The Treasure Within Summary Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 4

Key Points of the Chapter

• Introduction: Interview between Bela Raja and Hafeez Contractor.
• School Life: Hafeez disliked mechanical learning and struggled with mathematics.
• Principal's Influence: Motivational talk from his Principal changed his approach to studies.
• Early Memories: Preferred games and pranks over studying; relied on copying during exams.
• Transformation: Focused on studying after Principal's advice; passed SSC with 50%.
• Challenges: Frequently punished but remained unfazed; motivated by sports.
• Path to Architecture: Accidentally entered architecture after impressing an architect with his skills.
• Learning Style: Visual and practical learner; remembered things as photographic images.
• Professional Approach: Relates to clients through observation and intuition; designs spontaneously.
• Unique Success: Highlights importance of nurturing individual talents and interests.

Detailed Summary 

The chapter opens with an interview between Bela Raja, the editor of the Sparsh newsletter from The Valley School, Bangalore, and Hafeez Contractor, one of India's renowned architects. The conversation delves into Hafeez’s childhood, his school experiences, and his unconventional path to becoming an architect.

Hafeez Contractor’s school life was far from exemplary. He was an unhappy schoolboy who detested mechanical learning, particularly mathematics, which gave him nightmares. Despite his initial good performance in the first two years, he lost interest in studies by the third standard. His days were filled with playing games, running around, and playing pranks. Hafeez found it hard to remember what was taught in class and resorted to copying during exams. He would even try to get hold of the exam papers beforehand to study them, as his memory failed him otherwise.

A significant turning point in Hafeez’s life came when he was in the eleventh standard. His Principal, noticing his lack of interest in studies despite being a good student, called him for a serious talk. The Principal highlighted the hard work and sacrifices of Hafeez’s mother, urging him to take responsibility for his education. This conversation deeply impacted Hafeez, prompting him to change his attitude towards studies. He stopped playing games and focused solely on studying. This shift in focus helped him pass his SSC exams with a second class, which his Principal considered a significant achievement.

Despite frequent punishments and caning for not doing homework or behaving badly, Hafeez remained unfazed. He was more interested in playing and engaging in pranks than academics. However, the motivational talk from his Principal acted as a catalyst, leading him to realize the importance of education. This realization marked the beginning of his transformation.

Hafeez’s journey into architecture was accidental. He initially wanted to join the Army and later the police force, but circumstances, including his aunt tearing up his Army admission letter and his mother’s insistence on completing graduation, led him to Jaihind College in Bombay. There, he had to choose between French and German. Despite studying French for seven years, he knew very little of it and opted for German. When his German teacher died, he had to revert to French, which he learned from his cousin, who was married to an architect.

During his visits to the architect’s office to learn French, Hafeez observed someone drawing a window detail. Noticing an error in the drawing, he pointed it out, surprising everyone with his accurate observation. This incident led his cousin’s husband to recognize Hafeez’s potential in architecture and encouraged him to pursue it. Despite having only 50 percent marks, Hafeez took the entrance exam for architecture college and excelled, securing an ‘A+’. This marked the beginning of his successful career in architecture.

Hafeez’s success in architecture can be attributed to his unique learning style and interests. Unlike traditional academic learning, he excelled in visual and practical tasks. He remembered things as photographic images and had a knack for visualizing structures. His interest in designing forts and guns during his school days played a crucial role in developing his architectural skills. One of his teachers, Mrs. Gupta, had even predicted his future as an architect after seeing his sketches in the second or third standard. Her prediction turned out to be true, as Hafeez went on to become a prominent architect.

Hafeez’s professional approach is characterized by his ability to relate to clients through observation and intuition. He designs spontaneously, combining various disciplines like design, construction, psychology, and sociology. This instinctive approach, which he likens to mathematics, allows him to create structures that resonate with his clients' tastes and preferences. His unique interpretation of mathematics, once a subject he hated, has become an integral part of his architectural practice.

In conclusion, Hafeez Contractor’s story is a testament to the idea that traditional academic success is not the only path to achievement. His journey from an uninterested schoolboy to a leading architect highlights the importance of recognizing and nurturing individual learning styles and interests. Hafeez’s success underscores the significance of practical knowledge, intuition, and the ability to think beyond conventional boundaries.

Theme/Message

The chapter conveys that every child is unique in their learning style and potential. Traditional academic success is not the only measure of achievement. Practical knowledge, intuition, and the ability to think creatively are equally important. The story of Hafeez Contractor underscores the value of nurturing individual talents and interests, demonstrating that success can come from unconventional paths.

Difficult Words with Meanings

Detested - Strongly disliked.

Mechanical learning - Rote memorization without understanding.

Nightmare - A terrifying dream.

Psyche - The human mind or soul.

Incurred - Brought upon oneself.

Wrath - Intense anger.

Caning - Punishment by beating with a cane.

Gang fights - Conflicts between groups.

Architect - A person who designs buildings.

Cakewalk - Something easy to achieve.

Photographic memory - The ability to remember things in great detail.

Street smart - Practical intelligence acquired through experience.

Curriculum - The subjects comprising a course of study.

Contention - A point argued in a debate.

Instinctively - Naturally or automatically.

Arithmetic - The branch of mathematics dealing with numbers and calculations.

Spontaneously - Without premeditation; naturally.

Sociology - The study of society and social behavior.

Defied - Openly resisted or refused to obey.