22 April 2025

Student: First Name __________________________________ Last Name ____________________________________

Mission Faratedar English

Instructions for Short Read Aloud, Discovery and Sharing
Step 1: Each student will take turns to stand and read the following passage aloud. Student
must be suf�iciently loud so everyone else in the room can hear them.

While one student is reading, the remaining students should circle words they �ind dif�icult to
understand or pronounce.

Step 2: After everyone has �inished reading, use Google on FEA laptops or personal mobiles to
�ind the meaning of the dif�icult words. Write your circled words and the meaning on the back
cover. Then, listen to the correct pronunciation of the words.

Step 3: The Teacher will have each student speak aloud the word they searched, its meaning
and its correct pronunciation.

Instructions for Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing
Step 1: Teacher will divide the class into groups of three students each. Each group will have a
mix of strong and developing readers.

Step 2: The �irst group of three students will stand in a circle near the whiteboard. Each of the
other groups of 3 students have to �ind a space to stand that is at least 10 feet away from any
other group. This means only one or two groups will remain inside the classroom and the
remaining groups must step outside the classroom.

Step 3: Each student will take turns to read the entire passage aloud.

While one student reads, the other two students in the group will circle words they do not
understand or cannot pronounce.

Step 4: After all the three members have read the chapter, the group will use FEA laptops or
their own mobile to search for the meanings and pronunciation of the words they have circled.
They should write the circled words on the back cover.

Step 5: Each student will share the words they searched, along with the meaning and correct
pronunciation.

Instructions for Presenting

The teacher will create pairs of students. Each student will ask their Partner the questions listed
and write their answers. Then, each student will take turns come to the front of the class and
read aloud the information they have collected. The partner can stand at their seat while they
are being introduced.
Instructions for Silent Reading

Read the story silently. Circle words that you do not understand so you can look them up. After
reading the story, if you like come to the front of the class and give a summary.
 Chapter 1 - Short Read Aloud, Discovery and Sharing
How to Improve your English? Learning English may feel dif�icult at �irst, but with daily practice,
you will improve! Start with simple words like ‘hello’, ‘thank you’, ‘yes’, and ‘no’ and use them
every day. Try making short sentences like “My name is Raju” or “I like tea.” Listening is crucial,
so watch English videos or listen to songs and repeat the words you hear. Speak a little every
day, even if it is just “Water, please” or “Good morning.” Mistakes are natural don’t be afraid of
them! The more you practice, the more con�ident you will become. Find a friend and practice
together. If you don’t know a word, use gestures to explain. Learn simple questions like “What
is your name?” or “How are you?” and try to think in English by naming things around you, like
“This is a chair.” Remember, every small step brings you closer to �luency. Keep going, believe in
yourself, and never give up!

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Chapter 2 – Short Read Aloud, Discovery and Sharing

How to Improve Con�idence? Con�idence is not something you are born with—it is something
you cultivate through practice. Start by standing tall and walking with determination because
your body language affects how you feel. Speak clearly and make eye contact when talking to
others. Thinking positively is also important. Instead of saying “I can’t do this,” say “I will try
and learn.” Mistakes are inevitable and help you grow, so do not be afraid of them. Wear neat
clothes that make you feel good and comfortable. Try new things, even small ones, because
every challenge makes you stronger. Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage
you. Focus on your strengths and celebrate small achievements. Con�idence is like a muscle—
the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Believe in yourself, keep learning, and never give up!

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Chapter 3 - Short read aloud, discovery and sharing

Finding the Right Career for You: Choosing a career is an important decision, but it doesn’t have
to be stressful. First, think about what you genuinely enjoy doing. Do you like working with
people, solving problems, or creating things? Next, �ind out what you are good at. If you are good
at �ixing things, maybe engineering or mechanics is a good choice. If you enjoy talking to people,
sales or teaching could be a good �it. Learn about different careers by talking to professionals,
watching videos, or reading about them. Try small jobs or internships to get experience.
Remember, skills matter more than just having a degree. Many successful people succeed
because of their skills, not their certi�icates. Adaptability is also important—sometimes, you
may need to learn new things to grow in your career. Stay persistent, keep improving, and
believe in yourself. Success comes to those who never stop learning!

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 Note: All chapters from Chapter 4 onwards are of 1 hour duration

Chapter 4 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

The Story of JhaJi Achaar:

This is the story of two women from Bihar. Their names are Kalpana Jha and Suman Jha. They
were homemakers. They cooked food, took care of their families, and managed their homes. But
they wanted to do something more. They had one special skill. They made delicious pickles.
Their pickles were full of �lavor. Their family and friends loved them.

One day, someone said, “Your pickles are so tasty! Why don’t you sell them?” This idea excited
them. But they did not know how to start a business. They had no experience. They had never
sold anything before. They did not know about business. They did not know how to sell online.
They also had very little money. But they had one thing—courage. They decided, “Let’s start
small.” They used their kitchen to make pickles. They used the same traditional recipes their
grandmothers used. They used fresh mustard oil, natural spices, and no chemicals. They wanted
to sell pickles to people outside Bihar. But how? They needed to learn about online selling. Their
family helped them. Some young entrepreneurs also guided them. Slowly, they started selling
pickles in the local market. They also used WhatsApp and social media to tell people about their
business.

Their brand name was JhaJi Achaar. It was simple and easy to remember. Starting a business
was not easy. Many people did not believe in them. They said, “Women cannot do business.”
They did not have a big factory. They worked in their small kitchen. They had very few
customers in the beginning. But they never gave up. They worked harder. They made pickles
with love and care. They talked to customers politely. They made sure the quality was always
the best. Slowly, people started trusting them. More and more customers ordered pickles. JhaJi
Achaar became famous. People all over India started buying their pickles. Now, they have a big
team of workers. They still use traditional recipes and high-quality ingredients. But now, they
make pickles in large quantities. They started with nothing but built a successful business.

What We Learn from JhaJi Achaar’s story: Believe in Yourself – You don’t need experience to
start. You can learn! Start Small – Even a small kitchen can be a business. Never Give Up.
Problems will come. But you must keep trying. Use Digital Tools – Social-media and online
selling help small businesses grow. Quality is Important – If you sell something good, people
will come back. You Can Do It Too! JhaJi Achaar is not just a business. It is a story of hard work,
courage, and success. It proves that Indian women can do anything. If you have a skill, start
small, learn new things, and never give up. One day, you can also become successful like Kalpana
Jha and Suman Jha!

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Chapter 5 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

Physics Wallah: The Story of a Great Teacher: Some teachers change lives. Alakh Pandey, the
man behind Physics Wallah, is one of them. His journey from a small classroom to a big online
platform is a story of hard work and never giving up. He has helped many students believe in
themselves and do well in studies. Alakh Pandey was born in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. He came
from a middle-class family and did not have much money. But he always worked hard in his
3
studies. From a young age, he loved teaching. He explained topics to his classmates in an easy
way. He believed learning should be fun and simple. While studying engineering, he realized
that he did not love machines—he loved teaching students. He started giving tuition to earn
money. His simple way of teaching made students enjoy learning. In 2016, he took a big step. He
started a YouTube channel called Physics Wallah. His goal was to make physics easy for students.
At �irst, very few people watched his videos. But he did not stop. He kept making lessons,
explaining topics in simple words. Slowly, more students started watching. Soon, thousands of
students followed him. His teaching was not boring—he made learning interesting and easy. He
saw that many students from small towns and villages could not afford expensive coaching
classes. He wanted to help everyone. He worked day and night, making free study materials and
answering students' doubts. He was not just a teacher—he was a mentor and a guide. Many
people told him that online teaching would not work. Some said students would not take free
lessons seriously. Others tried to stop him. But he did not listen. He believed in himself and his
students. He never gave up. Today, millions of students follow his lessons. Many students have
passed dif�icult exams because of him. But his biggest success is giving students con�idence.
Students who once felt weak in studies are now doing well. They dream big because he taught
them that nothing is impossible. Alakh Pandey’s story teaches us:
Believe in Yourself – Even if others doubt you, keep going.
Never Give Up – Hard work always wins.
Help Others – Success is not just for yourself; help others too.
Love What You Do – Passion brings success.
Education is for Everyone – Learning should not be only for the rich.
Alakh Pandey is more than a teacher. He is a guide and a motivator. His journey shows that one
person with a dream can change the world. If you have a dream, work hard and never give up.
Like him, you too can achieve anything. His story teaches us that learning is not just about
books—it is about con�idence, curiosity, and never being afraid to ask questions. Physics Wallah
is proof that one teacher can change millions of lives.

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Chapter 6 - Presenting

My name is ____________________________________________________________________ (write your full name)

1. I would like to introduce you to my friend ………………………………………………………………………..

2. …………………………………..……………………… is from _________________________________________________

3. Every morning, ………………………….………. wakes up at ___________________________________________

4. …………………………………………. has ______________________siblings.

5. …………………… likes to eat _________________________ and ___________________________, but does not

like _____________________________________________ and _____________________________________________________

6. In free time, …………………………………………….. enjoys _______________________________________________

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7………………………………………….……… wants to become a _____________________________________________
8. ……………………….……………………….. ’s favorite sport is ______________________________________________
9. ………………………………...……………… also enjoys playing ____________________________________________
10 …………………………………… likes to wear ____________________________ and ___________________________

11. …………………………………...………………. ’s best friend is ____________________________________________

12. ……………………………………………….… ’s favorite lesson in FEA is _________________________________
13. One thing he/she is good at is _____________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 7 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

Manu Bhaker: The Champion Shooter: Manu Bhaker is a famous Indian shooter. She was born
on February 18, 2002. She comes from a small village in Haryana, India. Her father is a chief
engineer in the Merchant Navy. Her mother takes care of the home. Manu liked sports when she
was a child. She played many games like boxing, skating, and tennis. She won many medals in
these sports. One day, she saw a shooting range. She wanted to try shooting. She loved it. She
told her father, "I want to become a shooter." Her father supported her. He bought her a pistol.
She started training. Manu worked very hard. She practiced every day. She trained for many
hours. She wanted to be the best. She played in small competitions �irst. Then she played in big
competitions. She won many medals. She was very talented. In 2018, Manu played in the ISSF
World Cup. She won a gold medal. She was only 16 years old. She became famous. People started
calling her a "young champion." She won many medals after that. She played in the Asian Games
and Commonwealth Games. She won gold medals there too.

In 2021, Manu played in the Tokyo Olympics. She wanted to win a medal. But she had problems.
Her pistol had technical issues. She did not win. She felt very sad. But she did not give up. She
said, "I will come back stronger”. In 2024, Manu played in the Paris Olympics. She was ready.
She trained very hard. She won a bronze medal in the 10-meter air pistol event. She also won a
bronze medal in the 25-meter pistol event. She made history. She became the �irst Indian
woman shooter to win two medals in one Olympics. Manu tells young people, "Work hard and
never give up." She says, "Dream big and believe in yourself." She wants to win more medals for
India. She wants to inspire more girls to become shooters. Manu Bhaker is a great champion.
She is a role model for many young people. Her story teaches us to work hard and never give
up. One day, she may win an Olympic gold medal too! Manu Bhaker shows us that success comes
with hard work. She never stopped trying, even when she failed. Students can learn from her
story. If you have a dream, you must work for it. She teaches us to be strong. Sometimes things
go wrong, but we must not stop. She teaches us to be patient. Success does not come in one day.
We must practice every day. Manu started as a small girl from a village. Now, she is a champion.
She proves that anyone can achieve great things. If she can do it, you can too! Believe in yourself
and keep going. One day, you will also be a champion in your own way.

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 Chapter 8 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

Draupadi Murmu: A Story of Strength and Success

Draupadi Murmu is a strong and brave woman. She comes from a small village in India. She has
worked hard all her life and never given up. Her journey has been full of struggles, but she
always moves forward.

Draupadi Murmu was born in Odisha. Her family was poor and did not have much money. Her
parents worked on a farm and taught her to be honest and kind. She went to school in her village
and studied well. Even as a child, she dreamt of doing something great. After �inishing school,
she went to college and became a teacher. She loved teaching children and helping them learn
new things. The children liked her a lot. But she always wanted to do more for her people.

One day, she decided to join politics because she wanted to help the poor. She worked hard for
women and children, listened to people’s problems, and found solutions. People trusted her,
and they chose her as their leader. She became the Governor of Jharkhand, making history as
the �irst tribal woman to hold this position. She worked for the betterment of people, made good
decisions, and brought positive change to society.

In 2022, she became the President of India, becoming the �irst tribal woman to hold this
prestigious of�ice. She continues to inspire many people and prove that hard work and honesty
lead to success. She is a role model for everyone.

Draupadi Murmu’s story teaches an important lesson. It shows that one must never give up and
must always believe in oneself. She has faced many dif�iculties in life. She lost her husband and
two sons, which was a painful time for her. But she stayed strong and did not stop working. She
has helped many poor people. She believes in education and wants every child to go to school.
She encourages girls to study and �ights for their rights, believing that women can achieve
anything.

She has travelled to many places and met many people. She listens to their problems and gives
them hope. People respect her a lot. She loves nature and works for the environment. She plants
trees, supports clean energy, and dreams of a better future for everyone. She prays every day
and has strong faith. She believes in kindness and treats everyone with respect. She always
smiles.

Even as President, she remains humble. She has never forgotten her roots. She visits her village
and talks to old friends. She stays simple and down-to-earth. She knows the value of hard work.
She wakes up early, works long hours, and never complains. She keeps going. She speaks with
con�idence, and her words give people hope. She reminds them that nothing is impossible.

She �ights for justice and stands with the weak. She ensures that everyone gets a fair chance.
She believes in dreams and encourages young people to dream big, work hard, and never fear
failure.

She does not chase power; she only wants to serve the people. She uses her position to bring
change. She listens more than she speaks. She understands people’s struggles and �inds ways to
help them. She supports women in politics and encourages them to become leaders. She
reminds them that they are strong and capable.

6
She has never forgotten the struggles of her past. She uses her life as an example and shows that
no challenge is too big. She stands with farmers, understands their pain, and works for a better
life for them. She respects every religion and believes in peace. She brings people together and
works with honesty. She does not take shortcuts, believing that only hard work can bring real
success.

She is a voice for the poor and speaks for those who have no power. She ensures that their voices
are heard. She proves that leadership is not about money or family background but about
honesty, courage, and service.

Draupadi Murmu is not just a leader. She is a symbol of hope. She shows that no matter where
one comes from, one can achieve great things

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Chapter 9 - Presenting

My name is _______________________________________________________________ (write your full name).

1. I would like to introduce you to my friend ………………………………………..…………………………..

2. ………………………………….………. is from __________________________________________________________

3. Every morning, ………………………….……… wakes up at _____________________________________

4. ……………………………………. has __________________________siblings.

5. ………………………………………. likes to eat _______________________ and __________________________, but

does not like ______________________________.

6. In free time, ………………………………………… enjoys _______________________________________

7. ……………………………………… likes to wear _______________________ and ______________________

8. ………………………………… ’s best friend is _________________________________________________

9. One thing he/she is good at is ___________________________________________________________________

10. ……………………………………………… wants to become a __________________________________________

11. Three qualities he/she needs to develop to achieve this career goal are:

7
12. Three things he/she can start doing now to move towards this career goal are:

13. ……………………………………………………… feels sad when ___________________________________________

14…………………………………….…………. feels angry when _______________________________________________

15. …………………………………….………’s favorite person is _________________________________ because

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. The biggest dif�iculty faced by the parents of my partner is __________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 10 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: The People’s President

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a great scientist and the 11th President of India. He was born on
October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, a small town in Tamil Nadu. His full name was Avul Pakir
Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. He came from a poor family, but he worked very hard and became a
great scientist. Kalam’s father was a boat owner, and his mother was a housewife. He had three
brothers and one sister. His family was not rich, but they were kind and hardworking.

As a child, Kalam was very curious and loved to learn new things. He woke up early in the
morning to study. He sold newspapers to help his family. Even though life was dif�icult, he never
stopped learning. He was very good at mathematics and science. He studied aeronautical
engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology. Later, he joined the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO). He helped India launch its �irst satellite, Rohini, into space. He also worked
in the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). He played an important role
in making India’s missiles, so people called him the “Missile Man of India.” In 1998, he helped
India become a nuclear power. He was proud to serve his country.

In 2002, Dr. Kalam became the President of India. He was different from other leaders. He did
not care about money or power. He only wanted to help India grow. People loved him because
he was kind, simple, and always thought about young people. He believed that education and
hard work could change a person’s life. He often visited schools and colleges to talk to students.
He told them to dream big and never give up. Even after his presidency, he continued to teach
and inspire students.

He wrote many books, like Wings of Fire and Ignited Minds. His books motivated young people
to work hard and achieve their goals. He always said that India’s future depended on the youth.
8
Dr. Kalam lived a very simple life. He did not have a big house or expensive things. He only had
books, a few clothes, and a strong will to serve the country. He never married because he wanted
to dedicate his life to India. He received many awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest
civilian award. He was respected all over the world. Many people called him the “People’s
President.”

On July 27, 2015, Dr. Kalam was giving a speech at a university in Shillong. Suddenly, he
collapsed on stage. He passed away doing what he loved—teaching students. The whole country
was sad when they heard the news. Even today, people remember him as a great leader,
scientist, and teacher. His life teaches us that with hard work and determination, anything is
possible. He believed in honesty, discipline, and love for the country. His words continue to
inspire millions of people. He once said, “Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into
thoughts, and thoughts result in action.” Dr. Kalam’s life is a great example of how dreams can
come true with dedication and effort His vision for India was to see it as a developed country
by 2020. He wanted every child to get a good education. He believed that technology and
innovation could change the future. He encouraged students to ask questions and be creative.
Dr. Kalam’s legacy continues to inspire millions of people across the world. Dr. Kalam’s life is a
great example of how dreams can come true with dedication and effort. His birthday, October
15, is celebrated as World Students’ Day to honor his love for education. Many schools and
colleges have awards and scholarships in his name. Young scientists and engineers look up to
him as a role model.

His speeches and books are still read by students across the world. Dr. Kalam will always be
remembered as a man who lived for the people and died among the people.

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Chapter 11 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

The Mountain Man: A Story of Perseverance: Success does not come easily. It requires hard
work, patience, and determination. Many people give up when they face dif�iculties, but those
who keep going achieve great things. History is full of examples of ordinary people who changed
the world through perseverance. One such inspiring �igure is Dashrath Manjhi, the "Mountain
Man" of India. Manjhi was a poor laborer from a small village in Bihar. His village was isolated
because a massive mountain blocked the way to hospitals, schools, and markets. People had to
walk 55 kilometers to reach the nearest town. This journey was dangerous, and many lost their
lives due to the lack of medical help.

One day, Manjhi’s wife was injured while crossing the mountain. He carried her to the hospital,
but she died before they arrived. Heartbroken, he made a decision: if the government would not
build a road, he would. With only a hammer and chisel, he began carving a path through the
mountain. People laughed at him and called him crazy. He had no money, no support, and no
machines. But he did not give up. Day after day, he worked under the scorching sun, heavy rains,
and cold winters. His hands bled, his body ached, but his spirit remained strong. For 22 years,
he worked alone, breaking rock piece by piece. Slowly, people started respecting his dedication.
Some villagers began helping him, bringing food and water.

After two decades of struggle, he �inally succeeded. Manjhi had carved a 360-foot-long, 30-foot-
wide road through the mountain, reducing the distance to the town from 55 kilometers to just
15. His road changed the lives of thousands. Now, children could go to school, the sick could
9
reach hospitals, and farmers could sell their crops. Despite his great achievement, the
government took years to recognize his work. But Manjhi did not seek fame or money. He only
wanted a better future for his people. Even after completing the road, he continued �ighting for
better facilities in his village. In 2007, he passed away, but his legacy remains. His story teaches
us that true strength comes from within. Even when the world doubts you, perseverance and
hard work can break the biggest obstacles.

Manjhi’s journey was not just about breaking rocks—it was about breaking barriers of
hopelessness. His unwavering dedication showed that persistence leads to success. Many
people face dif�iculties in life, whether in studies, work, or personal struggles. Like Manjhi, we
must stay committed and not let failures discourage us. Today, his road continues to serve
thousands of villagers, making their lives easier. Schools, hospitals, and markets are now within
reach.

His name is etched in history as a symbol of resilience and sacri�ice. No dream is too big, and no
challenge is too great. If one man with just a hammer and chisel could change the fate of his
village, imagine what we can achieve with knowledge, effort, and belief in ourselves. Manjhi’s
story reminds us: Never give up!

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Chapter 12 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

You Can Glow Up Too: How Ordinary People Start to Look Amazing — and So Can You

Have you ever seen someone who used to be quiet, messy, or unsure of themselves — and now
they seem con�ident, smart, glowing, even beautiful? Maybe they walk differently. Maybe they
talk with energy. Maybe their eyes shine with purpose.

You wonder, “What changed?”

Let us tell you something powerful: they decided to grow.

They didn’t wait for a miracle. They didn’t wait for money. They didn’t wait for the “right time.”

They simply said: “I want to become the best version of myself.” And they started.

Here’s the truth: you can too.

You don’t need perfect skin, fancy clothes, or English �luency today.
All you need is the courage to take small steps — daily.

Let’s explore how people truly grow — inside and out — and how you can begin your journey
today.

1. They Start Loving Themselves – Gently and Honestly

The biggest glow-up begins in the mind. People who improve their lives �irst change the way
they speak to themselves. They stop saying, “I can’t”, and start saying, “I’ll try.” They stop
hating the mirror and start seeing possibility in it.

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You can do it too.
Say this every morning: “I am growing, I am learning, and I am enough.”
Believe that you are worthy of a better life — because you are.

2. They Take Care of Their Health — One Simple Habit at a Time

Looking better begins with feeling better. People who glow don’t do 100 things at once. They
choose 2–3 simple habits and repeat them every day. It builds energy, improves skin, boosts
con�idence, and clears the mind.

Try these:
Drink 6–8 glasses of water a day
Eat home-cooked food instead of oily snacks
Sleep 7–8 hours each night
Walk for 20 minutes or stretch your body
Wash your face and comb your hair every morning
Keep your nails clean and clothes tidy

These habits don’t need money — they need discipline.

3. They Stop Gossiping and Start Talking About Ideas

Do you know what really makes someone attractive? Their thoughts.

People who spend their time talking about others — gossiping, complaining, judging — create
negative energy. But people who talk about ideas, dreams, and solutions seem brighter, wiser,
and kinder.

You can do it too.

Avoid gossip. If others are talking about someone, stay silent or leave.
Ask deeper questions: “What do you want to become?” or “What did you learn this week?”
Listen more, judge less. It makes you instantly more respected.

4. They Practice Mindfulness — They Stay Present and Peaceful

People who look peaceful and balanced usually have one thing in common: they live in the
present. They don’t always worry about the future or regret the past. They pay attention to
their thoughts and emotions without letting them control everything.

You can do it too.

Sit quietly for 2 minutes and just breathe
When you eat, eat slowly. When you walk, feel each step
Put your phone away for 30 minutes each day. Just be with yourself
Write in a journal — not for grammar, but for clarity

Mindfulness makes your mind calm, your face soft, and your heart light.

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5. They Learn Something New All the Time
Growth makes people shine. When someone is learning a new skill, reading a new book, or
discovering something interesting — you can see the excitement in their eyes. That excitement
is beautiful.
You can do it too.
Learn 5 new English words every day
Join a free online course or listen to an audio book
Watch a documentary or video that teaches you something new
Practice typing, drawing, singing — anything that grows you

Smart is the new attractive. Growth is the new glow-up.

6. They Speak Kindly — To Themselves and To Others
You might forget what someone wore. But you’ll never forget how someone made you feel.
Kind people, people who lift others up, people who speak with love — they are the most
beautiful of all.
You can do it too.
Compliment someone: “You did great today!”
Say thank you, sorry, and please
Speak gently, especially when others are not
Forgive. It makes your heart lighter and your face brighter

7. They Walk with Purpose and Smile with Con�idence

A good posture, a small smile, and a little eye contact can completely change the way people
see you. And more importantly — how you see yourself.
You can do it too. Stand tall, don’t slouch Practice speaking in front of a mirror. Smile when you
say hello. Walk with energy, not laziness
Con�idence is not about being loud. It’s about knowing who you are and still growing.
If you feel like others are ahead, smarter, better looking — pause.
You are not behind. You are just becoming.
And the journey of becoming is the most beautiful thing in the world.

You already have everything inside you — strength, kindness, curiosity, and courage.
You don’t need a new face.
You need a new mindset.
Start with one habit. One kind word. One decision to rise.
And one day soon, someone will look at you and say:
“Wow. Look at how far they’ve come.”
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 Chapter 13 - Presenting

My name is _______________________________________________________________ (write your full name).

1. I would like to introduce you to my friend …………………………………………………….………………...

2. ……………………………………………………………….. is from ____________________________________________

3- Every morning, …………………………………. wakes up at __________________________________________

4. ………………………………………………………. has _____________________________________________ siblings.

5. ………………………………………….. likes to eat __________________________ and _________________, but

does not like __________________________________________

6. In free time, …………………………………………………… enjoys _______________________________________

7. ………………………………………………………’s best friend is _________________________________________

8. One thing he/she is good at is _______________________________________________________________________

9. …………………………………………………. wants to become a ____________________________________________

10. Three qualities he/she needs to develop to achieve this career goal are:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. Three things he/she can start doing now to move towards this career goal are:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. ……………………………………feels sad when _________________________________________________________

13. ………………………………………. feels angry when ____________________________________________________

14. ……………………………………….’s favorite person is _____________________________________

because ________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. The biggest dif�iculty faced by the parents of my Partner is ____________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXX

13
Chapter 14 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

Catherine Mahugu – Overcoming Struggles to Help Rural Women

Catherine Mahugu grew up in Kenya, a country where many people in rural villages face a lot of
dif�iculties. As a young woman, Catherine studied computer science. She learned how to work
with computers and technology, but she did not know how to use these skills to help people.
Then, one day, she visited a village and saw something that changed her life.

In the village, women were making beautiful jewelry by hand. But they were not earning much
money. They had no way to sell their jewelry to people outside the village. They often had to sell
to middlemen who gave them very little money. Catherine was surprised because she could see
that these women had so much talent, but they had no opportunities.

Catherine thought, “What if I could use technology to help these women?” She wanted to help
them sell their jewelry to the world. But the women in the village had no experience with
technology. They only had basic phones. Most of them had never used a computer. Catherine
knew it would be dif�icult, but she also knew she had to try.
The Struggles and Challenges
1. Teaching Women to Use Technology
At �irst, many of the women did not trust technology. They were afraid that it wouldn’t work or
that they would make a mistake. Catherine had to spend many hours teaching the women how
to use phones and simple tools. It was hard, and sometimes the women felt frustrated.
2. The Problem with Internet and Phones
The villages had poor internet and not everyone had smartphones. Even if the women
understood how to use phones, they didn’t always have good service. Sometimes, orders didn’t
go through, or they couldn’t contact buyers. Catherine had to �ind creative ways to work around
these problems. She spent weeks thinking of new solutions and trying to �ix the issues.
3. Cultural Barriers
In some villages, the culture didn’t allow women to work or earn money by themselves. Many
people thought that women should only stay at home and take care of the family. Catherine had
to speak with men and village leaders to show them that helping women would be good for
everyone. She faced a lot of resistance, but her passion and belief in the women kept her going.
4. Learning to Improve the Jewelry
While the women were very talented, their jewelry didn’t always meet international standards.
Sometimes, the products were not strong enough or did not look professional enough to sell in
bigger markets. Catherine helped the women improve the designs and showed them better
techniques for making the jewelry. This wasn’t easy because many women were used to working
in their own way. But Catherine’s patience and creativity helped them make changes and
improve their work.
Taking on the Challenge
Through all of these struggles, Catherine never gave up. She knew that technology could help
and that hard work and creativity could solve the problems. She continued teaching the women,
helping them improve their skills, and working with local leaders to change old ways of thinking.
14
Slowly, things began to change. The women started to feel more con�ident. They saw that their
jewelry could be sold to people far away, and they were proud of the work they were doing. It
wasn’t an easy road, but Catherine knew she was on the right path.
A New Beginning
The women who had once been afraid of technology now trusted it. They learned that they could
be entrepreneurs and take control of their own lives. Catherine’s struggle and creativity helped
change their futures.
She didn’t solve all the problems, but she showed the women that they could overcome their
own struggles and make their dreams come true.
The Lesson from Catherine’s Story
Catherine’s story is not just about technology or business. It is about overcoming challenges,
being creative, and never giving up. She used her knowledge to help others, even when things
seemed impossible. Her journey shows us that with hard work, patience, and belief in people,
we can make a real difference, no matter the dif�iculties.

XXXXXXXX

Chapter 15 - Silent individual reading

The Bet by Anton Chekhov

The Party: It was a cold autumn night. The wind blew softly outside. Inside a big, warm house,
a rich banker was having a grand party. The house was full of light and laughter. The walls had
beautiful paintings, and the �loor was covered with soft carpets.
The guests were rich and important people. They were lawyers, doctors, and businessmen. They
sat in comfortable chairs and talked about money, business, and life.
The banker was a con�ident man. He liked to argue and win. He was also very rich and liked to
show it. He had gold rings on his �ingers and a big, expensive watch on his wrist.
After dinner, the guests drank wine and coffee. They talked about crime and punishment.
One man said, “The government is wrong to kill criminals. The death penalty is too cruel.”
Another guest shook his head. “No, life in prison is worse. Imagine sitting in a small room
forever. It is slow death.”

The banker laughed and leaned forward. “I think the death penalty is better. It is quick and easy.
Life in prison is long and painful.”

A young lawyer, about twenty-�ive years old, was sitting quietly. He listened to the men talk.
Then, he spoke. “No. Life is always better. Even in prison, life is life. It is better to live.”
The guests turned to him. The room became quiet.
The banker smiled and said, “Really? Would you stay in prison for �ive years if I paid you?”
The young lawyer looked at him calmly. “I would stay for �ifteen years if you gave me two million
rubles.”

The guests laughed. “Fifteen years? That is impossible!” one man said.
But the banker was excited. He loved to take risks. He stood up and said, “Good! Let’s make a
bet! You will stay in a room for �ifteen years. No people, no visitors. You can have books, music,
and food. If you stay, I will give you two million rubles!”
15
The young lawyer shook the banker’s hand. “I agree,” he said.
The bet was made. The guests clapped and cheered. But no one knew how much this bet would
change their lives.

The First Year: The next day, the lawyer moved into a small room in the banker’s garden. The
room had a bed, a chair, a table, and a lamp. There was a small window, but he could only see
the gray sky and trees.
The guards brought him food every day, but they never spoke to him. He could not see any
people. He was completely alone.

At �irst, the lawyer felt very lonely. He missed his friends, family, and the outside world. He
walked around the room again and again.

To pass the time, he read many books. He played music on a piano. Sometimes, the guards heard
him singing softly at night.

He wrote letters but tore them up. He looked in the mirror and saw his face changing. His hair
grew long. His eyes looked tired.

The Next Five Years: In the second year, the lawyer stopped playing music. He did not sing
anymore. He only read serious books—history, philosophy, and science. He read day and night.
He learned about the world, people, and different ideas. But he did not talk to anyone. In the
�ifth year, he felt very sad and hopeless. He walked in circles in his room. He talked to himself.
He wrote a letter to the banker but then tore it into small pieces. The guards watched him. They
thought, "He is not happy. He is changing." But no one could help him. He was alone.

Ten Years Later: After ten years, the lawyer was a different person. He stopped feeling lonely.
He found happiness in books. He studied different languages. He learned six languages and
wrote letters in English, French, and German. He read poetry, religion, and philosophy. He read
about God, life, and the meaning of everything. He no longer cared about money. He stopped
thinking about the two million rubles. The guards looked at him and thought, “He is not the
same man. He is wiser now.”
The Banker’s Problem: Fifteen years passed. The night before the bet ended, the banker sat
alone in his of�ice. His hands shook. His face was pale. He was not rich anymore. He had lost a
lot of money. If he gave the lawyer two million rubles, he would lose everything. He was
desperate. He thought, "I must stop him. I will kill him before morning." The banker took a key
and walked quietly to the lawyer’s room. The lawyer was sleeping. His hair was long, his face
was thin, and his hands looked weak. On the table, there was a letter. The banker picked it up
and began to read.

The Letter: Tomorrow at noon, I will be free. But I do not want the money. In these �ifteen years,
I have learned that money and the world mean nothing. Books gave me more than riches. So, I
will leave early, before the bet ends. You can keep your money. I do not need it.” The banker put
down the letter. His heart felt heavy. He felt ashamed. He left the room quietly. He did not wake
the lawyer.
The End: The next morning, the guards saw the lawyer leave the room early, just like he wrote
in the letter. The banker was happy to keep his money. But inside, he felt empty. He won the bet.
But he lost something greater. The bet changed them both. One man lost his greed. The other
man lost his soul.
16
 Optional: What did you understand from the story? Please write 5 or more sentences and share

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXX

Chapter 16 - Partner Introduction

My name is ____________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Meet my friend ……………………………………………………………….

2. …………………………………….. comes from __________________________________________
3. His/her typical morning for starts at _________________________________________
4. In their family, ………………………………….. has _______________________________ siblings.
5. When it comes to food, __________________________ enjoys _______________________________ and
____________________________ but doesn’t like _________________________
6. During free time, ………………………………….. likes to _____________________________
7. His/Her favorite type of clothing is _________________________________________
8. The person closest to my Partner is ____________________________________________________
9. Something special about …………………………. is that he/she is good at ______________________
10. In the future, ……………………………dreams of becoming a _____________________________
11. To achieve this goal, he/she needs to develop these three qualities:
• _____________________________________________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________________________________________
• ____________________________________________________________________________________________

17
12. Some steps he/she can take now to move toward this career are:
• ____________________________________________________________________________________________
• ____________________________________________________________________________________________
• ____________________________________________________________________________________________
13. A situation that makes ………………………………….. feel sad is
________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. One thing that makes ………………………………………… feel angry is
________________________________________________________________________________________________
15. Someone who inspires …………………………………….. is _________________________ because
________________________________________________________________________________________________
16. One challenge that parents of Partner face is
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
17. To support their parents, ………………………………… tries to
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXX

Chapter 17 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

Khan Sir: The Inspiring Journey of a Teacher Who Changed Millions of Lives: Some teachers do
more than just teach—they inspire. Khan Sir, a teacher from Patna, Bihar, is one such person.
His journey from a small classroom to a nationwide in�luence is a story of hard work, dedication,
and love for students. His unique teaching style and passion for education have made him a
household name in India.

A Simple Beginning: Khan Sir was born in a middle-class family in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
From a young age, he was interested in studies, especially in understanding how things worked.
However, his family faced many struggles. Money was tight, and opportunities were few. Despite
this, he never gave up on education. He worked hard, studied with focus, and believed that
knowledge is the key to success. His biggest inspiration was his teachers, who helped him
realize the power of learning.

The Passion for Teaching: During his college years, he discovered his love for teaching. He
started helping his friends and juniors with their studies. He had a special way of explaining
dif�icult topics in simple and fun ways. He realized that many students, especially from small
towns and villages, found subjects like math, science, and general studies very dif�icult. He
wanted to change this. So, he started teaching in a small coaching center in Patna. His classes
became famous because of his humor, storytelling, and simple explanations. Students who once
feared studies started enjoying them.

As more students came to his coaching center, he saw a bigger problem—many students could
not afford expensive coaching classes. He wanted to reach every student, no matter where they
lived or how much money they had. So, in 2019, he started a YouTube channel called "Khan GS
Research Centre." His goal was simple—to provide free and quality education to all. At �irst, very

18
few people watched his videos. But he did not stop. He continued to teach with the same passion
and energy. Slowly, students from all over India started following him.

His way of teaching was different—he made learning fun, interesting, and relatable.
Reaching Millions of Students: His YouTube channel became a big success. His lessons on
history, geography, politics, and current affairs became famous. Students loved the way he
connected bookish knowledge with real life. Today, millions of students watch his videos every
day. Many have passed dif�icult exams because of his lessons. His teaching has given hope to
students from small towns and villages who dream of a better future.

Facing Challenges: Like every success story, Khan Sir’s journey was not easy. Many people
criticized him, doubted him, and tried to stop him. Some believed online teaching would not
work. Others were jealous of his growing popularity. But he never lost hope. He believed in his
mission—to make education free and accessible for everyone. No matter what obstacles came
his way, he continued to teach with passion and dedication.

Khan Sir is not just a teacher; he is a guide, a mentor, and an inspiration. He has proved that true
education is not about money, but about sharing knowledge. His students respect him not just
because he teaches well but because he cares for them. Many students who once had no hope
of passing government exams are now successful because of his guidance. He has made them
believe that with hard work, anything is possible.

Khan Sir’s story teaches us many important lessons:

Believe in Your Dreams – No matter where you come from, you can achieve great things.
Never Give Up – Challenges will come, but those who keep going will succeed.
Education is for Everyone – Knowledge should not be limited to the rich.
Passion Makes You Strong – If you love what you do, success will follow.
Help Others – True success is about making a difference in people's lives.

Khan Sir has proved that one teacher can change millions of lives. His story is an inspiration for
students and teachers alike.

If you have a dream, work hard, stay focused, and never give up. Like him, you too can make a
difference. His journey reminds us that education is not about exams or degrees—it is about
learning, growing, and believing in yourself. A great teacher can inspire hope, con�idence, and
success.

XXXXXXXX

Chapter 18 - Silent Individual Reading

The Last Leaf By O. Henry

Greenwich Village was a small, lively place in New York City. Many artists lived there. They loved
the old streets, small café s, and art galleries. It was a place full of dreams and creativity.
Sue and Johnsy were two young artists. Sue came from Maine, and Johnsy was from California.
They met in a little restaurant. They quickly became good friends because they liked the same
kind of art, music, and fashion. They decided to live together.

19
They found a small apartment on the top �loor of an old brick building. It was simple and not
very big, but it had good light for painting. Even though they were poor, they were happy with
their life.
Johnsy Falls Sick: One cold November, a dangerous illness spread through the city. Many people
got sick. The cold wind blew through the streets, and the sky was gray every day. Johnsy also fell
ill. She lay in bed, feeling weak and tired. She could not eat. She could not sit up. Her face became
pale, and her eyes looked sad. The doctor came every day to check on her. He was a kind man,
but his face was serious. “She must want to live,” he told Sue. “If she has hope, she will get better.
But if she loses hope, no medicine can help her.” Sue was very worried. She wanted to help
Johnsy, but she did not know how.

The Ivy Vine: Johnsy’s bed was near the window. She spent all day looking outside. On the wall
of the next building, there was an old ivy vine. Its green leaves were falling one by one in the
cold wind. Sue sat beside her. “What are you thinking about?” she asked.

“The leaves,” Johnsy said softly. “They are falling, one by one. When the last leaf falls, I will go
too.”
Sue’s heart �illed with fear. “That is not true!” she said quickly. “The doctor says you will be �ine.”
Johnsy shook her head. “No, Sue. I know it. When the last leaf falls, I will die.” Sue did not know
what to do. She went to the kitchen, her hands shaking. She wanted to cry, but she stopped
herself. She wiped her eyes and went back to Johnsy’s side. “You must stop thinking like this,”
she said kindly. “Try to rest.” But Johnsy kept looking at the vine, counting the leaves.

Sue Asks Behrman for Help: Sue went downstairs to see Behrman. Behrman was an old artist
who lived in the same building. He had a long gray beard and always smelled like paint. For forty
years, Behrman wanted to paint a great masterpiece. But he never did. Instead, he helped young
artists. He cared for them like a father. Sue told him about Johnsy. “She thinks she will die when
the last leaf falls,” she said, her voice shaking. Behrman’s eyes �illed with anger. “Foolish girl!” he
shouted. “She must not think like this!” Then he saw Sue’s sad face. His voice became soft. “Do
not worry, Miss Sue,” he said gently. “Johnsy will not die. I will help you.”

A Stormy Night: That night, a big storm came. The wind howled through the streets. Rain hit the
windows like tiny stones. The city was dark and cold. Johnsy lay in bed, watching the vine
through the window. “It will fall tonight,” she whispered. Sue closed the curtain. “Try to sleep,”
she said, forcing a smile. But inside, she was afraid.

The Last Leaf Stays: Morning came. The storm had passed. Johnsy opened her eyes. Her body
was weak, but she turned her head slowly toward the window.
Sue pulled back the curtain.

Johnsy gasped. “Look! The last leaf! It’s still there!”

A single green leaf was on the vine. It did not move. It was strong.
Johnsy stared at it for a long time.

Then, a small smile appeared on her lips. “I was wrong, Sue. That leaf stayed. I will stay too. I
want to live.”

Sue hugged her. “Yes, dear. You will get better.”

That afternoon, the doctor visited. He checked Johnsy and smiled.
“She is stronger now,” he said. “She will recover soon.”

20
Sue was very happy. She knew that Johnsy had found hope again.

Behrman’s Masterpiece
That night, Sue sat next to Johnsy, holding her hand.
“I have something to tell you,” she said.
Johnsy looked at her curiously. “What is it?”
Sue took a deep breath. “Behrman died this morning.”
Johnsy’s eyes widened. “Behrman? But why?”
Sue spoke softly. “The janitor found him in his room. He was very cold. His shoes and clothes
were wet. He had pneumonia.”
Johnsy looked confused. “But why was he outside in the storm?”
Sue pointed to the window.
“The last leaf,” she whispered. “It is not real.”
Johnsy stared in shock.
Sue nodded. “Behrman painted it on the wall. The real leaf fell last night.”
Tears �illed Johnsy’s eyes. “Behrman painted a leaf… just to save me?”
Sue squeezed her hand. “Yes. It was his last painting.”
Johnsy looked at the leaf again.
It was strong. It was full of hope.

Behrman had �inally painted his masterpiece—not on a canvas, but on a cold, wet wall. And it
had saved a life.

Optional: What did you understand from the story? Please write 5 or more sentences and share

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXX

21
 Chapter 19 - Presenting
My name is ____________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Meet my friend ……………………………………………………………………………………….…………………

2. ………………………………………………… comes from ______________________________________________

3. A typical morning for ………………………….………….. starts at __________________________________

4. In their family, ……………………………………….…… has ________________________________ siblings.

5. When it comes to food, …………………………………………. enjoys __________________________ and

_____________________________________ but doesn’t like __________________________________________

6. During free time, …………………………….………….. likes to _____________________________________

7. His/Her favorite type of clothing is __________________________________________________________

8. The person closest to my Partner is ___________________________________________________________

9. Something special about ……………………………………….…………… is that he/she is good at

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. In the future, ………………………………….. dreams of becoming a ____________________________

11. To achieve this goal, he/she needs to develop these three qualities:

• ____________________________________________________________________________________________

• ____________________________________________________________________________________________

• ____________________________________________________________________________________________

12. Some steps he/she can take now to move toward this career are:

• ____________________________________________________________________________________________

• ____________________________________________________________________________________________

• ____________________________________________________________________________________________

13. A situation that makes my Partner feel sad is

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. One thing that makes my Partner feel angry is

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

22
15. Someone who inspires my Partner is __________________________________ because

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. One challenge that …………………………………….’s parents face is

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. To support their parents my Partner tries to

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXX

Chapter 20 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

11 Simple Rules for a Happy and Successful Life

Life can be dif�icult sometimes. We all face problems at work, in relationships, and in our daily
lives. But if we follow some simple rules, we can make life easier and better. Chetan Bhagat, a
famous Indian writer, has shared 11 important rules for success and happiness. These rules can
help everyone, no matter where they are in life. Let’s understand them one by one with
examples.
1. Take Care of Your Health: Good health is the foundation of a good life. If you are healthy, you
can work hard and enjoy life. Exercise regularly, eat healthy food, drink enough water, and sleep
well. Avoid junk food and unhealthy habits. A strong body gives you a strong mind.
🔹🔹 Example: Rahul used to eat a lot of fast food and felt tired all the time. Then, he started eating
homemade food, going for a walk every morning, and sleeping early. Now, he feels fresh and
energetic every day.
2. Control Your Emotions: Life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes, we feel angry, sad, or
frustrated. But we should not let our emotions control us. Before making a decision, take a deep
breath and think carefully. Stay calm and handle situations wisely.

🔹🔹 Example: Neha got very angry when her boss criticized her work. Instead of shouting, she
took a deep breath, listened carefully, and improved her work. Her boss appreciated her later.
3. Do Not Look for Quick Happiness: We all like things that make us happy quickly—like
watching TV for hours, eating too much junk food, or using social media all day. But these things
do not help in the long run. Instead, focus on things that will make your future better, like
learning a new skill or working towards your goals.
🔹🔹 Example: Amit wanted to play video games all day, but he decided to spend one hour every
evening learning English. After six months, he got a better job because of his improved English
skills.
4. Learn to Adjust: Life keeps changing, and we must change with it. Be open to new ideas, new
jobs, and new experiences. If something does not go as planned, do not give up. Learn to adjust
and �ind another way to reach your goal.
23
🔹🔹 Example: Priya lost her job during the pandemic. Instead of feeling hopeless, she learned
digital marketing online and started freelancing. Now, she earns more than before.
5. Speak Clearly in Simple English: Good communication is very important in life. If you want to
succeed in your job or studies, you must speak clearly. Use simple words and short sentences.
Do not try to sound too fancy—focus on making people understand you.
🔹🔹 Example: Raj used to use dif�icult words to sound smart, but people did not understand him.
Now, he speaks clearly in simple English, and everyone listens to him.
6. Make Friends and Meet New People: The more people you know, the more opportunities you
will get. Networking helps in jobs, business, and personal growth. Be friendly, talk to people,
and build good relationships. One day, these connections might help you in unexpected ways.
🔹🔹 Example: Simran met a businessman at a wedding and stayed in touch with him. After a year,
he offered her a job in his company.
7. Be Kind but Stay Strong: It is good to help others, but do not let people take advantage of you.
If someone is being unfair, you have the right to say “No.” Be kind and polite, but also con�ident
and strong.
🔹🔹 Example: Suresh’s friend always borrowed money but never returned it. One day, Suresh
politely said, “I cannot lend money anymore.” His friend stopped asking, and Suresh felt more
con�ident.
8. Break Big Tasks into Small Steps: Sometimes, a task seems too big and dif�icult. Instead of
feeling scared, break it into small steps. Focus on one small step at a time. Slowly, you will
complete the entire task.

🔹🔹 Example: Anjali wanted to write a book but felt overwhelmed. She decided to write just one
page every day. In six months, her book was ready!
9. Focus on What You Can Control: Many things in life are out of our control. Instead of worrying
about them, focus on what you can change. Work hard, improve yourself, and do your best in
the present.
🔹🔹 Example: Rohan’s train was late, and he was getting angry. Instead of wasting time, he used
the waiting time to read a book and learn something new.
10. Learn from Mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes, but the important thing is to learn from
them. Do not be afraid of failure. If you make a mistake, understand what went wrong and try
again. Every mistake teaches you something valuable.
🔹🔹 Example: Meena failed her driving test. Instead of giving up, she practiced more and passed
on her second attempt. Now, she drives con�idently.
11. Live in the Present: Do not waste time thinking too much about the past or worrying about
the future. Enjoy the present moment. Be happy with what you have, and make the most of
today.
🔹🔹 Example: Vikram used to think too much about his past mistakes. One day, he decided to
focus on today and work hard. Now, he is much happier.

XXXXXXXX

24
 Chapter 21 - Silent individual reading

The Unbreakable Spirit: The Story of Cristiano Ronaldo

In a small, run-down neighborhood on the island of Madeira, Portugal, a little boy named
Cristiano Ronaldo was born in 1985. His family was poor—very poor. His father was a kit man
at a local football club and battled alcoholism. His mother worked long hours as a cook and
cleaner just to feed the family.

Cristiano grew up sharing one small room with all his siblings. He wore old clothes, played
barefoot in the streets, and sometimes went to bed hungry. But there was one thing he always
had—a ball at his feet and a �ire in his heart.

Even as a child, people could see it—he wasn’t ordinary. He would cry if he lost a street match.
He would skip meals to keep playing. His mother once said, “Football was the only thing that
made him happy.”

At the age of 12, Cristiano left his home, his mother, and everything he knew to move to Lisbon.
He went alone, chasing a dream that felt impossible.

Imagine being 12, in a new city, with no friends, no family—and being bullied for the way you
speak.

He cried every night. He missed his home. But every morning, he woke up with the same
thought: “I have to make it. I have no choice.”

At 15, disaster struck. He was diagnosed with a heart condition that made his heart race
uncontrollably. Doctors said it could end his football career forever. But he didn’t panic. He didn’t
give up. He had surgery—and was back on the pitch just a few days later.

“I was scared,” he later said, “but I told myself, if I have a chance, I will give everything I have.”

And he did.

He trained harder than anyone. While his teammates went home, Cristiano stayed behind. He
worked on his speed. His strength. His technique. He did 3,000 sit-ups a day. He ran with
weights. He watched his diet like an Olympic athlete.

When he joined Manchester United at 18, people laughed at him. They said he was too thin. Too
�lashy. Just another street player who wouldn’t last.

But Cristiano didn’t talk back. He let his feet do the talking.

“I knew I wasn’t the best,” he said. “But I knew no one would work harder than me. No one.”

He lost his father at the age of 20, just before a big match. His father died of alcohol-related
issues. Cristiano was devastated.
He cried in silence. Then he wiped his tears and played the match.
He said, “I never got to show him what I became. That pain never leaves.”

Over the years, he was insulted, mocked, and doubted. People said he was arrogant. That he only
cared about goals. That he was too sel�ish.

25
But he used every insult as motivation.

“Your love makes me strong,” he said. “But your hate makes me unstoppable.”

Even after winning 5 Ballon d’Ors, 5 Champions League titles, and breaking records around the
world, Cristiano kept training like a beginner.

Why?
Because he believed something deeply:
“If you don’t believe you can be the best, then you’ll never become it.”

Cristiano Ronaldo’s story isn’t just about football.

It’s about pain.
It’s about sacri�ice.
It’s about doing 1,000 small things when no one is watching.
It’s about falling and rising. Again and again.

He once said:
“I’ve missed penalties. I’ve lost matches. I’ve made mistakes. But I never stopped. That’s the
secret. Never stop.”

And when asked what he thinks about opportunities, he replied:

“Opportunities don’t come to those who wait. They come to those who work. Every day. Every
hour.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is living proof that no matter where you come from, how little you have, or
how many times you’ve been knocked down—you can still rise.

You can still become great.

Not because it’s easy.

But because you never gave up.

Optional: What did you understand from the story? Please write 5 or more sentences and share

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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26
 Chapter 22 – Presenting
Introducing My Partner’s Family

My name is ______________________________________.

1. My partner’s name is ………………………………………………………..

2. He/She comes from _________________________________________________.

3. He/She lives in a ____________________________ (joint/nuclear) family.

4. My Partner’s father’s name is ________________________and he works as a ____________________.

5. My partner’s mother’s name is _____________________and she is a ___________________________.

6. ………………………………………….. has __________ siblings.

7. His/Her brother/sister is __________ years old.

8. ……………… best childhood memory with family is _________________________________________.

9. On weekends, ………………….’s family likes to ________________________________________________.

10. ………………………………. family is very _________________ (kind/supportive/funny, etc.)

because _______________________________________________________________________________________.

11. ……………………………….. loves his/her family because

________________________________________________________________________________________________.

12. My partner helps his/her family by

________________________________________________________________________________________________.

13. His/her family earns a living by ____________________________________________________________.

14. His/her parents taught him/her to be _________________________ (honest, kind, con�ident)

because _______________________________________________________________________________________.

15. …………………….’s home is surrounded by ____________________ (�ields, trees, a river, etc.),

and he/she loves it because _________________________________________________________________.

16. The best thing …………………………………… likes about his/her family is

_________________________________________________________________________________________________.

17. ………………………………’ s biggest dream for his/her family is _______________________________

because________________________________________________________________________________________.

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 Chapter 23 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

How to Become Rich and Successful

Many people want to be rich and successful. But success does not come just by dreaming. You
must work hard, learn new skills, and stay focused. In this article, we will talk about how you
can become rich and successful.
1. Hard Work is Important Rich and successful people do not become great by sitting and
waiting. They work hard every day. Hard work means putting in effort, learning from mistakes,
and not giving up. If you want success, you must wake up early, plan your day, and complete
your tasks. No one becomes rich by sleeping all day. If you work harder than others, you will
achieve more. Hard work builds discipline, and discipline leads to success.
2. Learn New Skills Money comes to people who have skills. Skills help you get a good job or
start a business. If you want to be successful, you must keep learning. Learn how to speak well.
Learn how to solve problems. Learn how to use technology. Learn how to manage money. If you
keep learning, you will have more chances to earn money. Reading books and watching
educational videos can help you gain new skills. Every skill you learn increases your value in
the market.
3. Do Not Be Afraid of Failure Many people do not try because they are afraid of failing. But
failure is a lesson. Every successful person has failed many times. The important thing is to learn
from your mistakes and try again. If you keep trying, you will get better and better. The road to
success is full of challenges, but each challenge makes you stronger. Remember, every failure
brings you closer to success.
4. Save and Invest Money If you earn money, do not spend everything. Rich people save money
and invest it. Investing means using money to make more money. You can invest in: A business
A house Education (to learn more skills) If you invest wisely, your money will grow over time.
Making a budget can help you control your spending and save more. Learning about
investments early can make a big difference in your �inancial future.
5. Be Patient Success does not come in one day. It takes years of hard work. If you work hard
today, you will see good results in the future. Many people give up too soon. But if you stay
patient and keep working, you will reach your goals. Success is like growing a tree—it takes
time and care. Do not compare your journey with others; focus on your progress.
6. Surround Yourself with Successful People If you want to be rich and successful, spend time
with people who are smart, hardworking, and positive. They will motivate you to do better.
Avoid lazy and negative people who do not want to grow. Good friends and mentors can give
you advice that helps you succeed. Networking with the right people can open new
opportunities for you.
7. Take Action Many people dream of success, but they do nothing. Dreaming is good, but action
is better. If you want to start a business, start today. If you want to learn a new skill, begin today.
Small steps every day will take you to success. Planning is important, but action is what brings
results. Taking risks is part of success—do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
Conclusion
Success and money do not come by just dreaming. You must work hard, learn new skills, and
keep trying even when you fail. Save and invest money, be patient, and stay with positive people.
Most importantly, take action. If you follow these steps, you will become rich and successful one
day. Believe in yourself and stay focused on your goals. Every small effort you make today will
help you build a better future. Keep pushing forward, and one day, you will achieve the success
you dream of.

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28
 Chapter 24 - Silent Individual Reading
Once upon a time, in a large maze, there were four characters. They were all very different from
each other, but they all had one thing in common: they were looking for cheese. To them, cheese
wasn’t just a food—it represented what they wanted in life. It could be happiness, success, love,
or anything they dreamed of. The maze was a confusing and tricky place. Every day, they
searched for cheese.

The four characters were:

• Sniff, a small mouse with a sharp nose. He could smell changes in the air and quickly
noticed when things were different.

• Scurry, another small mouse, who was quick to act. When things changed, Scurry didn’t
waste time thinking about it. He just ran to �ind a solution.

• Hem, a little man who was afraid of change. He wanted things to stay the same and didn’t
like change at all. He was comfortable with the old way of doing things.

• Haw, another little man. He was also afraid of change at �irst, but he slowly learned that
change wasn’t always bad. He started to open his mind and see things differently.

One day, the four of them discovered a huge pile of cheese in the maze. It was the most beautiful
cheese they had ever seen. They were so happy! They felt like they had �inally found what they
were looking for. For a long time, they stayed in that spot, eating the cheese and relaxing. It felt
like paradise. They forgot about the maze and thought they had found the perfect place to live.

But one day, when they woke up, they found that the cheese was gone. It had disappeared
completely. There was no more cheese left!

Sniff and Scurry immediately noticed. They quickly looked around and realized that the cheese
had been taken away. Without wasting any time, Sniff and Scurry decided to leave and search
for new cheese. They didn’t sit and complain. They knew that change was part of life. They ran
off to �ind new cheese, fast and con�ident.

On the other hand, Hem and Haw were shocked. They couldn’t believe it. “Who moved my
cheese?” Hem shouted. “This isn’t fair!” He was very upset. He didn’t want to leave and search
for new cheese. He sat down, feeling sad and angry. He thought, "The cheese should be here.
This is the way things should be."

Haw, on the other hand, was also upset, but he started to think. He knew that if he just sat there,
nothing would change. The cheese wasn’t coming back. After some time, he realized that waiting
wasn’t going to help. He thought, "What if I leave and �ind new cheese? What would I do if I
weren’t afraid?"

So, even though he was scared, Haw stood up. He decided to leave the old place and search for
new cheese in the maze. He walked slowly at �irst, feeling unsure. But as he walked deeper into
the maze, he started to feel a little better. He thought, “I am brave. I can �ind new cheese if I keep
going.”

While Haw was on his journey, he kept thinking about how Hem was still sitting there, waiting
for the old cheese to come back. Haw didn’t want to leave Hem behind, but he knew he couldn’t
change Hem’s mind. Hem was too scared to face change.

29
As Haw moved through the maze, he learned many things. He learned that change can be scary,
but it is also necessary. He learned that if you keep moving forward and embrace change, new
opportunities can come your way. After walking for a while, Haw �inally found a new place full
of delicious cheese. It was even better than the old cheese!

Haw was very happy. He sat down and ate the cheese, feeling proud of himself. He realized that
he had grown stronger by facing his fears and accepting the change. He looked back at the maze
and thought about Hem. He wished Hem could learn to accept change and go out into the maze
to �ind new cheese too.

Meanwhile, Hem was still in the same spot, waiting and hoping that the cheese would come
back. He was still afraid of change. He refused to leave, even though he knew there was no more
cheese.

The moral of the story is that change is inevitable. Things will not always stay the same. Life is
full of changes, and it is important to accept them and move forward. If you stay stuck in the
past, like Hem, you might miss out on the good things that can happen. If you welcome change,
like Sniff, Scurry, and Haw, you will �ind new opportunities and new happiness.

Optional: What did you understand from the story? Please write 5 or more sentences and share

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXX

Chapter 25 – Presenting My Partner’s Village

My name is ___________________________________________________________________________________________

I would like to introduce my Partner’s village

1. My partner’s name is ..............................................................................

2. He/she lives in _____________________________________________ (name of the village)

3. It is in _____________________________ (state/district).

4. The population of the village is around __________________________________

30
5. Most people in the village work as ____________________(farmers/shopkeepers/weavers,

etc.).

6. The main crop grown in ……………………’s village is ____________________________________

7. The village has a _____________________ (river/pond/temple/school) that is very famous.

8. The roads in the village are ____________________________ (mud roads/concrete roads).

9. The village gets water from _______________________ (a well, borewell, river, etc.).

10. The most common mode of transport in the village is ____________________________

11. …………………..’s village is known for __________________ (festivals, fairs, handicrafts, etc.).

12. ……………………………’s favorite place in the village is ______________________ because

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

13. During festivals, people in the village celebrate by

_________________________________________________________________________________

14. The best thing about .......................................’s village is ____________________________________

because ____________________________________________________________________________________

15. The village has a festival called _______________________________, which is special because

_____________________________________________________________________________________

16. The best time to visit my partner’s village is ______________________________ because

______________________________________________________________________________________

17. The biggest problem in ……………………….. ’s village is _____________________________________

because _______________________________________________________________________________________

18. If …………………………… could change anything about his/her village, he/she would

change ______________________________ because __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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31
 Chapter 26 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

Think Straight
Think Straight is a book that teaches us how to think clearly, make better decisions, and live a
focused life. The author believes that our thoughts shape our reality. If we think in a confused
or negative way, we will struggle in life. But if we train our minds to think clearly, we can make
better choices, avoid stress, and achieve success.
Many people suffer from overthinking. They keep worrying about things that might never
happen. Overthinking does not solve problems; it only creates more stress. Instead of spending
time on useless thoughts, we should ask ourselves, “Is this thought helping me?” If the answer
is no, we should stop thinking about it. For example, if you keep asking yourself, "What if I fail?",
you will feel scared and stop trying. Instead, a better question is, "What steps can I take to
succeed?" This simple shift in thinking helps us focus on solutions instead of problems.
The book also teaches us to focus on what we can control. Many people waste time worrying
about things that are not in their hands. For example, we cannot control the weather, but we can
carry an umbrella if it might rain. We cannot control what others say about us, but we can
control our own reactions. By shifting our focus to things we can change, we feel more con�ident
and less stressed.
Another important lesson from the book is the power of simple decision-making. Some people
get stuck because they cannot make decisions. They keep thinking about all the possible
outcomes and never take action. The best way to avoid this is to ask: What is the best choice
right now? What will help me in the long run?
Once we answer these questions, we must make a decision and move forward. Instead of
waiting for the perfect time, we should take small steps every day. Many people say, "I will start
tomorrow," but they never do. Success comes from action, not just from thinking. To think
clearly, we also need to remove distractions. In today’s world, distractions are everywhere—
mobile phones, social media, and unnecessary news keep our minds busy with unimportant
things. If we want to focus on our goals, we need to limit these distractions. For example, if we
are studying or working, we should keep our phone away and �ind a quiet place. The book also
talks about learning from mistakes. Many people feel sad or give up after making a mistake.
However, mistakes are not failures; they are lessons. Instead of thinking, "I failed," we should
think, "What can I learn from this?" Every mistake gives us a chance to improve.
Another key idea in the book is to live in the present. Many people waste their time thinking
about the past or worrying about the future. But the truth is, we cannot change the past, and
the future is not in our hands. The only thing we can control is what we are doing right now. For
example, when eating food, we should enjoy the meal instead of worrying about work. When
working, we should focus on the task instead of thinking about the weekend.
The author also encourages continuous learning. People who think clearly always try to gain
more knowledge. Reading books, learning new skills, and talking to smart people help us
sharpen our minds. The more we learn, the better we think. Finally, the book teaches us the
importance of a simple life. Many people buy expensive things or try to impress others, thinking
that it will make them happy. But in reality, happiness comes from having a stress-free and
meaningful life. A simple life means focusing on what truly matters—good health, learning, and
spending time with loved ones.
Final Thoughts Think Straight teaches us that clear thinking is a powerful tool. By controlling
our thoughts, removing distractions, and taking action, we can improve our lives.

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32
 Chapter 27 - Silent individual reading

The Gift of the Magi – O Henry

Della sat on her bed. She counted her money again. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was
all she had. Tomorrow was Christmas. She wanted to buy a gift for Jim, her husband. But this
money was not enough.
She lay on the bed and cried. She was very sad. She wanted to give Jim something special. But
what could she buy with only one dollar and eighty-seven cents? It was not fair. She had saved
for a long time. Every day, she tried to keep a little money. But food and other things always cost
too much.
Let’s look at their home. It was a small room. They paid $8 every week for it. It was not a rich
home, but it was full of love. The walls were simple. There was a little kitchen and a small bed.
There was also an old mirror on the wall.
Downstairs, there was a small letterbox. There was also a doorbell, but it did not work. On the
door, there was a name: Mr. James Dillingham Young. When Jim had a better job, he wrote his
full name. But now, he earned only $20 a week. The name felt too big for him.
When Jim came home, the name became very small. His wife, Della, called him Jim.
Della wiped her tears and looked in the mirror. She had long, beautiful hair. It was brown and
soft. It reached below her knees. She loved her hair.
The Youngs had two things they loved. One was Jim’s gold watch. It was very old. It belonged to
Jim’s father and grandfather. The second was Della’s hair. It was long and shiny.
Della had an idea. She put on her brown coat. She put on her old hat. Then, she ran out of the
house.
She walked quickly through the cold streets. The wind touched her short coat, but she did not
stop. She had made a decision. She wanted to buy something special for Jim. She wanted to give
him something good.
She went to a shop. There was a sign: Mrs. Sofronie. Hair Articles of All Kinds.
Della went inside. A large woman stood behind the counter. She looked at Della without smiling.
"Will you buy my hair?" Della asked.
Mrs. Sofronie touched Della’s hair. She lifted it and looked at it.
"Twenty dollars," she said.
"Give me the money quickly," Della said.
Mrs. Sofronie cut Della’s long hair. Della felt her head become light. She did not look in the
mirror. She held the money tightly and ran out of the shop.
Della walked around the shops. She looked for a gift for Jim.
She saw many things. Ties, gloves, and shirts. But nothing was special enough for Jim. She
wanted something that showed her love.
At last, she found it. A simple gold chain. It was perfect for Jim’s watch. His watch was very
special, but he had no chain for it.

33
She paid twenty-one dollars for the chain. She had only eighty-seven cents left. But she was
happy.
Della ran home. She looked at her short hair in the mirror. She tried to �ix it. She looked like a
schoolboy now.
She smiled. Jim will love me. He will love my gift.
She made dinner. She put everything on the table. Then she sat near the door and waited for
Jim.
At 7 o’clock, Jim came home. Della waited near the door. She held the gold chain in her hand.
Jim walked in and stopped. He looked at Della. His face was strange. He was not angry. He was
not sad. He just looked at her.
"Jim, darling!" Della said. "Don’t look at me like that. I cut my hair to buy your gift. It will grow
back. You love me, right?"
Jim still looked at her. "You cut your hair?" he asked.
"Yes! But I have a wonderful gift for you!" Della said.
Jim smiled. Then, he put a small box on the table.
"Open this, Della," he said.
She opened it. Inside, there were beautiful combs. She had wanted these combs for a long time.
But now, her hair was short.
Della smiled. "My hair grows fast, Jim!"
Then she jumped up. "Oh! I forgot! Your present!"
She gave him the gold chain. "Now, give me your watch! I want to see them together."
Jim sat down. He smiled.
"Della," he said. "I sold my watch to buy your combs."
Della and Jim looked at each other. They both smiled. They were poor, but they had love.
That was the best gift of all.
That night, they ate dinner together. They laughed. They talked about the future. Their gifts were
not useful anymore, but that did not matter. They had given their hearts to each other.
And that was the greatest gift of all.
What did you understand from the story? Please write 5 or more sentences and share

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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34
 Chapter 28 – My Learning Experience at the FEA Branch

My name is ______________________________________. I would like to talk about my learning

experience at the FEA Branch.

1. I started learning at the FEA Branch in ______________________ (month/year).

2. Few things I have learned at FEA are _______________________________,

__________________________________, and _______________________________________.

3. One lesson I really enjoyed was ___________________________ but my favourite lesson in FEA
is _____________________ because ______________________________________________________________.

4. I joined the FEA class because _____________________________________________________________.

5. One question I would like to ask Mr. Deepak Chopra is __________________________________.

6. I want to learn English because ___________________________________________________________.

7. I want to learn Digital skills because _______________________________________________________.

8. One thing I �ind challenging at FEA is ______________________________________________________.

9. On the �irst day at FEA, I was feeling ___________________________________ but now I feel
__________________________________________.

10. One advice I will give to a new FEA student is that

____________________________________________________________________________________________.

11. The best thing about FEA is _____________________________________ because

______________________________________________________.

12. I feel proud of myself because __________________________________________________________.

13. I would like to learn more about _____________________________________ in the future.

14. My goal after �inishing the FEA course is __________________________________________ because

________________________________________________________________________________________.

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35
 Chapter 29 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

A little mouse looks for food. He is very hungry. His stomach makes noises. He runs in a dark
room. He smells the air. Then, he smells something nice. He follows the smell. He sees a big tank.
He goes closer. Before he stops, he falls inside.

The mouse lands on rice. He is surprised. He looks around. There is no danger. No cat. No trap.
He feels safe. Rice is everywhere. He is happy.

At �irst, he is careful. He looks and listens. No danger. He eats a little rice. It is tasty. He eats more.
He is full. He feels sleepy. He makes a bed in the rice. He sleeps.

The next day, he wakes up. He eats again. He is happy. There is a lot of rice. He has no worries.
Life is good.

Days pass. The mouse eats and sleeps. He does nothing else. He forgets about danger. He does
not think about leaving. He enjoys the rice.

One day, he sees the rice is lower. The tank is not full. He does not worry. "There is still a lot of
rice," he thinks. He eats again.

More days pass. The rice goes lower. The mouse feels afraid. He eats slower. The rice is almost
gone. He tries to jump out. The tank is too high. He is trapped.

One day, there is no rice left. The mouse wakes up. He is hungry. He looks around. No food. He
tries to climb. He falls down. He tries again. He fails. The walls are too high. He is too small. He
is alone.
His stomach makes noises. He feels weak. He sits down. He remembers the past. He misses his
old life. He was hungry, but he was free.
"I should have left before," he thinks. But now, it is too late. He has no food. He has no way out.
He is scared. He waits. But nothing changes.
Suddenly, he hears a noise. Something is scratching outside the tank. His ears perk up. He listens.
It is another mouse! He squeaks loudly. He hopes the other mouse will hear him.
The other mouse stops. It sniffs around. The trapped mouse squeaks again. The new mouse
climbs to the top of the tank. It looks down. It sees the trapped mouse.
"Help me!" the trapped mouse cries.
The new mouse thinks. It is not easy. The tank is high. But it sees a small rope near the corner.
It pulls the rope closer. It pushes it down the tank.
The trapped mouse grabs the rope. He climbs. His paws slip, but he holds tight. He climbs higher.
He reaches the top. He jumps out. He is free!
"Thank you!" he says.
The other mouse smiles. "Be careful next time. Always have a plan."
The trapped mouse nods. He will never forget. He runs away. He looks for a safer place. He will
never be trapped again.
Message of the Story:

36
The story teaches about danger in short-term comfort. The mouse has food. He is happy. He
does not think about the future. He becomes lazy. He does not plan. When the food is gone, he
is trapped.
This shows we should not trust easy comfort. We must prepare for the future. We should not
wait until it is too late.
Many people are like the mouse. They feel safe. They stop working hard. But life changes. If they
do not prepare, they will be trapped.
Learning English is like this. If you do not learn, life is hard. Many jobs need English. You need it
for study and travel. Without English, talking is dif�icult. You may feel stuck, like the mouse.
Do not wait. Do not be lazy. Start today. Work hard. Then, you will not be trapped. You will be
free.
Another lesson is that help can come from others. The trapped mouse could not escape alone.
But another mouse helped him. In life, friends, teachers, and family can help us. We must ask
for help. We must work together. Then, we can succeed.
The trapped mouse learns many things. He learns not to be lazy. He learns to plan ahead. He
learns to be careful. He learns that friends can help. Now, he is wiser. He will live a better life.
His adventure teaches an important lesson: Never take things for granted. Always think ahead.
Never stop learning. Never stop growing. Always be ready for challenges. Then, you will never
be trapped again.

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Chapter 30 - Silent Individual Reading

The Necklace: By Guy de Maupassant

Mathilde Loisel was a young and pretty woman. But she was not happy.
She was born into a poor family. She married a simple man named Monsieur Loisel.
He worked in a small of�ice. He was kind and loved Mathilde very much.
But Mathilde always dreamed of a rich life.
She wanted to wear beautiful dresses.
She wanted gold and diamond jewelry.
She wanted to go to big parties and feel important.

But in real life, Mathilde wore old clothes.

She lived in a small house.
She had no �ine things.
She was sad and jealous of rich women.

One day, her husband came home with a smile.

“Mathilde! We got an invitation to a big party at the palace!” he said.
He was happy. But Mathilde was not.

“I cannot go,” she said.

“Why not?” he asked.

37
“I have no nice dress. I will look poor,” she said and started to cry.

Her husband thought for a moment.

“I saved 400 francs for a holiday. You can use that money to buy a dress,” he said.

Mathilde was happy. “Thank you!” she said with a big smile.

She bought a beautiful dress. It was soft and shiny.

She looked lovely in it.
But then she became sad again.

“I have no jewelry. I need a necklace,” she said.

Her husband said, “Ask your friend Madame Forestier. Maybe she can help.”

Mathilde went to her friend’s house.

“Can I borrow some jewelry?” she asked.

Madame Forestier smiled and opened a big box.

“Take anything,” she said.

Mathilde looked at the jewelry. She saw a shiny diamond necklace.

“Can I borrow this one?” she asked.

“Of course!” her friend said.

Mathilde was so happy. She looked like a rich woman.

The night of the party came.

Mathilde wore her new dress and the diamond necklace.
She looked beautiful—like a queen.

At the party, everyone looked at her.

The men wanted to dance with her.
The women looked at her with envy.
Mathilde smiled. She was very happy.

At 4 o’clock in the morning, she left the party with her husband.
“It is cold,” she said.
They could not �ind a taxi, so they walked home.

At home, Mathilde looked in the mirror.

Suddenly, she screamed. “The necklace! It’s gone!”

They searched the dress, the coat, the �loor, and the street.
But they could not �ind the necklace.

The next day, her husband went to the police.

He asked at shops and the newspaper of�ice.
But no one found the necklace.

“We must buy a new one,” said Mathilde.

38
They went to many jewelry shops.
Finally, they found a necklace that looked the same.
But it cost 36,000 francs.
It was a lot of money.

Monsieur Loisel borrowed money from friends and banks.

He signed big loans.
They bought the necklace and gave it to Madame Forestier.

She said, “Thank you,” and did not know it was a different necklace.

Now Mathilde and her husband had no money.

They moved into a small, dark room.
They sold everything.
Mathilde did all the housework.
She washed clothes, cleaned the �loor, and cooked.
Her hands became rough. Her beauty was gone.
Her husband worked day and night.
For ten years, they worked very hard to pay the debt.

One day, Mathilde saw Madame Forestier on the street.

Her friend still looked young and rich.

Mathilde felt shy, but she said hello.

Madame Forestier was surprised. “Mathilde, you look so different!”

“I have something to tell you,” Mathilde said.

“I lost your necklace ten years ago. We bought a new one.
We paid for it for ten years.”

Madame Forestier looked shocked.

“Oh, Mathilde! My necklace was fake! It was not real diamonds!
It cost only 500 francs!”

Mathilde stood there, silent.

She felt like crying.
She had worked ten hard years—for nothing

Optional: What did you understand from the story? Please write 5 or more sentences and share

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXX

39
 Chapter 31 – Presenting My Partner’s Favorite Teacher
My name is _________________________________. My partner’s name is _______________________________

1. I would like to introduce my partner’s favorite teacher ________________________________

2. He/She teaches ____________________(subject) at ____________________ (school/college/training

center).

3. He/She is known for being ________________________________ (kind, patient, strict, funny, etc.).

4. ........................................has been teaching for __________ (years/months).

5. The best thing about this teacher is _______________________________________ because

_____________________________________________________________________________________

6. …………………………...... �inds his/her teaching style __________ (interesting, engaging, different,

etc.).

7. One of the most memorable lessons from this teacher was about
______________________________________________________________________________________

8. He/she always encourages students to __________________________________________

9. ………………………… believes this teacher has helped him/her become _________________________

because _________________________________________________________________________

10. His/Her teacher would be very proud of my partner when

____________________________________________________________________________________

11. He/she motivated students by _______________________________________________________

12. If ……………………………………. could thank this teacher in 3 sentences, he/she would say:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

13 One thing that makes this teacher special is ______________________________________________________

14 Students admire him/her because ________________________________________________________________.

15 This teacher believes that learning should be ____________________________________________________.

16 He/She always says, "_____________________________________________," which inspires students.

XXXXX

40
 Chapter 32 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing
How to Talk to Someone
Talking to someone is important. We talk to share ideas. We talk to make friends. We talk to ask
for help. Talking helps us in life. Good communication makes life easier and happier. Start with
a Greeting: When you meet someone, say "Hello." You can also say "Hi." If it is morning, say
"Good morning." If it is afternoon, say "Good afternoon." If it is evening, say "Good evening."
These greetings are polite. They show respect. If you meet someone for the �irst time, you can
say, "Nice to meet you." If you meet a friend again, you can say, "It's good to see you again." These
small sentences help make people feel welcome. Ask Simple Questions: To start a conversation,
ask a question. You can say, "How are you?" The person may say, "I am �ine, thank you." You can
also ask, "What is your name?" The person will tell you their name. Then, you can say, "Nice to
meet you." Other simple questions include: "Where are you from?" "Do you live here?" "How
was your day?" "What do you do?"
Talk About Yourself: After asking about the other person, share something about yourself. You
can say, "My name is..." You can say where you are from. Say, "I am from..." You can also talk about
your job. Say, "I am a teacher" or "I am a student. You can also talk about things you like. Say, "I
like playing football" or "I enjoy listening to music." If the other person likes the same thing, they
will continue the conversation. Talk About the Weather: Weather is a good topic. Say, "It is very
hot today." You can say, "It is raining" or "It is cold." The other person will agree or share their
thoughts. You can also ask, "Do you like this weather?" If it is summer, you can say, "I like
summer because I can go to the beach." If it is winter, you can say, "I like winter because I enjoy
hot tea."
Talk About Interests Ask, "What do you like to do?" The person may say, "I like to play football"
or "I like to read books." You can say, "I like that too" or "That sounds fun." Other questions to
ask: "Do you like music?" "What kind of movies do you watch?" "Do you enjoy traveling?" "What
do you do on weekends? Talking about hobbies and interests helps build friendships. Talk About
Family You can ask, "Do you have brothers or sisters?" The person may say, "I have one brother"
or "I have two sisters." You can share about your family too. Some other ways to talk about
family: "Do you live with your family?" "How many people are in your family?" "Do you have
children?" Family is an easy and friendly topic.
Talk About Work or Studies Ask, "What do you do?" The person may say, "I work in an of�ice" or
"I study at a school." You can ask, "Do you like your job?" If the person is a student, ask, "What
do you study?" You can also say: "What do you like about your job?" "Is your job dif�icult?" "Do
you want to change your job? People like to talk about their work and studies. Talk About Food:
Food is a good topic. Ask, "What is your favorite food?" The person may say, "I like pizza" or "I
like rice and curry." You can say, "I like that too" or "That sounds delicious." You can also ask:
"Can you cook?" "What do you usually eat for breakfast?" "Do you like spicy food?" Food is
something everyone enjoys talking about.
Talk About Hobbies Ask, "What do you do in your free time?" The person may say, "I like to
watch movies" or "I like to go for a walk." You can say, "That is nice." Other questions: "Do you
play any sports?" "Do you like to read?" "Do you enjoy painting or drawing?" Hobbies make
conversations interesting. Give a Compliment A compliment makes people happy. Say, "You have
a nice smile." Say, "Your dress looks good." Say, "You speak English well." The person will feel
happy. Other compliments: "You are very kind." "I like your hairstyle." "You are good at talking
to people." People like hearing nice things.

XXXXXXXX

41
 Chapter 33 - Silent Individual Reading
Two Friends: By Guy de Maupassant

It was a cold morning in Paris during the war. The city was quiet, but not in a good way. People
stayed inside. Food was hard to �ind. Soldiers stood at the city gates, and the sound of war could
be heard far away.

In this quiet, grey city lived two men—Monsieur Morissot and Monsieur Sauvage. They were
not rich. Morissot was a watchmaker, and Sauvage sold clothes. They were not young, not
famous, just two simple men. But they shared something special—a deep love for �ishing.

Before the war, every Sunday, they would walk to the river Seine with �ishing rods and a bottle
of wine. They would sit near the water, talk about life, share their thoughts, and enjoy the
silence. They didn’t need big things to be happy. The river, the sky, the sound of birds—that was
enough.

Now, with the war, they had not gone �ishing for months. But that morning, by chance, they met
again on the street. Morissot was walking, looking down, lost in thought, when he saw his old
friend.

“Sauvage!” he cried.

“Morissot! What a surprise!” the other man said with a smile.

They laughed softly. Then their smiles faded.

“Do you remember our �ishing spot?” Sauvage asked.

“Yes,” Morissot said. “I think about it every day.”

“I wish we could go, just once,” said Sauvage. “Even just for an hour.”

Morissot looked around. The streets were empty. He felt a strange excitement.

“Let’s go,” he said.

Sauvage was surprised. “Really?”

“Yes. Let’s go �ishing. Like old times. Who knows if we’ll ever get another chance?”

The idea felt crazy, but wonderful. They quickly took their rods, packed a little bread and wine,
and walked to the edge of the city.

At the gate, a French soldier stopped them. “Where are you going?”

“To �ish,” they said.

The soldier laughed. “Be careful. The Germans are close.”

“We will,” they said, and walked on.

The air was fresh. Trees stood bare in the winter light. The river shone in the sun. For a moment,
it felt like the war didn’t exist.

42
They reached their old �ishing place and sat down. They smiled like boys. They threw their lines
into the water and talked.

“This feels like a dream,” said Morissot.

“Yes,” said Sauvage. “I can almost forget the war.”

They drank some wine and ate their bread. Birds �lew over the river. Time passed slowly and
beautifully.

But then—they heard a noise. A voice. Not French.

They turned and saw soldiers with guns. Prussian soldiers.

“Get up!” one shouted.

The friends stood. They were shaking. The soldiers took them to a tall of�icer. He wore a dark
coat and had cold eyes.

“Who are you?” the of�icer asked.

“We are just two men,” Morissot said. “We came to �ish.”

“You are French. You crossed into our side. You are spies.”

“No!” cried Sauvage. “We are not spies!”

“Then tell me the password to enter Paris,” said the of�icer.

The two friends looked at each other.

“We don’t know it,” said Morissot.

“Lies!” said the of�icer. “If you tell me the password, I will let you go. If not, you die.”

The of�icer looked at them. “Well?”

Morissot and Sauvage were silent.

The of�icer walked closer. “Last chance.”

Still, the two men said nothing. They were afraid, but they did not want to betray their country.

“Very well,” said the of�icer. He gave an order in German.

Two soldiers raised their ri�les.

Bang! Bang!

The river was quiet again.

The soldiers carried the two bodies and dropped them into the water. The river that gave them
joy now held them in its arms.

The sky was still blue. The birds still �lew. The sun still shone on the water.

43
But two friends were gone. They died not as heroes with medals, but as ordinary men who
stayed true to their hearts

What did you understand from the story? Please write 5 or more sentences and share

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXX

Chapter 34: Presenting My Partner’s Career Plan

My name is ___________________________________ I would like to introduce my Partner’s career plan

1. My partner’s name is _________________________.

2. ……………………………………. wants to become a _________________________

3. This career interests ………………… because __________________________________________________

4. ………………………………. �irst became interested in this career when _________________________

5. To achieve this career, ……………………………….. is studying _______________________________

(subject/course).

6. ………………………………………. biggest inspiration for choosing this career is

_______________________________________________ (a person, an experience, etc.).

44
7. In this career, people usually have to ________________________________________

8. …………………………………………… believes this career is important because

________________________________________________________________________________

9. The skills needed for this job are _________________________

______________________________________ and _____________________________________

10. Three things ………………………………….. is doing now to reach this goal are:

______________________, ____________________________and ___________________________________

12. One challenge in this career is _________________________________________, but my Partner is

preparing for it by ___________________________________________________________________

13. If ……………………………………….. could work anywhere, he/she would love to work in

_________________________ (company/country/�ield).

14. ………………………………………….’s dream job is _________________________ because

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. His/Her teacher would be very proud of my Partner when

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. If ………………………………… cannot achieve this career, he/she would like to become a

________________________________________________ because

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. The best thing about this career is __________________________________________________ because

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. ………………………………………………. advice for someone interested in this career is

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXX

45
 Chapter 35 - Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

Kalpana Chawla: A Story of Dreams and Courage

Kalpana Chawla was born on March 17, 1961, in Karnal, India. She was a bright and curious
child. She loved looking at the sky and dreaming about space. She wanted to �ly and touch the
stars. Her family supported her dreams, even though most girls did not become astronauts at
that time.
Kalpana studied hard in school. She was very good at mathematics and science. She knew that
education would help her achieve her dreams. She was always eager to learn new things. After
�inishing school, she studied engineering at Punjab Engineering College. She was one of the few
girls in her class. She worked hard and became a great student. Her teachers admired her
dedication and intelligence.
After her studies in India, Kalpana moved to the United States for higher education. She studied
aerospace engineering at the University of Texas. She faced many challenges in a new country,
but she never gave up. She worked hard, studied day and night, and completed her master’s
degree. Later, she completed her Ph.D. in aerospace engineering at the University of Colorado.
Kalpana loved learning and never gave up on her dreams. She believed that knowledge and
determination were the keys to success.
She wanted to �ly, so she became a pilot. She learned to �ly small airplanes and later bigger ones.
Flying made her feel free and closer to her dreams. She worked hard to reach her goal of
becoming an astronaut. In 1988, she started working at NASA, the American space agency. This
was a big achievement for her. She was moving closer to her dream. Working at NASA was not
easy, but Kalpana was determined to prove herself.
Kalpana applied to become an astronaut. Many people applied, but only a few were selected. In
1994, she got great news—she was chosen as an astronaut! She trained very hard for many
years. She had to learn about space, science, and how to live in a spaceship. She also had to stay
strong. It was not easy, but she never gave up. Her training included physical �itness, survival
skills, and learning how to operate spacecraft systems. She worked with scientists and
engineers to prepare for her mission.
In 1997, Kalpana Chawla went to space for the �irst time on the Space Shuttle Columbia. She was
the �irst Indian-born woman in space. It was a proud moment for India and the world. She spent
15 days in space. She worked on experiments and looked at Earth from above. She said it was
beautiful and peaceful. She felt honored to be part of the mission and loved every moment in
space. The experience made her more passionate about space exploration.
Kalpana became a role model for many people, especially young girls who wanted to study
science. She showed that dreams can come true with hard work and determination. People in
India were very proud of her achievements. She inspired many students to follow their dreams.
Schools and universities invited her to speak, and she encouraged young people to never give
up. She believed that education and dedication could open doors to success.
Even though she is no longer with us, Kalpana Chawla’s story continues to inspire people. She
showed the world that nothing is impossible. She taught us to dream big, work hard, and never
give up. Today, many young girls and boys want to become astronauts because of her. Schools
and institutions are named after her. Her life reminds us to be brave and to follow our dreams,
no matter how dif�icult they seem.

XXXXXXXX

46
 Chapter 36 - Silent Individual Reading
The Lumber Room – A Story by H.H. Munro (Saki)

It was a bright summer morning, and Nicholas stood in the garden, looking bored. He was not
actually bored—he was thinking. His mind was always full of ideas, plans, and little tricks. Today,
he had been naughty—and he knew it.

That morning, during breakfast, Nicholas had played a trick on his aunt. He had put a frog in his
breakfast bowl and then calmly told her that there was something strange in his food. His aunt,
who never trusted him, had ignored him at �irst.

"Don’t be silly, Nicholas," she had said.

But when she lifted the lid of the dish, the frog jumped out!

His aunt screamed, almost dropping the bowl. Nicholas, watching the scene, hid a smile. He had
not planned this prank to make her angry—he had done it because he loved watching how
adults reacted to surprises.

"You are a disgrace, Nicholas!" she shouted. "Because of your bad behavior, you will not go to
the picnic today!"

Nicholas pretended to be sad, but deep inside, he was actually happy. He knew the picnic would
be dull and full of rules. His aunt would tell them not to run, not to get dirty, not to eat too fast.
The food would be boring, the company even worse. No, he was not disappointed at all.

Instead, he had a plan.

The Forbidden Room

In the large house where Nicholas lived, there was a room called the Lumber Room. It was
always locked, and the children were strictly forbidden from entering. His aunt had told them
many times that it was dangerous and that they should never even think about going inside.

But Nicholas was not the kind of boy who followed rules blindly. He was curious. If something
was forbidden, it only made him want to know more.

For a long time, he had watched his aunt carefully. He had seen where she kept the key to the
lumber room—on a high shelf in the pantry. She thought no one knew, but Nicholas had sharp
eyes.

Today, he �inally had his chance.

His aunt was busy preparing for the picnic. She was too occupied with making sure everything
was ready to notice Nicholas sneaking into the pantry, standing on tiptoe, and carefully taking
the key.

Holding his breath, he walked quickly to the lumber room. His heart beat fast with excitement
as he turned the key in the lock. The door creaked open, and Nicholas stepped inside.

A Secret Treasure

The room was dark and dusty, but as Nicholas’s eyes adjusted, he saw that it was full of
treasures.

47
There were beautiful old paintings, their colors faded but still magical. There was a large,
elegant mirror covered with a layer of dust. And there, lying in one corner, was a magni�icent
carpet.

Nicholas walked closer and stared at the detailed patterns on the carpet. It showed a hunter
surrounded by wolves. The hunter had a bow in his hand, but Nicholas noticed something
interesting—all his arrows were gone. The wolves were creeping closer.

Nicholas sat down on the �loor and imagined the story behind the picture. Who was this hunter?
How had he lost his arrows? Would he escape, or would the wolves get him? Nicholas created a
whole adventure in his mind.

Then, he found something even more amazing—a huge book full of paintings of exotic birds.

Nicholas turned the pages slowly. The birds were bright red, deep blue, and golden. Some had
long, elegant tails, while others had �ierce, curved beaks.

"Why does my aunt keep such wonderful things locked away?" Nicholas thought.

For a long time, he sat there, �lipping through the book, exploring the forgotten room. He
completely lost track of time.

The Aunt’s Misfortune

Meanwhile, his aunt had �inished her preparations for the picnic and went into the garden. She
wanted to make sure Nicholas was not disobeying her orders and playing near the forbidden
gooseberry bushes.

The bushes were full of thorns, and she had always warned the children to stay away from them.
She walked carefully, checking every corner of the garden.

Then, suddenly, she slipped.

Splash!

She had fallen into a large, muddy water tank! The cold, dirty water soaked her clothes, and her
hat �loated away.

"Nicholas! Help me!" she cried.

But Nicholas was deep inside the lumber room, lost in his own world. He could not hear her.

After some time, he �inally decided to leave. He carefully locked the lumber room again, put the
key back in its place, and walked back inside the house.

When he entered the kitchen, he saw his aunt, wet, muddy, and furious.

"Where were you, Nicholas?" she asked sharply.

"I was in the garden, watching the sun�lowers," he answered innocently.

His aunt stared at him. She was certain that he had done something wrong. She was sure he had
been up to mischief. But she had no proof.

And she certainly couldn't tell anyone about her own embarrassing accident.

Nicholas smiled to himself. He had outsmarted her once again.

48
The Aftermath

The rest of the day was quiet. The other children came back from the picnic, tired and sunburnt.
They complained about how boring the trip had been.

Nicholas said nothing. He just sat in his chair, thinking about the hidden wonders of the lumber
room.

He knew that tomorrow, his aunt would lock the room again, and he might never have another
chance to see it.

But that didn’t matter.

He had seen the treasures. He had imagined the stories behind them. And most importantly, he
had beaten his aunt at her own game

XXXXXXXX

Chapter 37: Presenting My Favorite Festival

1. My favorite festival is _________________ because ______________________________________________

2. People decorate their homes with ____________________________________________________________

3. A special dish prepared during this festival is ____________________________________

4. On this day, people wear __________________________________________

5. One of the main activities during the festival is _________________________________

Key Words:

Decoration, Flowers, Rangoli, Candles, gifts, visiting relatives, sweets, new clothes, market,
prayer, �ireworks

Instructions:

Use these key words to write at least 10 more complete sentences.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

49
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXX

Chapter 38: Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing
Why Trying for a Government Job Is Okay, but Always Have a Plan B

In India, government jobs have long been considered the gold standard of employment. They
offer stability, decent pay, social respect, and a sense of job security that few private-sector jobs
can match. It’s no surprise that millions of young aspirants dedicate years to cracking
competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, IBPS, and various state-level public service exams.

However, the harsh reality is that only a tiny fraction of applicants succeed. The competition is
so intense that even highly quali�ied candidates often �ind themselves struggling for years
without success. While preparing for a government job is a commendable goal, it is equally
important to have a Plan B—a backup career path—so that years of effort don’t go to waste. The
good news is that success in life isn’t limited to government jobs; many ful�illing and rewarding
careers exist in the private sector and beyond.

The Harsh Reality of Government Job Aspirations

The numbers paint a sobering picture.

• Between 2014 and 2022, over 22 crore (220 million) applications were submitted for
central government jobs, but only 7.22 lakh (0.33%) candidates secured positions.
• In 2018-2019, there were 5.09 crore applications for government jobs, but only 38,100
people were hired—a success rate of just 0.07%.
• In 2023, the Uttar Pradesh Police received nearly 48 lakh applications for 60,000
constable posts, making the acceptance rate just 1.25%.

50
These �igures highlight a stark truth: despite years of hard work, the vast majority of aspirants
will not secure a government job. Does that mean their dreams and potential are wasted? Not
at all.

The Case for a Plan B

Relying solely on a government job can be a risky move. Aspirants should always consider
alternative career options that align with their skills and interests. Here are some viable
alternatives:

1. Banking Jobs

Many government job aspirants �ind ful�illing careers in banks. These jobs offer stability and
bene�its similar to government positions.

2. Corporate and Private Sector Jobs

Many believe that private sector jobs are stressful and unstable, but this is not always true.
Fields like IT, �inance, sales, marketing, and consulting offer rewarding career growth, high
salaries, and personal satisfaction.

3. Entrepreneurship and Startups

If job security is a concern, why not create jobs? Many former government job aspirants have
successfully started businesses, from coaching centers to tech startups, and have found great
success.

4. Higher Education and Specialized Skills

Pursuing an MBA, data science certi�ication, law degree, or even digital marketing training can
open up exciting and lucrative career paths. Many aspirants who couldn’t clear UPSC have gone
on to work for top multinational corporations, earning impressive salaries.

Life in the Private Sector

A common myth is that private-sector jobs are all about stress, long hours, and job insecurity.
While this may be true for some industries, many private-sector roles offer great work-life
balance, �inancial stability, and personal growth. Let’s take a look at why the private sector can
also be ful�illing:

1. Faster Growth and Higher Salaries

Unlike government jobs where promotions are often based on seniority, private-sector jobs
reward performance. A hardworking individual can rise from an entry-level position to a senior
manager or CEO within a decade. In India, professionals in tech, banking, and consulting often
earn ₹15-30 lakh per year within 5-7 years of experience, which is signi�icantly higher than
most government salaries.

2. Innovation and Creativity

Government jobs can sometimes be slow-moving and bureaucratic. In contrast, private-sector

jobs encourage innovation and creativity. Professionals in startups, IT, media, and advertising
get the freedom to experiment, create new products, and lead exciting projects.

51
3. Work-Life Balance

Not all private jobs require long hours. Many companies today offer �lexible work schedules,
work-from-home options, and generous leave policies. Careers in teaching, HR, content writing,
and digital marketing offer both job satisfaction and work-life balance.

4. Global Opportunities

A government job may limit career prospects to India, whereas private-sector jobs can open
doors to international opportunities. Many Indian professionals work in global corporations,
earning in dollars and euros while traveling the world.

5. Continuous Learning and Skill Development

Government jobs often involve repetitive tasks, whereas the private sector constantly evolves.
If you enjoy learning new skills and tackling fresh challenges, a private-sector job can be
incredibly rewarding.

Real-Life Success Stories: From Government Aspirants to Private-Sector Leaders

1. Ravish Kumar (Journalist & TV Anchor) – He initially wanted to join the government
service but found his calling in journalism, becoming one of India’s most respected TV
anchors.
2. Anand Kumar (Founder of Super 30) – A mathematician who aspired to be a government
researcher but instead started Super 30, helping underprivileged students crack the IIT
entrance exam.
3. Kunal Shah (Founder of CRED) – He prepared for government exams but later shifted to
entrepreneurship, founding one of India’s most successful �intech companies.
4. Neha Nagar (Finance In�luencer & Entrepreneur) – She initially aimed for a government
job but used her �inance knowledge to become a successful in�luencer and entrepreneur.
5. Shivani Singh (Ex-UPSC Aspirant, Now in Tech Consulting) – After failing multiple
attempts at UPSC, she upskilled in data analytics and now works in a top consulting �irm,
earning over ₹30 lakh per annum.
Conclusion: Success Has Many Paths

Aiming for a government job is completely �ine—it is a respectable, secure career. However,
given the extreme competition, it is critical to have a Plan B. Whether it’s a PSU job, a corporate
role, an entrepreneurial venture, or upskilling in a new �ield, life has many opportunities beyond
government employment.

Success doesn’t come from just one career path—it comes from adapting, learning, and making
the best of the opportunities available. Whether in government or the private sector, a ful�illing
career is ultimately about passion, perseverance, and continuous growth.

So, prepare for government exams, but don’t ignore the possibilities that lie beyond them. A
ful�illing, rewarding life is not limited to a government job—it is built by those who are willing
to explore, evolve, and embrace change.

XXXXXXXX

52
 Chapter 39 - Silent Individual Reading
The Open Window By Saki

Framton Nuttel was a nervous man. His doctor had advised him to rest and avoid stress. He
had suffered from a weak heart and anxiety for a long time. To recover, he had come to the
countryside, hoping that the peace and fresh air would calm his nerves.

Before he left, his sister gave him letters of introduction. She was worried about him.

"You will just sit alone and become even worse!" she had said. "You need to meet people and talk
to them. I will give you letters to some people I know. Some of them were very nice when I last
met them."

Framton was not very sure if this was a good idea. He was shy and did not enjoy talking to
strangers. But he had agreed to visit the people his sister suggested.

That afternoon, he arrived at Mrs. Sappleton’s house.

When he was shown into the sitting room, he was greeted by a young girl of �ifteen. She was
calm and con�ident, with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"My aunt will be down presently, Mr. Nuttel," she said. "In the meantime, you must try and put
up with me."

Framton felt uneasy. He did not know what to say. He wanted to make polite conversation but
was afraid of saying the wrong thing.

The girl, whose name was Vera, studied him carefully. Then she asked, "Do you know many
people around here?"

Framton shook his head. "No, hardly anyone," he admitted. "My sister stayed at the rectory
here about four years ago. She gave me letters of introduction to some people."

Vera nodded thoughtfully. "Then you must not know much about my aunt?"

"Only her name and address," Framton replied.

Vera sighed and looked towards the large French window that opened onto the garden.

"Her great tragedy happened three years ago," Vera said in a low voice.

Framton felt confused. "Her tragedy?" he asked. This peaceful countryside did not seem like a
place for tragedies.

Vera pointed towards the open window. The cool October air was drifting in.

"You may wonder why we keep that window open on an autumn afternoon," Vera continued.

Framton had noticed the window but thought nothing of it. Now, he began to feel a strange
unease.

"It is because my aunt is waiting for my uncle and her two younger brothers," Vera said, her
voice softer now.

Framton frowned. "Waiting for them?"

53
"Yes," Vera said. "Three years ago, on this very day, they went out through that window to go
shooting. They never came back."

Framton’s eyes widened. "What happened?"

Vera lowered her voice, as if she did not want anyone else to hear. "It was a terrible accident.
That year, the summer had been very wet, and the ground became dangerous. They walked
across the moor to go hunting, but there was a hidden swamp. When they stepped on it, the
ground collapsed under them. They sank into the mud and were never seen again."

Framton shivered. "That’s awful!" he whispered.

Vera continued, "The worst part is that their bodies were never found. My poor aunt refuses to
believe they are dead. She still thinks they will come back one day. That is why she keeps the
window open every evening, just as it was on that day. She says they will return just as they
left—her husband with his white coat over his arm, and her youngest brother singing the song
he always sang to tease her:

'I said, Bertie, why do you bound?'

Vera’s voice trembled slightly. She looked towards the window as if she expected to see
something there.

Framton felt cold fear creeping into his heart. He did not know what to say. His hands felt
sweaty.

Just then, Mrs. Sappleton entered the room. She was a cheerful, lively woman.

"I hope Vera has been keeping you entertained," she said with a smile.

"She has been… very interesting," Framton replied weakly.

Mrs. Sappleton sat down and looked towards the open window. "I hope you don’t mind the fresh
air," she said. "My husband and brothers will be home soon, and they always come in through
this window. Oh, they will be so muddy from the marshes!"

Framton froze.

His heart pounded in his chest. What was she saying?

He stared at Mrs. Sappleton in shock. Did she not realize they were dead?

Mrs. Sappleton continued talking about hunting and the scarcity of birds this season. But
Framton was not listening. He felt trapped. His nerves were stretched tight.

Then, suddenly, Mrs. Sappleton’s face brightened.

"Oh, here they are at last!" she cried.

Framton turned around slowly. His heart stopped.

Through the open window, three men were walking toward the house.

One of them carried a gun, another had a white coat over his arm, and the youngest was
humming a song—

"I said, Bertie, why do you bound?"

54
Framton gasped in horror. His face turned pale.

This was impossible!

They were supposed to be dead!

A cold, nameless fear gripped him. He felt his breath quicken. His hands trembled.

Without thinking, he jumped up from his chair, grabbed his hat and stick, and ran out of the
house.

He did not stop to explain. He rushed out the front door, across the garden, and down the road.
He ran so fast that a passing cyclist had to swerve into a hedge to avoid hitting him.

Back in the house, Mrs. Sappleton stared after him in surprise.

"What on earth is wrong with that man?" she asked.

Her husband, wiping mud from his boots, looked confused. "Who was that?"

"A very strange man named Mr. Nuttel," Mrs. Sappleton replied. "He only talked about his
illnesses. Then, when he saw you, he ran away as if he had seen a ghost!"

Vera sat quietly, watching the scene with amusement.

Then, in a calm voice, she said, "I think it was the spaniel. He told me he has a terrible fear of
dogs. He was once chased by wild dogs in India and had to spend the night hiding in a grave."

Mrs. Sappleton and her family laughed.

Vera smiled to herself. She had fooled Mr. Nuttel completely.

She was very good at making up stories.

XXXXXXXX

Chapter 40: Presenting My Favorite Movie

Instructions: Write at-least 20 Sentences About Your Favorite Movie

1. Use the key words given below to help you write about your favorite movie.

2. Try to answer these questions in your sentences:

o What is the name of your favorite movie?

o What type of movie is it? (Action, Comedy, Drama, etc.)

o Who are the main characters?

o What does the main character do in the movie?

o What is the story about?

o What are some special things about the movie? (Music, effects, animation, etc.)

55
 o Why do you like this movie?

o Where does the story take place? (City, village, space, etc.)

o Is the movie funny, sad, or exciting?

o What happens at the end of the movie?

o Does the movie have songs or music?

o Are there any special effects in the movie?

o Is the animation or cinematography good?

o What is your favorite scene in the movie?

o Is there a famous dialogue from the movie?

o Why do you like this movie?

o How does the movie make you feel? (Happy, excited, sad, scared)

o What did you learn from this movie?

o Would you tell your friends to watch this movie? Why?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXX

56
 Chapter 41: Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing
Ajit Doval: A Lesson in Dedication and Intelligence

As a student, I often hear about famous leaders, scientists, and sports stars, but few people talk
about the heroes who work behind the scenes to keep our country safe. One such hero is Ajit
Doval, India’s National Security Advisor and one of the most intelligent minds in the country.
His life story teaches us the importance of hard work, intelligence, and dedication—qualities
that can inspire students like me in our own lives.

A Curious Mind from the Beginning

Ajit Doval was born in a small village in Uttarakhand in 1945. His father was in the army, and
from a young age, he learned the values of discipline and duty. He was a bright student and
worked hard in his studies. After completing his education at the University of Agra, he joined
the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1968.

What makes him special is his ability to analyze situations, think ahead, and solve problems
cleverly. Just like how we prepare for exams by understanding the subject instead of
memorizing answers, he used knowledge and strategy to handle complex situations.

The Power of Intelligence and Strategy

Ajit Doval became an expert in understanding people, predicting problems, and �inding
solutions. His job was to keep India safe, which meant he had to plan ahead, much like how
students must plan their studies before exams.

One of the most interesting stories about him is that he once gathered important information
while blending into different situations, which helped the country make smart decisions. He
also helped in bringing peace to different parts of India by talking to people and understanding
their concerns. Instead of using force, he believed in solving problems through intelligence and
strategy.

Facing Challenges with Con�idence

One of the biggest challenges he faced was helping maintain peace in Jammu & Kashmir. There
were many dif�iculties, but instead of giving up, he worked with local communities, listened to
their problems, and helped the government take the right steps.

Similarly, in our lives, we might face dif�icult exams, competitions, or situations where we feel
stuck. But instead of feeling scared, we can stay calm, think smartly, and �ind solutions—just
like Ajit Doval did in his work.

Lessons Students Can Learn from Ajit Doval

1. Hard Work Always Pays Off – Whether it’s studies or life, working hard and preparing
well always leads to success.
2. Stay Calm and Think Before Acting – Instead of reacting immediately, we should analyze
problems and �ind the best solution.
3. Knowledge is the Real Strength – Learning new things every day helps us make better
decisions and prepares us for challenges.

57
 4. Teamwork and Communication are Important – Doval solved many problems by talking
to people and working as a team, which is something we should apply in group projects
and friendships.
5. Always Stay Dedicated to Your Goals – No matter how tough things get, staying focused
on our dreams will help us succeed.
A True Role Model

Ajit Doval’s life teaches us that being smart, disciplined, and hardworking can help us achieve
great things. Even though he works in national security, his qualities are something every
student can apply in their daily life. Whether it’s preparing for a tough exam, learning a new
skill, or handling a challenge, we can all be inspired by his story to think smart, stay strong, and
keep learning.

He is proof that intelligence and dedication can change the world—and that’s something every
student can learn from.

XXXXXXXX

Chapter 42 - Silent Individual Reading

The Lion of Tiger Hill: The Story of Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav

A War in the Mountains

The year was 1999. The mountains of Kargil, covered in snow and ice, stood tall and unshaken.
The enemy had taken control of important peaks, and the Indian Army was sent to reclaim them.
Tiger Hill, one of the highest and most dangerous peaks, was under enemy control.
The soldiers knew this mission would not be easy. The enemy was positioned at the top, with
machine guns, grenades, and snipers. The path up the mountain was steep, icy, and full of
dangers. If the Indian Army could capture Tiger Hill, it would turn the war in their favor.
One of the men chosen for this dangerous mission was Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, a 19-
year-old soldier from a small village in India. He was young, but he was brave. His heart was
�illed with love for his country, and he was ready to give his life for it.
On the night of July 3, 1999, as the soldiers prepared for battle, the commander called them
together.
“Soldiers, the enemy is at the top of Tiger Hill. We must climb this mountain and take it back.
This will be a tough �ight. Some of us may not return. But remember, we �ight for our
motherland. We will not stop. We will not retreat.”
He looked at his men. “Who will go �irst?”
The soldiers looked at each other. The �irst to climb would be in the most danger. If the enemy
saw them, they would be shot immediately.
Then, a strong voice broke the silence.
“Sir, I will go �irst.”
It was Yogendra Singh Yadav.

58
The commander looked at him carefully. “Are you sure, soldier?”
Yogendra nodded. “Yes, Sir. I am ready. If I die, I will die for my country.”
The commander smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Then may bravery be with you.
Soldiers, let’s move!”
The Deadly Climb
The night was dark and the cold wind howled. The soldiers began climbing the steep mountain
using ropes. They had to be silent. The enemy was watching from above. One wrong move and
the mission would fail.
Yogendra was at the front, leading his team. His �ingers were numb from the cold, but he kept
pulling himself up. The climb was hard. Rocks were loose, and the air was thin. His muscles
burned, but he did not stop.
Then, suddenly—a loud gunshot!
“The enemy has seen us! Take cover!” a soldier shouted.
Before Yogendra could react, a bullet tore through his shoulder. He gasped in pain, but he did
not cry out. He could not let his men down.
Another bullet hit his leg. Blood ran down his uniform. Pain shot through his body, but he gritted
his teeth and kept climbing.
The enemy �ired machine guns from the top. Bullets rained down like deadly arrows. His friends
were falling. Some screamed. Some made no sound at all.
Yogendra's heart �illed with anger and pain. He had to reach the top. He had to �inish this �ight.
Alone Against the Enemy
Finally, he pulled himself over the edge and saw the enemy bunkers in front of him. The enemy
soldiers were shooting down at his team. If he did not act fast, all his friends would die.
But he was alone.
He took a deep breath. His body was weak, but his spirit was strong.
“For India!” he roared and ran toward the �irst bunker.
The enemy turned in surprise. Who was this soldier, running alone, covered in blood?
Before they could react, Yogendra pulled the pin of a grenade and threw it into the bunker.
"BOOM!"
The explosion shook the ground. The enemy soldiers inside were killed instantly.
More enemy soldiers appeared, �iring their guns at him.
"TAK-TAK-TAK!"
Bullets �lew past him. One ripped through his arm. He staggered but did not fall.
He aimed his gun and �ired back. One enemy fell. Then another.
But there were still too many of them.
A bullet hit his side, and he fell to the ground. His vision blurred. His body was weak. He could
not move.
But he had one last grenade.
59
With all his strength, he pulled the pin and threw it into the second bunker.
"BOOM!"
The second bunker exploded. The enemy was now confused and afraid. More Indian soldiers
had reached the top. Together, they fought and defeated the remaining enemies.
Tiger Hill was ours!
A Soldier’s Sacri�ice
Yogendra lay in the snow, his body covered in wounds. His breath was slow. He had lost too
much blood. His friends thought he was dead.
A soldier knelt beside him and touched his face. “Sir, Yadav is gone,” he said, his voice full of
sorrow.
Then, they heard a weak voice.
“I am… still here…”
The soldiers' eyes widened. “He’s alive!”
They carefully carried him down the mountain to safety. He had 14 bullet wounds, yet he
survived. Doctors called it a miracle.
The Highest Honor
Months later, Yogendra stood in front of the President of India. His body was healing, but the
memories of battle were fresh in his mind. He remembered his friends who never returned.
The President looked at him with deep respect. “Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, for your
unmatched bravery, we award you the Param Vir Chakra—the highest honor of the Indian
Army.”
As the medal was pinned to his chest, the crowd clapped loudly. His mother had tears in her
eyes. She was proud, but she also remembered the pain of almost losing her son.
Yogendra touched the medal. It was not just his. It was for all the soldiers who had fought and
given their lives.
He looked up at the sky and whispered, “This is for you, my brothers.”
And so, the boy from a small village became a legend—the Lion of Tiger Hill
What did you understand from the story? Please write 5 or more sentences and share

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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60
 Chapter 43 – Presenting My Thoughts on Social Media
Personal Use:

1. What is the �irst social media app you used? → The �irst social media app I used was
____________________________________

2. How much time do you spend on social media every day? → I spend about ______________
hours on social media every day.

3. What do you like to do the most on social media? → I like to

_______________________________________ on social media.

4. Do you prefer texting or calling on social media? Why? → I prefer ______________ because
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Have you ever made a new friend on social media? →

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bene�its of Social Media:

6. How does social media help people stay connected? → Social media helps people stay
connected by _________________________________________________________________________________

7. Can social media help you learn new things? How? → I learn
____________________________________________________________________________ from social media.

8. How can social media help in emergencies? → In emergencies, people can use social
media to
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Problems with Social Media:

11. Can social media be addictive? How? → Social media can be addictive because
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. Do people sometimes share too much personal information? → Some people share
__________________________________________________________________________________________ which
can be risky.

13. Have you ever seen fake news on social media? → Yes, I saw fake news about
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. How does social media affect mental health? → Too much social media can make people
feel _______________________________________________________________________________________________

15. Can social media create problems in friendships or relationships? → Sometimes, social
media causes problems because
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

61
Safety & Responsibility:

16. How can people stay safe on social media? → People should be careful about
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. Do you think children should use social media? Why or why not? → I think children
should/should not use social media because
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. What should you do if someone is bullying you on social media? → If someone is
bullying me, I will
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. How can people control their time on social media? → People can control their time by
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. What advice would you give to someone who spends too much time on social media? →
I would tell them to
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXX

Chapter 44: Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing
How Successful People Think: The Mindset That Leads to Greatness

Have you ever wondered why some people achieve great success while others struggle? Is it
luck, intelligence, or pure talent? While these factors play a role, the true difference lies in the
way successful people think. They see obstacles as opportunities, failures as lessons, and hard
work as the only path to improvement.

Success is not an accident—it is a result of a powerful mindset. Many people believe that
intelligence and skills are �ixed, but successful individuals think differently. They understand
that growth comes from persistence, learning, and a willingness to embrace challenges.

Whether in academics, career, or personal life, success starts in the mind. If you want to develop
the mindset of highly successful people, you must learn to see problems as opportunities, take
responsibility for your actions, and remain consistent in your efforts.

In this article, we will explore the key ways in which successful people think and how adopting
their mindset can help you achieve your goals.

What makes successful people different from others? Is it intelligence, luck, or talent? While
these factors may play a role, the real difference lies in the way they think. Successful people see
challenges as opportunities, failures as lessons, and hard work as the only path to improvement.
If you want to achieve success in any area of life, whether it’s academics, career, or personal
growth, developing the right mindset is crucial.

Many people believe that intelligence and talent are �ixed traits—you’re either good at
something or you’re not. But successful people think differently. They understand that skills can
62
be developed with effort and persistence. Instead of saying, “I’m just bad at math,” a successful
thinker would say, “I may not be good at math yet, but I can improve with practice.” The key is to
see challenges as opportunities for growth.

Mistakes aren’t failures; they are steps toward improvement. By shifting from a �ixed mindset
to a growth mindset, you open the door to continuous learning and success.

When faced with dif�iculties, most people tend to focus on what’s wrong. They dwell on their
problems, making them seem bigger than they actually are. Successful people, however, shift
their attention to �inding solutions.

For example, if a student struggles with public speaking, they don’t simply say, “I’m too nervous,
I can’t do this.” Instead, they think, “What can I do to improve? Maybe I can practice in front of a
mirror or record myself speaking.” This solution-oriented thinking helps them move forward
rather than getting stuck in self-doubt.

One of the biggest differences between successful and unsuccessful people is how they handle
setbacks. While many people blame external factors—the teacher was unfair, the questions were
too hard, I didn’t have enough time—successful individuals take full responsibility for their
actions.

Taking responsibility does not mean blaming yourself harshly. It means recognizing your role
in the situation and �inding ways to do better next time. Instead of making excuses, successful
people ask themselves:

What could I have done differently? What can I learn from this? How can I improve next time? By
taking ownership of their growth, they stay in control of their future.

Success doesn’t happen by accident—it requires a clear sense of direction. Successful people
don’t just say, “I want to do well.” They set speci�ic, measurable goals and create a plan to achieve
them.

For example, instead of saying, “I want to get better at English,” a successful thinker would set a
goal like reading one English book every month, learning �ive new words daily, or speaking in
English for ten minutes every day. By breaking big dreams into smaller, actionable steps, success
becomes much more achievable.

Success is not about making huge leaps overnight—it’s about small efforts repeated every day.
The most successful people understand that consistent effort leads to long-term results.

Whether it’s studying for exams, learning a new skill, or improving �itness, the key is to stick to
a routine, even when motivation is low. Imagine two students preparing for an exam. One
studies for ten hours the night before the test, while the other studies for one hour every day
for two weeks. Who do you think will perform better? The second student, of course.

Consistency builds mastery, and that’s why successful people never stop working toward their
goals.

Perhaps the most important mindset of all is self-belief. Successful people don’t wait for others
to approve of them—they believe in their potential, even when no one else does. If you keep
telling yourself, “I’m not good enough,” you’ll never give yourself the chance to improve. But if

63
you start saying, “I am capable of learning and growing,” you’ll start acting in ways that make
success possible.

Self-belief doesn’t mean being overcon�ident or ignoring weaknesses. It means trusting that
with effort, patience, and learning, you can achieve great things.

The way you think shapes the way you live. If you adopt the mindset of successful people—
embracing challenges, taking responsibility, setting goals, staying consistent, and believing in
yourself—you set yourself up for success. Success is not just about intelligence or talent; it’s
about the mindset you choose to develop. So, the next time you face a challenge, ask yourself:

"How would a successful person think in this situation?" The answer could change your life.

XXXXXXXX

Chapter 45 - Silent Individual Reading

Gabriel-Ernest (H. H Munro)

Van Cheele was a young man who lived in a large house near a quiet village. His family owned a
big estate with deep woods, rolling hills, and a calm river that ran through the land. He often
took long walks on the estate, enjoying the fresh air and peaceful surroundings.
One afternoon, as he wandered near the edge of the woods, he suddenly noticed something
unusual. A boy, about sixteen years old, lay stretched out on a patch of moss, soaking in the
afternoon sun. His arms were behind his head, his legs lazily crossed, and his whole body had
the relaxed con�idence of a wild animal at rest.
Van Cheele paused, staring at the boy. He was not just any ordinary boy. His features were sharp,
his skin tanned from spending too much time outdoors, and his eyes had a strange, piercing
brightness. His clothes were worn and ragged, and he had no shoes on his feet. There was
something untamed about him, something that made Van Cheele feel uneasy.
The boy turned his head and looked at him, a slow smile spreading across his face.
"Hello," Van Cheele said hesitantly. "Who are you?"
The boy stretched lazily, as if he had all the time in the world, and sat up. His movements were
smooth, almost too graceful, like an animal that had been disturbed from its rest.
"I live here," he said simply, gesturing towards the woods behind him.
Van Cheele frowned. "What do you mean? No one lives in these woods."
The boy gave him an amused look. "I do," he said. "I sleep in the woods during the day and hunt
at night."
A chill passed through Van Cheele. There was something unsettling about the way the boy spoke.
His tone was light, almost playful, but there was an underlying con�idence that made Van Cheele
uneasy.
"What do you hunt?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
The boy smiled wider. "Oh, small things," he said. "Rabbits. Birds. Sometimes something bigger."
His words sent a shiver down Van Cheele’s spine. He couldn't explain why, but something about
the boy made him feel nervous. He didn’t seem like an ordinary boy at all.
64
"You can’t just live in the woods like this," Van Cheele said �irmly. "You need proper shelter,
proper food. You must come to my house."
The boy tilted his head slightly, as if considering the offer. Then, with a careless shrug, he said,
"As you wish."
And so, Van Cheele took the strange boy back to his house, wondering if he had made the right
decision.
When they arrived at Van Cheele’s house, his aunt was in the sitting room, reading a book by
the window. When she saw the boy, she looked up in surprise.
"What a handsome young man!" she said with delight. "Who is he?"
Van Cheele hesitated. He wasn’t sure what to say.
"He… was in the woods," he �inally said. "He has no home."
His aunt’s expression softened. "Poor thing! He must stay here until we �ind his family."
The boy smiled but said nothing. His silence made Van Cheele uneasy, but his aunt seemed
completely charmed by him.
That evening, at dinner, the boy ate hungrily. He �inished his meal quickly, then excused himself
and disappeared somewhere in the house.
Van Cheele couldn't shake the feeling that something was not right.
Later that night, as he sat alone in the study, he thought about the boy’s words. I hunt at night.
The way he had said it, so casually, sent a shiver through him.
He decided he needed to know more. He left the house and walked into the village, where he
found an old man named Cunningham. Cunningham had lived in the area for many years and
knew all the strange stories and legends of the place.
"Have you ever heard of a wild boy living in the woods?" Van Cheele asked.
Cunningham’s face changed. His eyes darkened, and a deep frown settled on his face.
"A wild boy?" he whispered. "Did you see him during the day or at night?"
"During the day," Van Cheele said, puzzled by the question.
Cunningham let out a slow breath. "Then you are safe," he said. "But be careful. If he is what I
think he is, then at night… he is something else."
Van Cheele felt his heart beat faster. "What do you mean?"
Cunningham lowered his voice and looked around, as if afraid someone might overhear them.
"There is an old story," he said. "Long ago, a strange child was born in this area. He was human
by day, but at night… he became something else. People say he was a werewolf."
Van Cheele laughed nervously. "That’s just a silly story!"
Cunningham did not smile. "Maybe," he said. "But strange things have been happening lately.
Animals have disappeared. A young child went missing from a nearby village. Only pieces of her
clothes were found near the river."
A cold shiver ran down Van Cheele’s spine. He suddenly felt a desperate need to get back to his
house.
When he arrived home, it was nearly dark. He hurried inside and looked around for the boy, but
he was nowhere to be found.
65
His aunt noticed his worried expression. "Oh, don’t worry!" she said cheerfully. "He left just
before sunset. He said he was going for a walk by the river."
Van Cheele felt his stomach drop. "Which way did he go?"
"Towards the mill," his aunt replied.
Van Cheele’s blood turned cold. The mill was where Mrs. Phillips, a widow from the village, took
her little son to play every evening.
Without another word, Van Cheele ran out of the house.
He ran as fast as he could, his heart pounding in fear. The sun had set completely now, and the
sky was darkening. As he reached the riverbank, he heard a distant scream.
Then, the howl of a wolf.
Terror gripped him. He ran faster.
By the river, Mrs. Phillips was crying and calling for her son. "Tommy! Tommy!" she screamed.
But there was no answer.
The ground near the water was disturbed. The grass was trampled. Something had been
dragged through the dirt.
And then Van Cheele saw them—footprints in the mud.
At �irst, they were human footprints. But as they moved forward, they changed. The shape of
the feet grew longer, the toes stretched out into claws.
Human footprints had turned into the tracks of a large wolf.
A wave of horror washed over him.
The boy—Gabriel-Ernest—was not just a boy.
Van Cheele understood the truth too late.
Gabriel-Ernest was a creature of the night, a hunter far worse than anyone had imagined.
And now, he had vanished into the darkness, leaving nothing but fear and the echo of his terrible
howl in the night.
What did you understand from the story? Please write 5 or more sentences and share

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Chapter 46 – Presenting The Best Day of My Life

1. What was the best day of your life? The best day of my life was when
____________________________________________________________________________________________

2. When did it happen? It happened on

____________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Where did this day take place I was at ______________________________________________________

when this happened.

4. Who was with you on this day? I spent this day with
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. How did the day start? The day started with

__________________________________________________________________________

6. Why is this day so special to you? This day was special because
____________________________________________________________________________________________

7. What were you doing when the special moment happened? At that time, I was
____________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Did you receive any special news or gifts on this day? Yes, I received
_________________________________ and it made me feel __________________

9. What was the most exciting part of the day? The most exciting part was
____________________________________________________________________________________________

10. How did you feel throughout the day? I felt ______________________________ because
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. What was the weather like on that day? The weather was ______________, which made the
day even more ____________________________

12. Did you eat or drink something special on this day? Yes, I enjoyed
____________________________ and it was ___________________________________________

13. Why was this day an amazing day? It was an amazing experience because
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

67
 14. What did you learn from this day? I learned that ______________.

15. If you could relive this day, would you? Why? I would love to relive this day because
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. Would you describe this as a perfect day? Why or why not? Yes, it was perfect because
__________________________________________________________________________________________/ No, it
wasn’t perfect because
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. How do you feel when you remember this day? When I think about this day, I feel
happy because
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. How did this day end? The day ended with
_________________________________________________________________________

XXXXXXXX

Chapter 47: Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing
Failure: The Stepping Stone to Success

Failure is a part of life. Every person, no matter how talented or hardworking, faces setbacks.
Some people lose con�idence and give up after failure, while others use it as a learning
experience and emerge stronger. But what makes the difference? Why do some people rise after
failure while others break under pressure?

Take Amitabh Bachchan as an example. Early in his career, he was rejected by many producers
because of his deep voice and towering height. He struggled to �ind work in Bollywood, faced
�inancial dif�iculties, and even had a phase where he had no movies. But instead of giving up, he
focused on improving his craft. Eventually, his deep voice became one of his biggest strengths,
and he became one of India’s most celebrated actors. His mindset of learning from failures
helped him transform rejection into success.

For example, MS Dhoni, one of India’s most successful cricket captains, started as a ticket
collector at a railway station. His cricket career was full of struggles. He failed multiple times
before making it to the Indian national team. Despite criticism and challenges, Dhoni remained
calm and focused. His resilience allowed him to lead India to victory in multiple international
tournaments, including the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

Similarly, Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance Industries, faced many failures before
building his business empire. He started as a small worker in Yemen and had no �inancial
backing. Many of his early business ideas failed, but instead of quitting, he kept experimenting.
His ability to learn from failures helped him build one of India’s biggest companies.
68
Some people see failure as a full stop, while others see it as a comma—a brief pause before
moving forward. Those who succeed understand that failure is a natural part of the journey.

A great example is Sachin Tendulkar. When he debuted in international cricket, he was just 16
years old. In one of his early matches, he was hit on the nose by a bouncer from Waqar Younis.
He started bleeding, but he refused to leave the �ield. Instead of getting scared, he became even
more determined. Years later, he became one of the greatest cricketers the world has ever seen.

Another inspiring story is that of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Before becoming the "Missile Man of
India," he faced several setbacks. His �irst major project, the SLV-3 satellite launch, failed. Many
people doubted his abilities, but he didn’t let failure de�ine him. He took responsibility, analyzed
the mistakes, and worked even harder. Later, he led some of India’s most successful space and
defense projects, proving that failure is only a stepping stone if you have the right perspective.

Take PV Sindhu, India’s Olympic badminton champion. In the early years of her career, she lost
several tournaments. Many doubted if she could ever win at the international level. But her
parents and coach stood by her side, pushing her to keep going. With their support, she kept
training harder, eventually winning medals for India in the Olympics and world championships.

One of the most inspiring examples is Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the founder of Biocon. When she
started her biotechnology company, no one believed in her. Banks refused her loans, and
investors were skeptical about her vision. Many people told her that a woman could not succeed
in the biotech industry. But her purpose—to make affordable medicines—was stronger than
her failures. She persisted, and today, Biocon is a global pharmaceutical giant.

Similarly, Ratan Tata, when he launched the Tata Nano, faced massive criticism because the car
did not perform well in the market. Many saw it as a business failure. But instead of letting it
break him, he focused on other innovative projects, including Tata Motors' electric vehicles and
global expansions. His vision for innovation kept him moving forward despite setbacks.

Virat Kohli, before becoming the captain of the Indian cricket team, was criticized for his
aggressive nature and inconsistent performance. Many doubted his leadership abilities. But
instead of worrying about criticism, he used it as motivation to improve. He worked on his
�itness, re�ined his skills, and became one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket
history.

Another example is Neeraj Chopra, India’s �irst Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw. Before
his Olympic success, he faced multiple injuries that could have ended his career. Many people
thought he wouldn’t be able to compete at the highest level. But instead of letting these setbacks
de�ine him, he trained harder and proved his critics wrong.

The truth is, failure itself does not break or make anyone. It is how people respond to failure that
determines their success. The next time you face failure, ask yourself—will you let it stop you,
or will you use it to grow? The choice is yours.

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 Chapter 48 - Silent Individual Reading
Tobermory by HH Munro

It was a warm afternoon at Lady Blemley’s country estate, a grand house surrounded by rolling
green gardens. A group of well-dressed guests sat in the elegant drawing room, sipping tea and
engaging in idle conversation. The sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting a golden
glow on the polished wooden �loors. The guests had spent the past hour discussing ordinary
topics—art, travel, fashion—but none of it was particularly exciting.

Then, Cornelius Appin, a quiet, bookish man with an air of mystery, set down his teacup and
made an announcement that changed everything.

“I have accomplished something remarkable,” he said, his voice calm but �illed with con�idence.
“I have taught an animal to speak.”

The chatter in the room died instantly. The guests exchanged glances, uncertain whether to
laugh or take him seriously. Major Bar�ield, an old military man with a booming voice, let out a
dry chuckle.

“You mean like a parrot repeating words?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No,” Appin replied. “Parrots mimic sounds without understanding them. What I have done is
different. I have taught an animal to think and speak just as we do.”

The room remained silent. Lady Blemley, a digni�ied woman in a deep-blue gown, smiled
politely. “And which animal have you taught to do this remarkable thing?”

Appin leaned back in his chair and folded his hands. “Your cat. Tobermory.”

A murmur of amusement spread through the guests. Tobermory was a large, sleek cat with
sharp green eyes and an air of superiority. He often sat on high shelves, watching everyone as
though he were the true master of the house. The idea of him talking seemed ridiculous.

Sir Wilfrid, Lady Blemley’s husband, shook his head. “A talking cat? My dear Appin, that is
impossible.”

Appin remained composed. “Impossible?” he repeated. “Then why don’t we test it?”

A hush fell over the room. Everyone turned toward the door as Appin called out, “Tobermory,
would you come here?”

For a few seconds, there was silence. Then, a soft rustling sound came from the hallway. A
moment later, Tobermory sauntered into the room. He moved with his usual grace, his tail
curling slightly as he jumped onto a velvet chair near the �ireplace. His green eyes scanned the
guests with an expression of boredom.

The guests chuckled, amused by the cat’s majestic attitude.

Then, in a smooth, perfectly clear voice, Tobermory said, “Why have I been summoned?”

Gasps �illed the room. A few guests leaned forward in astonishment, while others sat frozen,
gripping their teacups tightly.

Major Bar�ield’s mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.
70
“I… I say,” Sir Wilfrid stammered. “The cat actually speaks.”

“I do,” Tobermory con�irmed, stretching lazily. “And quite well, I might add.”

The guests stared, unsure whether to be amazed or horri�ied.

Lady Blemley’s voice trembled slightly as she asked, “Tobermory, my dear… what do you think
of us?”

The cat’s emerald eyes �lickered with amusement. “You want an honest answer?” he asked,
tilting his head.

A nervous chuckle ran through the group.

“Yes, of course,” Lady Blemley said, though she wasn’t entirely sure.

Tobermory �licked his tail. “Well then. You all pretend to like each other, but you gossip the
moment someone leaves the room. You �latter Lady Blemley’s fashion, but I’ve heard at least
three of you whisper that her dresses are outdated.”

Lady Blemley gasped. The guests looked at each other, alarmed.

Miss Resker, a sharp-tongued woman, laughed nervously. “Oh, Tobermory, you are quite the
joker.”

“I do not joke,” Tobermory replied smoothly. “Shall I repeat what you said about Sir Wilfrid’s
business failing?”

Miss Resker turned pale.

Sir Wilfrid sat up sharply. “What is this nonsense?”

“It is not nonsense,” Tobermory said. “You spoke about it just last week while having tea with
Miss Resker. I was sitting on the windowsill, listening.”

A heavy silence fell over the room. The guests suddenly realized the terrible truth: Tobermory
had been listening to them for years. Every whispered secret, every insult, every hushed
remark—they were all stored in the cat’s memory. And now, he could reveal them at will.

Major Bar�ield’s face had turned red. “This is outrageous!”

“Oh?” Tobermory asked. “Shall I remind you of what you said about Lady Anne’s appearance
after she left the room?”

Major Bar�ield fell silent.

Lady Blemley, now pale, gave Appin a forced smile. “Mr. Appin, this is quite… incredible. But
surely, Tobermory is the only one who has learned to speak?”

“For now,” Appin admitted. “But I am con�ident that I can teach others.”

The guests shifted uncomfortably.

“Surely,” Lady Blemley continued, choosing her words carefully, “there must be a way to…
unteach him?”

Appin hesitated. “Well… no.”

71
A wave of dread washed over the group. The idea of a talking cat had seemed amusing at �irst,
but now it was terrifying.

That night, the guests whispered among themselves. This was no longer about scienti�ic
advancement—it was about survival.

By morning, Tobermory was missing. The servants claimed he had slipped out during the night,
but after hours of searching, he was nowhere to be found.

At breakfast, the guests exchanged relieved glances. “Perhaps he ran off,” someone suggested.

Then, the gardener arrived with grave news. Tobermory had been found—dead. A local tomcat,
known for being aggressive, had apparently attacked him in a �ight.

There was a long, heavy silence. The guests avoided each other’s eyes. They all knew the truth.
Tobermory had become too dangerous, and it was no accident that he was no longer a threat.

Only Cornelius Appin looked devastated. “What a tragic loss,” he murmured.

Days later, in an effort to prove his success was not a one-time event, Appin attempted to teach
an elephant to speak at a zoo.

Unfortunately, the elephant did not appreciate his efforts.

Cornelius Appin was never seen again.

And so, the guests of Lady Blemley’s house never had to fear a talking cat again

What did you understand from the story? Please write 5 or more sentences and share

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 Chapter 49 – Presenting: A Detailed Description of the Image
Instructions:

1. Look at the image carefully and observe the details.

2. Take hints from the questions given below to help you think about what to write.

3. Use complete sentences to describe what you see, imagine, or feel about the mela.

4. Write at least 20 sentences based on your observations.

5. Try to use descriptive words and include details like the weather, people, activities, and
surroundings.

6. You can also add your personal experience or thoughts about visiting a mela.

7. After you write your sentences, present your information to the class.

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Hints for Writing

1. What do you see in this image?

2. Where do you think this mela is happening?

3. What kind of weather is shown in the image?

People & Activities:

4. What are the children doing in the mela?

5. What are the vendors selling?

6. Why do you think some people are talking on the phone?

7. How do you think the people in the mela are feeling?

8. Why do people visit a mela?

Surroundings & Objects:

9. What rides or swings can you see in the mela?

10. What animals do you notice in the image? What are they doing?

11. What types of vehicles are parked near the mela?

12. How do you think the rain affects the mela?

13. What colours do you notice the most in this image?

Imagination & Experience:

14. If you were in this mela, what would you do �irst?

15. What food items do you think are available at the mela?

16. Have you ever been to a mela? What was your experience like?

17. If you were a vendor at this mela, what would you sell?

18. How do you think the mela will look at night

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 Chapter 50: Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing
Adaptability in Business: Turning Setbacks into Success

1. Narayana Murthy (Infosys) – Bringing IT to the World

In the 1980s, India was not known for its IT industry. But Narayana Murthy saw the potential of
global outsourcing. Despite limited resources, he adapted to the changing technological
landscape and built Infosys, one of India’s largest IT companies. His ability to foresee change
and adjust his business model made India a global IT hub.

2. Karsanbhai Patel (Nirma) – Taking on Industry Giants

In the 1970s, multinational brands like Surf dominated the detergent industry. But Karsanbhai
Patel, a small businessman, adapted to market needs by creating an affordable detergent—
Nirma. He changed his distribution strategy, focused on rural markets, and used innovative
advertising to compete with global brands. His adaptability turned Nirma into a household
name.

3. Falguni Nayar (Nykaa) – From Banking to Beauty

After spending years in investment banking, Falguni Nayar realized that India's beauty industry
was shifting towards e-commerce. She adapted by founding Nykaa, an online beauty
marketplace, at a time when physical stores were the norm. Today, Nykaa is a billion-dollar
company, proving that changing with the times leads to success.

Adaptability in Sports: Reinventing to Stay Relevant

4. Rahul Dravid – From Batsman to Coach

Known as “The Wall” of Indian cricket, Rahul Dravid was a legendary Test batsman. But as T20
cricket became popular, many believed his slow batting style wouldn’t work. Instead of
resisting, he adapted his game, playing key roles in the IPL. Later, he embraced coaching and
developed young talents at the National Cricket Academy. His adaptability ensured his impact
on Indian cricket continued even after retirement.

5. Mary Kom – Fighting Through Challenges

Born in a small village in Manipur, Mary Kom had to �ight societal norms and �inancial struggles
to pursue boxing. When she became a mother, many thought her career was over. But she
adapted her training, made a comeback, and won multiple world championships. Her ability to
adjust to personal and professional challenges made her a global sports icon.

6. Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa – The Chess Prodigy

Indian chess grandmaster Praggnanandhaa has shown remarkable adaptability at a young age.
Competing against world champions like Magnus Carlsen, he constantly adjusts his strategies
and playing style. His ability to learn from losses and re�ine his techniques has made him one of
the brightest chess stars.

Adaptability in Entertainment: Reinventing for Longevity

75
7. Ayushmann Khurrana – Breaking Stereotypes

Many actors struggle to sustain their careers in Bollywood, but Ayushmann Khurrana has
succeeded by adapting. He started as a reality show winner, became a radio jockey, and later
took on unconventional �ilm roles. His willingness to experiment with different genres and
social issues has made him one of India’s most successful actors.

8. Ekta Kapoor – Changing the TV & OTT Game

Once known as the queen of Indian soap operas, Ekta Kapoor saw the decline of traditional
television. Instead of resisting change, she adapted by launching ALTBalaji, a digital streaming
platform. By shifting focus from daily soaps to web series, she stayed relevant in the
entertainment industry.

9. Dr. Devi Shetty – Revolutionizing Healthcare

Cardiac surgeon Dr. Devi Shetty realized that expensive surgeries were out of reach for many
Indians. Instead of following the traditional model, he adapted by introducing low-cost heart
surgeries at Narayana Health. His innovative approach has made world-class healthcare
affordable for thousands.

10. Ritesh Agarwal (OYO) – Adapting to Market Needs

As a young entrepreneur, Ritesh Agarwal noticed a lack of affordable, standardized hotels in

India. He adapted by creating OYO Rooms, a budget hotel chain. Even when the COVID-19
pandemic hit, he adjusted his business model to focus on long-term stays and work-from-hotel
options. His ability to adapt has kept OYO a major player in the hospitality industry.

Lessons from Adaptability

Adaptability is not just about success—it is about survival in an unpredictable world. Here’s
what we can learn from these stories:

• Be open to change – Instead of resisting new trends, �ind ways to use them to your
advantage.
• Learn continuously – The most adaptable people are lifelong learners who upgrade their
skills.
• See failure as a stepping stone – Every setback is an opportunity to improve and grow.
• Stay �lexible – Whether it’s career, business, or personal life, being �lexible helps in
adjusting to circumstances.
Conclusion: Adaptability is the Future

Change is constant, and those who adapt will always have the upper hand. Whether in business,
sports, entertainment, or daily life, success belongs to those who embrace new opportunities
and challenges.

The world is evolving—are you ready to evolve with it?

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 Chapter 51 - Silent Individual Reading
Jack and the Beanstalk: Joseph Jacobs

There was once upon a time a poor widow who had an only son named Jack, and a cow named
Milky-White. And all they had to live on was the milk the cow gave every morning, which they
carried to the market and sold. But one morning Milky-White gave no milk, and they didn't know
what to do.

"What shall we do, what shall we do?" said the widow, wringing her hands.

"Cheer up, mother, I'll go and get work somewhere," said Jack.

"We've tried that before, and nobody would take you," said his mother. "We must sell Milky-
White and with the money start a shop, or something."

"All right, mother," says Jack. "It's market day today, and I'll soon sell Milky-White, and then we'll
see what we can do."

So he took the cow's halter in his hand, and off he started. He hadn't gone far when he met a
funny-looking old man, who said to him, "Good morning, Jack."

"Good morning to you," said Jack, and wondered how he knew his name.

"Well, Jack, and where are you off to?" said the man.

"I'm going to market to sell our cow there."

"Oh, you look the proper sort of chap to sell cows," said the man. "I wonder if you know how
many beans make �ive."

"Two in each hand and one in your mouth," says Jack, as sharp as a needle.

"Right you are," says the man, "and here they are, the very beans themselves," he went on, pulling
out of his pocket a number of strange-looking beans. "As you are so sharp," says he, "I don't mind
doing a swap with you -- your cow for these beans."

"Go along," says Jack. "Wouldn't you like it?"

"Ah! You don't know what these beans are," said the man. "If you plant them overnight, by
morning they grow right up to the sky."

"Really?" said Jack. "You don't say so."

"Yes, that is so. And if it doesn't turn out to be true you can have your cow back."

"Right," says Jack, and hands him over Milky-White's halter and pockets the beans.

Back goes Jack home, and as he hadn't gone very far it wasn't dusk by the time he got to his door.

"Back already, Jack?" said his mother. "I see you haven't got Milky-White, so you've sold her. How
much did you get for her?"

"You'll never guess, mother," says Jack.

"No, you don't say so. Good boy! Five pounds? Ten? Fifteen? No, it can't be twenty."

77
"I told you you couldn't guess. What do you say to these beans? They're magical. Plant them
overnight and -- "

"What!" says Jack's mother. "Have you been such a fool, such a dolt, such an idiot, as to give away
my Milky-White, the best milker in the parish, and prime beef to boot, for a set of paltry beans?
Take that! Take that! Take that! And as for your precious beans here they go out of the window.
And now off with you to bed. Not a sup shall you drink, and not a bit shall you swallow this very
night."

So Jack went upstairs to his little room in the attic, and sad and sorry he was, to be sure, as much
for his mother's sake as for the loss of his supper.

At last he dropped off to sleep.

When he woke up, the room looked so funny. The sun was shining into part of it, and yet all the
rest was quite dark and shady. So Jack jumped up and dressed himself and went to the window.
And what do you think he saw? Why, the beans his mother had thrown out of the window into
the garden had sprung up into a big beanstalk which went up and up and up till it reached the
sky. So the man spoke truth after all.

The beanstalk grew up quite close past Jack's window, so all he had to do was to open it and give
a jump onto the beanstalk which ran up just like a big ladder. So Jack climbed, and he climbed,
and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed till at last he
reached the sky. And when he got there he found a long broad road going as straight as a dart.
So he walked along, and he walked along, and he walked along till he came to a great big tall
house, and on the doorstep there was a great big tall woman.

"Good morning, mum," says Jack, quite polite-like. "Could you be so kind as to give me some
breakfast?" For he hadn't had anything to eat, you know, the night before, and was as hungry as
a hunter.

"It's breakfast you want, is it?" says the great big tall woman. "It's breakfast you'll be if you don't
move off from here. My man is an ogre and there's nothing he likes better than boys broiled on
toast. You'd better be moving on or he'll be coming."

"Oh! please, mum, do give me something to eat, mum. I've had nothing to eat since yesterday
morning, really and truly, mum," says Jack. "I may as well be broiled as die of hunger."

Well, the ogre's wife was not half so bad after all. So she took Jack into the kitchen, and gave him
a hunk of bread and cheese and a jug of milk. But Jack hadn't half �inished these when thump!
thump! thump! the whole house began to tremble with the noise of someone coming.

"Goodness gracious me! It's my old man," said the ogre's wife. "What on earth shall I do? Come
along quick and jump in here." And she bundled Jack into the oven just as the ogre came in.

He was a big one, to be sure. At his belt he had three calves strung up by the heels, and he
unhooked them and threw them down on the table and said, "Here, wife, broil me a couple of
these for breakfast. Ah! what's this I smell?

Fee-�i-fo-fum,
I smell the blood of an Englishman,

78
Be he alive, or be he dead,
I'll have his bones to grind my bread."

"Nonsense, dear," said his wife. "You' re dreaming. Or perhaps you smell the scraps of that little
boy you liked so much for yesterday's dinner. Here, you go and have a wash and tidy up, and by
the time you come back your breakfast'll be ready for you."

So off the ogre went, and Jack was just going to jump out of the oven and run away when the
woman told him not. "Wait till he's asleep," says she; "he always has a doze after breakfast."

Well, the ogre had his breakfast, and after that he goes to a big chest and takes out a couple of
bags of gold, and down he sits and counts till at last his head began to nod and he began to snore
till the whole house shook again.

Then Jack crept out on tiptoe from his oven, and as he was passing the ogre, he took one of the
bags of gold under his arm, and off he pelters till he came to the beanstalk, and then he threw
down the bag of gold, which, of course, fell into his mother's garden, and then he climbed down
and climbed down till at last he got home and told his mother and showed her the gold and said,
"Well, mother, wasn't I right about the beans? They are really magical, you see."

So they lived on the bag of gold for some time, but at last they came to the end of it, and Jack
made up his mind to try his luck once more at the top of the beanstalk. So one �ine morning he
rose up early, and got onto the beanstalk, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed, and
he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed till at last he came out onto the road again and up
to the great tall house he had been to before. There, sure enough, was the great tall woman a-
standing on the doorstep.

"Good morning, mum," says Jack, as bold as brass, "could you be so good as to give me something
to eat?"

"Go away, my boy," said the big tall woman, "or else my man will eat you up for breakfast. But
aren't you the youngster who came here once before? Do you know, that very day my man
missed one of his bags of gold."

"That's strange, mum," said Jack, "I dare say I could tell you something about that, but I'm so
hungry I can't speak till I've had something to eat."

Well, the big tall woman was so curious that she took him in and gave him something to eat. But
he had scarcely begun munching it as slowly as he could when thump! thump! they heard the
giant's footstep, and his wife hid Jack away in the oven.

All happened as it did before. In came the ogre as he did before, said, "Fee-�i-fo-fum," and had
his breakfast off three broiled oxen.

Then he said, "Wife, bring me the hen that lays the golden eggs." So she brought it, and the ogre
said, "Lay," and it laid an egg all of gold. And then the ogre began to nod his head, and to snore
till the house shook.

Then Jack crept out of the oven on tiptoe and caught hold of the golden hen, and was off before
you could say "Jack Robinson." But this time the hen gave a cackle which woke the ogre, and just
as Jack got out of the house he heard him calling, "Wife, wife, what have you done with my golden
hen?"

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And the wife said, "Why, my dear?"

But that was all Jack heard, for he rushed off to the beanstalk and climbed down like a house on
�ire. And when he got home he showed his mother the wonderful hen, and said "Lay" to it; and
it laid a golden egg every time he said "Lay."

Well, Jack was not content, and it wasn't long before he determined to have another try at his
luck up there at the top of the beanstalk. So one �ine morning he rose up early and got to the
beanstalk, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed till he got to the top.

But this time he knew better than to go straight to the ogre's house. And when he got near it, he
waited behind a bush till he saw the ogre's wife come out with a pail to get some water, and then
he crept into the house and got into the copper. He hadn't been there long when he heard thump!
thump! thump! as before, and in came the ogre and his wife.

"Fee-�i-fo-fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman," cried out the ogre. "I smell him, wife, I smell
him."

"Do you, my dearie?" says the ogre's wife. "Then, if it's that little rogue that stole your gold and
the hen that laid the golden eggs he's sure to have got into the oven." And they both rushed to
the oven.

But Jack wasn't there, luckily, and the ogre' s wife said, "There you are again with your fee-�i-fo-
fum. Why, of course, it's the boy you caught last night that I've just broiled for your breakfast.
How forgetful I am, and how careless you are not to know the difference between live and dead
after all these years."

So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter, "Well,
I could have sworn --" and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards and everything,
only, luckily, he didn't think of the copper.

After breakfast was over, the ogre called out, "Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp."

So she brought it and put it on the table before him. Then he said, "Sing!" and the golden harp
sang most beautifully. And it went on singing till the ogre fell asleep, and commenced to snore
like thunder.

Then Jack lifted up the copper lid very quietly and got down like a mouse and crept on hands
and knees till he came to the table, when up he crawled, caught hold of the golden harp and
dashed with it towards the door.

But the harp called out quite loud, "Master! Master!" and the ogre woke up just in time to see
Jack running off with his harp.

Jack ran as fast as he could, and the ogre came rushing after, and would soon have caught him,
only Jack had a start and dodged him a bit and knew where he was going. When he got to the
beanstalk the ogre was not more than twenty yards away when suddenly he saw Jack disappear
like, and when he came to the end of the road he saw Jack underneath climbing down for dear
life. Well, the ogre didn't like trusting himself to such a ladder, and he stood and waited, so Jack
got another start.

But just then the harp cried out, "Master! Master!" and the ogre swung himself down onto the
beanstalk, which shook with his weight. Down climbs Jack, and after him climbed the ogre.
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By this time Jack had climbed down and climbed down and climbed down till he was very nearly
home. So he called out, "Mother! Mother! bring me an ax, bring me an ax." And his mother came
rushing out with the ax in her hand, but when she came to the beanstalk she stood stock still
with fright, for there she saw the ogre with his legs just through the clouds.

But Jack jumped down and got hold of the ax and gave a chop at the beanstalk which cut it half
in two. The ogre felt the beanstalk shake and quiver, so he stopped to see what was the matter.
Then Jack gave another chop with the ax, and the beanstalk was cut in two and began to topple
over. Then the ogre fell down and broke his crown, and the beanstalk came toppling after.

What did you understand from the story? Please write 5 or more sentences and share

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Chapter 52 – Presenting: A Detailed Description of the Image

Instructions:

1. Look at the image carefully and observe the details.

2. Take hints from the questions given below to help you think about what to write.

3. Use complete sentences to describe what you see, imagine, or feel about the mela.

4. Write at least 20 sentences based on your observations.

5. Try to use descriptive words and include details like the weather, people, activities, and
surroundings.

6. You can also add your personal experience or thoughts about visiting a mela.

7. After you write your sentences, present your information to the class

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 1. What do you see in the image?
2. How is the weather in the image?
3. What are the children doing in the park?
4. What games are the children playing?
5. What activities are the adults doing?

Surroundings & Objects:

6. What animals can you see in the image?

7. Where is the temple located in the image?
8. What kinds of vehicles can you see?
9. What is the shop selling?

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Details & Imagination:

10. What do you think the children are talking about while playing?
11. What do you think the older people are talking?
12. Why do you think people come to this place?
13. If you were in this place, what would you like to do?

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Chapter 53: Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing

The Power of One-Pointed Focus: The Key to Extraordinary Success

In today’s fast-paced world, distractions are everywhere. With smartphones, social media, and
endless entertainment options, staying focused on a single goal has become more challenging
than ever. However, history proves that those who achieve great success are the ones who
master the art of one-pointed focus—channeling all their energy into one pursuit with
unwavering determination.

What is One-Pointed Focus?

One-pointed focus is the ability to concentrate entirely on a single goal while eliminating
distractions. Unlike multitasking, which divides attention, this approach allows individuals to
master their craft, deepen their knowledge, and achieve extraordinary results. From sports
legends to business tycoons, the power of intense focus has shaped the world’s most
remarkable success stories.

Real-Life Examples of One-Pointed Focus

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1. Hima Das – From a Village Runner to a National Icon

Hima Das, India’s �irst athlete to win a gold medal in a global track event, is a shining example
of one-pointed focus. Born in a small village in Assam, she trained relentlessly despite limited
resources. Her singular dedication to sprinting led her to international glory at the IAAF World
U20 Championships.

2. Dhirubhai Ambani – A Visionary’s Determination

Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance Industries, had one goal—to build India’s biggest
business empire. He started small but remained focused on expanding his company,
revolutionizing India’s industrial sector. His dedication and vision turned Reliance into a global
powerhouse.

3. Mary Kom – Fighting Against All Odds

Mary Kom, a six-time world boxing champion, never let obstacles deter her from success.
Coming from a modest background in Manipur, she trained rigorously, ignoring societal norms
that discouraged women in sports. Her unwavering focus on boxing made her a legend.

4. E. Sreedharan – The Metro Man of India

E. Sreedharan is known for his sharp focus on completing large-scale infrastructure projects on
time. Whether it was the Konkan Railway, the Delhi Metro, or other metro projects across India,
his discipline and single-minded dedication ensured their success.

5. Lata Mangeshkar – A Life Devoted to Music

Lata Mangeshkar’s career, spanning over seven decades, is a testament to the power of focus.
From a young age, she devoted herself entirely to music, training for hours daily and refusing to
settle for anything less than perfection. Her dedication made her the most celebrated playback
singer in Indian history.

6. Sundar Pichai – Rising to Lead Google

Sundar Pichai’s journey from a small town in Tamil Nadu to becoming the CEO of Google
highlights the power of deep focus. He dedicated himself to technology, innovation, and
leadership, continuously re�ining his skills to climb to the top of the corporate world.

7. Neeraj Chopra – Olympic Gold with Relentless Focus

Neeraj Chopra, India’s �irst Olympic gold medalist in track and �ield, spent years perfecting his
javelin throw. His rigorous training, mental discipline, and unwavering focus on improvement
helped him make history at the Tokyo Olympics.

8. Ramoji Rao – The Vision Behind Ramoji Film City

Ramoji Rao, the mastermind behind Ramoji Film City, had a singular focus: to create the world’s
largest �ilm studio complex. His ability to stay committed to his dream led to the development
of an entertainment hub that is globally recognized today.

How to Develop One-Pointed Focus

1. Set a Clear Goal – Know exactly what you want to achieve.

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 2. Eliminate Distractions – Minimize unnecessary activities and avoid multitasking.
3. Follow a Routine – A structured daily plan helps maintain focus.
4. Stay Resilient – Accept setbacks as part of the journey and keep moving forward.
5. Practice Deep Work – Devote uninterrupted time to mastering your skill.
Conclusion: The Key to Extraordinary Success

The most successful people in the world don’t try to do everything at once—they dedicate
themselves to excelling in one area. Whether in business, sports, or the arts, the ability to focus
deeply has been the de�ining factor in their success. By training the mind to block out
distractions and commit fully to a single pursuit, anyone can unlock their true potential and
achieve greatness.

What will you focus on today.

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Chapter 54 - Silent Individual Reading

The Storyteller: HH Munro

It was a hot afternoon, and the train carriage was very warm. The next station, Templecombe,
was almost an hour away. Inside the carriage, there were three children: a small girl, a smaller
girl, and a small boy. Their aunt sat in one corner, while a man—a bachelor—sat in the opposite
corner. The children, however, seemed to take up the whole space with their energy.

The aunt and the children kept talking. The aunt often said, "Don't!" while the children kept
asking, "Why?" The bachelor remained silent.

"Don't, Cyril, don't!" said the aunt as the small boy hit the seat cushions, sending up clouds of
dust.

"Come look out of the window," she suggested.

Cyril moved slowly to the window. "Why are those sheep leaving the �ield?" he asked.

"Maybe they are going to another �ield with more grass," said the aunt, not very con�idently.

"But there’s lots of grass in that �ield!" Cyril argued. "Nothing but grass!"

"Maybe the other �ield has better grass," she replied.

"Why is it better?" Cyril asked immediately.

"Oh, look at those cows!" the aunt said, trying to change the subject.

The bachelor frowned, growing more irritated. The aunt thought he was a cold, unfriendly man.
But she had no good answer about the grass.

The smaller girl started reciting a poem, "On the Road to Mandalay." But she only knew the �irst
line. She repeated it again and again, loudly and dreamily, as if she had made a bet to say it two
thousand times without stopping. The bachelor wished she would lose the bet.

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"Come, listen to a story," the aunt said, trying to distract them.

The children walked over to her without much excitement. It seemed they didn’t expect a good
story from her.

She started telling a simple and rather boring story about a good little girl who made many
friends because of her kindness. One day, a wild bull chased her, but people saved her because
they liked her good character.

"Wouldn’t they have saved her if she wasn’t good?" asked the bigger girl.

"Well, yes," the aunt admitted, "but they wouldn’t have run as fast to help her."

"That’s the silliest story I’ve ever heard," said the bigger girl �irmly.

"I stopped listening after the beginning. It was so boring," said Cyril.

The smaller girl just continued murmuring her poem line.

The bachelor suddenly spoke: "You’re not a very good storyteller."

The aunt stiffened. "It’s not easy to tell a story that children like and understand."

"I disagree," said the bachelor.

"Then maybe you should tell them a story," she said sharply.

"Tell us a story!" the bigger girl demanded.

"Once upon a time," the bachelor began, "there was a little girl named Bertha who was extremely
good."

The children almost lost interest, thinking it was just another boring story.

"She always obeyed, told the truth, kept her clothes clean, ate her food without complaining,
and was very polite."

"Was she pretty?" asked the bigger girl.

"Not as pretty as you," said the bachelor, "but she was terribly good."

The children were suddenly interested. "Terribly good" was something new.

"Because she was so good, she won three medals—one for obedience, one for punctuality, and
one for good behavior. She always wore them, and they clinked together when she walked.
Everyone knew she was the best child in town."

"Terribly good," repeated Cyril.

"Even the Prince heard about her goodness. He decided that, since she was so well-behaved, she
could walk in his beautiful park once a week. No other children were allowed, so it was a great
honor."

"Were there sheep in the park?" Cyril asked.

"No," said the bachelor.

"Why not?" came the immediate question.

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The aunt smiled, happy that someone else was struggling with their endless "why" questions.

"Because," said the bachelor, "the Prince’s mother once dreamed that her son would die because
of a sheep or a falling clock. So, there were no sheep in the park or clocks in the palace."

"Did the Prince die from a sheep or a clock?" Cyril asked.

"He’s still alive, so we don’t know yet," the bachelor replied. "Anyway, there were no sheep, but
many little pigs running everywhere."

"What color were they?"

"Black with white faces, white with black spots, all black, grey with white patches, and some
were completely white."

The children loved this answer. The bachelor continued:

"Bertha felt a little foolish because she had promised her aunts not to pick any �lowers, but there
were no �lowers to pick!"

"Why not?"

"Because the pigs had eaten them all. The gardeners told the Prince he could have either pigs or
�lowers, and he chose pigs."

The children laughed. The aunt looked annoyed.

"There were also gold�ish in the ponds, trees full of talking parrots, and tiny hummingbirds that
sang popular songs. Bertha enjoyed herself and thought, ‘If I weren’t so terribly good, I wouldn’t
be allowed in this park.’ Her medals clinked as she walked."

"Then," the bachelor continued, "a huge, �ierce wolf entered the park. It was looking for a fat
little pig for dinner. But the �irst thing it saw was Bertha."

"What color was it?" asked the children, now completely involved.

"Mud-colored, with a black tongue and pale grey eyes that shone with hunger."

Bertha’s bright white dress made her easy to spot. She ran as fast as she could and hid in a bush.
The wolf sniffed the air but couldn’t �ind her because the bushes smelled too strong.

"Just as the wolf was about to leave, he heard a little sound—clink, clink, clink! It was Bertha’s
medals! The wolf ran straight into the bushes and pulled her out. He ate her up completely. All
that was left were her shoes, her torn dress, and the three medals for goodness."

"What about the pigs?" asked the children.

"They all escaped," said the bachelor.

"The story started badly," said the smaller girl, "but it had a wonderful ending."

"The best story I’ve ever heard!" said the bigger girl.

"The only good story I’ve ever heard!" added Cyril.

The aunt, however, was furious. "That was an awful story! You have ruined my efforts to teach
them proper values."

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The bachelor smiled as he gathered his things. "At least," he said, "I kept them quiet for ten
minutes, which is more than you did."

As he left the train, he thought to himself, "Poor woman! For the next six months, those children
will keep asking her for an improper story!"

What did you understand from the story? Please write 5 or more sentences and share

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Chapter 55 – Presenting: My Favorite Person

Introduction:
• Who is your favorite person?
• How do you know them?
• Why is this person special to you?
Basic Information:
• Where is this person from?
• What does he/she do? (Job, role, relation)
• How old is he/she?
Personality and Traits:
• What are some qualities you like about this person?
• How does he/she treat others?
• What makes him/her different from others?
Hobbies and Interests:
• What are his/her hobbies?

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 • What does he/she enjoy doing in free time?
• Do you have any common interests with this person?
Special Memory:
• What is a special moment you shared with this person?
• What is something he/she taught you?
• How did this person help or support you in a dif�icult time?
Why He/She is Your Favorite:
• What do you admire most about this person?
• How has he/she in�luenced you?
• What have you learned from him/her?
Conclusion:
• How do you feel when you are with this person?
• What do you hope to do together in the future?
• Why is he/she important in your life?

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 Chapter 56: Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing
Excellence is not just about achieving success; it is about consistently striving to improve,
setting higher standards, and refusing to settle for mediocrity. Whether in academics, sports,
business, or any �ield, those who achieve true excellence are the ones who dedicate themselves
to continuous learning, discipline, and perseverance.
What is Excellence?
Excellence is the commitment to being the best version of oneself. It is not about being perfect
but about constantly improving and pushing boundaries. Unlike success, which can be
temporary, excellence is a lifelong journey—an attitude, a habit, and a way of life.
Real-Life Examples of Excellence
1. Falguni Nayar – Excellence in Entrepreneurship
Falguni Nayar, the founder of Nykaa, is a remarkable example of entrepreneurial excellence.
Leaving a high-pro�ile job in investment banking, she took a risk and built one of India's leading
beauty and lifestyle platforms. Through innovation, customer-centric strategies, and
perseverance, she transformed Nykaa into a billion-dollar brand, proving that excellence comes
from passion and determination.
2. PV Narasimha Rao – Excellence in Economic Reforms
As India’s Prime Minister in the early 1990s, PV Narasimha Rao played a key role in opening
India’s economy. His focus on economic excellence led to liberalization, foreign investments, and
the rise of India as a global economic force. His visionary leadership continues to impact the
nation’s progress.
3. Satyajit Ray – Excellence in Cinema
Satyajit Ray, one of India’s greatest �ilmmakers, dedicated his life to creating world-class cinema.
His �ilms, such as Pather Panchali, were internationally acclaimed and set new benchmarks in
storytelling and cinematography. His pursuit of artistic excellence made Indian cinema
respected worldwide.
4. Vishy Anand – Excellence in Chess
Viswanathan Anand, India’s �irst Chess Grandmaster, demonstrated exceptional mastery in the
game. His deep understanding, quick thinking, and ability to stay calm under pressure helped
him become a �ive-time World Chess Champion. His excellence inspired a generation of Indian
chess players.
5. Pullela Gopichand – Excellence in Coaching
Pullela Gopichand, a former badminton champion, chose to dedicate his life to coaching after
retiring. He built one of India’s �inest badminton academies, training world-class players like PV
Sindhu and Saina Nehwal. His excellence as a mentor has shaped India’s dominance in
international badminton.
6. Nambi Narayanan – Excellence Against All Odds
Nambi Narayanan, the ISRO scientist who was falsely accused of espionage, never gave up his
pursuit of excellence in space research. Despite facing immense hardship, he continued working
on India’s cryogenic engine technology, which later played a crucial role in the success of ISRO’s
space missions.
The Key Elements of Excellence

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 1. Passion and Commitment – Excellence requires a deep love for one’s work and an
unwavering commitment to improvement.
2. Continuous Learning – Every great achiever embraces lifelong learning, adapting to new
challenges and innovations.
3. Discipline and Hard Work – Success is temporary without discipline, but excellence is
permanent with consistent effort.
4. Resilience and Grit – Setbacks and failures are part of the journey. Those who achieve
excellence learn from their mistakes and keep moving forward.
5. High Standards – Excellence is about never settling for average and always striving for
something better.
Excellence is a mindset, not a destination. It is about pushing limits, challenging oneself, and
making every effort count. Whether in work, studies, or personal growth, striving for excellence
brings out the best in us. Are you ready to embark on your journey toward excellence?

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Chapter 57 - Silent Individual Reading

Awaken The Giant Within Summary
Any time you sincerely want to make a change, the first thing you must do is to raise your standards
and believe you can meet them.
We must change our belief system and develop a sense of certainty that we can and will meet the
new standards before we actually do.
In life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know.
In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It’s not
what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.
It’s in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.
Not only do you have to decide what results you are committed to, but also the kind of person that
you’re committed to becoming.
If you don’t set a baseline standard for what you’ll accept in your life, you’ll find it’s easy to slip
into behaviours and attitudes or a quality of life that’s far below what you deserve.
If you truly decide to, you can do almost anything.
“The Ultimate Success Formula,” which is an elementary process for getting you where you want to
go:
Decide what you want;
Take action;
Notice what’s working or not; and
Change your approach until you achieve what you want.
Making a true decision means committing to achieving a result and then cutting yourself off from
any other possibility.
The three decisions that control your destiny are:
Your decisions about what to focus on
Your decisions about what things mean to you
Your decisions about what to do to create the results you desire
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It’s likely that whatever challenges you have in your life currently could have been avoided by
some better decisions upstream.
Your Master System comprises five components:
Your core beliefs and unconscious rules
Your life values
Your references
The habitual questions that you ask yourself
The emotional states you experience in each moment
By changing any one of the five elements—whether it’s a core belief or rule, a value, a reference, a
question, or an emotional state—you can immediately produce a powerful and measurable change
in your life.
Success is the result of good judgment. Good judgment is the result of experience, and experience is
often the result of bad judgment.
In order to succeed, you must have a long-term focus.
God’s delays are not God’s denials.
Often, what seems impossible in the short term becomes very possible in the long term if you
persist.
Remember the true power of making decisions.
Realize that the hardest step in achieving anything is making a true commitment—a true decision.
A critical rule I’ve made for myself is never to leave the scene of a decision without first taking a
specific action toward its realization.
Make decisions often and learn from them.
When experiencing a problem, ask yourself, “What’s good about this? What can I learn from this?”
Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.
Know that it’s your decisions, and not your conditions, that determine your destiny.
Everything you and I do, we do either out of our need to avoid pain or our desire to gain pleasure.
For most people, the fear of loss is much greater than the desire for gain.
Why is it that people can experience pain yet fail to change? They haven’t experienced enough pain
yet; they haven’t hit what Robbins calls emotional threshold.
If we link massive pain to any behavior or emotional pattern, we will avoid indulging in it at all
costs.
It’s our neuro-associations— the associations we’ve established in our nervous systems—that
determine what we’ll do.
Any time we’re in an intense emotional state when we’re feeling strong sensations of pain or
pleasure, anything unique that occurs consistently will become neurologically linked.
Most of us base our decisions about what to do on what’s going to create pain or pleasure in the
short term instead of the long term.

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It’s not actual pain that drives us, but our fear that something will lead to pain. And it’s not actual
pleasure that drives us, but our belief—our sense of certainty—that somehow taking a certain action
will lead to pleasure.
We’re not driven by reality but by our perception of reality.
Remember, anything you want that’s valuable requires that you break through some short-term pain
in order to gain long-term pleasure.
It’s not the events of our lives that shape us but our beliefs as to what those events mean.
It’s never the environment; it’s never the events of our lives, but the meaning we attach to the
events—how we interpret them—that shapes who we are today and who we’ll become tomorrow.
Beliefs are the guiding force that tells us what will lead to pain and what will lead to pleasure.
Whenever something happens in your life, your brain asks two questions:
Will this mean pain or pleasure?
What must I do now to avoid pain and/or gain pleasure?
The challenge is threefold:
Most of us do not consciously decide what we’re going to believe
Often our beliefs are based on misinterpretation of past experiences
Once we adopt a belief, we forget it’s merely an interpretation.
Global beliefs are the giant beliefs we have about everything in our lives: beliefs about our
identities, people, work, time, money, and life itself, for that matter.

These giant generalizations are often phrased as is/am/are: “Life is…” “I am…” “People are …”

If you can think of an idea as being like a tabletop with no legs, you’ll have a fair representation of
why an idea doesn’t feel as certain as a belief. Without any legs, that tabletop won’t even stand up
by itself. Belief, on the other hand, has legs. If you really believe, “I’m sexy,” how do you know
you’re sexy? Isn’t it true that you have some references to support the idea—some experiences in
life to back it up? Those are the legs that make your tabletop solid, that make your belief certain.
Sometimes we gather references through information we get from other people or from books,
tapes, movies, and so on. And sometimes, we form references based solely on our imagination.
The strongest and most solid legs are formed by personal experiences that we have a lot of emotion
attached to because they were painful or pleasurable experiences.
If you develop the absolute sense of certainty that powerful beliefs provide, then you can get
yourself to accomplish virtually anything, including those things that other people are certain are
impossible.
The most effective way is to get your brain to associate massive pain with the old belief.
New experiences trigger change only if they cause us to question our beliefs. Remember, whenever
we believe something, we no longer question it in any way.
If you question anything enough, eventually, you’ll begin to doubt it.
I’ve classified beliefs into three categories: opinions, beliefs, and convictions.

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An opinion is something we feel relatively certain about, but the certainty is only temporary
because it can be changed easily.
A belief, on the other hand, is formed when we begin to develop a much larger base of reference
legs, and, especially, reference legs about which we have strong emotions.
A conviction, however, eclipses a belief primarily because of the emotional intensity a person links
to an idea. A person holding a conviction does not only feel certain but gets angry if their
conviction is even questioned. A person with a conviction is unwilling to ever question their
references, even for a moment; they are totally resistant to new input, often to the point of
obsession.
Someone with a conviction is so passionate about their belief that they’re even willing to risk
rejection or make a fool of themselves for the sake of their conviction.
So how can you create a conviction?
Start with the basic belief
Reinforce your belief by adding new and more powerful references
Then find a triggering event, or else create one of your own. Associate yourself fully by asking,
“What will it cost me if I don’t?” Ask questions that create emotional intensity for you.
Finally, take action. Each action you take strengthens your commitment and raises the level of your
emotional intensity and conviction.
The way to expand our lives is to model the lives of those people who are already succeeding. It’s
just a matter of asking questions: “What do you believe makes you different? What are the beliefs
you have that separate you from others?”

At the end of each day, Tony asks himself these questions:

What have I learned today?
What did I contribute or improve?
What did I enjoy?
NAC is a step-by-step process that can condition your nervous system to associate pleasure with
those things you want to continuously move toward and pain with those things you need to avoid in
order to succeed consistently in your life without constant effort or willpower.
We all want to change either 1) how we feel about things or 2) our behaviors.
There are three specific beliefs about responsibility that a person must have if they’re going to
create long-term change:
First, we must believe, “Something must change”—not that it should change, not that it could or
ought to, but that it absolutely must.
Second, we must not only believe that things must change, but we must believe, “I must change it.”
Third, we have to believe, “I can change it.”
Each time we experience a significant amount of pain or pleasure, our brains search for the cause
and record it in our nervous systems to enable us to make better decisions about what to do in the
future.
Any time you experience significant amounts of pain or pleasure, your brain immediately searches
for the cause. It uses the following three criteria.

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Your brain looks for something that appears to be unique.
Your brain looks for something that seems to be happening simultaneously.
Your brain looks for consistency.
We often blame the wrong cause and thereby close ourselves off from possible solutions.
The difference between acting badly or brilliantly is not based on your ability but on the state of
your mind and/or body at any given moment.
Emotion is created by motion.
Focus on where you want to go, not on what you fear.
Our ability to change the way we feel depends upon our ability to change our sub modalities.
You’ve got to be in a determined state in order to succeed.
I began to realize that thinking itself is nothing but the process of asking and answering questions.
Quality questions create a quality life.
A genuine quality of life comes from consistent, quality questions.
Questions accomplish three specific things:

Questions immediately change what we’re focusing on and, therefore how we feel
Questions change what we delete
Questions change the resources available to us
You and I can change how we feel in an instant just by changing our focus.
One of the ways that I’ve discovered to increase the quality of my life is to model the habitual
questions of people I really respect.
The words you habitually choose also affect how you communicate with yourself and, therefore,
what you experience.
People with an impoverished vocabulary live an impoverished emotional life; people with rich
vocabularies have a multi-hued palette of colors with which to paint their experience, not only for
others but for themselves as well.
Simply by changing your habitual vocabulary—the words you consistently use to describe the
emotions of your life—you can instantaneously change how you think, how you feel, and how you
live.
If we want to change our lives and shape our destiny, we need to consciously select the words we’re
going to use, and we need to constantly strive to expand our level of choice.
Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible—the foundation for all success
in life.
All goal setting must be immediately followed by both the development of a plan and massive and
consistent action toward its fulfillment.
It’s not just getting a goal that matters, but the quality of life you experience along the way.
Remember, our goal is not to ignore the problems of life but to put ourselves in better mental and
emotional states where we can not only come up with solutions but act upon them.

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We must remember that all decision-making comes down to values clarification.
The only way for us to have long-term happiness is to live by our highest ideals and to consistently
act in accordance with what we believe our life is truly about.
Many people know what they want to have but have no idea of who they want to be.
Remember that your values—whatever they are—are the compass that is guiding you to your
ultimate destiny.
Anytime you have difficulty making an important decision, you can be sure that it’s the result of
being unclear about your values.
To value something means to place importance upon it; anything that you hold dear can be called a
“value.”
So often, people are too busy pursuing means values that they don’t achieve their true desire: their
ends values.
The hierarchy of your values is controlling the way you make decisions in each moment.
We must remember, then, that any time we make a decision about what to do, our brain first
evaluates whether that action can possibly lead to either pleasurable or painful states.
Most of us have created numerous ways to feel bad and only a few ways to truly feel good.
How do we know if a rule empowers or disempowers us? There are three primary criteria:
It’s a disempowering rule if it’s impossible to meet
A rule is disempowering if something that you can’t control determines whether your rule has been
met or not.
A rule is disempowering if it gives you only a few ways to feel good and lots of ways to feel bad.
Once we design our values, we must decide what evidence we need to have before we give
ourselves pleasure. We need to design rules that will move us in the direction of our values, that
will clearly be achievable, using criteria we can control personally so that we’re ringing the bell
instead of waiting for the outside world to do it.

If you ever feel angry or upset with someone, remember it’s your rules that are upsetting you, not
their behavior.
The “must” and the “must never” rules are threshold rules; the “should” and “should never” rules
are personal standard rules.
Design your rules so that you’re in control so that the outside world is not what determines whether
you feel good or bad. Set it up so that it’s incredibly easy for you to feel good and incredibly hard to
feel bad.
The larger the number and greater the quality of our references, the greater our potential level of
choices. A larger number and greater quality of references enable us to more effectively evaluate
what things mean and what we can do.
Once again, it’s not our references but our interpretations of them, the way we organize them—that
clearly determine our beliefs.

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The key is to expand the references that are available within your life. Consciously seek out
experiences that expand your sense of who you are and what you’re capable of, as well as organize
your references in empowering ways.
The way we use our references will determine how we feel because whether something is good or
bad is all based on what you’re comparing it to.
You are not even limited to your own personal experiences as references. You can borrow the
references of other people.
Limited references create a limited life. If you want to expand your life, you must expand your
references by pursuing ideas and experiences that wouldn’t be a part of your life if you didn’t
consciously seek them out.
We all will act consistently with our views of who we truly are, whether that view is accurate or
not.
As we develop new beliefs about who we are, our behavior will change to support the new identity.
If you’ve repeatedly attempted to make a particular change in your life, only to continually fall
short, invariably, the challenge is that you were trying to create a behavioral or emotional shift that
was inconsistent with your belief about who you are.

What did you understand from the story? Please write 5 or more sentences and share

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 Chapter 58 – Presenting: Three Objects, Three Stories
Instructions for Your Presentation

Step 1: Choose Three Objects

Think of three objects that are special in your life. These can be:

A gift (e.g., a watch, a book, a ring). Or

A memory (e.g., a shirt from a special trip, an old shoe from a race you won). Or

A useful item (e.g., a pen, a phone, a diary).

Step 2: Prepare Your Speech

For each object, answer these questions:

1. What is it? Name of object, color, size, other details.

2. Where did you get it? Who gave it to you?

3. When did you start using it?

4. Why is it special?

5. Present to the Class

Example:

Today, I want to share three objects that are very special to me. Each of them has a story behind
it.

The �irst object is my blue cotton shirt. I bought it during my �irst trip to Delhi with my friends.
We were walking in the street markets when I found it in a small shop. It was simple but stylish,
and I really liked the colour. My friends and I decided to buy matching shirts as a memory of the
trip. It was a fun experience because we bargained with the shopkeeper and �inally got a good
price. This shirt reminds me of the amazing time I had on that trip. Whenever I wear it, I
remember walking in the busy streets of Delhi, eating delicious street food, and laughing with
my friends. Even though the shirt is old, I still keep it because it brings back those happy
memories.

The second object is my black fountain pen. I received it as a gift from my English teacher when
I was in school. My teacher gave it to me after I won a writing competition. She told me she
believed in my writing skills and hoped the pen would help me write more great stories. This
pen is special because it reminds me of that moment. It was the �irst time I felt truly con�ident
in my writing. Every time I use this pen; I remember my teacher’s encouragement. Even though
I have many other pens, I still keep this one safely in my drawer and use it for important things.

The last object is my grandfather’s golden wristwatch. He gave it to me before he passed away.
He always wore this watch and took great care of it. One day, he handed it to me and said, "Time
is the most valuable thing in life. Never waste it." This watch reminds me of my grandfather.
Whenever I wear it, I feel connected to him. Even though the watch is old, I still wear it on special
occasions because it makes me feel proud. It is more than just a watch—it is a reminder of my
grandfather.
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These three objects are important to me: my blue shirt, my black pen, and my grandfather’s
golden watch. Each of them tells a story, and I am happy to share them with you today. Thank
you for listening!

Write your story and present to the class.

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 Chapter 59: Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing
Life of a News Anchor: Beyond the Camera

As a student, I have always been fascinated by the way news anchors present information so
con�idently on TV. They speak �luently, look professional, and seem to know everything about
current events. But is their job as easy as it looks? When I started researching the life of a news
anchor, I realized that their work goes far beyond reading from a teleprompter. Their job is full
of challenges, hard work, and a deep sense of responsibility.

Starting the Day Early

Unlike many of us who wake up and slowly start our day, a news anchor’s day begins early—
sometimes before sunrise! They have to be well-prepared before they go on air, so their
mornings start with reading newspapers, checking social media, and discussing news updates
with their team. They need to be aware of everything happening around the world because they
will be the ones informing millions of viewers.

If they are hosting a morning news show, they might reach the newsroom as early as 4 AM!
While most of us are still asleep, they are already getting their scripts ready, talking to reporters,
and preparing interviews. Some news anchors even have to travel to different locations to
report live from important events. Their day is �illed with research, rehearsals, and discussions
with producers and editors to ensure that the news is accurate and well-presented.

The Pressure of Live TV

One of the most exciting—but also the most dif�icult—parts of being a news anchor is that most
of their work is live. That means there is no second chance. If they make a mistake, forget a fact,
or mispronounce a word, the entire country will see it.

They must also be quick thinkers. If an unexpected news event happens during the show, they
have to stay calm, listen to their producers through an earpiece, and smoothly transition to
breaking news. Sometimes, they have to ask tough questions in interviews and make sure they
get clear answers from politicians, experts, or celebrities. News anchors also need to control
their emotions, as they often report on tragedies, disasters, and serious political matters while
maintaining professionalism.

More Than Just Reading the News

Many people think that news anchors just read from a teleprompter, but their job is much
more than that. They are responsible for:

• Researching and verifying news to ensure accuracy.

• Writing or editing scripts for smooth delivery.

• Interviewing guests and making discussions engaging.

• Handling breaking news and unexpected situations live on air.

• Maintaining a professional image, even during stressful moments.

• Building trust with their audience by delivering reliable and unbiased information.

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Just like students must study before an exam, news anchors must study every day to stay
updated and knowledgeable. They need excellent communication skills and must be able to
simplify complex news stories so that everyone can understand them.

Facing Challenges with a Smile

The life of a news anchor is not always glamorous. They face challenges such as:

• Long working hours – Many anchors work late nights or early mornings, often
sacri�icing personal time.

• Public scrutiny – Since they are always on screen, people notice every mistake,
mispronunciation, or biased statement.

• Handling criticism – They receive feedback from viewers, and not all of it is positive.
They need thick skin to deal with negative comments.

• Balancing emotions – Some news stories are heartbreaking, like natural disasters or
tragic accidents. Anchors must report such news without letting emotions affect their
performance.

• Dealing with unexpected situations – Sometimes, a guest may say something

controversial, or technical problems may occur during a live broadcast. News anchors
must remain calm and professional at all times.

Despite these dif�iculties, many anchors love their jobs because of the positive impact they can
have on society.

What Can Students Learn from News Anchors?

News anchors develop many important skills that can be useful for students as well. Some key
lessons include:

1. Con�idence and Public Speaking – The way news anchors speak can teach us how to
communicate clearly and con�idently.

2. Being Well-Informed – Staying updated on current events makes us smarter and helps
us in discussions and debates.

3. Handling Pressure Gracefully – Just like anchors deal with live TV pressure, we can
learn to stay calm during exams or presentations.

4. Hard Work and Dedication – Success comes with preparation, discipline, and constant
learning.

5. Good Communication Skills – Whether it's a school project or a future career, knowing
how to present ideas clearly is an important skill.

6. Time Management – News anchors have strict schedules and deadlines, teaching us the
importance of managing our time wisely.

The Rewarding Side of the Job

Despite the challenges, being a news anchor is an exciting and impactful career. They have the
power to inform, educate, and inspire millions of people every day. They help shape public

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opinion, give a voice to the voiceless, and bring attention to important issues. Beyond just
reading the news, anchors play a crucial role in investigating stories, asking tough questions,
and holding leaders accountable. Their ability to stay calm under pressure, think on their feet,
and connect with audiences makes them a trusted source of information.

For students who love public speaking, storytelling, and staying informed, the life of a news
anchor can be an inspiring path to follow. It may not be easy, but it is de�initely a career full of
excitement, learning, and responsibility. The fast-paced environment keeps them constantly
engaged, and the opportunity to interact with experts, politicians, and everyday citizens adds
depth to their work.

Most importantly, news anchors have the privilege of making a real difference in society. By
covering stories that matter, they can in�luence change, raise awareness about global and local
issues, and inspire action. Whether reporting on breaking news or sharing heartwarming
human-interest stories, they play a vital role in keeping the world informed and connected.
Their words have the power to shape opinions, spark conversations, and even change lives.

Although the job comes with stress, long hours, and constant learning, the impact they make on
society makes it all worthwhile. For those who have a passion for storytelling, journalism, and
making a difference, becoming a news anchor is one of the most exciting careers to pursue

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Chapter 60 - Silent Individual Reading

The Sel�ish Giant: Oscar Wilde

Every afternoon, as they were coming from school, the children used to go and play in the Giant's
garden.
It was a large lovely garden, with soft green grass. Here and there over the grass stood beautiful
�lowers like stars, and there were twelve peach-trees that in the spring-time broke out into
delicate blossoms of pink and pearl, and in the autumn bore rich fruit. The birds sat on the trees
and sang so sweetly that the children used to stop their games in order to listen to them. "How
happy we are here!" they cried to each other.
One day the Giant came back. He had been to visit his friend the Cornish ogre, and had stayed
with him for seven years. After the seven years were over, he had said all that he had to say, for
his conversation was limited, and he determined to return to his own castle. When he arrived,
he saw the children playing in the garden.
"What are you doing here?" he cried in a very gruff voice, and the children ran away.
"My own garden is my own garden," said the Giant; "anyone can understand that, and I will allow
nobody to play in it but myself." So, he built a high wall all round it, and put up a notice-board.

TRESPASSERS
WILL BE
PROSECUTED

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He was a very sel�ish Giant.
The poor children had now nowhere to play. They tried to play on the road, but the road was
very dusty and full of hard stones, and they did not like it. They used to wander round the high
wall when their lessons were over, and talk about the beautiful garden inside. "How happy we
were there," they said to each other.
Then the Spring came, and all over the country there were little blossoms and little birds. Only
in the garden of the Sel�ish Giant it was still winter. The birds did not care to sing in it as there
were no children, and the trees forgot to blossom. Once a beautiful �lower put its head out from
the grass, but when it saw the notice-board it was so sorry for the children that it slipped back
into the ground again, and went off to sleep. The only people who were pleased were the Snow
and the Frost. "Spring has forgotten this garden," they cried, "so we will live here all the year
round." The Snow covered up the grass with her great white cloak, and the Frost painted all the
trees silver. Then they invited the North Wind to stay with them, and he came. He was wrapped
in furs, and he roared all day about the garden, and blew the chimney-pots down. "This is a
delightful spot," he said, "we must ask the Hail on a visit." So, the Hail came. Every day for three
hours he rattled on the roof of the castle till he broke most of the slates, and then he ran round
and round the garden as fast as he could go. He was dressed in grey, and his breath was like ice.
"I cannot understand why the Spring is so late in coming," said the Sel�ish Giant, as he sat at the
window and looked out at his cold white garden; "I hope there will be a change in the weather."
But the Spring never came, nor the Summer. The Autumn gave golden fruit to every garden, but
to the Giant's garden she gave none. "He is too sel�ish," she said. So, it was always Winter there,
and the North Wind, and the Hail, and the Frost, and the Snow danced about through the trees.
One morning the Giant was lying awake in bed when he heard some lovely music. It sounded so
sweet to his ears that he thought it must be the King's musicians passing by. It was really only a
little linnet singing outside his window, but it was so long since he had heard a bird sing in his
garden that it seemed to him to be the most beautiful music in the world. Then the Hail stopped
dancing over his head, and the North Wind ceased roaring, and a delicious perfume came to him
through the open casement. "I believe the Spring has come at last," said the Giant; and he jumped
out of bed and looked out.
What did he see?
He saw a most wonderful sight. Through a little hole in the wall the children had crept in, and
they were sitting in the branches of the trees. In every tree that he could see there was a little
child. And the trees were so glad to have the children back again that they had covered
themselves with blossoms, and were waving their arms gently above the children's heads. The
birds were �lying about and twittering with delight, and the �lowers were looking up through
the green grass and laughing. It was a lovely scene, only in one corner it was still winter. It was
the farthest corner of the garden, and in it was standing a little boy. He was so small that he
could not reach up to the branches of the tree, and he was wandering all round it, crying bitterly.
The poor tree was still quite covered with frost and snow, and the North Wind was blowing and
roaring above it. "Climb up! little boy," said the Tree, and it bent its branches down as low as it
could; but the boy was too tiny.
And the Giant's heart melted as he looked out. "How sel�ish I have been!" he said; "now I know
why the Spring would not come here. I will put that poor little boy on the top of the tree, and
then I will knock down the wall, and my garden shall be the children's playground for ever and
ever." He was really very sorry for what he had done.

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So, he crept downstairs and opened the front door quite softly, and went out into the garden.
But when the children saw him, they were so frightened that they all ran away, and the garden
became winter again. Only the little boy did not run, for his eyes were so full of tears that he did
not see the Giant coming. And the Giant stole up behind him and took him gently in his hand,
and put him up into the tree. And the tree broke at once into blossom, and the birds came and
sang on it, and the little boy stretched out his two arms and �lung them round the Giant's neck,
and kissed him. And the other children, when they saw that the Giant was not wicked any longer,
came running back, and with them came the Spring. "It is your garden now, little children," said
the Giant, and he took a great axe and knocked down the wall. And when the people were going
to market at twelve o’clock, they found the Giant playing with the children in the most beautiful
garden they had ever seen.
All day long they played, and in the evening, they came to the Giant to bid him good-bye.
"But where is your little companion?" he said: "the boy I put into the tree." The Giant loved him
the best because he had kissed him.
"We don't know," answered the children; "he has gone away."
"You must tell him to be sure and come here to-morrow," said the Giant. But the children said
that they did not know where he lived, and had never seen him before; and the Giant felt very
sad.
Every afternoon, when school was over, the children came and played with the Giant. But the
little boy whom the Giant loved was never seen again. The Giant was very kind to all the children,
yet he longed for his �irst little friend, and often spoke of him. "How I would like to see him!" he
used to say.
Years went over, and the Giant grew very old and feeble. He could not play about any more, so
he sat in a huge armchair, and watched the children at their games, and admired his garden. "I
have many beautiful �lowers," he said; "but the children are the most beautiful �lowers of all."
One winter morning he looked out of his window as he was dressing. He did not hate the Winter
now, for he knew that it was merely the Spring asleep, and that the �lowers were resting.
Suddenly he rubbed his eyes in wonder, and looked and looked. It certainly was a marvellous
sight. In the farthest corner of the garden was a tree quite covered with lovely white blossoms.
Its branches were all golden, and silver fruit hung down from them, and underneath it stood the
little boy he had loved.
Downstairs ran the Giant in great joy, and out into the garden. He hastened across the grass, and
came near to the child. And when he came quite close his face grew red with anger, and he said,
"Who hath dared to wound thee?" For on the palms of the child's hands were the prints of two
nails, and the prints of two nails were on the little feet.
"Who hath dared to wound thee?" cried the Giant; "tell me, that I may take my big sword and
slay him."
"Nay!" answered the child; "but these are the wounds of Love."
"Who art thou?" said the Giant, and a strange awe fell on him, and he knelt before the little child.
And the child smiled on the Giant, and said to him, "You let me play once in your garden, to-day
you shall come with me to my garden, which is Paradise."
And when the children ran in that afternoon, they found the Giant lying dead under the tree, all
covered with white blossoms.

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 Chapter 61 - Presenting: A Day in the Life of My Future Self
1. Introduction

• What will you be doing?

• Where will you live?

• What will be your daily routine?

2. Morning Routine (Optional, but adds realism)

• How do you start your day?

• What do you do before work/study?

3. My Workplace

• Describe your workplace.

• What are your responsibilities?

• How much do you earn?

• What kind of colleagues and friends do you have?

4. Family and Social Life

• Who do you live with?

• What does your future house look like?

• Where is your house located?

• How do you spend your weekends?

• What are your hobbies and interests?

5. Future Goals

• How much money do you want to earn?

• What are three things you will do with that money?

• What is your biggest dream?

6. Conclusion

• Why are you excited about your future?

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 Chapter 62: Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing
Famous Failures

Success does not come easily. Many of India’s most famous personalities struggled, failed, and
faced rejection before achieving greatness. Their stories prove that failure is not the end, but a
step towards success.
1. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam – Failed to Become a Pilot, Became the Missile Man of India
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born into a poor �ishing family in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. His
childhood was full of struggles—he sold newspapers to support his education. His biggest
dream was to become a pilot, but he failed the Air Force entrance exam.
Instead of giving up, he worked harder in aerospace engineering. He became a scientist, played
a key role in India’s missile programs, and later became the President of India. His life teaches
us that if one door closes, another opportunity will open—but only if we keep working hard.
2. Rajpal Yadav – From Extreme Poverty to Bollywood Star
Rajpal Yadav, one of India’s most loved comedians and actors, was born in a small village in Uttar
Pradesh. His family was very poor, and he struggled to make ends meet. He had a strong passion
for acting, but his short height and unconventional looks led to rejections in Bollywood.
Despite facing constant struggles, he never gave up. He started with small theatre roles, worked
tirelessly, and �inally got a break in Bollywood. Today, he is known as one of the best comedians
in Indian cinema. His journey shows that your background or appearance doesn’t de�ine your
success—your talent and hard work do.
3. Nawazuddin Siddiqui – From a Watchman to a Bollywood Star
Nawazuddin Siddiqui was born in Budhana, a small village in Uttar Pradesh. His family was poor,
and he worked as a watchman to survive in Mumbai. For years, he was rejected by Bollywood
directors because of his looks and rural background.
But Nawazuddin did not give up. He worked in small roles for over 12 years before �inally getting
a big break. Today, he is one of the most respected actors in Bollywood, proving that talent and
hard work matter more than background.
4. Ratan Tata – Faced Failure Before Making Tata a Global Brand
Ratan Tata took over Tata Group in 1991, but his journey was full of challenges. When he
launched the Tata Indica car, it was a failure. His company lost money, and many people
criticized him.
But instead of giving up, he improved the car and launched Tata Nano, the world’s cheapest car.
Later, he even bought Jaguar and Land Rover, two of the biggest car brands in the world. His
story teaches us that failure is just a temporary setback if we keep trying.
5. Arunima Sinha – Lost a Leg, Climbed Mount Everest
Arunima Sinha was a national-level volleyball player when a terrible incident changed her life.
In 2011, thieves pushed her off a moving train, and she lost her left leg. Most people thought her
life was over.
But Arunima refused to accept defeat. She decided to climb Mount Everest with an arti�icial leg.
After years of training, she became the �irst female amputee in the world to reach the summit
of Everest. Her story shows that no physical challenge can stop a determined person.
6. Amitabh Bachchan – Rejected for His Voice, Became the Voice of India

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Amitabh Bachchan is now one of India’s biggest superstars, but his early life was full of failures.
He was rejected by All India Radio because his voice was considered “too heavy.” He entered
Bollywood, but his �irst 12 �ilms failed.
He had no money and was almost bankrupt. But he never lost hope. His �ilm Zanjeer became a
hit, and his career changed forever. Today, his deep voice is one of his greatest strengths, and he
is respected across India.
7. P.V. Sindhu – Faced Defeats Before Becoming a Champion
P.V. Sindhu, India’s �irst female Olympic silver medalist in badminton, had many losses in her
early career. She trained hard for years, but often lost in international tournaments. Many
people doubted if she could ever win big.
But Sindhu never gave up. She continued practicing, learned from her failures, and �inally won
silver at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and gold at the World Championship in 2019. Her story
proves that success comes to those who don’t stop after failure.
8. Devi Prasad Shetty – Failed in School, Became a Top Heart Surgeon
Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, one of India’s best heart surgeons, was a below-average student in
school. His teachers thought he wouldn’t achieve much in life. But he had a dream of becoming
a doctor.
Through hard work and dedication, he became a pioneer in heart surgeries and founded
Narayana Health, which provides low-cost heart surgeries for the poor. His story teaches that
school marks don’t decide your future—your passion and hard work do.
9. Sachin Tendulkar – Dropped from His First Cricket Team
As a young boy, Sachin Tendulkar wanted to play cricket, but he was once dropped from his
school team. Many people thought he was too short to become a great batsman.
But he practiced harder than ever. By the age of 16, he was playing for India, and he went on to
become the greatest cricketer in history, breaking countless records. His story shows that
rejection should make you stronger, not weaker.
Lessons for Rural Students
These stories prove that failure is not the end. Here’s what we can learn:
Success is possible, no matter where you come from – Many of these people were from small
villages or poor families, but they still achieved greatness.
Hard work beats talent – Even if you are not the best today, you can become the best with
practice.
Rejection is part of the journey – Every great person has faced failure and rejection, but they
didn’t stop trying.
Believe in your dreams – People will doubt you, but your belief in yourself is what matters most.
Turn failure into learning – Instead of feeling sad about failure, use it to grow stronger and try
again.
Conclusion
Failure is not the opposite of success—it is a step towards success. These famous Indians faced
rejection, struggles, and losses, but they kept moving forward. If they can do it, so can you.
No matter where you are today, your future is in your hands. Keep learning, keep trying, and
never give up—because your success story is waiting to be written

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 Chapter 63 - Silent Individual Reading
The Two Brothers by Leo Tolstoy

Two brothers set out on a journey together. At noon they lay down in a forest to rest. When they
woke up, they saw a stone lying next to them. There was something written on the stone, and
they tried to make out what it was.

"Whoever �ind this stone," they read, "let him go straight into the forest at sunrise. In the forest
a river will appear; let him swim across the river to the other side. There he will �ind a she-bear
and her cubs. Let him take the cubs from her and run up the mountain with them, without once
looking back. On the top of the mountain, he will see a house, and in that house, he will �ind
happiness."

When they had read what was written on the stone, the younger brother said: "Let us go
together. We can swim across the river, carry off the bear cubs, take them to the house on the
mountain, and together �ind happiness. "I am not going into the forest after bear cubs," said the
elder brother, "and I advise you not to go.

In the �irst place, no one can know whether what is written on this stone is the truth --perhaps
it was written in jest. It is even possible that we have not read it correctly.

In the second place, even if what is written here is the truth -- suppose we go into the forest and
night comes, and we cannot �ind the river. We shall be lost. And if we do �ind the river, how are
we going to swim across it? It may be broad and swift.

In the third place, even if we swim across the river, do you think it is an easy thing to take her
cubs away from the she-bear? She will seize us, and, instead of �inding happiness, we shall
perish, and all for nothing.

In the fourth place, even if we succeeded in carrying off the bear cubs, we could not run up a
mountain without stopping to rest.

And, most important of all, the stone does not tell us what kind of happiness we should �ind in
that house. it may be that the happiness awaiting us there is not at all the sort of happiness we
would want."

"In my opinion," said the younger brother, "you are wrong. What is written on the stone could
not have been put there without reason. And it is all perfectly clear.

In the �irst place, no harm will come to us if we try.

In the second place, if we do not go, someone else will read the inscription on the stone and �ind
happiness, and we shall have lost it all.

In the third place, if you do not make an effort and try hard, nothing in the world will succeed.

In the fourth place, I should not want it thought that I was afraid of anything."

The elder brother answered him by saying, "The proverb says: 'In seeking great happiness small
pleasures may be lost.’ And also: ‘A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.’"

The younger brother replied, "I have heard: ‘He who is afraid of the leaves must not go into the
forest.’ And also: ‘Beneath a stone no water �lows.
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The younger brother set off, and the elder remained behind.

No sooner had the younger brother gone into the forest, than he found the river, swam across
it, and there on the other side was the she-bear, fast asleep.

He took her cubs, and ran up the mountain without looking back.

When he reached the top of the mountain the people came out to meet him with a carriage to
take him into the city, where they made him their king. He ruled for �ive years.

In the sixth year, another king, who was stronger than he, waged war against him. The city was
conquered, and he was driven out.

Again, the younger brother became a wanderer, and he arrived one day at the house of the elder
brother. The elder brother was living in a village and had grown neither rich nor poor.

The two brothers rejoiced at seeing each other, and at once began telling of all that had
happened to them.

"You see, said the elder brother, "I was right. Here I have lived quietly and well, while you, though
you may have been a king, have seen a great deal of trouble,"

"I do not regret having gone into the forest and up the mountain,’ replied the younger brother.

"I may have nothing now, but I shall always have something to remember, while you have no
memories at all."

What did you understand from the story? Please write 5 or more sentences and share

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Chapter 64 - Presenting: What Would I Do After Winning ₹1 Crore on KBC?
Key Points for the Presentation

1. Introduction

o How would I feel after winning ₹1 crore?

o What will be my �irst reaction? Who will I call �irst?

o What will I do immediately after winning?

2. How Will I Spend the Money?

o Family & Personal Life – Helping parents, building a house, traveling, or buying
something special.

o Education & Career – Higher studies, learning a new skill, or starting a business.

o Investment & Savings – Fixed deposits, stocks, or gold.

o Charity & Helping Others – Donating to schools, helping villagers, or supporting

a cause.

o Fun & Experiences – Dream vacations, meeting a celebrity, or buying a luxury

item.

3. The Smartest Decision I Will Make with the Money

o Instead of spending all at once, how can I use it wisely for long-term success?

4. Conclusion

o How will this money change my life?

o Will I still work hard after winning, or will I retire?

5. What are 3 things I will do with this money for my village and why?

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 Chapter 65: Long Read Aloud in Small Groups, Discovery and Sharing
Let’s start with a very simple question.

Have you ever been super motivated for something, made a big plan, felt excited—and then
one week later, you were back to your old habits?

Don’t worry. You’re not alone. This happens to almost everyone.

Why?

Because we are all taught to dream big, but we are not taught how to work daily.

Today, I want to talk about two types of effort people put into their goals:

1. The "one big push" – a moment of high energy, excitement, motivation

2. The "long, boring hard work" – the slow, daily effort that looks simple but builds
success

Let’s compare them. Not with theory, but with real, simple examples from daily life.

The "One Big Push" — Emotional, Loud, Temporary

Let me give you an example.

You decide to clean your entire room. One day, suddenly, you feel motivated.
You start early in the morning. You clean, rearrange, wash clothes. You even play music to feel
good.

But after 6 hours, you get tired. You leave some clothes lying on the bed. You say, “I’ll do it
tomorrow.”

Now the next day, you’re not in the mood. And the day after, the mess starts again.

Sound familiar?

This is the “dhakka maar” motivation — one big emotional push.

It feels great while it lasts. But it doesn’t build habits.

Here’s another one.

You fall into the mud while walking. Your clothes are dirty.
What will you do?

Will you say, “Now that I’m dirty, let me lie here all day in the mud”?

Of course not.

You’ll get up, go home, wash your clothes, and clean yourself.

But when we make one mistake in life, we do the opposite.

We say:

• “I missed one class, now what’s the use of attending?”

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 • “I broke my diet, now let me eat 4 samosas.”

• “I didn’t study today, let me watch Net�lix all day.”

Why do we behave differently with our life goals than with our clothes?

Because we are addicted to all-or-nothing thinking.

The Power of Long, Boring Hard Work

Now let’s talk about the other kind of work.

It’s not shiny. It’s not exciting. It doesn’t make for a good Instagram story.

It’s boring. Silent. Repetitive.

It’s showing up every day:

• Even when you’re tired

• Even when you don’t see results

• Even when nobody is watching

It’s like brushing your teeth. Nobody claps when you do it.
But if you don’t, your teeth rot. If you do, over years, you maintain your health.

This kind of work is called discipline. And discipline beats motivation every time.

Let me give you a few more examples.

Real-Life Examples

Example 1: Learning English

You attend a class and feel motivated. You decide to practice for 3 hours that day.

The next day, you’re tired. You practice for 15 minutes. Then slowly, you stop.

Now imagine a student who practices English 20 minutes every single day for 6 months.

Who will improve more?

The one who gave a “big push” for a few days?

Or the one who did a small amount daily?

Obviously, the second one.

Example 2: Fitness

Imagine two people.

One goes to the gym and works out for 5 hours in one day. He feels great. He posts a sel�ie.
But then he gets muscle pain and doesn’t go again for 3 weeks.

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The other person walks 30 minutes every day. Rain or shine. No sel�ie. No show-off.

Six months later — who is healthier? Who has more stamina?

The second one. The consistent one.

Because real change is not made by big moves. It’s made by small, daily actions.

Example 3: Savings and Money

Let’s say you earn 15,000 rupees a month. You think, “What will I save from this small
amount?”

So you save nothing.

But another person saves just 20 rupees a day. That’s 600 a month. 7,200 a year.
And in 5 years, over 36,000 — with interest.

Not bad, right?

That’s the power of consistency. Small drops make the ocean.

Example 4: Writing a Book

You say, “I want to write a book!”

You write 10 pages in one night. Then you get busy. You stop.

But what if you just wrote one page every day?

In 100 days, you’d have 100 pages. In 200 days, a full novel.

Simple. Quiet. Powerful.

Why Don’t We Do It?

Because consistency is boring.

Nobody praises you for waking up early.

Nobody claps when you study every night.
No one gives you a medal for making small progress.

But let me ask you — do you want praise or results?

Because those who quietly work every day get results.

And those who wait for motivation keep waiting.

Discipline Is Like Brushing Your Teeth

Let’s go back to brushing.

Do you ever say, “I’m not in the mood to brush today. Let me brush for 2 hours on Sunday”?
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No.

Because you know the rule:

Every day, a little bit, keeps your teeth healthy.

Life is the same.

Every day, a little bit of effort keeps your goals alive.

If you treat learning, health, and personal growth like brushing — small, daily, automatic —
you win.

Final Thoughts: Be the Tortoise, Not the Hare

The tortoise didn’t win the race because he was fast.

He won because he didn’t stop.

In life, too, those who don’t stop win.

Even if they are slow. Even if they fail.
They just get up and keep going.

So today, make a small promise to yourself.

Not a big goal. Just one small promise.

Like:

• I will practice English 15 minutes a day

• I will write one sentence in my journal

• I will walk for 20 minutes

• I will save 10 rupees a day

Then do it. Every day. Without excuse. Without motivation.

Just like brushing.

Because big change begins with small habits.

And the ones who win in life?

Are not the ones who dream loud, but the ones who work quietly, daily.

If this speech made sense to you, don’t clap. Don’t just say “Wow.”
Do something. Start something. Keep going.

Even if you fall in the mud, get up. Wash your clothes. Keep walking.
Don’t lie there and say, “What’s the use?”

Because life is not about never falling.

It’s about getting up every single time

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 New words I have Discovered
Word Meaning Word Meaning

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