The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse . William Saroyan ‘isis a story about two poor, Armenian tribal boys who belong to a tribe that Jest its poverty is known for its honesty. They ‘boys do take a horse, which gem nor belong 10 then for their love of horses but are conscience stricken and rence rewrn ito ts rightful owner. summary “The narrator, Aram, remembers an incident which took place one summer ‘when he was nine years Old. He was asleep in his room at four in the morning, when he heard a tap on the window. He jumped out of bed and looked out of the ve mromThere was his cousin Mourad siting ona beautiful white horse, Mourad invited the narrator to a ride, when the world looked wonderful and life was like an ‘ned dream. Aram also knew that Mourad enjoyed every minute of his life but this was even beyond his expectations. Since his earliest sarmoris he had had a strong desire to ride. But their tbe, Garoghlaniin to poor that none of them understood where they got money for food. Most important was that they had been famous for their honesty for about eleven aan res, even when they believed that they had been the ‘wealthiest family in the world, They were a proud, honest and an ethical clan. They were incapable cone leave alone stealing. of taking advantage of any Now watching the horse, Aram, could not believe that the horse had anything to do with his cousin Mourad or for that matter with any of the other members of their family. Mourad could have not bought the horse and so must have stolen it Hence he felt both delighted and frightened. He asked Mourad where he had Silen the horse from, Mourad did not deny that he had stolen but asked Aram to jump out of the window, for a ride. Inhis childlike innocence and simplicity Aram made horse for a ride was not the same thing as stealing money’ Ever ‘Those were the days enjoyable and unexplai hnimself believe that stealing sy if it was, itWould not be as serious as stealing if one was 90 passionately fond of horses, the way Mourad and he were. I could be called stealing only if they sold the hors ‘Aram changed his clothes, jumped out of the window, leaped up onto the horse behind Mourad. Then they ived atthe edge of tewn, on Walnut Avenue. Behind theirhouse were vineyards, orchards, irigation ditches, and country roads, They rodeo the Olive Avenue. They were happy withthemselves, the fresh air seemed, new and lovely to breathe. They were so happy that Mourad began to sing. ‘Aram felt that there was a crazy element in the tribe. Each family had a passionate streak init somewhere and in their family Mourad was the one who was supposed to be the one with a wild trait, Before Mourad, it was Uncle Khosrove who was supposed to be crazy. He was $0 ill-tempered and impatient that he stopped anyone from talking by roaring Once his son Arak went running to him at the barber's shop, where his father was having his moustache trimmed, o tell him their house was on fire. Khosrove sat up in the chair and roared. The barber repeated what the boy had said and Khosrove roared at him to stop as it was ‘no harm’ Mourad was considered the natural descendant of this ‘man, although Mourad’ s father, Zorab, was a practical man. In their tribe, traits were not necessarily inherited from parents. The tribe from the beginning had been impulsive and itinerant Aram and Mourad let the horse run as long as it felt like running. Then Mourad. wanted to ride alone. Mourad kicked his heels into the horse ‘and shouted, “Vazire, tun’. The horse stood on its hind legs, and then ran. It was one of the loveliest sights. After five minutes of run across afield of dry grass to an irrigation ditch, they returned. It was then Aram’s tum to ride, The horse instead of running to the irrigation ditch ran down the road to the vineyard of Dikran Halabian where it began to leap over vines. It leaped over seven vines and Aram fell off. The horse continued running. Mourad went after the horse and it took him half an hour to find the horse and bring him back By then it was broad daylight and people were awake. However, Mourad did not seem worried about hiding the horse. Aram soon realized that Mourad had been taking these early morning rides for some time and had got him today as he knew how much Aram wanted to ride, Mourad told Aram that if people found out about the horse he was supposed to say that they had started riding that morning, Mourad walked the horse to the barn of a deserted vineyard that once belonged ‘0a farmer named Fetvajian. It was difficult to make the horse to behave well.‘But Mourad said that he had an understanding withthe horse. The understandin was simple and honest Aram went home and ae filing breaks, afteroon his Uncle Khosrove came to their house fr coffee and cigaetes.H sat inthe parlour, talking, when another visitor, a farmer, arived. His name was. oe ao ie aie Ientond that his whit hose ha been olen amonth ago and was still untraced. Uncle Khosrove became ver a John Byro protested that his carriage was no good without a horse and that he had walked ten miles to get there, But Uncle Khosrove roared yet again saying that he had legs. The farmer said that there was a pain in his left leg and Uncle Khosrove shouted that he should not pay attention it. He did not seem to care that the horse had cost John Byro sixty dollars as he said that he did not value money. When Uncle Khosrove went away, Aran's mother tried to explain to John Byro that Uncle Khosrove had ‘a gentle heat” but was simply homesick. ‘After the farmer went away Aram ran to Moiiad's house, Mourad was sitting ‘under a peach tree, and nursing the hurt wing of a young robin, which could not fy, Aram told him of John Byro’s visit. He requested Mourad not to give the horse back until he had learnt to ride. Mourad said that learning to ride would take hima year. They could certainly not keep the horse fora year as that would ‘amount to stealing and a member of the Garoghlanian family could never steal. He would not keep the horse for more than six months and then it "must go back to its tre owner’ ‘Then for two weeks early every morning Mourad and the narrator took the horse out ofthe barn of the deserted vineyard where they had hidden it and rode it, Aram was thrown off every time but he did not lose hope and hoped to ride the way Mourad di (One moming on their way to Fetvajian’s barn they met the farmer John Byro. Mourad wished him as John Byro observed the herse keenly. He asked the boys. the name of the horse. Mourad said that in Armerian its name was ‘My Heart’ John Byro wanted to look into the horse's mouth as it looked so much Tike the ‘one he had and was stolen. After looking into the mouth of the horse the farmer said that he could have sworn that it was his horse if he didn’t know theie family \was famed for their honesty. He was not a mistrustful man so he would believe his heart rather than his eyes. So saying he walked away. The next day early morning they took the horse te John Byro's vineyard and put itin the bam, The dogs followed them around without making a sound. Mourad Dut his arms around the horse, pressed his nose into the horse's nose, patted it and then they came away. That afternoon John Byro went to Aram’s house in 381his carriage and showed his mother the horse that had been stolen and returned. He said that that he was confused as the horse was stronger and even better tempered. Uncle Khosrove, heard this, became irritated and shouted at him to be quiet, as his horse had been returned,The Address _ snes heh Marga Minco snisstory underlines the human dilemma tat follows war an ome rch of er mter's Belongings afer the Wer, m Holand. She dos em, bt decides to lave them behind becuse ofthe memories tha re fn to thse objects. The i's decision to move on nif gives the ory an optimistic st summary re narrator, a young gr, Knocked on a door and a a lay opened she J uced herself as Mrs Ss daughter. The lady shoved no sian of recognition. inv contary she Held the dori @ way to make ser ta the nara 08 on peleome. For sometime, se kept staring quel tthe are So much so not pe patator fl that the woman was ot the pon she had been looking tp narrator recalled having een er bey, one yews a Butthe woman tor Tstepped away from the doo and lt erin The nator noticed her wearing seo art's mother’s een Knited cardigan, The By her looking at the tm oan and hid herself partally behind the door, When the narrator asked het ster mother, she said that shel hought that sone of the people who had lefthad come back. ‘The lady regretted her inability to do anything for bet but the narrator insisted antkng to her as she had especially come all he wa meet her. However, the lady reused to talk to her and the narrator hhad no option but to eave. ‘The narrator stood on the doorstep and looked atthe nameplate again. It read “Dovlng’ anda lite inside was ‘Number 46° she walked back to the sation thinking about her mothers who had given her that addres years ago when during the fist hall ‘ofthe War she had gone home fora few days She had, then at once realized that ani things were missing Heer mother had then told her about Mrs Dorling, an old contact of hers. She visited their place regularly and every ime she went ‘back, she took something home with her. These things included table silve. antique plates, large vases, 369>. and the crockery. She used to tell the narrator's mother that she wanted 10 gaye all her nice things in case they had to leave. ‘The mother seemed to have nothing against her. However, the narrator was noe convinced but looking at her the mothers disapproving looks they dih’t discuss it again. ‘The narrator, walking through familiar places forthe first time since the War, reached the station. The sights evoked memories from a dear time. She recalled her first meeting with Mrs Dorling. It was just the day after her ‘mother had talked about her. Her mother had introduced her. She had noticed the woman walk out with the heavy case. Her mother informed her that she lived in Marconi Street—Number 46, She had asked her to remembes that Now, the narrator had come after along time. At first after the War, se had not been interested in and was also afraid of going back. She was scared of facing the things that had belonged to her mother and that would remind her of a past that was no longer there. These things would just evoke painful memories, But slowly and steadily, everything became more normal again and like the rest, the narrator had adjusted to her new lif, Strangely, latershe became curious whether all the belongings that they had left behind and would still te at that ‘address. She felt the urge to see them, touch them and recall the memories associated with them, ter her first futile vist to Mrs Dorling’s house, she decided to try 2 second time. This time a gel of about fifteen opened the door and let her in. He mother |was not at home, ‘The narrator followed the girl along the passage. She noticed ‘an old-fashioned iron Hanukkah candle-holder thatthe narrator's fanily had never used as it was much more bulky than a single candlestick, ‘The girl led her to the living room. The narrator was dismayed. The room had ‘things that she had wanted to see again but which now seemed to have ¢ strange siressful effect. She could not place what the exact reason was—it could be because ofthe inelegant way everything was arranged, or because of the ugly furniture or the humid smell in the room. She noticed the woollen tablecloth on ‘which she recalled the burn mark that had never been repaired. ‘The git! put cups on the tea table and poured tea from a white pot with a gold border on the lid. Then the gir! opened a box and took some spoons out. The familiarity ofall these things clouded the narrator's mind, These emotions were different than any other that she had known. 390‘The narrator complimented the : young girl ot ‘nice’ said we her mother had told her that . was ae oe ae oo She pointed round the room. ava farae gi emt ra s apple on the pewt h fa d ter plate. The you paator that at onetime, te even ae inthe ples banging on hall Te vall. The narrator by then had found the burn ark ; curiously at the narrator. mark on the tablecloth. The girl looked The narrator said that one gets so used t Fras at ne only noes when Sohn ming ee es : s ing, because repaired or because one has lent it. She continued how her mater ia asked her to polish the silver—the spoons, forks and knives. Before that she had rot even realized that the cutlery they used for eating every day was made of silver. ‘The girl walked to the sideboard and to open a drawer and show the narrator what they ate with but by then it was time for her to catch her train. As she walked out she heard the jingling of spoons and forks. But now she wanted to wipe out her past. She realized thatthe objects that ae associated in one’s memory with the familiar life of earlier times at ence lose their value when one is cu off from them, She did not need them in ker smal? rented room where the scraps of paper that they used as blackout papet still hung along the windows and no more than a handful of cutlery could fit in the narrow table drawer. She decided to forget the past‘Masti Venkatesha Iyengar ‘This is a story of Ranga, an accountants son, who has been to the city 0 Pursue his studies, whichis very rare among the village people. When he returns 10 his the crowds mill around his house 10 see village from the city of Bangalore, whether he has changed or not. His ideas about marriage seem ‘apparently quite diferent but withthe passage of time one realizes that he is inherently just like any other person in the village. ‘Summary ‘Thetttle ‘Ranga’s Marriage” seems more out of place thaa cor ‘Ranganatha Vijaya’. But it is very appropriate as itis about Ranga’s mmarriagea simple young boy from Hosshali village. Hosahallt is yet another infamiliar name as the English writers do not know of the existence of such a place and hence do not mention it Indians are like sheep, who follow others bhindly. Hence, when neither the English writers nor the geographers referred to it, the cartographer did not put it on the map. However, the narrator fecls Hosahali is an important place in Mysore State, Even Dr Gundabhatta who has this village. He feels that the raw visited many places thinks the same about 1e have such an extreme potency of sourness that they ‘mango trees in the village an certainly give a terrible cough, Just asthe mango is special, so is everything ‘lee around te village. Tere is a creeper in the water of te village pond whose flowers are a feat to behold, and is leaves are large enough to serve a meal on. he is not given to rambling but when the topic “The narrator, Shyama, feels that of their village comes up, he can go on endlessly. He says if one wishes (0 visit tall one has to do is write to him, He would tell them where “Ranganatha Vivaha’ the place ther Hosaballi is and what things are like here. However, he would like to share something that happenedten years ago. Unlike te present, ten years back most people did not know English. These days people {impor a lot of English words into the language. This ‘priceless commodity, the English language’, the narrator says was not so widespread in the village @ decade ago.We een Si months ago, when he had fit eae village. An old lady who \) setae rmbt hand ver isc en ead \ cost and 2 till wearing the sacred thread wom by te Bod ‘ en the crowd realised that Ranga was sill the same they persed but the NY nigerian tue wa sty oe by) setmaiied soon” After talking to Ranga for afew minutes he ene ei) witha couple of rages. The arator fet that he ws ved ‘hougheful fellow | _afitwoube good to have him marry and sete down, Soon whet Retro tony ‘ the topic of getting married, Ranga said he would ‘ot get married in the near ceo maison em va ‘him, unlike a childish bride. Quoting the classic: tale of Shakurtala, he ‘said that ¢ ‘He said that a man should ‘marry a girl he admires and it ‘would be impossible to oe Febepetihreritiats boy, who would make a good husband, had ‘writer made up my mind to get him married, Rao’s place often, Ratna wes quite free with him. The very next morning he went to ther howe and la Rama Rao's wife ‘milk for them and she should ask Ratna to fetch i fata came wearing a grand sare. The nanator told er to sit in his room a Teauested hero sing a song, He also sent for Ranga. While she was singing wd the door. He was so enamoured ofthe voice that he 399nl rn pee. The next moming the martr went ht Shae a recat © keep everything ready to ead tests aso ed na wat tosay. He met Ranga that afternoon, he was sil ooking fos in though He told Ranga sea cOmPany him to see the Skat to find ou, atologcaly, whether ge Sen Te fvourable for him or not. Ranga accompanied him. As planned the Shastri pretended to make certain calculations and said tha hs probleg ioe foancting to do with a in. He added that the name ofthe gl was something found in the acean such as Kamal (the tous), Pachchi thermos) on Bee (the precious stone). The narator said that the git in Rama Rao’s house wa, Ratna. He asked if there was any chance of their discussions bearing fait The ‘Shastri was very postive and Ranga's fae revealed surprise and seme happinee ‘The nasrator said that the ge was mated but thee was a possiblity ofa, Suitable girl. Ranga’s face showed hs disappointment. The narator and Ranga left the Shasti’s place. On theie way, they rose Rama Rao's house. They saw Ratna standing atthe dooe. The ntatcr wenn ‘lone and came outa minute later and announced that he was mistken and thet ‘Ratna was not married. Quoting the Shast's prediction, the writer asked if he swords were true. Ranga admitted that what the Shastri had sid wis absolutely true Later that evening, the narrator joked withthe Shastri abouths predictions but Shastri didnot like it One day Rangappa came to invite the narator—Shyama for dinner. He said that it was his son, Shyama’s third birthday. The narrator was familiar with the English custom of naming the child afer someone one liked. He asked Ranga now that his wife was eight months pregnant, who was helping his mavher to ‘cook. Ranga said that his sister had come with her, oO 400When the narrator went there for di i , ; inner. Shyama rushed to hi his arms round his legs. The narrator kissed him and sli ae eenae nie little finger. ipped a ring on his tinyAlbert Einstein At school Patrick Pringle “Albert Einstein, the greatest Physicist since Newton, was born inamodest family, He was sent from Milan in lly to Munich to study at school for his diploma, “He was an intelligent student but not good at rote learning of dates and facs in history. However, his mathematics teacher acknowledged his brilliance. Albert was miserable in school and atthe place where he lived. His friend Yuri helped hhim go back to Milan. He was, anyways, expelled from school for being a hindrance in class to the teachers to teach and. students to learn. Summary Young Albert Einstein was studying for his diploma in school in Munich, Germany. He hated learning dates and facts by heart. This forever displeased, Mr Braun his history teacher. Despite his teacher telling him the date of the year thatthe Prussians had defeated the French at Waterloo, Albert failed 10 recall them, He candidly confessed that he did not see any point in learning dates as they could be looked up in books. The teacher was infuriated and said that it applied to most ofthe facts taught at school. He also taunted him calling his views ‘Einstein theory of education’, Albert argued that it was ideas that ‘were important. He was not interested in knowing when the battles were fought but why they were fought. Mr Braun was shocked and furious. He believed that Albert had no desire (0 learn and was wasting his father's money. He punished him by detaining him foran extra period at school. Albert was miserable when he went to his lodging His father being poor had got him a room in an area that was ugly. Albert had no comfort there and did not like the food there. The atmosphere was bad as his landlady Kept beating her children and her husband came drunk and beat a this made him miserable and worse was he had to go to a school that hated. Allert was interested in reading books on science. He read ence. geology that was not taught in school. His cousin Elsa pointed out to him that it would not help him pass his diploma but he said that he did so because he liked reading. He alsoPerot eee playing the violin and played it il the landlady stopped him. The ws Bes ling ofthe children iitated hm, ne na fusiness She visited him oft and on, She encouraged him in his studies passat him woul ops examination, A He Aen ute ap dd ee en shes wconmodaic ih th oer ob a rate to have one to himself. Yuri also told him about the uncivilized students anion ter tesserae nase oh i eam eto abet told Yur that he was convinced that he di not want to continue sehool ‘ef ne went back to Milan he would be sent beck. He hada plan. 1 a doctor bw fed that he had a nervous breakdown and it would be bad for him 0 £0 feck there, he could get away from it ‘yuri knew no doctors but referred him to his friend, a medical student, Eris Aral He asked Alberto tell him of his problem honestly. Albert was a sensitive toy and worry made him nervous. By the time, he went to the doctor, Yui had reps him everything. The doctor had been a student ill recently and understood his problem. He said that had Allert not been close to a nervous breakdown he ‘would not have gone to a doctor. So he certified that Albert keep away from school for six months. ‘Allert took Yuri to supper for this favour but Yuri informed him that eventually the would have to go back to school, But Albert decided to meet the head teacher and said that he hoped to get a recommendation from his teacher of mathematics, Mr Koch, On Yuri's advice he went to Mr Koch first. Mr Koch admired Albert and confessed that he could not teach Albert anymore, rather he could Year from him, Albert got a recommendation from him that said that he was fit to join an institute for higher education in mathematics. However, before he could go to the head teacher he called for him. The teacher informed him that he was not prepared to keep him in school, as his work was hortble, he was a rebel and hindered teaching work in class. Albert did not have ‘o use his medical certificate as he was expelled from school, He was happy leaving the place where he had spent five miserable years. He just wanted to meet Yuri before leaving as Elsa was in Berlin, Yuri hoped that he would be happy in Milan. 409IB. Priestley Mother's Day is a play about a mother who remains busy in her chores ihvoughout the day and is taken for granted by her family members. With the help ofan exiraordinary frend, she i able to establish her importance i her family Summary |When the play opens Mrs Anne Pearson, in her fortes, is talking to he fiend Mrs Fitzgerald. Mrs Fitzgerald has been predicting Mrs Pearson's fate. Mrs Pearson is pleasant but worried-looking woman while Mrs Fitzgerald is older, heavier and a strong and intimidating personality. Mrs Fitzgerald tells Mrs Pearson to assert herself as the head ofthe family. She adds that ts high time Mrs Pearson let her family know how important she was to them. Mrs Pearson tells her friend apologetically that it was not as easy as it seemed, because although her family was very thoughtless and selfish, yet she loves them. She felt that they didn’t mean to be as terrible as they were. However, Mrs Fitzgerald insists that they ought to lear to treat her appropriately. She tells her not to ran after them al ime and take their orders a if she were the servant inthe house. She stayed at home everynight whe they went out enjoying emselves. She feels that ths situation was harmful forall of them. {is uncertain whether it would have Mrs Pearson agrees with Mrs Fitzgerald, but any effecton them, She does not want to reate any unpleasantness inthe family Moreover, she has thought of it often but does not Know how to begin, She "at her watch and jumps up to cook for er children and her husband, as they would be home any minute, Mrs Fitagerald holds her back and tll her to bozin asserting herself immediately. Mrs Pearson is litle hesitant s she i ot une of herself, Mrs Fitzgerald offers to help her but Mrs Pearson is reluctant as het family would hate an outsider’ interference. But Mrs Fitzgerald has an idea, She tells Mrs Pearson that they could exchange thei bodies i.e. instead of fooking like themselves they would look like the other. Mrs Fitzgerald then holds her hand and asks her (0 keep quiet for a minute. They stare at each other dnd Mrs Fitzgerald mumbles ‘Arshtatta dum—arshtatta lam—arshtatta a) lances 420_ Jjandunbona...” and they assume each other's personality, The roles are now reversed. Mrs Pearson becomes bold and dominating and Mrs Fitzgerald is fervous and trembling, ‘The first evident change is that Mrs Pearson notices the cigarette in Mrs itagerald’s mouth, snatches it and puts tin her own. Mrs Fitzgerald, now with ‘Mrs Pearson's personality, looks down at herself and sees that her body has changed and sereams out of fright. Now, Mrs Fitzgerald is nervous and Mrs Pearson confident. Mrs Fitzgerald is afraid if they can't change back to their criginal forms but Mrs Pearson jokes that she would enjoy herself more as ‘Mis Fitzgerald. She then assures her friend that they would change back easily ‘Mrs Pearson, who is Mrs Fitzgerald, goes out leaving the actual Mrs Fitzgerald in Mrs Pearson's body behind, ‘Mrs Pearson s playing patience and smoking when her daughter Doris Pearson, ‘prety girl in her early twenties, enters, She tells her mother to iron her yellow sik dress as she had t0 wear it that night. She notices that her mother is sitting atthe table playing ‘patience’ and smoking and is amazed. She asks her what she is doing. Mrs Pearson, answers her complacently that she was not ‘whitewashing the ceiling. She adds that there is no law against smoking. She also tell her that she had not made her tea and would have her meal at the ‘Clarendon. Doris cannot believe her eas. She is angry and insists that her mother rake tea and iron her dress. However, Mrs Pearson firmly tells her not to talk rubbish as she was working twice as hard and getting no wages or thanks frit. She then asks Doris where did she want to wear her yellow dress to. Doris tells her that she was going out with Charlie Spence. Mrs Pearson tells her to find someone beter than the buck-toothed, half-witted man, Doris is offended and runs out. Mrs Pearson laughs and starts putting the cards together when herson Cyril walks in and asks for tea. She behaves nonchalantly, buthe insists on her getting the tea and his clothes ready. He reminds her ofthe promise she had made that moming, to mend his clothes. He is suprised to hear that she doesn’t ‘ike mending’. She goes on to tell him that when he doesnot want todo something, he doesn't doit She planned to do the same. Cyril can't believe his ears Just then Doris enters and Mrs Pearson, seeing that Doris has been crying, ays that she wouldn't look so pale and red-eyed even for Charlie Spence. Doris Accuses her mother of making her cry. Doris and Cyril are even more surprised When theit mother asks for strong bee: ‘When Mrs Pearson walks out, Doris and Cyril discuss that there is something ‘wrong, Doris tells Cyril that she was smoking and playing cards when she came 421™ in, Dots feels that she looks ate diferent but Cyril has not noice hy ‘They try to fathom what the problem wit hei, whether she had gone crn, S had a concussion. They laugh atthe idea of er having gone crazy and dec ait til thei father returns ‘Mrs Pearson returns, carying a bottle of beer and a half-illed glass. She ey, them to tell her the reason for their amusement. Doris retorts that she had evap Understood ther jokes. Mrs Pearson rudely ells her that she was Bored at this Jokes even before they were born. Doris is tearful and Mrs Pearson tll her tha all they do is come in, ask for something, go out again, then come back whey there's nowhere else to go. Cyril again asks for ta, telling her that he ha been Working for an eight-hour day. Mrs Pearson says that she had done her eighy hhours and henceforth she would work only for forty-hours @ week. At the ‘weekend she would have her two days off. Both the children are surprised, Doris tres to re-confirm if the mother would not do anything on Saturday and Sunday. Mrs Pearson, replies that she might make a bed or two and do bit of cooking “as a favour’ but that would be conditional tothe fact that she is asked very nicely and thanked for everything and generally made fuss of. Mrs Pearson tells her daughter that in case she does no like the arrangement she would go elsewhere forthe weekend. When Doris questions her, Mrs Pearson tells her they had no right to question her as to where she would go and with whom she should go. These were the replis tha she had go from them and she was certainly ‘lot older and better able to look after herself. When Doris cries, she tells her notto be a baby. If she was old enough to go out with Charlie Spence, se ought to be old enough to behave properly Soon Mr George Pearson, Mrs Pearson’shusband enters. He notices Doris crying ‘and he wants to know the cause, She tells him that he would soon know the cause. George then notices Mrs Pearson sipping beer and is shocked. He expresses his surprise and tells her that ‘it doesn't look right”. Mrs Pearson ‘replies that it is ‘a nice change’ and it had been quite some time since he was surprised at her. When he tells her that he did not want tea ashe was going fora special snooker match night a the club, she told him that anyways the tea was not ready. He is angry and she reminds him that he was annoyed because he a He was confus He was co e es fs thought abou: the depressing incident that he had seen a ae iff. He thought of Bramwell, who was foolishly loyal toa woman ceived him and of Edward Page, tied to the quarelsome Blodwen, a a living unhappily, separately from his wife. He believed that all Boomer miserable ledowns. He wished to think of mariage as a peacefl stein ‘Which he would be happy with Christine. There was a confit lee ‘mind that doubted and bs heart that was overflowing with emotion ade him fel resentful and confused He was thinking ofthis, hence when Mrs Morgan’s mother addressed him, he jerked. Jan Morgan. She said that Susan did not \d harm the baby. She was rally looking drew assured her that it She was thinking of her daughter Sus ‘want to be given chloroform if it woul forward to having this baby. In fact al of them were. An ‘would not do any harm, ‘At half-past three the nurse called for him. a dratoa tat twas ime to begins work. After an pou’ ficult sul towards the early hours ofthe morning, the child was bor lifeless. romised them that all would be well. His face ont suddenly seemed to grow cold. He was ‘ild, ofthe mother who was in a hopeless ‘quick decision. Impulsively, He went up fo the bedroom and ‘Andrew was horrified. He had p that was heated with his own ef indecisive, 10 attempt to save the c ‘ate, There was no time to think. He had to make 2 he gave the child to the nurse and tamed his concentra rowards Susan Morgan vores collapsed and almost pulseless. na instant he Woke glass ampule san ected the medicine, He sgged to etre te Heiss Nome and after air mintesof intense efor, er heartbeat became en ‘ealizing that she was safe, he quickly turned forthe child laced it beneath the bed, Andrew swifly knelt down and Teas perfect formed boy. The lifeless body was warm ileal cord lay like «broken stem. He infeed that this art a caused 2y lack of oxygen and excess of carbon Heshouted in urgency for hot water, cold water, an basin blanket and began the special method of respiration ann, the ewer, and the big iron ketle. He poured old water intone basin and warm im the other “Then, with quick movement, fe hurried the child from one basin to the other, This continued for fifteen pues, Andrew was panting and his eyes were blinding with sweat, But the ‘Child did not breathe. He felt uterly dejected. “The midwife and the old woman Tching ha wih ter atenienes. He remembered the od ‘woman's ‘The midwife had pl pulled out the child and white. The uml unconscious conditi dioxide in the blood. He laid the child upon 2 ‘The nurse came with the were wat 448cette Oh lomiion was grim, and efforts futite ‘re floor was ina state of mess. As Andrew seurn Tepe cred that the Baby was a silbom. Bu eee soe re continued his fons fr half an hour and as Rete neat Ge ret with ast effort, rubbed the ‘a rough towel, crushing and releasing th leasi cl ih get breath nota i 2 2 the little chest with both his ng for a grandchild, and Jone! |, and her daughter's or 's longing for this chi child. But the ‘Then miraculously, the tiny chest began heaving. Andrew felt gidd sense of life, springing beneath his fingers almost made him faint. ‘hein bee i sen ttl they heard the chil’sery. The nurse sobbed hystericall aa a handed her the child. He felt weak and dazed. The room was in a a ot ines and the mother lay still on the bed, still not out of the effect of the Deas The old woman still stood against the wall with her hands together and her lips moving in silent prayer. Andrew went downstairs, (00k a long drink of water and as he stepped out he found Joe standing on the pavement with an anxious, eager face. Andrew told him that both were well. Iwas nearly five o”clock and a few mines were already in the streets MOviNE out after their first of the night shift. As ‘Andrew walked with them, tired, but was eternally relieved at ‘done something real at last’yr The Tale of Melon City Vikram Seth sang poem is taken from M joing roem appings which was publish ine flenins e CttectedPocms by Vhram Sth The hi vin poem sauond placid’. Does he carry his notion of justice abit 10 far? 1 is stated to be in the tradition of Idries Shah, am author inthe sufist The poem" poo poe pela been described as ‘the most significant worker adaptin, rae spiritual towel tthe moder world “ summary sree is stn «ity chat ws led by a ara and mild-mannered fie announced, one day, that an arch should be ‘build in the city that would mine major main road to improve the condition forthe masses, ‘The peyed the orders and constructed the arch as they were directed. Tt the King rode through street and as he was erossing below the fell off because the arch was built too low. ssion turned into a scowl. He felt that this was dishonour and F of builders be hung 10 death. The rope was bought ant iiders was brought, he pleaded that it Workers, The King stopped the procedures because he We ‘death, The workmen protested to workmen be put to or the ones at fault but it was the masons who hhad extend ove workmen ol Afier it was bul iach, his crown His mild expres the chie! sentenced # .d, When the head of bu gallows prepare wwas the fault of the fair and ordered that all the the King that they were 1 made bricks of the wrong size. ‘the King called the masons and as they stood trembling in fear, they blamed he architect. The architect was sent for. When the came the King proclaim that he be hanged. The architect told the King that Ihe had forgotten one fact and that f when they Were was that he had made certain plans himsel shown to him. ‘ost lost his ability t© When the King heard this, he was s° angry that he alm¢ teason. But because he was righteous and tolerant he admitted that this was @ difficult situation. He required advice so he called for the wisest man 1" the country, The wisest man was found and carried (0 the Royal Court as he could oe experienced man. He said in 8 changes in the= trembling, feeble voice that the offender must be penalized. It was the arch thay had thrown the crown off, and it must be henged. Thus the arch was taken to the platform where the criminals are executed, when suddenly a Councillor sig that it would be a disgrace to hang something that touched the honourable head The King was thoughtful and felt that the point raised was very valid. But by this time the crowd that had gathered around became restless and started grumbling. The King noticed their mood and was worried. Addressing all the people gathered there, he said that they must put off thinking about points like faults and responsibilities, as the country wanted to see the execution. Hence someone must be hanged immediately. The loop in the rope was got ready and set up. It was a litle high. Hence all the people were measured one by one to see who would reach the noose. Finally they found that man—it was none other than the King. Thus he was hanged as per the Royal ruling. The Ministers were glad that they had found someone, else they felt, that the unmanageable people in the town would have rebelled against the King. After his execution they shouted, ‘Long live the King! The King is dead.” They thought about the difficult situation and then being good at solving problems, they sent out the messengers to make known that the next person to cross the City Gate would decide the ruler of the kingdom. As was their practice, this decision would be made obligatory in a suitable ceremony. But the next man who crossed the City Gate was a fool. The guards asked him to decide who ought to be the King. The fool replied it ought to be “A melon.” ‘This was his usual answer to all questions because he liked melons. The ir Kirg. They carried the Melon to the crowned a melon and accepted it-as th throne and respectfully placed it on it. ‘This event took place many years ago. Now when the people ask the people of the kingdom about their King seems to be a melon, they say that the decision was on because of ‘customary choice’. Ifthe King is delighted in being a melon, it was all right with them. They have no reason to criticise him as long as he eaves them in Peace and Liberty. In that kingdom the philosophy of laissez faire (refusal to interfere) seems to be well established.