A Triumph of Surgery

A Triumph of Surgery

Introduction:

‘A Triumph of Surgery’ is the story of a woman who loved her pet dog so much that she nearly killed it by overfeeding. A doctor, who knew where the problem lay, takes the nearly dead dog to his clinic for surgery and the dog recovers amazingly after the ‘surgery!’ What surgery did the doctor do? Did he really do any surgery at all?

About the author:

James Herriot, also known as Alf Wight, was an English veterinary surgeon and writer. He is best known for his semi-autobiographical stories. In 1969, James Herriot wrote ‘If Only They Could Talk’. It was the first of the famous series based on his life working as a vet and his training in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. His books are often described as animal stories, obviously because they are about the life of a country veterinarian.

Summary

This story is about Tricki, a small dog who is over-pampered by his mistress Mrs Pumphrey. She overfed him to the extent that made Tricki look like a bloated sausage. She gave him food, rich in fats. She gave him cream cakes and biscuits, cod-liver oil and Horlicks and even wine. This made Tricki, greedy, fat and lazy. He became uninterested in things. He kept lying all day on the carpet. Moreover, he had some bouts of vomiting. So, Mrs. Pumphrey thought that he was seriously ill. She called Mr James Herriot who was a vet surgeon.

Mr Herriot knew that Tricki was suffering because of overeating. He had already made his plans. He said that Tricki must be admitted in the hospital for a fortnight. This suggestion made Mrs Pumphrey very sad. She thought that Tricki could not live even a single day without seeing his mistress. But Mr Herriot wrapped him in a blanket, took him out of the house and put him in his car.

When Herriot reached his home, the household dogs surrounded him. They sniffed Tricki and showed no interest in him. Till two days Herriot did not give him anything to eat. But, he gave him a lot of water to drink. Then the doctor started giving him some light food. He gave him no medicine. After two days Tricki had started taking interest in his surroundings.

He started mixing up with other dogs. He became a member of the gang. At home, he had almost no exercise but at the surgery, he had a lot of exercises and fun. The controlled diet and activities made him active. But, Mrs Pumphrey remained anxious about Tricki’s health. Every time she called, the doctor told her that Tricki was getting better. This made her think that he had gone through some surgery. So daily, she sent two dozen fresh eggs, wine, and brandy for him so that he might recover soon. But the doctor did not give those to Tricki because he really did not need this type of diet. The doctor and his partners enjoyed the eggs, wine, and brandy themselves. After a fortnight Mrs Pumphrey came to collect Tricki. When the doctor brought Tricki out, he immediately jumped into Mrs Pumphrey’s arms. She was surprised to see this. She said that it was a ‘Victory of Surgery.’

Word meanings:

Mistress– a woman in a position of authority or control.
Bloated- excessive in size or amount.
Sausage- an item of food in the form of a cylindrical length of minced pork or other meat encased in a skin, typically sold raw to be grilled or fried before eating.
Bloodshot- (of the eyes) inflamed or tinged with blood, typically as a result of tiredness.
Rheumy– watery.
Lolled- sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way.
Hastened- be quick to do something.
Listless- lacking energy or enthusiasm.
Malnutrition- lack of proper nutrition
Cod liver oil- oil pressed from the liver of cod
Relent– become less severe or intense.
Lumbago– pain in the muscles and joints of the lower back.
Severe-  very great; intense.
Regime- a system or ordered way of doing things.
Tottering- move in a feeble or unsteady way.
Tweed- a rough-surfaced woolen cloth
Wardrobe- a large, tall cupboard or recess in which clothes may be hung or stored.
Harness- a set of straps and fittings
Distraught- very worried and upset.
Bouts- a short period of intense activity of a specified kind.
Rug– a floor covering
Panting- breathing with short, quick breaths; out of breath.
Fortnight- a period of two weeks.
Swooned- a partial or total loss of consciousness
Wailings- crying with pain, grief, or anger.
Marched-  walk quickly and with determination.
Roused- cause to stop sleeping.
Maids- a female domestic servant.
Rushed- done or completed too hurriedly; hasty.
Supper- an evening meal, typically a light or informal one.
Despairing- showing loss of all hope.
Glanced- take a brief or hurried look.
Patted- touch quickly and gently with the flat of the hand.
Wag- (especially with reference to an animal's tail) move or cause to move rapidly to and fro.
Surged- move suddenly and powerfully forward or upward.
Motionless- not moving; stationary.
Sniffing- the action of drawing in air audibly through the nose.
Whimper- make a series of low, feeble sounds expressive of fear, pain, or unhappiness.
Trotted- run at a moderate pace with short steps.
Engulfed- sweep over (something) so as to surround or cover it completely.
Slopped- spill or flow over the edge of a container, typically as a result of careless handling.
Liable-  likely to do or to be something.
Licking- pass the tongue over (something) in order to taste, moisten, or clean it.
Pleased- feeling or showing pleasure and satisfaction,
Jostling- push, elbow, or bump against (someone) roughly, typically in a crowd.
Scrimmages- a confused struggle or fight.
Trampled- tread on and crush.
Squashed- flat, soft, or out of shape as a result of being crushed or squeezed with force.
Shaggy- long, thick, and unkempt.
Hovered- to move to and fro near a place.
Anxiously-  feeling or showing worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.
Dozen- 12 in number
Bulletins- a short official statement or broadcast summary of news.
Convalescing- recover one's health and strength over a period of time after an illness or medical treatment.
Brandy- a strong alcoholic spirit distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice.
Constitution- the composition of something.
Reverently- with deep and solemn respect.
Temptation- the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise.
Compelled- bring about (something) by the use of force or pressure.
Awaiting- wait for (an event).
Gleaming- reflecting light, typically because very clean or polished.
Chauffeur- a person employed to drive a private or hired car.
Clasped-  grasp (something) tightly with one's hand.
Trembled- shake involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety, excitement, or frailty.
Fetch- go for and then bring back (someone or something) for someone.
Hurtling- move or cause to move at high speed, typically in an uncontrolled manner
Midst- in the middle of.
Lithe-  thin, supple, and graceful.
Startled- feeling or showing sudden shock or alarm.
Swarmed- move somewhere in large numbers.
Shone- a quality of brightness produced

Character Sketches:

Mrs. Pumphrey:

Mrs. Pumphrey was a rich lady, who had a small, dog named Tricki as a pet. Though she loved her pet dearly, she was being foolishly indulgent. She would pamper the dog by giving him chocolates, cakes, juice, eggs and wine. But, little did she know that the dog needed exercise too. And obviously, when Tricki fell sick due to all the overeating and lack of exercise, she became anxious and sad. Though, Mrs. Pumphrey was silly, she was tender-hearted. She cried bitterly when Tricki was taken to the hospital. She packed all of Tricki’s belongings to be taken to the hospital. She even sent eggs, wine and brandy to the hospital thinking that all of those would help Tricki recover from the surgery. She was happy and grateful to Dr. Harriot for making Tricki healthy. She went to the extent of calling it a Triumph of Surgery . So we can say that Mrs. Pumphrey was a rich, foolishly indulgent, ignorant, anxious, silly, tenderhearted, and a grateful person. 

Tricki, the dog:

Tricki was well aware of the fact that his mistress loves him dearly. But, sadly enough he gives in to the greed developed due to all the food given to him. Thus he becomes sick. At the hospital, he is well taken care of by Dr. Herriot and his staff. There, Tricki gels with all the other dogs. With a proper diet and a lot of exercise, he once again becomes fit and fine. At the end when Mrs. Pumphrey comes to collect him, he leaps from the arms of Dr. Herriot into his mistress’ lap. Thus, we see that Tricki is a lovable and faithful dog.

 Dr. Herriot:

Dr. Herriot was a duty-bound veterinary doctor. He used to visit Mrs Pumphrey’s house for the regular check-ups of her dog, Tricki. Dr Herriot was quite worried about the dog’s health as he knew that the dog was over-fed by his owner. He advised Mrs Pumphrey to keep him off the rich diet and give him a lot of exercise. But she didn’t bother. Hence, in order to improve Trick’s health, he decided to take him away from Mrs Pumphrey. He told her that the dog needed surgery. He made a Tricky cut down his diet and made him do certain exercises which improved his health. Although he knew Mrs Pumphrey was very rich and much attached to the dog, he did not take any advantage of it. He just performed his duties and eventually returned the dog to its rightful owner.  

The theme of the story:

The story ‘A Triumph of Surgery’ has much significance in our life as well. Not only adults but also children tend to put on weight and grow ill due to their parents’ over-protective nature. Many children become overweight and spoilt just because the parents try to meet every demand and fail to give them proper exercise for their body and mind. The story focuses on people who have disposable money with no avenues to spend. They probably don’t inculcate a pastime or a hobby. Obviously, they easily get bored and hence indulge in silly behaviours. These actions do more harm than good to the objective of affection. Loving and being affectionate towards a child or a pet is not wrong. But, not to the extent that they lose out on their basic understanding between the good and the bad. And, as far as pets are concerned, they are not objects to be shown around. They are real living creatures. As much as they need love and affection, they need a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle to survive well.

Read and Find Out (Answers to the questions given on Page 1)

1. Why is Mrs. Pumphrey worried about Tricki?

Mrs. Pumphrey is worried about Tricki because he is unwell. He has refused to eat food and had bouts of vomiting. She feels that he is suffering from a serious health issue such as malnutrition.

2. What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?

Mrs. Pumphrey starts giving him extra snacks like malt, cod-liver oil, and Horlicks, apart from his main meals, to improve his condition. She also continues to satisfy his sweet tooth with cream cakes and chocolates. She does not give him any exercise, considering his listlessness as well. She is not wise in doing so because overfeeding Tricki is worsening his condition instead of improving it. It has made him very fat and lazy.

3. Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?

 ‘I’ refers to the narrator, Mr. James Herriot, a veterinary doctor.

Read and Find Out (Answers to the questions given on Page 3)

4. Is the narrator as rich as Tricki’s mistress?

No, the narrator is not as rich as Tricki’s mistress, Mrs Pumphrey. We can say so because the narrator seems fascinated by how lavishly Mrs. Pumphrey spends on the well-being and maintenance of her pet. He is unusually surprised by the enriching items she sends for Tricki, as he cannot afford them for himself.

5. How does he treat the dog?

James Herriot treats Tricki just like he would treat an overweight and lazy dog, which Tricki is. He cuts down his food intake and keeps him under strict observation for the initial days at the hospital. He gradually increases Tricki’s food and sets him free for physical activities to improve his health.

6. Why is he tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest?

Mr. Herriot is tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest because of the good food and wine he is enjoying in Tricki’s name. He does not want to lose the luxurious inflow of fresh eggs, wine, and brandy.

7. Why does Mrs. Pumphrey think the dog’s recovery is ‘a triumph of surgery’?

Mrs. Pumphrey thinks that Tricki’s recovery is a triumph of surgery because his illness was severe. She was of the opinion that there were very few chances of Tricki to improve and that he needed immediate medical attention. Thus, his revival without any medicinal treatment was a great achievement, according to her.

A Letter to God

About the author:

Gregorio López Fuentes (1895-1966) was one of the most important chroniclers of the Mexican Revolution and its effects. His famous works are Campamento (1931; “Encampment”), Tierra (1932; “Earth”), Mi general! (1934; “My General!”), and El Indio (1935; “The Indian”).

Summary

The main character of the story is Lencho, a dedicated farmer. He was expecting a decent harvest. But unfortunately, an untimely hailstorm destroyed his harvest totally. Lencho was very sad although he had a very strong faith in God. He was sure that God would definitely help him out of this adverse situation. He was an extremely simple and straightforward man. He composed a letter to God, in which he asks God to send him one hundred pesos. He then went to the post office and put the letter into the post box,

A postman collected the letter from the letterbox. Obviously, he was amused by reading the address on the envelop. He rushed to the postmaster and showed him the strange letter. The postmaster also chuckled in the same way when he saw the address of God. However, he didn’t want to shake the farmer’s faith in God. So, he read the letter. He decided to help him. As he could not spare 100 Pesos, he asked the employees of the post office to contribute to a good cause. He himself gave a part of his salary for the cause. But he was able to collect only a little more than half the money requested by Lencho. The postmaster put the money in an envelope and addressed it to Lechno. 

The following Sunday, Lencho visited the post office again to find out if there was any letter for him. The postman took out the letter and gave it to Lencho. Lencho was not at all surprised at seeing the money. But when he counted the money, he became angry. He thought that God could not have made the mistake. He took paper and ink and wrote another letter to God and put it into the letterbox.

After Lencho had gone, the contents of the letter were read. In this letter, Lencho had complained to God that he had received only seventy Pesos. This time he requested God to send him the rest of the money also. But he asked God not to send the money through the mail. He thought that the post-office employees were a bunch of crooks and that they had stolen the rest of the money.

Meanings of words and phrases

• crest - the top of a mountain or hill
• dotted - a place having objects scattered or placed in a random manner
• downpour - heavy rain
• intimately - in a way that involves detailed knowledge
• supper - a light informal evening meal
• predict - say or estimate that an event or action will happen in the future
• cent - a monetary unit in various countries
• draped - to be covered
• regarded - to consider or think of in a specified way
• hailstones - small, hard balls of ice that fall from the sky like rain
• resemble - look alike
• plague - an unusually large number of insects or animals infesting a place and causing damage
• locusts - large, tropical grasshoppers with strong powers of flight
• solitary - alone, lonely
• conscience - a person's moral sense of right and wrong
• pesos - the standard unit of money used in Argentina, Mexico, and some other countries
• amiable - goodhearted and kind
• correspondence - communication by exchanging letters
• evident - clearly seen or understood
• goodwill - friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude
• deliberate - intentional
• resolution - determination
• obliged - legally or morally bound to do something
• contentment - a state of happiness or satisfaction
• deny - to refuse to give something requested or desired to someone
• affixed - to stick securely
• crook - a dishonest person  or a criminal

Character Sketches:

Lencho:

Lencho is a lonely, hardworking farmer. Lencho knew his fields well. He was as strong as an ox. Not only did he work like an animal in the fields, but he also knew how to write. Even when his crops are destroyed due to the hailstorm, he doesn’t lose hope and writes a letter to God. Such was his faith in God that when he sees the money in the mail, he is not even a bit surprised. Lencho is also naïve (lacking wisdom). He is innocent as he believed that God would send him the required money, just by asking. He is naïve when he believed that the people in the post office are crooks. Thus we see that although Lencho is a hardworking and god-loving man, his naivety got the better of him. 

The Postmaster:

The Postmaster comes across as a genuine man. He went out of his way to do an act of goodwill for a stranger. Though he broke out laughing as he received the letter, he is determined not to shake his faith in helping the man in need.  He gave away a part of his salary and collected money from his acquaintances so that he could help Lencho retain his faith in God. So, we see that the postmaster was an amiable and kind person.

The theme of the story:

G.L. Fuentes’ "A Letter to God", is a story of a farmer’s undeterred faith in God and his failing faith in humanity. From the very beginning, Lencho shows faith in nature. He was sure that it would rain and he would have a good harvest of corn. He writes a letter to God demanding a hundred pesos. Lencho’s faith in God takes a step further when he writes another letter in anger. He was sure that God would help him with the required money. He assumed that the remaining thirty pesos were taken away by the post office employees. And hence, he asked God not to send the money by mail.

It is rightly said that faith can move mountains. But it is important to know what we should put our faith in. The Almighty does help those in need by his own ways and means. It may be by the means of a random stranger or our teacher or our parents. We must thank each one of them for even the slightest that they may do for us.

Mijbil - The Otter

Gavin Maxwell-Naturalist

Mijbil - The Otter

Introduction

Otters are found in large numbers in the marshes near Basra, a town in Iraq. The narrator wanted to bring an Otter from Iraq to England and keep it as a pet. This lesson tells us about the author and his pet otter.

About the author

Gavin Maxwell was born on 15 July 1914. He was a naturalist and author. He is best known for his work with otters. In his book, ‘Ring of Bright Water’, he described how he brought an otter back from Iraq and raised it in Scotland. The book went on to sell over a million copies and was made into a film.

Summary

The author lived in a cottage in Camusfearna in Scotland. He had a pet dog Jonnie. When Jonnie died, he did not keep a dog again for some time. But life without a pet was lonely. So he decided to have an otter as a pet instead of a dog. His home in Scotland had much water around it. So it would be suitable for an otter.

The author happens to go to Iraq and he shared this idea with a friend who was travelling with him. His friend suggested that otters are found in the Tigris marshes of Iraq. The author had to wait in Basra for his mail. While he was waiting for his mail, an otter was brought to him by two Arabs in a sack.

The otter was a small dragon-like creature. It was covered with mud from head to tail. Under the mud, it had a soft velvet skin. It took the author many days to completely remove the mud from his body. He named the otter `Mijbil’. At first, Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly. He was simply aloof and indifferent. On the first night, it slept on the floor. The next night, he slipped on the author’s bed and slept between his knees. Gradually, Mijbil started taking interest in its surroundings.

When Mijbil was taken to the bathroom, he enjoyed his bath. He went wild with joy in the water of the tub. The author knew that otters are fond of water. Soon the otter became habitual of being called as ‘Mij’. He followed the author when he called his name.

It spent most of its time playing with a rubber ball and marbles. He would throw the ball like a soccer player. His real play was when he lay on his back and played with small objects between his paws. He could throw the ball a flick of his neck. His favourite toys were marbles.

Eventually, it was time for the author to return to Camusfearna. He knew that the British Airline would not fly animals to London. So he had to book a flight to Paris in another airline and another to London. The airline advised that Mij should be packed in a box. To get him accustomed for the same, the author put Mij into it the box an hour before he started for the airport. When he returned after his meal he noticed blood trickling from the air holes. As he opened it, he found Mij troubled and covered with blood. Mij had torn the inner lining of the box. It was just ten minutes to the flight and the airport was five miles away. So the author put it back in the box and hurried to the airport.

The aircraft was waiting to take off. He rushed in. Inside the flight, he covered the place near his seat with newspapers. He gave the parcel of fish to the air hostess for the otter. She cooperated with the author and advised him to keep the pet on his knee. But soon Mij was out of the box. He disappeared and soon chaos followed in the plane. There were squawks and shrieks all around. The author found the otter beneath the legs of an Indian passenger. When he tried to catch the otter, his face got covered in curry. The air hostess assured him that she would find the otter. The author returned to his seat. After some time, the otter came to him and sat in his lap.

The otter and the author remained in London for nearly a month. Mijbil used to play for hours with toys, ping-pong balls, marbles, rubber fruit, etc. He would place the ball on the sloping top of the suitcase. Then he would hurry and catch it before the ball fell off the suitcase. The author used to take Mij out for exercise and walk. Mij developed certain habits on those walks. He went with the author like children playing, running and touching things in the streets.

In London, many people had not seen an otter. When they saw Mij, they would make guesses about what kind of an animal it was. The author faced a stream of questions filled with guesses. The people guessed that it could be a baby seal, a walrus, a hippo, a beaver, a bear cub, a leopard, etc. But nobody could guess that it was an otter.

Character Sketch

Mijbil, the Otter: Mijbil the Otter was an extremely lovable creature. He was intelligent too. It took him only a couple of days to get accustomed to the new surroundings with the author. Mijbil was intelligent enough to respond to the calls of the author. Also, he learnt how to turn on the water tap in the bathroom. Mijbil was extremely fond of water. He would splash. Plunge and roll about in any amount of water that he came across. The otter also comes across as a very sensitive creature. When the author leaves him inside a box, Mijbil is panic-stricken and in his attempt to escape from the box, he hurts himself grievously. His playful nature could be seen, when he escaped from the author’s lap and travelled all over the plane much to the surprise and fear of the other passengers. Thus, we see that Mijbil, the Otter was an extremely lovable and playful creature but also sensitive at times.

The theme of the story

The story clearly reflects the love that the author had for animals, especially, the otter. After having lost his pet dog, the author decides to keep an otter as a pet. Naturally, handling an otter or for that matter, any animal out of its habitat, is not an easy task. One has to be well aware of its habits, nature, food etc. Owning a pet is a lifetime of commitment involving considerable responsibility. The decision to acquire one, therefore, should be made by the whole family. Without full agreement by everyone, the pet could end up unwanted. Unfortunately, cute looking animals often suffer disadvantages, because people purchase them without consideration and the knowledge on how to take proper care of them. Hence, it is very important to read and research before adopting or buying a pet.

Glimpses of India - Tea from Assam

Glimpses of India - Tea from Assam

About the Author: Arup Kumar Dutta

Arup Kumar Dutta (born 1946) is an Indian writer and journalist based out of Guwahati in Assam. He has written 16 books for adults and 17 adventure novels for young people. He is a “Padma Shri” awardee.

About the Lesson

The lesson tells us about two friends- Pranjol and Rajvir. Pranjol is from Assam and Rajvir is from Delhi. They are going to Pranjol’s hometown in Assam for their summer vacation. Assam is known as the ‘tea country’. It has the largest concentration of tea plantations in the world. During their journey they discuss about the various ‘legends’ that are known to have discovered tea.  The story is about the worldwide popularity of tea as a beverage.

 Summary

The story tells us about the popular beverage ‘tea’. It informs us about the history and discovery of tea. It begins as two friends Pranjol and Rajvir begin their train journey set to go to Assam, to Pranjol’s home to spend their summer vacation. They find that several passengers are enjoying freshly made tea sold by a vendor. Pranjol reads a detective book and Rajvir enjoys the scenic beauty. Soft green paddy fields and tea bushes cover the ground. Rajvir is very excited on seeing such large plantations of tea. Pranjol is not so excited because he was born and brought up in Assam.

Assam is famously known as the ‘Tea country’. Before going there, Rajvir read about how tea was discovered and that it dates back to 2700 B.C. Tea was first consumed in China and reached Europe in the 16th century. Tea was drunk as medicine there. 

There are numerous stories as to how it was discovered. As per one legend, a Chinese Emperor discovered tea when some leaves had fallen in his boiling water. Another legend says that Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk, threw his eyelids to avoid sleep while meditating. Tea plant sprouted out of the eyelids. 

Pranjol’s parents come to receive them and take them to their tea garden. On their way, they pass a cattle bridge and give way to a tractor filled with tea leaves.  It was the second sprouting season that yields the best tea. Rajvir does a lot of study before coming which impressed Pranjol’s father and he intends to learn a lot more.

Theme

“Tea from Assam” is written by Arup Kumar Dutta. It is an informative story about tea from the gardens of Assam.

Pranjol and Rajvir are classmates in Delhi. Pranjol is from Assam and his father is the manager of a tea garden there. Pranjol has invited Rajvir to visit his home during the summer vacation. Rajvir visits Assam in a train with Pranjol. Rajvir enjoys the journey as it is his first visit. They reach Mariani junction and then at the tea garden of Pranjol’s father. Around 8 crore cups of tea are drunk every day in the whole world.

There are some interesting legends about the origin of tea. One says that a king in China was in habit of drinking water after boiling it. Few twigs fell into his boiling water. The boiled water got a unique flavor. They called it tea. Tea was first drunk in China as far back as 2700 BC. Chai & chini words have their origin in China.

Another story says that a Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma felt sleepy while meditating. To avoid sleeping he cut his eyelids and threw them. Few saplings sprouted out of them. The leaves banished sleep after boiling them in water and drinking the boiled water.

Tea from Assam is regarded as the best kind of tea in the whole world. The best yield comes from the second sprouting season, May to July every year.

Questions & Answers

Q1. Describe the scenery outside the train. Where were Pranjol and Rajvir going by train?

A: There was green scenery everywhere. Rajvir had never seen such greenery before. He was going to Assam with his friend, Pranjol. Pranjol’s father was working as a manager in a Tea garden. The soft green paddy fields gave way to tea bushes as they went on.

Q2. What did they see on both sides of the gravel road?

A: They travelled on a gravel-road from the railway station to the tea garden. On both sides of the road, they saw acres after acre of tea bushes. They were all neatly pruned to the same height. Groups of tea-pluckers had bamboo-baskets on their back.

Q3. Why was Pranjol’s father surprised?

A: Pranjol’s father was surprised at the knowledge Rajvir had about tea. Rajvir impressed him as he said that it was the second flush or sprouting period from May to July and yielded the best tea. 

Q4.  At which station did the boys stop and who received them?

A: The boys got down at Mariani junction and Pranjol’s parents received them.

Q5. What are the two Legends about Tea?

A:   Chinese legend:

A Chinese emperor always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves of branches burning under the pot fell into the water. It gave the water a delicious flavor. These were tea leaves.

Indian legend:

Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids. These leaves when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.

Grammar Exercises

1. Look at these words: upkeep, downpour, undergo, dropout, walk-in. They are built up from a verb (keep, pour, go, drop, walk) and an adverb or a particle (up, down, under, out, in). Use these words appropriately in the sentences below. You may consult a dictionary.

1. A heavy __________ has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
2. Rakesh will __________ major surgery tomorrow morning.
3. My brother is responsible for the __________ of our family property.
4. The __________ rate for this accountancy course is very high.
5. She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a __________ interview.

Answers

1. A heavy downpour has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
2. Rakesh will undergo major surgery tomorrow morning.
3. My brother is responsible for the upkeep of our family property.
4. The dropout rate for this accountancy course is very high.
5. She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a walk-in interview.

2. Now fill in the blanks in the sentences given below by combining the verb given in brackets with one of the words from the box as appropriate.

Over, by, through, out, up, down

1. The Army attempted unsuccessfully to __________ the Government. (throw)
2. Scientists are on the brink of a major __________ in cancer research. (break)
3. The State Government plans to build a __________ for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway. (pass)
4. Gautama’s__________ on life changed when he realized that the world is full of sorrow. (look)
5. Rakesh seemed unusually__________ after the game. (cast)

Answers

1. The Army attempted unsuccessfully to overthrow the Government. (throw)
2. Scientists are on the brink of a major breakthrough in cancer research. (break)
3. The State Government plans to build a by-pass for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway. (pass)
4. Gautama’s outlook on life changed when he realized that the world is full of sorrow. (look)
5. Rakesh seemed unusually downcast after the game. (cast)

3. Think of suitable -ing or -ed adjectives to answer the following questions. You may also use words from those given above. How would you describe

1. a good detective serial on television?
2. a debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’?
3. how you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain?
4. how you feel when you open a present?
5. how you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television?
6. the look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue?
7. how you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest?
8.  the story you have recently read, or a film you have seen?

Answers

1. a good detective serial on television? Interesting
2. a debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’? Exciting
3. how you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain? Bored
4. how you feel when you open a present? Excited
5. how you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television? Interested
6. the look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue? Tired
7. how you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest? Thrilled
8.  the story you have recently read, or a film you have seen? Boring

Glimpses of India - Coorg

Coorg in monsoons

Introduction

The lesson is a pleasant description of Coorg, the smallest district in Karnataka and its people. It is like a piece of heaven on earth. It has wonderful weather throughout the year. Evergreen rainforests and rolling mountains fill the landscape. The people of Coorg are the bravest. Coffee is the main crop of this region. Spices are also grown. The Kaveri River gets water from the hills and forests of this region. A variety of animals can be found here. Beautiful Brahmagiri hills, islands and Tibetan settlements add to the attractions of Coorg apart from several adventurous sports.

Summary

The writer gives a vivid description of Coorg. It is in the Western Ghats in Karnataka. It is located somewhere between Mysore and Mangalore. The best time to visit Coorg is from September to March. Coorg is famous for coffee plantations and spices. Abundant rainforests cover 30 percent of the area. The Coorgi men are brave warriors. The women of Coorg are pretty.

Coorg is known as Kodavu and its people as the Kodavus. Though they are Hindus by religion, their customs differ from those of mainstream Hindus. Kodavus are said to be of Greek or Arabic descent. Some say that Kodavus are the descendants of Alexander’s soldiers. Some others say that since the ethnic dress of the Kodavus, Kuppia is similar to the Arab garment Kuffia, their ancestors are Arabs or Kurds.

The river Kaveri originates from Coorg. Mahaseer is a big fish found in the river. Many animals and birds such as kingfisher, langur, squirrels, and elephants can be spotted along the river. Tourists relax in the serene atmosphere. They enjoy adventure sports like river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, mountain biking, rock climbing, and trekking. While trekking on the nature trails, animals like Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs, and slender loris can be spotted on the trees. The major tourist attractions in Coorg are Brahmagiri hills, Nisargadhama island, and Bylakuppe Tibetan settlements. Coorg is a symbol of India’s diverse cultures.

Question and Answers

Q1. Where is Coorg?

A. Coorg is located somewhere between Mysore and the coastal city of Mangalore. It is the smallest district of Karnataka.  

Q2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?

A. It is said that the Kodavus are of either Greek or Arabic descent. According to one story, a part of Alexander’s army could not return to its homeland and so, settled in Coorg. Another story says that the traditional dress of the Kodavus, Kuppia is similar to the dress of the Arabs and Kurds, the Kuffia, so the Kodavus are descendants of the Arabs.

Q3. What are some of the things you now know about:

i. The people of Coorg?

A. People of Coorg are known to be descendants of the Greeks or the Arabs. They are independent and ferocious. They are among the bravest soldiers of the Indian Army. They are friendly and are known for their hospitality. Their culture is different from that of the culture mainstream Hindus.

ii. The main crop of Coorg?

A. Coffee is the main crop of Coorg. Coffee estates with colonial bungalows are abundant and even provide homestays for visitors to experience the Coorgi way of life.

iii. The sports it offers to tourists?

A. A variety of high-energy adventure activities like river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, and mountain biking are offered to tourists. Trekking is also one of the popular activities.

iv. The animals you are likely to see in Coorg?

A. Fishes like Mahaseer are found in the waters of the river Kaveri. Birds like Kingfisher and other animals like squirrels, langurs, butterflies, and bees give you company when you are in this area. Wild elephants can be seen enjoying bathing in the rivers. If you are on a trek, Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs, and slender loris can be spotted on the trees.

v. Its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?

A. Coorg is at a distance of 260 km from Bangalore. The nearest airports are Mangalore (135 km) and Bangalore (260 km). There are flights to Mangalore from Mumbai and to Bangalore from Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune. The nearest railheads are at Mysore, Mangalore, and Hassan. There are two routes to Coorg from Bangalore. Both are almost the same distance (around 250-260 km). The route via Mysore is used by most of the tourists. The other route is via Neelamangal, Kunigal, Chanrayanapatna.

Q4. Here are six sentences with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)

i. During monsoons, it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg. (Para 2)

ii. Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there. (Para 3)

iii. The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their sons’ and fathers’ valour. (Para 4)

iv. Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the high-energy adventure sports of Coorg. (Para 6)

v. The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist-belt they wear. (Para 3)

vi. Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you carefully from the tree canopy. (Para 7)

A. (i) Keep many visitors away   (ii)As one story goes       (iii) Are more than willing to recount

(iv) The most laidback individuals become converts to    (v) Draws support from              (vi) keep a watchful eye.

Grammar Exercises

1. Here are some nouns from the text.

Culture, monks, surprise, experience, weather, tradition

Work with a partner and discuss which of the nouns can collocate with which of the adjectives given below. The first one has been done for you.

Unique, terrible, unforgettable, serious, ancient, wide, sudden

culture: unique culture, ancient culture

monks:

surprise:

experience:

weather:

tradition:

Answers

culture: unique culture, ancient culture

monks:  ancient monks

surprise: Unique surprise, terrible surprise, unforgettable surprise

experience: Unique experience, terrible experience, unforgettable experience, sudden experience

weather: terrible weather, sudden weather

tradition: unique tradition, ancient tradition

2. Complete the following phrases from the text. For each phrase, can you find at least one other word that would fit into the blank?

tales of ________

coastal ________

a piece of ________

evergreen ________

________ plantations

________ bridge

wild ________

You may add your own examples to this list.

Answers

tales of valour

coastal town

a piece of heaven

evergreen rainforests

Coffee plantations

Rope bridge

wild animals