Bhola Grandpa Chapter Notes | English Class 6 ICSE PDF Download

Introduction

The chapter "Bhola Grandpa" by Manoj Das introduces us to a unique and lovable character named Bhola Grandpa who lived in a village. The narrator shares many amusing and exciting stories from Bhola Grandpa's life, focusing on his unusual behaviors that made him stand out. These tales, set in the narrator's childhood, show how Bhola Grandpa's quirky actions left a lasting impression on everyone around him. The chapter also invites readers to think about their own grandparents and learn about their small adventures to share with others.

Key Points

This story is about Bhola Grandpa, an eccentric old man from a village, known for his funny and unusual actions.

• Bhola Grandpa and his wife lived in a hut under a bokul tree, sharing their space with monkeys.
• At a festival, he lost his grandson in a crowd but found him safe, hiding under a cow.
• He once stretched out his tongue in shyness when a wedding was mentioned and fell asleep, surprising everyone.
• After dreaming of pirates burying treasure, he mistook it for reality and led a night-long search with friends.
• In the Sundarbans, he escaped a Royal Bengal tiger by climbing a banyan tree and stayed there all night.
• A villager was shocked that Bhola Grandpa walked past the tiger unharmed, leaving the tiger confused.
• Bhola Grandpa died peacefully at ninety-five, and his wife humorously said he forgot to breathe.

Explanation

Life in the Village

Bhola Grandpa and his wife resided at the western end of the village, where their small hut was shaded by a large bokul tree. This tree, which bloomed beautifully in spring with red fruits, was home to a group of monkeys, and the couple didn’t mind their presence. The narrator recalls a moonlit night after a festival for Lord Shiva, where, as a young child, he rode on the shoulders of strong villagers due to the long road. 

Bhola Grandpa, who admired the narrator's father, once took his grandson to the festival. In the busy crowd, he held the boy’s fingers tightly but didn’t realize when they slipped away. It was only when someone asked about what he was holding that he noticed the loss and let out a loud wail. The father quickly sent two sharp-eyed men with Bhola Grandpa to find the boy, who was discovered safe and blinking under a cow’s belly.

Funny Incidents

One afternoon, decades ago, Bhola Grandpa was found lying in the veranda with his tongue stretched out, causing a scare as people thought he was dead. This happened because someone had mentioned a wedding proposal earlier, and in modesty, he stretched his tongue but fell asleep without pulling it back. The next day, blushing with embarrassment, he listened as the father shared another story with an amused audience.

On a rainy afternoon, Bhola Grandpa, full of excitement, claimed he saw pirates burying a treasure box under a sand dune by the sea. He convinced the father and friends to search with him that night, guided only by moonlight, with sounds of wind and owls. After hours, he collapsed and admitted it was a dream he had mistaken for reality, adding to the humor of the situation.

Adventure in Sundarbans

Bhola Grandpa was sent to manage land in the Sundarbans, a wild region where the Ganga River split into many streams and met the sea, filled with thick jungles and Royal Bengal tigers. People there moved in groups, especially after dark, due to tigers and alligators, often led by a necromancer who yelled to ward off dangers. 

One day, returning from a market, Bhola Grandpa fell behind his group and realized he was alone when a tiger growled at him from five yards away. Being a quick climber, he rushed up a banyan tree. 

The tiger roared, circled the tree, and then sat under a bush, watching him all night. As dawn broke with dove calls, Bhola Grandpa climbed down and reached a nearby Santhal hamlet. A man there, who had watched the entire night, was shocked that the tiger didn’t attack and asked Bhola Grandpa his secret.

Death and Legacy

Remembering the tiger, Bhola Grandpa looked back and saw it stretching and leaving, seemingly confused, which made him faint for a moment. Half a century later, on a winter morning, he passed away peacefully in his sleep at ninety-five. The village mourned loudly, shedding tears, but his eighty-year-old wife offered the most unique comment, sighing that he must have forgotten to breathe. This light-hearted remark reflected her affectionate way of coping with his loss, leaving a lasting memory of Bhola Grandpa’s quirky life.

Message

The story teaches us to value the funny and simple moments with people like Bhola Grandpa. It shows that even small, odd actions can make someone unforgettable. It also encourages us to talk to our grandparents about their adventures and share those stories with others to keep their memories alive.

New Words with Meanings

• Eccentric: Strange or unusual in a person.
• Quaint: Old-fashioned and interesting in an unusual way.
• Bokul: A tree with fragrant cream-colored flowers and edible fruits.
• Advent: Arrival.
• Luxuriant: Thick with vegetation.
• Abode: Dwelling place.
• Vividly: Clearly.
• Galore: In large amounts.
• Chowkidar: Watchman.
• Reverence: Great respect.
• By and by: Gradually.
• Piloted: Guided.
• Jostling: Pushing and shoving.
• Throng: Crowd.
• Queried: Asked or enquired.
• Keen-eyed: Observant and able to spot things quickly.
• Congenial: Pleasant and suitable.
• Bizarre: Fearfully strange.
• Broached: Raised a subject for discussion.
• Sleek: Having an elegant, smooth shape.
• Dinghy: A small inflatable rubber boat.
• Composed: Calmed emotions.
• Locale: Location or site.
• Surging: Rising and falling.
• Cluster: A group of similar things appearing closely together.
• Picturesque: Visually pleasing or graceful.
• Serpentine: Snake-like.
• Chunk: Large piece.
• Sneaked: Went in without being seen.
• Swamp: A wet or water-covered area overgrown with plants, trees, etc.
• Necromancer: Someone who can communicate with the dead through magic.
• Uninitiated: People without special knowledge or experience.
• Eerie: Strange and frightening.
• Clambered: Climbed with great speed.
• Hamlet: A small village.
• Furlong: A unit for measuring distance, equal to 201 meters.
• Bewilderment: Confusion.
• Gaped: Stared with the mouth wide open in amazement or surprise.
• Askance: Doubtfully.
• Lamented: Expressed great sadness or disappointment.
• Volubly: Very strongly, using many words.