Gujarat Board GSEB Solutions Class 11 English Second Language Supplementary Reader Flamingo Summary Writing Questions and Answers.

GSEB Std 11 English Supplementary Reader Flamingo Summary Writing (2nd Language)

Read the following passage and write its summary. Also suggest a suitable title to it.

Read 1 : Think Pink, Think Flamingo

Two species of flamingo – Greater Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo are found in Gujarat. Instantly recognizable in flocks of hundreds to tens of thousands, the Lesser flamingo has a long neck and long legs, a bent bill (beak) and a large body.

Shorter and darker pink than the Greater flamingo. Lesser flamingos also differ in the colouration of it’s beak. Lesser flamingos have a deep red bill, tipped with black, whereas the bill of Greater flamingos light pink, tipped with black. The Lesser flamingo has faint pink feathers and deep dark legs. The eyes are yellow to orange and are surrounded by a maroon ring.

Males are slightly taller than females, and young ones have brown feathers and a dark grey beak. Greater flamingo is the largest species of flamingo, averaging 110-150 cm tall and weighing 2-4 kg. The largest male flamingos have been recorded at up to 187 cm tall and 4.5 kg. The oldest known greater flamingo in Australia is at least 75-years-old. The bird’s exact age is not known.

Summary: There are two species of flamingo found in Gujarat-Greater Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo. The Lesser Flamingo has a long neck and long legs, a bent, dark red bill and a large s body. They have faint pink feathers and deep dark legs and eyes yellow to orange surrounded by a maroon ring. Males are slightly taller than females, and young ones have brown feathers and dark grey beaks. The Greater flamingo is the largest species of flamingo, averaging 110 – 150 cm tall and of 2 to 4 kg in weight. Their age may go up to 75 years.

Title: Identify Greater Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo
OR
All Pink for Flamingos

Read 2 : Penguin, My Friend

1. Males are less in number than females, so females fight with one another for males but males are loyal to their partners. For almost eight months they live together. The parents care for their only egg very much against chilling weather, temperature less than -40 °C. It is May and cooler than before. They keep their eggs between their feet and covered under extended skin. After laying eggs the mothers have lost a lot of energy and one third of their body weight.

So they have to go to the ocean for food to survive, walking miles together. The females transfer the eggs to the males to keep between their feet. The process needs a lot of practice and patience. The fathers are now in charge of hatching the eggs – protecting, caring and warming them. They have to be in such position for a minimum of two months. They prove themselves worthy husbands and fathers.

Summary: Males are less in number than females, so females fight with one another for males but males are loyal to their partners. After laying eggs, the mothers lose a lot of energy and one third of their body weight, so walking miles together, they have to go to the ocean for food to survive. Then the hatching job goes in charge of fathers. They keep on protecting, caring and warming the (eggs continuously for two months. Thus, they prove themselves worthy husbands and fathers.

Title: Penguins-Loyal Partners
OR
Worthy Husbands and Fathers

2. Kandarp : Well, You feel hot because we have made our habitat very hot. But what about your habitat?
Penguin : Our native is Southern Hemisphere. Our major population is found in Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand and ! South Africa. It is not so that we live in only cold climate.
Kandarp : I have observed that you all differ in size.
Penguin : See, we are of different types. Among us the emperor penguins are the largest with 3.7 feet standing height and weigh around 40 kg. The smallest ones are the fairy penguins with only ‘! 16 inches and 1kg weight.
Kandarp : I have a small question for this little Pengi. Pengl, what do you feel about your colour. In this colourful world, don’t you look like an old TV, black and white?
Pengi : I will have yellow strip when I grow. We warm up by turning our dark coloured backs to the sun. We are unique, aren’t we ?

Summary: Penguins’ native is Southern Hemisphere. Their major population is found in Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. They differ in size ranging from only 16 inches to 3.7 feet standing height, and from 1 kg to around 40 kg in weight. They are black and white -and have a yellow strip when they grow. They warm up by turning our dark coloured backs to the sun. Thus, they are unique creatures.

Title: Penguins-Unique Creatures
OR
Cool, Cool, Black and White Penguins

3. Kandarp : Any message for mankind?
Penguin : Yes, I was very much shocked when I heard about female foeticide (killing human before birth). We have more females than males. The second thing, I was shocked to know about was HIV. We don’t have it because we are loyal to our life partners. A penguin keeps the same mate for life time.
Kandarp : Is there anything you can learn from us?
Penguin : No, not much. We live, we want to live and we should live a natural life. If we adopt your technology we will be killed. If we use room heaters, the oceans will overflow. Yet I have observed one thing. Your government is trying to reduce infant mortality. We have to learn from you about it. Our longetivity is 15 to 20 years. But around 90% of our children die before they complete 1 year. Gulls (sea birds) eat 40% of African penguin eggs. When in the water, we may be eaten by leopard seals, fur seals, sea lions, sharks or killer whales.

Summary: Penguins have more females than males. A penguin keeps the same mate for life time. They live a natural life. They fear to adopt human technology. If they use room heaters, the oceans will overflow. Their longetivity is 15 to 20 years, but around 90% of their children die before they complete 1 year. Gulls eat up 40% of African penguin eggs. In the water, they may be eaten by leopard seals, fur seals, sea lions, sharks or killer whales.

Title: No Foeticide, No HIV
OR
Helpless against Mortality Ratio

Read 3 : My Greatest Olympic Prize

1. It was the summer of 1936. The Olympic Games were being held in Berlin. I wasn’t worried about all this. I’d trained, sweated and disciplined myself for six years, with the Games in mind. While I was going over on the boat, all I could think about was taking home one or two of those gold medals; I had my eye especially on the long jump. A year before I’d set the world record of 26 feet 8 (frac{1}{4}) inches. Everyone expected me to win that Olympic event hands down (without difficulty).

I was in for a surprise. When the time came for the long jump trials, I was startled (surprised) to see a tall boy hitting the pit (jumping) at almost 26 feet on his practice leaps. He turned out to be a German named Luz Long. Every German was evidently hoping that he would win the jump. I too was determined to go out there and really prove myself.

An angry athlete is an athlete who will make mistakes, as any coach will tell you. I was no exception. On the first of my three qualifying jumps, I leaped from several inches beyond the take-off board for a no-jump (foul). On the second jump, I was even worse. “Did I come 3000 miles for this?” I thought bitterly. “To fall in the trials and make a fool of myself ?”

Summary: The writer was quite confident to bring home one or two of those gold medals as he had trained, sweated and disciplined himself for six years for these games. But at the long jump trials, he was startled to find a German named Luz Long jumping at almost 26 feet on his practice leaps. And he was greatly disturbed. His anger led him to two consecutive fouls and he started thinking if he had come 3000 miles for falling in the trials and making a fool of himself.

Title: Anger Ruins Everything
OR
Making a Fool of Oneself?
OR
I’m Afraid, Will Long Win Long (Jump) ?

2. For the next few minutes, we walked together. I didn’t tell Long what was ‘eating’ me, but he seemed to understand my anger, and he took pains to reassure me. An inch taller than I, he had a lean muscular frame, clear blue eyes, fair hair and a strikingly handsome face. Finally seeing I had calmed down, he pointed to the take-off (jumping) board.

“Look,” he said, “why don’t you draw a line a few inches behind the board and aim at making your take-off from there? You’ll be sure not to foul, and you certainly ought to jump far enough to qualify. What does it matter if you’re not first in trails? Tomorrow is what counts.”

Suddenly all the tension seemed to ebb out (ease) of my body as the truth of what he said hit me. Confidently, I drew a line a full foot behind the board and jumped from there. I qualified with almost a foot to spare.
Summary : Long was trying to understand what was eating the writer-Jesse Owens. When he saw that Owens had calmed down, he pointed to the take-off board and suggested that he should draw a line a few inches behind the board and aim at making his take-off from there. He wouldn’t be foul and it would not matter if he was not first in trials. Owens’s tension ebbed out, he drew a line a full foot behind the board and jumped from there. He qualified with almost a foot to spare.

Title: A Qualifying Suggestion
OR
Ease out and Achieve

Read 4 : Determination

1. The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway, a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington was injured and with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move.
“We told them so.”
“It’s foolish to chase wild visions.”

Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped (no longer practical or useful) since the Roeblings were V the only the ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap Washington was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever.

He tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to some of his friends, but they were too daunted (felt nervous and less confident) by the task. As he lay on his bed in his hospital room, with the sunlight streaming (continuous flow) through the windows, a gentle breeze blew the flimsy (not strong enough for the purpose) white curtains apart and he was able to see the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment.

Summary: The project started well, but while the work being underway, a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. His son, Washington, was injured and because of brain damage, he became unable to walk or talk or even move. Everyone felt that the project should be scrapped. But Washington was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever. He tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to some of his friends, but they were too daunted by the task. Washington started pondering over to find some way out.

Title : The Show must Go on
OR
Washington-Physically Disabled but Mentally Able

2. It seemed that there was a message for him not to give up. Suddenly an idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife.

He touched his wife’s arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again.

For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife’s arm, until the bridge was finally completed. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph (a great success) of one man’s indomitable (difficult to defeat) spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances.

It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in a man who was considered mad by half the world. It stands too as a tangible (that can be clearly seen to exist) monument to the love and devotion of his wife who for 13 long years patientiy decoded the messages of her husband and told the engineers what to do.

Summary: Washington could move only one finger. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife. Using that finger he indicated to call the engineers, and conveyed them due instructions to start the work again. For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife’s arm, until the bridge was finally completed and the result is the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge.

It is a tribute to the triumph of one man’s indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in a disabled man. It stands too as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife, who for 13 long years, patiently decoded the messages.

Title: Brooklyn Bridge-a Tribute to Man’s Indomitable Spirit

Read 5 : Can You Install Love ?

CS Rep. : No problem. LOVE will automatically erase PASTHURT.EXE from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but it will no longer disrupt (interrupt) other programs. LOVE will eventually (finally) overwrite LOWESTEEM.EXE with a s module (section) of its own called HIGHESTEEM.EXE.

However, you have to completely turn off GRUDGE.- EXE and RESENTMENT.COM. Those programs prevent LOVE from being properly installed. Can you turn those off ma’am ?

Customer : I don’t know how to turn them off.
Can you tell me how?
CS Rep. : My pleasure. Go to your Start menu and invoke (appeal to) FORGIVENESS.EXE. Do this as many times as necessary until GRUDGE.- EXE and RESENTMENT.COM have been completely erased.

Summary:Love can automatically erase past- hurt for ever. Love will eventually replace high esteem with low esteem. Grudge and resentment may prove to be obstacles on the path of love, so one should keep alert against them. Forgiveness can prove to be sure cure to erase grudge and resentment.

Title: Installing Love

Read 7 : If We are Together …

1. The first leg of our planned three year, 1,05,000 kilometre journey passed pleasantly. We sailed down the west coast of Africa to Cape Town. There, before heading east, we took on two crewmen -American Larry Vigil and Swiss Herb Seigler-to help us tackle one of the world’s roughest seas, the Southern Indian Ocean.

On our second day out of Cape Town, we began to encounter strong gales (storms). The size of the waves was alarming-up to 15 metres, as high as our main mast. At dawn (early morning) on January 2, the waves were gigantic. We were sailing with only a small jib (a small triangular sail) and were still making eight knots (units of speed). As the ship- rose to the top of each wave we could see endless seas rolling towards us, and the screaming of the wind and spray was painful to the ears. Then we slowed the boat down and put on our life-jackets.

Summary : The first leg of their planned three jj year 1,05,000 kilometre journey, from the west coast of Africa to Cape Town, passed pleasantly. Before heading east, they took on two crewmen to help them tackle one of the world’s roughest seas, the Southern Indian Ocean. On their second day, they began to encounter strong gales-alarming waves- rising up to their main mast. The next morning, when they were on a small jib, hardly sailing at eight knots, the waves were gigantic and the screaming wind and spray was painful to the ears. They had to slow down the boat and put on their life-jackets.

Title : Encounter with Sea

2. I could find no words with which to respond, but I left the children’s cabin determined to fight the sea with everything I had. To protect * the weakened starboard side, I decided to turn the undamaged part of the ship facing the oncoming waves. I used the anchor of heavy nylon rope and two 22 litre plastic barrels of paraffin (wax).

That evening, Mary and I sat together holding hands, as the motion of the ship brought more and more water in through the broken planks. We both felt the end was very near. But Wavewalker rode out the storm and by the morning of January 6, with the wind easing, we were somewhere in 1,50,000 kilometres of ocean looking for a 65 kilometre-wide island.

While I was thinking, Sue, moving painfully, joined me. The left side of her head was now very swollen and her blackened eyes narrowed to slits. She gave me a card she had made.

Summary : The writer left the children’s cabin ! determining to fight the sea with everything he had. He tried by all means to protect the weakened starboard side. As the motion of the ship brought more and more water in through the broken planks, he and his wife felt the end was very near. But their jj boat rode out the storm and they felt eased. His ! wife Sue’s head was very swollen and her blackened eyes narrowed to slits.

Title : Face to Face with Death in the Sea
OR
Experiencing Frown of Nature

Read 8 : Orpheus and Euridice

1. Once upon a time there lived a great musician in Greece. His name was Orpheus. He could play beautifully on his lyre (a musical instrument). He could produce wonderful tunes. When he played on his lyre, even wild animals stopped to listen to his music.

Orpheus had a beautiful wife. Her name was Euridice. Orpheus and Euridice loved each other deeply. They could not live without each other. For hours together Orpheus played on his lyre and Euridice sat listening. “I can’t live without your music, Orpheus,” she said. “And can I live without you?” asked Orpheus.

One day Orpheus and Euridice went out in the woods. Orpheus was playing on his lyre. Euridice began to pick some flowers. While she was picking the flowers, by mistake she stepped on a snake. The snake bit her, and she died at once. When Orpheus saw her dead, he was full of grief. His life changed completely. He could not play on his lyre. He could not sing. He was very sad. He could not bear to live without Euridice. He said to his friends, “I can’t live without Euridice. I will go to the land of the dead and bring her back.”

Summary : Orpheus, a great musician lived in Greece. He could produce wonderful tunes on his lyre. He had a beautiful wife-Euridice. They loved each other deeply. For hours together, Orpheus played s on his lyre and Euridice sat listening. They could not live without each other. One day in the woods, Orpheus was playing on his lyre and Euridice was picking some flowers. By mistake, Euridice stepped on a snake. The snake bit her, and she died at 1 once. Seeing her dead, Orpheus was full of grief.

His life changed completely. He could not bear to ‘ live without Euridice. He told his friends that he ! would go to the land of the dead and bring her back.

Title : A Tale of True Love
OR
A Death-blow to Orpheus

2. Now Orpheus was in the palace of Pluto in the land of the dead. When Pluto, the god of s death, saw Orpheus, he could not believe his eyes. He said to Orpheus, “Who are you? Why have you come here ?”
Orpheus said, “My wife is here, and I can’t live without her. Would you let her come back to the earth again?”
“That is not possible. The dead cannot go back to the earth.” said Pluto.
Orpheus was very sad to hear this. He took the lyre and began to sing the story of his love for Euridice. His music was sad and yet sweet. It ! touched the heart of Pluto. He said to Orpheus, “All right. You can take Euridice back to the earth. But s there is one condition. Euridice will follow you. You must not look back. You must not try to see her until you are out of my kingdom.” Orpheus gladly agreed. He was ready to do anything to have his beloved wife back.

Summary: Orpheus somehow reached the palace of Pluto in the land of the dead. Seeing s him Pluto could not believe his eyes. Pluto asked s the reason of his coming there. Orpheus told that he had come to take his wife back to the earth.

Pluto told that it was impossible and Orpheus started singing the sad and yet sweet story of his love for Euridice. It touched the heart of Pluto and he agreed to send her back to earth, but on the condition that he would not look back to see Euridice till they were out of his kingdom. Orpheus gladly agreed. He was ready to do anything to have his beloved wife back.

Title : Winning Love Back
OR
Music/Power of Love

Read 9 : How Much Land does a Man Need ?

1. Pahom was the owner of a big stretch of fertile land in Russia. He cultivated the land and got good crops. Though he was rich, he was not satisfied. He wanted more land. Once Pahom met a land broker. He was from the distant land of Baskers. He knew that Pahom was a greedy man and wanted more land. So he told Pahom about the fertile and cheap land in Baskers. He also said that Pahom could have a lot of land just for few hundred roubles, if he was clever.

“Please tell me how I can buy that land cheap.” requested Pahom.
“Make friends with the Baskers chief and give some gifts to the Baskers. They will give you as much land as you want.” The broker said.

Pahom was very happy. He made the necessary preparation and set out to the land of the Baskers. He had taken with him a servant, a horse-cart and some valuable gifts for the Baskers.

Summary : Pahom was the owner of a big stretch of fertile land in Russia. Though he was rich, he was not satisfied. He wanted more land. Once a land broker from the distant land of Baskers told him that he could have a lot of land just for few hundred roubles, if he was clever. Pahom knew from him how he could do that and he set out to Baskers with a servant, a horse-cart and some valuable gifts for the Baskers.
Title : Pahom’s Greed for Land

2. The Basker chief put his cap at the starting point and Pahom started his walk from ? that spot. He had taken some food and water with him. He had also taken a spade to mark s the land.

In the beginning, he walked fast. But he was not satisfied with his speed and he soon began to run. He made mark with spade at every turn. It was almost noon and he felt hungry and thirsty. He ate a little food and drank some water but though he was tired, he did not stop s to rest. “Let me cover some- more land, let me cover some more land,” he said to himself and continued to run.

(He ran for some more time. The sun was moving westward. “I must return now. I have come long distance.” he thought. He was worried) whether he would reach to starting point before sunset. He gathered his strength and ran.

Summary : Pahom started his walk from the starting point with some food, water and a spade S to mark the land. In the beginning, he walked fast but soon began to run. At noon, he ate a little food and drank some water. But, though he was tired, he did not stop to rest. He saw the sun moving westward and was worried whether he would reach to starting point before sunset. He gathered his strength and ran.

Title : Run for Land
OR
Greed makes Man Run

Read 10 : The Gambling Match

1. “Since you do not trust us”, sneered (smiled cunningly) Shakuni, “bring other dice. We shall beat you whatever you do.” The boastful words stung Yudhishthira into reckless anger. “Do you dare to say that!” he cried. “Play on, we shall see!” Duryodhana smiled, a cruel smile of triumph (victory) he and Shakuni had planned to rouse Yudhishthira’s anger, because they knew that when he was angry, he would ” grow reckless and obstinate and that his ruin would be easy.

Shakuni did not smile; he knew that he could beat Yudhishthira with his magic dice at every throw, so he answered in a cold, calm voice, in a way that made Yudhishthira still more angry. “A truly great man”, he sneered, “does not lose his temper because he is beaten at play. Such conduct is unworthy of you, great son of Pandu.”

Summary : Hearing challenging and humiliating words from Shakuni, Yudhishthira’s reckless anger pushed him to play further. Duryodhana and Shakuni had a winning laugh as they had succeeded in rousing Yudhishthira’s anger anticipating that it could bring about his ruin. Shakuni was confident to beat out Yudhishthira with his magic dice, so without smiling, in a calm voice, he inflamed Yudhishthira’s anger remarking that it was unworthy of him to lose temper because he was beaten at play.

Title : Anger may Bring About Ruin
OR
Control your Anger or be Ruined

2. The excitement in the hall rose high. All other play had ceased, and the players crowded round Yudhishthira’s table. When he had lost his jewels Yudhishthira sat back in his seat in silent rage, staring helplessly before him.

Vidura, unable to endure the scene any longer approached Dhritarashtra. The blind Kind was jj peering (looking closely) towards the place where he knew Duryodhana stood, and grinning (smiling) with satisfaction at the victory of his son.

“Maharaja”, said Vidura to his brother, “I beg you to be warned. You love Duryodhana, but you know well in your heart that his wickedness i and greed are the curse of your race. Be wise in s time. Give up this jackal of evil omen (sign of bad luck) and win the support of the Pandavas, } those tigers of men who will defend the House of Bharata against all its foes. Do you wish to s die that you so provoke their anger?”

Summary:The high excitement in the hall led (all the players crowd round Yudhishthira’s table. S Having lost his jewels Yudhishthira sank back feeling angry and helpless. Seeing the things going beyond endurance, Vidura warned Dhritarashtra against Duryodhana’s greed and wickedness. He s suggested Dhritarashtra to give up evil things and win the support of the Pandavas. He also warned that he was sure to die if he provoked their anger.

Title : Give up Evil
OR
Be Ready to Die
OR
The Sacred Rage of Vidura

Read 12 : Three Rays

1. Weakness or Strength

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged (moved forward quickly); the boy deftly (skilfully) used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned (worried) that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened (got involved), “No,” the sensei insisted, “Let him continue.”

Summary : Several months later, the boy easily won his first two matches. In the third match, after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged. The boy deftly used his one move and s he was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. The (boy seemed quite young, so the referee called a S time-out. He was about to stop the match when) the sensei intervened a nd insisted that he should continue.

Title : Winning Through with Just One Move
OR
Sensei’s Confidence

2. The Window

The following morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found s’ the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was sadden and called the hospital attendant to take it away-no words, no fuss (unnecessary s agitation complaint or objection). As soon as it seemed appropriate, the man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was s’ happy to make the switch and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped (supported something physically) himself up on one elbow s to take his first look. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained (became stretched, વધુ પડતો કે શ્રમ કર્યો) to slowly turn to s look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

Summary : The following morning, when the ‘ nurse arrived, she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was sad and called the s hospital attendant to take it away without any j fuss. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the man asked to be moved to the next window. The nurse s was happy to find him comfortable. Slowly and painfully, he propped himself up to take his first look from the window.

Title: Straining for a Look

3. Miracle

Janki was only eight-years-old when she heard Mommy and Daddy talking about her little brother, Jay. He was very sick and they had done s everything they could afford to save his life. Only a very expensive surgery could help him now… and that was out of the financial question. She heard Daddy say it with a whispered desperation (extreme anxiety), “Only a miracle can save him now.”

Janki went to her bedroom and pulled her piggy bank from its hiding place in the closet (cabinet used for storage space). She shook all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully, three times. The total had to be exactly perfect.

No chance here for mistakes. Tying the coins up in a cold-weather-kerchief, she slipped out of the apartment and made her way to the corner drug store. She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her attention, but he was too busy talking to another man to be bothered (disturbed) by an eight-year-old.

Janki twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. She cleared her throat. No good. Finally she took a quarter from its hiding place and banged it on the glass counter. That did it! “And what do you want?” The pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. “I’m talking to my brother.”

Summary : Janki was only eight, when she „. heard her parents talking about her little brother, ~~ Jay. He was very sick and they had done everything they could afford to save his life. Only a very expensive surgery could help him now and that was beyond their financial reach. So they said only a miracle could help him. Hearing this Janki brought her piggy bank and shook all the change out. She counted it three times carefully. Then she rushed to a drug store. The pharmacist was too busy to pay attention to her. Janki banged a quarter on the glass counter and drew his attention.

Title : A Little Girl with a Big Sense of – Responsibility ”
OR
… And Shook all the Change Out!

Read 14 : The Trojan Horse

1. The red button on Jackson’s Console lit up with beeping sounds. Jackson was one of the four Astro Observers-AOs (observer of the space) on the space-sensor. AOs’ work was to keep the space around the earth under constant surveillance (careful watching of a person) and they had a duty schedule of six and a half hours. Jackson understood that there was an alien (coming from a different country) object in the neighborhood of the Earth.

In the year 2050 there were thousands of spacecraft moving around the Earth. They were recorded in the computer of the space-sensors. If there is an alert signal, it means there is a spacecraft which is not recorded to the space-sensor. Many nations had refused to give their information to the space-sensors. A classified 3 register of such spacecraft was however maintained in the giant computer of USF, the United Space Federation, a world organization.

Jackson sent a message to the USF computer giving location of the alien object. But the signal was not switched off. This indicated that the spacecraft was not recorded at the USF and it was not from any nation on the Earth Jackson read a message on his TV screen: ‘This is a UFO (Unidentified Flying) Object). Await further instructions.

Summary: The red button on Jackson’s Console lit up with beeping sounds. Jackson was one of the four Astro Observers, meant for keeping the space around the earth under constant surveillance. Jackson found out that there ‘l was an alien object in the neighborhood of the Earth. In the year 2050, there were thousands of spacecraft moving around the Earth.

They were recorded in the computer of the space-sensors. An alert signal on the space-sensor showed an unrecorded spacecraft. Many nations had refused to (give their information to the space-sensors. United S Space Federation, a world organization maintained such record. Jackson sent a message to the USF computer giving location of the alien object but s it was an UFO – Unidentified Flying Object.

Title : Space World of 2050
OR
Finding out UFO

2. “What a strange coincidence (સંયોગ)!” Dr Singh exclaimed examining the pictures. He asked, “Can you identify the spacecraft?” But no member answered. He continued, “This spacecraft was made here on our earth. It is called PIONEER – 10. It was dispatched from the earth in 1972. PIONEER-10 was sent by our ancestors with information about the Earth and its inhabitants (a place for living) on a plate.

The aim was that the people of outer planet will get it and get our information or communicate with us.” He paused before saying, “It is back because it was intercepted (stopped and caught) and sent back. The creatures, who found it, decoded (discovered the meaning of information given) all information and have sent it back to us as proof of their friendship. X-ray pictures show nothing dangerous inside.

Summary : Dr Singh identified the spacecraft as PIONEER-10 dispatched from the earth in 1972. It was sent with information about the Earth and its inhabitants on a plate to let the people of outer planet get it and communicate with them. But it was intercepted and sent back. The creatures, who found it, decoded all information and sent it back to us as proof of their friendship.

Title: PIONEER-10-Sent back for Friendship

Read 15 : The Boy Who Broke the Bank

1. Nathu grumbled (murmured) to himself as he swept the steps of the Pipalnagar Bank, owned by Seth Govind Ram. As Nathu was banging his pan against a dustbin, Sitaram, the washer¬man’s son, passed by. Sitaram was on his delivery round. He had a bundle of freshly pressed clothes balanced on his head. “Don’t raise such dust!” he called out Nathu. “Are you annoyed because they are still refusing to pay you an extra two rupees a month?”

“I don’t wish to talk about it”, complained the sweeper boy. ‘I haven’t even received my regular pay. And this is the twentieth of the month. Who would think a bank would hold up a poor man’s salary? As soon as I get my money, I’m off! Not another week I work in this place.” “Well, I wish you luck”, said Sitaram. “I’ll keep a lookout for any jobs that might suit you.” And he plodded (walked laboriously) barefoot along the road, the big bundle of clothes hiding most of his head and shoulders.

Summary : Nathu grumbled to himself as he swept the steps of the Pipalnagar Bank. At that time, Sitaram happened to pass by with a bundle of freshly pressed clothes on his head and from dialogue with Nathu, he observed that Nathu was greatly annoyed. Nathu was really annoyed because he had not got his salary till the twentieth of the month. Nathu made up his mind to leave the ? job soon after he got his salary. Sitaram wished S him good luck and consoled him to find a new job for him and left.

Title : Annoyed Nathu

2. At the fourth home he visited, Sitaram heard the lady of the house mention that she was in need of a sweeper. Tying his bundle together he said: “I know of a sweeper boy who’s looking

for work. He can start from next month. He’s with the bank just now but they aren’t giving him his pay, and he wants to leave.” “Is that so?” said Mrs Srivastava. ‘Well, tell him to come and see me tomorrow’. Mrs Srivastava had to do some shopping. She set out for the Pipalnagar market place, to make her customary tour of the cloth shops.

Mrs Srivastava found her friend Mrs Bhushan there. Mrs Bhushan showed her a sample of the cloth she was going to buy, and for five minutes they discussed its shade, texture and design. Having exhausted (completed) this topic, Mrs Srivastava said, “Do you know, my dear, that Seth Govind Ram’s bank can’t even pay its employees. Only this morning I heard a complaint from their sweeper, who hasn’t received his wages for over a month!”

Summary: On his delivery round, Sitaram heard from Mrs Srivastava that she needed a sweeper. Soon Sitaram told her that he knew one boy and he could join from the next month. He also told her hat he was working with the bank but they weren’t giving him the pay, so he wanted to leave. She agreed and sent the message to see her the next day. Then she set out for the Pipalnagar market place. There she met her friend Mrs Bhushan and quoting the sweeper boy, she told her in the talks that Seth Govind Ram’s bank couldn’t even pay its employees.

Title : A Talk Gets Twisted

3. Deepchand, who was cutting the hair of an elderly gentleman, was so startled that his hand shook and he nicked his customer’s right ear. The customer yelled (cried) with pain and distress; pain because of the cut and distress because of the awful (dreadful) news he had just heard. With one side of his neck still unshaven, he sped across the road to the general merchant’s store where there was a telephone.

He dialled Seth Govind Ram’s number. The Seth was not at home. Where was he, then? The Seth was holidaying in Kashmir. Oh, was that so? The elderly gentleman did not believe it. He hurried back to the barber’s shop and told Deepchand: The bird has flown! Seth Govind Ram has left town. Definitely, it means a collapse’. And then he dashed out the shop, making a beeline (the most direct route) for his office and cheque book.

Summary: Deepchand, while cutting the hair of an elderly gentleman, was startled to hear about the collapse of the bank and nicked the gentleman’s ear. With great distress he ran to the general merchant’s store and dialled Seth Govind Ram’s number. The Seth was holidaying in Kashmir. The elderly gentleman did not believe it and reported to Deepchand that he had flown and that was enough to believe that the bank had collapsed. Then he directly rushed to his office to collect his cheque book.

Title : Rumour on Air

Read 17 : Say the Right Thing

1. Mary – Why are those two women coming here? Who’s Mrs Harding?
Mrs Shaw : She’s the wife of a rich man. Mr Harding has just bought a big house in Lanfield. They lived in London before. She’s coming to see me to have a talk. I met her in a shop and asked her to come.
Mary : Oh, I’ve seen her children. They often come along the road. Who’s Mrs Lee?
Mrs Shaw : She’s Mr Harding’s sister. She’s staying with them.
Mary : What are you going to talk about?
Mrs Shaw : I don’t know. All kinds of things.
One day you’ll have to go to houses yourself and talk to people. All women have to do it.
Mary : I can talk now. I’ve been able to talk for a long time.
Mrs Shaw : Yes, that’s true. You always talk too much. But does anyone want to hear the things that you say?
Mary : I can talk very well when I like.
I’ll stay with you today and talk to them when they come.

Summary : Giving the reason of Mrs Harding and Mrs Lee’s coming, Mrs Shaw told Mary that Mrs Harding was coming to have a talk with her on her invitation. Soon Mary told that she had seen her children. Mary asked Mrs Shaw what she was going to talk about with them. Mrs Shaw told her that she would talk about all kinds of ‘ things that every woman should know.

Mary told that she could talk for long time. Mrs Shaw commented that she talked too much and nobody was ready to listen to what she said. Mary told that she knew how to talk and she would stay back to talk with them.

Title : Lesson to Talk

2. Mrs Shaw : When they’re ready to leave, don’t jump out of your chair and look gladly at the door. You must look sorry when they want to leave.
Mary :What shall I do when they want to go ?
Mrs Shaw : Ask them to stay a little longer.
Just say, “Must you go ? Can’t you stay ?” or something like that. You like them and you want them to stay, and you must let them understand that.
Mary : That’s not very hard, is it? I’ll remember that “Must you go ? Can’t you stay ? Must you go ? Can’t you stay?”
Mrs Shaw : That’s right. Now take that coat to your room and change into a clean dress. You must look nice when they come. And if everyone stops talking, say something kind to make them talk again. And . don’t say anything that will make them angry.
Mary : I’ll remember. I’ve often done harder things than this.

Summary : Teaching mannerism to Mary, Mrs Shaw told her that she should not show her gladness when some guests are leaving; on the contrary she should look sorry. She should ask them to stay a little longer and let them feel that you do not like their going. Mary told that she will remember those sentences and use them appropriately. Mrs Shaw also instructed her to keep the things at their proper places and she should look nice when they come. She should talk kindly and nicely with them.

Title : Lessons on Mannerism
OR
Tips From Mom

3. Mrs Shaw : So you like Lanfield, Mrs Harding! I’m very glad.
Mrs Harding : Yes, we like it very much. It’s not the same as London, but there are some very nice people here, and we’ve found a good house.
(No one says anything more, and Mrs Shaw looks at Mary)
Mary : What beautiful children you have, Mrs Harding! I’ve often seen them walking along the road.
Mrs Harding : Oh, I haven’t any children.
Mary : Oh, Yes, you have! I’ve seen them: a little boy and a little girl.
Mrs Harding (not very pleased) : I have no children believe me.
Mary : Oh!
Mrs Shaw (quietly):They must be someone else’s children.

Summary : Continuing the talk Mrs Shaw asked Mrs Harding’s opinion about Lanfield. Mrs Harding told that it was a nice place to live and there were some nice people, too. Then as their talks paused, Mary told Mrs Harding that she had very beautiful children. Mrs Harding was a little surprised as she did not have any children. Yet Mary insisted that Mrs Harding had them and Mrs Harding was greatly displeased. Mrs Shaw had to patch up the things.

Title : Oh, I don’t have Children!
OR
Mary-Always Talking Rubbish

Read 18 : Adal-Badal: The Exchange

1. The two boys came and sat on the pavement (narrow path at the side of the road) seeing them identically dressed, one boy had a mischievous idea. “Why don’t you two have a wrestling match? We can see whether you are also equal in strength or whether one is tougher s than the other,” he said. The first boy thought that to be a good idea and added, “Yes, Amrit, Isab, let’s see which of you can get the better of the other. Come on! Shouted the boy. It’s only for fun.”

“No,” said Amrit firmly. “My mother will thrash me.” His fear was well founded. As he was leaving home, his mother warned him, “You made such a fuss to get new clothes! If you tear or dirty them, you know what is coming to you.”

It’s true that Amrit had bullied his parents. When he heard that Isab was getting a new shirt, he had insisted that he should get one exactly like Isab’s or he would not go to school. His mother had tried to reason with him, “Son, Isab has to work on the farm his clothes are worn out. Yours are still as good as new.”

Summary : Seeing the two boys identically dressed, one boy suggested that they should have a wrestling match to check whether both of them have equal strength or one is tougher than the other. Amrit feared that his mother would thrash him for he would dirty or tear his new clothes in the wrestling. Amrit was well aware how he had got the new clothes by bullying them saying that otherwise he would not go to school. He was s following Isab in that case.

Title : Fear of Mother
OR
No Wrestling, Please!

2. The boys realised that what had started as a joke had become a serious affair. Afraid that Kalia’s parents might beat them they scattered and ran away in different directions. Amrit and Isab also left the arena. They had hardly gone a few steps when Amrit’s eyes fell on Isab’s shirt. ‘! Its pocket and a six inch strip were torn. They stopped in dead fear.

As if this was not enough, they heard Isab’s father shouting from his house, “Where’s Isab” The boys’ hearts stopped beating. No sooner Isab’s father saw his torn shirt, he would skin him alive. He had borrowed money from the moneylender, spent a lot of time choosing the cloth and having it stitched. Again Isab’s father shouted, “Who’s crying ? Where is Isab ?”

Summary : The boys realised that their joke had become a serious affair. They feared that Kalia’s parents would beat them, so they got scattered and ran away. Amrit and Isab also left the arena. Amrit saw that the pocket and a six inch strip of Isab’s shirt were torn and heard Isab’s father calling him. They were greatly scared.

Amrit knew how Isab’s father managed to get him a new shirt by borrowing money and wasting a lot of time on it. He would surely skin him alive on finding the torn shirt.

Title : A Scaring Affair

3. But he was in luck. It was Holi. And it was only natural that there should be some rough play. When she saw his torn shirt his mother only frowned (show anger by using eye brow), and forgave him. She took a needle and thread and mended the torn shirt.

The boys got over their fear and set of again arm-in-arm to see the Holi bonfire outside the village. A boy who had noticed the exchange of shirts spoilt the fun by taunting them, “So you have interchanged, huh?”

Fearing that the boy had seen them exchange their shirts, Amrit and Isab tried to slink away. By then other boys also knew what had happened and set up a chant, “Adal-Badal, Adal-Badal.”

The two boys tried to slip away but the gang yelled them, “Adal-Badal,” “Adal-Badal.” Fearing that the story might reach their fathers’ ears, the two friends ran towards their homes.

Isab’s father was sitting on a cot in the front yard. He called out to the boys. “Why are you running away from your friends? Come and sit near me,” he ordered.

“He knows the truth and is only pretending to be kind,” they thought. Isab’s father, a Pathan, picked up ten-year-old Amrit in his arms. He called out Vahali Bhabhi. Hasanbhai says “From today your son Amrit is mine.”

Summary : It was Holi and when Amrit’s mother saw his torn shirt, instead of thrashing her son, she took a needle and thread and mended the torn shirt. The boys felt greatly relieved and went to see bonfire. One boy taunted about changing their shirts and others also started chanting ‘Adal-Badal, Adal-Badal’.

The boys were frightened to get the things disclosed to their fathers, so ran towards their homes. Isab’s father called them lovingly, so the boys doubted that he i was pretending. But to their surprise, he called l’ out Vahali Bhabhi and told her that from that day, her son Amrit was his.

Title : Adal-Badal, Adal-Badal
OR
Your Son is Mine from Today

Read 19 : The Lost Ruby

1. Once upon a time there lived a great and powerful king. One day he was very sad, and as he sat in his council-hall surrounded by his ministers, the chief minister, who was a good ], and wise man, asked him: “Your Majesty, why is your spirit sad today ? Your Majesty ought not to allow grief to trouble your mind.”

The king would not tell him his grief. On the contrary, he resented (was angry at) his good minister’s concern (anxiety) for him. “It is all very well for you to talk”, he said. “But if you had reason to be sad, I am sure you would find it impossible to practise what you have just suggested.” And the king decided to put his chief minister to the test, and told him to wait at the royal palace after the council was dismissed.

Summary: Once a great and powerful king sat sadly in his council-hall surrounded by his ministers. Then his wise and caring chief minister) suggested him not to allow grief to trouble his s mind with great concern. On the contrary, the king resented his concern saying that it was easy to suggest but hard to experience. And he decided to put the chief minister to test asking him to wait at the palace after the council dispersed.

Title : Easy to Suggest but Hard to Practise s

2. The next morning, after dismissing his court, he asked the chief minister: “Where is the ruby which I gave you to keep the other day?” The minister replied: “I have got it, my lord.”
“Well then”, said the king, “go and fetch it, for I want it right now.”

On going home, the minister was shocked to learn that the ruby was nowhere to be found. He hurried back to the king and reported the loss. “Your Majesty”, he said, “if you allow me a few days’ grace (favour), I hope to find it and bring it back to you.”

“Very well”, said the king, laughing to himself, “I give you three days in which to find the ruby. If, at the end of that time, you fail to find it, your life and the lives of all who are dear to you will be in danger.”

Summary : The next morning the king demanded from the minister the ruby that he had given him to keep. The minister went home and hunted for it but it was nowhere. He hurried back to the king and begged for a few days’ grace to find it out. The king laughed to himself and allowed him three days’ grace with the warning that if he failed to find it out, his life and the lives of his dearer ones will be in danger.

Title: Find out the Ruby
OR
Be Ready to Die
OR
Pity the Minister

Read 20 : Panchatantra

1. For centuries the Panchatantra tales have regaled (entertained) children and adults with a moral at the end of every story. A king, worried that his three sons were without the wisdom to s live in a world of wile (clever way to persuade others) and guile (dishonest way to persuade others), asks a learned man called Vishnu Sharma to teach them the ways of the world. Since his wards were dimwits (stupid persons), Vishnu Sharma decided to pass on wisdom to them in the form of stories. In these stories, he made animals speak like human beings.

The Panchatantra was originally a collection of Sanskrit animal fables in verse and prose. The Panchatantra was exported (probably both in oral and literary formats) in the north to Tibet and China and in the east to South-East Asia. The stories have been translated into nearly every language in the world. It illustrates, for the benefit of princes who) may succeed to a throne, the central principles of political science through an interwoven series of colpurful animal tales. It illustrates five principles or strategies which are:
Mitra Bhedha (The Loss of Friends)
Mitra Laabha (Gaining Friends)
Suhrudbheda (Causing Dissension (disagreement) Between Friends)
Vigraha (Separation)
Sandhi (Union)

Summary : For centuries, the Panchatantra ;! tales have regaled people of any age-group with); a moral at the end of every story. A king was worried about his three simple-witted sons and he assigned a learned man named Vishnu Sharma the job of teaching them the ways of the world.

Vishnu Sharma found them dimwits and decided to pass on wisdom to them in the form of stories. In these stories, originally a collection of Sanskrit, he made animals speak like human beings. These stories for the benefit of princes illustrate five principles or strategies based on moral values.

Title: Panchatantra – the Tales to Inculcate Moral Values
OR
Creation of Panchatantra

2. A hunter went to the forest in search of) a kill. Spotting a well-fed boar he took his bow and aimed a sharp arrow at the boar. Though s severely wounded, the boar made a wild charge at the hunter goring (injurying) him to death.

The boar too died later from the wounds inflicted by the hunter. Meanwhile, a hungry jackal, not knowing that he was doomed to die, came on the scene where the bodies of the hunter and the boar lay. s He was thrilled by the sight of so much food l and thought, “God has favoured me today. That’s I; why he has sent so much food for me.

It is not without reason that the learned have said that he who has done a good deed in a previous birth is rewarded in this birth even if he does not make any effort. This great feast is certainly the result of some good I have done in a previous birth. But a man must enjoy his wealth in small doses. Therefore, I will begin my meal with this ! gut (cord made of fibrous material taken from silkworms) of the bow.”

The jackal went close to the body of the hunter and began nibbling (eating something by taking a lot of small bites) at the gut of the bow. The gut suddenly snapped (broke with sound) with great force killing the jackal in the end.

Summary : Once a hunter shot a boar. Though severely wounded, the boar made a attacked on „ the hunter putting him to death. The boar also – died. Both lay dead. At that time, a hungry jackal happened to pass by and was happy to find so much food. He thought that he must surely have done some good deed in his previous life and this was its reward. He thought it wise to eat it in small doses. So he decided to begin his meal with that gut and began nibbling at the gut of the bow. The gut suddenly snapped with great force killing the jackal in the end.

Title : Being too Wise

3. Haridatta was a Brahmin living in a hamlet (a small village usually without temple or church). He was a farmer but the piece of land he cultivated gave him very little to survive.

One day, unable to stand the heat of the summer sun, he went to a big tree in his land to rest for a while. Before he could spread himself on the ground he saw in the nearby anthill (a pile of soil where ants or snakes live) a huge cobra swaying (moving slowly from side to side) with his hood open. He went back home and brought a glass of milk.

He poured it in a bowl and turning to the anthill said, “O, ruler of the land, I did not know you were living in this anthill. That is why I have not paid my tribute to you. Please excuse me and accept this humble offering.” He then placed the bowl of milk at the anthill and left the place.

Summary : Haridatta, a Brahmin living in a hamlet, was a farmer but the piece of land he cultivated gave him very little to survive. One day, he went to a big tree in his land to rest for a while. At that time, he saw in the nearby anthill a huge cobra.

He went back home and brought a glass of milk. He poured it in a bowl and addressing cobra as the ruler of the land. he pleaded to excuse him for not having paid his tribute to the cobra. He then placed the bowl of milk at the anthill and left the place.

Title : A Humble Offering OR A Superstitious Brahmin

4. Next day when the Brahmin came to his land before the Sun was up, he saw a gold coin in the bowl he had left at the anthill. Henceforth (hereafter), he came alone every dawn, collected the coin, offered the milk in the bowl and left.

One day the Brahmin, leaving for another village on business, asked his son to go to the anthill and offer milk. When the son went the next day, he found a gold coin in the bowl.

He collected the coin and thought, “This anthill must be full of gold. If I kill the cobra, I can collect all the gold in one go instead of coming here everyday.”

He then struck the cobra with a big stick. But the cobra deftly (skilfully) dodged (saved himself by moving quickly) the blow but stung the son to death with his poisonous fangs (long sharp teeth). Returning to his village the next day, Haridatta heard the story of his son’s death and at once realized that greed was behind it.

Summary : Next day the Brahmin saw a gold coin in the bowl he had left at the anthill. This went on everyday and it became a routine for the Brahmin. One day in his absence, his son went with milk to collect the gold coin. He thought that the anthill must be full of gold. If he killed the cobra, he could collect all the gold in one go instead of coming there everyday. He then s struck the cobra with a big stick. The annoyed cobra stung the son to death. Returning to his village the next day, Haridatta heard the story of his son’s death and at once realized that greed was behind it.

Title : Greed Thrills but Kills

Read 22 : The World of Advertisements

1. Advertisements are very much a part of our commercial world. Businessmen have to sell their wares, so they make use of ads to this effect. Advertisements bring the shop window to your door, induce (persuade, tempt) you to visit the shop, and to see through and feel the products which help to make your own life a little more cheerful.

In a developing country like India, cleverly done up ads can help to shake people out of their inertia (unwillingness). For example, they can induce the farmer to take to more modern methods of agriculture and improve the general standard of his life.

The world of business is an extremely competitive world. A businessman is interested in increasing the sale of his own product. Sometimes one product may be as good as the other, but through a cleverly thought out ad, a businessman can make you prefer his product to another. It would be good for you to know some of the techniques advertising agencies employ in the sale of a product.

Summary : Today advertisements are very much a part of our commercial world. Businessmen take their help to sell their wares. Cleverly done up advertisements tempt us to visit the shop, and ; to see through and feel the products to make our ! life more cheerful.

A businessman is interested s in increasing the sale of his own product at any) cost. Even if two products are equal, the one s with advertisement makes us prefer it to the one without ad. It would be good for you to know some of the techniques advertising agencies employ s in the sale of a product.

Title : Don’t be Lured by Ads
OR
Ads can Make us Buy Anything

2. To sum up, here are a few practical points to bear in mind. Don’t be too easily taken in by the ads you see in the glossy magazines or by the brightly coloured ad-boards you pass by s everyday on your way. All that glitters is not gold.

Ad-men work on the assumption that we are all basically selfish; that it is easier to buy I impulsively than to make up a list of things we need and that we buy the things we feel others will admire. We must train ourselves to buy the things we need, and not because we are ambitious or because we want to feel loved, or secure, or to preserve an image we feel that we should strive to live up to. For a businessman it pays to advertise. But for you as a customer, it pays even more to be cautious of what is advertised.

Summary : We should keep some practical points in mind before getting lured by advertisements in the glossy magazines or by the brightly coloured ad-boards. Ad-men work on the assumption that we are all basically selfish. We must train ourselves to buy the things we need and not because we are ambitious or because we want to feel loved, or secured, or to keep up our image.

Title : Be Cautious Being Taken Away by Advertisements
OR
Advertisements – Rewarding for Businessmen but Penalising for Customers

Read 23 : 1 Never Forget A Face

1. I’ll tell you a strange thing about me. I never forget a face. The only trouble is that usually I’m quite unable to tell you the name of the person. When I say I never forget a face, I mean it. I can pass a fellow in the street one day and recognize him again months after, though we’ve never spoken to each other.

You can guess that there’s not a man, woman or child here in Bardfield that I can’t know by sight. It’s only forty minutes from London but the village is almost a mile from the station, and that’s rather troublesome. Quite a pleasant crowd of men travel up and down to London most days, and I don’t know the names of half of them, though we speak to each other cheerfully enough.

Summary: The writer is proud that he never forgets a face but he is equally troubled that he never remembers names of people. He never forgets a face even if he has seen it only once. In Bardfield, there is no man, woman or child whom he does not know by face. Daily crowds of people commute to London from Bardfield, but the writer can recognize each of them by sight.

Title : ‘Yes’ to Faces but ‘No’ to Names
OR
Wow! He is a Bardfield Guy

2. So when the two of us found ourselves alone in the carriage, I started to talk, just as if we were old friends. He spoke well, with a quite friendly manner, but he told very little. I can generally find out what a man’s work is in about ten minutes, but I failed this time. So I gave it up and started to read my paper. And the next time I looked at him, he’d put his head back and gone off to sleep.

We were just running into, the station then, and though the train stopped rather suddenly, it didn’t seem to wake him. Well, I’m a kind-hearted fellow and I wasn’t going to let a Bardfield man i; be carried on all the way to the next stop. So I tapped (struck lightly) him on the knee.

Summary: Being both of them alone in s the carriage, the talkative writer started talking. But the other man, of course, friendly in manner, but talked very little. The writer who boasted of finding out the occupation of the other man in talks, failed to do so and had to give in and the other man went off to sleep On reaching Bardfield station, even if the train halted with a jolt, the man did not wake up. So, the writer, a kind-hearted guy would not allow him to be carried on to the next stop in any case and he tapped on the man’s knee to wake him up.

Title : Boast but Beware
OR
You are not always Right
OR
Enough of your Kindness!

3. “This is very kind of you”, he said as we started, and that was the last thing he said I until we were halfway across the open country, Then he suddenly turned round and said, “You s can let me out here.”
“What, here?” I asked him. It seemed mad because there wasn’t a house within five hundred yards, and it was raining and blowing like the end of the world. But I slowed down, as anyone would.

The next thing that happened was that something hit me very hard on the back of the head. I fell forwards and then everything went blank (fainted). I can half-remember being pulled out of the car, and when I came to, I was lying : in the ditch (gutter) with the rain pouring down on me, with a bad headache, no car in sight and my pockets – as I found out later – empty.

Summary : Expression of thanks were the only words and all along the way the other man’s silence broke with the request to stop the car. It was a lonely place and raining heavily where he wanted to get down. The writer stopped the car and had a hard hit on the back of his head, enough to make him unconscious. He faintly remembered being pulled out of a car. Coming to consciousness, he found himself in a ditch with rain pouring down on him. He was robbed off his car and all the money.

Title : Kindness Rewarded Cruelly
OR
The Writer was Robbed off

Read 24: A Letter to Indu

1. During the past few months, I have read many books on mountaining in India-almost always among the Garhwal mountains. This has been fascinating (attractive) reading. I was surprised and pleased to find that there is complete agreement among those Englishmen and Americans who have taken part in these expeditions (adventurous journeys) that Garhwal has the most beautiful mountains and valleys in the world.

The men who gave this opinion were widely travelled and knew what they are talking about. This really applies to the higher regions of Garhwal and not to the dusty and rather bare (without vegetation) valleys and hillsides below. In these upper regions there is an extraordinary and enchanting (very attractive) mixture of magnificent (grand) snow peaks, thick forests and valleys carpeted (thickly covered) with lovely flowers. Indeed one of such valleys, appropriately named the Valley of Flowers, has no rival anywhere.

Summary : Nehru has read many books on mountaineering in India and is pleased to learn that both the Englishmen and the Americans who have taken part in the expeditions precisely and : consciously agree to the fact that Garhwal has the most beautiful mountains and valleys in the world. It rightly applies to the higher regions with enchanting snow peaks, thick forests and valleys strewn with lovely flowers. The Valley of Flowers has no rival anywhere.

Title : Garhwal, a Heaven of Beauty on Earth
OR
I Wanna watch Flora and Fauna? Go to Garhwal

2. You and I, in our respective abodes (living places), are on the verge of Garhwal. I can see the Garhwal foothills from here and a longish walk will take you to the district boundary. The knowledge of this surpassing (excellent) beauty so near us and yet so far from this restless world, so peaceful and calm by human folly (foolishness), excites me.

Those strange people who were our ancestors in the long ago felt the wonder of these mountains and valleys and, with the unerring (faultless) instinct of genius, connected this sense of respect and wonder to man’s old desire for something higher than what life’s daily toil (hard work) and conflicts offered, something with the impress of the eternal (infinite) upon it.

And so for two thousand years or more, innumerable pilgrim souls have marched through these valleys and mountains to Badrinath and Kedarnath and Gangotri, from where the baby Ganga emerges, so tiny and frolicsome (playful), but to grow and grow in her long wandering till she becomes the noble river that sweeps by (passes through) Prayag and Kashi and beyond.

Summary : Nehru was at the foothills and Indira was at the district boundary. The unparallel beauty excites the writer. He realises that our ancestors must have felt the wonder of these mountains and valleys, and since then man’s yearning for the eternal beauty must have emerged. So for two thousand years or more, innumerable pilgrims march through these valleys and mountains to Badrinath, Kedarnath and Gangotri, from where the tiny and frolicsome baby Ganga springs and passes by Prayag and Kashi and beyond.

Title : Garhwal, a Land of Unparallel Beauty
OR
Beauty in Eternity