Introduction: Footprints without Feet - Class 10 PDF Download

About the Author- H.G. Wells
H.G. Wells – A Short Biography

About the Author

Herbert George Wells was born on 21 Sept. 1866 in England. He was a great writer who wrote novels, history and science fiction. The most famous works of H.G. Wells are The Time Machine, The Invisible Man and The Island of Doctor Moreau. He died on 13 August 1946. 

INTRODUCTION

This story is about a scientist. His name was Griffin. One day he discovered a wonderful drug. This drug could make him invisible. He set his landlord’s house on fire. Then he took the drug. He became invisible. He could see everybody but nobody could see him. But it was very cold. He was without clothes. He went into a store. He passed his night there. He stole money and clothes from there. He went to a village called Iping. There he stayed at an inn. He stole some money. The police were called. But he became invisible and escaped from there. 

Theme of the Story

The story Footprints without Feet describes the story of a brilliant scientist, Griffin, who degenerated himself into a lawless person. Griffin discovered that the human body could become transparent and invisible. But he misused his great discovery. He did not use the power of invisibility for the welfare of society and humanity at large. He misused it to threaten, trouble and beat innocent people and rob them. He made illegal entries in stores and shops and stole things from there. He committed a burglary in a clergyman’s house in Iping. Griffin remained invisible or unseen only when he was without clothes. If he puts on clothes, he lost his invisibility and could be seen by the people around him. The lesson gives a message that misuse of science and its great discoveries can make even a brilliant scientist like Griffin a monster and a threatening lawless person. 

WORD-MEANINGS 

Imprints = impressions(छाप – चिन्ह ); gazed = looked fixedly (ध्यान से देखा )  ;remarkable = strange (अजीव – विलछड ); descending = coming down (नीचे आते हुए ); progressing = moving ahead (आगे बढ़ते हुए ); fascinated = attracted (आकर्षित हुए ); faint = dim, light  (हल्का मद्द्यम );altogether = completely (पूरी तरह ); explanation = reason (कारण ); mystery = secret (रहस्य ); bewildered = confused (परेशान ); transparent = through which light can pass (पारदर्शी ); carried out = did, conducted (किया ); invisible = that which cannot be seen (अदृश्य ); swallowed = ate without chewing (निगला ); rare = not often seen (दुर्लभ ); drug = medicine (दवा – औषधि ); solid = not in liquid or gaseous form (ठोस ); brilliant= talented (प्रतिभाशाली ); lawless = not caring for law (स्वेच्छाचारी ); eject = to force someone out (जवरदस्ती निकालना ); revenge = vindictive feeling  (बदला ) Adventures = risky activities(जोखिम भरे काम ); by no means = not at all (बिलकुल नहीं ); bitterly = excessive (बहुत अधिक ); warmth = heat (गर्मी ); regard = concern (चिंता ); expense = spending of money (खर्च )  ; wrappers = paper covers (कागज के कवर ); settled down = laid comfortably (आराम से लेट गया ); managed = succeeded in  (सफल होना ) Panicked = be afraid, confused (डर जाना , घवरा जाना ); gave chase = followed  (पीछा किया ); chill = very cold (बहुत ठंडक ); stock = store (भण्डार); space = room (स्थान ); shivering = trembling (काँपना )  ; side-whiskers = beard (दाढ़ी ); callously = without mercy (निर्दयता से )  ; arrival = reaching (पहुंचना ); appearance = outer form (बाहरी रूप ); effort = attempt ( प्रयत्न ); solitude = loneliness (अकेलापन ); disturbed = hindered (रुकावट डालना ); satisfied = contented (संतुस्ट )  ; eccentrical = whimsical (सनकी ); excuse = ignore (उपेच्छा करना , माफ़ करना ); irritable = easily annoyed (चिढ़चिढ़ा ); temper = nature (स्वभाव ); presently = soon (शीघ्र ही इस समय )  ; shortly = soon (शीघ्र )  ; curious = strange (विचित्र )  ; episode = event (घटना )  ; occurred = happened (घटित हुआ )  ; clergyman = priest (पादरी )  ; chink = sound of coins (पैसो की खनक )  ; poker = rod for poking fire  (कुरेदनी ); grasped = held firmly (कसकर पकड़ा )  ; firmly = steadily (मजबूती से ) ; surrender = submit (हार मानना ) 
Amazement = surprise(हैरानी ); affair = matter (मामला ); furious = very angry (बहुत गुस्से में ); investigate = examine ( पड़ताल करना ); still = more (और अधिक ); sniff = act of sniffing ( नाक से साँस लेना ); bedpost = leg or stand of bed ( विस्तर का पाया ); terror = fear ( डर ); slam = shut forcefully ( जोर से बंद करना ); extraordinary = unusual ( असाधारण ); convinced = sure ( विस्वास होना ); haunted = visited by ghosts ( भूतहा ); spirit = ghost ( भूत , आत्मा )  ; moaned = cried with pain ( कराहा ); witchcraft = sorcery ( जादू -टोना )  ; burglary = theft (चोरी); suspected = doubted (संदेह हुआ )  ; suspicion = feeling of doubt ( शक ) Quick tempered = short tempered( चिढ़चिढ़ा ); horrified = frightened ( डरा हुआ ); prevented = hindered, stopped ( रोका ); warrant = written official order (वारंट ); garment = clothing (कपड़ा ); struggling = fighting ( संघर्ष करते हुए ) Knocked = hit or striked(प्रहार ); unconscious = fainted ( बेहोश ); nervous = agitated, confused  ( उत्तेजित , परेशान)