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Question
Kahlil Gibran states ‘Forgetfulness is a form of freedom.’ Write an article for your school magazine, linking your ideas logically and giving appropriate examples.
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Solution
Forgetting is deemed by many people leading prosaic lives as a mistake or an inefficiency of mind. But in reality, forgetfulness is freedom. Osho is right in his opinion of forgetfulness. In fact, it liberates painful memories and unpleasant things. We need to “let go” of painful memories of the past and be free to aspire for better things in life. Robert Frost in his poem, “Let go” talks about mediocre person’s inability to let go of things that hurt them. The capacity to forget hurtful memories is a real blessing.
If the human mind does not have the capacity to forget, life would be miserable for every one of us. The human mind is such a wonderful machine that it retains what is most important for personal or professional growth and allows the other things to slip away from the bank of memory. But young ones should remember to remember important assignments, deadlines for submission of homework, examination timetables, and hall tickets before leaving for examination.
To assist memory we can have a checklist before leaving for school. It is often said, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” So, my dear friends, I appeal to you to love whatever work you do. The brain retains in memory whatever you do with great passion, love, and involvement. For a successful life, a strong memory is indispensable. So, cultivate a strong memory. However, I appeal to you to forget failures, betrayals, and hurts to grow into a happy and healthy person.
“Sometimes we survive by forgetting.”
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RELATED QUESTIONS
In India, the number of women pursuing careers in sports is considerably less, when compared to men. What do you think are the reasons? Discuss with a partner and share the ideas with the class.
Regardless of the challenges faced, some women have achieved great success in the field of sports. Here is a list of Indian women celebrities who are accomplished in the field of sports and games. Match their names with the sports or games they are associated with, by drawing lines. One has been done for you as an example.
| Names of personalities | Sports / Games | |
| PV Sindhu | golf | |
| Geeta Phogat | weightlifting | |
| Koneru Humpy | swimming | |
| Karnam Malleshwari | badminton | |
| Anjali Bhagwat | cricket | |
| Sania Mirza | hockey | tennis |
| Dipika Pallikal | archery | |
| Bula Choudhury | athletics | |
| P.T. Usha | wrestling | |
| Saba Anjum Karim | chess | |
| Akanksha Singh | shooting | |
| Mithali Raj | basketball | |
| Sharmila Nicollet | squash | |
| Deepika Kumari | tennis |
How forgetful are you?
Name a few things that a person remembers easily.
What is the commonest type of forgetfulness, according to Lynd?
What are the articles the writer forgets most often?
What are our memories filled with?
The list of articles lost in trains suggest that sportsmen have worse memories than their ordinary serious-minded fellows. Why does Lynd say this?
You have borrowed a branded cricket bat from your reluctant friend for an outstation match. After returning home you realize you have absent-mindedly left it in the hotel room. Write a letter of apology and regret to your friend.
Many of us have unused, old but valuable items at home. If we wish to get rid of them, we can sell them at an auction. Items like paintings, jewels, household articles, vehicles, even houses can be auctioned.
The flowchart below will help you understand how an auction is conducted.

Why was the author sure he would not be caught?
What made the author ignore his friend’s warning?
What came as a shock to the author?
What made the friend laugh heartily?
What kind of excuses did the narrator think he could make?
How does the narrator describe the man who approached him?
The narrator would not forget two things about his friend. What are they?
What is the difference between a physical and mental tight corner?
Why did the narrator visit Christie’s?
The narrator heard his own voice saying, ‘and fifty’. What does this suggest?
Trace the thoughts that went on in the mind of the narrator when picture after picture was put up and sold at the auction.
Work in pairs. Look at the mind map below and add a few other features of democracy you can think of. Share your answers with the class.
- e.g. sharing and caring
What was the role of scholars and poets in olden days?
‘Wisdom was meant for the mansion, not for the marketplace’ -What does this statement signify?
Students are instilled with some of the essential values and skills while at the universities. Enumerate them.
What did Bryson wish to avoid in his life?
As a fellow passenger of Bill Bryson on the flight, make a diary entry describing his clumsy behaviour during the trip and the inconveniences caused to others as a result of his nervousness.
