Summary: The Story of the Anklet | Class 6 English Alive PDF Download

Introduction

The story revolves around a couple named Kannagi and Kovalan who decide to start afresh in Madurai after facing financial troubles. Kovalan, unaware of ominous signs, tries to sell an anklet but is accused of theft and unjustly executed by the king's guards. Kannagi, determined to seek justice, confronts the king and proves her husband's innocence, leading to the king's demise and a tragic turn of events.

Detailed Summary

Once upon a time, there lived a loving couple named Kannagi and Kovalan. They had once been very rich but lost all their money because of some bad decisions. They decided to move to a city called Madurai to start a new life. Before they left, they took blessings from a wise sage named Kavundi, who joined them on their journey.

When they reached Madurai, Kovalan told Kannagi to wait outside the city with the sage while he went in to try and sell Kannagi’s last precious anklet to make some money. But unfortunately, he chose a bad time to leave, and even a bull blocked his path, which were signs of bad luck.

In the city, Kovalan met a goldsmith to sell the anklet. However, the goldsmith was very dishonest. He recognized that the anklet looked like one he had stolen from the queen and saw a chance to blame Kovalan for his own theft. He told Kovalan to wait at his house while he went to the palace to speak to the king.

The goldsmith lied to the king, saying Kovalan had stolen the queen’s anklet. Believing the goldsmith, the king ordered his guards to go to the goldsmith’s house, find the anklet, and if they found it with Kovalan, they were to punish him severely. When the guards saw Kovalan with the anklet, despite one guard doubting if Kovalan really looked like a thief, they followed the king’s orders and killed him.

Meanwhile, Kannagi was waiting outside the city, unaware of what had happened. A woman came and told her the sad news that Kovalan had been killed by the king’s guards because they thought he stole the queen’s anklet. Kannagi was heartbroken and very angry. She took the matching anklet and went to the palace to confront the king.

At the palace, Kannagi demanded to see the king and accused him of killing her husband without a fair trial. She showed the king the other anklet, broke it open, and gems fell out, which were different from those in the queen’s anklet. This proved that Kovalan was innocent.

Realizing his mistake, the king felt so guilty that he collapsed and died. The queen, seeing this, also gave up her life. The people were shocked by the turn of events. Kannagi, still very upset, cursed the city of Madurai, causing a huge fire that started to destroy everything.

But then, the goddess of the city, Meenakshi, appeared to Kannagi. She told Kannagi that her husband’s death had been avenged and that justice had been served with the deaths of the king and queen. Meenakshi asked Kannagi if that was not enough. Kannagi saw her husband’s apparition, and finally, her anger subsided. She ended her curse, and the city’s destruction stopped.

This story teaches us about justice, the consequences of actions, and the power of truth. It shows how important it is to be careful in judgment and the impact of our decisions on others.

Theme and Message

The story highlights themes of injustice, vengeance, and divine intervention. It underscores the importance of seeking justice, even in the face of adversity, and the consequences of hasty judgments. It also portrays the power of forgiveness and redemption, ultimately leading to resolution and closure.

List of Difficult Words with Meanings

Anklet - A piece of jewelry worn around the ankle.

Deceitful - Dishonest or misleading.

Injustice - Unfair treatment or behavior.

Despair - A feeling of hopelessness or loss.

Divine - Relating to or proceeding directly from a god or gods.

Intervention - Interference or involvement in a situation to alter the outcome.

Adversity - Difficulties or misfortune.

Hasty - Done with excessive speed or urgency.

Redemption - The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.