Summary: Quality | New Pathways Class 6: Book Solutions, Summaries & Worksheets PDF Download

Summary

Once upon a time in London, there was a skilled bootmaker named Mr. Gessler. The narrator, a friend of Mr. Gessler's family, knew him from childhood because he made boots for the narrator's father. Mr. Gessler's shop was unique – it had no flashy signs, just a simple name, Gessler Brothers, and a few pairs of carefully crafted boots in the window.

Mr. Gessler made boots only when someone ordered them, and they always fit perfectly. The process of getting boots from him was special. The narrator, amazed by the craftsmanship, once asked, "Isn't it hard to make boots, Mr. Gessler?" His answer was, "It is an art!"

The narrator couldn't visit Mr. Gessler often because the boots lasted a long time. Going into the shop felt like entering a church. Mr. Gessler would come down, a bit bent, in a leather apron, ready to take orders. The narrator would choose leather, and Mr. Gessler would admire it, saying, "What a beautiful piece!" Then, they'd discuss when the boots would be ready.

Once, the narrator complained that a pair of boots had creaked, and Mr. Gessler took it seriously, offering to fix the issue. He believed in the quality of his work. He also had strong opinions about big firms that advertised but didn't care about the art of making boots.

As time passed, the narrator visited less frequently, but when he did, he noticed changes in Mr. Gessler. The old man was struggling against tough times. Eventually, the narrator learned that Mr. Gessler's elder brother had passed away, and the shop was taken over by new owners.

Later, the narrator discovered that Mr. Gessler had died due to slow starvation. He had insisted on making boots his own way, using the best materials, and not compromising on quality. However, in the face of changing times and competition from big firms, he faced challenges and ultimately succumbed to the hardships.

List of Difficult Words with Meanings

• Meticulous: Very careful and precise.
  Example: Gessler was meticulous in crafting his boots.
• Distinction: Uniqueness or special quality.
  Example: The shop had a certain quiet distinction.
• Essence: The fundamental nature or quality of something.
  Example: Gessler's boots had some essence of boot stitched into them.
• Incense: A pleasant smell, often related to a particular trade or activity.
  Example: The narrator enjoyed inhaling the incense of Gessler's trade.
• Guttural: A harsh, throaty sound.
  Example: A guttural sound signaled Gessler's approach in the shop.
• Bitter: Unpleasant and harsh.
  Example: Gessler discussed the bitter conditions of his trade.
• Adversely: In a way that has a negative or harmful effect.
  Example: Industrialization adversely affected traditional craftsmen like Gessler.
• Dilemma: A difficult situation or choice.
  Example: Gessler faced a dilemma between adapting to change and preserving his traditional craftsmanship.
• Financial Stability: Having enough money to live comfortably without worries.
  Example: Gessler's insistence on quality sometimes affected his financial stability.
• Craftsmanship: Skill in a particular craft or art.
  Example: Gessler's craftsmanship was evident in the quality of his boots.