The Tale of Custard the Dragon

 

About the Poet:

This poem is written by an American poet, Ogden Nash (1902-1971). He was famous for his light verse and humorous poetry.

Introduction:

This poem is about a little girl Belinda. Belinda has a black kitten named ink, a grey mouse named blink, a yellow dog named mustard, and a coward dragon named custard. All the pets and Belinda are described as brave except the dragon. Custard, the dragon is a coward. Their true character is revealed when a pirate attacks Belinda’s house. No one dares to face the pirate. It is the dragon that kills the pirate. All the characters are relieved and happy because they are saved by the dragon. However, they soon change their minds and convince themselves to be more daring and stronger. They blame the situation and say that it confused them.

Summary:

This poem tells us the tale of custard the dragon is a ballad. It is a humorous poem about a cowardly dragon named custard. Custard is a pet of Belinda, a little girl who lives in a little white house with her other pets. She had a black kitten named ink, a grey mouse named blink, a yellow dog mustard, and a cowardly dragon custard.

The poet says that all of them are very brave except the dragon. Others are described as brave. They are compared with animals like bear, tiger or lion. The dragon is very timid. He always asks for a safe place for himself. All the other characters make fun of him for his cowardice.

But one night they are shocked by the entry of a pirate in the house. All of them are afraid and start hiding here and there. But to everyone’s surprise, the dragon not only tackles the pirate but also eats him up. As all of them are saved by custard, they thank him. Soon they realized that till now, they are making fun of the dragon. So, they start saying that they are braver and could have handled the situation in a much better way. Here the poet has tried to say that sometimes a timid person is the actual hero in the toughest situations of life.

Meanings:

Wagon: a vehicle used for transporting goods or another specified purpose

Mustard: a yellow coloured flower

Coward: weakling

Spikes: thin pointed surfaces

Scales: Thin bony plates protecting the skin of fish and reptiles

Underneath: situated directly below

Fire place: a structure of brick, stone or metal for an open fire

Dagger: A sharp knife

Barrel: drum

Chased: hunt, follow

Rage: anger

Tickled: stroke, here it means to tease

Unmerciful: cruel, without mercy

Percival: A knight in King Arthur’s court

Giggled: to laugh

Weeck: a sound made by a mouse

Nasty: bad or unpleasant

Growled: bark

Pirate: A person who robs ship in the sea

Winda: a term for window

Pistol: a handgun

Cutlass: a short sword with a curved blade.

Paled: turn yellow due to fear

Yelp: a short sharp cry

Trickle: to flow, to run

Strategically: planned

Mouseholed:  here it is the hole where the mouse lives

Snorting: make a sudden explosive sound through one’s nose

Clashed: fought

Dungeon: underground prison

Clatter Clank, Jangling squirm: the sound of hard objects falling on each other

Robin: A bird

Gaped: stared with mouth wide open

Gulped: swallowed

Grog: a drink

Flagon: a container made of silver in which drink is stored, a flask

Gobbled: swallowed hurriedly

Embraced: to hug

Mourned: feel sorrow for the death of someone

Victim: sufferer

Glee: delight

Gyrate: danced

Flustered: upset or confused

Stanza	Meaning/Literary Devices
Stanza 1 Belinda lived in a little white house,                           With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse, And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon, And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.	A girl named Belinda lived in a little white house. She lived with some creatures who were her pets. They were a black kitten, a grey mouse, a yellow dog, a little red wagon, and a dragon.   Literary Devices: Rhyme scheme: aabb (house-mouse, wagon-dragon) Repetition: use of the word ‘little’ oxymoron: use of two words with opposite meanings “pet dragon” Anaphora: repeated use of word at the start of two consecutive lines. (And a little ….And a realio) Refrain: Repetition of a sentence again and again (And a realio, trulio,) poetic license: realio, trulio for real, true. The spellings have been changed to create a musical effect.
Stanza 2 Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink, And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink, And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard, But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.	The name of all the animals that are tamed by Belinda. He says that the name of black kitten is ink. The name of grey mouse is blink. The little yellow dog had yellow colour and so she calls him mustard and the dragon, a coward was called custard. Literary Devices: Rhyme scheme: aabb (ink-blink, mustard-custard) simile: dog compared to mustard “And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard” Alliteration: “coward, and she called him Custard” - “c” sound Anaphora: repeated use of word at the start of two consecutive lines (And the little grey…And the little yellow) Repetition: use of word little
Stanza 3 Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth, And spikes on top of him and scales underneath, Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose, And realio, trulio daggers on his toes.	The dragon had big sharp teeth and spikes on top. On the lower part it had scales. His mouth was compared to a fireplace and his nose was compared to a chimney.  His feet were like sharp knives.  Literary Devices: Rhyme scheme: aabb (teeth-underneath, nose-toes) Simile: Dragon’s mouth is compared with fireplace (mouth like a fireplace) Refrain: Repetition of a sentence again and again (And a realio, trulio,) Metaphor: “chimney for a nose”. The nose is like a chimney.
Stanza 4 Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears, And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs, Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage, But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.	Belinda was as brave as a group of bears and ink and blink were so brave that they could hunt lions. The dog was also very brave just like an angry tiger. Custard, the dragon was not brave. He was so afraid of everything that he always demanded a safe cage.  Literary Devices: Rhyme scheme: aabb (bears-stairs, rage-cage) Alliteration: Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears “b” sound is repeated Simile: Belinda’s bravery is compared to that of a barrel full of bears (as a barrel full of bears), Mustard’s bravery is compared to that of an angry tiger (Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage) Assonance: use of vowel sound ‘a’ (Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears)
Stanza 5 Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful, Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival, They all sat laughing in the little red wagon      At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.	Belinda used to tease the dragon without mercy.  Ink, blink and mustard made fun of him by comparing him to a knight named Percival who was thought to be brave but ran away due to lack of courage. They used to tease the dragon while sitting in their little red wagon.  Literary Devices: Rhyme scheme: aabb (unmerciful-Percival, wagon-dragon) Refrain: Repetition of a sentence again and again (And a realio, trulio,) Repetition: use of the word ‘tickled him’ Allusion: reference to any person or place (Percival) Personification: Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival
Stanza 6 Belinda giggled till she shook the house, And Blink said Weeck! which is giggling for a mouse, Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age,            When Custard cried for a nice safe cage.	The poet says that Belinda used to laugh so loudly that her voice echoed in the house. Blink, the mouse used to laugh and make a sound of weeck. On the other hand, ink and mustard would tease him by asking the dragon his age whenever he used to demand for a nice safe cage.  Literary Devices: Rhyme scheme: aabb (house-mouse, rage-cage) Onomatopoeia:  usage of sound words to create a dramatic effect (giggled, weeck) Repetition: Custard cried for a nice safe cage (used in stanza 4)
Stanza 7 Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound, And Mustard growled, and they all looked around. Meowch! cried Ink, and ooh! cried Belinda, For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda	Suddenly, they heard a sound of someone entering the house. They saw a pirate climbing up the wall. The dog barked at him and the kitten meowed to him. Belinda cried ‘ooh’ because all of them were scared of the pirate.  Literary Devices: Rhyme scheme: aabb (sound-around, Belinda-winda) Consonance: use of consonant sound ‘s’ (Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound) Onomatopoeia:  usage of sound words to create a dramatic effect (Mustard growled, Meowch, cried ink) Poetic license: window is written as ‘winda’ to create rhyme. Repetition: suddenly
Stanza 8 Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right, And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright,              His beard was black, one leg was wood; It was clear that the pirate meant no good   .	The pirate was holding handguns in both his hands and had a little sword too. He was holding his sword with his teeth. He had a black beard and his one leg was made of wood. It was clear that his intentions were not good.  Literary Devices: Rhyme scheme: aabb (right- bright, wood- good) Alliteration: beard was black “b”, he held his “h” Imagery: An image is created about the appearance of the pirate.
Stanza 9 Belinda paled, and she cried Help! Help! But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp, Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household, And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed	All of them were frightened. Belinda was so frightened that she turned yellow due to fear and started crying for help. Mustard the dog started crying for help too. The kitten ink ran down towards the bottom of the house. The mouse Bink ran into his little mouse hole.  Literary Devices: Rhyme scheme: aabb (help-yelp, household – mousehold) transferred epithet: terrified yelp Repetition: help help Poetic license: use of the word mousehold to rhyme with household
Stanza 10 But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine, dragon Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon, With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm, He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.	The dragon jumped onto the pirate and made such a strong sound with his nose as if an engine was producing a sound. He hit his tail on the ground with great force that it made a heavy metallic sound made in an underground prison. He attacked the pirate just like robin bird that attacks the worms.  Literary Devices: Rhyme scheme: aabb (engine-dungeon, squirm-worm) Simile: sound of dragon is compared with sound of engine (snorting like an engine), Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon, dragon’s attack on pirate is compared to robin bird (like a robin at a worm) Onomatopoeia:  usage of sound words to create a dramatic effect (clatter, clank, jangling) Imagery: The attack by the dragon is expressed in a way to make an image in our minds.
Stanza 11 The pirate gaped at Belinda’s dragon, And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon, He fired two bullets, but they didn’t hit, And Custard gobbled him, every bit.	The pirate opened his mouth wide with shock. To gather some strength, he drank some alcohol from a container in his pocket. After gathering some courage, he fired two bullets on the dragon but missed it. Custard the dragon ate every bit of this fierce looking pirate.  Literary Devices: Rhyme scheme: aabb (dragon-flagon, hit-bit) alliteration: gulped some grog “g” Imagery: They have shown the reaction and actions made by the pirate on seeing the dragon.
Stanza 12 Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him, No one mourned for his pirate victim. Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate Around the dragon that ate the pirate.	When the pirate was dead, Belinda hugged the dragon and mustard licked him. No one was sad for the death of the pirate, they all were happy. Both ink and blink were running around the dragon in happiness.  Literary Devices: Rhyme scheme: aabb (him-victim, gyrate-pirate) alliteration: glee did gyrate “g” Assonance: use of vowel sound ‘o’ (no one mourned for), use of vowel sound ‘I’ (ink and blink in glee did), use of vowel sound ‘a’ (that ate the pirate)
Stanza 13 But presently up spoke little dog Mustard, I’d have been twice as brave if I hadn’t been flustered. And up spoke Ink and up spoke Blink, We’d have been three times as brave, we think, And Custard said, I quite agree That everybody is braver than me.	After they thanked and showed their love towards the dragon, they changed their mind. Soon, the dog said that it was just because of some confusion that he wasn’t able to do anything otherwise he would have been twice as brave as custard. Both ink and blink also said that they would have been three times braver than custard. To this, the dragon said that he fully agreed to this that all of them were more powerful and braver than him.  Literary Devices: Rhyme scheme: aabb (mustard-flustered, blink-ink, agree-me)
Stanza 14 Belinda still lives in her little white house, With her little black kitten and her little grey mouse, And her little yellow dog and her little red wagon, And her realio, trulio little pet dragon. Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears, And Ink and Blink chase lions down the stairs, Mustard is as brave as a tiger in a rage, But Custard keeps crying for a nice safe cage	At last, the poet used the same lines again to show that after this terrific episode in which the dragon was the hero where all the other characters still undermined him by saying that they were more powerful than him and could have handled the situation in a much better way. Belinda still lives in that little white house with ink, blink, mustard and custard and all of them are very brave whereas the dragon is still a coward who always wants to stay safe in his cage.  Literary Devices Refrain: Repetition of a sentence again and again (And a realio, trulio) Repetition: stanza has been repeated

Thinking about the poem (132)

1. Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.

The characters in this poem are Belinda, a little girl, and her pets: a little black kitten, a little grey mouse, a little yellow dog, a little pet dragon and a pirate. The names are as follow: kitten - Ink, mouse - Blink, dog - Mustard and dragon - Custard.

2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly dragon”?

Custard cried for a nice safe cage he wanted to be safe. He was a coward and was scared very easily. He was called “cowardly dragon” as everyone else in the house was very brave and he was the only one, who feared a lot. Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears, Ink and Blink can chase lions and Mustard is as brave as an angry tiger.

3. “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful…” Why?

Tickling always works on people, who are a little softer. So, Belinda tickled the dragon unmerciful as it worked a lot on him. Despite being a dragon, a tickling could disturb him and this showed his cowardice on which everyone laughed.

4. The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example, “Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon” – the poetic device here is a simile. Can you, with your partner, list some more such poetic devices used in the poem?

In the poem, ‘The tale of Custard, the Dragon’, the poet has used a lot of poetic devices. Following are the devices used

1. Simile: mouth like a fireplace

2. Repetition: the repetitive use of the word ‘little’ in stanza 1.

5. Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.

Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,

And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,

Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,

And realio, trulio daggers on his toes.

6. Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?

The rhyme scheme of the poem is ‘aabb’.

7. Writers use words to give us a picture or image without actually saying what they mean. Can you trace some images used in the poem?

Writers always use such phrases and words that do not tell us directly about what they mean but always give us an indication of the meaning. Such words or phrases are used to trigger our own imagination in painting the picture that they mean. Use of such images in the poem is the following: ‘mouth like a fireplace’, ‘chimney for a nose’, ‘brave as a barrel full of bears’, ‘brave as a tiger in a rage’, ‘went at the pirate like a robin at a worm’, etc.

8. Do you find ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.

‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a very light and funny poem meant to be enjoyed by everyone. The way the poem has been written with a fix rhyme scheme, makes it very easy and enjoyable to read. The poet has even used wrong spelling to maintain the rhyme scheme. The features of Belinda and her pets described in the poem make it quite funny. All the tiny creatures such as the kitten and the mouse have been shown as brave. The biggest of them all, the dragon is the only one, who has been shown as a coward and soft being, who looks for a cage for himself. It is very ironic and makes the poem funny.

One Thousand Paper Cranes

 3. Answer the following questions.

a. The war changed the life of Sadako’s family forever. How?

Because of the war Hiroshima was bombed. The blast destroyed Sadako’s home and killed his grandmother. Her father went away to serve in the army. Their barber shop had to be kept under the care of her relatives. She was exposed to the atomic radiation and developed a deadly disease called leukemia.

b. The following qualities made Sadako an engaging person. Give evidence from the text to prove that Sadako was

i. a loving daughter.

It is evident from the text that Sadako was a loving daughter because she helped her mother in household chores and looking after her younger siblings.

ii. a good student.

It is clear that she is good student as she was a skilled runner. She was a member of her class relay team.

iii. a talented girl.

Sadako was a fast runner. She excelled in practice runs. Even the fastest boy could not compete with her. Because of these reasons we know that she was a talented girl.

iv. a positive child.

Even though she was suffering with extreme pain and fighting against a deadly disease she never complained.  This shows that she was a positive child.

v. a caring person.

Soon after the war, Sadako acted responsibly and looked after little children of the family. This shows that she was a caring person.

c. How did Sadako react upon learning that she was suffering from a fatal disease?

Sadako accepted the fact that she got a terrible and fatal disease because of the exposure to radiation. She fought with leukemia bravely. She never complained about her pain or suffering. She believed in the legend of one thousand cranes. She hoped to get well by folding one thousand cranes.

d. Do you think Sadako believed in the thousand crane legend? Give reasons.

Yes. I think that Sadako believed in the thousand crane legend. Soon after receiving the paper cranes, she started to fold paper cranes hoping that the thousand cranes would bring her luck and health.

e. How does Sadako’s strength and hope inspire people after her death?

Sadako’s courage and hope inspired her Bamboo classmates. They wanted to do something for her and began to raise funds to build a memorial for her. Soon, more than three thousand schools had sent donations. Finally, a monument was built in the memory of all the children who lost their lives in the bombing. The monument is a symbol of peace.

Reading 2:

1. Sadako had a strong will to live. Imagine you are Sadako and you have just come to know about your disease. As Sadako, write a page in y our diary, in about 120 words, expressing your feelings and your desire for peace of the world.

Day: Sunday

Date: 04-11-2020

Time: 8.00pm

Dear diary,

Today, I am very sad. For the last few days I have been suffering from cold and stiffness in my neck. The cold has gone but I am still suffering from the stiffness in the neck. My face has swollen. In the hospital, they did several tests. They told me that I got a deadly disease called leukemia. I have only one year to live.

Oh, how much I want to live and run for my team. I want to go to school and have fun with my friends. But sadly, I have to stay in hospital. All this is because of the war. So, they should not be any wars. I wish there is peace in the world.

Good night diary.

Your

Sadako

2. Do you think that Sadako would have lived if she had made one thousand paper cranes? Why or why not?

No. I don’t think that Sadako would have lived if she had made one thousand paper cranes. Leukemia is a very deadly disease and no legend could save her.  

3. You must have seen people believe in good luck charms. Do you have any? Describe the charm and narrate an episode when you used it.

Yes. I have a good luck charm. The is a silver ring presented to me by my grandfather. He blessed me and said that I would get good marks if I wear the ring and write my examinations. I wrote my mid-examinations. I was very worried because that was the first time I wrote the examination online. I wore the ring and true to my grandfather’s words, I got very good marks in the examinations.

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.