Nothing Twice

 *Nothing Twice - A note of Appreciation.* 

'Nothing Twice' is a beautiful symbolic poem written by the renowned Polish poet Maria Wislawa Szymborska. The poem deals with the complexities of life and the transient nature of time. The poet States that we get only one life to live. A lost opportunity never returns in life. Nothing can ever happen twice. Each and every moments of our life leave us without giving a chance to practice. No single day or event is repeated in our life. Those seem to be similar are actually different.   

The poet gives us a beautiful instance to express her view that human relationship takes different expressions at different times. Sometimes people feel the relationships like a colourful rose with full of fragrance. But sometimes people get boredom by the relationships and tried to avoid them. Here,  the poet feels that a rose with full hue and scent has been into her room as she hears her lover's name accidentally. But at the next day, she feels boredom and looks at the clock even though her lover is with her.

The poem is made up of seven stanzas. Each stanza has four lines, making it a quatrain. The rhyme scheme of the first and last stanza is AABA  and other stanzas is ABAB. The poet uses many poetic devices and imageries to adorn his poem. The phrases ' No two nights' , 'Nature not' are examples for alliteration . The line ' just as two drops of water are ' makes an example for simile . The word 'course' is an example for metaphor which stands for life. The words like rose and clock are visual images. The phrase 'calling your name' is an example for auditory image. Overall the poem is an excellent piece of work highlighting the limitations of human life.

Debts Of Gratitude

 *Debts Of Gratitude* 

1. Selma Lagerlof has arrived at Stockholm to receive the Nobel Prize in literature . You are assigned the task of introducing and welcoming her to receive the award. Write the text of the announcement.

Answer :

     *Announcement* 

 Your Majesties, Your Royal Highness, Esteemed Nobel Prize Laureates, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen..

On behalf of the Nobel foundation, it's my great honour and pleasure to welcome our queen of literature, Ms. Selma Lagerlof, the Nobel Laureate in Literature of this year. 

She is the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. She is basically a teacher comes from Marbacka in Sweden. Her notable works are 'The Story of Gosta Berling' and 'Invisible Links'.

Let's give her a warm welcome with louder applause. I proudly invite Ms. Selma Lagerlof to this auspicious stage, to receive the Nobel prize in Literature for the year 1909.

Thank You

2. Imagine you are Selma Langerlof. Write a letter to your faithful friend, Esselde, who played a crucial role in your literary journey by opening doors when no one else believed in you. 

Answer :

Marbacka 

Sunne municipality

Varmland, Sweden -07

20 October 1909

My dear Esselde, 

How're you my dear? Hope you're doing well. I'm also OK here. 

Dear, I am writing this letter to share an important matter with you. I hope you knew that I won the Nobel Prize for Literature this year. I know that like my father and mother, you also wanted me to get this honor. Now I'm really overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions. My heart is filled with gratitude to everyone who wished and prayed for my success and good future. First of all I'm deeply thankful to my parents who shaped my life. My father will have been happy from heaven that I have won the Nobel Prize.

Dear Esselde, how can I repay your debts? You tried to open doors for me when no one dared to believe in me. I am greatly indebted to my readers too . And most of all, I am indebted to the Academy for their trust in me to give this honour. Once again I gave my heart full thankings to you dear. 

 I am concluding my letter by expecting that you will come to  see me soon. Expecting your favourable reply. Convey my warm regards to all your friends and family.

Yours lovingly,

Selma Lagerlof 

(Sd/-)

3. Suppose Selma Lagerlof writes her feelings and experiences about her Nobel achievement. Draft the likely diary entry. 

Answer :

20 October 1909

Sunday

 It was the most memorable day in my life. How can I forget today. I won the great Nobel Prize ! I am the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. I still cannot believe myself that I won that! Oh God, you're so great. I never expected such a great honour. It was because of my father and mother who shaped my life and prayed for my future. Now I'm really overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions. My heart is filled with gratitude to everyone who wished and prayed for my success. My father will have been happy from heaven that I have won the Nobel Prize. How can I repay the debts? My debts of gratitude! I'm deeply debted to my soul mate Esselde who tried to open doors for me when no one dared to believe in me. I am greatly indebted to my readers too . And most of all, I am indebted to the Academy for their trust in me to give this honour. It was really a wonderful day for me. May God bless everyone.

 झटपट ने नदी में कूदकर नटखट की जान बचाई | मान ले इस पर स्कूल में बधाई समारोह हो रहा है| इसके लिए एक पोस्टर तैयार करें |

झटपट ने  कूदकर अपने छोटे भाई को  जान बचाया | उसे दिन के उसकी डायरी लिखें  |

15 जून 2024

सोमवार 

 आज का दिन मेरे जीवन के सबसे अविस्मरणीय दिन था |  हे भगवान! मैं आज का दिन कैसे भूल सकता हूँ? आज मेरा छोटा भाई नटखट नदी के पानी में गिर गया | उसने कागस की नावें बहाने केलिए नदी के किनारे गया था | वह फिसलकर पानी में गिरते देखा तो मैंने झट से पुल से नदी में कूद पड़ा और तैरकर उसे पकड़ा | माँ की हिदायत है कि नटखट को हमेशा ध्यान रखना की | मैं हमेशा  उससे कहता है कि अपना साथ ही रखें | लेकिन वह ज्यादा ही नटखट है | मुझे उसपर बहुत गुस्सा आया और उसे झापट मारा | उसको भयभीत चेहरे को देखकर मुझे दुख हुआ | भगवान हमारे साथ है | मैं अब से उसे कुछ और ध्यान रख़ना पड़ेगा |

 बहुत दिनों के बाद - नागार्जुन

हिंदी साहित्य की प्रगतिवादी कवी श्री नागार्जुन द्वारा रचित सुन्दर कविता है 'बहुत दिनों के बाद' । यह कविता कवि के प्रकृति-प्रेम पर आधारित है। इस कविता में कवी कहते हैं कि  उसको ऐन्द्रिय सुख की अनुभूति केवल प्रकृति से ही प्राप्त होती है।

बहुत दिनों के बाद अपने गाँव में लौटते समय कवी प्रकृति का सौंदर्य का भरपूर आनन्द लेता है । वह खेत में पकी - सुनहली फसलों की मुस्कान जी भर देखता है । अपने गाँव की धान कूटती किशोरियों के  गीत सुनते तो उसके कान तृप्त होता है | मौलसिरी के ताजे फूलों की सुगंध उसकी नाक की प्यास बुझाता है । 

कवि कहता है कि उसे गाँव की पगडंडी पर चलते हुए गाँव की चन्दनवर्णी मिट्टी का स्पर्श-सुख मिलता है । बहुत दिनों के बाद तालमखाना और गन्नों के स्वाद से उसकी जिहा को भी सन्तुष्टि मिलता है | कवि को कई समय के बाद प्रकृति के विभिन्न वस्तुओं को देखने, सूंघने, सुनने, छूने तथा खाने का अवसर मिलता है ।

Half a Day

I. Write-Up

 ‘Half a Day’ as an allegory

 ‘Half a Day’ is a beautiful short story written by Nobel Prize-winning Egyptian writer, Naguib Mahfouz. It is an allegory that describes the life-cycle of a man.The writer tries to reveal that how fast changes occur in human life. At the beginning of the story, we can see the narrator as a little boy entering school for the first time.  But, as the story progress, he leaves the school as an old man in “half a day”.

 The boy (narrator) goes to school with his father in the morning. The boy becomes nervous. He feels that he is being punished. His father reminds that the school is not a punishment. It's a factory that makes useful people out of children. As he walks along the road, he enjoys the beauty of nature around him.

His anxiety increases when he arrives at school. A lady advises them to consider school as their new home. She also tells that they will have new parents there. The children enjoy the new environment. They attend classes, play games, nap, and make new friends. As time goes on, they realize that the new life also involves some hard work and frustration. Though the teachers are fun and loving most of the time, sometimes they give the children some tough tasks and gets annoyed. Sometimes the children get mental and physical punishments from the teachers.

As the narrator comes out of school in the evening, he cannot find his father waiting for him. So, he tries to walk home alone. He meets a middle-aged man on the way. He also finds that the city has changed dramatically!The garden has disappeared. There are crowds of people, cars, and tall buildings. As a grandfather now, he is unable to cross a busy street. He wonders when he would be able to cross the busy road. At that time a boy who works in the ironing shop comes to help him calling 'Grandpa'. This reveals that the narrator has become an old person now.

The story implies us that how speedily the changes affect on our life. The “half a day” spent in school is thus an allegory. The narrator enters the schoolyard as a little boy and leaves it as a grandfather in “half a day”.

2.  Character Sketch of the Narrator in the story ‘Half a Day’ 

The Narrator : Character Sketch 

‘Half a Day’ is an allegorical short story written by Nobel Prize-winning Egyptian writer, Naguib Mahfouz. In this story, the narrator tries to reveal that how fast changes occur in human life. At the beginning of the story, we can see the narrator as a little boy entering school for the first time.  But, as the story progress, he leaves the school as an old man in “half a day”.

 The boy (narrator) goes to school with his father in the morning. He is wearing a new green uniform, black shoes and a red tarboosh. Though the boy is happy to wear new clothes, he becomes nervous as thinking about new school life. He feels that he is being punished. His father reminds that the school is not a punishment. It's a factory that makes useful people out of children. As he walks along the road, he enjoys the beauty of nature around him.

His anxiety increases when he arrives at school. But soon he is adapted by the new environment. He attends classes, plays games, and makes new friends. As time goes on, he realises that the new life also involves some hard work and frustration. 

As the narrator comes out of school in the evening, he cannot find his father waiting for him. So, he tries to walk home alone. He also finds that the city has changed dramatically! The garden has disappeared. There are crowds of people, cars, and tall buildings. He wonders when he would be able to cross the busy road. At that time a boy who works in the ironing shop comes to help him calling 'Grandpa'. This reveals that the narrator has become an old person now. His attitude changes from dependence to self- reliance and again to dependence.

3. “Dry your tears and face life joyfully....”, said the woman. These words comforted 

the narrator. What would be the likely conversation between the boy and the woman?

Woman : Hey handsome boy, Why are you sad?

Boy: I want to go home. I can't stay here.

Woman : Don't worry dear. Just believe that this is your new home and we are your parents.

Boy : But, I don't know anybody here. 

Woman : Oh... Don't be upset. Look at these children. All of them are your friends. You can play, chat, eat, and sleel with them. 

Boy: Really! Can I have games here?

Woman : Why not. School is full of fun and enjoyments. Go to those kids and make happy yourself.

Boy: Oh. Thank you Ma'm. I'm going to play with them.

Woman : You're welcome my boy. First dry your tears and have some fun.

  The Sower

Victor-Marie Hugo

Read the lines from the poem 'The Sower' and answer the questions that follow:

Sitting in a porch way cool,

Fades the ruddy sunlight fast,

Twilight hastens on to rule--

Working hours are wellnigh past

Shadows shoot across the lands;

But one sower lingers still,

Old, in rags, he patient stands,--

Looking on, I feel a thrill.

Black and high his silhouette

Dominates the furrows deep!

Now to sow the task is set,

Soon shall come a time to reap.

Marches he along the plain,

To and fro, and scatters wide

From his hands the precious grain;

Moody, I, to see him stride.

Darkness deepens. Gone the light.

Now his gestures to mine eyes

Are august; and strange--his height

Seems to touch the starry skies.

1. Who is the speaker here?

Answer : The poet / Victor Hugo

2. Who is the I referred to here?

Answer : The poet / Victor Hugo

3. Who is sitting in the porch way?

Answer : The poet / Victor Hugo

4. Whom the speaker is referred to here?

Answer : The sower

5. Where does the speaker/ poet sit?

Answer : In the porch way of his house.

6. What is the time mentioned here?

Answer : Evening

7. "But one sower lingers still" - What does the word 'lingers' suggests about the sower?

Answer : The line indicates that the sower is still working in his field even it is late evening. This shows that he is very dedicated and hard working person.

8. Pick out two pairs of rhyming words from the poem.

Answer : cool - rule

Fast - past

9. What is the rhyme scheme followed here?

Answer : ABAB

10 What does the poet feel?

Answer : Thrilled

11. Pick out a word from the second stanza that means 'piece of old cloth'.

Answer : rags

12. Pick out a word from the second stanza that means 'dark shape and outline of someone or something'.

Answer : silhouette

13. Why does the poet tell that the grain is precious?

Answer : In one sense, the grains grow as food in future for us. And in other sense, the grains will grow into crops and will make the sower rich

14. Why does the poet become moody or sad ?

Answer : The poet becomes sad by watching the sower struggling so much

15. Pick out visual images from the poem

Answer : porch way, ruddy sunlight, Shadows shoot across the lands, Black and high his silhouette, furrows deep, From his hands the precious grain, starry skies.

16. Pick out examples for alliteration.

Answer : Fades the ruddy sunlight fast /

Shadows shoot across / high his / sower lingers still/ his hands

Rosa Parks Sat Still

 1. Rosa Parks Sat Still - Summary / write up/ Newspaper Report

Answer :

Rosa Parks: The Iron Woman changes the law of America 

Montgomery: A bold black woman named Rosa Parks refused to move from her seat - and this transformed a million lives of America. The incident took place on 1st December 1955, as Rosa Parks was returning home after her tedious work in a bus. There were white people and Black people in the Bus. There was a rule at that time that in a bus if there is a vacant seat it would be of the white people. The Black people were not allowed to sit there. As Rosa was very tired of her work, she refused to move from her seat for a white man.This made the bus driver angry. He called the police and the police arrested Rosa Parks.

The black people of Montgomery decided to fight for Rosa Parks to come out of jail. They boycotted the buses. Without black passengers the buses ran almost empty and it caused to a huge loses to the bus company.  In the court, there were many people who argued for her rights.The judges of Supreme court found that segregation was unlawful and it was against the law of the country. Thus Rosa Park became "the Mother of Black Civil Rights Movement". This incident also changed millions minds of Americans.

2. Character sketch of Rosa Parks.

Answer :

Rosa Parks: The Iron Woman of America 

Rosa Parks is a civil rights activist in America. She is an ordinary working woman having much courage and wisdom.  She is the hero of the protest of Montgomery bus boycott. She is a loyal and obedient citizen also. She had never violated any rules of her country. But, she is against the law of segregation which prevailed in America at that time. According to this law, black men is denied many civil rights in public. They do not allow to sit in a bus when there is standing white passengers in it. Rosa's thoughts 'this law is not fair. If a rule is unfair, it ought to go. It ought not to be in the rulebook. Therefore, it ought not to be obeyed. If people go on obeying such a bad rule, it will stay in the book for ever. So someone should do something about it some day. I think that day has arrived’ gives us a clear picture of her personality. There is brave revolutionary in her spirit. She wants to fight against this injustice. She is not ready to leave her seat for a white passenger. She knows very well about the consequences of her action. She stands as firm as a rock in her decision before the police and the Court. Her determination and valour has transformed the million lives in America. She is considered as the mother of Black Civil Rights Movement.

3. Diary entry of Rosa Parks.

Answer :

2 December 1955

Saturday 

Yesterday was one of the most memorable days of my life.  I got on the bus as usual in the evening. I was very tired of my work on the day.  I paid my fare and sat the nearest vacant seat. Everything seemed quite natural as usual. But as the bus ready to move on many passengers got into the bus in hurry. Each time a white passenger climbed into the bus, a black passenger got up from a seat and moved away. The rule was very clear that black passengers had to give up their seats when white passengers came in. They had to get off the bus and go round to the back door.  Though I noticed that a white passenger stood at the door and looking at me, I didn't mind it. I decided not to leave my seat for him. Why should I get up? I’ve paid the same as the white passenger has paid. My ticket is not a cent cheaper than his, and I am more tired than he is. And he is neither old nor disabled. He is asking for this seat because he is a white. That can’t be right. But how could the driver start? Other passengers grew impatient. They gave me angry looks. But I sat still there. I made up my mind to protest against this unfair law. The driver brought the police in. The arrested me, said I had broken the law, and sent me to jail. I'm proud of my actions. I hope  there will be a change in this segregation in future. I hope I can instill energy and power in some more people to stand up for our rights.

  Light on The Hills 

1. Character Sketch of the boy

Answer :

      The boy : A Gifted Painter 

The boy is the central character in the story.“ The Light on, the Hills’, written by Mrs Lucy Clifford. He is a caring, sensitive and responsible young man. He has a desire to paint a picture, however lacked the courage, confidence and was nervous to paint the picture. He has a younger sister and he loves her very much. He has strong feelings, about her. He receives encouragement from her sister for, painting and becomes a confident artist. He becomes totally upset with the death of his sister.  But gradually he regains his confidence. He seems to hear the voice of his dead sister which makes him more confident just like a strange power comes inside. Though he was diffident at the time of his sister's death, he then emerges as a great painter and draws his masterpiece. He is praised by the audience for his splendid picture.

2. Character Sketch of the girl

Answer :

The little girl plays an important role in the Short story ‘The Light on the Hills’ written by Mrs. Lucy Clifford. Though the girl is too young, she is portrayed as a very mature person with a positive outlook towards life. The girl encourages her brother to paint the picture saying, ‘it will make people happy to look at it’ She tries to build up his confidence by pointing out to him that ‘If you do your work with dedication and honesty, people will know how hard you have tried’. She is very bold and confident. She always tries to instill much courage and confidence in her brother also. She tells him that if he wants to do his best, then he has to do it for the people whom he loves. That will help him to move forward without any boredom. Though her imminent death weakens her elder brother, even her memories gives him immense confidence and courage. She is very live throughout the story even after her death. She shares a strong and loving relationship with her brother and remains as a constant source of inspiration even after her death. In short, she is such a strong and inspirational character.

3. The boy in the story ‘ The Light on the Hills’ was appreciated by everyone for his painting. Their appreciation reminded him of his sister. Later, he jotted down his feelings in his diary. Prepare the likely diary entry of the boy.

Answer :

20 May 2023

Sunday

It was an unforgettable day in my life today. My promise to my little sister has been fulfilled. Everybody came to congratulate me. I know it's all because of her. She gave me the confidence and guidance. Now, I miss her a lot. How happy she would be, if she were alive. She was the one who wished the most to see me successful. She is my inspiration. She lives in my heart like a strong soul even after her death. Her memories still give me immense courage to move on. As she said once, "it will make people happy to look at it’', I could see the happiness on the face of the people who came to see my picture today. Once, She had told me that if I want to do my best, then I have to do it for the people whom I love. So, I drew my picture for my beloved sister. All the appreciation and happiness I received today is dedicated to my sister.

4. The boy in the story ‘ The Light on the Hills’ is awarded the best painter award for his painting. At the award function, he delivers a speech on how his sister inspired him. Write the likely speech.

Answer :

Good morning ladies and gentlemen, 

 Today I am very happy to get a chance to be here and to deliver a few words before you. First of all, I put my heartfelt thanking to you for supporting me. On this proud moment, I remember my beloved little sister. She is the invisible power behind my success.

Today I fulfilled my promise to her. She was the one who wished the most to see my success. Today you all came and gathered here to congratulate me. I know it's all because of her. She gave me the confidence and guidance. Now, I miss her a lot. How happy she would be, if she were alive. She was the one who wished the most to see me successful. She is my inspiration. She lives in my heart like a strong soul even after her death. Her memories still give me immense courage to move on. As she said once, "it will make people happy to look at it’', I could see the happiness on the face of the people who came to see my picture today. Once, She had told me that if I want to do my best, then I have to do it for the people whom I love. So, I drew my picture for my beloved sister. All the appreciation and happiness I received today is dedicated to my sister. 

I conclude my short words by giving my extream thanking to you all once again.

Thank You Very much 

5. The boy finally came up with a wonderful painting appreciated by everyone. His little sister’s words were the real inspiration behind his achievement. Having heard of the achievement of the boy, you have decided to send a letter of appreciation to him. Write the letter.

Answer :

Love Dale

7th street

Calicut -07

20 May 2023

Dear John,

How're you? Hope you are doing well. I’m writing this letter to express my happiness on hearing about your achievement. Hearty congratulations! I read all the details of your art exhibition in the papers today. I could also see some photographs of you paintings. I must say they are simply marvellous! You're an inborn artist. I was really touched to learn about the wonderful way in which you were inspired by your sister. You are very lucky to have  such a sensible sister. She must be happy in heaven with your success. I am sure, you will become a popular painter in the world in the coming years. I wish you good luck in all your future works. I conclude my words by congratulating you once again. 

Yours Lovingly,

Jimmy 

(Sd/-)

  We're the World

1. Who are the composers of the song 'We are the World'?

Answer :

Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie Jr.

2. What, according to the lyricists, is the greatest gift of all?

Answer:

 lending a hand to the life of others or helping the needy people.

3. Why do you think that we can’t go on pretending forever?

Answer :

Everyone and Everything in this world are a part of God's big family. So, it's our responsibility to help others and love everyone.

lt is useless to think that someone will soon make a change somewhere.

4. ‘It’s true we’ll make a better day Just you and me.’ How?

Answer :

Man is a social animal. We cannot withstand without depending each other. If we unite together, nothing can stop us. We can make the world a better place.

5. When will a change really come according to the lyricists?

Answer :

When we stand together.

6. What might have prompted the lyricists to sing a song like this?

Answer :

The crying of the suffering people around the world and the need of love might have prompted the lyricists to sing a song like this.

7. What, according to the lyricists, was needed for everyone?

Answer :

Love

8. Prepare a note of appreciation of the poem' We are the World'

Answer :

 ‘We’re the World’

‘We’re the World’ is one of the most celebrated songs composed by the popular American singers Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie Jr. The poem immortalises art which plays a vital role in changing the world.The poem deals with the need of the hour to stand together.

The poem begins with a hope that there will be a time when all of us hear a ‘certain call’ then the whole world will become one. The people go on dying and it is time for us to give a helping hand. According to the lyricists, lending a hand to life is the greatest gift of all.The lyricists states that we cannot go on pretending, that someone, somewhere will make a change. When we work with unity, we can make the world a better place.The emotion that the lyrics are creating is empathy and love.

 All of us are a part of the world, love is what is needed and all of us know that it’s the truth.We are the world and we are the children. We should make the world brighter so we must start giving. Give your hearts to the sad people then they will understand that we care for them. Thus, their lives will become stronger. They will be free. When you are completely distressed and helpless believe that there is no way for you to fall. Everything will be fine one day. We all should recognize that we must stay together for a complete change.

 Taj Mahal

 Read the lines from the poem 'Taj Mahal' and answer the questions that follow:

You knew, Emperor of India, Shah Jahan,

That life, youth, wealth, renown

All float away down the stream of time.

Your only dream

Was to preserve forever your heart's pain.

The harsh thunder of imperial power

Would fade into sleep

Like a sunset's crimson splendour,

But it was your hope

That at least a single, eternally-heaved sigh would stay

To grieve the sky.

1. Who write the poem 'Taj Mahal'?

Answer :

Rabindranath Tagore

2. Who is referred to as 'You' here?

Answer

Emperor of India, Shah Jahan

3. What, in the poet’s view, are the things that would float away down the stream of time?

Answer:

Life, youth, wealth and renown – all float away down the stream of time.

4. What is Imperial power compared to ?

Answer :

a sunset's crimson splendour.

5. Why is ‘imperial power’ compared to the splendour of sunset?

Answer :

Like the sunset, imperial power also diminishes or fades. Both are transient.

6. What do you think was Shah Jahan’s ‘heart’s pain’?

Answer:

The memories of his beloved wife, Mumtaz. Shah Jahan wished to keep her memory forever by building the beautiful monument, the Taj Mahal.

7. Pick out an instance for simile from the given lines.

Answer :

The harsh thunder of imperial power Would fade into sleep Like a sunset’s crimson splendor

8. Pick out an instance for auditory image from the given lines.

Answer :

harsh thunder

9. Pick out an instance for visual image from the given lines.

Answer :

sunset's crimson splendour

10. "Your only dream Was to preserve forever your heart's pain." Whose dream has to be preserved?

Answer :

The dream of Emperor Shah Jahan 

11. Pick out an instance for alliteration from the lines.

Answer :

sunset's crimson splendour

Read the lines from the poem 'Taj Mahal' and answer the questions that follow:

Though emeralds, rubies, pearls are all

But as the glitter of a rainbow tricking out empty

air And must pass away,

Yet still one solitary tear

Would hang on the cheek of time

In the form

Of this white and gleaming Taj Mahal.

12. What are emeralds, rubies, and pearls compared to?

Answer :

glitter of a rainbow

13. Identify the lines which shows the transience of rainbow.

Answer : 

But as the glitter of a rainbow tricking out empty / air And must pass away,

14. Pick out the lines which mean emeralds, rubies and pearls are transient.

Answer :

Though emeralds, rubies, pearls are all / But as the glitter of a rainbow tricking out empty /air And must pass away,

15. ‘All float away down the stream of time’. What image do you get from this line?

Answer :

This line indicates that all the worldly things are transient and will be destroyed one day.

16. How is Taj Mahal described?

Answer :

white and gleaming

17. Pick out an instance of visual image from the lines.

Answer :

Rainbow

17.Pick out an instances of simile from the poem.

Answer :

Though emeralds, rubies, pearls are all But as the glitter of a rainbow tricking out empty air And must pass away,

18. Which line do you like the most? why?

Answer :

"Yet still one solitary tear / Would hang on the cheek of time"I liked this lines because this lines reveal the feelings of emperor shah Jahan and also has a picturesque beauty.

19. Prepare a note of appreciation of the poem ' The Taj Mahal'.

Answer :

 Taj Mahal: The eternal Beauty

'Taj Mahal' is one of the most beautiful poems written by India’s first Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The poem is taken from Tagore's poem 'Shah Jahan'. In this poem Tagore speaks of the immortal creation, the Taj Mahal and the timeless appeal of that great monument. The theme of the poem is the transience of life and eternity of art. The poem deals with Shajahan’s undying love for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal and the eternal beauty of the Taj Mahal itself.

The poet states that the emperor Shah Jahan knew that all the worldly things like life, youth, wealth, and renown are transient and would be destroyed one day. His love to Mumtas was priceless. So he wanted to preserve it forever in the form of the immortal creation like Taj Mahal. Here the poet gives us a clear picture about the transience of life and the eternity of art.

The poet continuously stating that everything in this world get carried away in the flow of time. Even the undeniable power of an emperor would be faded like the crimson splendour of sunset. But, the glory of Taj Mahal, the heart's pain of Shah Jahan would stay forever as a teardrop on the cheek of time. The shining precious stones like emeralds, rubies, pearls would be destroyed like a rainbow. But the beautiful Taj Mahal would recite the immortal love of Shah Jahan for years.

The poet uses many imageries to show how transient is the life and how intransient is the art. The poet has judiciously employed a couple of figures of speech like 'simile' in the poem to make the more attractive. Here, Imperial power is compared to the fading crimson splendour of the sunset and the shining precious stones to the beautiful rainbow and it’s glow which remains for a few seconds. The image of Taj Mahal as a tear drop is a beautiful visual image. The phrase 'harsh thunder' is an example for auditory image. 

The Boy Who Drew Cats

1. Did you enjoy the story, ‘The Boy who Drew Cats’? If you were the young boy, how would you tell the story?

         The Boy Who Drew Cats

I was the youngest child of a poor Japanese family. Because of my poor health, I was sent to an old priest to make me as an acolyte.  I had a bad habit. Whenever I was alone, I would draw the pictures of cats. I drew the cats on the margins of the priest’s books, on the walls and pillars of the temple. At last the priest sent me away fom the temple by saying that I was not suit for the job of a priest.  He also gave a piece of advice to me that "avoid large places at night and to keep to the small".

 I didn't go to home because I was sure that my father would punish me for being disobedient to the priest. I went straight to the next village. There was a very big temple. I had heard there were several priests at that temple; and I made up my mind to go to them and ask them to take me as their acolyte.

I reached there with lots of hope. But Alas! I couldn't find any human even the surroundings of the temple. I entered the huge hall inside where I saw many blank walls and draw some cats there! I felt tired . I searched for some safer place to sleep. At the same time, I remembered my priest's advice! Then I chose a small cabinet to sleep.

At that night, I heard some dreadful screamings from the temple. I laid inside the cabinet holding my breath. At the next morning, I saw the dead body of a monstrous Goblin rat. Then I observed that the mouths of all the cats I had drawn the night before, were red and wet with blood.  I could realise that the Goblin was killed by the cats which I had drawn. And I also thanked the wise old priest who had give me the advice ‘Avoid large places at night, keep to small.’

2. The Arts Club of your school has decided to conduct a painting competition to find out the young talents. As the arts club secretary, prepare a notice to invite the students.

Answer :

3. Prepare a diary entry of the boy:

20 May 2024

Monday

 Oh God! What an unforgettable day it was! The priest sent me away fom the temple by saying that I was not suit for the job of a priest.  He also gave a piece of advice to me that "avoid large places at night and to keep to the small". I went straight to the big temple at the next village, hoping that I would get a job. I reached there with lots of hope. But Alas! I couldn't find any priests there. I entered the huge hall inside where I saw many blank walls and draw some cats there! I felt tired . I searched for some safer place to sleep. At the same time, I remembered my priest's advice! Then I chose a small cabinet to sleep. At night, I heard some dreadful screamings from the temple. I laid inside the cabinet holding my breath. At the next morning, I saw the dead body of a monstrous Goblin rat. I could realise that the Goblin was killed by the cats which I had drawn. And I also thanked my wise old priest who gave me such a valuable advice!

 The Mysterious Picture 

1. Tyl calmly strode out of the hall and rode away on his donkey from the palace . On the way he meets one of his friends and narrates the experiences he had in the palace. Write the narrative..

Answer :

Tyl: The Clever Painter

On the course of my wandering from court to court on my donkey Jeff, I reached the palace of the Archduke of Battenburg. I wanted to become the court painter. As I informed that I was a Flemish painter, the captain of the guards allowed me to meet the Archduke. I showed the painting of Our Lady, The Virgin’ to the Archduke. The Archduke was flattered by the painting and appointed me as his court painter.

As I came to know that the Archduke wanted his portrait to be remembered by his descendants, I put forward a suggestion that I could draw his portrait along with his lady and all other courtiers. The Archduke was very much impressed by that idea and offered me a hundred gold pieces in advance.

The next day as per my wish, all the courtiers who were to painted came to see me one by one. The first one was the Commander in chief of the army. He was a short, fat, bald man with an enormous paunch.  But he wanted himself to be painted handsom and threatened to hang me if I didn't obey him. Similar kinds of threats were followed by all the other courtiers . But alas! The Archduke commanded that my painting should be very real and if I missed anything in it, I would be slaughtered like a pig.

I realised that I was in danger. I want to save myself at any cost. I found a solution. I asked for three assistants to help me in mixing colours. All of us enjoyed our living at the palace by drinking and eating for sixty days. But we didn't draw any pictures on the wall. On the sixtieth day, I summoned everyone to the hall. Before unveiling the curtain, I announced that only those who had noble blood in their veins would be able to see the painting. I also added that all the rest would only see a blank wall. As I drew the curtain, everybody started admiring my painting! Suddenly the Duke’s jester told that he couldn’t see any picture there except a blank wall. Hearing this I calmly moved out of the palace by saying that "When fools begin to talk,‘it’s time for wise men to walk." Thus I saved my life.

 2 Prepare the character sketch of Archduke.

The Archduke of Battenburg.

The Archduke is one of the powerful character in the story 'The Mysterious Picture' written by Charles De Coster. He is the ruler of Battenburg. He loves paintings and artists very much. Though a little pompous he is sincere and just.  He always keeps his promises. He is a very kind person as he gives Tyl reward in advance. And also he has a mind to welcome guests with good feasts., He loves to be remembered after his death. He has a good patience . So that he waits , about two months for completing the painting of Tyl.

3. Prepare the character sketch of Tyle.

Answer :

Tyl: The Flemish Painter

Tyl is the central character of the story 'The Mysterious Picture' written by Charles De Coster. He is a painter from Flanders and wants to be the court painter at the palace of the Archduke of Battenburg . He comes to the palace on his donkey Jeff. He is slim and looks like a skeleton. He always wears a cap with three bright feathers. He is very clever and tricky. He knows very well how to escape safely from a crisis. He has a good sense of humor and values his own freedom and creativity. He is very talkative and confident fellow. He can impress anyone by his sensible way of talking.

4. Write a diary entry of Tyl

20 May 2024

Monday 

Oh God! What an unforgettable day it was! I never expect that I could get my life back. The Archduke ordered me to draw his portrait along with his lady and all other courtiers. All his courtiers demanded that I should make them more attractive in my painting. But the Archduke demanded that my painting would be so realistic. He warned me that if I missed anything in it, I would be slaughtered like a pig. What shall I do? I would be killed either by Archduke or by the courtiers. I wanted to save my life at any cost. My assistants and I enjoyed our living at the palace by drinking and eating for sixty days. But we didn't draw any pictures on the wall. On the sixtieth day, I summoned everyone to the hall. Before unveiling the curtain, I announced that only those who had noble blood in their veins would be able to see the painting. I also added that all the rest would only see a blank wall. As I drew the curtain, everybody started admiring my painting! Suddenly the Duke’s jester told that he couldn’t see any picture there except a blank wall. Hearing this I calmly moved out of the palace by saying that "When fools begin to talk,‘it’s time for wise men to walk." Thus I saved my life.

 1. Prepare the character sketch of the homeopath in the story'The snake and the mirror'.

Homeopath : The dreamer

Homeopath is the central character of the short story written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.  In this story,  Basheer portrays the homeopath as an admirer of beauty. He is very proud of himself for being a young handsome bachelor and a doctor by profession. He had just started his medical practice and his earnings were meagre. He lives in a rented room that was not electrified. In order to look more handsome , he decides to shave daily, keep an attractive smile always on his face and grow a thin moustache.  He would also wish to marry a woman doctor who has plenty of money and a good medical practice. She should be fat so that even if he made any mistakes, she wouldn’t be able to run after him. But, the phrase " Man proposes, God disposes " is very much apt for the doctor's life. On the contrary to his plan, God willed something different! His wife is a thin reedy person with the gift of a sprinter.! 

Homeopath is a satirical character who often delivers some silly jokes himself. He mentions comically that he and the rats share the rented room. His conceptions about his fiancée also reveals his sense of humor. At the end of the story the doctor feels shame himself as the thief left his dirty vest. He presents the matter comically by saying that "The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness . . .! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water." When the cobra coiled around his arm, he admits that he was a stupid doctor because he had forgot to keep any medicines with him. In short, the doctor is a simple but a humorous character.

 2.  The story 'The Snake and the Mirror' by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer portrays a frightening incident in the life of ahomeopath in a humorous way. Prepare a write up on the use of contrasts in the story to bring out the humour.

 The Snake And The Mirror

 'The Snake and the Mirror' is an interesting story by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer portraying a frightening incident about an encounter with a cobra took place in the life of a homeopath in a humorous way. The homeopath is a bachelor who lived in a rented room which was not electrified. He had recently set up his medical practice and his earnings were meagre . 

One summer night, after having his dinner from a restaurant, homeopath reached his room around ten 'O clock. After removing his clothes, he made his bed to go to sleep. But it was too hot inside. So, he couldn't get sleep.  He went to the veranda to get some air. But didn't get!  He came back into the room and sat on the chair beside the table. At that time, he was tempted by a mirror.  He was a great admirer of beauty and also a bachelor. In order to look more handsome , he decided to shave daily, keep an attractive smile always on his face and grow a thin moustache.  He would also wish to marry a woman doctor who has plenty of money and a good medical practice. She should be fat so that even if he made any mistakes, she wouldn’t be able to run after him. On the contrary to his plan, God willed in a different sense ! his wife was a thin person like a sprinter!

With such lovely thoughts, he sat on the chair. Suddenly he heard a dull thud behind him. Before he could do anything, a fat snake coiled his arm. He sat still like a stone image. If he tried to move slightly, the snake would bite him. His real fear was that he had no medicine with him at that time. So, he admitted himself that he was a stupid and foolish doctor. As the snake turned its head it saw its reflection in the mirror! To his surprise, the snake unwound itself and moved closer to the mirror on the table. 

 At that moment, the homeopath escaped from the room and reached one of his friends' house. The next day he went to his room with his friends to remove his belongings from there. When they reached there they found that some thief had stolen all the things except his dirty vest. On seeing that the doctor said "The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness . . .! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water."

 3. The doctor in the story 'The Snake and the Mirror' ran out of the house after his encounter with the snake. Reaching his friend’s house,  he jotted down his experience in his diary. Prepare the likely diary entry.

20 May 2023

Sunday

What an unforgettable day it was! How can I forget today? Thank God. I thought it would be the last day in my life..... As usual, reached my rented room after having dinner.  It was too hot inside to sleep. I was tempted by the mirror. I decided to shave daily, grow a thin moustache and always to keep an attractive smile on my face to look more handsome. I also wished to marry a woman doctor with plenty of money and practices. I think, the God didn't like my arrogance. All of a sudden, I heard a dull thud from behind. Before I could do anything, a cobra coiled my arm. I sat still like a stone image. If I tried to move slightly, the snake would bite me. My real fear was that I had no medicine with me at that time. How stupid and foolish I am. Soon,  the snake just turned its head and saw its reflection in the mirror. To my surprise, the snake unwound itself and moved closer to the mirror on the table. Without wasting a second, I escaped from the room and reached my friend’s house .Oh God! I will never forget this incident. God appeared before me in the form of a mirror to save my life.

 2.  The story 'The Snake and the Mirror' by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer portrays a frightening incident in the life of ahomeopath in a humorous way. Prepare a write up on the use of contrasts in the story to bring out the humour.

 The Snake And The Mirror

 'The Snake and the Mirror' is an interesting story by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer portraying a frightening incident about an encounter with a cobra took place in the life of a homeopath in a humorous way. The homeopath is a bachelor who lived in a rented room which was not electrified. He had recently set up his medical practice and his earnings were meagre . 

One summer night, after having his dinner from a restaurant, homeopath reached his room around ten 'O clock. After removing his clothes, he made his bed to go to sleep. But it was too hot inside. So, he couldn't get sleep.  He went to the veranda to get some air. But didn't get!  He came back into the room and sat on the chair beside the table. At that time, he was tempted by a mirror.  He was a great admirer of beauty and also a bachelor. In order to look more handsome , he decided to shave daily, keep an attractive smile always on his face and grow a thin moustache.  He would also wish to marry a woman doctor who has plenty of money and a good medical practice. She should be fat so that even if he made any mistakes, she wouldn’t be able to run after him. On the contrary to his plan, God willed in a different sense ! his wife was a thin person like a sprinter!

With such lovely thoughts, he sat on the chair. Suddenly he heard a dull thud behind him. Before he could do anything, a fat snake coiled his arm. He sat still like a stone image. If he tried to move slightly, the snake would bite him. His real fear was that he had no medicine with him at that time. So, he admitted himself that he was a stupid and foolish doctor. As the snake turned its head it saw its reflection in the mirror! To his surprise, the snake unwound itself and moved closer to the mirror on the table. 

 At that moment, the homeopath escaped from the room and reached one of his friends' house. The next day he went to his room with his friends to remove his belongings from there. When they reached there they found that some thief had stolen all the things except his dirty vest. On seeing that the doctor said "The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness . . .! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water."

 1. Prepare the character sketch of the homeopath in the story'The snake and the mirror'.

Homeopath : The dreamer

Homeopath is the central character of the short story written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.  In this story,  Basheer portrays the homeopath as an admirer of beauty. He is very proud of himself for being a young handsome bachelor and a doctor by profession. He had just started his medical practice and his earnings were meagre. He lives in a rented room that was not electrified. In order to look more handsome , he decides to shave daily, keep an attractive smile always on his face and grow a thin moustache.  He would also wish to marry a woman doctor who has plenty of money and a good medical practice. She should be fat so that even if he made any mistakes, she wouldn’t be able to run after him. But, the phrase " Man proposes, God disposes " is very much apt for the doctor's life. On the contrary to his plan, God willed something different! His wife is a thin reedy person with the gift of a sprinter.! 

Homeopath is a satirical character who often delivers some silly jokes himself. He mentions comically that he and the rats share the rented room. His conceptions about his fiancée also reveals his sense of humor. At the end of the story the doctor feels shame himself as the thief left his dirty vest. He presents the matter comically by saying that "The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness . . .! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water." When the cobra coiled around his arm, he admits that he was a stupid doctor because he had forgot to keep any medicines with him. In short, the doctor is a simple but a humorous character.

 American Revolution :

Reasons of the Revolution :

> Mercantalism:-

* The goods only carry in British ships

* British stamb must be affixed on legal documents and newspapers

* Colonies must provide food and quarters for British troops.

* Import tax must be paid for tea , glass etc..

Thinkers :-

* The thinkers like John Locke and Thomas Pain gave motivation to the French people.

First Continental Congress :

* The delegates of colonies assembled at Philadelphia and demanded not to levy new taxes without their permission.

Second Continental Congress :

* The delegates of colonies assembled at Philadelphia and formed an army under George Washington

* War between England and The American colonies started with the Declaration of Independence

Results:-

* Gave motivation to the later revolutions

* First written constitution

* Republican government

* Federal system

അമേരിക്കൻ വിപ്ലവം:

 വിപ്ലവത്തിൻ്റെ കാരണങ്ങൾ:

 > മെർക്കന്റലിസം :-

 *ചരക്കുകൾ ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് കപ്പലുകളിൽ മാത്രമേ കൊണ്ടു പോകാവൂ.

 * നിയമപരമായ രേഖകളിലും,പത്രങ്ങളിലും ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് സ്റ്റാമ്പ് പതിച്ചിരിക്കണം

 * കോളനികൾ ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് സൈനികർക്ക് ഭക്ഷണവും താമസവും നൽകണം.

 * തേയില , ഗ്ലാസ് മുതലായവയ്ക്ക് ഇറക്കുമതി നികുതി നൽകണം.

 ചിന്തകർ :-

 * ജോൺ ലോക്ക്, തോമസ് പെയിൻ തുടങ്ങിയ ചിന്തകർ ഫ്രഞ്ച് ജനതയ്ക്ക് പ്രചോദനം നൽകി.

 ഒന്നാം കോണ്ടിനെൻ്റൽ കോൺഗ്രസ്:

 * കോളനികളുടെ പ്രതിനിധികൾ ഫിലാഡൽഫിയയിൽ ഒത്തുകൂടി, അവരുടെ അനുമതിയില്ലാതെ പുതിയ നികുതികൾ ഈടാക്കരുതെന്ന് ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടു.

 രണ്ടാം കോണ്ടിനെൻ്റൽ കോൺഗ്രസ്:

 * കോളനികളുടെ പ്രതിനിധികൾ ഫിലാഡൽഫിയയിൽ ഒത്തുകൂടി, ജോർജ്ജ് വാഷിംഗ്ടണിൻ്റെ കീഴിൽ ഒരു സൈന്യം രൂപീകരിച്ചു.

 *ഇംഗ്ലണ്ടും അമേരിക്കൻ കോളനികളും തമ്മിലുള്ള യുദ്ധം 'സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യ പ്രഖ്യാപനത്തോടെ' ആരംഭിച്ചു

 ഫലങ്ങൾ :-

 * പിൽക്കാല വിപ്ലവങ്ങൾക്ക് പ്രചോദനം നൽകി

 *ആദ്യത്തെ എഴുതപ്പെട്ട ഭരണഘടന

 * റിപ്പബ്ലിക്കൻ സർക്കാർ

 * ഫെഡറൽ സംവിധാനം

French Revolution :

Reasons of the Revolution :-

Political Reasons :

- The Louis Kings of France were autocrats

- The led a luxurious life and waged unnecessary wars

Social Reasons :

* French society was divided into three estates.

* First estate includes the Clergy, the second estate includes the Nobility and the third estate includes the middle class, farmers, etc..

* First and Second estate led a luxurious life and the held vast lands. They were excluded from all taxes.

* All the taxes were imposed upon the third estate.

Role of thinkers :

* The thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu gave motivation to the French people.

Economic Crisis:

* The financial help given to the American colonies made acute economic crisis in France.

* The commons ( Third estate ) gathered in a tennis court and declared that they would not leave until they had framed a constitution. This is called Tennis court Oath.

* The revolutionaries destroyed the Bastille Fort. This is the beginning of French Revolution.

Results :

* Motivated later revolutions

* ideas of Liberty, equality and Fraternity.

* Growth of middle class

* Ended feudalism

ഫ്രഞ്ച് വിപ്ലവം :

 വിപ്ലവത്തിൻ്റെ കാരണങ്ങൾ:-

 രാഷ്ട്രീയ കാരണങ്ങൾ:

 - ഫ്രാൻസിലെ ലൂയി രാജാക്കന്മാർ സ്വേച്ഛാധിപതികളായിരുന്നു

 - ആഡംബര ജീവിതം നയിക്കുകയും അനാവശ്യ യുദ്ധങ്ങൾ നടത്തുകയും ചെയ്തു

 സാമൂഹിക കാരണങ്ങൾ:

 * ഫ്രഞ്ച് സമൂഹം മൂന്ന് എസ്റ്റേറ്റുകളായി വിഭജിക്കപ്പെട്ടു.

 * ഒന്നാം എസ്റ്റേറ്റിൽ പുരോഹിതരും രണ്ടാമത്തെ എസ്റ്റേറ്റിൽ പ്രഭുക്കന്മാരും മൂന്നാം എസ്റ്റേറ്റിൽ മധ്യവർഗവും കർഷകരും മറ്റും ഉൾപ്പെടുന്നു.

 * ഒന്നും രണ്ടും എസ്റ്റേറ്റുകാർ ആഡംബര ജീവിതം നയിക്കുകയും    വിശാലമായ  ഭൂസ്വത്തുക്കൾ കൈവശം വെക്കുകയും ചെയ്തു   എല്ലാ നികുതികളിൽ നിന്നും അവരെ ഒഴിവാക്കിയിരുന്നു.

 * എല്ലാ നികുതികളും മൂന്നാം എസ്റ്റേറ്റിനുമേൽ ചുമത്തപ്പെട്ടു.

 ചിന്തകരുടെ പങ്ക്:

 * വോൾട്ടയർ, റൂസ്സോ, മോണ്ടെസ്ക്യൂ തുടങ്ങിയ ചിന്തകർ ഫ്രഞ്ച് ജനതയ്ക്ക് പ്രചോദനം നൽകി.

 സാമ്പത്തിക പ്രതിസന്ധി:

 * അമേരിക്കൻ കോളനികൾക്ക് നൽകിയ സാമ്പത്തിക സഹായം ഫ്രാൻസിൽ കടുത്ത സാമ്പത്തിക പ്രതിസന്ധി സൃഷ്ടിച്ചു.

 * കോമൺസ് (തേർഡ് എസ്റ്റേറ്റ്) ഒരു ടെന്നീസ് കോർട്ടിൽ ഒത്തുകൂടി, ഒരു ഭരണഘടന ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്നത് വരെ തങ്ങൾ വിട്ടുപോകില്ലെന്ന് പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു.  ഇതിനെ ടെന്നീസ് കോർട്ട് ഓത്ത് എന്ന് വിളിക്കുന്നു.

 * വിപ്ലവകാരികൾ ബാസ്റ്റിൽ കോട്ട തകർത്തു.  ഇത് ഫ്രഞ്ച് വിപ്ലവത്തിൻ്റെ തുടക്കമാണ്.

 ഫലങ്ങൾ :

 * പിന്നീടുള്ള വിപ്ലവങ്ങൾക്ക് പ്രചോദനം നൽകി

 * സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യം, സമത്വം, സാഹോദര്യം എന്നിവയുടെ ആശയങ്ങൾ.

 * മധ്യവർഗത്തിൻ്റെ വളർച്ച

 * ഫ്യൂഡലിസം അവസാനിപ്പിച്ചു

Russian Revolution :

Political reasons :-

- The Tsar emperors of Russia were autocrats

- The led a luxurious life and waged unnecessary wars

Social Reasons :

* The landless farmers had to pay huge taxes

* Factory workers were exploited by foreign owners.

February Revolution :-

* Tsar Nicholas ||, the then Tsar rule joined in First World War though people opposed this.

* Poverty became acute and people under Kerensky fought against king and defeated. The King's army also joint with the revolutionaries. This event is February revolution.

* Lenin, the Bolshevik leader organised the Soviets and fought against the provisional government of Kerensky. Thus Russia became under the control of Bolsheviks and became a Socialist country. This event is October revolution.

Results :

* Motivated later revolutions

* withdrew from first wkrld war

* Spread socialism

* Gave importance to public sector 

റഷ്യൻ വിപ്ലവം:

 രാഷ്ട്രീയ കാരണങ്ങൾ :-

 - റഷ്യയിലെ സാർ ചക്രവർത്തിമാർ സ്വേച്ഛാധിപതികളായിരുന്നു

 - ആഡംബര ജീവിതം നയിക്കുകയും അനാവശ്യ യുദ്ധങ്ങൾ നടത്തുകയും ചെയ്തു

 സാമൂഹിക കാരണങ്ങൾ:

 * ഭൂരഹിതരായ കർഷകർക്ക് വലിയ നികുതി നൽകേണ്ടി വന്നു

 * ഫാക്ടറി തൊഴിലാളികളെ വിദേശ ഉടമകൾ ചൂഷണം ചെയ്തു.

 ഫെബ്രുവരി വിപ്ലവം :-

 * ജനങ്ങളുടെ എതിർപ്പുണ്ടായിരുന്നെങ്കിലും   അന്നത്തെ സാർ ചക്രവർത്തിയായിരുന്ന നിക്കോളാസ് രണ്ടാമൻ ഒന്നാം ലോകമഹായുദ്ധത്തിൽ പങ്കെടുത്തു.

 * ദാരിദ്ര്യം രൂക്ഷമാവുകയും കെറൻസ്കിയുടെ കീഴിലുള്ള ആളുകൾ രാജാവിനെതിരെ പോരാടുകയും പരാജയപ്പെടുത്തുകയും ചെയ്തു.  രാജാവിൻ്റെ സൈന്യവും വിപ്ലവകാരികളോടൊപ്പം ചേർന്നു.  ഈ സംഭവം ഫെബ്രുവരി വിപ്ലവമാണ്.

 * ബോൾഷെവിക് നേതാവ് ലെനിൻ സോവിയറ്റുകളെ സംഘടിപ്പിക്കുകയും കെറൻസ്കിയുടെ താൽക്കാലിക സർക്കാരിനെതിരെ പോരാടുകയും ചെയ്തു.  അങ്ങനെ റഷ്യ ബോൾഷെവിക്കുകളുടെ നിയന്ത്രണത്തിലാവുകയും സോഷ്യലിസ്റ്റ് രാജ്യമായി മാറുകയും ചെയ്തു.  ഈ സംഭവം ഒക്ടോബർ വിപ്ലവമാണ്.

 ഫലങ്ങൾ :

 * പിൽക്കാല വിപ്ലവങ്ങൾക്ക് പ്രചോദനം നൽകി

 *ഒന്നാം ലോകയുദ്ധത്തിൽ നിന്ന് പിന്മാറി

 * സോഷ്യലിസം പ്രചരിപ്പിക്കപ്പെട്ടു 

 * പൊതുമേഖലയ്ക്ക് പ്രാധാന്യം നൽകി

Chinese Revolution 

 Part A

1. Which state is the largest producer of rubber?

 ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതൽ റബ്ബർ ഉൽപാദിപ്പിക്കുന്ന സംസ്ഥാനം ഏത്  ?

a) Tamilnad

b) Karnataka 

c) Kerala

d) Gujarat 

2. Which was the last mass movements conducted by Gandhiji in India?

 ഗാന്ധിജി ഇന്ത്യയിൽ നടത്തിയ അവസാനത്തെ ബഹുജന പ്രക്ഷോഭം ഏതായിരുന്നു ?

a) Non cooperation movement 

b) Champaran Satyagraha a) Everest

b) Kanchenjunga

c) Mount K2

d) Anamudi

c) Civil Disobedience movement 

d) Quit India Movement

3. Who appoints UPSC chairman?

UPSC ചെയർമാനെ തിരഞ്ഞെടുക്കുന്നത് ആര്? 

a) Governor 

b) President 

c) Vice President 

d) Prime Minister

4. Which one is not a qualitative feature of human resources?

a) Training 

b) Education 

c) growth of population 

d) Health care

5. Which is the highest peak in India?

ഇന്ത്യയിലെ ഏറ്റവും ഉയരം കൂടിയ കൊടുമുടി ഏത് ?

a) Everest

b) Kanchenjunga

c) Mount K2

d) Anamudi

(3 Mark Questions)

6. What are the revolutions that paved the way for the emergence of sociology?

സമൂഹശാസ്ത്രത്തിന്റെ ആവിർഭാവത്തിലേക്ക് വഴിതെളിച്ച പ്രധാന വിപ്ലവങ്ങൾ ഏതെല്ലാം ?

7. What are the benefits of E- governance?

 ഈ ഗവേണൻസിന്റെ നേട്ടങ്ങൾ കണ്ടെത്തുക?

8. Write a note about Trans Himalayas.

ട്രാൻസ് ഹിമാലയൻ   നിരകളെ കുറിച്ച് കുറിപ്പെഴുതുക .

9. What are the advantages of water transport?

 ജലഗതാഗതത്തിന്റെ മേന്മകൾ കണ്ടെത്തുക?

10. How does education help in the development of a country?

 വിദ്യാഭ്യാസം എങ്ങനെ രാഷ്ട്രത്തിന്റെ വികസനത്തിന് സഹായിക്കുന്നു എന്ന് കണ്ടെത്തുക?

(4 Mark Questions)

11. Write a note about the integration of princely states .

നാട്ടുരാജ്യങ്ങളുടെ ലയനത്തെ അടിസ്ഥാനമാക്കി കുറിപ്പെഴുതുക.

12. What are the various circumstances where the consumers are exploited or cheated ?

ഉപഭോക്താക്കൾ ചൂഷണം ചെയ്യപ്പെടുകയോ കബളിപ്പിക്കപ്പെടുകയോ ചെയ്യുന്ന സന്ദർഭങ്ങൾ ഏതെല്ലാമാണ്?

13. What are the proposals good forward by Gandhiji as part of non cooperation movement?

 നിസ്സഹകരണ പ്രസ്ഥാനത്തിന്റെ ഭാഗമായി ഗാന്ധിജി മുന്നോട്ടുവെച്ച  നിർദ്ദേശങ്ങൾ എന്തെല്ലാം ആയിരുന്നു ?

14. Vaikunda Swamikal  - Sadhujana Paripalana Sangham

Sreenarayana Guru         - Nair Service Society 

Ayyankali                           - SNDP Yogam

Mannath Padmanabhan - Samathwasamajam

15. Mark and label the following on the outline map of India provided.

a)Mahanadi

b) Aravalli

c) Kandla Port

d) Deccan Plateau

PART - B

16. What are the proposals advanced by the social reformers aimed at bringing about the fundamental changes in Indian society?

 ഇന്ത്യൻ സമൂഹത്തിൽ അടിസ്ഥാനപരമായ മാറ്റങ്ങൾ ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്നതിനായി സാമൂഹിക പരിഷ്കർത്താക്കൾ മുന്നോട്ടുവച്ച നിർദ്ദേശങ്ങൾ എന്തെല്ലാമായിരുന്നു?

Or

 What are the features of permanent land revenue settlement ?

ശാശ്വത ഭൂനികുതി വ്യവസ്ഥയുടെ പ്രത്യേകതകൾ എന്തെല്ലാം?

17. What are the peculiarities of autumn season?

 ഹേമന്തകാലത്തിന്റെ സവിശേഷതകൾ എന്തെല്ലാം ?

Or

 What are the factors that influence the speed and direction of a wind?

 കാറ്റിന്റെ ദിശയെയും  വേഗതയെയും സ്വാധീനിക്കുന്ന ഘടകങ്ങൾ ഏതെല്ലാം ?

18. What are the role of newspapers in forming nationalism in India?

ഇന്ത്യൻ ദേശീയത രൂപപ്പെടുത്തുന്നതിൽ വർത്തമാന പത്രങ്ങളുടെ പങ്ക് വ്യക്തമാക്കുക .

Or

 What are the circumstances that led to the Malabar peasants revolt of Kerala?

കേരളത്തിലെ മലബാർ കർഷകലാപങ്ങളുടെ കാരണങ്ങൾ എന്തെല്ലാമായിരുന്നു.

(4 Marks)

19. What are the major goals of microfinance?

മൈക്രോ ഫിനാൻസിന്റെ പ്രധാന ലക്ഷ്യങ്ങൾ എന്തെല്ലാം ?

Or

What is budget? Describe about different types of budgets?

 എന്താണ് ബജറ്റ്? വിവിധതരം ബജറ്റുകളെ കുറിച്ച് വിശദീകരിക്കുക.

20. Describe the role of family and education in formulating Civic consciousness?

പൗരബോധം രൂപപ്പെടുത്തുന്നതിൽ കുടുംബത്തിൻ്റെയും വിദ്യാഭ്യാസത്തിൻ്റെയും പങ്ക് വിവരിക്കുക?

Or

Write a comparison about the compulsory and discretionary functions of States.

 രാഷ്ട്രത്തിന്റെ നിർബന്ധിതവും വിവേചനപരവുമായ ചുമതലകൾ താരതമ്യം ചെയ്യുക

21. What are the uses of Satellite remote sensing?

 ഉപഗ്രഹ വിദൂരസംവേദനത്തിന്റെ ഉപയോഗങ്ങൾ കണ്ടെത്തുക?

Or

Grid reference

 ഗ്രിഡ് റഫറൻസ്

22. How social science learning can be utilized for the formulation of Civic consciousness?

 പൗരബോധ രൂപീകരണത്തിന് സാമൂഹ്യശാസ്ത്ര പഠനത്തെ എങ്ങനെ പ്രവചനപ്പെടുത്താം ?

Or

 Discribe about the important factors of a state.

 ഒരു രാഷ്ട്രത്തിന്റെ പ്രധാന ഘടകങ്ങളെ കുറിച്ച് കുറിപ്പെഴുതുക.

23. For what purposes do commercial banks provide loans?

എന്തെല്ലാം ആവശ്യങ്ങൾക്കാണ് വാണിജ്യ ബാങ്കുകൾ വായിപ്പുകൾ നൽകുന്നത്

Or

Describe about direct and indirect taxes.

 പ്രത്യക്ഷ നികുതിയെയും പരോക്ഷ നികുതിയെയും കുറിച്ച് വിവരിക്കുക .

5 Mark

24. Find the importance of Greenwich line and international date line.

 ഗ്രീനിച്ച രേഖയുടെയും അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര ദിനാങ്കരേഖയുടെയും സവിശേഷതകൾ കണ്ടെത്തുക.

6 Mark

25. Russian revolution

Or

Second world war

 പ്ലാവിലക്കഞ്ഞി

ജ്ഞാനപീഠ പുരസ്കാര ജേതാവും  മലയാളത്തിന്റെ അനശ്വര സാഹിത്യകാരനുമായ ശ്രീ.  തകഴി ശിവശങ്കരപ്പിള്ളയുടെ 'രണ്ടിടങ്ങഴി' എന്ന നോവലിലെ  പ്രസക്ത ഭാഗമാണ്  'പ്ലാവിലക്കഞ്ഞി'. പുഷ്പവേലിൽ ഔസേപ്പ്  എന്ന ജന്മിയുടെ കീഴാളനായി ജോലി ചെയ്യാൻ വിധിക്കപ്പെടുന്ന കോരൻ എന്ന  യുവാവിന്റെ ദുരിത പൂർണ്ണമായ ജീവിത യാഥാർത്ഥ്യങ്ങളിലൂടെയാണ് പ്രസ്തുത കഥാഭാഗം   കടന്നു പോകുന്നത്. കുട്ടനാടൻ കർഷകരുടെ ദുരിത പൂർണ്ണമായ ജീവിതവും , കോരൻ -  ചിരുത ദമ്പതികളുടെ സ്നേഹസമ്പന്നമായ ദാമ്പത്യ ജീവിതവും , കോരനും അയാളുടെ അച്ഛനായ വെളുത്തയും തമ്മിലുള്ള ആത്മബന്ധവും  ഈ കഥയിലെ പ്രമേയങ്ങളാണ്.  താൻ പട്ടിണി കിടന്നാലും തന്റെ ഭാര്യയ്ക്ക് വയറുനിറയെ കഞ്ഞി കൊടുക്കണം എന്നാഗ്രഹിക്കുന്ന കോരനിൽ സ്നേഹസമ്പന്നനായ ഒരു കുടുംബനാഥനെയും ഒരു ഭർത്താവിനെയും നമുക്ക് കാണാവുന്നതാണ്. അതുപോലെ, വിശപ്പുണ്ടായിരുന്നിട്ടും  ഭർത്താവിന് വേണ്ടി  കഞ്ഞിവെള്ളം മാറ്റിവെച്ച ചിരുതയിൽ ഒരു നല്ല വീട്ടമ്മയെയും ഭാര്യയെയും നമുക്ക് കാണാവുന്നതാണ്.  നാളുകൾക്കു ശേഷം വീട്ടിലേക്ക് അതിഥിയായി എത്തിയ കോരന്റെ അച്ഛനെ  വേണ്ടവിധം സൽക്കരിക്കുന്ന ചിരുതയിൽ ഒരു നല്ല മരുമകളെ നമുക്ക് ദർശിക്കാവുന്നതാണ് . എല്ലാത്തിലും ഉപരി  തന്റെ അച്ഛന് ഒരു നേരമെങ്കിലും വയറു നിറച്ച് ചോറ് കൊടുക്കണമെന്ന് ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്ന കോരനിൽ കർത്തവ്യ ബോധമുള്ള ഒരു മകനെ നാം കാണുന്നു. ചുരുക്കത്തിൽ, കുടുംബബന്ധങ്ങളുടെ ആഴങ്ങളിലേക്ക് വേരൂന്നിയ ഒരു കഥയാണിതെന്ന് നിസ്സംശയം പറയാം. ഇല്ലായ്മകളെ സ്നേഹം കൊണ്ട് മറികടക്കുന്ന ഇതിലെ കഥാപാത്രങ്ങൾ ആധുനിക സമൂഹത്തിന് ഒരു മാതൃക തന്നെയാണ്.

ഓരോ വിളിയും കാത്ത്

മലയാളത്തിന്റെ പ്രിയങ്കര സാഹിത്യകാരനായ ശ്രീ. യുകെ കുമാരൻ രചിച്ച ഭാവസാന്ദ്രമായ ചെറുകഥയാണ്  'ഓരോ വിളിയും കാത്ത് '. കുടുംബബന്ധങ്ങളുടെ ആഴവും,തീവ്രതയും, ഊഷ്മളതയും അതി സൂക്ഷ്മമായിതന്നെ ഈ കഥയിൽ അവതരിപ്പിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. കുടുംബത്തിന്റെ എല്ലാമെല്ലാമായിരുന്ന അച്ഛന്റെ വിയോഗത്തിൽ ഒറ്റപ്പെടുന്ന അമ്മയുടെയും , അമ്മയുടെ ഏകാന്തതയിൽ സങ്കടപ്പെടുന്ന ഒരു മകന്റെയും കഥയാണിത്. അച്ഛന്റെ ഓർമ്മകളുറങ്ങുന്ന മണ്ണും വീടും മറന്ന്  മകനോടൊപ്പം പോകാൻ അമ്മയ്ക്ക് മനസ്സ് വരുന്നില്ല . മരണത്തിനു ശേഷവും  അച്ഛന്റെ ഓരോ വിളിക്കും കാതോർത്തിരിക്കുന്ന അമ്മയുടെ ചിത്രം വായനക്കാരനിൽ  വല്ലാത്തൊരു വിങ്ങലുണർത്തുമെന്നുള്ളത് തീർച്ചയാണ്. സ്നേഹസമ്പന്നമായ ഭാര്യ - ഭർതൃ ബന്ധവും, അമ്മയും മകനും തമ്മിലുള്ള ബന്ധവും സ്പഷ്ടമായി ചിത്രീകരിക്കാൻ ഇവിടെ കഥാകാരന് സാധിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. ഈ കഥയിൽ 'ഓർമ്മ'കളിലൂടെയാണ് അച്ഛൻ എന്ന കഥാപാത്രം വായനക്കാരിൽ എത്തുന്നതെങ്കിലും, ഒരേസമയം ഉത്തരവാദിത്വബോധമുള്ള ഒരു കുടുംബനാഥനായും, പഴക്കം വന്ന ഒരു കർഷകനായും  അദ്ദേഹം ഈ കഥയിൽ ഉടനീളം ചിത്രീകരിക്കപ്പെടുന്നുണ്ട്. ആധുനിക സമൂഹത്തിൽ അന്യം നിന്നുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്ന കുടുംബ ബന്ധങ്ങളുടെയും, സ്നേഹബന്ധങ്ങളുടെയും ആഴങ്ങളിലേക്കുള്ള ഒരു തിരിഞ്ഞുപോക്കാണ് ഈ കഥ.

അമ്മത്തൊട്ടിൽ

പ്രശസ്ത മലയാള കവിയും ഗാനരചയിതാവുമായ റഫീഖ് അഹമ്മദിന്റെ ഏറെ ചർച്ച ചെയ്യപ്പെട്ട കവിതയാണ് 'അമ്മത്തൊട്ടിൽ'. തങ്ങളെ വളർത്തി വലുതാക്കിയ മാതാപിതാക്കൾ, വാർദ്ധക്യത്തിൽ എത്തുന്നതോടെ  ഒരു ഭാരമാണെന്ന് കരുതി  ഉപേക്ഷിക്കാൻ ഒരുങ്ങുന്ന യുവതലമുറയുടെ ക്രൂര മനോഭാവത്തിനെതിരെയുള്ള ഒരു ചോദ്യചിഹ്നമാണ് പ്രസ്തുത കവിത. ഭാര്യയുടെ നിർബന്ധത്തിനു വഴങ്ങി, സ്വന്തം അമ്മയെ ഉപേക്ഷിക്കുന്നതിനായി കാറിൽ കയറ്റി കൊണ്ടുപോകുന്ന ഒരു മകനെയാണ് നമ്മൾ ഈ കവിതയിലുടനീളം കാണുന്നത്. വഴിയിലൂടെ നീളം അമ്മ തനിക്കായി കഷ്ടപ്പെട്ട് ഓരോ നിമിഷങ്ങളും ഓർത്ത്  ആ മകൻ  വേവലാതിപ്പെടുന്നത് കാണാം . ഒടുവിൽ കുറ്റബോധം നിറഞ്ഞ മനസ്സോടെ അയാൾ അമ്മയെ ഉപേക്ഷിക്കില്ലെന്ന് തീരുമാനിക്കുകയും, അമ്മയെയും കൊണ്ട് വീട്ടിലേക്ക് തന്നെ മടങ്ങാൻ തീരുമാനിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു. എന്നാൽ മകനൊരു ഭാരമാകേണ്ട എന്ന്  നിശ്ചയിച്ചുറപ്പിച്ചതിനാലാകണം  ആ അമ്മ ഇതിനകം തന്നെ മരണത്തിന് കീഴടങ്ങിക്കഴിഞ്ഞിരുന്നു. വാർദ്ധക്യം ഉപേക്ഷിക്കലിനു വേണ്ടിയാകരുതെന്നും കരുതലിനു വേണ്ടിയാകണമെന്നുമുള്ള ഒരു സന്ദേശമാണ് ഈ കവിത നമുക്ക് നൽകുന്നത്.

കൊച്ചു ചക്കരച്ചി

മലയാളത്തിന്റെ പ്രിയങ്കര സാഹിത്യകാരൻ ശ്രീ. എ പി ഉദയഭാനു രചിച്ച മനോഹരമായ ലേഖനമാണ് 'കൊച്ചു ചക്കരച്ചി' തന്റെ ബാല്യകാലത്തിലെ മാമ്പഴ സ്മരണകളും, തന്റെ തറവാട്ട് മുറ്റത്ത് പടർന്നുപന്തലിച്ചു നിലനിന്നിരുന്ന കൊച്ചു ചക്കരച്ചി എന്ന മാവു മുത്തശ്ശിയുടെ കഥയുമാണ് പ്രസ്തുത ലേഖനത്തിലൂടെ ലേഖകൻ വർണ്ണിക്കുന്നത്. 'വൃക്ഷങ്ങൾ  പലതുണ്ടെങ്കിലും, വൃക്ഷങ്ങളിൽ വെച്ച് വൃക്ഷമായത് മാവ് തന്നെയാണെ'ന്നുള്ള വാക്യത്തോടുകൂടിയാണ് പ്രസ്തുത ലേഖനം ആരംഭിക്കുന്നത്. ഒരു മാവിന്റെ കഥ പറയുന്നതിലൂടെ പ്രകൃതിയും മനുഷ്യനും തമ്മിലുള്ള ആഴമേറിയ ബന്ധത്തെക്കുറിച്ചും ഈ ലേഖനം ചർച്ച ചെയ്യുന്നു. വലിയ വില ലഭിക്കുന്ന സാഹചര്യം ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നിട്ടും ആ മാവിനെ വിൽക്കാൻ ലേഖകന്റെ അമ്മ തയ്യാറാകാതിരുന്നത് ആ മാവിനോടുള്ള അവരുടെ ആത്മബന്ധം വ്യക്തമാക്കുന്നു. 'കൊച്ചുചക്കരച്ചി നേരുള്ള മാവാണ്.അവൾ ദോഷം വരുത്തുകയില്ല '  എന്ന അമ്മയുടെ വാക്കുകൾ അന്വർത്ഥമാക്കുന്നതായിരുന്നു കൊച്ചുചക്കരച്ചിയുടെ പതനം. ആർക്കും ഒരു അപകടവും വരുത്താതെയായിരുന്നു  ഒരു കാറ്റിൽ പെട്ട് കൊച്ചു ചക്കരച്ചി നിലം പതിച്ചത്. പ്രകൃതി, തന്നെ സ്നേഹിക്കുന്നവരെ ചതിക്കില്ലെന്ന ഒരു വിശ്വാസം ഇവിടെ ലേഖകൻ നമുക്ക് പറയാതെ പറഞ്ഞു തരുന്നു.

ഓണമുറ്റത്ത് 

 മലയാളത്തിന്റെ പ്രിയങ്കരനായ കവി  ശ്രീ വൈലോപ്പിള്ളി ശ്രീധരമേനോൻ രചിച്ച ഗൃഹാതുരത്വമുണർത്തുന്ന കവിതയാണ് 'ഓണമുറ്റത്ത്'. മലയാള നാടിനെ ഓണം എങ്ങനെയാണ് അണിയിച്ചൊരുക്കുന്നതെന്നും, മലയാളികൾ മാവേലി മന്നനെ എങ്ങനെയാണ് വരവേൽക്കുന്നതെന്നും  കവി ഇവിടെ ഓർമിക്കുന്നു. ഓണത്തിന്റെ മധുരസ്മൃതിയിൽ സ്വയം ഒരു പുള്ളുവനായി മാറുകയാണ് കവി. പൊതുയോഗത്തിൽ യുവതലമുറയ്ക്ക് നഷ്ടമായ മൂല്യങ്ങളെ കുറിച്ച് ബോധമുള്ള കവി നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ട പഴമയുടെ സാംസ്കാരിക പ്രൗഢി തിരിച്ചെടുക്കാനുള്ള ഒരു ശ്രമവും കവിതയിലൂടെ നടത്തുന്നു. ആധുനിക നാഗരിക സംസ്കാരത്തിൽ ജീവിക്കുന്ന പച്ച പരിഷ്കാരികൾ  തന്നെ പരിഹസിച്ചാലും തന്റെ ആത്മാഭിമാനം തകരില്ല എന്ന് കവിക്ക് പൂർണ്ണ ബോധ്യമുണ്ട്.

 കോഴിയും കിഴവിയും  

പ്രശസ്ത മലയാള ചെറുകഥാകൃത്തായ ശ്രീ.കാരൂർ നീലകണ്ഠപ്പിള്ളയുടെ  അതിമനോഹരമായ കഥാവിഷ്കാരമാണ് 'കോഴിയും കിളവിയും'. നന്മകളാൽ സമ്പന്നമായ നാട്ടിൻപുറത്തിന്റെ വിശേഷങ്ങളും , അയൽപക്ക ബന്ധങ്ങളുടെ ആഴവും നർമ്മ ഭംഗിയോടെ സൂക്ഷ്മമായി അവതരിപ്പിക്കുന്ന കഥയാണിത്.  ഒരു തികഞ്ഞ ആക്ഷേപഹാസ്യമായ ഈ കഥയിൽ മനുഷ്യമനസ്സിലെ നന്മയും തിന്മയും കൃത്യമായി പ്രതിഫലിപ്പിക്കപ്പെടുന്നുണ്ട്.  തന്റെ അയൽക്കാരനായ മാർക്കോസിനെ  ഉപദ്രവിച്ചു തന്റെ പറമ്പിൽ നിന്നും പുറത്താക്കുന്നതിനായി മത്തായിയും ഭാര്യയും കൂടി ചെയ്തുകൂട്ടുന്ന കുടില പ്രവർത്തികളാണ് പ്രസ്തുത കഥയുടെ ഇതിവൃത്തം. മത്തായിയുടെ കോഴിയെ മാർക്കോസിന്റെ  മകൻ അറിയാതെ കല്ലെറിഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ അത് ചത്തുപോയി.  ചത്ത കോഴിയെ മാർക്കോസിന്റെ  ഭാര്യ മത്തായിയുടെ വീട്ടിൽ ഏൽപ്പിച്ചെങ്കിലും അവരതിനെ വാങ്ങാൻ കൂട്ടാക്കിയില്ല . എന്നാൽ പിന്നീട് മത്തായിയും ഭാര്യയും കൂടി രഹസ്യമായി ആ കോഴിയെ കറിവെച്ച് തിന്നു . ശേഷം മാർക്കോസ് തന്റെ കോഴിയെ കട്ട് തിന്നു എന്നും പറഞ്ഞു പോലീസിൽ ഒരു കള്ള കേസ് കൊടുത്തു . എന്നാൽ മത്തായിയുടെ അമ്മയുടെ സമയോചിതമായ ഇടപെടൽ കാരണം മാർക്കോസ്  പോലീസിന്റെ അറസ്റ്റിൽ നിന്നും രക്ഷപ്പെടുന്നു. തലമുറകൾക്ക് മുൻപേ തുടങ്ങിവച്ച സ്നേഹബന്ധങ്ങളെ പണത്തിന്റെ  കണക്കിൽ വിലയിടുന്നതിനെ ഹാസ്യ രൂപത്തിൽ അവതരിപ്പിക്കുകയാണ് പ്രസ്തുത കഥ. 'പണത്തിനു മീതെ പരുന്തും പറക്കില്ല ' എന്ന പുതുതലമുറയുടെ ചൊല്ലിന്  സ്നേഹത്തിന്റെ ഭാഷയിൽ ഒരു മറുപടി നൽകുകയാണ് മത്തായിയുടെ അമ്മ ഈ കഥയിൽ .

ശ്രീനാരായണ ഗുരു

പ്രശസ്ത മലയാള നിരൂപകനും യുക്തിവാദിയുമായ  ശ്രീ കുറ്റിപ്പുഴ കൃഷ്ണപിള്ളയുടെ കാലികപ്രസക്തമായ ലേഖനമാണ് 'ശ്രീനാരായണ ഗുരു'. കേരള നവോത്ഥാന കാലഘട്ടത്തിലെ ഋഷിവര്യനായ സാമൂഹിക പരിഷ്കർത്താവായിരുന്ന ശ്രീനാരായണഗുരുവിന്റെ ബഹുമുഖമായ പ്രവർത്തന മണ്ഡലങ്ങളെക്കുറിച്ച് പ്രസ്തുത ലേഖനം വിശദീകരിക്കുന്നു. മറ്റ് ഋഷിവര്യന്മാരിൽ നിന്നും വ്യത്യസ്തമായി ആശ്രമത്തിൽ നിന്നിറങ്ങി സാധാരണക്കാർക്കിടയിൽ പ്രവർത്തിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് ആധ്യാത്മിക ജീവിതത്തിനും ഭൗതിക ജീവിതത്തിനും തുല്യപ്രാധാന്യം നൽകുകയായിരുന്നു അദ്ദേഹം ചെയ്തത്. 'മതം ഏതായാലും മനുഷ്യൻ നന്നായാൽ മതി', 'ഒരു ജാതി ഒരു മതം ഒരു ദൈവം മനുഷ്യന് ' സംഘടിച്ച് ശക്തരാകുവിൻ വിദ്യകൊണ്ട് പ്രബുദ്ധരാകുവുക' തുടങ്ങിയ ഗുരു വചനങ്ങൾ തീർത്തും കാലികപ്രസക്തമാണ്. സമൂഹത്തിൽ നിലനിന്നിരുന്ന ഉച്ചനീചത്വങ്ങൾക്കെതിരെ  ശക്തമായ നിലപാടെടുത്തിരുന്ന ഗുരു എന്നും അധ:കൃതവർഗ്ഗത്തിന്റെ  പുനരുദ്ധാരണത്തിനായി നിലകൊണ്ടു. ഏതെങ്കിലും ഒരു പ്രത്യേക വിഭാഗത്തിന്റെ ഗുരുവായി നിലകൊള്ളാതെ മനുഷ്യസമൂഹത്തിന്റെ മൊത്തം പുരോഗതിക്കും ഐക്യത്തിനും വേണ്ടിയായിരുന്നു ഗുരു പ്രയത്നിച്ചിരുന്നത്. ഇതുതന്നെയാണ് മറ്റു  ആത്മീയാചാര്യന്മാരിൽ നിന്നും ശ്രീനാരായണഗുരുവിനെ വ്യത്യസ്തനാക്കുന്നതും.

പത്രനീതി

മലയാളത്തിന്റെ പ്രിയങ്കര സാഹിത്യകാരനും നിരൂപകനുമായ ശ്രീ. സുകുമാർ അഴീക്കോടിന്റെ  സമകാലിക പ്രസക്തമായ ലേഖനമാണ് 'പത്രനീതി'. ലേഖനത്തിന്റെ പേര് വെളിപ്പെടുത്തുന്നമാത്രയിൽ തന്നെ  മാധ്യമ ധർമ്മത്തിന്റെയും സത്യസന്ധതയുടെയും  ആവശ്യകതയാണ് ഇവിടെ അഴീക്കോട് മാഷ് ചൂണ്ടിക്കാണിക്കുന്നത്. സാമ്പത്തിക ലാഭം മാത്രം ലക്ഷ്യമാക്കി വാർത്തകളെ വളച്ചൊടിക്കുന്ന ആധുനിക മാധ്യമ പ്രവർത്തനത്തെ  ലേഖകൻ ശക്തമായ ഭാഷയിൽ വിമർശിക്കുന്നു. ഇപ്പോൾ പണം കൊടുത്തു പത്രം വാങ്ങിയാൽ മാത്രം പോരാ , വാർത്തകളുടെ സത്യാവസ്ഥ മനസ്സിലാക്കേണ്ട ഗതികേടും വന്നിരിക്കുന്നു എന്ന് അദ്ദേഹം  ഹാസ്യാത്മകമായി വിമർശിക്കുന്നു. പത്രമാധ്യമങ്ങൾ ജനങ്ങൾക്ക് മാർഗ്ഗദർശിയായി മാറണമെന്നും , ഒരു ജനാധിപത്യ ഭരണകൂടത്തിൽ പത്രങ്ങൾക്ക് വലിയ സ്വാധീനം ഉണ്ടെന്നും  ലേഖകൻ ഓർമ്മപ്പെടുത്തുന്നു. ഫോർത്ത് എസ്റ്റേറ്റ് എന്ന് വിശേഷിപ്പിക്കപ്പെടുന്ന ഭരണകൂടത്തിന്റെ നാലാമത്തെ ശക്തിയാണ് പത്രങ്ങൾ. മാധ്യമധർമ്മം കൃത്യമായി സൂക്ഷിക്കുന്ന പത്രങ്ങൾ സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ പുരോഗതിക്കും, രാജ്യത്തിന്റെ വളർച്ചക്കും ഒരു മുതൽക്കൂട്ടാണെന്ന് ഈ ലേഖനം നമ്മെ ഓർമ്മപ്പെടുത്തുന്നു.  വർത്തമാനപത്രങ്ങൾ ഉൾപ്പെടെ എല്ലാ മാധ്യമങ്ങൾക്കും ഉള്ള ഒരു മാർഗ്ഗനിർദ്ദേശമായി നമുക്ക് ഈ ലേഖനത്തെ കണക്കാക്കാം.

പണയം

മലയാള സാഹിത്യത്തിലെ പുതുമുഖ സാന്നിധ്യമായ ശ്രീ സന്തോഷ് കുമാറിന്റെ  ഏറെ ചർച്ച ചെയ്യപ്പെട്ട കഥയാണ് 'പണയം' . ഗ്രാമീണ ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ നിഷ്കളങ്കതയും ദാരിദ്ര്യവും ഇഴ ചേർത്തുകൊണ്ടാണ് ഈ കഥ ചിത്രീകരിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്. ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ രണ്ടറ്റവും കൂട്ടിമുട്ടിക്കാൻ പ്രയാസപ്പെടുന്ന ചാക്കുണ്ണി എന്ന കഥാപാത്രത്തിന്റെ ദുരിത പൂർണമായ ജീവിതയാഥാർത്ഥ്യങ്ങളാണ് പ്രസ്തുത കഥയുടെ ഇതിവൃത്തം. ഒത്തിരി ത്യാഗങ്ങൾ സഹിച്ച് താൻ സ്വന്തമാക്കിയ റേഡിയോ,  തന്റെ ഇളയ മകളുടെ ചികിത്സാവശ്യാർത്ഥം ചെമ്പു മത്തായി എന്ന വ്യക്തിക്ക്  പണയമായി നൽകേണ്ടിവരുന്ന ചാക്കുണ്ണിയുടെ ദുഃഖ പൂർണമായ ചിത്രമാണ് ഈ കഥയുടെ മുഖ്യ ആകർഷണം. തന്റെ ജീവന്റെ താളമായിരുന്ന ആ റേഡിയോ നഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്നതിലെ ചാക്കുണ്ണിയുടെ ദൈന്യതയാർന്ന ഭാവ വികാരങ്ങൾ കൃത്യമായി ഒപ്പിയെടുക്കാൻ കഥാകാരന് സാധിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. അതുപോലെതന്നെ മാനുഷികമൂല്യങ്ങൾ എന്തെന്നറിയാത്ത , കലയോട് ഒട്ടും ആഭിമുഖ്യമില്ലാത്ത ചെമ്പു മത്തായി എന്ന കഥാപാത്രവും ഇവിടെ ശ്രദ്ധേയമാണ്. ഇവിടെ കലാഹൃദയമുള്ള , ഉത്തരവാദിത്വമുള്ള ഒരു കുടുംബനാഥനായാണ്  ചാക്കുണ്ണിയെ കഥാകാരൻ അവതരിപ്പിച്ചതെങ്കിൽ , നേർവിപരീതമായി  യാന്ത്രികമായ ജീവിതരീതികൾ പുലർത്തുന്ന, കലയോടും കുടുംബ ബന്ധങ്ങളോടും വിമുഖത കാണിക്കുന്ന, പണത്തിനു പുറകെ മാത്രം ഓടിക്കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്ന ആധുനിക സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ പ്രതീകമായാണ് ചെമ്പു മത്തായിയെ അവതരിപ്പിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്

അമ്മയുടെ എഴുത്തുകൾ'.

പ്രശസ്ത മലയാള കവി ശ്രീ. വി.മധുസൂദനൻ നായരുടെ ഹൃദയസ്പർശിയായ കവിതയാണ് 'അമ്മയുടെ എഴുത്തുകൾ'. മാതൃഭാഷയുടെ മഹത്വ ത്തോടൊപ്പം മാതൃത്വത്തിന്റെ  മഹത്വവും ഉയർത്തിപ്പിടിക്കുന്നതാണ് പ്രസ്തുത കവിത. ആധുനിക യുഗത്തിൽ  ജീവിതത്തിലും ഭാഷയിലും നടക്കുന്ന അധിനിവേശത്തിന്റെ വഴികൾ പ്രസ്തുത  കവിതയിലൂടെ കവി തുറന്നു കാണിക്കാൻ ശ്രമിക്കുന്നു . വീടിന് മോഡി കൂട്ടുന്നതിനിടയിൽ അലമാരയിൽ സൂക്ഷിച്ചിരുന്ന അമ്മയുടെ എഴുത്തുകൾ കവിയിൽ ഉണർത്തുന്ന ചിന്തകളാണ് കവിതയുടെ ആധാരം. ' 'അമ്മയുടെ ചിമുദ്രയാണി എഴുത്തുകൾ' എന്നാണ് കവി ഇതിനെ വിശേഷിപ്പിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്. അമ്മയ്ക്ക് ദൈവീകമായോ തലമുറകളിലൂടെയോ പകർന്നു കിട്ടിയ അറിവുകൾ മകന് ഈ കത്തുകളിലൂടെ പകർന്നു കൊടുത്തത് കൊണ്ടായിരിക്കാം കവി ഇങ്ങനെ വിശേഷിപ്പിച്ചത്. ആധുനിക ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ പ്രതിനിധിയായ ഭാര്യയുടെ നിർബന്ധത്തിനു വഴങ്ങി അമ്മയുടെ ശേഷിപ്പുകളായ ഈ കത്തുകളും നീക്കം ചെയ്യാൻ കവി നിർബന്ധിതനാകുന്നു. തന്റെ കുട്ടികൾ ആധുനിക  ഭാഷയും സംസ്കാരവും ആർജിക്കണമെന്ന് ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നവർ ആയിരുന്നു കവിയുടെ ഭാര്യ. അമ്മയുടെ എഴുത്തും അതിലെ സംസ്കാരവും തന്റെ കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങളെ വഴിതെറ്റിക്കുമെന്ന് അവൾ ഭയപ്പെടുന്നു. മാതൃഭാഷയായ മലയാളത്തെ  മറന്നു  പാശ്ചാത്യ ഭാഷയ്ക്ക് സംസ്കാരത്തിനും പിറകെ പായുന്ന മലയാളി സമൂഹത്തോടുള്ള ഒരു ഓർമ്മപ്പെടുത്തലാണ് പ്രസ്തുത കവിത.

    Adventures in a Banyan tree

 “Adventures in a Banyan tree” is abeautifulShort story written by Ruskin Bond. The story is about the experience of a young boy who enjoys the beauty and wonders of nature from a banyan tree.

The boy befriended with a young grey squirrel, which mustered the courage to take food even from his pockets!  The boy  built a small platform on the banyan tree where he spent his afternoons by reading different types of story books.

Once, he saw a deadly fight between a mongoose and a cobra under the banyan tree. As the fight continues, a jungle crow and a myna reached there and sat on the cactus. Unfortunately the crow got a strike from the cobra and it died soon. But the clever myna kept a distance from the snake. It was really a battle of champions.  Though the cobra fought well, it couldn't win over the swift movements of the mongoose. At last the mongoose killed and dragged the snake to the bushes. The myna gave him a cry of congratulation and flew away.

The boy frequently took a white rat which his grandfather had bought from bazaar, to the banyan tree. Soon the rat made a relation with one of the squirrels. After a few days the boy found three baby squirrels in a hole of the banyan tree. All of them are white! His grandfather told him that the white rat might be their father.

The Snake And The Mirror

“The snake and the mirror” is a satirical short story written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. The story is about a young homeopath who happens to meet an encounter with a snake. 

It was a hot summer night about ten o’clock. The doctor reached his rented room after having meals from a restaurant. He had just set up his medical practice and his earnings were meagre. He had about sixty rupees in his suitcase along with some other shirts, dhotis and one black coat.

The house was not electrified. It was too hot inside to sleep. So he lit a beedi and sat on a chair near the table looking at a large mirror there. He was a great admirer of beauty. Looking at the mirror, he found himself that he was so handsome. He then decided to keep his attractive smile always on his face and to shave daily. He frequently heard some noises on the roof. But he didn't mind it thinking that it might be the regular traffics of rats!

He then dreamt of marrying a woman doctor with plenty of medical practice. He wished that she would be fat because if he mde any mistakes, she couldn't be able to catch him! Soon he heard a loud thud on the floor. Before he could do anything, a fat snake coiled on his shoulder. He stood motionless. If he moved a little, the snake woul bite him. And if it happened , he would surely die because there were no medicines in the room! He realized himself that he was a foolish doctor.

His mind was very active. He uttered the name of god in mind. Fortunately the snake turned its hood away from him and it moved towards the mirror to enjoy its own beauty! Soon the doctor escaped from there and reached one of his friends house.The next day  they returned to the room to remove all his possessions. But they have nothing left to take. Some thieves had taken all his belongings except his dirty vest as a final insult!

Project Tiger

“Project Tiger” is a memoir written by popular Indianfilm maker Satyajith Ray. The memoir is an account of his experience while shooting a movie with a tiger in his film “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne”. To shoot a scene showing the encounter of a tiger with the heroes ,Goopy and Bagha, Satyajith got a trained tiger with its trainer, Mr.Thorat from the Bharat Circus Company.

  Mr. Thorat and his team reached at Notun Gram, with two tigers. Thorat said that he brought two tigers because if one failed, the other could be used. They put a tiger-skin collar around the tiger’s neck and tied one end of a thin- but-strong wire to this collar and the other end to an iron rod fixed to the ground. When Mr. Thorat opened the cage, thetiger jumped out of the cage with great enthusiasm. The trainer Mr. Thorat couldn't bring it under his control, but it calmed down after a while. They took the required shots, but later found that the camera had failed to work, and the shots were too dark.

 They decided to reshoot the scenes again in a village called Boral.  The lorry once again came with Thorat, the tiger, the steel wire, the special collar and the iron rod. But this time, the whole village came to see the shooting. Though the villagers were warned to keep away from the scene of shooting, the didn't move.

 But as Thorat opened the door of the cage, the tiger came out with a loud roar, and charged straight at the villagers. The crowd was melted away as if by magic. After that the tiger calmed down like an obedient child and walked over to the spot. Ray and his men took all the required shots. This time the camera also workes well, and all the shots are perfect.

The Castaway

"The Castaway" is an interesting story written by Rabindranath Tagore. The story depicts the love and care experienced by an orphan boy named Nilkanta from a young lady named Kiran.

One evening, in one of the riverside houses in the Chandernagore village,  Sharat and Kiran engaged in a verbal battle. There were heavy rainfall and thunderstorms occurring outside. Kiran was sick and all her villagers wished that she would return to her house for a change. Kiran herself also wanted to go back to her native village because she believed that she was alright then. Moreover she felt boredom by doing nothing there.  But Sharat and his mother wanted her to stay a little longer because the doctor had suggested so. This was the subject of their verbal battle.

Their quarrel was interrupted by the arrival Nilkanta, a survivor of an upturned boat in the river. He belonged to a drama group. Their boat perished in the river as they were going to a neighbouring village for a show. Nilkanta’s arrival gave Kiran a new birth. Sharat and his mother became very happy as Kiran would stay longer there in the company of Nilkanta. But Nilkanta soon made bad friendships with the naughty village boys and made a street dog as his pet. Soon, Sharat got many complaints from his neighborhood about Nilkanta and his friends. Though Sharat tried to send Nilkanta away , it became in vain by Kiran's strong protest.

Nilkanta performed various theatrical performances to entertain Kiran. Nilkanta was also very happy as he got motherly and sisterly love and care from Kiran. Meanwhile Sharat’s younger brother Satish came there to spend his vacation. Kiran and Satish were of the same age and they engaged all the time in merry-making. This made Nilkanta  jealous on Satish.  He wanted to take revenge upon Satish, so he took Satish’s favourite inkstand to throw  into the river. 

Finally the family decided to return to their native village. Kiran wanted to take Nilkanta with them, but all others opposed.  Kiran wanted to give him some surprise gifts and opened his box.  She was surprised to see Satish’s missing inkstand in it!  Meanwhile Nilkanta came there and saw Kiran sitting in his room holding the inkstand. He knew that he could not prove his innocence anymore and he left the place.

The  Best Investment I Ever Made 

“The  Best Investment I Ever Made “ is a heart touching short story written by A.J Cronin. The story narrates one of the incidents from the author’s early life as a doctor in London.

While returning from New York Dr. Cronin noticed that one of his fellow Voyagers watching him earnestly. At first Cronin ignored him since he wanted to avoid shipboard contacts.He saw the same person again on the next day. This time he was accompanied by his wife. Cronin came to know that they were Mr. and Mrs. John from a London suburb. 

The man approached Dr. Cronin on the final day of the journey. He handed Dr. Cronin his business card and asked whether he recognised him. The man told that he was a lawyer by profession. He added that he and his wife had been in the field of youth welfare for fifteen years. As Dr.Cronin was unable to remember him, the man himself reveal the flashback story which happened twenty-five years ago.

Then Cronin realised that Mr. John was the same young man whom he had saved from a suicidal death 25 years ago. John was an orphan. His uncle had found him a job in a solicitor's office in London. Unfortunately John lost all his small savings by gambling. In order to recoup his lost savings, he decided for final gambling and stole some money from his office. But he lost in that effort. Being afraid of the prosecution, he tried to commit suicide.

After listening to John’s story, Dr. Cronin decided to help him by giving him seven pounds and ten shilling to put back in the office safe and begin a fresh life. For John, it was like a second life. He determined to change his life and to make a new beginning. Thus he became a successful social worker. According to Dr. Cronin, the small amount of money he gave to John 25 years ago was the best investment in his life because it gave him immense pleasure.

The Scholarship Jacket 

The Scholarship Jacket is an inspirational short story written by Martha Salinas. This is a story about a 14-year-old girl named Marta. Her only goal was to win the scholarship jacket that the school awards to the class Valedictorian. Martha's elder sister Rosie had won the jacket before and moreover Martha is the class topper yet. So, she was eagerly longing to get the jacket. Martha belonged to a middle class family. Her father was a farm labourer. So she was looked after by her grandparents. She couldn't participate in any sports meet though she was blessed with an athletic physique.

Martha's dream turned upside down when she heard argument between her teachers.Through their conversation, Martha came to realise thar the school board had decided to give the jacket to Joan who stood second to Marta. The reason was that Joan’s father was rich and Marta was a Mexican!

The Principal informed her that the board had decided to pay 15 dollars for the jacket. He added that if she paid the money, she would get the jacket. Matha felt very sad. She asked the money to grandfather. But the sensible oldman told her that, if she paid 15 dollars, it would not be a scholarship jacket. Martha told the same dialogue to the principal and also told him to give the jacket to Joann! This made the principal to rethink the matter and he assured that she would get the jacket.

 

  Adventures in a Banyan tree

 “Adventures in a Banyan tree” is abeautifulShort story written by Ruskin Bond. The story is about the experience of a young boy who enjoys the beauty and wonders of nature from a banyan tree.

The boy befriended with a young grey squirrel, which mustered the courage to take food even from his pockets!  The boy  built a small platform on the banyan tree where he spent his afternoons by reading different types of story books.

Once, he saw a deadly fight between a mongoose and a cobra under the banyan tree. As the fight continues, a jungle crow and a myna reached there and sat on the cactus. Unfortunately the crow got a strike from the cobra and it died soon. But the clever myna kept a distance from the snake. It was really a battle of champions.  Though the cobra fought well, it couldn't win over the swift movements of the mongoose. At last the mongoose killed and dragged the snake to the bushes. The myna gave him a cry of congratulation and flew away.

The boy frequently took a white rat which his grandfather had bought from bazaar, to the banyan tree. Soon the rat made a relation with one of the squirrels. After a few days the boy found three baby squirrels in a hole of the banyan tree. All of them are white! His grandfather told him that the white rat might be their father.

The Snake And The Mirror

“The snake and the mirror” is a satirical short story written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. The story is about a young homeopath who happens to meet an encounter with a snake. 

It was a hot summer night about ten o’clock. The doctor reached his rented room after having meals from a restaurant. He had just set up his medical practice and his earnings were meagre. He had about sixty rupees in his suitcase along with some other shirts, dhotis and one black coat.

The house was not electrified. It was too hot inside to sleep. So he lit a beedi and sat on a chair near the table looking at a large mirror there. He was a great admirer of beauty. Looking at the mirror, he found himself that he was so handsome. He then decided to keep his attractive smile always on his face and to shave daily. He frequently heard some noises on the roof. But he didn't mind it thinking that it might be the regular traffics of rats!

He then dreamt of marrying a woman doctor with plenty of medical practice. He wished that she would be fat because if he mde any mistakes, she couldn't be able to catch him! Soon he heard a loud thud on the floor. Before he could do anything, a fat snake coiled on his shoulder. He stood motionless. If he moved a little, the snake woul bite him. And if it happened , he would surely die because there were no medicines in the room! He realized himself that he was a foolish doctor.

His mind was very active. He uttered the name of god in mind. Fortunately the snake turned its hood away from him and it moved towards the mirror to enjoy its own beauty! Soon the doctor escaped from there and reached one of his friends house.The next day  they returned to the room to remove all his possessions. But they have nothing left to take. Some thieves had taken all his belongings except his dirty vest as a final insult!

Project Tiger

“Project Tiger” is a memoir written by popular Indianfilm maker Satyajith Ray. The memoir is an account of his experience while shooting a movie with a tiger in his film “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne”. To shoot a scene showing the encounter of a tiger with the heroes ,Goopy and Bagha, Satyajith got a trained tiger with its trainer, Mr.Thorat from the Bharat Circus Company.

  Mr. Thorat and his team reached at Notun Gram, with two tigers. Thorat said that he brought two tigers because if one failed, the other could be used. They put a tiger-skin collar around the tiger’s neck and tied one end of a thin- but-strong wire to this collar and the other end to an iron rod fixed to the ground. When Mr. Thorat opened the cage, thetiger jumped out of the cage with great enthusiasm. The trainer Mr. Thorat couldn't bring it under his control, but it calmed down after a while. They took the required shots, but later found that the camera had failed to work, and the shots were too dark.

 They decided to reshoot the scenes again in a village called Boral.  The lorry once again came with Thorat, the tiger, the steel wire, the special collar and the iron rod. But this time, the whole village came to see the shooting. Though the villagers were warned to keep away from the scene of shooting, the didn't move.

 But as Thorat opened the door of the cage, the tiger came out with a loud roar, and charged straight at the villagers. The crowd was melted away as if by magic. After that the tiger calmed down like an obedient child and walked over to the spot. Ray and his men took all the required shots. This time the camera also workes well, and all the shots are perfect.

The Castaway

"The Castaway" is an interesting story written by Rabindranath Tagore. The story depicts the love and care experienced by an orphan boy named Nilkanta from a young lady named Kiran.

One evening, in one of the riverside houses in the Chandernagore village,  Sharat and Kiran engaged in a verbal battle. There were heavy rainfall and thunderstorms occurring outside. Kiran was sick and all her villagers wished that she would return to her house for a change. Kiran herself also wanted to go back to her native village because she believed that she was alright then. Moreover she felt boredom by doing nothing there.  But Sharat and his mother wanted her to stay a little longer because the doctor had suggested so. This was the subject of their verbal battle.

Their quarrel was interrupted by the arrival Nilkanta, a survivor of an upturned boat in the river. He belonged to a drama group. Their boat perished in the river as they were going to a neighbouring village for a show. Nilkanta’s arrival gave Kiran a new birth. Sharat and his mother became very happy as Kiran would stay longer there in the company of Nilkanta. But Nilkanta soon made bad friendships with the naughty village boys and made a street dog as his pet. Soon, Sharat got many complaints from his neighborhood about Nilkanta and his friends. Though Sharat tried to send Nilkanta away , it became in vain by Kiran's strong protest.

Nilkanta performed various theatrical performances to entertain Kiran. Nilkanta was also very happy as he got motherly and sisterly love and care from Kiran. Meanwhile Sharat’s younger brother Satish came there to spend his vacation. Kiran and Satish were of the same age and they engaged all the time in merry-making. This made Nilkanta  jealous on Satish.  He wanted to take revenge upon Satish, so he took Satish’s favourite inkstand to throw  into the river. 

Finally the family decided to return to their native village. Kiran wanted to take Nilkanta with them, but all others opposed.  Kiran wanted to give him some surprise gifts and opened his box.  She was surprised to see Satish’s missing inkstand in it!  Meanwhile Nilkanta came there and saw Kiran sitting in his room holding the inkstand. He knew that he could not prove his innocence anymore and he left the place.

The  Best Investment I Ever Made 

“The  Best Investment I Ever Made “ is a heart touching short story written by A.J Cronin. The story narrates one of the incidents from the author’s early life as a doctor in London.

While returning from New York Dr. Cronin noticed that one of his fellow Voyagers watching him earnestly. At first Cronin ignored him since he wanted to avoid shipboard contacts.He saw the same person again on the next day. This time he was accompanied by his wife. Cronin came to know that they were Mr. and Mrs. John from a London suburb. 

The man approached Dr. Cronin on the final day of the journey. He handed Dr. Cronin his business card and asked whether he recognised him. The man told that he was a lawyer by profession. He added that he and his wife had been in the field of youth welfare for fifteen years. As Dr.Cronin was unable to remember him, the man himself reveal the flashback story which happened twenty-five years ago.

Then Cronin realised that Mr. John was the same young man whom he had saved from a suicidal death 25 years ago. John was an orphan. His uncle had found him a job in a solicitor's office in London. Unfortunately John lost all his small savings by gambling. In order to recoup his lost savings, he decided for final gambling and stole some money from his office. But he lost in that effort. Being afraid of the prosecution, he tried to commit suicide.

After listening to John’s story, Dr. Cronin decided to help him by giving him seven pounds and ten shilling to put back in the office safe and begin a fresh life. For John, it was like a second life. He determined to change his life and to make a new beginning. Thus he became a successful social worker. According to Dr. Cronin, the small amount of money he gave to John 25 years ago was the best investment in his life because it gave him immense pleasure.

The Scholarship Jacket is an inspirational short story written byartha Salinas. The story is about a 14-year-old girl named Marta. Her only goal is to win the scholarship jacket that the school awards to the class validitarian. Marta expects to be given the honor as she enters her 8th grade, just like her sister Rosie did in the past.

In all honesty, Marta has had a tough life. She lives with her grandparents as her father cannot afford to feed her with his meager income. His grandfather runs a farm and tries hard to educate her. She is also not very beautiful or athletic. So, academic honor was the only thing that she found alluring.