NCERT Textbook - How I Taught My Grandmother To Read | English Class 9 PDF Download

 Page 1


3
1. Have you ever helped your grandparent learn anything new about technology?
List your experiences about the following :
Task Your Feelings/ Qualities grandparent
experiences displayed:
Teaching them how to use
a smartphone
Teaching them how to log
in for virtual get-togethers
Teaching them how to
access online newspapers
Teaching them how to
browse internet to watch
a show
2. Have you ever been on a trip to any place in India, where you did not know the
language spoken locally? How did you feel? How did you manage to
communicate?
3. Now read the text
1. When I was a girl of about twelve, I used to stay in a village in north Karnataka
with my grandparents. Those days, the transport system was not very good, so
we used to get the morning papers only in the afternoon. The weekly magazine
used to come one day late. All of us would wait eagerly for the bus, which used
to come with the papers, weekly magazines and the post.
2. At that time, Triveni was a very popular writer in the Kannada language. She
was a wonderful writer. Her style was easy to read and very convincing. Her
stories usually dealt with complex psychological problems in the lives of ordinary
people and were always very interesting. Unfortunately, for Kannada literature,
she died very young. Even now, after forty years, people continue to appreciate
her novels.
Fiction
Unit
F.1   How I Taught My Grandmother To Read 
                                                                  by  Sudha  Murthy
Page 2


3
1. Have you ever helped your grandparent learn anything new about technology?
List your experiences about the following :
Task Your Feelings/ Qualities grandparent
experiences displayed:
Teaching them how to use
a smartphone
Teaching them how to log
in for virtual get-togethers
Teaching them how to
access online newspapers
Teaching them how to
browse internet to watch
a show
2. Have you ever been on a trip to any place in India, where you did not know the
language spoken locally? How did you feel? How did you manage to
communicate?
3. Now read the text
1. When I was a girl of about twelve, I used to stay in a village in north Karnataka
with my grandparents. Those days, the transport system was not very good, so
we used to get the morning papers only in the afternoon. The weekly magazine
used to come one day late. All of us would wait eagerly for the bus, which used
to come with the papers, weekly magazines and the post.
2. At that time, Triveni was a very popular writer in the Kannada language. She
was a wonderful writer. Her style was easy to read and very convincing. Her
stories usually dealt with complex psychological problems in the lives of ordinary
people and were always very interesting. Unfortunately, for Kannada literature,
she died very young. Even now, after forty years, people continue to appreciate
her novels.
Fiction
Unit
F.1   How I Taught My Grandmother To Read 
                                                                  by  Sudha  Murthy
4
3. One of her novels, called Kashi Yatre, was appearing as a serial in the Kannada
weekly Karmaveera then. It is the story of an old lady and her ardent desire to
go to Kashi or Varanasi. Most Hindus believe that going to Kashi and worshipping
Lord Vishweshwara is the ultimate punya. This old lady also believed in this,
and her struggle to go there was described in that novel. In the story, there was
also a young orphan girl who falls in love but there is no money for the wedding.
In the end, the old lady gives away all her savings without going to Kashi. She
says, ‘The happiness of this orphan girl is more important than worshipping
Lord Vishweshwara at Kashi.’
4. My grandmother, Krishtakka, never went to school. So, she could not read.
Every Wednesday, the magazine would come and I would read the next episode
of the story to her. During that time, she would forget all her work and listen with
the greatest concentration. Later, she could repeat the entire text by heart. My
grandmother too never went to Kashi so she identified herself with the novel’s
protagonist. More than anybody else, she was the one most interested in knowing
what happened next in the story and used to insist that I read the serial out to
her.
5. After hearing what happened next in Kashi Yatre, she would join her friends at
the temple courtyard, where we children would also gather to play hide and
seek. She would discuss the latest episode with her friends. At that time, I never
understood why there was so much of debate about the story.
6. Once I went for a wedding with my cousins to the neighbouring village. In those
days, a wedding was a great event. We children enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.
We would eat and play endlessly, savouring the freedom because all the elders
were busy. I went for a couple of days but ended up staying there for a week.
7. When I came back to my village, I saw my grandmother in tears. I was surprised,
for I had never seen her cry even in the most difficult of situations. What had
happened? I was worried.
8. ‘Avva, is everything fine? Are you alright?’
9. I used to call her Avva, which means mother in the Kannada spoken in north
Karnataka.
10. She nodded but did not reply. I did not understand and forgot about it. In the
night, after dinner, we were sleeping in the open terrace of the house. It was a
summer night and there was a full moon. Avva came and sat next to me. Her
affectionate hands touched my forehead. I realized she wanted to speak. I asked
her, ‘What is the matter?’
11.   ‘When I was a young girl I lost my mother. There was nobody to look after and
guide me. My father was a busy man. He got married again. In those days,
ardent: showing strong feelings
savouring: enjoying an  experience slowly in order to appreciate it as much as possible.
Fi ct io n
Page 3


3
1. Have you ever helped your grandparent learn anything new about technology?
List your experiences about the following :
Task Your Feelings/ Qualities grandparent
experiences displayed:
Teaching them how to use
a smartphone
Teaching them how to log
in for virtual get-togethers
Teaching them how to
access online newspapers
Teaching them how to
browse internet to watch
a show
2. Have you ever been on a trip to any place in India, where you did not know the
language spoken locally? How did you feel? How did you manage to
communicate?
3. Now read the text
1. When I was a girl of about twelve, I used to stay in a village in north Karnataka
with my grandparents. Those days, the transport system was not very good, so
we used to get the morning papers only in the afternoon. The weekly magazine
used to come one day late. All of us would wait eagerly for the bus, which used
to come with the papers, weekly magazines and the post.
2. At that time, Triveni was a very popular writer in the Kannada language. She
was a wonderful writer. Her style was easy to read and very convincing. Her
stories usually dealt with complex psychological problems in the lives of ordinary
people and were always very interesting. Unfortunately, for Kannada literature,
she died very young. Even now, after forty years, people continue to appreciate
her novels.
Fiction
Unit
F.1   How I Taught My Grandmother To Read 
                                                                  by  Sudha  Murthy
4
3. One of her novels, called Kashi Yatre, was appearing as a serial in the Kannada
weekly Karmaveera then. It is the story of an old lady and her ardent desire to
go to Kashi or Varanasi. Most Hindus believe that going to Kashi and worshipping
Lord Vishweshwara is the ultimate punya. This old lady also believed in this,
and her struggle to go there was described in that novel. In the story, there was
also a young orphan girl who falls in love but there is no money for the wedding.
In the end, the old lady gives away all her savings without going to Kashi. She
says, ‘The happiness of this orphan girl is more important than worshipping
Lord Vishweshwara at Kashi.’
4. My grandmother, Krishtakka, never went to school. So, she could not read.
Every Wednesday, the magazine would come and I would read the next episode
of the story to her. During that time, she would forget all her work and listen with
the greatest concentration. Later, she could repeat the entire text by heart. My
grandmother too never went to Kashi so she identified herself with the novel’s
protagonist. More than anybody else, she was the one most interested in knowing
what happened next in the story and used to insist that I read the serial out to
her.
5. After hearing what happened next in Kashi Yatre, she would join her friends at
the temple courtyard, where we children would also gather to play hide and
seek. She would discuss the latest episode with her friends. At that time, I never
understood why there was so much of debate about the story.
6. Once I went for a wedding with my cousins to the neighbouring village. In those
days, a wedding was a great event. We children enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.
We would eat and play endlessly, savouring the freedom because all the elders
were busy. I went for a couple of days but ended up staying there for a week.
7. When I came back to my village, I saw my grandmother in tears. I was surprised,
for I had never seen her cry even in the most difficult of situations. What had
happened? I was worried.
8. ‘Avva, is everything fine? Are you alright?’
9. I used to call her Avva, which means mother in the Kannada spoken in north
Karnataka.
10. She nodded but did not reply. I did not understand and forgot about it. In the
night, after dinner, we were sleeping in the open terrace of the house. It was a
summer night and there was a full moon. Avva came and sat next to me. Her
affectionate hands touched my forehead. I realized she wanted to speak. I asked
her, ‘What is the matter?’
11.   ‘When I was a young girl I lost my mother. There was nobody to look after and
guide me. My father was a busy man. He got married again. In those days,
ardent: showing strong feelings
savouring: enjoying an  experience slowly in order to appreciate it as much as possible.
Fi ct io n
5
people never considered education essential for girls, so I never went to school.
I got married  very  young  and  had  children.  I  became  very  busy.  Later  I
had grandchildren and always felt so much happiness in cooking and feeding
all of you. At times I used to regret not going to school, so I made sure that my
children and grandchildren studied well ...’
12. I could not understand why my sixty-two-year-old grandmother was telling me,
a twelve-year-old, the story of her life in the middle of the night. One thing I
knew, I loved her immensely and there had to be some reason why she was
talking to me. I looked at her face. It was unhappy and her eyes were filled with
tears. She was a good-looking lady who was almost always smiling. Even today,
I cannot forget the worried expression on her face. I leaned forward and held
her hand.
13. ‘Avva, don’t cry. What is the matter? Can I help you in any way?’
14. ‘Yes, I need your help. You know when you were away, Karmaveera came as
usual. I opened the magazine. I saw the picture that accompanies the story of
Kashi Yatre and I could not understand anything that was written. Many times,
I rubbed my hands over the pages wishing to understand what was written. But
I knew it was not possible. If only I was educated enough... I waited eagerly for
you to return. I felt you would come early and read for me. I even thought of
going to the village and asking you to read for me. I could have asked somebody
in this village but I was too embarrassed to do so. I felt so very dependent and
helpless. We are well-off, but what use is money when I cannot be independent?’
15. I did not know what to answer. Avva continued.
16. ‘I have decided I want to learn the Kannada alphabet from tomorrow onwards.
I will work very hard. I will keep Saraswati Pooja day during Dassara as the
deadline. That day I should be able to read a novel on my own. I want to be
independent.’
17. I saw the determination on her face. Yet I laughed at her.
18. ‘Avva, at this age of sixty-two you want to learn the alphabet? All your hair is
grey, your hands are wrinkled, you wear spectacles and you have so much
work in the kitchen...’
19. Childishly I made fun of the old lady. But she just smiled.
20. ‘For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle. I will
work harder than anybody but I will do it. For learning, there is no age bar.’
21. The next day onwards, I started my tuition. Avva was a wonderful student. The
amount of homework she did was amazing. She would read, repeat, write and
recite. I was her only teacher and she was my first student. Little did I know then
that one day I would become a teacher in Computer Science and teach hundreds
of students.
Fi ct io n
Page 4


3
1. Have you ever helped your grandparent learn anything new about technology?
List your experiences about the following :
Task Your Feelings/ Qualities grandparent
experiences displayed:
Teaching them how to use
a smartphone
Teaching them how to log
in for virtual get-togethers
Teaching them how to
access online newspapers
Teaching them how to
browse internet to watch
a show
2. Have you ever been on a trip to any place in India, where you did not know the
language spoken locally? How did you feel? How did you manage to
communicate?
3. Now read the text
1. When I was a girl of about twelve, I used to stay in a village in north Karnataka
with my grandparents. Those days, the transport system was not very good, so
we used to get the morning papers only in the afternoon. The weekly magazine
used to come one day late. All of us would wait eagerly for the bus, which used
to come with the papers, weekly magazines and the post.
2. At that time, Triveni was a very popular writer in the Kannada language. She
was a wonderful writer. Her style was easy to read and very convincing. Her
stories usually dealt with complex psychological problems in the lives of ordinary
people and were always very interesting. Unfortunately, for Kannada literature,
she died very young. Even now, after forty years, people continue to appreciate
her novels.
Fiction
Unit
F.1   How I Taught My Grandmother To Read 
                                                                  by  Sudha  Murthy
4
3. One of her novels, called Kashi Yatre, was appearing as a serial in the Kannada
weekly Karmaveera then. It is the story of an old lady and her ardent desire to
go to Kashi or Varanasi. Most Hindus believe that going to Kashi and worshipping
Lord Vishweshwara is the ultimate punya. This old lady also believed in this,
and her struggle to go there was described in that novel. In the story, there was
also a young orphan girl who falls in love but there is no money for the wedding.
In the end, the old lady gives away all her savings without going to Kashi. She
says, ‘The happiness of this orphan girl is more important than worshipping
Lord Vishweshwara at Kashi.’
4. My grandmother, Krishtakka, never went to school. So, she could not read.
Every Wednesday, the magazine would come and I would read the next episode
of the story to her. During that time, she would forget all her work and listen with
the greatest concentration. Later, she could repeat the entire text by heart. My
grandmother too never went to Kashi so she identified herself with the novel’s
protagonist. More than anybody else, she was the one most interested in knowing
what happened next in the story and used to insist that I read the serial out to
her.
5. After hearing what happened next in Kashi Yatre, she would join her friends at
the temple courtyard, where we children would also gather to play hide and
seek. She would discuss the latest episode with her friends. At that time, I never
understood why there was so much of debate about the story.
6. Once I went for a wedding with my cousins to the neighbouring village. In those
days, a wedding was a great event. We children enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.
We would eat and play endlessly, savouring the freedom because all the elders
were busy. I went for a couple of days but ended up staying there for a week.
7. When I came back to my village, I saw my grandmother in tears. I was surprised,
for I had never seen her cry even in the most difficult of situations. What had
happened? I was worried.
8. ‘Avva, is everything fine? Are you alright?’
9. I used to call her Avva, which means mother in the Kannada spoken in north
Karnataka.
10. She nodded but did not reply. I did not understand and forgot about it. In the
night, after dinner, we were sleeping in the open terrace of the house. It was a
summer night and there was a full moon. Avva came and sat next to me. Her
affectionate hands touched my forehead. I realized she wanted to speak. I asked
her, ‘What is the matter?’
11.   ‘When I was a young girl I lost my mother. There was nobody to look after and
guide me. My father was a busy man. He got married again. In those days,
ardent: showing strong feelings
savouring: enjoying an  experience slowly in order to appreciate it as much as possible.
Fi ct io n
5
people never considered education essential for girls, so I never went to school.
I got married  very  young  and  had  children.  I  became  very  busy.  Later  I
had grandchildren and always felt so much happiness in cooking and feeding
all of you. At times I used to regret not going to school, so I made sure that my
children and grandchildren studied well ...’
12. I could not understand why my sixty-two-year-old grandmother was telling me,
a twelve-year-old, the story of her life in the middle of the night. One thing I
knew, I loved her immensely and there had to be some reason why she was
talking to me. I looked at her face. It was unhappy and her eyes were filled with
tears. She was a good-looking lady who was almost always smiling. Even today,
I cannot forget the worried expression on her face. I leaned forward and held
her hand.
13. ‘Avva, don’t cry. What is the matter? Can I help you in any way?’
14. ‘Yes, I need your help. You know when you were away, Karmaveera came as
usual. I opened the magazine. I saw the picture that accompanies the story of
Kashi Yatre and I could not understand anything that was written. Many times,
I rubbed my hands over the pages wishing to understand what was written. But
I knew it was not possible. If only I was educated enough... I waited eagerly for
you to return. I felt you would come early and read for me. I even thought of
going to the village and asking you to read for me. I could have asked somebody
in this village but I was too embarrassed to do so. I felt so very dependent and
helpless. We are well-off, but what use is money when I cannot be independent?’
15. I did not know what to answer. Avva continued.
16. ‘I have decided I want to learn the Kannada alphabet from tomorrow onwards.
I will work very hard. I will keep Saraswati Pooja day during Dassara as the
deadline. That day I should be able to read a novel on my own. I want to be
independent.’
17. I saw the determination on her face. Yet I laughed at her.
18. ‘Avva, at this age of sixty-two you want to learn the alphabet? All your hair is
grey, your hands are wrinkled, you wear spectacles and you have so much
work in the kitchen...’
19. Childishly I made fun of the old lady. But she just smiled.
20. ‘For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle. I will
work harder than anybody but I will do it. For learning, there is no age bar.’
21. The next day onwards, I started my tuition. Avva was a wonderful student. The
amount of homework she did was amazing. She would read, repeat, write and
recite. I was her only teacher and she was my first student. Little did I know then
that one day I would become a teacher in Computer Science and teach hundreds
of students.
Fi ct io n
6
22. The Dassara festival came as usual.
Secretly, I bought Kashi Yatre which had
been published as a novel by that time. My
grandmother called me to the pooja place
and made me sit down on a stool. She gifted
me a frock. Then she did something unusual.
She bent down and touched my feet. I was
surprised and taken aback. Elders never
touched the feet of youngsters. We have
always touched the feet of God, elders and
teachers. We considered that as a mark of
respect. It is a great tradition but today the
reverse had happened. It was not correct.
23. She said, “I am touching the feet of a teacher,
not my granddaughter; a teacher who taught
me so well, with so much of affection that I can read any novel confidently in
such a short period. Now I am independent. It is my duty to respect a teacher. Is
it not written in our scriptures that a teacher should be respected, irrespective
of the gender and age?’
24. I did return namaskara to her by touching her feet and gave my gift to my first
student. She opened it and read the title Kashi Yatre by Triveni and the publisher’s
name immediately .
25. I knew, then, that my student had passed with flying colours.
About the Author
Sudha Murty was born in 1950 in Shiggaon in North Karnataka. A prolific writer in
Kannada, she has written seven novels, four technical books, three travelogues and
two collections of short stories. Her previous English book ‘Wise and Otherwise’ has
been translated into thirteen Indian languages. Her stories deal with common lives
and human values such as charity, kindness and self-realisation. As a sensitive writer,
she writes about the suffering of the people. The main characters in all her books are
highly educated, non compromising, highly principled women.
4A. Now that you have enjoyed reading the story, answer the following questions
by choosing the correct option
(a) The grandmother could relate to the central character of the story ‘Kashi Yatre’ as
___________
(i) both were old and uneducated.
(ii) both had granddaughters who read to them.
scriptures : holy writings
Fi ct io n
Page 5


3
1. Have you ever helped your grandparent learn anything new about technology?
List your experiences about the following :
Task Your Feelings/ Qualities grandparent
experiences displayed:
Teaching them how to use
a smartphone
Teaching them how to log
in for virtual get-togethers
Teaching them how to
access online newspapers
Teaching them how to
browse internet to watch
a show
2. Have you ever been on a trip to any place in India, where you did not know the
language spoken locally? How did you feel? How did you manage to
communicate?
3. Now read the text
1. When I was a girl of about twelve, I used to stay in a village in north Karnataka
with my grandparents. Those days, the transport system was not very good, so
we used to get the morning papers only in the afternoon. The weekly magazine
used to come one day late. All of us would wait eagerly for the bus, which used
to come with the papers, weekly magazines and the post.
2. At that time, Triveni was a very popular writer in the Kannada language. She
was a wonderful writer. Her style was easy to read and very convincing. Her
stories usually dealt with complex psychological problems in the lives of ordinary
people and were always very interesting. Unfortunately, for Kannada literature,
she died very young. Even now, after forty years, people continue to appreciate
her novels.
Fiction
Unit
F.1   How I Taught My Grandmother To Read 
                                                                  by  Sudha  Murthy
4
3. One of her novels, called Kashi Yatre, was appearing as a serial in the Kannada
weekly Karmaveera then. It is the story of an old lady and her ardent desire to
go to Kashi or Varanasi. Most Hindus believe that going to Kashi and worshipping
Lord Vishweshwara is the ultimate punya. This old lady also believed in this,
and her struggle to go there was described in that novel. In the story, there was
also a young orphan girl who falls in love but there is no money for the wedding.
In the end, the old lady gives away all her savings without going to Kashi. She
says, ‘The happiness of this orphan girl is more important than worshipping
Lord Vishweshwara at Kashi.’
4. My grandmother, Krishtakka, never went to school. So, she could not read.
Every Wednesday, the magazine would come and I would read the next episode
of the story to her. During that time, she would forget all her work and listen with
the greatest concentration. Later, she could repeat the entire text by heart. My
grandmother too never went to Kashi so she identified herself with the novel’s
protagonist. More than anybody else, she was the one most interested in knowing
what happened next in the story and used to insist that I read the serial out to
her.
5. After hearing what happened next in Kashi Yatre, she would join her friends at
the temple courtyard, where we children would also gather to play hide and
seek. She would discuss the latest episode with her friends. At that time, I never
understood why there was so much of debate about the story.
6. Once I went for a wedding with my cousins to the neighbouring village. In those
days, a wedding was a great event. We children enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.
We would eat and play endlessly, savouring the freedom because all the elders
were busy. I went for a couple of days but ended up staying there for a week.
7. When I came back to my village, I saw my grandmother in tears. I was surprised,
for I had never seen her cry even in the most difficult of situations. What had
happened? I was worried.
8. ‘Avva, is everything fine? Are you alright?’
9. I used to call her Avva, which means mother in the Kannada spoken in north
Karnataka.
10. She nodded but did not reply. I did not understand and forgot about it. In the
night, after dinner, we were sleeping in the open terrace of the house. It was a
summer night and there was a full moon. Avva came and sat next to me. Her
affectionate hands touched my forehead. I realized she wanted to speak. I asked
her, ‘What is the matter?’
11.   ‘When I was a young girl I lost my mother. There was nobody to look after and
guide me. My father was a busy man. He got married again. In those days,
ardent: showing strong feelings
savouring: enjoying an  experience slowly in order to appreciate it as much as possible.
Fi ct io n
5
people never considered education essential for girls, so I never went to school.
I got married  very  young  and  had  children.  I  became  very  busy.  Later  I
had grandchildren and always felt so much happiness in cooking and feeding
all of you. At times I used to regret not going to school, so I made sure that my
children and grandchildren studied well ...’
12. I could not understand why my sixty-two-year-old grandmother was telling me,
a twelve-year-old, the story of her life in the middle of the night. One thing I
knew, I loved her immensely and there had to be some reason why she was
talking to me. I looked at her face. It was unhappy and her eyes were filled with
tears. She was a good-looking lady who was almost always smiling. Even today,
I cannot forget the worried expression on her face. I leaned forward and held
her hand.
13. ‘Avva, don’t cry. What is the matter? Can I help you in any way?’
14. ‘Yes, I need your help. You know when you were away, Karmaveera came as
usual. I opened the magazine. I saw the picture that accompanies the story of
Kashi Yatre and I could not understand anything that was written. Many times,
I rubbed my hands over the pages wishing to understand what was written. But
I knew it was not possible. If only I was educated enough... I waited eagerly for
you to return. I felt you would come early and read for me. I even thought of
going to the village and asking you to read for me. I could have asked somebody
in this village but I was too embarrassed to do so. I felt so very dependent and
helpless. We are well-off, but what use is money when I cannot be independent?’
15. I did not know what to answer. Avva continued.
16. ‘I have decided I want to learn the Kannada alphabet from tomorrow onwards.
I will work very hard. I will keep Saraswati Pooja day during Dassara as the
deadline. That day I should be able to read a novel on my own. I want to be
independent.’
17. I saw the determination on her face. Yet I laughed at her.
18. ‘Avva, at this age of sixty-two you want to learn the alphabet? All your hair is
grey, your hands are wrinkled, you wear spectacles and you have so much
work in the kitchen...’
19. Childishly I made fun of the old lady. But she just smiled.
20. ‘For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle. I will
work harder than anybody but I will do it. For learning, there is no age bar.’
21. The next day onwards, I started my tuition. Avva was a wonderful student. The
amount of homework she did was amazing. She would read, repeat, write and
recite. I was her only teacher and she was my first student. Little did I know then
that one day I would become a teacher in Computer Science and teach hundreds
of students.
Fi ct io n
6
22. The Dassara festival came as usual.
Secretly, I bought Kashi Yatre which had
been published as a novel by that time. My
grandmother called me to the pooja place
and made me sit down on a stool. She gifted
me a frock. Then she did something unusual.
She bent down and touched my feet. I was
surprised and taken aback. Elders never
touched the feet of youngsters. We have
always touched the feet of God, elders and
teachers. We considered that as a mark of
respect. It is a great tradition but today the
reverse had happened. It was not correct.
23. She said, “I am touching the feet of a teacher,
not my granddaughter; a teacher who taught
me so well, with so much of affection that I can read any novel confidently in
such a short period. Now I am independent. It is my duty to respect a teacher. Is
it not written in our scriptures that a teacher should be respected, irrespective
of the gender and age?’
24. I did return namaskara to her by touching her feet and gave my gift to my first
student. She opened it and read the title Kashi Yatre by Triveni and the publisher’s
name immediately .
25. I knew, then, that my student had passed with flying colours.
About the Author
Sudha Murty was born in 1950 in Shiggaon in North Karnataka. A prolific writer in
Kannada, she has written seven novels, four technical books, three travelogues and
two collections of short stories. Her previous English book ‘Wise and Otherwise’ has
been translated into thirteen Indian languages. Her stories deal with common lives
and human values such as charity, kindness and self-realisation. As a sensitive writer,
she writes about the suffering of the people. The main characters in all her books are
highly educated, non compromising, highly principled women.
4A. Now that you have enjoyed reading the story, answer the following questions
by choosing the correct option
(a) The grandmother could relate to the central character of the story ‘Kashi Yatre’ as
___________
(i) both were old and uneducated.
(ii) both had granddaughters who read to them.
scriptures : holy writings
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(iii) both had a strong desire to visit Kashi.
(iv) both were determined to learn how to read.
(b) Why did the women at the temple discuss the latest episode of ‘Kashi Yatre’?
(i) to pass their time.
(ii) the writer, Triveni was very popular
(iii) they could relate with the protagonist of ‘Kashi Yatre’.
(iv) women have a habit of discussing stories.
(c) The granddaughter found her grandmother in tears on her return as ______
(i) the grandmother had been unable to read the story ‘Kashi Yatre’ on her own.
(ii) the grandmother had felt lonely.
(iii) the grandmother wanted to accompany her granddaughter.
(iv) she was sad she could not visit Kashi.
(d) Why did the grandmother touch her granddaughter’s feet?
(i) She did it as a mark of respect for her teacher.
(ii) It was a custom in their family.
(iii) Girls should be respected.
(iv) She had read the story of ‘Kashi Yatre’ to her.
(e). “Childishly I made fun of the old lady. But she just smiled.” The smile of the grandmother
explains that she understood that her granddaughter
(i) was determined to teach her.
(ii) might be too immature to understand her pain.
(iii) would ridicule her later.
(iv) could be contemplating.
(f). “Those days, the transport system was not very good, so we used to get the morning
papers only in the afternoon.” What can you infer from this?
(i) The transport system, especially the bus service, was running at loss.
(ii) The transport system, especially the bus service, was not fully functional in
rural areas.
(iii) The transport system, had stopped services in villages.
(iv) The transport system failed to introduce the bus service in rural areas.
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