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प्रश्न
Imagine that you are the fellow pilgrim and you wish to share your experience of the incident in the poem.
Write a short article about it for a magazine/journal. Also, convey what change it has brought in your life.
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उत्तर
THE TURNING POINT
There are certain incidents in one's life which have an impact on a person and prove to be a turning point in their lives. Let me narrate the incident which shook me awake.
I was on a hike in some hilly places when I had to cross a deep ravine which had a gushing river flowing through it. I managed to cross without any difficulty; to my surprise, an old man ahead of me also crossed it nimbly. As I was about to continue on my way, I saw the old man turn back and build a rough bridge across the water. It took a lot of effort and I stood by wondering. Finally, I asked him, “Sir, it is late evening, and you are not likely to cross this way again. Why are you building a bridge now?”
The old man's answer floored me. “You confused child,” he said with a smile. “I have completed my journey - true. But behind me is a young boy who is inexperienced. He will soon reach this chasm, and he may have difficulty in crossing it. I am building this bridge to help him.”
I stood still, amazed at the generosity and unselfishness of the old man, who was putting in the time and effort to help someone he did not even know. He was building a bridge that he would never ever cross. This incident left an indelible mark · on my mind. Since that time, I always try to help others, even though it may not be beneficial to me in any way. However, it gives me something immeasurable - peace and happiness. Try it out, won't you?
संबंधित प्रश्न
Why does the poet use repetition in the poem?
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
For some time Mother had greatly envied us our swimming, both in the daytime and at night, but as she pointed out when we suggested she join us, she was far too old for that sort of thing. Eventually, however, under constant pressure from us, Mother paid a visit into town and returned to the villa coyly bearing a mysterious parcel. Opening this she astonished us all by holding up an extraordinary shapeless garment of black cloth, covered from top to bottom with hundreds of frills and pleats and tucks.
‘Well, what do you think of it?’ Mother asked.
We stared at the odd garment and wondered what it was for.
‘What is it?’ asked Larry at length.
‘It’s a bathing-costume, of course,’ said Mother. “What on earth did you think it was?’ ‘It looks to me like a badly-skinned whale,’ said Larry, peering at it closely.
You can’t possibly wear that, Mother,’ said Margo, horrified, Shy, it looks as though it was made in nineteen-twenty.’
‘What are all those frills and things for?’ asked Larry with interest.
‘Decoration, of course,’ said Mother indignantly.
‘What a jolly idea! Don’t forget to shake the fish out of them when you come out of the water.’
‘Well, I like it, anyway,’ Mother said firmly, wrapping the monstrosity up again, ‘and I’m going to wear it.’
‘You’ll have to be careful you don’t get waterlogged, with all that cloth around you,’ said Leslie seriously.
‘Mother, it’s awful; you can’t wear it,’ said Margo. ‘Why on earth didn’t you get something more up to date?’
‘ When you get to my age, dear, you can’t go around in a two-piece bathing suit… you don’t have the figure for it.’
‘I’d love to know what sort of figure that was designed for,’ remarked Larry.
‘You really are hopeless, Mother,’ said Margo despairingly.
‘But I like it… and I’m not asking you to wear it,’ Mother pointed out angrily.
‘That’s right, you do what you want to do,’ agreed Larry; ‘don’t be put off. It’ll probably suit you very well if you can grow another three or four legs to go with it.’
Mother snorted indignantly and swept upstairs to try on her costume. Presently she called to us to come and see the effect, and we all trooped up to the bedroom. Roger the dog, was the first to enter, and on being greeted by this strange apparition clad in its voluminous black costume rippling with frills, he retreated hurriedly through the door, backward, barking ferociously. It was some time before we could persuade him that it really was Mother, and even then he kept giving her vaguely uncertain looks from the corner of his eye. However, in spite of all opposition, Mother stuck to her tent-like bathing- suit, and in the end we gave up.
In order to celebrate her first entry into the sea we decided to have a moonlight picnic down at the bay, and sent an invitation to Theodore, who was the only stranger that Mother would tolerate on such a great occasion. The day for the great immersion arrived, food and wine were prepared, the boat was cleaned out and filled with cushions and everything was ready when Theodore turned up.
One word answers or short phrases will be accepted.
- peering
- ferociously
- immersion
(b) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
- Why did mother not join the swimming in the beginning?
- Briefly describe her swimming costume.
- What did Larry think it was?
- Which sentence tells you that Margo thought it was old fashioned?
- What was Leslie’s concern?
- Why did mother think it was suitable?
(c)
(i) In not more than 60 words describe what happened after mother went upstairs to try on her costume.
(ii) Give a title to your summary in 3 (c) (i). Give a reason to justify your choice.
Discuss the following statement in groups of four.
“The landscape is an inner one, a spiritual and conceptual space.”
How does Mammachi stand out as an independent resilient woman in the text?
Imagine that you are one of the soldiers from 18 Grenadiers on the mission Tiger Hill. Narrate your experience of the war to your friend.
You are a volunteer in your locality to serve people who are affected by floods. How will you caution them to move to a safer place taking only their bare necessities? Describe.
Reference to context.
Draw pictures of the speakers of the above lines.
Imagine that you will go to the bookshop tomorrow. What will you do there? Write five sentences beginning with –
- I shall______
- I shall______
- I shall______
- I shall______
- I shall______
Discuss the following and write the summary of your discussion in the form of bullet points.
- How are certain ideas/customs/knowledge passed on from one generation to the next?
- Is it necessary for children to follow the footsteps of their forefathers? If yes, why? Why is it sometimes necessary to change the old ways?
Imagine someone has invited your family to a programme and you were the only person at home when the invitation was given orally.
Write a note (4-5 lines) to pass on the message to the other people in your family. Or, Write an imaginary conversation in which you pass on the message to your parents.
