Journey to the end of the World

Journey to the end of the World

                              By Tishani Doshi

Analysis :

The chapter ‘Journey to the end of the World’ written by Tishani Doshi, an Indian poet, writer and dancer based in Chennai.

The chapter is a beautiful and detailed description of the coldest, driest, windiest continent in the world, Antarctica.

It is a beautiful and informative account of Antarctica by the narrator, a south Indian person who went on an expedition there with a group of teenagers affiliated with ‘Students on Ice’ programme.

The story narrates the expedition describing its history, human impact on geography and walk on ocean.

The lesson gives an insight into how Antarctica is the place we should visit to have a glimpse of the past, present and future in its realistic form.

The story conveys the message that we must not ignore our environment, places and geography. Nature needs to be preserved, developed and maintained.

According to Tishani Doshi, visiting Antarctica is necessary as we can understand how world came into existence and how it can come to an end.

Summary

The lesson revolves around the world’s most preserved place, Antarctica. Tishani Doshi, a south Indian person who went on an expedition with a group of teenagers affiliated with ‘Students on Ice’ programme taking young minds to different ends of the world. The programme provides an opportunity to the young minds to sensitise them towards the realistic version of climatic changes happening in the world. According to the founder of the organisation, we are the young versions of future policymakers who can turn the situation around. 

The chapter gives an insight into how Antarctica is the place we should visit to have a glimpse of the past, present and future in its realist form. According to Tishani Doshi, visiting Antarctica is necessary if one wants to comprehend the past, present, and future of the planet because Antarctica is where the world’s geological history is preserved. Six hundred and fifty million years ago, a giant amalgamated southern supercontinent, Gondwana existed, and which centred roughly around the present day Antarctica. She went there on a Russian research vessel known as the Akademik Shokalskiy. For travelling to Antarctica from Madras it takes nine time zones, six checkpoints, three water bodies and just as many ecospheres to reach there. Antarctica is one of the coldest, driest and windiest continents in the world.

Her encounter with the ice-mysteries of this ice-region was exhilarating. As far as the eyes can see, it is completely white and its uninterrupted blue horizon gives immense relief. It is shocking to believe that India and Antarctica were part of the same supercontinent Gondwana, that got segregated into countries giving rise to the globe we know today. Antarctica had a warmer climate until then. Despite human civilisation around the globe, it still remains in it pure form. Being a south Indian sun-worshipping guy, it was unimaginable for the author to visit the place that constitutes world’s 90 per cent of ice, a place so quiet that it is only interrupted by snow avalanches. It is home to a lot of evidences that can give us a glimpse of the past and at the same time, Antarctica helps us foresee the future. The place gives an awakening to threatening alarm that global warming is actually real. Antarctica may be warm again and even if it does, we will be alive to see it or not. Nobody knows it.

 

 

The Tiger King

The Tiger King

                      by  Kalki

Analysis of the Chapter: 

·      The story ‘The Tiger King’ is written by Kalki Krishnamurthy, a Tamil writer.

·      The story is a sneak peek on the general attitude of human beings towards animals. It is a sarcastic comment on the people who in order to save their life don’t hesitate to kill other creatures through the fact that even a wooden tiger is good enough to take the revenge for the merciless killing of ninety nine tigers.

·      This story also conveys the lessons of life and death and that there is no way to avoid death.

·      The story conveys a very important message that man is mortal and by no means one can avoid his destiny. It will happen what is destined to.

·      There are instances of crisp humour which brings an element of interest and fun to the story.

·      The story is set in the time of Pre Independence era when India was struggling under the domination of the Britishers.

·      The readers are brought to realise that a wise person needs to accept his destiny humbly and must respect other creature’s right to life. Instead of making efforts to change the destiny one must try to raise the quality of life.

Summary:

The story is about the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram who was conferred with many titles and reverently called as the Tiger King. Everyone who reads of him, would desire to meet a man of such indomitable courage but it can’t be fulfilled as the Tiger King is dead. as soon as he was born, astrologers had foretold that one day the Tiger King would actually have to die.

As soon as Maharaja was born, astrologer foretold that one day the Tiger King would have to die. At this, 10 days old infant said that all have to die one day. No predictions are required to know that. There would be some sense, if he could tell the manner of his death. All were surprised to hear the baby prince. The chief astrologer explained that the prince was born in the hour of the bull and his death would come from the Tiger. Instead of getting terrified to hear this he uttered terrifying words, ‘‘Let tigers beware!”

As Maharaja was growing up, he drank milk of English cow, brought up by English nanny, tutored by Englishman, watched English films as other crown princes. At the age of twenty his State came into his hands from the Court of Wards.

The Maharaja started out on a tiger hunt as he may kill even a cow in self-defence and killing tiger in self-defence won’t be an objection. The Maharaja was thrilled after killing the first tiger. He called the state astrologer and showed him the tiger. He responded that the king could kill ninety-nine tigers but he must be very careful with the hundredth tiger. The king said, “What if the hundredth tiger was also killed? The astrologer said that in that case, he would tear his books, cut off his tuft and stop practising his profession.

The Maharaja vowed to attend to all other matters only after killing hundred tigers. The State banned tiger hunting by anyone except the Maharaja. At times his bullet missed its mark, the tiger leapt upon him and he fought the beast. Each time Maharaja was the winner. Once, there was also a danger for his kingdom when a high ranking British officer wished to hunt tigers in Pratibandapuram. But the Maharaja refused to give permission promising to organise any other hunt. The officer was also ready only for a photograph of himself holding the gun near the tiger’s carcass. But the Maharaja would not agree even to that proposal. To compensate for this the Maharaja sent some fifty rings worth rupees three lakh to the British officer’s good lady, the Duraisani who took all with a word of gratitude.

Within ten years he was able to kill seventy tigers but then, the tiger population became extinct in the forests of Pratibandapuram. Therefore, he called his diwan and expressed his desire of marrying a girl in the royal family of a state with a large tiger population and asked him to find such girl. Maharaja got married and killed five or six tigers each time he visited his father-in-law. In this manner, ninety-nine tigers were killed. Only one tiger was left but by this time the tiger farms were empty even in his father-in-Iaw’s kingdom. He had to be extremely careful with that last tiger as per the late chief astrologer’s advice.

Then, the sheep began to disappear from a hillside village in his state. It was certain that this was the work of a tiger. The villagers informed the Maharaja who announced a three-year exemption from all taxes for that village and set out on the hunt at once. The tiger was not found anywhere. The Maharaja was determined and refused to leave the forest until tiger was found. Due to Maharaja’s fury and obstinacy many officers lost their jobs. He also ordered to double the land tax forthwith. Dewan was also asked to leave his job if people turned against him. Then, he made arrangements and an old and weak tiger was brought from the People’s Park in Madras and kept hidden in his house. The dewan and his aged wife dragged the tiger and brought him in his car to the forest where the Maharaja was hunting. But the tiger refused to get out of the car. The dewan was exhausted to push the beast out of the car. Next day, with boundless joy the Maharaja spotted the tiger and taking a careful aim at the beast he shot it. Right then, the tiger fell in a crumpled heap. He ordered the tiger to be brought to the capital in grand procession and went away in his car. The hunters went near and realised that the tiger was not dead. It had fainted from the shock of the bullet. They decided that the Maharaja must not come to know that he had missed his target and shot the tiger themselves.

A few days later the Maharaja’s son’s third birthday was celebrated. He wished to give him some special gift on his birthday. In the shopping centre he spotted a wooden tiger as the perfect gift. Father and son played with that tiny wooden tiger which was carved by an unskilled carpenter. One of the slivers on its rough surface pierced the Maharaja’s right hand. The next day, infection flared in his hand.  Three famous surgeons from Madras operated the Maharaja who was declared dead eventually. In this manner, the hundredth tiger took revenge upon the Tiger King for merciless killing of ninety nine tigers.

 

Message from the chapter

The chapter ‘The Tiger King’ very beautifully brings out the spiritual message that death is the reality of life and the one who has taken birth in this mortal world has to die one day, sooner or later. One can avoid his destiny by no means. It also teaches that we must not grieve or think too much about something that is bound to happen and only then he can be happy and blessed. Therefore, a wise person understands and accepts the laws of nature and life. Instead of making efforts to change the destiny one must try to raise the quality of life and try to make his people’s and his own life happy, meaningful and beautiful.

Satire Used in the Story

The story is a big satire on the people like the Maharaja who try to reverse their fate and avoid their destiny. The author uses cleverly veiled satire to take the reader through the King's attempts to change his fate, which later proved futile, in a manner that makes everyone laugh.

Important Question Answers

Q1. The story is a satire on the conceit of those in power. How does the author employ the literary device of dramatic irony in the story?

Ans. The story 'The Tiger King' is a satire on the pride and conceit of those in power. The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram tried to belie what was written in his fate and reverse his destiny just because he is a king and has power. The result was ironical as well as tragic. The chief astrologer had foretold that the tiger would be the cause of his death. King, being intoxicated in power tried to kill 100 tigers to save himself but he couldn’t. He wasn’t killed by a real tiger but a wooden toy tiger.

The proud King’s death episode is quite dramatic. When the king refused to leave the forest in order to kill the hundredth tiger, a very old and weak tiger was brought by his dewan and left in the forest but the king missed his aim and tiger wasn’t shot by him. Later, the hunters shot the tiger. Here, the author employs the literary device of dramatic irony. The irony is that the King thinks himself to be safe after killing the hundredth tiger but the hundredth tiger didn't die of his bullet. Ironically, danger was looming large on the king and when he along with his son were playing with the wooden tiger, the slivers on its rough surface caused infection and it resulted into the death of Tiger King. Even after lot of drama, sincere efforts and danger faced by the king, he got killed due to a tiger though a wooden one.

Q2. Do you find the Maharaja’s minions truly sincere towards him or are they driven by fear when they obey him? Do we find a similarity in today’s political order?

Ans. The behaviour of the Maharaja's minions towards him was certainly not sincere and dutiful, but it is driven by fear. Their only aim was to keep the king happy and in good humour. His ministers, dewan and other servants were overawed by the power and anger of their King. Blind obedience, docile submission and flattery were the features of their behaviour.

First comes the chief astrologer. Even he is scared to speak the truth. He waits for the time and the mood of the king. First, he only tells that the king will die. After being questioned he tells that his death will come from the tiger. The behaviour of the dewan offers an interesting study. He is docile, humourless and servile towards his master. He shudders at the sight of the gun of the Maharaja. He is confused and idiotic most of the times. The dewan finds the right girl for the king as per his instructions. He arranges for the hundredth tiger who was very old and weak so that everyone can avoid king’s ire after shooting the hundredth tiger. The hunters didn’t tell the king that the hundredth tiger didn’t die of his bullet and killed the tiger themselves to be safe from his anger. The shopkeeper also displays flattery and cunningness. The wooden tiger costs only two annas and he charged three hundred rupees instead of telling that the toy is not a worthy gift.

There is surely a similarity in today's political order. We see the politicians lie prostrate before their masters to flatter them and don’t have courage to speak of the main leader’s mistakes and tell the ways to improve them. They simply become ‘yes man’.

 

The Third Level

The Third Level

                                  By Jack Finney

Analysis :

·      The story ‘The Third Level is written by Jack Finney, an American writer who is best known for his science fiction and thrillers.

·      The story is about modern-day problems and how the common man tends to escape the reality and slips into imaginary world.

·      This is the story about a man named Charley who hallucinates and reaches the third level of the Grand Central Station which only has two levels.

·      It is a fiction which narrates a set of events happening in the life of the protagonist, Charley and explains his childhood fascination for past time and past things such as stamp collection.

·      The story narrates small incidents, historical events and characters and does the comparative study of the events and characters in the past and present life of Charley.

·      The 1890s depict a tranquil lifestyle that is not feasible in the present. The main character wants to take his wife, Louisa to Galesburg, Illinois, and thus he escapes into his more attractive past and happens to go to the third level of the Grand Central station.

·      The story conveys the message that we may pass into an imaginary world which is more attractive yet we have to face the bitter reality of life.

Video on The Rattrap

Summary :

This is the story of a man named Charley who was thirty-one years old. The narrator had a doubt whether he had been on the third level of the Grand Central Station or not. So he talked to his psychiatrist friend and told him about the third level but he said it was a waking dream or his old wish fulfilment in imagination. He explained that the modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and all the negativity, and which he wanted to escape. The narrator was doubtful and thought that everybody wants to escape, but no one wanders down into any third level. All his friends also felt that his stamp collecting is a ‘temporary refuge from reality. He told that his grandfather who started the collection didn’t need any refuge from reality as things were pretty nice and peaceful in his days. It was a nice collection with blocks of four of practically every U.S. issue, first-day covers, and many other important stamps. He told that President Roosevelt also collected stamps.

He narrated what happened at Grand Central to his psychiatrist friend, Sam. Last summer when he was working late at the office, he was in a hurry to get home to his wife, Louisa so he decided to take the subway from Grand Central because it’s faster than the bus. He passed a dozen men who looked just like him. Being in hurry he turned into Grand Central from Vanderbilt Avenue, and went down to the first level, from where trains like the Twentieth Century could be taken. Then, he walked down to the second level, from where the suburban trains leave. He had been in and out of Grand tunnel hundred times. He got into a tunnel about a mile long and came out in the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel. Another time he came up in an office building on Forty-sixth Street. He felt, Grand Central is growing like a tree with new branches and new roots.

Video on Keeping Quiet

He felt, there’s probably a long tunnel under the city on its way to Times Square, and maybe another to Central Park. Grand Central has been an exit for many years that’s how he got into the tunnel. The corridor was turning left and downward. He could hear his own footsteps, not a soul passed, there. Then, the tunnel turned sharp left. Taking a flight of stairs he came out on the third level at Grand Central Station. There were fewer ticket windows and train gates, smaller rooms and the information booth was of wood and old looking. The man in the booth wore a green eyeshade and long black sleeve protectors. The lights were dim and flickering. There were brass spittoons on the floor, and glint of light across the station. A man was pulling a gold watch from his vest pocket, glanced at his watch and frowned. He wore a derby hat, a black suit and had big, black, handlebar mustache. Everyone in the station was dressed like eighteen-ninety century time with beards, sideburns and fancy mustaches.

Then, he saw a very small Currier & Ives locomotive with a funnel-shaped stack. A newsboy had the stack of  the news paper ‘The World’ which hasn’t been published for years. The lead story on front page was about President Cleveland printed on 11 June 1894. It could be found in the Public Library files. He turned toward the ticket windows on the third level to buy tickets that would take him and Louisa anywhere in the United States in the year 1894. He wanted two tickets to Galesburg, Illinois, a wonderful town with big old frame houses, huge lawns and big trees with the branches meeting overhead. He was overwhelmed with everything associated with the time - summer, people, their habits and working culture and a peaceful world. He wanted to be back there in the past and wanted two tickets for that.

Video on Lost Spring

He had enough money for two coach tickets but when he was counting the money, the clerk said, ‘that ain’t the money’. The money was old-style bills and different-looking. He left the place and came back. Next day, during lunch hour, he drew three hundred dollars out of the bank and bought old-style currency. The three hundred dollars bought less than two hundred in old-style bills, but he didn’t care. But, when he went to buy the tickets, he never again found the corridor that leads to the third level at Grand Central Station, although he tried often enough. Louisa was pretty worried to know all this, and didn’t want him to look for the third level any more. He stopped and went back to his stamps. But then, they both started looking for it every weekend, because now they had proof that the third level is still there. His friend, Sam Weiner disappeared. Sam’s a city boy, and he liked the sound of the place and that’s why he was in Galesburg. In 1894 he found what a first-day cover is. When a new stamp is issued, stamp collectors buy some and use them to mail envelopes to themselves on the very first day of sale; and the postmark proves the date. Such envelope is called a first-day cover. They’re never opened, and had only a blank paper.

That night, among his oldest first-day covers, he found one more envelope which was mailed to his grandfather at his home in Galesburg on July 18, 1894. The stamp had a picture of President Garfield. There was a note to Charley signed by Sam who had gone missing recently. Sam wrote that he always wanted to believe in the idea of third level and now he is there himself. He also encouraged Charley and Louisa to go to him through the third level. He found out that Sam bought eight hundred dollars’ worth of old-style currency. from a coin and stamp store. That money was sufficient to set him up a nice little business. 

Video on The Last Lesson

Important Question Answers

Q. What does ‘Third level refer to?

Ans. There is a subway in New York called The Grand Central Station which basically has two levels from where passengers go to their respective destinations by train. When Charley was in hurry to catch his train running from first and second level of the station, he found an unknown way which led him to the another part of the station which was the third level. It made him think about the period of 1980s which was very peaceful that is not there in that present era but in reality there was no third level ever built, it was all his imagination.

Q. Do you think, the third level is an escape from reality? Why? Why not?

Ans. Yes, the third level is an escape from reality for Charley because the present era is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and he was unhappy in the present conditions. So, when he imagined the third level, he found it peaceful and pleasant and he felt happy in that period of time so definitely it proved that the third level wasa medium of escape for Charley.

 

This is Jody’s Fawn

This is Jody’s Fawn
                                                      By Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Analysis: 

·      This chapter ‘This is Jody’s Fawn’ is written by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, an American author who lived in rural Florida and wrote novels and stories with rural themes and settings.

·      The chapter promotes kindness and care for animals and other creatures.

·      It describes the life of animals, their habitat, behaviour and needs beautifully and impactfully.

·      It depicts that the relationship between a human and an animal can also be so beautiful.

·      The character of Jody is adorable and admirable as he is quite sensitive as well as sensible.

·      The story gives a strong message that we need to be kind and compassionate towards animals and other creatures. We must also take up the responsibility of our actions the way Jody did. He brought the little fawn home as the mother of fawn was killed to save the life of his father.

Summary

Jody’s father Penny Baxter was bitten by a rattle-snake. He quickly killed a doe and used the doe’s heart and liver to draw out the poison. Jody saw that the doe’s baby, little fawn, was left alone.

The thought of fawn kept haunting Jody’s mind. He quietly went to his father’s bed side and asked him to allow him to bring the fawn home. Jody wanted to raise it.

At first Penny was in a dilemma. Jody argued that raising the fawn would not be a burden. Fawn could drink Jody’s milk until he started eating leaves and acorns. Jody also said that his family was responsible for the fawn’s plight. Penny agreed as it would be ungrateful to leave the fawn to starve. He asked him to seek his mother’s permission before bringing the fawn in. The mother was taken aback and quite unwilling when Jody talked of bringing the fawn home. Mother felt helpless but finally she gave her permission for pity’s sake.

Dr. Wilson told Jody’s mother that nothing in the world comes quite free. He meant that they must pay price by raising the fawn, for having taken its mother’s life. Mill-wheel offered to take Jody on his horse to the forest. He made Jody sit behind him on the horse. Mill-wheel asked Jody how he knew that the fawn was male. Jody said that the spots on the fawn were all in a line, indicating that the fawn was male.

Reaching near the clearing Jody asked Mill-wheel to go back he wanted to be alone when he would find the fawn for two reasons. He would not like Mill-wheel to see his disappointment if he could not find fawn. Secondly, if he met the fawn, he would not like to share his emotions with anyone else. Mill-wheel was however afraid to leave Jody alone. Jody however insisted saying that he would be careful. So, Mill-wheel went back.

Jody came to the carcass of the doe surrounded by buzzards. The fawn was not found nearby. He took a round of clearing. After a while, there was some movement directly in front of him. Jody was overjoyed to see his fawn. It was shaking but it didn’t try to rise or run.

Jody laid his hand on the fawn’s soft neck. He was very happy to feel it. Jody lifted the fawn very softly. He feared that the sight of its mother’s carcass might agitate the swan. So he avoided the clearing and went through the bushes, carrying the fawn in his arms. He reached the trail and then he came to the road that could take him home. Now he stopped to rest and put the fawn down. It bleated and looked at Jody. He started slowly. The fawn didn’t move. So he came back to pick him. He went ahead carrying the fawn in his arms. He reached the gate of his home and went straight his father’s bed with the fawn. His father was glad that Jody had found what he wanted.

Jody offered the milk to the fawn. The milk was in the gourd. The fawn could not drink it. Then Jody dipped his fingers in the milk and thrust them into the fawn’s soft mouth. The fawn drank the milk greedily. Then he lowered his fingers into the gourd. The fawn started drinking from the gourd now.

Message:

The story gives a strong message that we need to be kind and compassionate towards animals and other creatures. We must also take up the responsibility of our actions the way Jody did. He brought the little fawn home and took care of it so lovingly in order to compensate the absence of its mother because he found it his responsibility as the mother of the fawn was killed to save the life of his father.

Character Sketch Jody Baxter:

The character of Jody is so adorable and admirable. In such a small age he understands his responsibility as well as the needs of the fawn. He understands that ‘we must pay for our sins and correct our mistakes’.

He is quite sensitive to understands that the little fawn needs care and love in the absence of its mother. Equally sensible he is as he understands that all must also take up the responsibility of their actions. He realises that the fawn is his and his family’s responsibility as its mother was killed to save his father’s life.

He is very kind and compassionate He takes care of fawn so lovingly, gets him milk, teaches him how to drink milk from a container and move in the house. He also ensures that the fawn finishes the milk as the animal didn’t know how to drink from a pot.

RTC

“That’s right, Ma’am. Nothing in the world comes quite free. The boy’s right and his daddy’s right.”

Q1. What does the speaker convey, here?

Q2. Who is the speaker in the above line and who is being spoken to?

Q3. What price does the speaker talk about?

Q4. What message is conveyed, here?

The Open Window

The Open Window

                                                      By Saki (H. H. Munro)

Analysis : 

·      ‘Open Window’ is a humorous, interesting and witty story written by Saki who is regarded as one of the greatest short story writers in English language.

·      Hector Hugh Munro used the pseudonym ‘Saki’ to write several well-known short stories. He is known to write witty, thrilling and suspenseful stories.

·      The story ‘Open Window’ is a beautiful blend of wit, humour and irony and a perfect example of the best story possessing all the required elements of a story – interest, surprise, narration and plot.

     It is an interesting story about Mr. Framton Nuttel who was a patient of nervous system and how was troubled by a clever and quick witted girl, Vera who made a practical joke on him using her gift of story weaving.

Summary / Synopsis :

Mr. Framton Nuttel was a patient of nervous weakness and he was suggested by the doctors to change place and meet new people. His sister gave him letters of introduction of some people whom she knew because he would feel lonely and disturbed and his condition would become worse if he remained aloof.

Frampton moved to a less crowded and peaceful town where his sister lived four years ago. There, he visited Mrs. Sappleton, one of his sister’s acquaintances. Mrs. Sappleton took some time to come downstairs and he spent some time with her fifteen years old niece, Vera.

Vera, while talking to him, got to know that he knew least about the people here. She created a story about how her aunt’s husband and two younger brothers had been engulfed in a bog and died a tragic death when they had gone for hunting in a marsh. This tragedy happened exactly on that very day three years ago. She also told Framton that her aunt never accepted their deaths and believed that some day they would return and enter through the window that Mrs. Sappleton kept open even in October afternoon so that they may enter the house after crossing the lawn.

Mrs. Sappleton entered the room and started talking about her husband and her brothers who would be coming back after hunting. She talked about all that Vera had already told him. Framton is deeply disturbed by her continuous talks about the persons whom he believed to be dead. He tried to tell that his doctor had advised him to take complete rest and avoid mental excitement but Mrs. Sappleton didn’t pay much attention as she was more concerned about her husband and brothers who would be back any moment.

Suddenly, there was horror in his eyes when he saw three male figures dressed in hunting gear approaching the house along with a spaniel. He felt that he had seen ghosts and ran out of the house with a dash. A cyclist had to run into the hedge to avoid collision with him.

Mrs. Sappleton’s husband wanted to know about Mr. Nuttel and the reason why he fled out like a mad person. Vera explained that Framton fled as soon as he saw the spaniel because he was scared of dogs severely.  Spinning another tale, she told that once, he had been chased by the hunting dogs to a cemetery on the banks of the Ganges, where he had fallen into a newly dug grave and the dogs had frightened him with their snarling and growling throughout the night.

Examples of Irony in the Story

·      It is ironical when Mrs. Sappleton keep talking about the open window, hunting, her husband and young brothers when Framton tells her that he requires rest and no mental excitement.

·      Mr. Frampton needs peace, no excitement, no anxiety and that’s he visits Mrs. Sappleton’s place but there receives only anxiety and excitement.

·      When Mrs. Sappleton mentions that Framton fled away as if he had seen ghosts, she actually didn’t know that it was truth according to Framton.

The Treasure Within

THE TREASURE WITHIN

                                 Interview by BELA RAJA

Analysis : 

·      The chapter ‘The Treasure Within’ is an interview with Hafeez Contractor taken by the writer, Ms. Bela Raja, the editor of Sparsh, a newsletter from the Resource Centre, The Valley School, Bangalore.

·      This interview is a sneak peek into the life of Hafeez contractor describing his personality, life, achievements and the making of Mr. Hafeez Contractor into one of India’s leading architects. 

·      The chapter highlights how the hidden talent which is a treasure within a person can be explored, polished and nurtured.

·      It gives the message that no matter how bad a student is, he always possesses a treasure which is his hidden talent and it needs to be explored and developed. In order to explore this treasure within a change is required in teaching practices and methodologies. We can learn more by doing than what academics would teach.

·      Right guidance, sensible approach and encouragement of each student equally is what is needed most.

·      Every child is a potential achiever and is different from other children in her/his style of learning and area of interest.

· 

        Summary / Synopsis:

Hafeez Contractor was an unhappy school boy. He loved doing things in practical life but detested mechanical learning and bookish knowledge. He was very bad at languages, Science and geography he could deal with but Mathematics gave him  shivers and he used to get continuous nightmares about appearing for a Math examination. In third standard, he lost interest and stopped studying. He took interest in games, running around, playing jokes and pranks on others. He would copy in class during exam times as he could not remember things taught in class. He used to bunk classes and was quite indisciplined with regard to his studies and homework that’s he used to receive caning. But, he never bothered about it and went out to play. Students used to book his textbooks for next year because they were almost brand new as he had hardly opened them one day before exams.

His life took 360 degrees turn, when his Principal in his 11^th std. told him about his family conditions and the problems his mother was facing to look after his life and his studies in absence of his father. He also influenced him deeply saying that he was good student but he never studies. He had taken care of him but now, he had to take care of himself.” and motivated him to work on his strengths.

He was a very good sportsman, had been the senior champion for so many years, and the cricket captain also. But after talking to the Principal he stopped playing sports and took his studies seriously. As a result, he got a second class, 50 per cent in his SSC, 12^th std.

After 12^th he wanted to join army as he got only 50 percent and no college was giving admission below 85 percent. But, his aunt tore his admission letter for army. On his mother’s advice to do graduation he went to Jaihind College in Bombay. Though he had studied French for seven years, he did not know seven words of French so he took German in college. Due to sudden demise of German teacher he had to learn French again. He used to go to an architect’s office to learn French from his cousin, she was an architect’s wife. There in the office he corrected the drawing of a window, which was wrong. His cousin’s husband was surprised. He asked him to draw few things, which he immediately did. He asked him to design a house and he did that, too. He asked him to drop everything and join architecture. He got an ‘A+’ in the entrance exam of the architecture. He stood first class first throughout in the college.

He had never made a plan, but he knew how something looked like, from the top. He did not know what a section was, but knew how a cut plan would look like. All this understanding came from what he used to play and do during school when he used to have competitions with his friend, Behram Divecha for designing forts, guns and ammunition.

In his third standard, his teacher, Mrs. Gupta recognized his talent and told me that he was useless in everything else but his sketches are good and suggested him to become an architect. Later, after he became an architect, he went to meet her and tell about his achievement.

He agreed with Bela Raja that giftedness and learning disabilities go hand in hand giving examples of some students from his class, who always stood first or second and were doing ordinary jobs. He learnt more by doing than what academics taught him. If it started raining, I would think how to build a dam to block the flowing water and how much of water the dam would be able to hold. When a student lost a button while playing or fighting, he would cut a button from chalk, using a blade, for him.

He decides the choice of structure for a client after looking at the client’s face, his clothes, the way he talks and the way he eats as these things tell his taste and choice. He could relate to people using his instinct and Mathematics. He told, Putting design, construction, psychology and sociology together and making a sketch from all that is ‘mathematics’.

Bela Raja concluded that they have come to a full circle where Mr. Contractor derived his own interpretation of Mathematics —  from a subject he hated to a subject he now loves dealing with.

Important Question Answers

Q1. How did the Principal’s words influence Hafeez Contractor?
Ans. The Principal was a sensible man. He had been seeing Hafeez from day one. He thought it as his duty to guard him on right time. So, when Hafeez approached his eleventh standard, he called him and told him that he was a good student but he never studied. He had lost his father and his poor mother had worked hard to bring him up and pay his fees. It was the time now to rise to the occasion and study. These words of the Principal influenced Hafeez deeply. He forgot games that year and studied day and night. As a result, he got a second class, 50 per cent in his SSC. His Principal was very happy because he had got 50 per cent in 12th std.

Reference to Context:

“See, you are useless in everything else but your sketches are good. When you grow up you become an architect.”

(a)  Who is the speaker?

(b) Who is the speaker speaking to?

(c)  How was the listener related to the speaker?

(d) What made her advise him so?

Bepin Choudhary’s Lapse of Memory

Bepin Choudhary’s Lapse of Memory

                                                      By Satyajit Ray

 

Analysis: 

·      The Story ‘Bepin Choudhary’s Lapse of Memory’ is written by Satyajit Ray, a great film director, story writer and Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner for having made enormous contribution to Indian film industry.

·      This story is about Bipin Choudhary who is known for his sharp memory and love for reading books. But he fails to prove his friendship and suffers as its consequence.

·      The story is quite humorous and interesting. It keeps the readers glued till the end of the story.

·      The story teaches us that friendship is very important in our life and we should help our friends in need as a friend in need is friend, indeed.

 Video on notice writing

Summary / Synopsis:

It is a humorous story in which the main character, Bepin Chaudhary is made to believe that he has lost his memory. Bepin Choudhury was a regular visitor at Kalicharan’s book shop in the New Market as he is fond of reading books. That day, when he was browsing books in the library, a meek looking person was staring at him with a smile. Bepin Babu did not recognise him. He was surprised at this and told that his name is Parimal Ghosh and he had been with him for a week on his trip to Ranchi in 1958. Bepin Babu said that the man was mistaken as he had never been to Ranchi and he had never met him.

But Ghosh looked at him in disbelief and narrated the incidents of the journey such as Bepin Babu had injured his knee in Hudroo and he had come to his help and Mr. Dinesh Mukerji was also in Ranchi at that time. He also told that Mr. Choudhury had stayed in a hired bungalow while Mukerji remained with his sister as he didn't like hotel food. He told other things about Bepin that he always carried a bag with his books on his trips as he loved reading books, his wife is dead and his only brother died insane. When he told that the trip was made in October, 1958, Bepin Babu said that in October, 1958, he was with his friend at Kanpur.

Bepin Babu was little disturbed so he asked his driver Sitaram to drive by the Ganga. He regretted having paid attention to Ghosh. Yet the incident haunted his mind. The man knew a great deal about him. Now, he was doubtful. Suddenly he thought of writing to Haridas Bagchi, his host at Kanpur but he had left for Japan a few weeks before.

Bepin Babu rolled up his trousers and took a look at his right knee and he found a cut mark, there. Then he thought of going to Dinesh Mukerji and enquire about the incident but hesitated as Dinesh was never his well-wisher.

Video on Road not Taken

Next day Bepin Babu decided to ring up Dinesh. To his surprise, Dinesh confirmed that he went to Ranchi in 1958. He had lost his appetite and was worried.

Bepin Babu had been in that firm for twenty five years. For the first time he was feeling sick. He came home early after lunch.

In the evening Chunilal had come. Chunilal was his school friend but was having a rough time. He wanted Bepin Babu’s help about a job. Bepin Babu knew he could not do anything so he sent word that he could not meet Chunilal for few weeks. Then suddenly, he hurried down to see him. He asked Chunilal if he remembered anything about his visit to Ranchi in 1958. Chunilal looked at his face with concern and asked if he had taken drugs otherwise, how a man with such sharp a memory could forget it. Chunilal had himself booked his tickets as he was working in a travel agency and went to the station to see him off.

Bepin Babu decided to consult a specialist. He went to Dr. Paresh Chandra and explained everything. The doctor was puzzled at this unusual case. He remembered everything except his trip to Ranchi. So, the doctor suggested that he should go to Ranchi again. The sight of the place might remind him of the trip.

Following his doctor’s advice, Bepin Babu went to Ranchi. But at the railway station itself, he felt certain that he had never been there before. He went round the city and had the same feeling. He also went to Hudroo Falls. But there, two Gujarati gentlemen found him unconscious beside a boulder. On regaining consciousness he felt he was finished and there’s no hope left because he could not remember anything about the trip.

Next morning, he was back in Calcutta. He worried if he would never get his memory back and he was going to end up in an asylum. He rang up Dr. Chandra and asked him to come over. That day he went to bed with an ice bag clamped on his head. Then he received a letter. It was from Chunilal. In his letter Chunilal had first expressed his bitterness for getting no help from Bepin Babu. Then he frankly told Bepin Babu that his memory was alright. It was his plan in retribution against his unconcerned and unsympathetic behaviour. In fact, he had played a practical joke upon him with the help of Mr Ghosh and Dinesh Mukerji. Now, it was clear to Bepin Babu that he had not really lost his memory.

When Dr. Chandra came, Bepin Babu told a lie that he had remembered everything on reaching Ranchi Railway station. He asked him to prescribe a pain-killer for the pain in his hip due to a fall in Ranchi.

Video on diary writing

Important Question Answers

Q1. Write a small paragraph about Bepin Choudhary.

Ans. Bepin Choudhury was known for having a sharp memory. He was a regular visitor at Kalicharan’s book shop in the New Market and always carried a bag of books on his trips as he was fond of reading books. His wife had been dead for years and his only brother died insane. Bepin Babu had been working daily in his office for 25 years. It was a big firm, and he was doing a responsible job and since then he had never forgotten any work or important detail. He wasn’t aware of anything ever going seriously wrong. That day itself he spoke for half an hour at an important meeting. For the first time he was told that he forgot an important incident of his life. But, he failed to prove himself as a good friend as he neglected his school friend, Chunni Lal’s financial problems and didn’t help him in his need.

Q2. Mention any three things Parimal Gosh knew about Bepin Cuoudhary.

Ans. Parimal Ghosh met Bepin Choudhary at Kalicharan’s Book shop in New market and told three important things about him in order to convince Bepin that he knew him very well. Parimal told him that Bepin was a regular visitor at Kalicharan’s book shop and always carried a bag of books on his sight seeing trips as he was fond of reading books. The second thing he told was that his wife had been dead for ten years. Thirdly, his only brother died insane and that’s why he didn’t visit mental hospital in Ranchi.

Video on letter to editor