Children at Work Summary Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 2

Key Points of the Story

• The author of this story is Geeta Wolf. 
• It is a sensitive story of a boy Velu who has run from his house. 
• Velu’s father was a drunkard and used to beat him every day. 
• After running from his home, he reached Chennai. 
• Here, he found a girl, Jaya, who took him along with her to her house. 
• Jaya was a ragpicker. She arranged food for Velu and also gave him shelter in her house. 
• Eventually, Velu also became a ragpicker. 
• But, he decided that he will quit this job as soon as he finds something better. 

Detailed Summary

This story revolves around an eleven years old boy, Velu. Velu ran away from his house as his father was a drunkard. His father snatched away all the money that he and his sister earned and would beat them. Being fed up with this everyday beating, he decided to run away from home. After roaming around in Coonoor for a whole day, he got into Kanyakumari express. He got into the train without a ticket as he had no money.

He reached Chennai Central station. Velu saw that there were a lot of people all around who are in a hurry. He could also hear the announcements from the loudspeaker. Velu had traveled in an unreserved coach where people were playing cards and screaming the whole night. Thus, he was unable to sleep and was feeling weak. Also, his legs were trembling. He was feeling lonely in a new place and sat on a bench.

A little girl, Jaya saw him and talked to him. Jaya was a ragpicker. Initially, he was hesitant to talk to her but she told him that she can arrange food for him. Thus, as he had no option, he agreed to go along with her. She took her through the busy streets and traffic. Velu was a bit scared to see so many vehicles on the road. As they passed by the Central Jail, Jaya warned him to never get caught by the police.

They finally reached to a marriage hall. Jaya found two bananas and vada in the garbage bin. She offered food to Velu but he was hesitant to eat it. Being hungry he had no other choice to eat it. Jaya gave a vada and a banana to Velu and ate a banana herself. After having food, she took him to her house. It was a slum house. It was made from the waste materials such as old tires, plastic sheets, and bricks.

Jaya gave a sack to Velu too and asked him to help her. She explained to him that she picks all the scrap materials from here and there and then sells them to the scrapper. The scrapper sells them to the factories. thus, Velu also became a ragpicker now. However, he decided that as soon as he gets some other job, he will quit this job of a ragpicker.

Theme/Message

The story teaches us to behave properly with the children so that they do not take such extreme steps. It also teaches us that we shall help such children and to be empathic with these children and help in whatever way we can.

Difficult Words

• Pulled in– arrived
• Wobbly– unsteady
• Porter– a person employed to carry luggage and other loads, especially in a railway station, airport, hotel or market 
• Sack– a large bag made of a strong material such as hessian, thick paper, or plastic, used for storing and carrying goods 
• Grimace– an ugly, twisted expression on a person’s face, typically expressing disgust, pain, or wry amusement
• Glumly- in a depressed way 
• Peeped over– To glance or peer shyly, quickly, or inconspicuously over the top of something
• Grinned– smile broadly
• Squinted– look at someone or something with one or both eyes partly closed in an attempt to see more clearly or as a reaction to strong light 
• Tar– a dark, thick flammable liquid distilled from wood or coal, consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons, resins, alcohols, and other compounds. It is used in road-making and for coating and preserving timber
• Blasted– (here) strike 
• Mandapam– (in southern India) a temple porch; a temporary platform set up for weddings and religious ceremonies
• Shaking her thumb under his nose– express scorn or ridicule 
• Gulped– swallow (drink or food) quickly or in large mouthfuls, often audibly 
• Trickle– (of a liquid) flow in a small stream
• Triplicane– Triplicane, also known as Thiruvallikeni, is one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Chennai, India.
• Puddles– a small pool of liquid, especially of rainwater on the ground
• Crookedly– at an irregular or improper angle.  
• Shove– push (someone or something) roughly