A Letter to God

- G. L Fuentes

Theme

A letter to God is based on the theme that faith in God cannot be shaken. Lencho, the farmer,
the farmer, believes strongly in the generosity of God. This faith gives him the hope to get help
from God when he loses his crops to hailstorm. He actually writes to God for help and when he
gets the response, he does not doubt God’s grace.

Message

The story conveys the message that faith can move mountains. Lencho’s faith in God gets him
financial help even though indirectly and not entirely as desired by him. However, this
reinforces a poor and a simple man ‘faith in the power of God. The people, who took upon
themselves the responsibility to uphold Lencho’s faith, inspire to keep alive the spirit of
humanity. It is immaterial whether their kindness is acknowledged or not, the faith in the power
of God remains steadfast.

1. Answer the following.

a) Why did Lencho describe the raindrops as ‘new coins’? (20 – 30 words)

Lencho compared the raindrops as ‘ten cents’ and ‘five cents’ coins. He felt so because those
raindrops would have ensured a bountiful harvest, which would eventually yield him profit.

b) Why did Lencho write a letter to God? (CBSE BOARD -2019) (40 – 50 words)

Following the total devastation of his corn field by the hailstorm, Lencho was filled with
sorrow. His family was on the brink of starvation, God was his only hope. So, he wrote a letter
to God, asking Him for one hundred pesos in order to sow his field again and live until the new
crops came.

c) How did the employees at the post office react on seeing Lencho’s letter? (40 – 50 words)

The postmaster and his employees were shocked to see Lencho’s letter addressed to God. They
found it very amusing and started to laugh heartily after reading it.However, the postmaster
immediately got serious and admired the man’s unflinching faith and wished he had the same
faith. The idea of starting a correspondence with God fascinated him.

2. In the lesson ‘A Letter to God’, what moral values does the postmaster display in his
behaviour? (CBSE BOARD -2018)

A letter to God is based on the theme that faith in God cannot be shaken. It highlights the letter
written by Lencho. It also highlights the benevolence of the postmaster.
Lencho was a simple, God fearing farmer who was an ‘ox of a man ‘. He was as committed to
his family as he was to his fields. His mode of livelihood depended on the mercy of nature
which unfortunately once turned unfavorable. A hailstorm completely devastated his crops. He
had immense faith in God and hence decided to write a letter to God to send him hundred pesos
in order to sow his field again.

The post office employees after receiving the strange letter were amused at the innocence of
the writer (Lencho), the postmaster was soon touched by the depth of the man’s steadfast faith
in God. The postmaster collected seventy pesos by contributing a part of his salary and raising
the rest with the help of his friends and post office employees. He enclosed this money with a
letter that was to be sent as God’s response.

The postmaster was a kind hearted, amiable and compassionate man. His sincerity can be seen
in the way he made every possible effort to save a simple peasant’s faith in God. He made sure
that Lencho’s faith remained intact so that the novel way in which he started a communication
with God does not become a waster effort. The postmaster and the employees who take upon
themselves the responsibility to uphold Lencho’s faith, inspire to keep alive the spirit of
humanity. The postmaster, thus not only becomes a source through who God sends help to
Lencho but also becomes an admirable character who inspires the virtues of fellow feeling and
generosity.
 Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Theme
The theme is summed up in the last sentence of the extract, the oppressed and the oppressor
alike are robbed of their humanity. Nelson Mandela shares his experience to convey the
thought that freedom is an individual’s birthright. Oppression is condemnable when it is
inflicted as well as when it is tolerated. The natural tendency of human beings is to love and
not to hate. Therefore, the chains of hatred that bind the oppressor and the chains that deprive
anyone of his rights, must be broken.
Message
Love and compassion are inborn while hatred is acquired. Therefore, the flame of goodness
and love in man can never be extinguished. He believes that liberation from bondage is
essential for both the oppressed and the oppressor since slavery robs them both of their
humanity. Courage does not stand for absence of fear, but it actually lies in overcoming fear.
Q1. Answer the following.
a) What did Mandela realize about his brothers and sisters? [CBSE 2012] (20 – 30 words)
b) What did Mandela think for oppressor and oppressed? [CBSE 2011] (40 – 50 words)
Q:Draw character sketch of Nelson Mandela .
Value points(use the given hints and frame your answer)
● Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first black President after more than three
centuries of white rule.
● Nelson Mandela was born in a family with adequate means.
● As a child he was free to do whatever he liked as long as he was obedient and honoured
the customs of his tribe.
● On growing up, he acquired education and realised that the freedom enjoyed by him in
his childhood was a myth. He found himself and his countrymen bound by racial
oppression and discrimination.
● Nelson Mandela refers to the apartheid policy of the white race against the black people
as “an extraordinary human disaster”.
● Mandela was a courageous person and did not fear anything. He had immense will
power to undergo a long and difficult struggle for almost eight decades before he won
freedom for his countrymen.
● Mandela always said that the political freedom was the result of sacrifices of thousands
of the black people who fought for that. He said that it could not be repaid. He thought
himself as the sum of all of those African patriots
● He was a humble man with gratitude in his heart for all those who had kept the flame of
freedom struggle alive before he carried on their legacy.
 ● As a dedicated leader of the African National Congress, Mandela worked all his life for
peace and humanity. His resilience and selflessness earned hi love and respect from the
whole world.
● His views, that even the oppressor requires to be liberated from the chains of hatred that
bind him, indicate that he was an apostle of love and harmony.
Not to be done in notebook
Q2. Answer the following.
a) What meaning did Nelson Mandela find in the word ‘freedom’ as a boy and as a
student? How does he contrast the meaning of these transitory freedom with the basic
and honourable freedom?
Nelson Mandela shares a few of his bitter experiences during his struggle against apartheid
along with the overwhelming emotions he experienced when a democratic era was finally
ushered in after years of struggle.
As a boy, he had an illusion about freedom. He thought he was born free. He was free to run in
the fields near his mother’s hut or to swim in the clear stream that ran through his village. His
sense of freedom was limited to his own enjoyment. As long as he obeyed his father and abided
by the customs of his tribe, his freedom wasn’t restricted by the laws of a man or God.
As a student, he wanted freedom only for himself, the transitory freedom of being able to stay
out at night, read what he pleased and go where he wanted to. Later, as a young man in
Johannesburg, he yearned for the basic and honourable freedoms of achieving his potential,
marrying, having family and living a lawful life and earning his keep. Earning honest
livelihood for the daily bread gets an honourable existence in the family and in the society
He builds a contrast between these two freedoms by stating that the transitory freedoms he
wanted were limited to him, whereas the honourable freedoms had to do more with his and his
people’s position in the society.
The freedom of each one of his brothers and sisters had been curtailed. At this juncture Nelson
Mandela joined the African National Congress since the hunger for his own freedom became
the greater hunger for the freedom of his people.
c) What did Nelson Mandela remember on the day of the inaugural ceremony? [CBSE 2020]
(40 – 50 words)
On the day of the inaugural ceremony, Nelson Mandela was filled with a sense of history.
Enumerating the sacrifices of the freedom fighters and he says that he felt like he was simply
the sum of all those African patriots. He remembered the history - the birth of Apartheid, its
effect on his people and long fight for freedom.
 His First Flight

- Liam O’Flaherty

Theme

His first flight is based on the theme that self-belief and confidence can be brought about
through motivation. The parents of the seagull had tried in different ways to push him to learn
the art of flying. When all efforts failed, the mother achieved success by tactfully helping her
child conquer fear and take the plunge. After overcoming a momentary feeling of fear, the
young bird finally experienced great joy in completing his maiden flight.

Message

His first flight conveys the message that self-reliance is very important and parents should
encourage their children to have a strong belief. They should know that in order to overcome
fear the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. The mother seagull persuades the young one to
get him to learn flying. This finally makes the baby seagull take the plunge and he flaps his
wings away freely and independently.

Q1.Answer the following in 30 – 40 words

a) Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? [CBSE Term 1, 2011]

b) How did the young seagull try to draw the attention of his family? [CBSE Term 1,
2012]

Q2. Answer the following in 100-120 words.

a) ‘All parental acts are for the betterment of the children’. Justify this statement and
discuss the importance of family, by taking points from the lesson ‘His First Flight’.

There is no doubt about it ‘All parental acts are for the betterment of the children’. It is the
ardent wish of every parent to teach all skills to their young ones so that they may succeed in
life. At times, they have to indulge in scolding, taunting and humiliating them, however their
main aim is to encourage their children to shed off their apprehensions to succeed in any kind
of enterprise.

This is exactly what the parents of the young seagull did. His parents knew that flying for
seagull was a basic necessity without which he could not survive. They were successful in
teaching the art of flying to his two brothers and sister. They also tried their best to embolden
the seagull to take the plunge. When the encouragement and coaxing didn’t work, they rebuked
and ridiculed him.

Particularly, the mother-seagull went on flying around him with a piece of fish in her beak. It
was her attempt to tempt her starving son to dive at the fish and she succeeded in her aim. The
young seagull did dive for the fish and it led to his success in the end. When the seagull had
his first flight, he as well as his family was happy, relieved and proud of him to have completed
his first flight. His father flew over him screaming and his two brothers and little sister flew
around him coveting, banking, soaring and diving. The beckoned him after landing on the
green flooring and screamed around him when he began to float successfully. They praised him
by offering him scraps of dogfish.

‘His First Flight’ is a story of hesitations and fears and finally getting success in the end. It is
an interesting story of a timid seagull learning the art of flying. His diving at the fish due to
hunger proved a blessing in disguise. After a shaky start, he spread out his wings and started
flying upwards and downwards and took his first flight.

The author gives a message that no one attains success instantly. Repeated efforts lead a person
to success. To accept and successfully face challenges, one must be fearless, determined and
have clarity of thought and action and the support of those around us can play a big role, as in
the seagull’s case.

b) ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’. How does the saying stand true in context of the
story ‘His first flight’?

The saying ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’, stands absolutely true in the context of the
story ‘His first flight’. The young Seagull learnt the art of flying only after it became necessary
for him to satisfy his hunger.

His parents had tried to motivate and coax him by encouraging, cajoling, upbraiding, scolding,
patting and threatening. Still he could not get over his fear of falling down to the sea and ran
back to his hole whenever he looked at the sea from the brink of the ledge. As a bird, flying
was his natural talent but he was so afraid to take the plunge that he could not discover it. In
the end it was the necessity to get food which made him ignore his fear and dive at the fish that
his mother held her beak.

He achieved success in learning the art of flying only when he had to flap his wings after
falling off the ledge. Again it was the necessity to save himself from falling into the sea deep
below that helped the young seagull to find his potential. Thus, for the young Seagull necessity
becomes the mother of invention.
 Black Aeroplane

- Fredrick Forsyth

Theme

The story is based on the theme that there is a divine power that controls and guides human
effort. The pilot of the Dakota could not have asked for an easier flight when he started from
Paris. However, the sudden change in the flying conditions brings him close to death. It is at
this time that a guide plane appears mysteriously and rescues him. This plane disappears as
mysteriously as it had appeared, but it rescues the life of the narrator. So, the courage of the
pilot to fly to safety is guided by supernatural elements or maybe his inner strength gave him
the courage and it manifested into a black aeroplane.

Message

The story conveys the message that courage guided by faith. The pilot of the Dakota plane was
an experienced flier but he panicked when he got engulfed by the black storm. Still, he kept
trying to reach to safety with the help of the guiding instruments in his plane. When all the
instruments too got jammed, he suddenly found a mysterious black plane that guided him. It
was perhaps the pilot’s courage that gave him faith and he managed to find his way out of the
storm. So faith is very important to guide courage in the proper direction. The story also gives
the message that one must never give up in the face of adverse time.

Q1. Answer the following in 30 – 40 words.

a) Why was the writer happy when he decided to fly in the night?

The writer was very happy when he decided to fly that night because he was going home to his
family to enjoy his holiday. When he started, everything seemed to be perfect. The sky was
clear, no clouds could be seen and the stars were shining. It all made it an easy task for the
writer to fly that night over the sleeping countryside of Paris. His assumption of everything
being in place made him happy.

b) How did the writer get out of the storm in the night to land safely? [CBSE 2016]

Q2. Answer the following in 100 – 120 words.

a) Why does the narrator say, ‘I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old
Dakota’?

The narrator was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota, because he had just had a brush
with death. His safe landing was nothing short of a miracle. His visibly ‘safe flight’ actually
turned out to be a harrowing experience when a storm cost him to lose control over his plane
and left all the safety devices dead too.

The fury of the cloud-storm that he had headed into was beyond his capacity to manage. He
was totally dependent on the ability of his plane to take him to safety but the machine failed at
the most crucial time. Had another plane not helped him mysteriously, his old Dakota perhaps
would never have landed safely. So the narrator was not at all sorry to dash away from his
Dakota that could have become the cause of his death.

Q. Do the two stories namely ‘His first flight’ and ‘The black aeroplane’ suggest that God
helps those who help themselves’?

The two stories certainly suggest that God is always on the side of those who strive to change
their destiny by committed hard work. Success comes to those who have the courage to take a
risk.

The young seagull, maddened by hunger, risked his life and jumped at the fish in his mother's
beak. Having missed his target, he starts falling down but he did not give up. He tried his best
and providence came to his rescue helping him to discover his natural flair to fly.

The adventurous pilot too, chose to dare the storm. His miscalculation about the enormity of
the situation entangled him in a very risky situation. However, he tried his best to make use of
all that was available at hand. Just when he lost hope of survival, Got sent the mysterious black
aeroplane to guide him to safety.

Together, it is the courage and faith that enrich both these experiences and God’s help reaches
as soon as their individual efforts begin. So, it is rightly said that God helps those who help
themselves.
 Glimpses of India

‘A Baker from Goa’ is based on the theme that a Baker is a legacy of the Portuguese and is of
vital importance in a traditional Goan village. The author wants to impress upon the reader that
every area state or a region has one peculiarity or another, which is not known by most people.
The author also suggests to revive and preserve our old traditions that add to the rich diversity
of India.

The theme of Coorg is the unique richness of this place, and its people, the Coorgis who are the
pride of India. The flora and fauna of this place are a treat to watch. The writer gives a message
of unity in diversity. He shows that it is possible for any community to be part of a mainstream
and yet maintain its unique Identity.

Aruba Kumar Gupta through the travelogue from Assam wants to acquaint his reader with a
few facts like contribution of Assam and its share in the supply of tea. Pranjol does a lot of
research before he goes to the tea estate, managed by Pranjol's father. It shows that doing one's
homework before any new venture is a very valuable activity.

Question to be done in the notebook

Q. In the chapter, ‘A Baker from Goa’ the narrator talks about his childhood in
Goa and his fond memories. Compare the childhood of Nelson Mandela with that of the
narrator.

Q2 Goan bread, Coorg culture and Assam tea - all have foreign origins but have
assimilated into Indian culture and traditions. Do you agree? Give reasons in support of
your answer. (sample answer)

There is no denying the fact that Goan bread, Coorgi culture and Assam tea - all have foreign
origins but have assimilated into Indian culture and traditions. The Goan bread is the legacy
that the Portuguese invaders and erstwhile rulers of Goa have left behind. Coorg got its culture
of valour and customs from the Greeks or the Arabs. The Assam tea, too, came to India from
China.

Although each of these items travelled to us from other parts of the world but now they are an
essential part of our life. A traditional Goan village cannot imagine life without 'paders' and
their Portuguese way of baking special loaves. Coorgis have cultures and customs distinct from
the mainstream Hindus but they form one of the most decorated units of Indian Army. Assam
has the largest concentration of tea plantation in the world. All these places have their unique
identity but are essentially Indian in character.

a) Do you agree when the author says ‘the presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is
absolutely essential’?
The presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is absolutely essential since no social or
religious activity in a Goan village is considered complete without the inclusion of bakery
items. Bol is served as a marriage gift; a party or a feast does not have charm without bread;
sandwiches are prepared for a daughter’s engagement; and cakes and bolinhas are essential for
Christmas and other festivals.

b) ‘Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the old days. ‘Why does the author form
this opinion?

The author forms this opinion because the baker, his family and servants used to look happy
and prosperous in the old days. They never starved and the baker’s plump physique proved that
his profession was a profitable one.

c) What does ‘a jackfruit like’ appearance mean? Why is a person with such appearance
compared to a baker?

A ‘jackfruit like’ appearance means that a person has a plump physique and a round belly. Any
person with such an appearance is compared to a baker because in the good old days baking
was a profitable profession and a baker used to be a prosperous, plump man with a happy
family and servants.

Coorg

a) What are the two stories about the origin of Coorgis?

One theory says that Coorgis have descended from Greeks. According to it, a part of
Alexander’s army drifted down south to Coorg when return became impossible. They married
locals and settled down. The other theory talks about the Arab origin since the traditional long,
black coat with an embroidered waist belt, kuppia, worn by Coorgis resembles the kuffia worn
by the Arabs and Kurds.

b) The people of Coorg are full of valour. Discuss.

Lokesh Abrol’s account tells us that Coorg homes have a tradition of hospitality. They take
pride in their valour and recount numerous tales of bravery related to their sons and fathers.
The Coorg regiment of the Indian Army is one of the most decorated ones and the first Chief of
Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even now, Kodavus are the only Indians
permitted to carry firearms without a license.

Tea from Assam

a) Why was Rajvir excited to see a tea garden but Pranjol was not ?

Rajveer was excited to see a tea garden because he was amazed at the vast expanse of tea
bushes stretched against the backdrop of densely wooded hills. He had never seen such a view
in his life before. Pranjol, however, did not seem much excited because he was born and
brought up on a plantation. The natural beauty of this place was a familiar sight for him.

b) Why do you think the author calls the 'smoke bellowing building' as ugly?

The author calls the 'smoke bellowing building' as ugly because it looks very odd with its
chimneys amid the natural greenery all around it. It also looked ugly since its chimneys were
emitting smoke which polluted the otherwise clean atmosphere of the plantation.

c) What is the Chinese legend regarding tea? What does the Indian legend say about the
discovery of tea?

Tea is said to have been discovered by a Chinese Emperor who always boiled water before
drinking. Once, a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water giving it a
delicious flavour, these were tea leaves. That is how tea was discovered in China.

According to the Indian legend, a Buddhist ascetic, Bodhidharma, had cut off his eyelids
because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of those eyelids. The leaves
of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep.
 Mijbil the Otter
Gavin Maxwell
Theme
The account ‘Mijbil the Otter’ is based on the theme that keeping a pet is a serious
responsibility, especially if the pet is an unusual animal like an otter. The author, Gavin
Maxwell, introduces the reader to the habitat of this quaint animal, its characteristic love for
water, its playful nature, and its love for toys. He also informs that otters are intelligent enough
to invent games of their own and are very affectionate.
Message
The chapter ‘Mijbil the Otter” gives its readers the message that animals respond to love and
tender care shown to them by human beings. The author wins over the confidence of Mijbil, his
pet otter, be looking after him in an affectionate and loving way. He ensures the otter’s safety
and provides him a suitable environment. Gradually a strong bond of trust and love is built
between the animal and his owner that brings immense mutual joy.
Short answers
1. Describe Mijbil’s appearance as he first emerged from the sack.
The otter’s first appearance seemed to Maxwell like a very small, medievally conceived
dragon. He was coated with symmetrical pointed scales of mud armour from his head to his tip
of his tail. His soft velvet like fur like that of a chocolate brown mole was hardly visible under
the cover of mud.
2. Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?
Most people did not know about the species of otters until Maxwell brought Mijbil to England.
In fact his race was previously unknown to science. Since it was spotted for the first time with
Maxwell, zoologists called it Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell’s otter.
Long answer
1. What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly and loving
animal who needs love?
There is no doubt that Mij is an intelligent, friendly and a fun loving childlike animal who is
also affectionate. His intelligence is proved from the fact that he does not surrender himself to
the author till he finds him trustworthy. He stays aloof and away from him for twenty four
hours. The ping pong ball game that he invents for himself also shows that he is intelligent. His
ability to turn on the taps with his paws is another evidence of the brilliance of his mind. They
have a strong sense of survival and try hard to protect themselves. They have the capability to
invent their own games and are curious to learn new things.
His fun loving nature is revealed when he splashes water by plunging and rolling in the
bathtub. This aspect of his nature becomes clearer when he ambushes the sliding ping pong ball
and hides from it to take it by surprise.
His warm friendliness is obvious throughout the entire story. They are cautious while
befriending human beings but once they begin to trust , they develop permanent affection and
friendship. The way he bounds on the author’s knees in the plane and nuzzles his face and neck
show that he is friendly and loving. In due course of time they start responding to their names.
They eat fish and can be trained like dogs.
1.RTC
When I returned, there was an appalling spectacle. There was complete silence from the
box…
A) Who is ‘I’ in these lines? Where had he/ she returned from?
‘I’ here is Maxwell, the author of the chapter ‘Mijbil the Otter’. He had returned to his room
after having taking a hurried meal.
b) Which box does the speaker talk about here?
Maxwell talks about the small box in which he had put Mijbil before leaving the room to take a
hurried meal.
c) Why was there complete silence from the box?
There was complete silence from the box because Mijbil had injured himself while attempting
to come out of it. Perhaps, he was now both tired and scared.
d) Which ‘appalling spectacle’ is the speaker referring to?
Maxwell is referring to the appalling spectacle when he saw dried blood that had trickled out of
the air holes and chinks of the box in which he had put Mij before leaving his room to have a
hurried dinner.
e) Write the synonym of the word appalling.
The synonym of the word appalling is dreadful.
2. Why and how did the author’s friend help him in getting an otter?
Maxwell had casually mentioned to his friend that he planned to keep an otter as a pet in place
of a dog and felt that Camusfearna, his hometown, would be suitable for this experiment. His
friend knew that the Tigris marshes had abundant otters, so he arranged one for Max with the
help of two Arabs.
3. What arrangements did the author make to take Mijbil along with him to England?
The British airlines does not fly animals, so Max booked a flight to Paris and from there to
London. This airline insisted that Mij should be put in a box not more than eighteen inches
square and placed at Max’s feet during the flight. So, max got this box in order to transport Mij
to England.
4. In London which interesting game did Mijbil invent with a ping pong ball? (2016)
Mijbil invented a ping pong ball game. He used a damaged suitcase with a slanting lid for this.
He would roll the ball from the high end down the length of the suitcase. Before the ball went
down the slope, he would dash around to the other end and stop it, hide from it, crouching to
spring up and take it by surprise. Then he would grab it and trot off with it to the high end
again.
5. What happened to Mij before the flight to Paris? What commotion did he create in the
aircraft?
After having finished his work in Basra, Maxwell decided to return to London. But he was
faced with the difficulty to transport Mijbil with him since the British airways did not fly
animals. Maxwell then booked a flight to Paris with another airline and from there to London.
This airline however, told Maxwell to put Mij in an eighteen inches square box made and put
Mijbil in it an hour before leaving the airport to familiarize him to the closed box.
Mij, however, didn’t like this confined place and struggled to get out. I doing so, he ripped the
inner lining of the box to shreds and hurt himself badly. Max spent some time removing all
sharp shreds and carried Mij in the same box to the airport. In the plane, on the airhostess’
suggestion, max opened the box to carry Mij on his knees. But, the otter rushed out towards
other passengers the minute the box was opened. It created a lot of commotion in the plane. A
scared woman got on her seat and screamed “A rat! A rat! “And there were shrieks and
squawks all over. Max tried to dive at Mij to catch him but missed the otter and landed with his
face in the curry. However , the kind airhostess calmed down Max and told him to get seated
while she tried to get back Mij.A while later , the naughty otter returned to Max and bound to
his knee making a distressed chitter and nuzzling his face and neck.
Thus, the eventful journey from Basra to London via Paris became a memorable one not only
for Maxwell but also for his co- passengers.
 Madam rides the bus
- K S Sundaram
-
Message : Amongst all the banter and light-hearted situations, the story gives us the serious
and philosophical message about the mystery of life and death. It tells that life is beautiful,
while death is horrifying. The death of the cow makes the girl realise the transience of life and
the inevitability of death. However, the story makes it clear that the life never comes to a
standstill, it goes on and on, endlessly and rhythmically.

Q1. RTC
Valli found the woman absolutely repulsive — such big holes she had in her ear lobes,
and such ugly earrings in them! And she could smell the betel nut the woman was
chewing and see the betel juice that was threatening to spill over her lips at any moment.
Ugh! — who could be sociable with such a person?
Yes, I’m travelling alone,” she answered ……..

a) In which tone does the speaker answer and why?

Valli answered curtly to the elderly woman because she believed that she could manage on her
own. Being fiercely independent, she disliked the idea of taking help or being instructed just
because she was a child. She thought she was grown up enough to take care of herself.

b) What does the above statement infer about Valli’s personality?

Valli's statement shows that she has an exceptional self-confidence. This sense of confidence
may sound her rude and curt at times, but on the whole she is a delightful child.

c) Which word from the extract would correctly substitute the phrase ‘causing strong
dislike’?
_________________

d) Was Valli justified in considering the woman to be repulsive?

No, I don't think Valli was justified in considering the woman to be repulsive. One must not
accept or reject a person on the basis of his or her looks.

Q2. Answer the following in 40 to 50 words

a) Why did Valli have to make so many calculations before driving the bus?
Valli required a sum of sixty paise for her bus ride to the town and back to the village. She
made elaborate calculations, re calculations, plans and pre-plans about how she could fulfill her
overwhelming desire to ride the bus. The sum of sixty paise was as such a very meagre but for
Valli , who hardly ever got to see so much money , it was a fortune. Hence, she had to make
such calculations.

b) Do you think the bus journey made Valli wiser and more knowledgeable?
Any new experience makes a person wiser and more knowledgeable. A trip to the town
certainly added to Valli's knowledge. Moreover, she became wiser because she had seen the
difference between life and death. A little while ago she had seen the same cow running for her
life ahead of the bus, and now it was found lying lifeless and still. The body of 'the cow lying
dead by the roadside' inducted Valli into the mystery of death.

Q3. Answer the following in 120 – 150 words

a) How did Valli conduct herself during her bus journey? Do you think 'Madam rides the
bus' is an apt title for the story?
One fine spring afternoon, after having secured the bus fare, Valli walked up to the point where
the bus turned into the main highway. As the bus approached her, she shouted commandingly
for the bus to stop. A bit too excited at the prospect of fulfilling a long cherished desire, she
was beside herself (frenzied/ mad) with joy.

As she was about to step into the bus, the conductor of the bus offered to assist her. However,
Valli, who considered eight years to be an age where an individual could look after oneself,
declined his offer. Very conscious of the fact that she had paid for her ticket, she didn't want to
be bossed around by anyone. She snubbed the elderly man who advised her not to stand on her
seat. She formed a negative opinion about the elderly woman who sat near her and constantly
poked her with her questions. Her conduct and way of speaking amuses others in the bus and
the conductor jokingly addressed her as 'Madam'. On reaching the town, she chose to remain
seated in the bus and refused to listen to the conductor's advice to get off and go over to the
stalls or take a cold drink. Hence, Valli conducted herself very confidently and independently
without allowing anyone to dictate to her.

'Madam Rides the Bus' is a befitting title for the story. Valli is just an eight year old girl, but
she conducts herself like a woman. She turns down the conductor's offer to help her climb the
bus and snubs everyone who tries to counsel her. Her woman-like behaviour earns her the title
'Madam' from the conductor. The core action of the story remains the bus ride undertaken by
Valli, the Madam. Therefore, the title aptly puts spotlight on 'Madam' Valli and her experience
of the bus ride.

Question Bank (not to be written in the notebook)

a) why did Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?
Valli had no desire to look out of the window on her way back because the memory of a young
cow lying dead by the roadside haunted her. What was so beautiful a little while ago had turned
into a ghastly sight. Her enthusiasm was dampened and she sat glued to her seat until the bus
reached a village.

b) Why did Valli decline the conductor's offer to get her a cold drink?
Valli declined the cold drink because she was a self-respecting girl who knew how to say a firm
'No' and resist temptations. Even though the conductor volunteered to offer a drink free of
charge, she declined to accept any obligation.

c) Give the character sketch of Valli.

Valliammai, or Valli for short, is an eight year old girl and the central character of the story.
She has many qualities that make her an amazing young person. She is a happy child, although
she does not have any playmates.
 She is very observant and keeps watching the scenes in the street outside her house. The same
sense of observation is perceptible (obvious / clear) when she views the interiors of the bus, the
scene outside the window, the sight of the cow in panic, the scene of the town market, and the
cow lying dead by the side of the road.

Valli is essentially a dreamer who makes efforts to realise her dreams. She dreams of going on
a bus journey to the nearest town and plans it intelligently. She saves money for it and executes
her plan neatly without her mother getting even a hint of it.

Valli has a very confident and nonchalant demeanour. Her speech exudes (radiate) confidence
that looks odd but fascinating for a girl of her age. She considers herself grown up, and speaks
with the conductor and fellow passengers with panache (energy and style).

However, she easily gets annoyed and irritated if other people poke their noses in her business
and ask her too many questions. In particular, she chooses to give the old woman passenger a
piece of a mind when the latter keeps probing her. At times, she appears to be rude, haughty
and commanding but at heart she is very sensitive and fun loving.

She is easily affected by what goes on around her. If the sight of the cow running in panic with
its tail up in the air can fill her with joy, she becomes very serious and sad on seeing the same
cow dead by the roadside.

Valli plans cleverly and saves meticulously for her bus ride. She practices her self-control and
resists all sorts of temptations in order to save enough money for the bus ride. Her plan of a
journey is flawless and her ability to take care of herself is exceptional. She has the courage to
say 'no' whenever necessary, the way she turns down the conductor's offer of a cold drink.

Overall Valli is a delightful girl who is intelligent, mature and capable of looking after herself.
She is cheerful and curious by nature and has her way with the people as well as a plans.