NCERT Textbook - Home And Abroad | EVS for Class 4 PDF Download

 Page 1


Today, there was a lot of activity at Maalu’s house. Chittappan
and his family were coming home after five years. Five years
ago Chittappan had got a job in the capital city of United Arab
Emirates (UAE) called Abu Dhabi. Since then he had lived there.
Maalu and her Appa went to the airport to receive them.
After the plane landed, the passengers had to wait for some
time to collect their luggage. At last Chittappan, Kunjamma and
their two children could be seen coming out. “How big Shanta
and Sashi have grown,” Appa said.
Soon the many suitcases and bags were fitted into the taxi
and everyone was on the way to Maalu’s house.
“Shanta, you must be very tired after your long journey, Appa
told me that Abu Dhabi is far from India,” said Maalu.
For the teacher: Chittappan – Father’s younger brother in Malayalam.
Kunjamma – Father’s younger brother’s wife in Malayalam.
2024-25
Page 2


Today, there was a lot of activity at Maalu’s house. Chittappan
and his family were coming home after five years. Five years
ago Chittappan had got a job in the capital city of United Arab
Emirates (UAE) called Abu Dhabi. Since then he had lived there.
Maalu and her Appa went to the airport to receive them.
After the plane landed, the passengers had to wait for some
time to collect their luggage. At last Chittappan, Kunjamma and
their two children could be seen coming out. “How big Shanta
and Sashi have grown,” Appa said.
Soon the many suitcases and bags were fitted into the taxi
and everyone was on the way to Maalu’s house.
“Shanta, you must be very tired after your long journey, Appa
told me that Abu Dhabi is far from India,” said Maalu.
For the teacher: Chittappan – Father’s younger brother in Malayalam.
Kunjamma – Father’s younger brother’s wife in Malayalam.
2024-25
Looking Around
192
“We are not tired. Even though it is far, our flight took only
two hours,” said Shanta. “The plane flies very fast.”
Maalu was surprised. She remembered that when she had
gone on a school trip to Chennai, they had spent almost 12
hours in the train. And on the map, Kochi and Chennai seemed
quite near. Maalu, Shanta and Sashi chatted all the way home
from the airport. Maalu remembered how much fun she had on
her school trips. She wanted Shanta to tell them all about her
trip from Abu Dhabi.
Dust All Around! Dust All Around! Dust All Around! Dust All Around! Dust All Around!
“Did you see many interesting
things from the plane?” asked
Maalu.
“Most of the time we saw only
clouds because the plane was
flying so high, even higher than
the clouds,” said Shanta. “But
before it went so high, we could see that we were flying over
sandy areas. It was sand but the colour of the sand kept
changing – white, brown,
yellow, red, black. We saw
mountains made only of
sand.” “They are called
sand dunes,” added Sashi.
“I have seen sand only at
the seashore,” said Maalu.
“Then you should come
to visit us,” said Chittappan.
2024-25
Page 3


Today, there was a lot of activity at Maalu’s house. Chittappan
and his family were coming home after five years. Five years
ago Chittappan had got a job in the capital city of United Arab
Emirates (UAE) called Abu Dhabi. Since then he had lived there.
Maalu and her Appa went to the airport to receive them.
After the plane landed, the passengers had to wait for some
time to collect their luggage. At last Chittappan, Kunjamma and
their two children could be seen coming out. “How big Shanta
and Sashi have grown,” Appa said.
Soon the many suitcases and bags were fitted into the taxi
and everyone was on the way to Maalu’s house.
“Shanta, you must be very tired after your long journey, Appa
told me that Abu Dhabi is far from India,” said Maalu.
For the teacher: Chittappan – Father’s younger brother in Malayalam.
Kunjamma – Father’s younger brother’s wife in Malayalam.
2024-25
Looking Around
192
“We are not tired. Even though it is far, our flight took only
two hours,” said Shanta. “The plane flies very fast.”
Maalu was surprised. She remembered that when she had
gone on a school trip to Chennai, they had spent almost 12
hours in the train. And on the map, Kochi and Chennai seemed
quite near. Maalu, Shanta and Sashi chatted all the way home
from the airport. Maalu remembered how much fun she had on
her school trips. She wanted Shanta to tell them all about her
trip from Abu Dhabi.
Dust All Around! Dust All Around! Dust All Around! Dust All Around! Dust All Around!
“Did you see many interesting
things from the plane?” asked
Maalu.
“Most of the time we saw only
clouds because the plane was
flying so high, even higher than
the clouds,” said Shanta. “But
before it went so high, we could see that we were flying over
sandy areas. It was sand but the colour of the sand kept
changing – white, brown,
yellow, red, black. We saw
mountains made only of
sand.” “They are called
sand dunes,” added Sashi.
“I have seen sand only at
the seashore,” said Maalu.
“Then you should come
to visit us,” said Chittappan.
2024-25
Home and Abroad
193
“The countries around
Abu Dhabi are located in a
desert area. Even if one
drives a little away from the
city, one can see miles and
miles of sand – no trees, no
greenery – just sand.”
“I used to dream of the
thick greenery and cool
water around our home in
Kerala,” said Kunjamma. “I am so happy to see all this after
such a long time.”
“The children have almost forgotten how it feels when it
rains. You know it almost never rains in desert areas,” said
Chittappan. “Water is really very precious over there. No rain,
no rivers, no lakes, no ponds. Even below the ground there is
no water.” “But,” added Sashi, “there is a lot of oil under the
sandy soil. So petrol is easily available in these countries.” “In
fact petrol is cheaper than water,” said Chittappan.
By this time the taxi had reached Maalu’s house. Shanta
and Sashi were surprised to see so many fruit trees– coconuts,
bananas, jackfruit, papaya,
betelnut … so many kind
of trees! Sashi said, “We used
to see only one kind of tree
there – the date palms – because
it is the only one that can grow
in the desert. The date is the
most common fruit.”
2024-25
Page 4


Today, there was a lot of activity at Maalu’s house. Chittappan
and his family were coming home after five years. Five years
ago Chittappan had got a job in the capital city of United Arab
Emirates (UAE) called Abu Dhabi. Since then he had lived there.
Maalu and her Appa went to the airport to receive them.
After the plane landed, the passengers had to wait for some
time to collect their luggage. At last Chittappan, Kunjamma and
their two children could be seen coming out. “How big Shanta
and Sashi have grown,” Appa said.
Soon the many suitcases and bags were fitted into the taxi
and everyone was on the way to Maalu’s house.
“Shanta, you must be very tired after your long journey, Appa
told me that Abu Dhabi is far from India,” said Maalu.
For the teacher: Chittappan – Father’s younger brother in Malayalam.
Kunjamma – Father’s younger brother’s wife in Malayalam.
2024-25
Looking Around
192
“We are not tired. Even though it is far, our flight took only
two hours,” said Shanta. “The plane flies very fast.”
Maalu was surprised. She remembered that when she had
gone on a school trip to Chennai, they had spent almost 12
hours in the train. And on the map, Kochi and Chennai seemed
quite near. Maalu, Shanta and Sashi chatted all the way home
from the airport. Maalu remembered how much fun she had on
her school trips. She wanted Shanta to tell them all about her
trip from Abu Dhabi.
Dust All Around! Dust All Around! Dust All Around! Dust All Around! Dust All Around!
“Did you see many interesting
things from the plane?” asked
Maalu.
“Most of the time we saw only
clouds because the plane was
flying so high, even higher than
the clouds,” said Shanta. “But
before it went so high, we could see that we were flying over
sandy areas. It was sand but the colour of the sand kept
changing – white, brown,
yellow, red, black. We saw
mountains made only of
sand.” “They are called
sand dunes,” added Sashi.
“I have seen sand only at
the seashore,” said Maalu.
“Then you should come
to visit us,” said Chittappan.
2024-25
Home and Abroad
193
“The countries around
Abu Dhabi are located in a
desert area. Even if one
drives a little away from the
city, one can see miles and
miles of sand – no trees, no
greenery – just sand.”
“I used to dream of the
thick greenery and cool
water around our home in
Kerala,” said Kunjamma. “I am so happy to see all this after
such a long time.”
“The children have almost forgotten how it feels when it
rains. You know it almost never rains in desert areas,” said
Chittappan. “Water is really very precious over there. No rain,
no rivers, no lakes, no ponds. Even below the ground there is
no water.” “But,” added Sashi, “there is a lot of oil under the
sandy soil. So petrol is easily available in these countries.” “In
fact petrol is cheaper than water,” said Chittappan.
By this time the taxi had reached Maalu’s house. Shanta
and Sashi were surprised to see so many fruit trees– coconuts,
bananas, jackfruit, papaya,
betelnut … so many kind
of trees! Sashi said, “We used
to see only one kind of tree
there – the date palms – because
it is the only one that can grow
in the desert. The date is the
most common fruit.”
2024-25
Looking Around
194
Nice Gifts and Photographs! Nice Gifts and Photographs! Nice Gifts and Photographs! Nice Gifts and Photographs! Nice Gifts and Photographs!
After they had met everyone, Kunjamma unpacked their bags.
They had brought gifts for everyone. They gave dates for everyone
to eat. The dates were very sweet and tasty. Sashi showed Maalu
some notes and coins. Shanta explained that the money they
used in Abu Dhabi was different and was called Dirham. It had
some writings in their local language – Arabic. They also showed
many photographs of the place where they lived.
Chitappan gave Maalu a
globe. He said, “Maalu, why
don’t you locate Abu Dhabi
on this?  Locate Kerala
also.” The children enjoyed
playing with the globe and
looking for different places
on the globe. Maalu found
Chennai and Kochi also.
In the evening everyone sat in the verandah, enjoying the
breeze and looking at the photographs. They saw that in Abu
Dhabi the buildings were tall with many storeys and big glass
windows. Maalu said, “You must be getting nice cool breeze
through the big windows.” Chittappan said, “We cannot open
the windows because of the heat. It is air-conditioned inside
2024-25
Page 5


Today, there was a lot of activity at Maalu’s house. Chittappan
and his family were coming home after five years. Five years
ago Chittappan had got a job in the capital city of United Arab
Emirates (UAE) called Abu Dhabi. Since then he had lived there.
Maalu and her Appa went to the airport to receive them.
After the plane landed, the passengers had to wait for some
time to collect their luggage. At last Chittappan, Kunjamma and
their two children could be seen coming out. “How big Shanta
and Sashi have grown,” Appa said.
Soon the many suitcases and bags were fitted into the taxi
and everyone was on the way to Maalu’s house.
“Shanta, you must be very tired after your long journey, Appa
told me that Abu Dhabi is far from India,” said Maalu.
For the teacher: Chittappan – Father’s younger brother in Malayalam.
Kunjamma – Father’s younger brother’s wife in Malayalam.
2024-25
Looking Around
192
“We are not tired. Even though it is far, our flight took only
two hours,” said Shanta. “The plane flies very fast.”
Maalu was surprised. She remembered that when she had
gone on a school trip to Chennai, they had spent almost 12
hours in the train. And on the map, Kochi and Chennai seemed
quite near. Maalu, Shanta and Sashi chatted all the way home
from the airport. Maalu remembered how much fun she had on
her school trips. She wanted Shanta to tell them all about her
trip from Abu Dhabi.
Dust All Around! Dust All Around! Dust All Around! Dust All Around! Dust All Around!
“Did you see many interesting
things from the plane?” asked
Maalu.
“Most of the time we saw only
clouds because the plane was
flying so high, even higher than
the clouds,” said Shanta. “But
before it went so high, we could see that we were flying over
sandy areas. It was sand but the colour of the sand kept
changing – white, brown,
yellow, red, black. We saw
mountains made only of
sand.” “They are called
sand dunes,” added Sashi.
“I have seen sand only at
the seashore,” said Maalu.
“Then you should come
to visit us,” said Chittappan.
2024-25
Home and Abroad
193
“The countries around
Abu Dhabi are located in a
desert area. Even if one
drives a little away from the
city, one can see miles and
miles of sand – no trees, no
greenery – just sand.”
“I used to dream of the
thick greenery and cool
water around our home in
Kerala,” said Kunjamma. “I am so happy to see all this after
such a long time.”
“The children have almost forgotten how it feels when it
rains. You know it almost never rains in desert areas,” said
Chittappan. “Water is really very precious over there. No rain,
no rivers, no lakes, no ponds. Even below the ground there is
no water.” “But,” added Sashi, “there is a lot of oil under the
sandy soil. So petrol is easily available in these countries.” “In
fact petrol is cheaper than water,” said Chittappan.
By this time the taxi had reached Maalu’s house. Shanta
and Sashi were surprised to see so many fruit trees– coconuts,
bananas, jackfruit, papaya,
betelnut … so many kind
of trees! Sashi said, “We used
to see only one kind of tree
there – the date palms – because
it is the only one that can grow
in the desert. The date is the
most common fruit.”
2024-25
Looking Around
194
Nice Gifts and Photographs! Nice Gifts and Photographs! Nice Gifts and Photographs! Nice Gifts and Photographs! Nice Gifts and Photographs!
After they had met everyone, Kunjamma unpacked their bags.
They had brought gifts for everyone. They gave dates for everyone
to eat. The dates were very sweet and tasty. Sashi showed Maalu
some notes and coins. Shanta explained that the money they
used in Abu Dhabi was different and was called Dirham. It had
some writings in their local language – Arabic. They also showed
many photographs of the place where they lived.
Chitappan gave Maalu a
globe. He said, “Maalu, why
don’t you locate Abu Dhabi
on this?  Locate Kerala
also.” The children enjoyed
playing with the globe and
looking for different places
on the globe. Maalu found
Chennai and Kochi also.
In the evening everyone sat in the verandah, enjoying the
breeze and looking at the photographs. They saw that in Abu
Dhabi the buildings were tall with many storeys and big glass
windows. Maalu said, “You must be getting nice cool breeze
through the big windows.” Chittappan said, “We cannot open
the windows because of the heat. It is air-conditioned inside
2024-25
Home and Abroad
195
where everyone stays. As the
weather is very hot, people wear
loose cotton clothes and keep
themselves fully covered – even
the head is covered. This
protects them from the strong
sun.”
Maalu enjoyed looking at the
pictures and finding out about
the other country from her
cousins. She constantly kept comparing her city with the things
that they described about Abu Dhabi. She decided that she
would make a project report about Abu Dhabi for her class.
Discuss and write
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö You can also make a small report comparing Abu Dhabi
with the place where you live. You can use some of these
points mentioned below while writing the report. You can
also draw pictures or put photographs.
• The climate and weather • What people wear
• The trees and plants • The kind of buildings
• The traffic on the roads (kinds of vehicles)
• The common food items • The language
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Why do you think many trees cannot grow in desert areas?
Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö Do you have any relatives who live in another country?
2024-25