1 Human Bonds

Starter
Who is the most important person in your life?

Who influences you the most?

Reflect on your relationship with that person and fill the table below.

What do I value most about this relationship?

What are the things that cause or can cause

unpleasantness in this relationship?

What is the one thing that I could do to

improve this relationship?

Section 1

My Big Brother
Here is a story about the relationship between two brothers.
 My big brother was five years older than me, but only three years ahead of me
at school. He had begun school at the same age as I had, but he did not like to be in
undue haste in such an important matter as education. He wanted to lay a very solid
foundation so that a magnificent structure could be raised upon it. So he spent two
years where only one was needed, and sometimes even three. How can one raise
a strong building on a weak foundation!
I was nine and he was fourteen. When he was in class nine, I was in class five. It was
his birthright to admonish1 me. And I was expected to accept his 1admonish scold

commands as the law.

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My elder brother was studious by nature, always glued to his books. I never felt at home
with books. To sit with a book for an hour was like climbing a mountain. At the first
opportunity, I would walk out of the hostel into the open ground, and toss pebbles into
the air or fly paper butterflies. And I felt happier still if I could find a companion. We
would jump across the walls or ride upon the gates and swing them to and fro to enjoy
a ‘motor ride’. But the moment I returned to the room, I would freeze in my tracks to
see my brother’s red face. His first question would be, “Where have you been?” Always
the same question in the same tone; and my answer was silence. I don’t know why I
couldn’t tell him that I had just gone out to play. My silence proclaimed that I accepted
my crime, and my brother would greet me with indignant2 words, “If you study like this
you will learn nothing. Learning English is no child’s play, otherwise everybody and his
cousin would be regular experts in English. You have to strain your eyes and drain your
blood, only then can one attain this knowledge. Even great scholars can’t write correct
English. And you are such a blockhead that you don’t learn from my example. See how
hard I work. Have you ever seen me going out to attend any shows and fairs? Even then
I am stuck in each class for two to three years. You will fritter3 your whole life away
studying in one class. Why waste father’s hard-earned money?”
Listening to this tongue-lashing, I would burst into tears. My brother was an expert at
the art of giving advice. His pointed comments like aphoristic4 arrows would pierce
my heart and demoralize me. I would sink into hopelessness and think of going home.

2indignant showing anger and surprise 3fritter waste 4aphoristic the use
of few words to convey much information or meaning

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Why should I waste my life doing something that was beyond my powers? My head
would reel, but after a few hours I would overcome this state of despondency5, and
pledge to devote myself to studies. In no time I would work out a timetable.
The timetable: get up at six in the morning, wash, have breakfast and sit down to study.
English from six to eight, arithmetic from eight to nine, history from nine to nine-thirty,
then food and to school. Return from school at three-thirty, relax for half an hour,
geography from four to five, grammar from five to six, a half-hour stroll in front of the
hostel, then eat, translation from eight to nine, Hindi from nine to ten, miscellaneous
subjects from ten to eleven, then sleep. But, to make a timetable is one thing, to put it
into practice, another. The violation6 would begin on the very first day. The green fields,
the gentle breeze, the run and chase in football, the speed and quickness in volleyball,
all these would drag me out and I would forget everything. And my brother would get
his opportunity to admonish and sermonize7. Even then, I was not able to give up play.
The annual examinations ended. My brother failed, and I passed, securing the first
position in the class. Now he was just two classes ahead of me. For a moment I thought
of giving him a piece of my mind but he was so heartbroken that I sincerely sympathized
with him. And I gained a certain amount of self-esteem. I began to participate freely in
games and sports. If he tried to meddle, I would tell him plainly, “I have obtained the
first position even while playing and having fun.” Even though I had not the courage
to speak out with
such insolence8,
it was clear from
my demeanour9
and actions.
One day when
I returned after
spending the whole
morning playing, my
brother pounced
upon me, “I can see
you have become
very smug because
5despondency loss of hope and courage 6violation (here) the act of
refusing to honour an agreement 7sermonize here, give a long lecture
you have secured
8insolence disrespectful behaviour 9demeanour outward behaviour the first position.

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But, my brother, pride has not served well even the greats. You must
have read about the fate of Ravan. He was the master of the whole
earth, called the Universal King. Ravan was a Universal King because
all the kings of the world paid taxes to him. Even the
gods of love and rain were his slaves. And yet, what
was his end? Pride totally destroyed him. What
have you learnt from his story? To have passed
an examination is not enough; the real thing
is the acquisition of wisdom. To internalize
whatever you study. You have passed only one
class and your head has turned. In this way you
won’t go very far. You must realize that you
did not pass through your hard work. It was a
fluke10. Sometimes a person plays a big stroke
by chance, but that does not make him a great
player. You will know when you come to my
class. You will sweat between your teeth when
you will have to crack the tough nuts of geometry
and algebra. God alone save you from geometry. If you wrote ACB for ABC, you would
lose all the marks. No one cares to ask these cruel examiners as to what the difference
between ACB and ABC is, and why they torture students for these worthless things.
But these examiners see only what is written in the books. They want students to cram
everything, and this cramming is called education.
“They ask you to write an essay on The Importance of Punctuality which should not be
less than four pages in length. Who doesn’t know that punctuality is a good thing? It
brings discipline in your life, people begin to love you and you progress in your business.
How to write four pages on such a simple issue? But no, you will have to blacken four
pages. And four foolscap11 pages! The worst part is you are told to be brief. Write a
short essay on Punctuality in not less than four pages. Four pages in brief, otherwise
they might have asked you to write two hundred pages. Run fast, but slowly. Isn’t that
funny? My boy, when you come to my class, you will have to perform these Herculean
labours12. Don’t float in the air just because you have secured the first position in this
class. I might have failed many times, but I am elder 10fluke a piece of luck 11foolscap a large
size of paper 12Herculean labours heroic
than you and more experienced. So mark my words. tasks (Hercules was a character from the
Or you will regret later.” Roman times who was known for his heroism)

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It was time for school. If I got a scolding like this when I passed, I might as well have
enjoyed myself and failed.
The fearful image that my brother had drawn of the studies in his own class had
terrified me. But despite this I couldn’t overcome my distaste for books. I wouldn’t
miss any opportunity for sports; I studied too, but not much. The self-confidence
I had attained now disappeared, and I was obliged to live like a malefactor13.
It was the annual examinations again. Once more I got through and my brother flunked.
I hadn’t worked very hard but stood first again. Even I was surprised. My brother had
learnt every word in the syllabus by rote, studying till ten o’clock at night, starting again
at four o’clock in the morning, and from six to nine-thirty before school. I felt sad for
him. He broke down when the result was announced. I also cried. The joy of having
passed was halved. Had I also failed, my brother wouldn’t have grieved so much!
Now my brother was just one class ahead of me. An evil thought entered my mind.
Suppose he failed once again. He would lose the high ground to humiliate me. But I
wrenched this despicable14 idea out of my heart. After all, he upbraids15 me for my
own good.
My brother had softened down a bit. He restrained himself even when there were
occasions to upbraid me. I now began to take an undue advantage of his lenience.
I started believing that I would get through, whether or not I studied. I developed a
fondness for flying kites and most of my time was spent in this activity. Still, I had a lot
of respect for my brother.
One evening, away from the hostel, I was running like mad to capture a free-floating
kite. My eyes were turned upwards and riveted16 on the air traveller that was reeling
gently towards its downfall; unmindful of the things around. All of a sudden I came
face-to-face with my brother. He caught hold of my hand there and then and shouted,
“Aren’t you ashamed of running after a one-paisa kite? You don’t seem to care that now
you are in class eight, just one class lower than me. A man should have some sense of
his status. What use is intelligence if it destroys your self-esteem! I’m five years elder
to you, and even if you come to the same class as I—and with the present system of
examinations it is quite possible you would be my classmate next year, and even ahead
of me the year after—even God cannot close the
13malefactor a person who did something
five-year gap between you and me. You cannot ever wrong 14despicable deserving hatred
match my experience of the world and life even if you or contempt 15upbraids scolds
16riveted fixed
become an MA, or a DPhil or DLitt. One becomes wise

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not by reading books but by seeing the world. Our mother never went to school and our
father perhaps didn’t go beyond class five. We might accumulate all the knowledge in
the world, yet they will always retain the right to admonish and correct us. They know a
thousand things that we don’t. So forget that you are my equal now and free. I won’t let
you to tread the wrong path. And if you don’t listen, I would even use my hand.”
I was thoroughly ashamed by this new approach of his. I really became aware of my
smallness, and I began to look upon him with reverence. With tearful eyes, I said,
“Not at all. You have every right to say it.” My brother embraced me and said, “I won’t
have stopped you from flying kites. I, too, long to fly them. But if I were myself to tread
the wrong path, how would I stop you? Duty weighs upon my head.”
By chance, just at that very moment a kite came floating over our heads. The end of its
string was dangling just above us.
My brother jumped and caught hold of the loose end of the kite-string. Then he ran at
top speed towards the hostel and I ran behind him.
(abridged)
translated by David Rubi
Munshi Premchand

Munshi Premchand (1880–1936) is one of the most outstanding Indian writers till date. His works
illustrate everyday heroes and address social concerns, and have inspired many other Indian writers.
His works have been translated into English and Russian.

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 Reading 1
1. Based on your understanding of the text, select the best option for the following.
a. He wanted to lay a very solid foundation so that a magnificent structure could be raised
upon it. Here the ‘magnificent structure’ implies
i. a building.
ii. his education.
iii. wealth.
iv. his dreams.
b. My eyes were turned upwards and riveted on the air traveller that was reeling gently
towards its downfall … Who is the air traveller referred to here?
i. the kite he was chasing
ii. a leaf falling from a tree
iii. an aeroplane passing by
iv. the blowing wind
2. Answer the following questions.
a. The elder brother was not good at academics. How does the narrator convey this?
b. What was the difference in the routines of the two brothers?
c. Describe the timetable drawn up by the narrator. How were the intent and reality
completely different?
d. What was the impact of the elder brother’s lectures on the narrator?
e. How did the elder brother’s sermons change when he failed for the first time?
f. What was the elder brother’s reaction to failing for the second time?

Reading 2
1. Do you think that the elder brother had to suppress his desires to be a role model VB
to his younger brother? Why do you think so?
2. Bring out the humour in the story—both in words as well as in situations.
3. Irony is the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies
the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. Bring out the irony in the story.
4. Whom do you like more—the narrator or his brother? Give reasons.
5. Then he ran at top speed towards the hostel and I ran behind him. What does
VB
the last line reflect about the interpersonal relationship between the siblings?

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 Vocabulary
Fill in the blanks to describe these personality traits. Use the words given in the box.

cautious gregarious perfectionist thoughtless deceitful industrious

1. My brother always likes to do things properly. He is a .............................................. .

2. She works very hard at her job. She is .............................................. .
3. He is not considerate about the needs of the people around him. He is ............................... .
4. Seema is very sociable. She has many friends. She is .............................................. .
5. He is vigilant and guarded. He is .............................................. .
6. He cannot be trusted. He is .............................................. .

Grammar
Phrases and clauses
1. Do you remember what clauses and phrases are? Circle the correct options and
complete the definitions.
a. A group of words that contains a subject and a verb and is a part of a sentence is called
a phrase/a clause.
b. A group of words that does not have a subject and a verb together and does not convey
complete sense independently is called a phrase/a clause.
2. Look at the following groups of words. Decide in each case whether it is a phrase (P)
or a clause (C).
a. the mango fell .................................
b. she sang beautifully .................................
c. loud and clear .................................
d. the cyclone struck .................................
e. when I grow up .................................
f. the hot-air balloon went up .................................
Now read the sentence below. Can you break it into two separate clauses?
He broke down when the result was announced.
The two clauses in this sentence are:
1. he broke down 2. when the result was announced

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 The first clause (1.) can function as a complete sentence in itself because
its meaning is complete. Such a clause is called an independent clause or a
principal clause.
The second clause (2.) cannot function separately as a complete sentence
because it does not convey the complete meaning in itself. Such a clause is
called a dependent clause or a subordinate clause. Dependent clauses always
depend upon and have to be attached to independent clauses to convey their
meaning. A dependent clause may be placed before or after the independent
clause in a sentence.

3. In the sentences below, separate the principal clause from the subordinate clause.
The first sentence has been worked out for you.
a. If we stand together, nothing can defeat us.
Nothing can defeat us
principal clause: ...................................................................................................................
If we stand together
subordinate clause: .............................................................................................................
b. Don’t go out without an umbrella because it looks like it’s going to rain.
principal clause: ...................................................................................................................
subordinate clause: .............................................................................................................
c. Before I could say anything, I was asked to leave the room.
principal clause: ...................................................................................................................
subordinate clause: .............................................................................................................
d. The children sat and studied while their mother was busy writing letters.
principal clause: ...................................................................................................................
subordinate clause: .............................................................................................................
e. I haven’t yet seen the old house where she was born.
principal clause: ...................................................................................................................
subordinate clause: .............................................................................................................
f. Although they had not been invited, they went to the party.
principal clause: ...................................................................................................................
subordinate clause: .............................................................................................................

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 Subordinate clauses are introduced by specific words or a cluster of words
which are called subordinators. In the first sentence in the previous exercise,
the subordinate clause is introduced by ‘if’, which is a subordinator.

4. Look at the sentences in the previous exercise (b–f) once again and underline
the subordinators that introduce the subordinating clause in each.

Subordinators are also called subordinating conjunctions because they join

the subordinate clause with the principal clause. The following are some of
the common subordinating conjunctions:
subordinators of place: where, wherever
subordinators of time: when, while, after, before, as soon as, till, until,
whenever, since
subordinators of purpose: so that, in order that, lest
subordinators of condition: if, unless, provided that
subordinators of concession: although, even though, but, however, yet, in spite of
subordinators of manner: as if, as though
subordinators of reason: since, because

5. Fill in the blanks in the following sentences with appropriate subordinators from
the list given above.
a. The boy wolfed down the food ........................... he hadn’t eaten for weeks.
b. Musicians have to start early ........................... learning an instrument is a difficult task.
c. ........................... it does not rain tomorrow, we could set out early in the morning.
d. ........................... I finish washing the dishes, you could put them away.
e. The little dog followed its master ........................... he went.
f. I will walk to the market ........................... it rains.
6. Do you remember the definitions that you learned earlier? Fill in the blanks to
complete them.
a. The conjunctions ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘or’, ‘nor’ and ‘yet’ are examples of ...........................
conjunctions.
b. The conjunctions ‘either … or’, ‘not only … but also’ and ‘neither … nor’ are examples
of ........................... conjunctions.

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 c. A sentence that has two or more independent/principal clauses joined together by
a coordinating or correlative conjunction is called a ...................................................... .

Pronunciation
Stressed syllables

A stressed syllable is that part of a word which you emphasize the most
while pronouncing that word.

Examples:  my’sterious (mys-TE-ri-ous), pho’tography (pho-TO-gra-phy)

1. Underline the main stressed syllable in these words.
a. plastic b. wonderingly c. decide d. traffic
e. delicious f. responsible g. incredible h. generous
Usually (although there are exceptions), the stress in a verb is on the last syllable whereas
the stress in a noun is on the first.
Example: to pre’sent (verb): to give someone something
the ‘present (noun): the period of time that is currently occurring
2. Underline the main stressed syllable in the words given in italics in the following
sentences.
a. Rajeev prefers to avoid conflict and maintain a peaceful atmosphere at home.
b. I cannot let my views on the matter conflict with those of my team members.
c. The police suspect that there are three main suspects in the case.
d. Rajan is going to conduct an interview with his neighbour who claims to have seen
an alien!
e. Pallavi’s rude conduct disturbed the class.
f. The teacher asked her students whether they wanted to
participate in the Inter-School Talent Contest.
g. He was very keen to contest the election from his hometown.
h. In the case of transitive verbs, the object plays an
important role in bringing out the meaning of the verb.
i. I let him object to my statement, then easily proved his
argument wrong.
j. “You will need to show me your permit before I can permit
you to enter,” said the officer.

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