Flamingo

Lesson :- 1 THE LAST LESSON (By: Alphonse Daudet)

SUMMARY

The last lesson is written by Alphonse Daudet during the war(1870-1871) of France and Prussian in which two
districts of France(Alsace and Lorraine) passed into the hand of Germany. The story reveals patriotic feeling of
a teacher and the people of Alsace and Lorraine towards their language and country.

Franz was a little boy. He feared to go school because his teacher Mr. Hamel told him that he would ask some
questions on participles. Franz didn’t know the single word of participle. First he refused to go school but ready
for the school. When he was passing town hall, he saw a crowd near the bulletin board. Every bad news was
given on this board. As fast as he could he walked and reached near to his school garden. Usually, when school
began, a great bustle could be heard to the outside streets but that day was as quiet as Sunday morning. He
wanted to get enter the class escaping Mr. Hamel sight, but he saw him and said kindly to take his seat. Franz
was surprised to see that his teacher was in his beautiful green dress; all the students were solemn and grave.
The back benches which were always empty, village people had occupied the place.Suddenly, Mr. Hamel
mounted from his chair and said in grave tone that‘today is the last class of French language from tomorrow a
new teacher would come to teach in German language’. Now Franz understood what order there was on the
bulletin board and why village people had come. The village people present in the last class because they were
also sad and they wanted to show their respect towards Mr. Hamel for his 40 years faithful service in the same
school. Franz felt sorry for not learning his lesson. The books he never liked become his old friend and Mr.
Hamel whom he never liked, the idea that he would never teach them anymore made Franz forget all about his
rural and the cranky behavior.Mr. Hamel told Franz to recite participles but he mixed up at the first line. Instead
of scolding, Mr. Hamel said, “You are not only a person to blame; I and your parents both were responsible for
this”. Mr. Hamel requested everyone not to forget their language because as long as we use our language we
never feel a slave of other. Only then, church clock struck 12. Mr. Hamel stood up and wanted to say something
but he could not go on. Then he picked up a chalk piece and with his all strength he wrote as large as he could
“vive la France”. After that with a gesture he dismissed the class.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What was Franz expected to be prepared with school that day?

Ans:- Mr. Franz was expected to be prepared for participles for school that day because his teacher Mr.
Hamel had told them that he would ask questions on participles next day and little Franz did not know even
single word of participles.

2. What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?

Ans:- Usually, when school began there was a great bustle of opening and closing of desks, lesson
repeated in unison and the teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table could be heard out of the street but
that day Franz noticed that everything was as quiet as Sunday morning and the village people were also
present there.

3. What had been put up on the bulletin-board?

Ans:- The order came from Berlin that only German language would be taught in the schools of Alsace and
Lorraine had been put on the bulletin-board.
4. What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?

Ans:- Usually when school began there was a great bustle of opening and closing of desks, lesson repeated
in unison and the teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table could be heard out of the street but that day
everything was as quiet as Sunday morning and the village people were also present in the school.

5. How did Franz’s feeling about Mr.Hamel and school changes?

Ans: Mr. Franze was feeling extremely sad about Mr. Hamel and school changes because Mr. Hamel had
been remained in the same school for forty years and suddenly he had to leave the place. It was a heart
broken situation for him and Mr. Franze also felt guilty on himself because he had often absent his classes
therefore, he could not learn French language and now he was repenting for that.

6. Write a brief character sketch of Mr.Hamel.

Ans:- Mr. Hamel was a strict teacher. Students were afraid of his iron ruler. He was very sincere and he had
spent his forty years in the same school of Alsace. When he came to know about the Berlin order, he was
totally broken. He felt extremely sorrow because he had to leave that place on next day. He remained sad
during his final class. This changed his behavior. he behaved very politely and patiently with his students.
When he asked Mr. Franze to recite about participle, he became unable to say. Instead of scolding he
politely convinced him about the importance of learning their mother tongue.
LESSON: 2 LOST SPRING(BY:- Anees Jung )
SUMMARY

The story Lost Spring is written by Anees Jung. In this story she exposes the pitiable condition of poor children
who are being deprived of school and the joy of childhood. They are forced to work due to their extreme poverty
unable to meet the basic needs.

Saheb is a poor rag picker. In search of food, his Family came from Dhaka in 1971 and settled at Seemapuri a
slum in Delhi. Anees Jung usually met Saheb scrounging for gold at garbage dumps. Garbage is gold for them
because it is their daily bread. Anees Jung promised them to open a school for them but promise was fake. She
noticed that these poor rag pickers were unable to afford a footwear and rome every streets in their barefoot.
She condemnsnaming this poverty as their tradition, she said “stay barefoot is not a tradition for poor rag
picker but it was named tradition only to hide away the perpetual state of poverty”. One evening Anees Jung
met Sahed outside of a fence gate. He was looking two playing tennis inside. He too was in tennis dress which
was short and discolored. He too wore tennis shoes, in which there was a big hole. He said, it was given by
someone but infect, it was a discarded shoes by a rich boy. Later Saheb got a job in a tea stall where he was
given 800 and all the day meal but had lost his carefree look and now he was working under the owner of tea
stall. He was no more his own master.
Thesecond part of the story explores the life of people living at Firozabad famous for glass bangles industries.
Every other family in Firozabad engaged in these factories.Here about 10,000 children slog their day and night
near the high temperature furnace only to earn fist of money, they often loss their eyesight when they become
adult. Here every family was trapped in the vicious circle of Sahukar, Policemen, Lawmakers and
Politician.Their conspiracy compelled them to work in bangle industries, Mukesh family was among them.
Mukesh wanted to be a motor mechanic. He wants to drive a car. But garage is too far from his home. He
insisted to go on foot. He wanted to be his own master.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come from?

Ans:- Saheb is looking for gold in the garbage dumps. Garbage is gold for them because it is their daily
bread. He is now at Seemapuri in Delhi and he has come from Dhaka capital of Bangladesh.

2. What explanation does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?

Ans: Author wonders one explanation that it is not lack of money but a tradition to stay barefoot but it is only
an excuse to hide a perpetual state of poverty.

3. Is Saheb happy working at the tea-stall? Explain.

Ans: No, Saheb is not happy working at the tea-stall because even he is paid 800 rupees per month and all
meals of days. He is no more his own master now. He is working under the owner of tea stall.

4. What makes the city of firozabad famous?

Ans: Firozabad city is famous for bangles making factories.

5. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.

Ans:people work in glass bangles industry often lose their eyesight because they have to work inside dingy
cell or in dim light. Children involve in such factories are spoiling their future. Instead of going to school for
study or playing in garden with friends. They slog their life to work in the glass furnaces with high
temperature.

6. How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different from that of his family?
Ans: Mukesh’s attitude is different from his family because he does not want to work in glass making factory
as his forefather and father have worked. He wants to be his own master; he wants to be a motor mechanic.

7. What would be some of the reasons for the migration of people from village to cities?

Ans: There are several reasons for the migration of people from village to city.
A) People migrate to city in search of good job.
B) People migrate to city to avail facilities of city like Hospital, School for children and for good
infrastructure.

In this story, it has been shown that due to poverty and not having a proper job people migrated from Dhaka
(Bangladesh) to Seemapuri (Delhi). Saheb family was among them. They left their home long ago situated in
Dhaka due to many storms which swept away their homes and fields. They lift that place and came to
Seemapuri in search of job or food.

8. Would you agree that promises made to poor children are rarely kept? Why do you think this happen in
the incidents narrated in the text?

Ans: Yes, I agree that promises made to poor children are rarely kept. As we have seen in the story that the
author Anees Jung had promised to the poor children that she would open a school for them. It was a
promise to the poor children which Anees Jung had not completed.Therefore, we can say it that there are
many people specially politician who always promise to poor and hardly keep their promises.

9. What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry?

Ans: The plight condition of poor workers is due to theconspiracy of middlemen who trapped the poor into
their vicious circle and force them to work in bangle industry.

10. How in your opinion can Mukesh realise his dream?

Ans: Mukesh wants to be a motor machanic but he does not know anything about car. He will have to go a
garage for learning even the garage is long way from his home. Only then Mukesh can realise his dream.

11. Why should child labour be eliminated and how?

Ans: As we know that child labour become one of the worstthings of the country and it directly affect on the
future of children. Our country’s development is depending on the future of today’s children. If the poor
children would not be given quality education. This will cause bad on the future of these children and the
future of our country.

Child labour should be eliminated for the following reasons:-

 To save the children from being exploitation.

 To save the children from being slave of other and being humiliated by others.
 To save the future of children
 To save the future of our country

Child labour can be eliminated by following steps:-

 By providing education:- Government should make compulsory schooling for all poor children free
of cost where they should be given food and study materials.
 By eliminating poverty:- Children go for work due to their financial problems. If Government can
arrange food and job for poor. Then, the poverty of poor can be eliminated.
 By enforcing labour low: government has made many rules against child labour but still people hire
child for their work. Those people should be strictly given punishment.
 LESSON 3 DEEP WATERBy:- William Dougles
The story deep water reveals the fear of William Daugles and his strong determination to overcome his fear of
water. He exclaimed that how he was nearly to death and saved by someone. He said there is peace in death,
we fear only because we fear to death.

When he was 2 or 3 years old. He went to the beach of California with his father where he buried by the strong
wave of sea. He discovered aversion of water. When was grown to 11 or 12 years old. He decided to learn
swimming. He took a pair of water wings and went to the YMCA swimming pool at Yakima. By aping others he
began to learn swimming and began to feel easy in water. Only then a misadventure took place with him. One
day when he was alone in the pool. A big and healthy boy came and tossed him into the deep water. He drunk
water and began to drawn. He made a plan, when his feet would touch the bottom. He would make a big jump to
come to surface and by striking his legs and hands he would come to the edge. In this way he would save
himself. But he drowned and drowned. The nine feet deep became ninety feet deep for him. His lungs began to
ache. Suddenly he felt bottom on his feet, he made a big jump. But he came up slowly. He tried to clutch ladder,
rope or water wings but only water came in his hand. His legs got paralyzed. Then his eyes and nose came up
from water. He swallowed water and sucked air. He tried to bring his leg up but he felt like limb. He began to
drawn second time. He tried to call for help but no sound came from his mouth. He began to tremble. Then he
touched the bottom, he remembered the strategy and made the jump. But the jump made no difference. He
began to feel dizzy and felt unconscious. His body was totally paralyzed. Then, he came up the surface. He
sucked air but also swallowed water and began to drawn third time. Now he lost his conscious. Next he
remembers that he was in outside the pool vomiting water. From that day, he started avoiding water. His fear of
water deprived him from the joy of cannoning, boating, fishing and swimming. So, he decided to learn
swimming by the help of an instructor. The instructor put a belt around him and told him to swim across the pool
by the help of a hanging cable. He taught him how to inhale outside water and exhale in water. Then, he holds
him at the pool and taught him how to strike hands and legs to swim in the water. Piece by piece he taught
every lesson of swimming. To ensure himself that he had no more terror of water, he swim the pool alone. He
went to New Hampshire, Titan Lake, and Gilt burg and swam there.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What was the “misadventure” that William Dauglas speak about?

Ans: The misadventure that William Daugles speaks about was, One day when he was alone at YMCA
swimming pool. A big healthy boy ducked him into the YMCA swimming pool. He was drowned and nearly to
die but he was saved by someone from the mouth of death.

2. What were the series of emotions and fears the Daugles experienced when he was thrown into the pool.
What plans did he make to come to the surface?

Ans: When Daugles was thrown into the pool he landed in sitting position swallowed and went at once to the
bottom. He was frightened but he planned that when his feet hit the bottom he would make a big jump to
come to the surface then he would lie flat and paddle to the edge of the pool. But it did not happen so
instead of coming like a cork, he came up slowly. When he came to the surface he opened his eyes but he
had seen only yellowish water. He tried to grab a rope but nothing came in his hand. He began to feel that
his legs were hung as dead weights, paralyzed, and rigid. When he started his second time journey, he had
tried to strike at water but nothing happened. His lungs were ready to burst. He tried to yell but his screams
were frozen in his throat. When he began to drown third time. He was almost dead. His legs felt limp and
blackness swept over his brain. It wiped out his fear and terror and he began to feel quite peaceful.

3. How did this experience affect him?

Ans:- After this misadventure William Dauglas never went to the pool. The terror which he had experienced
had ruined his fishing trip and ruined the joy of canoeing, boating and swimming.

4. Why was Dauglas determine to get over his fear of water?

Ans: His fear of water had ruined his fishing trip and the joy of canoeing; boating and swimming whenever
he had gone for these the old terror seized him completely. Finally, he had decided to get over his fear of
water.

5. How did Dauglas overcome his fear of water?

Ans: Dauglas overcame his fear of water with the help of an instructor who made him a swimmer. He put a
belt around him. A rope attached to the belt went through a pulley. Then instructor told to Daugles to go
back and forth across the pool hour after hour. The instructor taught him how to exhale and inhale inside
and outside of water. In this way the instructor built Dougles a perfect swimmer.

6. How did Dougles make sure that he conquered the old terror?

Ans:- when the instructor made him a swimmer. He went alone in the pool. Sometime he felt his old terror
return but with courage he jumped into the pool and swam across the pool. He went to Lake Wentworth and
dived off a dock at Triggs Island to insure himself that he has no terror of water. He swam for two miles.

7. How does Douglas make clear to the reader the sense of panic that gripped him as he almost drowned?
Describe the details that have made the description vivid.

Ans:- One day when Douglas went to the Y.M.C.A. pool alone. There were no people swimming in the pool.
He sat down and began to wait for someone come. After sometime a big, strong boy came and tossed him
into the deep end of the pool. He landed at the bottom in a sitting position. He was frightened but not yet out
of wits. On the way down, he planned to make a jump and come to the surface. But it took a long time to go
down. Those nine feet appeared to be more like ninety. When his feet touched the bottom. He gathered all
his strength and made a jump to the surface. But he came up slowly. He opened his eyes and saw nothing
but water. He began to feel pain and ache inside his heart. The sense of panic gripped hem completely.
Dauglas’s legs were paralyzed. A great force was pulling him down. He cried for help but only water heard
him. His lungs ached and head throbbed with water. When all his effort went no change in second time. He
felt drowsy and crossed to oblivion. Later when he came to senses, he found himself lying beside the
pool,vomiting.
 LESSON 4 THE RATTRAPBy:-Selma Lagerlof

The Rattrap is written by Selma Lagerlof. She believes that the goodness of human being can be awakened by
understanding and loving them. The story explores the life of a poor rattrap trader. Who sells his self-made
rattrap across the country. But the Job was not so profitable. So to resort his life he do a little thievery. The
world had never shown very kind to him. He was always chased away by people whenever he wanted shelter to
spend night.So he used to think evils about those people. One day he was thinking about his rattrap naturally.
Suddenly he got stuck by an idea that the whole world with its beautiful mountain, river, forest are nothing but a
big rattrap and these all things which give us joy and happiness are a set of bait, which are exist only to trap
people exactly in the rattrap we offer cheese and pork to trap rat. Once a people get stuck into the rattrap their
end comes. Thinking this he used to amused himself. One evening he went to a cottage and asked for shelter.
The owner of the cottage was an old man and he was alone. So he allowed him to stay that night. He served him
porridge and behaved friendly.The old man told that in his time he used to be a crofter but now he was not able
to do hard work. It was his cow which gives milk for creamery that supports his life. He earned three kroner
note last month. The paddler showed his doubt on this truth. So, the crofter stood up and brought his thirty
Kronor note and shown him then he hung the near to the window.Next day, both got up at the same time and left
of together. But after some time the paddler came to the crofter home and with a stone he smashed the pane
and stole the thirty kroner note.He took the forest route to escape the place but he trapped himself into a big
confusing forest. Thinking this, his last moment had come. He tried to kill himself but as soon as he kept his
head on the ground. He heard a thumping sound. He raised himself and paddle towards the sound direction.He
came to the iron mill at Ramszo and asked shelter for that night. The ironsmith nodded his head and allowed
him to stay. The ironmaster came there for an inspection. He found the man sleeping neat the furnace. When he
left the cap of paddler. The ironmaster made a mistake to recognize him as old regiment friend Captain Von
Stahle in dim light of furnace and invited him for Christmas Eve but the paddler refused to go with ironmaster.
Later his daughter came and made him agree to come her home showing sympathy on his pitiable
condition.The iron master understood his mistake, when he saw the man in broad day light. He chided him for
deceiving and threatened to hand him over to a sheriff. In his defense the recite his idea to the ironmaster. The
ironmaster asked him to left the home soon. But Edla Williamson requested her father to allow him stay at the
Christmas Eve. All the daylong Edla behaved kindly with the paddler and respect him as a real Captain Von
Stahle. All the day Paddler kept himself Busy on eating and sleeping. Next day, at Church Edla and the
ironmaster came to know that a crofter was robbed by a rattrap trader. He chided his daughter. As soon as he
reached his home he asked the servant about the paddler. The servant informed him that he had gone but he
did not steal anything instead he left a gift for Edla. Edla began to cry with joy finding the thirty kroner note and
a small rattrap with a letter. In which the paddler confessed his wrong and thanked her to clear himself to a
good man.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?

Ans:- One day when the peddler had naturally been thinking of the rattraps then suddenly he was struck by
the idea that the whole world with its lands and seas. Its cities and village was nothing but a big rattrap
where everyone has to fall and die one day.
2. Why was he amused by this idea?
Ans: The world had never been very kind to him so it gave him unwonted joy to think ill of people.
3. Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from crofter?
Ans: No, the peddler did not expect the kind of hospitality that he received from crofter.
4. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?

Ans: The crofter was an old man without wife. He was living alone when he got the peddler he became
happy. He was friendly and talkative with peddler because he wanted to avoid his loneliness.
5. Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?

Ans: The crofter thought that the stranger had not believed that his cow gives milk for the creamery every
day and last mouth he had received all of thirty kronor in payment. Therefore, he showed the thirty kronor to
the peddler.

6. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?

Ans: No, the peddler did not respect the confidence of crofter because he had stolen the crofter’s thirty
kronor.

7. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?

Ans: When the peddler stole thirty kronor of crofter. He took forest root to escape from there.
Unfortunately, he trapped himself in a confusing forest. He tried to walk in a definite direction but the paths
twisted back. He continue walked without coming to the end. Finally, he realized that he had only been
walking around in the same part of the forest. That time he thought that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap.

8. Why did iron master speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?

Ans: The ironmaster thought that he was his older friend captain Von Stahle. For respecting his old friend
the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home for ChristmasEve.

9. What made the peddler accept Edla Willamansson’s invitation?

Ans: Edla Willamnsson kindly behaved with the peddler and assured him that he would be allowed to leave
them just as freely he came.

10. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?

Ans: When Edla looked the peddler he was afraid. Edla thought that “either he has stolen something or else
he has escaped from jail.

11. What did the peddler say in his defense when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had
thought he was?

Ans : When it was clear that he was not the person, the peddler said in his defense that it was not his fault
he only begged to stay in forge. When ironmaster threaten him that he was given to the sheriff .he told in his
defense that the whole world is nothing but a big rattrap. All good and bed things are like a bait to trap a
poor fellow into trouble.

12. When did the ironmaster realize his mistake?

Ans: When the peddler was bathed and his hair cut by the valet. He became clean and when the peddler
came in front of ironmaster in broad daylight. The ironmaster realized his mistake that the peddler was not
the same man as he thought.

13. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?

Ans: Edla did not want that the peddler whom they invited for the Christmas. They would chased him.
Therefore, Edla still entertained the peddler even after she knew the truth about him.

14. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?

Ans: Edla was happy to see the gift left by the peddler because it was her kind respect toward the peddler
that changed the peddler.

15. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahle?

Ans: The peddler signed himself as Captain Von Stahle because Edla respected him as a real captain all the
day. In return of this kind he alsowanted to respect her being a real captain Von-Stahle.
 LESSON 5 INDIGO BY:- LOUIS FISCHER
The story Indigo is written by Louis Fischer. The story reveals Gandhiji struggle for the poor peasants of
Champaran. Those days the chief crops were indigo. Most of the arable land was owned by British Landlord
and Indian farmers were compelled to plant on 15% of their holding land and surrender the entire indigo harvest
as rent to British man. This was a long term contract. Later Germany developed synthetic indigo that
decreased the demand of natural indigo in the market. Now, to release the peasants from the 15% agreement
they wanted compensation. Some uneducated person agreed but the others refused.
Rajkumar Shukla came to the annual convention of National Indian Congress to complain about the
brutalities of British Landlord against poor peasants.He was a resolute man as he was able to persuade Gandhi
to visit at Champaran. He followed Gandhi everywhere till he became agree to help them. Then, they both
boarded a train for the city of Patna in Bihar. From there Shukla led him to the house of a lawyer named
Rajendra Prasad. Mahatma Gandhi’s humble and simple attire made the servants mistook him as another poor
peasant. Thinking Gandhi a poor peasant the servant did allow Gandhi to draw water from the well as a single
drop of water can pollute the entire source of water. Gandhi surveyed before taking any vital step in order to
get those peasants justice. Gandhi’s arrival and the nature of his mission spread like a wildfire. Many lawyers
and peasant groups came in large numbers to support him. Gandhi chided all the lawyers for their charges with
poor peasant. He announced such casecannot be fought at court where these peasants are fear stricken.
Gandhi met the secretary of British Land Lord Association, but the secretary refused to give any kind of
information. Later Gandhi was told to leave the state soon but Gandhi signed he disobeyed to order. In
consequence, Gandhi was summoned by the British Court. A large number of peasants gathered outside the
court demonstrated for Gandhi, against the British authorities. The demonstration baffled the British
Government. Inside the court Gandhi accepted his guilty to disobey the commissioner order. But he said it is his
duty to help his own people. if he had done any kind of wrong by helping poor peasant he is ready for the
punishment. Gandhi's lawyers said that if he was sentenced, they would go home. Gandhi reminded them about
the injustice to the sharecroppers. They then said they would accompany Gandhi to jail. Then the case against
Gandhi was dropped. Civil disobedience had won for the first time in India. A mountain of evidence was
collected against British Landlord. They agreed to refund the 25 % of amount that they had extorted from poor
peasants. Gandhi agreed on this much of refund because he said that money has less important than the loss of
this case by British. In this way, Gandhi taught peasant a lesson to be self dependent. Gandhi considered that
his Champaran Episode was the turning point of his life because in India Champaran fight was the first fight of
Gandhi against British after coming from South Africa. And with the help of poor peasents he baffled the British
Government. He chased the British Landlords away from Champaran. The episode inspired him to keep the
fight continue with British Government. He got huge support by Indian common people on his fight against
British. He had to go in jail several times but ultimately he succeed to chase British from India.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being resolute?

Ans: Rajkumar Shukla is described as being resolute because Shukla wanted to help sharecropper from
injustice by Britishlandlord system of Bihar. For this he had come to the Congress Session to complain
about injustice. Someone said, “Speak to Gandhi” but Gandhi ji was busy so Gandhi told he has an
appointment in Cawnpore and other places. Shukla accompanied him everywhere. When Shukla followed
him and reached to the Gandhiji ashram Shukla asked to “Fix a date”. Gandhi impressed on him and told him
that ‘I have to be in Calcutta on several dates you take me from there’. Finally Shukla won to take Gandhiji to
the Champaran.

2. Why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant?

Ans: Gandhi went to Rajendra Prasad home with a peasant and the servants knew Shukla as a poor peasant
who always came to his master home for help. Therefore, the servant thought Gandhi to be another
peasant.
3. List the places that Gandhi visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran?

Ans: Gandhi visited the following places between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran
are Lucknow, Cawnpore, Ahmadabad, Calcutta, Patna, Muzzafarpur and Champaran.

4. What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent? Why did the British now want instead and why?
What would be the impact of synthetic indigo on the price of natural indigo?

Ans: The British landlord’scompelled all peasants to plant three twentieths or 15 percent of their holding
with indigo and surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent. This was a long term contract. When, landlords
came to know that Germany had developed synthetic indigo. Which demand was high in market? The
landlord obtained agreement from the sharecroppers to pay them compensation for being released from
the 15 percent arrangement.

5. How did the episode change the plight of peasants?

Ans: The peasants were under injustices of British landlords and they brutally behaved with peasants. The
episode had changed the plight condition of peasant because now the peasants had got their justices and
became free from landlords. The British landlords left their state. Gandhi taught them a lesson of self-
dependence. He had also taken major steps to improve their miserable living condition, cleanliness, and
education.

6. Why do you think Gandhiconsidered the Champaran episode to be a turning point in his life?

Ans: Gandhiji considered the Champaran episode to be a turning point in his life because it was Gandhiji
who proved and declared in Champaran episode that British could not order Indian in their country. In this
episode, Gandhi not only bring the lost prestige back to the peasant, he also taught them a lesson of self
dependency and important of cleanliness.

7. How was Gandhi able to influence lawyers? Give instance.

Ans: When Gandhi became ready to go jail for the injustice to the sharecroppers. The lawyers thought that
“Gandhiji is totally a stranger person even he is ready to help poor peasants” but we are peasant own
people. it would be shameful for us if we go home. Thinking this, the lawyers became agree to go jail with
Gandhiji.

8. What was the attitude of the average Indian in smaller localities toward advocates of ‘home rule’?

Ans: The average Indiansin smaller localities were afraid to show sympathy for the advocates of home-rule.
Gandhi stayed at Muzaffarpur for two days in the home of Professor Malkani, a teacher in a government
school. It was an extraordinary thing in those days for a government professor to provide a shelter going
against the rule. Thus, it was surprising for Gandhi that he received support from Professor J.B Kripalani of
the Arts College of Muzzafarpur.

9. How do we know that ordinary people too contributed to the freedom movement?

Ans: When Gandhi arrived at Champaran, thousands of peasant helped Gandhi in gathering of information
and around the court building, The mass gathering of ordinary people scared the British Government to the
freedom movement.
 LESSON: 6 POETS AND PANCAKES BY:- Asokamitran

Poets and Pancakes is a story which is taken from a book My years with Boss” written by Asokamitran. He
expresses his experience in Gemini Studio which was situated at Madras(Chennai). Pancakes was the
brand name of cosmetic goods that Gemini Studio purchased in bulk. The products were used to turn
decent looking players to hideous looking monsters.The makeup department has a office boy. He had joined
the studios years ago. He believed that he had a talent to be a star actor, director, screen writer or lyric
writer. But he was frustrated. He blame for his ignorant on Khotamangalam Subbu, who was very close to
the boss and considered No. 2 at the Gemini Studios. He was multi talented person. He was poet, a good
actor and a director. The makeup department was headed by person first a Bengali than a Maharastrian
and than other people from all parts of India. The studio also had a story department where poet and
lawyers were performing their works. One day, unwittingly a lawyer ruined the career of a talented actress.
The lawyers wore trousers, a shirt and a tie. He appeared odd among the khadi dressed poets and writers.
The poets worshipped Gandhiji though they had no affiliation to his idea but they were averse to
communism. They had a notion that communist loved nobody. Later a team of MRA (Moral Re-Armament
Army) visited in Gemini Studio. They were about 200 people belonging to at least 20 nationalities. They
presented two plays ‘Jontham Valley’ and the ‘Forgotten Factor’ in a most professional manner.Their
message was simple but the sets and costumes were excellent. The scenes were presented on a base stage
with white background and a tune played on the flute. For many years the Tamil Drama imitated The Sunrise
and Sunset Scenes presented by the MRA. A few months later an Englishman visited in Gemini Studios.
Some said he was a poet some other said he was a editor. The Englishman was welcomed by the Boss, Mr.
Vason.The Englishman spoke that could not be expected to have any interest in English poetry. The visit of
the Englishman remained a mystery. The author saw a notice in The Hindu newspaper about a contest
which was to be organized by ‘The Encounter’ a British Periodical. He wanted to participate but wanted to
have information before. He visited the British Council Library and found one copies of The Encounter. He
was surprised to find the editor of the encounter was Stephen Spender who visited the Gemini Studios.
After few years the author retired from Gemini Studios. One day he saw a pile of low priced paperback
editions of ‘The God That Failed’, he bought a copy. It was written by six different writers. They described
the writers ‘Journeys into communism and the disillusioned’ return. One of the writers was Stephen
Spender. The whole mystery of Spender’s visit was cleared.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up?
Ans: The make-up room was decorated with many kinds of incandescent lights at all angles around half
a dozen large mirrors. Those who went for make-up had to bear scorching heat miserably.
2. What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?
Ans: The make-up department was headed by many persons who came from different state of country.
First this make-up room was headed by Bengali then it was headed by a Maharashtrain and Dharwar
Kannadiga and Andhra, A Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo- Burmese and the usual local Tamils
People from different parts of country worked together that made a national integration of people that
the author refers to.
3. What work did the ’office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he
disappointed?
Ans: The office boy was a part of crowd during crowd shooting. He joined the studios with a hope of
becoming a star actor or a top screen writer, director or lyrics writer. He was disappointed because he
felt that his talent was going waste.
4. Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?
Ans: The author appeared to be doing nothing at the studio because at studio he had to sit at his chair
and tear up newspaper morning to evening. Therefore, most of the people thought that he was doing
nothing.
5. Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?
Ans: The office boy thought that his talent was going useless, this made him frustrate, and he showed
his anger on Ashokamitran. He blamed Subbu for his neglect and disgrace.
6. Why was the legal adviserreferred to as the opposite by others?
Ans: The legal adviser was referred to as the opposite by others because he created legalproblems for
other instead of solving them. In the same way the department had a kind of uniform white khadi shirt
but the adviser wore pants and shirts with a tie and coat. Onetime he ruined the career of a talent
actress by switching on the recording equipment.
7. Did the people at Gemini Studio have any particular political affiliation?
Ans: No.
8. Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the Studios?
Ans: The Moral Rearmament Army was welcomed at the Studio because the group was known as an
international circus. They were not their acquaintance with animals was only at the dinner table
presented two plays in a most professional manner.
9. What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?
Ans: People at the Gemini Studios did not know what the Englishman was talking about. Besides, his
strange ways of speaking English and accent made it absolutely impossible to understand him.
10. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as unexplained mystery?
Ans: The Englishman’s visit is referred to as unexplained mystery because no one knew that he was
talking about. No one could understand the purpose of an English poet’s visit in a film studio. So the visit
referred to as unexplained mystery.
LESSSON 7 THE INTERVIEW (BY:- CHIRISTOPHER SILVESTER, UMBERTO ECO)

1. What are some of the positive views on interview?

Ans: Interview is a way in which the actual talent of a person comes in light. Through, an effective
medium of communication one person asks the other person, in the same way the other person
response him. This show, the person’s skills, art of answering and truth in his response. So, interview is
a great source of knowing a person’s skill, talent and truth.
2. Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed?
Ans: Most of the celebrity writers think that being interviewed means allowing some unwanted intrusion
into their private life which is somehow diminishing them.
3. What is the belief in some primitive culture about being photograph?
Ans: In some primitive culture, people believed that if you are photographed your soul is stolen.
4. What do you understand by the expression thumbprints on his windpipe?
Ans:- Saul Bellow had described the ‘interview is a thumbprints on his windpipe’ because he was
himself interviewed several times. But he did not have any pleasing experiences. He understands that it
is a tension and pressure on him.
5. Who, in today’s world, is our chief source of information about personalities?
Ans:- In today’s world, interview has become the chief source of information about personalities. It has
become a commonplace of journalism. Several thousand celebrities have been interviewed over the
years. Through interview we get all the important and contemporaries information from a celebrity.
 LESSON 8 GOING PALACES (BY: - A.R.BARTON)
The story Going Places was written by A.R Barton in which he tried to explore the themes of adolescent
fantasies and heroworship.Sophi and Jansiewere two best friends but Jansie was a sensible girl and Sophie
was a day dreamer. She always dreams of big and beautiful things. She belongs from a poor family. She dreams
of owning a boutique one day or being manager or an actress or a fashion designer but her friend Jansie
believes that they are from a poor financial background and have to work in a biscuit factory. Jansie regularly
convinces her not to dream this. Sophie’s brother Geoff who works in a garage hardly speaks anything to
anyone. She comfortably shares her secrete to him. She tells her brother that she has met Danny Casey a
young football player from Ireland.She tells to her brother that when she was at the arcade in Rocye Window. A
person came near to her. She suspected it was Daney Casey and asked for an autograph but both had neither
pen nor paper.Geoff does not believe on her story and convinces her not to speak this. Geoff tells this story to
his father. His father becomes angry on this lie. Geoff and her Family goes to watch the united match. There
Danny Casey scores the second goal and Ireland won the match. Her father became happy and went to pub to
celebrate. Geoff told the secret to Jansie’s Brother and Jansie came to know about this. After the match, Jansie
asks Sophi about her meeting with Danny Casey. Sophi suspects that Geoff has told the date too but later she
discovered that Geoff did not tell about the date of next meeting. Jansie went to her home. Now, Sohphi went to
schedule place and sat on the bench and imagined about her meeting with Danny Casey. Time passes and she
begins to lose hope. She thinks now she will not be able to tell Geoff that he was wrong.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Where was it most likely that the two girls would find work after school?

Ans:- The two girls were most likely to get job in a biscuit factory after school.

2. What were the options that Sophie was dreaming of? Why does Jansie discourage her from having such
dreams?

Ans:- Sophie was a dreamy girl. She was dreaming of to have a boutique, to be an actress, to be a fashion
designer, to be a manager but Jansie always discourage her from having such dreams because she knew it
that ‘what Sophie is dreaming for,*er father will never allow her and her financial condition is very poor’.
Sophie could not collect money to open such shop.

3. Why did Sophie wriggle when Geoff told her father that she had met Danny Casey?

Ans:- Sophie’s father was strict person and Sophie did not want that her father would know about her meeting
of Denny Casey. When Geoff told his father about her meeting Sophie wriggled toward Geoff from the table
where she was sitting.

4. Does Geoff believe what Sophie says about her meeting with Danny Casey?

Ans:- No, Geoff does not believe about her meeting with Danny Casey. Geoff says to her sister “it is never true, I
don’t believe it”. When Sophie says how Danny Casey came and stood beside her, how they introduced
themselves and how does he look like’. Then Geoff convinced her not to speak self created story.

5. Does her father believe her story?

Ans:- No, her father does not believe her story because when Geoff told her meeting with Danny Casey. Her
father become angry and told that “it was her wild story” and convinced her that one day she would trap herself
into a big trouble if she doesn’t leave speaking lie.

6. How does Sophie include her brother Geoff in her fantasy of her future?

Ans:- Her brother Geoff hardly speaks anything. This makes her jealous because Geoff does not share anything
with her sister. She wishes if she can share those areas of his life about which she knows nothing. She
imagines that her brother Geoff riding a bike and she is behind her on the bike.

7. Which country did Danny Casey play for?

Ans:- Danny Casey played for Ireland.

8. Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her story with Danny?
Ans:- Sophie was afraid about if Jansie come to know about her meeting, she would say everyone in her
neighbor. Therefore, Sophie didn’t want Jansie to know about her story with Danny Casey.

9. Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?

Ans:- No, Sophie did not really meet Danny Casey. It was only occasion when she went to see United football
match with her family. She looked Danny Casey playing on the ground.

10. Which was the only occasion when she got to see Danny Casey in person?

Ans:- She saw Danny Casey in person only on one occasion. The family went to watch United on Saturday.
Sophie watched Danny Casey drove in the second goal. She saw how he fooled beating the goalkeeper from a
dozen yards.

11. Sophie and Janise were classmate and friends. What were the differences between them that show up in
the story?

Ans:- Sophie and Janise both were good friends. Sophie was a dreamy girl and Janise was a sensible girl.
Sophie usually dreamed about to have a boutique, to be a manager, to be a fashion designer and to be a
actress. Listening this Jansie became sad and advised her not to think about these because Jansie knew it very
well that they both were embarked for a biscuit factory. Sophie had no faith on Jansie. She did not share any
matter with Jansie because she understands that Jansie is a noisy girl and can’t digest the news of her meeting
with Danny Casey. She would tell everyone in her neighbor.

12. How would you describe the character and temperament of Sophie’s father?

Ans:- Sophie’s father was very aggressive. When her father came to know it through Geoff that Sophie had met
with Danny Casey. Her father became angry and chided her not to speak wild stories and also told her that one
day she would put herself into a big problem.

13. Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? From her perspective what did he
symbolize?

Ans:- Sophie likes her brother more than any other person because she can share every fantastic story with
Geoff . She knows it that her brother Geoff would never tell anyone what she share to him. Sometime Sophie
becomes jealous when her brother remains silence and does not answer on her questions.She is eager to
share those area of his life about which she knows nothing. Therefore, she has told a lie to her brother that she
had met Danny Casey.

14. What socio-economic background did Sophie belong to? What are the indicators of her family’s financial
status?

Ans:- Sophie belongs to a lower middle class family. Her brother and father works indicate that she belongs
from a poor family.