

Q5. Why did Santosh’s parents agree to pay for her schooling in Delhi? What mental qualities of Santosh are brought into light by this incident? (4)

Initially, Santosh’s parents refused to support her financially. She accepted this and decided to work part-time to pay her school fee. Then, her parents softened and consented to support her. This shows she was determined and she was ready for anything to get what was right for her.

Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).

Q1. How did Santosh begin to climb mountains?

When Santosh joined the Maharani college at Jaipur, she resided at the Kasturba hostel. It was located near the Aravalli hills. Every day she saw the villagers climb the hills and disappear behind them. She was curious. One day she joined a group of mountaineers. This way she started climbing mountains.

Q2. What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s concern for her team-mates?

Santosh tried to save a fellow climber but was unsuccessful at it. Later, she successfully saved the life of a fellow climber named Mohan Singh by sharing her oxygen cylinder with him.

Q3. What shows her concern for the environment?

Santosh Yadav is an environmentalist. She wanted to keep Himalayas garbage free. She brought down five hundred kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas. This shows her concern for the environment.

Q4. How does she describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest?

A. Santosh was full of happiness and pride when she was literally on top of the world. As she unfurled the Indian flag on the summit, she felt proud of being an Indian. She said that it was a spiritual moment for her.

Q5. Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mt Everest. What were the reasons for this?

The first time when Santosh climbed the Everest, she became the youngest woman to scale the Everest. When she climbed it the second time, she became the first woman in the world to have climbed the Everest twice.

Complete the following statements.

1. From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to _________

2. When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because _________

3. During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her _____________ while ___________ endeared her to fellow climbers.

 Answers.

1. From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to watch the villagers climb the Aravalli hills.

2. When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because she had enrolled for a mountaineering course at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi.

3. During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her determination while her concern for others endeared her to fellow climbers.

Pick out words from the text that mean the same as the following words or expressions. (Look in the paragraphs indicated.)

1. took to be true without proof (1): _________

2. based on reason; sensible; reasonable (2): ____________

3. the usual way of doing things (3): _______________

4. a strong desire arising from within (5): ____________

5. the power to endure, without falling ill (7): __________________

 Answers.

1. assumed

2. rational

3. custom

4. urge

5. resistance

 

The Proposal - Anton Chekhov

 Meanings to some words:

Farce: a comic dramatic work

dessiatins = a measurement of land in Russia

Pardon- forgive or excuse (a person, error or offence)

Awfully- very; extremely

Inherited- received as an heir at the death of the previous holder

Affectionate- readily feeling or showing fondness or tenderness

Oxen meadows- a land full of grass for animals to graze in

Birchwoods- a wood of birch trees

Assistance- the action of helping someone

Desire- a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something

to happen

Idiotic- very stupid; silly

Consent- agreement to do something

Egad- exclamation (expressing surprise, anger, or affirmation)

Lovesick- longing, yearning or desiring

Trembling- shaking or quivering, typically as a result of excitement, anxiety or

frailty

Hesitate- pause in indecision before saying or doing something

Housekeeper- a person who manages a household

Palpitations- a noticeably rapid, strong or irregular heartbeat due to agitation,

exertion or illness

Twitch- a sudden quick moment or feeling

Lunatic- a person who is mentally ill (not in technical use)

Neglige- form of nightgown

Gypsies- a group of nomadic people who travel from one place to another

Impudent- not showing due respect for another person

Carafe- an open-topped glass flask used for serving wine or water in a

restaurant

Hoarse- sounding rough and harsh

Restrain- prevent from doing something; keep under control or within limits

Excruciating- intensely painful; severe; acute; extreme

Palpitation- heartbeat

Hump- A rounded protuberance found as an abnormality on the back of a

person

Guzzling- greedy (here)

Gambler- a person who gambles; speculator

Intriguer- someone who tricks, deceives or cheats

Malicious-intending or intended to do harm

Numb- deprived of the power of physical sensation

Rascal- devil

Impudence- audacity

Perpetuity- the state or quality of lasting forever

Summary:

The curtain rises with Lomov entering his neighbour Chubukov’s house fully dressed up in his evening attire. Chubukov is surprised to see him well-dressed and asks him the occasion. Chubukov anticipates that he must have come to ask for money which he doesn’t intend on giving. Lomov reveals that he has come to make a request. On being revealed that Lomov had come to ask for Chubukov’s daughter, Natalya’s hand in marriage, Chubukov gets filled with excitement and leaves to call Natalya.
Lomov is a 35 year- old gentleman who suffers from palpitations, gets upset very easily. He thinks it is the best age for him to get married and he is happy that he has his mind made-up about Natalya. According to him, Natalya is average-looking and a good housekeeper. When Natalya arrives, Lomov begins the conversation about how grateful and glad he is that both their families are on good terms since the very beginning.
While continuing to talk about his land, he somehow mentions about Oxen Meadows. The property was in a dispute earlier, but it belongs to him now. Natalya believes that Oxen Meadows belong to her family. Both of them enter into a heated discussion and act childishly when Chubukov enters just to get the conversation more heated. They shout and scream while Lomov suffers from extreme pounding of the heart, a side pull, and a numb foot. They throw Lomov out of the house and continue cursing him.
While speaking ill of him, Chubukov unintentionally reveals that he had come with a marriage proposal for Natalya. Natalya is surprised and regrets sending him out. She tells her father to bring him back immediately and Chubukov curses himself on being a father of a grown-up daughter.
When Lomov returns, Natalya tries to deviate to another topic and starts talking about shooting. Soon they enter into an argument involving their dogs. Natalya feels that her Squeezer is better than Lomov’s Guess. They continue arguing when Chubukov enters the scene only to make the situation worse, once again. Everyone gets hyper and Lomov finally falls due to his palpitations. Even then, the cursing continues when suddenly Natalya notices that he is unconscious. When they fail to make him drink some water, they think that he is dead.

It is only when Lomov moves a little bit, they feed him some water and Chubukov forcefully hands over Natalya’s hands to him, gives his blessings and asks them to kiss. Lomov, still not fully conscious doesn’t understand what is going on. When he finally comes to his senses, he expresses his excitement and kisses Natalya’s hands. Natalya, being childish as she is, manipulates him into accepting that Squeezer is better than Guess but Lomov, being adamant as he is, refuses to accept it. Thus, once again, the quarreling continues.

Textual Questions and Answers

Thinking About the Play (Page 157)

1. What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says ‘And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”? Find reasons for your answer from the play.

At first, Chubukov suspected that Lomov had come to borrow money as he was in his evening dress. He was not sincere when he told Lomov that he had always loved him and that he was like his own son, because he had decided to not give any money to Lomov.

2. Chubukov says of Natalya: “……. as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat……” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.

Yes, Natalya is in love. This is clear by the way she behaves when she gets to know that Lomov had come to propose to her. She starts weeping and asks her father to bring Lomov at once.