Letter to God

The story depicts the unwavering faith of a farmer in God. It begins with a farmer, named Lencho expecting for a
rain shower to nourish his field of corn. He is confident that his harvest is going to yield him huge profits just like it
does every year. To his utmost excitement, rainfall did happen but sooner, it turned into a hailstorm destroying his
entire crop field. The damage posed a threat to the family’s survival as their entire livelihood was dependent on the
year’s produce. Although disheartened, the family had robust belief in the almighty. Lencho, despite having worked
day and night at the field, knew how to write and thus, decided to write a letter to God explaining his situation and
asking for help. He went to town to post his letter addressed “To God”. The letter on being noticed by the
postmaster, at first amused him, but then motivated him want to do something for the farmer so as to keep his
immense belief intact. He contributes from his salary and collects money from his colleagues and friends who
willingly contributed for an act of charity. To his dismay, he could only collect 70 pesos which he wrapped in an
envelope to make it seem like a reply from the deity. On having found the letter, the writer (Lencho) is not at all
shocked, but instead, he gets angry on finding that the amount is less than what he had expected. He again writes
a letter to God conveying his disappointment and distrust in the employees of the post office who he thought had
stolen the remaining amount.

Moral

Believing in God can be really strong and can fulfill our needs. But, it’s also important to see that kindness and humanity
exist alongside faith in God. The story nicely shows how Lencho truly believed in God, and at the same time, the post office
workers anonymously helped him by giving money from their own pockets to support the poor man in trouble.

Nelson Mandela
The Inauguration
It was 10th May the day of oath with a bright and Shiny sun. Nelson Mandela was supposed to take oath as the first
black President of South Africa. A large number of leaders all from around the world had gathered there to be the
witness of the swearing-in ceremony of Nelson Mandela as the first black President. The inauguration ceremony took
place in a big open building in Pretoria where the first democratic non-racial government was to be installed.

The Swearing-In Ceremony of Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was accompanied by his daughter Zenani. Mr Deklerk was the first person who took oath as secpnd
Deputy President followed by Mr Thabo Mbeki who sweared as the first Deputy President of South Africa. Nelson
Mandela was the last person who sweared as the first black President of South Africa. He pledged to obey and uphold
the Constitution and to devote himself to the well-being of the people. He also promised to make the nation free from
poverty, deprivation, suffering, and all sort of discrimination.
Display of the Military Power by South African Jets
When Mandela had taken the oath, South African jets displayed military power. It also showed the loyalty of the military to
democracy. The highest military generals saluted him. He recounted that they would have arrested him many years before.
The playing of two national anthems followed it. The whites sang ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ the old song and the blacks sang ‘Die Stem’
the new song which marked the end of the ceremony.

ApartheidPolicy and South Africa

Nelson Mandela reminiscences about days gone by which will soon be the part of history where the whites had formed a
system of racial dominance against the blacks. It was the basis of the harsh societies which is now overturned. He says,
that the policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound on his country and it's people. Now it is the system that
recognized the right and freedom of all people

Regret of Mandela and Remembrance of Freedom Fighters

On the auspicious day Mandela regretted the loss of thousands of people and remembered their sacrifices for freedom
from discrimination. He thought of himself as the sum of all those African patriots who sacrificed their lives before him. He
was pained that he couldn’t thank them.He recalled great freedom fighters like Oliver, Tambos, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli,
Yusuf Dadoo, etc. who were men of uncommon courage, wisdom, and generosity.
He said that the country is rich in minerals but its greatest wealth is its people.

Goodness and Duties of a Man

The author says that being white or black is not a token of your goodness or superiority. No one is born hating another,
people should love one another which comes without force as it is natural. It is man’s essential goodness.A man has to
perform duties to his family, community and country which he didn’t see in his country before he pushed himself to fight for
the blacks. A black man was punished if he tried to live like a human being and was forced to live apart from his own people.
So, he was not allowed to perform his duties to his family.

Meaning of Freedom by Mandela

As a kid Mandela had different meaning for being free as he wanted to run in the fields and wanted to stay out at night. As
he grew older he wanted the freedom of livelihood for himself and his family.But soon he realised that such freedom was only
an illusion, j He realised that his brothers and sisters who looked like him were not free, so he joined African National
Congress (ANC).
His hunger for freedom became great for the freedom of his people. He desired that everyone should be given the right to
live his life with dignity and respect. He wanted the oppressor and the oppressed to be liberated. As no one is free if one is
taking someone else’s freedom. Only such feelings can bring true freedom for everyone.
 KEY POINTS

• Patience and perseverance guided by discipline and system yield the desire result.
• Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC). He desired people to live with dignity and respect.
He wanted the oppressor and the oppressed to be liberated.
• According to Mandela, freedom has many aspects like – for a kid it is to run and play, for an adult it is to fulfil the
needs, of his own and his family. Real freedom means equal rights for everyone.
• He also stated that a man should try to make a balance between his duties – duty to his family and duty to his
community and country. A black person was treated badly and not allowed to perform his duties.
• Mandela said in speech that a country is rich because of its people not because of the minerals. Courage is not the
absence of fear but the victory over it. People should love others and not hate them due to colour or religion. Love comes
naturally not by force, which is the natural goodness
• Salutation to some great freedom fighters – Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo and others.
• Mandela remembered and thanked the people who sacrificed their lives for the freedom.
• A new system that recognised the rights and freedom of all people was formed-
• Singing of two national anthems was done-the old ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ by the whites and the new ‘Die stem’ by
the blacks.
• A colourful show by jets and helicopters to show military’s loyalty took place.
• Mandela pledged to liberate his people from poverty, suffering and discrimination.
• Nelson Mandela gave speech on the victory for justice, peace and human dignity.
• Inauguration ceremony or swearing in ceremony was being held in Union Building in Pretoria and first
non-racial government took the charge.
• 10th of May was, a day of freedom for South Africa and there was huge gathering of international leaders
and dignitaries.

His first flight

“His First Flight” conveys the message that self-reliance is very important and parents should encourage their children to
have strong self-belief. They should know that in order to overcome fear the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. The
mother seagull persuades the young one to get him to learn flying. This finally makes the baby seagull take the plunge and
he flaps his wings to fly away freely and independently.

Liam O’Flaherty’s story “His First Flight” is about a young seagull who was terrified to take his first flight because he was
afraid that his wings wouldn’t support him while flying. Despite having lesser wings than him, all of his siblings took the risk
of flying in the open air.
On the contrary, the young bird’s wings were trembling with fear, and he was unable to find the bravery to take the leap.
When he tried to approach closer to the edge of the cliff while attempting to fly, he grew terrified and retreated. His
parents continually scolded and frightened him, claiming that until he flew away, he would starve alone on the ledge, but
their efforts were futile. He’d just sit there and watch his parents teach his siblings how to surfer and fish.

The entire family flew to a large plateau one wonderful day and mocked the baby seagull for his cowardice. He could feel
the heat as the sun’s rays blazed on his ledge, and he had been hungry since the previous dark. The little bird pleaded with
his mother to bring food to him. When his mother swooped across to him with a piece of fish, he sent out a happy yell.

He leaned out enthusiastically and jumped at the hungry fish. As he fell outside into the open space, a horrible horror
gripped him as he realized he was going downward. He felt his wings extend outwards the following minute, and he was
able to soar without fear. Finally, the juvenile bird took his maiden flight, soaring higher and skimming through the waves
before diving into the water with his siblings.

The black aeroplane

The mystery narrative “Black Aeroplane,” penned by Fredrik Forsyth, revolves around a pilot. The story’s narrator is a
pilot who wished to spend time with his family in England and have a hearty breakfast with them. He needed to travel
from France to England to see his family. He came into storm clouds that appeared like black mountains once he
crossed Paris. However, when he sailed into the clouds, he noticed that everything had turned utterly black around him.
As he lost control of the plane, he couldn’t see anything outside.

He suddenly became aware of another jet with no lights on its wings. The captain of the jet motioned him to follow by
waving his hands. Because his plane’s radio signals were unreachable and the fuel tank was low, he blindly followed the
other pilot. With the assistance of the other pilot, he soon passed through the thick clouds and landed safely on the
runway.

After landing, he inquired at the reception desk about the other pilot who had assisted him in such a grave
circumstance, as he wanted to express his gratitude to him for saving his life. However, the woman at the control center
assured him that there was no other jet in the night sky than his.

From the diary of Anne Frank

For Anne, writing a diary is a strange experience because she thinks that no one will be interested in a thirteen-year-old
girl’s writings, but she decides to write anyway. While getting bored inside her house, she decides that no one else would be
allowed to read her diary except her good friend (apparently if she makes one). This reminds her of the fact that she had to
have a diary as she has no friends. The writer feels that the paper has more capacity to absorb thoughts rather than
people who have low patience level
While getting bored inside her house, she decides that no one else would be allowed to read her diary except her good
friend (apparently if she makes one). This reminds her of the fact that she had to have a diary as she has no friends.

She starts to write about herself. She believes that no one would believe that Anne is alone. However, according to her,
she is not alone. She has parents, a loving sister, and around thirty people she can call friends, but she lacks a best-
friend. She decides to make the diary her best-friend and names her “Kitty.” She writes about her life.

Her father, whom she calls “adorable,” married her mother when he was thirty-six, and she was twenty-five. Her sister’s
name is Margot. Anne lived in Frankfurt till she was four. Her parents migrated to Holland while Anne and Margot were
sent to Aachen to live with their grandmother. Margot went to Aachen first, followed by Anne, as Anne was presented to
Margot as a birthday gift.

Anne was admitted to a Montessori nursery school, where she studied until six. Anne and the school headmistress
developed a good bond, and both were in tears when Anne left that school. Anne’s twelfth birthday went with a little
celebration as her grandmother fell ill and had to under go an operation. Her Grandma died in 1942, Anne was heart-
broken.

Anne writes in her diary, “Dearest Kitty.”On that particular day, the entire class was anxious. The reason was a meeting
that was about to be held shortly. In such a meeting, teachers decide to promote and demote all the students based on
their academic records. Everyone was nervous and fearful. Anne and her friend laughed at two boys who had bets
regarding their promotion or demotion. Anne thinks that the class is full of dumb students who should be demoted.
However, teachers, according to her, are veryunpredictable. Anne and her friends are confident about their promotion,
but the only subject that bothers Anne is mathematics. Till the results are out, they cannot do anything but wait.

Anne is very friendly with her teachers. She has a total of nine teachers. The only teacher that is annoyed by Anne is Mr.
Keesing, who teaches mathematics. According to Mr. Keesing, Anne talked too much. That is why he gave Anne extra
homework. The title of the homework was “A Chatterbox.”

At home, after completing her homework. Anne started to think about the extra homework, “A Chatterbox.” Anne
knew that she could write anything to fill up the pages. However, she wanted to write something convincing and
satisfactory. After much thinking, Anne wrote the three pages that Mr. Keesing assigned her.She wrote that talking
was a characteristic of a student, and she would try her best to keep it under control. She also wrote that she would
not give up talking as her mother also talked that much, and it is challenging to give up inherited traits.Mr. Keesing
laughed at her arguments and decided to give her a new assignment. This time it was “An Incorrigible Chatterbox.”
Anne wrote an essay on this title too. However, to her utter surprise, Mr. Keesing gave her another essay titled
“Quack, Quack, Quack, Said Mistress Chatterbox.”Anne had a friend named Sanne, who was very good at poetry
and helped her write the essay in poetic verses. The poem was about a mother duck and a father swan with three
ducklings. The father killed the three ducklings because they quacked too much. Mr. Keesing was trying to teach Anne
a lesson, but Anne left no stone unturned to return his kind favor.he read the whole poem to the class, positively took
the joke, and allowed Anne to talk in the class freely.
A baker from Goa
This is a pen-portrait of a traditional Goan village baker who still has an important place in his soicety. This story is only
a reminiscence of the childhood life of the narrator. He is reminded of the Bakers of Goa who used to prepare breads for
them. These bakers were expert in their profession. The children were fond of their breads. The different types of bread
prepared by the bakers were liked by different age groups e.g. the elders liked bread while the younger liked the bangles.
The arrival of the bakers was marked by the jhang-jhang sound of their bamboo sticks which used to attract all the
children in the family. The children would climb on the railing or on the bench to peep into the basket of the baker. The
narrator still remembers the fragrance of the loaves. He also remembers that the sight of bread used to make them so
mad they would skip brushing and start eating the bread straightway. They used to think that the hot tea would work as
a mouthwash for them. The narrator tells us in this story about the importance of the bakers in marriages and festivals.
Then he tells us about the special outfit of the bakers. The bakers at that time used to be very rich and their plump body
used to reflect this fact.

1. The Portuguese in Goa were lovers of bread.

2. Those eaters of bread have now gone but its makers still exist.
3. During the childhood days of the narrator, a baker used to be their friend, companion and guide.
4. The baker came twice a day- once in the morning and again while returning home after finishing his selling.
5. The jingling thud of the baker’s bamboo woke up the sleeping children.
6. The loaves were delivered to the servants of the house.
7. The children would peep into the baker’s basket for the bread bangles.
8. The children would eat bread with hot tea.
9. The marriages were incomplete without the popular bol bread.
10. Bolinhas was a must during Christmas and all other festivals.
11. The bakers wore a particular knee length frock known as kabai.
12. Baking was a profitable profession. Bakers had a plump physique testifying to this.
13. The bakers collected their bills at the end of the month.

Coorg
It is coffee country, famous for its rainforests and spices. Coorg is a small village in Karnataka. It is situated between
Mysore and Mangalore. It rains heavily here during the monsoons. The inhabitants are the descendants of Greek or
Arabic people. Their long coat named kuppia resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds. They are very brave
and always keep firearms with them. Kurds are very hospitable. They are fond of telling stories of the bravery of their
forefathers. The natural beauty of this place attracts the people very much. Even a laidback person turns into an
enthusiastic youth after coming here. The visitors can see the different kinds of plantation and the animals and birds. One
can see the Bodh Monks in red, ochre and yellow clothes easily. In all, the heart and soul of India resides here.
The climb to Brahmagiri hills bring smiles to many faces as one can see the panoramic view of coorg from there. India’s
largest Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe is inhabited by monks

1. Coorg or Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is a heavenly place.

2. The best season to visit it is from September to March.
3. The people living there are probably the descendants of Arabs or Greeks.
4. Their culture is apparent in their martial traditions, marriages and religious rites.
5. The Kodavus wear a long, black, embroidered coat called Kuppia.
6. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments in the Indian Army.
7. Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.
8. The river Kaveri begins from the hills and forests of Coorg.
9. A variety of plants, birds and animals can be seen there.
10. The place offers a number of adventure sports for the tourists.
11. The Tibetan monks are amongst many surprises that can be seen there.

Tea from Assam

“Tea from Assam” is a narrative by “Arup Kumar Datta”, concluding the prose collection, Glimpses of India. The story
unfolds with two friends, Rajvir and Pranjol, embarking on a journey to Assam. Along the way, they purchased fresh tea
from a roadside vendor, engaging in a conversation about the unique tea of the region. As they savored the hot, steaming
tea, Rajvir shared with Pranjol that globally, over eighty crore cups of tea are consumed every day. Rajvir delighted in the
scenic beauty of Assam, adorned with tea plantations and bushes, while Pranjol remained absorbed in a detective book.

Rajvir went on to tell Pranjol more about Assam, known for having the largest tea plantations. However, the exact origin
of tea in the region remains a mystery. According to a Chinese tale, a few tea leaves accidentally dropped into a pot of
boiling water. The Emperor found the resulting liquid delicious, giving rise to the creation of tea. Rajvir also shared an
Indian legend about Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk, who, as the story goes, cut off his eyelids for nodding off during
meditation. Miraculously, ten tea plants sprouted from his eyelids, and brewing these leaves in hot water was believed to
ward off sleep.

Shortly after, they reached Mariani Junction, collected their luggage, and headed towards Dhekiabari Tea Estate. On the
journey, they observed groups of tea-pluckers wearing plastic aprons with bamboo baskets on their backs, gathering the
newly sprouted leaves. Pranjol’s father was there to welcome them. He was impressed by Rajvir’s understanding of tea
plantations when the young boy talked about the second flush or the period when tea sprouts the best. Rajvir expressed his
eagerness to learn more about the place from Pranjol’s father.
1. Pranjol and Rajvir were visiting Assam by train.
2. Rajvir was busy looking at the beautiful scenery outside the train.
3. It was green everywhere as far as the eye could see.
4. The soft green paddy bushes gave way to tea bushes.
5. Assam has the largest concentration of tea plantation in the world.
6. The Chinese are said to have discovered tea.
7. There is also an Indian legend saying that Bodhidharma discovered tea.
8. From China, tea came to the European countries and then to Asian countries.
9. Pranjol’s father managed Dhekiabari, a tea garden.
10. There were many tea pluckers around the tea bushes.
11. The best tea is obtained between May to July.

Madam rides the bus

Madam Rides The Bus" by Vallikkannan is a poignant tale of a young girl's first journey of independence, showcasing
the simplicity and curiosity of childhood.
The story centers around Valli, an eight-year-old girl, who is fascinated by the outside world and longs to experience a
bus ride in her Indian village.
Valli's character embodies innocence and determination, saving money and planning her bus trip meticulously,
symbolizing a child's simple yet profound aspirations.
Her bus journey, unaccompanied and secretive, represents a significant step towards independence, a universal
milestone in every child’s life.
Valli's observations and interactions during the ride highlight her naivety and the newness of her experience, as she
marvels at the sights outside her f amiliar world.
Vallikkannan uses vivid descriptions to bring to life the rural Indian setting, painting a picture of the landscape, people,
and culture that Valli encounters.
The story subtly addresses themes of social norms and gender roles, as Valli navigates her adventure in a conservative
society.
Valli's return home, satisfied yet unchanged in her mother's eyes, underscores the theme of internal growth and the often-
unseen transformation within us.
The narrative is a touching reminder of the joy and thrill of first experiences and the bittersweet nature of growing up
and gaining independence.
"Madam Rides The Bus" is more than a story about a bus ride; it's a reflection on childhood, exploration, and the small
yet significant steps towards self-discovery.
 The lesson is about an eight-year old girl named Valli, who did not have friends to play with and so she would spend her
time by looking at the outside affairs going on the street. Her favourite part was to look at the bus that passed by her
village every hour. It gave her endless joy to look at the new set of passengers each time the bus crossed by. Gradually,
even she wished to travel by bus. Soon, the wish turned into a desire and therefore, she made it her mission to fulfill it.

She started listening to the conversations between her neighbours who frequently travelled by bus and in the process,
would ask a few careful questions here and there to collect more information. Just like this, she knew that the town is six
miles away from her village and it took the bus forty five minutes to travel one side. One-sided fare was thirty paise
making it sixty for a back and forth ride. Therefore, she started planning and re-planning so that she could sneak out
during her mother’s afternoon nap and come back without her knowing anything. She needed to save the money which
was not easy as she had to resist the temptation of candy, peppermint and merry-go-round.

Finally, she saved enough money and one fine day, the brave eight year old took the bus during it’s not very busy hours.
She refused to take any help from the conductor or fellow passengers. It was an amusing sight for everyone to see such a
small girl all alone acting like an adult. The conductor was of the joking sort and thus, referred to Valli as a grown up
‘madam’. Short-heighted Valli would stand on her seat to be able to see clearly from the window while everyone advised
her to sit for her own safety. Each time someone would poke their nose in her business, Valli would get annoyed as she
did not consider herself a child. She did not want to be friends with an elderly lady who was worried about her because
she thought she was not socially-capable enough.

She enjoyed seeing what was going on outside and the sight of a running cow in the middle of a road was abruptly a
funny scenario for her. Upon reaching the town, she refused to get down the bus because she was too afraid to do so
alone. While returning, she carried extreme enthusiasm until she saw a cow lying lifeless on the road. It was the same cow
that was so joyous previously. Valli got terrified at the fact that how a creature so full of life can instantly turn into
something horrible. She sat down silently for rest of the journey.

Upon reaching home, she found her mother and aunt talking about the endless possibilities in the world outside. Valli
affirmed to what her mother was saying leaving both of them astonished. She then justified her reaction by mentioning
that she was casually agreeing to what her mother was saying. Her aunt then referred to Valli as a nose-poking child
who acts like a grown-up lady but only Valli knew what she was referring to because, after all, no one knew about her bus
journey.

The sermon at Benares

Gautama Buddha (563 B.C.-483 B.C.) was a prince. His name was Siddhartha Gautama. At twelve he was sent away
for schooling in the Hindu sacred scriptures. He returned after four years. He married a princess. They had a son.
Siddhartha Gautama was born into a royal family, full of worldly pleasures and amenities. At 12 years of age, he was sent
to a place far away from home to study and understand the sacred Hindu scriptures. On his return from this place, he got
married to a princess named Yashodhara, and both of them continued living prestigious life. One day, Lord Buddha (the
prince) was on the hunt when he met four men. Initially, he met the sick man, then an aged man followed by a funeral
procession and a monk who was begging for alms.

The sight of these people shocked him to such an extent that Siddhartha decided to seek enlightenment. After seven years
of effort, he finally got enlightened under a peepal tree named Bodhi Tree. The Bodhi Tree means a tree of wisdom.
Eventually, he started teaching and sharing his knowledge which gave him his new name, ‘Buddha.’ The Lord Buddha gave
his first sermon at the holistic place, ‘Benaras.’

Kisa Gotami had an only son who died and made her grief-ridden. She picked up her dead son and carried him to her
neighbours, hoping to get medicine to cure her child. The people thought this to be an insane act and called her absent-
minded (not in one’s sense)as the child she carried was dead. During this time, she came across a man who addressed her
request and advised her to visit the Buddha.

Kisa Gotami immediately went on to meet the Buddha and cried, “Lord and Master, give me the medicine that will cure my
boy.” On this statement by the lady, Buddha asked her to get some mustard seeds for him on the condition that the mustard
seed should be brought from the house where not a single person had lost a child, husband, parent, or even a friend.

The poor lady accepted the condition and started her search for a house that fits right in the state. Seeing her in grief,
people used to try to help her out by offering mustard seeds, but she couldn’t find a single house that had not lost their dear
ones.

This incident made her so hopeless and lost in her thoughts she went and sat down at the roadside, staring at the city’s
flickering lights. To her notice, the flickering lights finally extinguished and spread the darkness everywhere. This made her
think about her selfishness in grief and ultimately made her realize that death is common to all and not a single person can
escape it. Buddha, in his sayings, compared the ripe fruits with mortals and said that the ripe fruits have the risk of falling in
the same way mortals are in fear of death. In Buddha’s words, sorrow increases man’s suffering and leads to physical
torture. Thus, he advises people that an intelligent man who understands nature’s functioning should never get upset at the
things that are happening as this is the only path towards happiness.