Understanding
A. Answer the following questions.
- Where were the Raos travelling to and why?
The Raos were travelling to Belgaum because their son Puneet got admission to the Belgaum Medical College. - Pick out words/expressions that show that Puneet did not like the instructions his parents were giving him.
Expressions like “The young boy seemed uncomfortable with all the attention, especially in front of a stranger, but he reluctantly obeyed and answered them” show that Puneet did not like the instructions his parents were giving him. - Pick out whatever bits of information you can from the story to show that the Raos were ‘well-off’. One of them is: They normally travelled by air or by IInd AC.
- They normally travelled by air or II AC.
- The family had a huge tiffin carrier with an elaborate meal, table mats, steel plates, and even a dessert for train travel.
- The mother was ready to rent a house in Belgaum for five years for Puneet’s comfort.
- They lived in Bangalore and owned land in Tumkur district.
- The father is a CA (Chartered Accountant) and the mother has an MA.
- In the beginning, the Raos were not very keen to talk to the writer, who was travelling in the same compartment as they. But later they were eager to talk to her. Why?
Initially, they were reserved because she was a stranger. When they found out the writer belonged to Belgaum and knew about the college and town, they became eager to talk to her as they wanted more information helpful for Puneet. - The writer says, ‘It is difficult time for parents, but it is also inevitable. How long can you keep birds in cages when their wings are strong and they are ready to fly?’ What does she mean and why does she say all this?
She means that although it is hard for parents to let their children go, children must eventually become independent and live their own lives. Parents cannot always keep children protected like birds in a cage because, at some point, children need to use their wings and fly on their own. - ‘Our choice is his choice,’ says one of Puneet’s parents. What does it tell you about the parents’ attitude towards Puneet?
It shows that Puneet’s parents believe they know what is best for him and make all the important decisions for him, without considering his likes or interests. They do not let him make his own choices. - ‘The gentleman switched off the light without even waiting for any reply,’ says the writer. Why did the gentleman switch off the light? And what does it tell you about his attitude towards fellow passengers?
He switched off the light because his son cannot sleep with the light on. He did not consider the comfort or needs of the other passengers, showing that he only cared about his own family’s comfort and not about others. - ‘Puneet will never be a confident person,’ says the writer. Why does she say this?
The writer says this because Puneet’s parents make all decisions for him, do not allow him independence, and overprotect him. As a result, he does not get opportunities to build confidence or solve his own problems. - Who was the other boy the writer met in the train? What impression did the writer form of him when she saw him in the other compartment?
The other boy was Sharad. The writer found him self-confident, friendly, energetic, willing to talk, and able to mix easily with people. He looked happy and independent, in contrast to Puneet. - Sharad claims that he grew up like a tree in a forest, whereas the writer calls Puneet a stunted bonsai. A bonsai is a small tree grown in a pot and prevented from growing to its normal size. Discuss in your group the way the two boys have grown up. Which one, according to you, is the better way?
Sharad grew up freely, learning many skills, mixing with others, and making his own decisions. Puneet grew up protected and controlled, with no real independence. Growing up like Sharad is better because it helps build confidence, skills, and the ability to face challenges. - How does Sharad define freedom? What according to him are the limits beyond which freedom is not good?
Sharad defines freedom as being able to choose your own life, pursue your interests, and enjoy what you like, as long as it is not harmful to yourself or to society. He believes that true freedom should never hurt you or others.
B. Table: Similarities and Contrasts between Puneet and Sharad
Similarities
- Both are medical students, going to Belgaum.
- Both are only children to their parents.
- Both have caring and loving parents.
Contrasts
- Sharad travelling alone; Puneet accompanied by his parents.
- Sharad is self-confident and full of energy, and willing to talk; Puneet is shy, uncomfortable, and reserved.
- Sharad is an all-rounder, interested in music, sports, social activities, can swim, was in NCC; Puneet’s activities are mostly chosen by his parents, and he is not encouraged to try new things independently.
- For Puneet, all the decisions are taken by his parents; Sharad makes his own decisions.
- Both have working parents; but one of Puneet’s parents (his mother) left her job to take care of him.
- Sharad is from a village near Kolar; Puneet is from the city of Bangalore.
- Puneet’s parents are overprotective and controlling; whereas Sharad’s parents are supportive and give him freedom.
- Sharad has taken a loan to finance his studies; whereas Puneet’s studies are financed by his parents.
- Sharad has travelled alone many times; whereas Puneet has never travelled alone before.
B. Using Over- and Under- as Prefixes
Given words: paid | age | weight | crowded | joyed | sight | sea | populated | head | ground
Over-:
- overpaid
- overweight
- overcrowded
- overjoyed
- oversee
- overpopulated
- overhead
Under-:
- underpaid
- underage
- underweight
- underground
- underpopulated
- undersea
- underfed
- underlined
- undersight
Grammar: Reported Speech
Rewrite the conversation between Sharad and the writer in reported speech:
Direct Speech:
- ‘How did you do in your exam?’ I asked.
- ‘I think I did fairly well. I got a seat in Belgaum Medical College,’ said Sharad.
- ‘Is it not very expensive?’
- ‘It is expensive. But I have taken a loan from a bank. I will replay the loan once I start working.’
- ‘What is the most important thing for you in life?’
- ‘It is freedom to choose one’s own life.’
Reported Speech:
I asked Sharad how he had done in his exam. Sharad replied that he thought he had done fairly well and that he had got a seat in Belgaum Medical College. I asked him if it was not very expensive. He answered that it was expensive but he had taken a loan from a bank and would repay the loan once he started working. I asked him what was the most important thing in his life. He replied that it was freedom to choose one’s own life.
