HOW I TAUGHT MY GRANDMOTHER TO READ, Sudha Murthy
Word
Meaning
achieve –
obtain, get
traditional
– older
horizon –
area, boundary
convincing
– persuade, considerable
serial –
a story appearing part by part in magazine of television
ardent –
faithful, keen interest
protagonist
– leading character
episode –
part
savouring
– eating thoroughly
nodded –
agreed
terrace –
flat open roof
essential
– necessary
immensely
– greatly
embarrassed
– shamed
dependent
– requiring support, not being free
determination
– firm, strong
with flying colours – with a high grade
A. CHOOSE THE RIGHT OPTION.
1. The grandmother identifies herself with the story’s
protagonist because
a. the
grandmother had never been to Kashi.
b. neither the grandmother not the novel’s protagonist had even been
to Kashi. (✓)
c. both
were quite reluctant to undertake a pilgrimage to Kashi.
d. the
novel’s protagonist had never been to Kashi.
2. The grandmother was called
a.
Triveni.
b.
Karmaveera.
c. Krishtakka.
d.
Vishweshwars.
3. When the grandmother expressed her desire to learn, the narrator,
at first,
a. was
annoyed.
b. made fun of her.
c. was
very sad.
d. was very happy.
B. ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.
1. Where is Kashi? Why do people go there?
Kashi is
in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. People go there to worship Lord Vishweshwara for
the ultimate punya or blessing.
2. Why did the narrator have to read the story to her grandmother?
The
narrator had to read the story because her grandmother did not know how to read
as she never been to school.
3. Why was her grandmother in tears when the narrator returned to
her village?
Her grandmother
was in tears as in the absence of her granddaughter, there was no one to read the
episode of Karmaveera to her. She had opened the book and seen the pictures;
but could not understand anything.
4. What kind of student did Avva turn out to be?
Avva turned
out to be an amazing student. She would read, repeat, write and recite; she was
very regular to do her homework.
C. READ THESE SENTENCES FROM THE TEXT AND
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW.
1. “…At times, I used to regret not going to school, so I made
sure that my children and grandchildren studies well…”
a. Who is ‘I’ in this sentence?
The grandmother is referred to as ‘I’ in this sentence.
b. Why did she regret ‘not going to school’ at times?
She was unable to read Karmaveera. Her granddaughter had to read the story to her; she was completely dependent upon her granddaughter. Hence, she regretted.
c. How did she try to make up for the opportunity denied to her?
She began learning Kannada from her twelve year old granddaughter.
2. I knew then that my student had passed with flying colours.
a. Who are ‘I’ and ‘my student’ in this line?
Here ‘I’ refers to granddaughter and ‘my students’ refers to the grandmother.
b. What test had the student passed?
She had passed the test of ‘How to read.’
c. What quality of the student’s character is revealed here?
The student was determined, hardworking and took her lesson seriously.
D. THINK AND ANSWER.
1. Avva lacked something vital in her life. What was it and how
did she overcome this handicap?
Avva
lacked in her life ‘the ability to read’ and to overcome this handicap, she
started learning Kannada from her granddaughter. She was willing to work harder and would read, repeat, write and recite; she was very regular to
do her homework.
2. To Avva, the narrator was more than a granddaughter. Explain.
More than
a granddaughter, she was the most beloved one and teacher to Avva. She had taught Avva how to read and write. Avva could share her pain and difficulties to her
granddaughter innocently. She had so much faith in her twelve-year-old
granddaughter and knew she would be teaching her ‘how to read Kannada’.
3. Why do you think the narrator bought the novel ‘Kashi Yatre’
for her grandmother?
The grandmother,
not able to read anything, began learning from her granddaughter, the narrator;
so that one day she would be able to read the ‘Kashi Yatre’, her favourite
episode. During Dussehra festival the entire episode of Kashi Yatre had been published
as a novel. Therefore, the narrator wanted to present this to her grandmother
as a gift.
E. DISCUSS IN CLASS.
1. The narrator had great love for and much patience with her grandmother.
Illustrate with instances from the lesson.
The
narrator, a twelve-year-old granddaughter, like any other child was fond of
playing with any of her friends. But when she found her grandmother in tears,
she was worried and asked, “Avva, is everything alright? Are you okay?” She
listened to her grandmother in the middle of the night patiently, held her hand
and said, “Avva don’t cry. What is the matter? Can I help you in anyway?” Next,
when the grandmother was determined to learn, we find the granddaughter assuring
her by saying, “Tomorrow, we will start your class here, Avva.” These are all
the instances of their love and patience.
2. As you have seen in the Warm-up section, illiteracy is one of
the major problems facing our society today. As young children, what part can
you play to lesson this evil?
- Teach
our own friends who are weak.
- Help
them complete their homework and encourage them not to give up.
- Support,
who are poor and cannot buy book in your neighbourhood; with our books which we
do not need anymore.
-
Visiting our friends to their homes and encourage their efforts.
3. Remember, the narrator was only twelve yours old when she
taught her grandmother to read. Would you be able to do something similar for someone?
Discuss.
THIS MUSY BE WRITTEN WITH SELF EFFORT AND SHOW TO YOUR ENGLISH TEACHER.
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