GVHSSS KONDOTTY

1. ADVENTURES IN A BANYAN TREE- RUSKIN BOND

A summary:

‘Adventures in a Banyan’ Tree is a beautiful story written by famous short story writer Ruskin
Bond. A boy is the main character of the story. He is believed to be the author himself in his
childhood. He was on his vacation in his grand father’s house. He enjoyed most of his time in a
banyan tree in the house. The banyan tree was his grandfather’s favourite place. But grandfather at
the age of sixty-five could no longer climb the tree. Grandmother used to tease Grandfather about
this. The banyan tree was older than the house, older than grand father and as old as the town of
Dehra.

The boy’s first and familiar friend was a small grey squirrel. He was not friendly to the boy at first.
But the boy did not harm him with catapult or air gun, they became friendlier. He also offered him
cake and biscuit and their friendship grew stronger. Finally he started to take food from the boy’s
hand and even delved into his pocket. He was a very young squirrel.

In the spring season, the banyan tree would be full of red figs. Birds and small animals would come
to eat them. In this season, the banyan tree would be the noisiest place on the road. The boy had
built a platform half way up the tree. He used to spend his afternoons sitting there reading books
and watching nature. He read adventure stories and novels. He was a good reader.

On one April afternoon, the boy saw dreadful fight between a cobra and a mongoose. He was sitting
on the platform reading books. It was very hot in the afternoon and was thinking of taking a bath in
the pond. Suddenly he saw a huge black cobra came out from cactus and at the same time a
mongoose also came out from the bushes. They came face to face in an open space under the
banyan tree. The snake and mongoose were born enemies. The grey mongoose, thee feet long, was
a superb fighter, clever and aggressive. The cobra was skilful and experienced fighter too. It could
strike with the speed of light and had deadly poison as the main weapon. It was a real battle of
champions.
At the same time, a myna and a jungle crow joined in their fight. With a hissing defiance, the cobra
raised three feet off the ground and spread his hood. The mongoose bushed his tail, and the long
hair on his spine stood up. The mongoose started attacking first. It was really a dreadful battle of
champions. The myna and crow also participated in the battle, and the crow collided heavily with
the cobra and lost its life. The mongoose attacked the cobra and bit on its back several times.
Finally the cobra died. The myna congratulated the mongoose with a sharp cry and flew away.
Grandfather was happy to know that the cobra dies.

One day, Grandfather had brought home a white rat from the bazaar. The boy took it with him into
the banyan tree. One day Grandmother’s knitting was missing. They searched for it everywhere
without success. Next day the boy found something shining in a hole of the banyan tree. When he
looked in the hole, he found three white squirrel babies in the hole of the banyan tree. They were
surprised to see them. Grandfather said that they were related animals and the white rat must be
their father.
1. Write the diary entries of the boy’s friendship with the small grey squirrel in the story
‘Adventues in a Banyan Tree’.

Monday
10th May 2022

What a wonderful friendship! A small grey squirrel. He was my first friend in the banyan tree. At
first, he was not friendly to me. I disturbed his freedom and privacy. But I did not harm him. Slowly
we became friends. I also offered him cake and biscuit. Then our friendship grew stronger. Finally
he started to take food from my hand. He even delved into my pocket. He was a very young and
beautiful squirrel. It was a lovely friendship.

The boy in the story ‘ Adventures in a banyan Tree’ was excited after seeing the fight between
the cobra and the mongoose. What would he write if he made an entry in his diary ?

Monday
10th May 2022

Oh! What a dreadful fight! A cobra and mongoose. I was so hot an afternoon. I was feeling sleepy.
Suddenly, I saw a huge black cobra came out of cactus. Oh, I was afraid. At the time, a mongoose
also came out from the bushes. They stood face to face. The mongoose, three feet long, was a
superb fighter, clever and aggressive. The cobra was also skilful and experienced. The snake was
very fast and was poisonous. First the cobra stood on the defensive and the mongoose started
attacking. A myna and a crow joined the fight. They came in between the fight, but collided each
other. Unluckily, the crow was stung by the cobra and died on the spot. Poor crow!
The fight continued. The mongoose bit the snake many times. Thank god. Finally the cobra died.

Diary of the boy about the white squirrels.

What a wonderful sight! Three baby squirrels-all of them white! I couldn't believe my eyes at first.
I ran to my grandfather. I was excited. Grandfather also surprised. He had never seen white squirrels
in his long life. One day, Grandfather had brought a white rat from the bazaar. I had taken it with
me into the banyan tree. In a short time, it made friendship with one of the squirrels. This
friendship gifted them three babies. I was totally confused. Grandfather said the rat must be their
father. It was a strange case of a grey squirrel and a white rat.
The boy was very much thrilled by his acquaintance with the squirrel. He writes
a letter to his friend telling him about his new friend. Help him complete the
letter.

Rose Villa
Dehradun
2 Feb, 2022

Dear Raju,

Hope you are enjoying your vacation there. Here I am in Dehra now. You know, I’m spending my
time in a banyan tree in the house. It’s my grandfather’s. I have many new friends there.

He was my first friend in the banyan tree. At first, he was not friendly to me. I disturbed his
freedom and privacy. But I did not harm him. Slowly we became friends. I also offered him cake
and biscuit. Then our friendship grew stronger. Finally he started to take food from my hand. He
even delved into my pocket. He was a very young and beautiful squirrel. It was a lovely friendship.
I love him so much. I will miss him when I return to school. Come to my village to see him next
time.

Let me stop my letter. Convey my regards to all our friends. Do take care well. May God bless you!

With lots of love

(sd)-
(Name)

The character sketch of the boy in the story ‘Adventures in a Banyan Tree’ by Ruskin Bond

The boy is the main character of the story ‘Adventures in a Banyan Tree’, written by Ruskin Bond.
He is a school student. He loves nature very much. He also likes birds and animals. He lives with
his loving and caring grandparents. He spends most of his time in a banyan tree in the house. He has
built a platform half way up the tree and spends his afternoons reading books. He likes adventure
stories and novels very much. He is a good reader of books. He also watches nature around him.
One day he sees a dreadful fight between a cobra and a mongoose. The mongoose wins the fight.
He has made friendship with one of the squirrels living in the banyan tree. It delves into his pocket
and takes food from him. He has also made friendship with a white rat. He often takes this white rat
to the banyan tree and it makes friendship with a squirrel. The squirrel gives birth to three white
baby squirrels. The boy and his grandparents are thrilled to see this nature’s gift. The boy is a true
lover of nature.

The character sketch of the grandfather in the story ‘Adventures in a Banyan Tree’.

Grandfather is the second important character in the story ‘Adventures in a Banyan Tree’ written by
Ruskin Bond. He is a sixty-five year old man. He lives happily with his wife and their grandson in
their house in Dehra. He has a beautiful English model garden in his house. In their garden there is
a huge banyan tree which is older than him. He has become old and so weak that he cannot climb
the trees now. His wife often teases him about this. He is very loving and caring towards his
grandson. He also loves nature very much. He loves pet animals. Once he brings a white rat. He is a
happy man. He lives happily with his wife and grandson.

Imagine that the boy in the story Adventure in a Banyan Tree speaks about his friendship
with the squirrel to one of his friends. Prepare the likely coversation between the boy and his
friend.

Boy : Hi dear, hope you’re fine?

Friend : Yes I’m. What about you dear?
Boy : I’m also fine. Do you know, I’ve a new friend here?
Friend : New friend! Who is he?
Boy : A small grey squirrel.
Friend : A squirrel! I can’t believe it. Please share your experience?
Boy : Why not? He is first friend in the banyan tree. At first he was not friendly to me. When i
did not harm him, he became my friend.
Friend : It’s wonderful. How is Your friendship now?
Boy : Now it receives food from my hand and sometimes it even searches my
pocket.
Friend : You are so lucky to get a friend like that.
Boy : Certainly it's my luck.
The boy was thrilled with the fight between the cobra and the mongoose. You may also have
the same feeling. Narrate the fight scene in your own words.

Battle of Champions
On one April afternoon, the boy saw dreadful fight between a cobra and a mongoose. He was sitting
on the platform reading books. It was very hot in the afternoon and was thinking of taking a bath in
the pond. Suddenly he saw a huge black cobra came out from cactus and at the same time a
mongoose also came out from the bushes. They came face to face in an open space under the
banyan tree. The snake and mongoose were born enemies. The grey mongoose, thee feet long, was
a superb fighter, clever and aggressive. The cobra was skilful and experienced fighter too. It could
strike with the speed of light and had deadly poison as the main weapon. It was a real battle of
champions.
At the same time, a myna and a jungle crow joined in their fight. With a hissing defiance, the cobra
raised three feet off the ground and spread his hood. The mongoose bushed his tail, and the long
hair on his spine stood up. The mongoose started attacking first. It was really a dreadful battle of
champions. The myna and crow also participated in the battle, and the crow collided heavily with
the cobra and lost its life. The mongoose attacked the cobra and bit on its back several times.
Finally the cobra died. The myna congratulated the mongoose with a sharp cry and flew away.
Grandfather was happy to know that the cobra dies.

2. THE SNAKE AND THE MIRROR- VAIKOM MUHAMMED BASHEER

A Summary

The Snake and the Mirror is a humorous short story written by famous Malayalam writer Vaikom
Muhammed Basheer. The main character of the story is a homeopath. One day, he was discussing
snakes with his friends. Then he narrated an incident of a full-blooded cobra coiled around his arm.
It was a hot summer night. He reached his room after the dinner from a hotel. It was a small rented
house. The house was not electrified. The house was full of rats on its roof. He lighted a kerosene
lamp and sat in his chair looking into a mirror. He enjoyed his own beauty and took many decisions.
He would shave daily, would grow a thin moustache, and would keep an attractive smile on his
face. He was a young and handsome doctor. He wanted to marry a woman doctor with good
practice. She would be fat and shouldn’t be able to run after and catch him if he made silly
mistakes.
Suddenly he heard something like a rubber tube had fallen behind. Before he turned back, a full-
blooded cobra landed on his shoulder. After a while cobra slithered along his shoulder and coiled on
his left arm. It stood almost three or four inches away from his face. It spread its hood. The doctor
was feared. He believed that his death was very near. He thought about God and prayed. Suddenly,
the snake saw its image in the mirror. It slowly started to move towards the mirror. Yes, it was
enjoying its beauty. This time he got up from the chair slowly and ran for his life. At last, he reached
his friend’s house. He explained his terrible experiences to his friend. He took a bath, changed his
clothes.
Next morning he and his friend returned to his room to take his things. But they found that all his
things had been stolen by a thief. Hearing this story, all his friends felt happy. Someone asked a
question that his wife was really fat or not. The doctor replied that his wife was a slim lady. It was a
cobra taken by its own beauty.

Suppose you are the friend of the Homeopath in the story “The Snake and the Mirror”. The
Homeopath describes his terrible encounter with the snake to you in that night. How would be
the conversation between you and the Homeopath.
 I: What happened?
Doctor: A snake coiled on me.
I: A snake! Coiled on you! I can't believe it. How did you escape?
Doctor: It was a magical escape.
I: I don't understand. How was it?
Doctor : Actually I was enjoying my beauty in the mirror and was thinking about my
future life. Suddenly I heard something like a rubber tube fallen to the
ground. Before I turned my head, a snake landed on my shoulder.
I: Oh! God. It's terrible! What did you do then?
Doctor : I was turned to stone. The snake slithered along my shoulder and
coiled around my left arm. The hood was spread and it's head was
very close to my face.
I: How did you manage to escape?
Doctor : After resting on my arm for few minutes, it turned its head into the
mirror. Yes, it was enjoying its own beauty.
I: Interesting! What did the snake do then?
Doctor : I ran for life and reached here. God is great!
I: Really so. What a horrible experience! Now you take a bath and rest.
Doctor : Alright.
Character sketch of the homeopath in the story “The Snake and the Mirror”.
Homeopath is the main character of the story “The Snake and the Mirror” written byVaikom
Mohammed Basheer. He was a young bachelor. He had just set up a medical practice and could earn
only a small amount. He had only sixty rupees in his suitcase along with shirts, dhotis and not-so
white vest. His only luxury was a black coat. He lived in a small rented room. The house was full of
rats. It seemed that the rats and the doctor shared the room. He was a lover of nature. He was a
great admirer of beauty also. He always wanted to look handsome because he was a bachelor and a
doctor also. He wanted to marry a woman doctor who had lot of money and good medical practice.
He also wanted his would-be wife be fat so that whenever he made some silly mistake, she would
not be able to run after him and catch him. But the woman he married in real life was a slim lady.
He thinks himself as a poor, foolish and stupid doctor. He had good sense of humour while
narrating the snake encounter which provokes laugher in the readers.
Diary of the homeopath
What a horrible experience! I can't believe it. A snake coiled on me tonight. A full blooded cobra. I
was enjoying my beauty in the mirror. Suddenly I heard something like a rubber tube had fallen to
the ground. Before I turned my head, a snake landed on my shoulder. I was turned to stone. The
snake slithered along my shoulder and coiled around my left arm. The hood was spread and it's head
was very close to my face. It was a narrow escape. I felt the presence of God. After resting on my
arm for a few minutes, it turned its head into the mirror. Yes, it was enjoying it own beauty. It
wanted to enjoy its beauty very close to the mirror. Then I ran for life and reached my friend’s
house. God is great!

Letter of the homeopath to his friend about his encounter with the snake

Raja house
kollam

12/10/2019
Dear Priyan,

Hope you’re doing fine. I’m also fine here. What about your family and friends. I think they are
also fine. You know I had a terrible experience last night.

A snake coiled on me tonight. A full blooded cobra. I was enjoying my beauty in the mirror.
Suddenly I heard something like a rubber tube had fallen to the ground. Before I turned my head, a
snake landed on my shoulder. I was turned to stone. The snake slithered along my shoulder and
coiled around my left arm. The hood was spread and it's head was very close to my face. It was a
narrow escape. I felt the presence of God. After resting on my arm for a few minutes, it turned its
head into the mirror. Yes, it was enjoying it own beauty. It wanted to enjoy its beauty very close to
the mirror. Then I ran for life and reached my friend’s house. God is great!

Let me stop the letter. May God bless you! Hope an early reply. Convey my regards to all our
friends. Do take care.

Yours lovingly
(sd)-
Hashim.

QUESTIONNAIRE
The Homeopath survived the dreadful encounter with the snake. Being the reporter of a
leading daily you were asked to interview the doctor. Prepare a set of questions to interview
the homeopath.
a. How did you feel when the snake coiled around your arm?
b. What did you do when the snake moved towards the mirror?
c. How long did you remain with the snake in the room?
d. Where did you go as soon as you escaped from the snake?
e. When did you go back to the room after this incident?
f. What might have you done if the snake has bitten you?

1. LINES WRITTEN IN EARLY SPRING- WILLIAM WORDS WORTH

APPRECIATION

‘Lines Written in Early Spring' is a beautiful poem written by English nature poet William
Wordsworth. The poem tells us about the relationship between man and nature. The poet is happy in
the sights and sounds of nature. At the same time he is sad about ‘what man has made of man’. He
deals with the theme of living together in the world of nature and also feels sad about the cruelties
of man.
The poet once sits in a grove in a happy and relaxed mood. He hears lots of sounds and songs
in the nature. He also sees many happy scenes in nature. At the same time, some sad and painful
thoughts come into his mind.
He sees the primrose and periwinkle making wreaths in the nature. He believes that every
flower enjoys the air it breathes. The birds around him express their thrill of pleasure by hopping
and playing. In short, the poet sees thrilling sights, hears happy songs etc. He believes that there is
pleasure everywhere in nature. It is the belief sent by God.
But when he thinks of the human world, he becomes sad. What man has done to man and to nature
makes him uneasy and unhappy. The poet understands that humans do all cruelties to nature.
The poet uses a lot of various poetic devices in the poem. The poet uses hyperbole when he
says that ‘he heard a thousand blended notes’. He addresses Nature as a person and calls it 'her'. He
makes the flowers breathe the air, and makes the tender leaves of budding twigs catch the breezy
air. All these are examples of Personifications. ‘What man has made of man.' is beautiful example
of the Alliteration in the poem. The poem ends with a Rhetorical Question, ‘Have I not reason to
lament/ What man has made of man’? ‘I heard a thousand of blended notes’ is an example of
auditory image. He uses many Visual Images such as flowers (primrose, periwinkle), birds, grove,
bower, budding twigs, etc.

3. THE PROJECT TIGER- SATYAJITH RAY

A Summary:
Satyajith Ray says that no one can defeat the Hollywood in making films with animals. Ray
remembers some films he saw in his childhood. The animals actors in those films were famous stars
and their acting was more impressive than a human’s. The money they earned was no less than what
a real film-star got. He realized that these animal actors were treated very respectfully in
Hollywood.
Ray tells us how he handled to shoot a film with a tiger in his film ‘Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne’.
Goopy and Bagha were banished by the king and they met a tiger in a forest. To shoot this scene,
Ray wanted to get a trained tiger. He got a trained tiger with its trainer Mr. Thorat from the Bharat
Circus Company. They planned to shoot the scene in a bamboo grove in Notum Gram. Mr. Thorat
and his team reached there with two tigers.
They put a tiger-skin collar around the tiger’s neck and tied one end to this collar and other end to
an iron rod fixed to the ground. Mr. Thorat opened the cage and called out to the tiger. The tiger
misbehaved in the beginning and charged at the audience. Even the trainer Mr. Thorat could not
bring it under control, but it calmed down after a while. They took the required shots, but later
found that the camera had failed to work, and the shots were dark.
They had to take all the shots again. So they reached another location at Boral. This time also the
tiger attacked at the audience, but soon became calm. All the required shots were taken. This time
camera also worked well, and all the shots were perfect.
Conversation b/w Sathyajith Ray and the manager of Bharat circus.

The Manager : Good morning,Sir. Welcome to Bharat circus.

Ray : Good morning. Thank you. So glad to meet you.
The Manager : Thanks a lot. we’re so happy in your visit.
Ray : I've a special purpose for this visit.
The Manager : What can I do for you, Sir?
Ray : See. I'm working with a new film 'Goopy Gyne Bhaga Byne'.
We've planned a tiger scene in it. Can I get a tiger from here?
The Manager : What’s the scene?
Ray : I want to show the tiger in a thick bamboo grove. Then comes out
of it and walks silently there and then go back to the grove again. That's all.
The Manager : How long will it take, Sir?
Ray : Two hours for the shooting. But may take two days for travel.
The Manager : Ok. I want to consult with the ring master. He will help you in the
shooting location. He is a brilliant trainer.
Ray : Thank you very much.
The Manager : welcome, Sir.

SatyajithRay writes a letter to the animal welfare board of India seeking permission for
shooting a scene for his new film with a tiger in it. Write the likely letter.

Vasanth Vihar
Marcus Square
Calcutta.
20 SEP 2017

The Chairman
Animal Welfare Board of India
New Delhi.

Subject: Getting permission for a film shooting with a tiger.

Dear Sir,

I am Satyajit Ray, a film director from Calcutta. I write this letter to inform you that I have a plan to
direct a film named “Goopy Gyne and Bhaga Byne”. In the film there is a tiger scene. I have
already arranged a tiger from Bharat Circus. The trainer also agreed to join with us in the location.
The shooting location is arranged in Notum Gram of the Shiuri District in Kolkatta. I know the
rules of Animal Welfare Board connected with treating animals. My team and I assure you that all
the rules and regulations in the Animal Protection Act will be strictly followed and will not do
anything dangerous to the tiger.

I will be thankful to you, If you kindly grant me permission to shoot my film with the tiger.

Thanking you,
Sd/
Yours faithfully,
Satyajit Ray.

QUESTIONNAIRE

Imagine you got a chance to meet Satyajit Ray. Prepare a set of questions you would ask him.

a. Why did you choose Notun Gram as the shooting location ?

b. What was Mr. Thorat’s response when told about letting the tiger free in the bamboo grove?
c. What happened when the tiger was left free for the first time ?
d. How did you feel when you realised that the camera failed to work properly?
e. How did the tiger behave the second time at Boral ?
 f. Did you receive any award for the film ‘Goopy Gynae Bagha Byne’ ?
1. MY SISTER’S SHOES

SUMMARY

‘My sister’s Shoes’ is a the first part of a screenplay written for the Iranian film ‘Children of
Heavens” by famous Iranian film maker Majid Majidi. The main cahracter is Ali, a school boys. He
comes from a poor Iranian family. In the opening scene, Ali receives his sister Zahra’s pink shoes
from the cobbler after repairing them. Then he enters a bakery and collects some baked nan, stack
them on a piece of cloth and ties the cloth into a bundle. After that Ali goes into a vegetable shop,
keeps the bundle of nan on top of a vegetable box, and places the bag of shoes in a gap between two
boxes.

He collects potatoes. Meanwhile a junk collector comes and takes Ali’s bag of shoes thinking
that it is junk. Ali comes out and searches for the bag of shoes, but it is missing. He becomes upset
and afraid and searches everywhere. He tumbles vegetable boxes and Akbar gets angry, and he shouts
at Ali. Ali runs away, scared. Ali’s mother is bed-ridden due to a disk problem. Ali’s father is daily
worker and his financial condition is very poor. The mother wants to get recovery from her disk
fracture and tells the father about undergoing a surgery. But the father discourages her by saying that
the surgery will cripple her. (He talks against the surgery because he does not have money to spend
for it. Ali and Zahra are aware of the bad financial problems of their parents, and they don’t want to
give them extra burden of buying a new pair of shoes. They are afraid that if their parents know about
the loss of shoes, they will get punishment. While Ali and Zahra are reading their textbooks, they
write messages in their notebooks and exchange between them. Zahra asks Ali what she will wear to
school. Ali first suggests that she should wear her slippers. Zahra gets angry, and she threatens him
that she will tell the father about the missing of shoes. Ali replies that if she tells, their father will beat
both of them. Finally they find a solution that Zahra will wear Ali’s sneakers when he is back from
school.
Zahra is very desperate when Ali lost her shoes. She writes down her feelings in her diary.
Prepare the diary.

Tuesday,
11.11.1997.
Oh! God. What shall I do ? How do I go to school tomorrow ? Ali lost my shoes......My
favourite pink shoes. How beautiful they were ! If I go without shoes, the teacher will punish me. If
father knows he will beat Ali. He would scold me also. He doesn’t have enough money to buy a new
pair of shoes. Mother will also be sad if she knows all these. No. I’am not going to tell anyone. That
Ali is so careless. He offered his sneakers. But how do I wear them ? They are not comfortable for
me. Large in size. But no other way. However I ‘have to pay for Ali’s carelessness. He said that he
would get them back. How is it possible? I don’t know whether i get my favourite pink shoes back.

1. BLOWIN IN THE WIND-BOB DYLAN

Appreciation of the poem “Blowin' in the wind”

“Blowin' in the wind” is song of protest by the great American singer Bob Dylan. It was written in
the background of American Civil Rights Movement. He sings this song for the African-Americans
in the US. The song is in the form of question and answer. Every stanza contains three questions
each and one answer at the end. The answer to all question is ‘The answer is blowin’ in the wind’.
The ‘road’ suggests experiences of life. According to the poet, a man must travel many roads to get
dignity and respect. ‘White dove’ is the symbol of peace. It cannot sleep peacefully in a world full
of wars. Here ‘cannon balls’ symbolises war.
In the song, ‘mountain’ stands for ego and injustice of man. One day the oppressed people will
defeat the mountain. The powerful people cannot always turn their head from the suffering of the
people. One day they will have to hear their sufferings.
‘The Sky’ represents freedom. One day all people will enjoy the sky of freedom. When man
realises that many people have died in the war, he will demand for the end of war.

Bob Dylan uses a lot of poetic devices in the song. 'A man', 'a dove', 'the mountain', 'the sea', 'the
sky' and 'cannon balls' are the visual images in the song. ‘Dove’ is the symbol of peace. Mountain
symbolises ego. Sea and sky represent freedom. The song has a motivating and inspiring mood. The
refrain 'the answer is blowin' in the wind' adds beauty to the song. Thorough a simple melody and
simple lines, Dylan sensitises us to the issues of oppression, war, injustice and human rights
violations.