How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Summary Class 9 English

Key Points of the Story

• The narrator, a twelve-year-old girl, recalls her childhood spent in a village in north Karnataka with her grandparents.
• During that time, the transportation system was poor, and the morning newspapers and weekly magazines arrived late.
• Triveni was a famous Kannada writer whose stories focused on the psychological struggles of ordinary people.
• One of her popular novels, "Kashi Yatre," tells the story of an old woman who dreams of visiting Kashi, a holy place for Hindus.
• The old lady sacrifices her own dreams to help a young orphan girl have a happy wedding.
• The narrator’s grandmother, Krishtakka, was illiterate but enjoyed hearing the stories read aloud by her granddaughter.
• After a week-long absence to attend a wedding, the narrator returns home to find her grandmother in tears, which is unusual for her.
• The grandmother shares her regrets about not being educated and expresses a desire to learn to read.
• The narrator is surprised but supportive of her grandmother’s decision to learn the Kannada alphabet.
• Despite her age, the grandmother shows determination and hard work in learning to read, becoming an eager student of her granddaughter.
• During the festival of Dassara, the grandmother shows gratitude by touching the narrator’s feet, a sign of respect for her teacher.
• The story ends with the grandmother confidently reading "Kashi Yatre," demonstrating her achievement and newfound independence.

Clear all your Class 9 doubts with EduRev Join for Free

Join for Free

Detailed Summary

Once upon a time, there was a girl who lived in a village in North Karnataka with her grandparents. When she was about twelve years old, things were very different. The buses that brought newspapers and magazines were not very reliable. Sometimes, they would get their morning papers only by afternoon, and weekly magazines would arrive a day late. Everyone in the village would eagerly wait for the bus to come, bringing news and stories from the outside world.

In those days, a famous writer named Triveni wrote stories in Kannada, which is a language spoken in that region. She was loved by many because her stories were easy to read and filled with interesting ideas. Triveni's stories often talked about the feelings and problems of ordinary people. Sadly, she passed away when she was still young, but even after many years, people continued to admire her work.

One of Triveni's stories called "Kashi Yatre" was published in a magazine called Karmaveera. This story was about an old lady who dreamed of visiting Kashi, a sacred city for Hindus. People believed that going there and praying was very important. The old lady in the story wanted to go to Kashi, but she faced many challenges. In the end, she gave all her savings to help a young girl who wanted to get married but did not have money for a wedding. The old lady chose to help the girl because she believed that the girl’s happiness was more important than her own dreams of going to Kashi.

The girl’s grandmother, who was named Krishtakka, did not go to school when she was young. This meant she could not read or write. Every Wednesday, when the magazine arrived, the girl would read the next part of "Kashi Yatre" to her grandmother. Krishtakka would listen very carefully and often remembered the story perfectly. She felt a special connection to the old lady in the story because she, too, had never been to Kashi. Krishtakka loved to hear the stories, and she would talk about them with her friends at the temple courtyard.

One day, the girl went to a wedding in another village and had so much fun that she stayed longer than expected. When she returned home, she found her grandmother in tears. This surprised her because she had never seen her grandmother cry before. The girl was worried and asked if everything was okay. Krishtakka nodded but did not say much. That night, while they were lying under the stars, Krishtakka shared her life story with the girl. She told her about losing her mother as a child, not being able to go to school, and feeling sad about not being educated. She wanted her children and grandchildren to study well, and this made her very happy.

Then, Krishtakka revealed that while the girl was away, she had tried to read the magazine but could not understand the words. She felt embarrassed and helpless because she wanted to be independent and read on her own. She decided she wanted to learn to read and write, starting with the Kannada alphabet. The girl was surprised but also laughed, thinking her grandmother was too old to start learning. However, Krishtakka was determined and said that learning had no age limit. She promised to work hard and wanted to be able to read a novel by the time of the festival of Dassara.

From the next day, the girl became her grandmother's teacher. Krishtakka was a great student, practising a lot and showing great dedication. As time passed, the Dassara festival came, and the girl secretly bought the book "Kashi Yatre," which was now published as a novel. During the festival, Krishtakka gave the girl a gift and then surprised her by touching her feet, which is a sign of respect in their culture. She explained that she was respecting her as a teacher, who had helped her become independent and able to read. The girl was so proud of her grandmother for achieving her goal. It was a beautiful moment that showed how love and learning can change lives.

Theme/ Message

Theme

• The theme of the story revolves around the importance of education and the desire for independence, regardless of age.
• It highlights the emotional bond between the narrator and her grandmother, showing how love can inspire someone to pursue their dreams.
• The story emphasizes that it is never too late to learn, and one can overcome obstacles through determination and hard work.

Download the notes Summary - How I Taught My Grandmother to Read

Download as PDF

Download as PDF

Message

• The story conveys a powerful message about the value of education and lifelong learning.
• It teaches that everyone, regardless of their age, should have the opportunity to learn and become independent.
• The narrator’s grandmother’s journey illustrates that with support and love, one can achieve their dreams, no matter how old they are.
• It also shows that respect and gratitude can flow both ways, creating a beautiful relationship between a teacher and a student.

Take a Practice Test Test yourself on topics from Class 9 exam

Practice Now

Practice Now

Difficult Words

• Regret: A feeling of sadness or disappointment about something that has happened or been done.
• Independent: Not relying on others for help; being self-sufficient.
• Determination: The quality of being firm in purpose; having a strong will to achieve something.
• Adept: Very skilled or proficient at something.
• Protagonist: The main character in a story, often facing challenges.
• Psychological: Related to the mind or mental processes.
• Affectionate: Showing fondness or tenderness towards someone.
• Emotional: Relating to feelings or expressions of feelings.
• Embarrassed: Feeling self-conscious or ashamed about something.
• Legacy: Something handed down from the past, often related to family or tradition.
• Pooja: A religious ceremony or ritual performed in Hinduism.
• Worship: The act of showing respect and love for a divine being.
• Seriousness: The state of being earnest or concerned about something.
• Express: To communicate thoughts or feelings through words or actions.