Madam Rides The Bus

So students, welcome to today's English lesson. I'm so happy to see you all here, ready to learn something new and wonderful. Today, we are going to study a very beautiful and touching chapter from your English textbook. The chapter is called "Madam Rides the Bus" and it is written by a famous Tamil author named Vallikkannan. This story is from the book called "First Flight" which is prescribed for Class 10 students.

Now, before we begin reading the story, let me tell you a little bit about what we are going to learn. This is a sensitive story about an eight-year-old girl who takes her first bus journey. And students, this journey is not just any ordinary journey - it is her induction into understanding the mystery of life and death. The story shows us the gap between knowing that there is death, and actually understanding what it means. This is a very deep theme, but the author has presented it in such a simple and beautiful way that we can easily understand it.

So students, let's start with the "Before You Read" activity. This activity is designed to prepare your mind for what you are about to read. It helps you to think about the words and phrases you might encounter in the story.

Look at the words and phrases given below. Then put a tick against the ones you think you will find in the text. So students, let me go through each one with you and we will decide which ones we think will appear in the story.

First, "a set of passengers" - do you think this will be in the story? Yes, of course! Because the story is about a bus journey, and buses have passengers. So we can tick this one.

Next, "get on the bus" - absolutely yes! This is definitely going to be in the story. Tick this one.

Then, "get off the bus" - yes, this too will appear because passengers do get off buses. Tick this one.

"Platform" - hmm, this might appear because bus stations have platforms. Let's keep this as a maybe, but I think we can tick it.

"Tickets, please" - oh yes! The conductor will definitely ask for tickets. Tick this one.

"A roar and a rattle" - this sounds like the sound a bus makes. Yes, this should be in the story. Tick it.

"A row of seats" - definitely! Buses have seats arranged in rows. Tick this one.

"Slowing down to a crawl" - this describes a bus moving very slowly. Yes, this will appear in the story. Tick it.

"Blowing a whistle" - yes, the conductor blows a whistle to signal the driver. Tick this one.

So students, all these phrases are likely to appear in the story because they are all related to bus travel. Now, let's move to the second part of the "Before You Read" activity.

You must have travelled by bus more than once. What can you see from a fast-moving bus? Given below are some suggestions. You need to speak briefly about some of these scenes, or about other such scenes that you have seen; or write a sentence or two about them.

The suggestions include rivers, green fields, hills, roadside shops, market places, railway tracks, moving trains, vehicles on the road, trees, a crowd, clothes in shops, and animals.

So students, when you are sitting in a fast-moving bus, what do you see? Let me tell you about some of the things I have seen. When I travel by bus, I often see beautiful green fields on both sides of the road. The crops swaying in the wind look so lovely. I also see trees - sometimes they appear to be running towards us and then moving away, which is a very interesting visual effect. I have seen roadside shops selling various items, from fruits and vegetables to clothes and household goods. I have seen crowded market places where many people are buying and selling things. I have seen railway tracks with trains passing by, and I have seen various vehicles on the road - cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and even animal-drawn carts in some rural areas. And of course, I have seen many different animals - cows, goats, dogs, and sometimes even monkeys near forest areas.

Now students, let's begin the actual story. The story is divided into four sections, and we will go through each section carefully, understanding every word and every concept.

## Section I

So students, let's start with Section I of the story.

There was a girl named Valliammai who was called Valli for short. She was eight years old and very curious about things. Her favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house, watching what was happening in the street outside. There were no playmates of her own age on her street, and this was about all she had to do.

Now students, let me explain this to you. Valliammai is the full name of the girl, but everyone calls her Valli, which is a short form or nickname. She is eight years old, just like many of you. She is very curious, which means she wants to know about everything around her. Her favourite pastime - that means her favorite thing to do in her free time - was standing in the front doorway of her house and watching the street outside. She didn't have any friends of her own age to play with on her street, so watching the street was the main thing she could do to pass her time.

But for Valli, standing at the front door was every bit as enjoyable as any of the elaborate games other children played. Watching the street gave her many new unusual experiences.

So students, even though she was just standing at the door, she enjoyed it as much as other children enjoy playing complicated games. And through watching the street, she learned about many new and unusual things.

The most fascinating thing of all was the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town. It passed through her street each hour, once going to the town and once coming back. The sight of the bus, filled each time with a new set of passengers, was a source of unending joy for Valli.

Now students, this is very important. The most fascinating thing - the most interesting and exciting thing - for Valli was the bus that traveled between her village and the nearest town. This bus passed through her street every hour. One hour it would go to the town, and the next hour it would come back. And each time the bus passed, it was filled with different passengers - a new set of people every time. This sight made Valli very happy - it was a source of unending joy, which means it gave her happiness that never ended.

Day after day she watched the bus, and gradually a tiny wish crept into her head and grew there: she wanted to ride on that bus, even if just once. This wish became stronger and stronger, until it was an overwhelming desire. Valli would stare wistfully at the people who got on or off the bus when it stopped at the street corner. Their faces would kindle in her longings, dreams, and hopes.

So students, every day Valli watched the bus, and slowly, a small wish grew in her mind. This wish was to ride on the bus, even if it was just once. This wish kept getting stronger and stronger until it became an overwhelming desire - something she wanted very badly. She would look at the people who got on or off the bus with wistful eyes - that means with a longingly, eagerly. And looking at their faces would kindle - that means spark or ignite - her own longings, dreams, and hopes. It made her want what they had.

If one of her friends happened to ride the bus and tried to describe the sights of the town to her, Valli would be too jealous to listen and would shout, in English: "Proud! proud!"

Now students, this is interesting. If any of Valli's friends rode the bus and tried to tell her about the town, Valli would become very jealous. She wouldn't even want to listen to them. Instead, she would shout the word "Proud! proud!" in English. But here's the thing - neither she nor her friends really understood the meaning of the word. They used it as a slang expression of disapproval. They used it to mean something like "you are being proud" or "you are showing off," but they didn't really know the proper meaning of the word.

Over many days and months Valli listened carefully to conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus, and she also asked a few discreet questions here and there. This way she picked up various small details about the bus journey. The town was six miles from her village. The fare was thirty paise one way — "which is almost nothing at all," she heard one well-dressed man say, but to Valli, who scarcely saw that much money from one month to the next, it seemed a fortune. The trip to the town took forty-five minutes. On reaching town, if she stayed in her seat and paid another thirty paise, she could return home on the same bus. This meant that she could take the one-o'clock afternoon bus, reach the town at one forty-five, and be back home by about two forty-five...

So students, this is very important. Valli was a very smart and determined girl. Over many days and months, she listened carefully to what people said about the bus journey. She also asked some discreet questions - careful questions that wouldn't make people suspicious about why she was asking. This way, she gathered various small details about the bus journey.

Let me tell you what she found out. The town was six miles away from her village. The fare - that means the ticket price - was thirty paise for a one-way trip. She heard a well-dressed man say that thirty paise was almost nothing, but for Valli, who hardly ever saw that much money from one month to the next, it seemed like a fortune. The journey to the town took forty-five minutes. And here's something interesting - if she stayed in her seat and paid another thirty paise, she could return home on the same bus. This meant she could take the one o'clock afternoon bus, reach the town at one forty-five, and be back home by about two forty-five. She had calculated everything very carefully.

On and on went her thoughts as she calculated and recalculated, planned and replanned.

So students, Valli kept thinking about this plan over and over again. She calculated and recalculated the times and the money, and she planned and replanned how she would do it.

Now students, let me explain some important words from this section.

The word "wistfully" means longingly - when you want something very much and look at it with a feeling of longing.

The word "kindle" means to set alight, like starting a fire. But here, it is used metaphorically - it means to spark or ignite feelings. When Valli saw the faces of the passengers, it ignited her own longings, dreams, and hopes.

"A slang expression" refers to informal words that are often used within a close group of people. The word "proud" was used as a slang expression by Valli and her friends, even though they didn't really understand its proper meaning.

"Discreet questions" means careful questions that are asked in a way that doesn't attract attention or make people suspicious.

Now students, let's move to the Oral Comprehension Check for Section I. I want you to answer these questions in your own words.

Question 1: What was Valli's favourite pastime?

Answer: Valli's favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house and watching what was happening in the street outside. She didn't have any playmates of her own age on her street, so this was the main thing she did to pass her time. And she enjoyed it as much as other children enjoy playing elaborate games.

Question 2: What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?

Answer: The bus that traveled between her village and the nearest town was a source of unending joy for Valli. It passed through her street every hour, and each time it was filled with a new set of passengers, which fascinated her. Her strongest desire was to ride on that bus, even if just once. This wish became so strong that it became an overwhelming desire.

Question 3: What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details?

Answer: Valli found out several important details about the bus journey. She learned that the town was six miles from her village, the fare was thirty paise one way, the trip took forty-five minutes, and if she paid another thirty paise, she could return on the same bus. This meant she could take the one o'clock bus, reach the town at one forty-five, and be back home by about two forty-five. She found out these details by listening carefully to conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus, and by asking a few discreet questions here and there.

Question 4: What do you think Valli was planning to do?

Answer: Valli was planning to take a bus ride to the town and back. She had calculated that she would need sixty paise total - thirty paise for going and thirty paise for returning. She had figured out the timing - she could take the one o'clock bus, spend a little time in the town, and return on the same bus by about two forty-five. She was planning to do all this without her mother's knowledge, using the time when her mother took her afternoon nap.

So students, now we have completed Section I and its comprehension questions. Let me quickly recap what we learned. Valli was an eight-year-old girl who loved to watch the street from her doorway. She was fascinated by the bus that passed by her house every hour. She wished desperately to ride on that bus. She gathered information about the bus journey by listening carefully to people and asking discreet questions. She learned that the fare was thirty paise one way, the town was six miles away, and the journey took forty-five minutes. She planned to take the one o'clock bus and return by about two forty-five. Now let's move to Section II.

## Section II

Well, one fine spring day the afternoon bus was just on the point of leaving the village and turning into the main highway when a small voice was heard shouting: "Stop the bus! Stop the bus!" And a tiny hand was raised commandingly.

So students, one beautiful spring day, the afternoon bus was about to leave the village and turn onto the main highway. Suddenly, a small voice was heard shouting "Stop the bus! Stop the bus!" And a tiny hand was raised in a commanding way.

The bus slowed down to a crawl, and the conductor, sticking his head out the door, said, "Hurry then! Tell whoever it is to come quickly."

The bus slowed down to a crawl - that means it moved very slowly. The conductor - that is the person who collects fares and gives tickets on a bus - put his head out of the door and told whoever it was to come quickly.

"It's me," shouted Valli. "I'm the one who has to get on."

By now the bus had come to a stop, and the conductor said, "Oh, really! You don't say so!"

"Yes, I simply have to go to town," said Valli, still standing outside the bus, "and here's my money." She showed him some coins.

So students, it was Valli who had been shouting! She was standing outside the bus and wanted to get on. The conductor was surprised that such a small girl wanted to travel alone. But Valli insisted that she had to go to the town, and she showed him her money.

"Okay, okay, but first you must get on the bus," said the conductor, and he stretched out a hand to help her up.

"Never mind," she said, "I can get on by myself. You don't have to help me."

The conductor was a jolly sort, fond of joking. "Oh, please don't be angry with me, my fine madam," he said. "Here, have a seat right up there in front. Everybody move aside please — make way for madam."

Now students, this is very interesting. The conductor was a jolly person - he liked to joke and make people laugh. He stretched out his hand to help Valli get on the bus, but she refused his help. She wanted to do it herself. The conductor found this amusing and started calling her "madam" in a playful way. He said "make way for madam" and asked her to sit in the front seat. This is where the title of the story comes from - "Madam Rides the Bus."

It was the slack time of day, and there were only six or seven passengers on the bus. They were all looking at Valli and laughing with the conductor. Valli was overcome with shyness. Avoiding everyone's eyes, she walked quickly to an empty seat and sat down.

Now students, "slack time" means a time when there is not much activity. It was the slack time of day, so there were only six or seven passengers on the bus. Everyone was looking at Valli and laughing with the conductor. Valli became very shy - she was overcome with shyness. She avoided looking at anyone's eyes and quickly sat down in an empty seat.

"May we start now, madam?" the conductor asked, smiling. Then he blew his whistle twice, and the bus moved forward with a roar.

The conductor asked if they could start now, still calling her "madam" in a playful way. Then he blew his whistle twice as a signal, and the bus started moving with a loud roar.

It was a new bus, its outside painted a gleaming white with some green stripes along the sides. Inside, the overhead bars shone like silver. Directly in front of Valli, above the windshield, there was a beautiful clock. The seats were soft and luxurious.

So students, the bus was new and beautiful. It was painted white with green stripes. Inside, the overhead bars were shiny like silver. There was a beautiful clock right in front of Valli, above the windshield. And the seats were soft and luxurious - they must have been very comfortable.

Valli devoured everything with her eyes. But when she started to look outside, she found her view cut off by a canvas blind that covered the lower part of her window. So she stood up on the seat and peered over the blind.

Now students, "devoured everything with her eyes" means she looked at everything with great interest and excitement - like she wanted to see and take in everything. But when she tried to look outside, her view was blocked by a canvas blind that covered the lower part of her window. So she stood up on her seat and peered over the blind - that means she looked over it carefully to see outside.

The bus was now going along the bank of a canal. The road was very narrow. On one side there was the canal and, beyond it, palm trees, grassland, distant mountains, and the blue, blue sky. On the other side was a deep ditch and then acres and acres of green fields — green, green, green, as far as the eye could see.

Oh, it was all so wonderful!

So students, the bus was traveling along the bank of a canal. The road was very narrow. On one side was the canal, and beyond it were palm trees, grassland, distant mountains, and the beautiful blue sky. On the other side was a deep ditch, and then there were acres and acres of green fields - so much green as far as the eye could see. Valli found this view absolutely wonderful.

Suddenly she was startled by a voice. "Listen, child," said the voice, "you shouldn't stand like that. Sit down."

Sitting down, she looked to see who had spoken. It was an elderly man who had honestly been concerned for her, but she was annoyed by his attention.

"There's nobody here who's a child," she said haughtily. "I've paid my thirty paise like everyone else."

Now students, an elderly man spoke to Valli and told her not to stand on the seat because it could be dangerous. He was concerned about her safety. But Valli was annoyed by his attention. She said haughtily - that means proudly - that there was nobody there who was a child. She pointed out that she had paid her thirty paise just like everyone else, so she should be treated like an adult passenger.

The conductor chimed in. "Oh, sir, but this is a very grown-up madam. Do you think a mere girl could pay her own fare and travel to the city all alone?"

Valli shot an angry glance at the conductor and said, "I am not a madam. Please remember that. And you've not yet given me my ticket."

"I'll remember," the conductor said, mimicking her tone. Everyone laughed, and gradually Valli too joined in the laughter.

So students, the conductor joined in the conversation. He was still joking and called her a "grown-up madam." Valli shot an angry glance at him and said she was not a madam and that he hadn't given her ticket yet. The conductor mimicked her tone - he copied the way she was speaking - and everyone laughed. Even Valli eventually joined in the laughter.

The conductor punched a ticket and handed it to her. "Just sit back and make yourself comfortable. Why should you stand when you've paid for a seat?"

"Because I want to," she answered, standing up again.

"But if you stand on the seat, you may fall and hurt yourself when the bus makes a sharp turn or hits a bump. That's why we want you to sit down, child."

"I'm not a child, I tell you," she said irritably. "I'm eight years old."

"Of course, of course. How stupid of me! Eight years — my!"

So students, the conductor gave Valli her ticket. He told her to sit back and be comfortable. But Valli stood up again because she wanted to see outside. The conductor warned her that she could fall and hurt herself when the bus made sharp turns or went over bumps. But Valli insisted she was not a child. She said irritably - that means with irritation - that she was eight years old. The conductor pretended to be surprised and said "Eight years — my!" in a humorous way.

The bus stopped, some new passengers got on, and the conductor got busy for a time. Afraid of losing her seat, Valli finally sat down.

An elderly woman came and sat beside her. "Are you all alone, dear?" she asked Valli as the bus started again.

Valli found the woman absolutely repulsive — such big holes she had in her ear lobes, and such ugly earrings in them! And she could smell the betel nut the woman was chewing and see the betel juice that was threatening to spill over her lips at any moment.

Ugh! — who could be sociable with such a person?

Now students, this is interesting. An elderly woman sat beside Valli and asked if she was traveling alone. Valli found this woman repulsive - that means she found her very unpleasant to look at. She noticed the big holes in the woman's ear lobes and the ugly earrings. She could smell the betel nut the woman was chewing - betel nut is commonly chewed in India, and it gives a red color to the saliva. Valli could see the betel juice that was about to spill over the woman's lips. Valli thought to herself "Ugh! who could be sociable with such a person?" - she didn't want to talk to this woman.

"Yes, I'm travelling alone," she answered curtly. "And I've got a ticket too."

"Yes, she's on her way to town," said the conductor. "With a thirty-paise ticket."

"Oh, why don't you mind your own business," said Valli. But she laughed all the same, and the conductor laughed too.

But the old woman went on with her drivel. "Is it proper for such a young person to travel alone? Do you know exactly where you're going in town? What's the street? What's the house number?"

"You needn't bother about me. I can take care of myself," Valli said, turning her face towards the window and staring out.

So students, Valli answered the elderly woman curtly - that means in a brief and somewhat rude way. She said she was traveling alone and had a ticket. The conductor explained that she was going to town with a thirty-paise ticket. Valli told the old woman to mind her own business, but she was still laughing. The old woman continued with her drivel - that means silly nonsense. She asked Valli if it was proper for a young person to travel alone and asked about where she was going in town. Valli told her not to bother and said she could take care of herself. Then she turned her face towards the window and stared out.

Now students, let me explain some important words from this section.

"Slack time" means a time when there is not much work or activity. In this context, it was the afternoon when there weren't many passengers.

"Haughtily" means proudly, in a way that shows you think you are better than others. Valli spoke haughtily to the elderly man because she didn't want to be treated like a child.

"Mimicking" means copying the way someone speaks or behaves. The conductor mimicked Valli's tone to make a joke.

"Repulsive" means causing strong dislike or disgust. Valli found the elderly woman repulsive because of her appearance and habits.

"Curtly" means in a brief and somewhat rude way. Valli answered the woman's questions curtly.

"Drivel" means silly nonsense. The old woman was talking drivel - asking unnecessary questions.

Now students, let's move to the Oral Comprehension Check for Section II.

Question 1: Why does the conductor call Valli 'madam'?

Answer: The conductor calls Valli 'madam' in a playful and joking manner. He finds it amusing that such a young girl is traveling alone and wants to be treated like an adult. He uses the term "madam" to tease her and make fun of the way she is acting - like a grown-up lady. This becomes a running joke throughout the story.

Question 2: Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see now?

Answer: Valli stands up on the seat because her view outside the window is blocked by a canvas blind that covers the lower part of her window. She wants to see the scenery outside. When she stands up and peers over the blind, she sees a beautiful landscape. The bus is going along the bank of a canal. On one side, there is the canal with palm trees, grassland, distant mountains, and the blue sky beyond it. On the other side, there is a deep ditch and then acres and acres of green fields - green as far as the eye can see. She finds it all wonderful.

Question 3: What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child?

Answer: When the elderly man calls her a child and tells her to sit down, Valli responds haughtily. She says "There's nobody here who's a child. I've paid my thirty paise like everyone else." She insists that she is not a child and should be treated like any other adult passenger who has paid the fare.

Question 4: Why didn't Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?

Answer: Valli didn't want to make friends with the elderly woman because she found her repulsive. She noticed the big holes in the woman's ear lobes and the ugly earrings. She could smell the betel nut the woman was chewing and see the betel juice that was about to spill over her lips. Valli thought "Ugh! — who could be sociable with such a person?" She didn't want to be social or friendly with someone she found so unpleasant to look at and be near.

So students, let's recap what we learned in Section II. Valli successfully boarded the bus by shouting "Stop the bus!" The conductor was surprised but let her on. He started calling her "madam" as a joke. Valli was shy at first but soon became excited about the journey. She stood on her seat to see outside because the window was covered by a canvas blind. She saw beautiful scenery - a canal, palm trees, mountains, and green fields. An elderly man told her not to stand, but she responded haughtily that she was not a child. The conductor continued to joke with her. An elderly woman sat beside her, but Valli found her repulsive and didn't want to talk to her. Now let's move to Section III.

## Section III

Her first journey — what careful, painstaking, elaborate plans she had had to make for it! She had thriftily saved whatever stray coins came her way, resisting every temptation to buy peppermints, toys, balloons, and the like, and finally she had saved a total of sixty paise. How difficult it had been, particularly that day at the village fair, but she had resolutely stifled a strong desire to ride the merry-go-round, even though she had the money.

So students, now we learn how Valli saved money for her first journey. She had to make careful, painstaking, and elaborate plans. She thriftily saved - that means she saved carefully - whatever stray coins came her way. She resisted every temptation to buy things like peppermints, toys, balloons, and similar items. Finally, she saved a total of sixty paise - thirty paise for going and thirty paise for returning. It was very difficult for her, especially on the day of the village fair when she really wanted to ride the merry-go-round. But she resolutely stifled - that means she suppressed with determination - her strong desire to ride the merry-go-round, even though she had the money. This shows how determined she was to achieve her goal.

After she had enough money saved, her next problem was how to slip out of the house without her mother's knowledge. But she managed this without too much difficulty. Every day after lunch her mother would nap from about one to four or so. Valli always used these hours for her 'excursions' as she stood looking from the doorway of her house or sometimes even ventured out into the village; today, these same hours could be used for her first excursion outside the village.

So students, after saving enough money, Valli's next problem was how to leave the house without her mother knowing. But she managed this easily. Every day after lunch, her mother would take a nap from about one to four o'clock. Valli used these hours for her little excursions - she would stand at the doorway or sometimes even go out into the village. Today, she could use these same hours for her first trip outside the village.

The bus rolled on now cutting across a bare landscape, now rushing through a tiny hamlet or past an odd wayside shop. Sometimes the bus seemed on the point of gobbling up another vehicle that was coming towards them or a pedestrian crossing the road. But lo! somehow it passed on smoothly, leaving all obstacles safely behind. Trees came running towards them but then stopped as the bus reached them and simply stood there helpless for a moment by the side of the road before rushing away in the other direction.

Now students, this is a beautiful description of the bus journey. The bus rolled on through different landscapes - sometimes across bare land, sometimes through a tiny hamlet or past a wayside shop. Sometimes it seemed like it was about to gobble up - that means swallow or crash into - another vehicle coming towards them or a pedestrian crossing the road. But somehow, it passed smoothly, leaving all obstacles behind. The description of trees "coming running towards them but then stopping as the bus reached them and simply standing there helpless for a moment before rushing away in the other direction" is a wonderful example of how things appear to move when you are in a fast-moving vehicle. This is something you might have noticed yourself when traveling by bus or car.

Suddenly Valli clapped her hands with glee. A young cow, tail high in the air, was running very fast, right in the middle of the road, right in front of the bus. The bus slowed to a crawl, and the driver sounded his horn loudly again and again. But the more he honked, the more frightened the animal became and the faster it galloped — always right in front of the bus.

So students, suddenly Valli saw something that made her very happy. A young cow was running in the middle of the road, right in front of the bus. Its tail was high in the air. The bus slowed down to a crawl, and the driver honked his horn again and again. But the more he honked, the more frightened the cow became and the faster it ran - always staying in front of the bus.

Somehow this was very funny to Valli. She laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes.

Valli found this very funny. She laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes. This shows how innocent and joyful she was - she found the scene of the cow running in front of the bus extremely amusing.

"Hey, lady, haven't you laughed enough?" called, the conductor. "Better save some for tomorrow."

The conductor noticed her laughter and joked with her, saying "Hey, lady, haven't you laughed enough? Better save some for tomorrow."

At last the cow moved off the road. And soon the bus came to a railroad crossing. A speck of a train could be seen in the distance, growing bigger and bigger as it drew near. Then it rushed past the crossing gate with a tremendous roar and rattle, shaking the bus. Then the bus went on and passed the train station. From there it traversed a busy, well-laid-out shopping street and, turning, entered a wider thoroughfare. Such big, bright-looking shops! What glittering displays of clothes and other merchandise! Such big crowds!

So students, finally the cow moved off the road. Soon the bus came to a railroad crossing. They could see a train in the distance, which grew bigger as it came closer. Then the train rushed past with a tremendous roar and rattle, shaking the bus. After that, the bus went past the train station and through a busy shopping street. Valli saw big, bright-looking shops with glittering displays of clothes and other merchandise, and there were big crowds of people.

Struck dumb with wonder, Valli gaped at everything.

Valli was so amazed by everything she saw that she was struck dumb with wonder - she couldn't speak because she was so amazed. She gaped - that means she stared with her mouth open - at everything.

Then the bus stopped and everyone got off except Valli.

"Hey, lady," said the conductor, "aren't you ready to get off? This is as far as your thirty paise takes you."

"No," Valli said, "I'm going back on this same bus." She took another thirty paise from her pocket and handed the coins to the conductor.

"Why, is something the matter?"

"No, nothing's the matter. I just felt like having a bus ride, that's all."

So students, the bus reached the town and everyone got off except Valli. The conductor asked her if she was ready to get off, reminding her that her thirty paise ticket only took her to this point. But Valli said she was going back on the same bus. She took another thirty paise from her pocket and gave it to the conductor. The conductor asked if something was wrong, and Valli said nothing was the matter - she just felt like having a bus ride.

"Don't you want to have a look at the sights, now that you're here?"

"All by myself? Oh, I'd be much too afraid."

Greatly amused by the girl's way of speaking, the conductor said, "But you weren't afraid to come in the bus."

"Nothing to be afraid of about that," she answered.

The conductor suggested she get off and see the sights of the town. But Valli said she would be too afraid to go around all by herself. The conductor was amused by the way she spoke - she was afraid to explore the town alone but wasn't afraid to ride the bus alone.

"Well, then, why not go to that stall over there and have something to drink? Nothing to be afraid of about that either."

"Oh, no, I couldn't do that."

The conductor suggested she go to a stall and have something to drink. But Valli refused.

"Well, then, let me bring you a cold drink."

"No, I don't have enough money. Just give me my ticket, that's all."

"It'll be my treat and not cost you anything."

"No, no," she said firmly, "please, no."

The conductor offered to bring her a cold drink as his treat - he would pay for it. But Valli firmly refused. She said she didn't have enough money and just wanted her ticket. The conductor offered to pay, but Valli firmly said no.

The conductor shrugged, and they waited until it was time for the bus to begin the return journey. Again there weren't many passengers.

The conductor shrugged and they waited for the return journey. Again, there weren't many passengers.

Now students, let me explain some important words from this section.

"Thriftily" means carefully, spending money wisely. Valli saved her money carefully.

"Resolutely stifled" means suppressed or controlled with determination. Valli controlled her desire to ride the merry-go-round.

"Venture out" means to go out cautiously or courageously. Valli sometimes ventured out into the village.

"Thoroughfare" means a busy public road. The bus entered a wider thoroughfare.

"Merchandise" means things for sale. There were glittering displays of merchandise in the shops.

Now students, let's move to the Oral Comprehension Check for Section III.

Question 1: How did Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?

Answer: Valli saved up money thriftily by saving whatever stray coins came her way. She resisted every temptation to buy things like peppermints, toys, balloons, and the like. It was very difficult for her, especially on the day of the village fair when she really wanted to ride the merry-go-round. But she resolutely stifled her strong desire and finally saved a total of sixty paise - thirty paise for going and thirty paise for returning.

Question 2: What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?

Answer: Valli saw a young cow running very fast in the middle of the road, right in front of the bus. The cow's tail was high in the air, and the more the driver honked, the more frightened the cow became and the faster it galloped. This scene seemed very funny to Valli, and she laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes.

Question 3: Why didn't she get off the bus at the bus station?

Answer: Valli didn't get off the bus at the bus station because she didn't actually want to go to the town or see the sights. She just wanted to have a bus ride - that was her desire. When the conductor asked if she wanted to get off and see the sights, she said she would be too afraid to go around all by herself. So she stayed on the bus and returned home on the same bus.

Question 4: Why didn't Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does this tell you about her?

Answer: Valli didn't want to go to the stall and have a drink because she didn't have enough money. Even when the conductor offered to pay for it as his treat, she firmly refused. This tells us that Valli was very proud and independent. She didn't want to accept favors or spend money that she hadn't earned or saved. She was careful with her money and didn't want to take anything free. This shows her strong character and sense of independence.

So students, let's recap Section III. Valli had saved sixty paise by resisting temptations to buy things. She planned to go during her mother's nap time. On the way, she saw a cow running in front of the bus, which made her laugh. When the bus reached the town, she didn't get off because she just wanted a bus ride, not to see the town. She refused the conductor's offer to buy her a drink because she was proud and didn't want to accept favors. Now let's move to Section IV.

## Section IV

"Won't your mother be looking for you?" the conductor asked when he gave the girl her ticket.

"No, no one will be looking for me," she said.

So students, on the return journey, the conductor asked Valli if her mother would be looking for her. Valli said no one would be looking for her. This is because she had planned this trip during her mother's nap time, so her mother wouldn't even know she was gone.

The bus started, and again there were the same wonderful sights.

The bus started on its return journey, and Valli saw the same wonderful sights again.

Valli wasn't bored in the slightest and greeted everything with the same excitement she'd felt the first time. But suddenly she saw a young cow lying dead by the roadside, just where it had been struck by some fast-moving vehicle.

But then something very sad happened. Valli saw a young cow lying dead by the roadside. It had been struck by some fast-moving vehicle - probably the same cow that had run in front of the bus earlier! This is a very important moment in the story.

"Isn't that the same cow that ran in front of the bus on our trip to town?" she asked the conductor.

The conductor nodded, and she was overcome with sadness. What had been a lovable, beautiful creature just a little while ago had now suddenly lost its charm and its life and looked so horrible, so frightening as it lay there, legs spreadeagled, a fixed stare in its lifeless eyes, blood all over...

Valli asked the conductor if it was the same cow that had run in front of the bus on the way to town. The conductor nodded. Valli was overcome with sadness. Just a little while ago, the cow had been a lovable, beautiful creature running playfully. Now it was dead, lying there with its legs spreadeagled - that means spread out in different directions. It had a fixed stare in its lifeless eyes, and there was blood all over. It looked horrible and frightening.

The bus moved on. The memory of the dead cow haunted her, dampening her enthusiasm. She no longer wanted to look out the window.

So students, this is very important. The bus moved on, but the memory of the dead cow haunted Valli - that means it returned repeatedly to her mind and was impossible to forget. This memory dampened her enthusiasm - it reduced her excitement and joy. She no longer wanted to look out the window. The experience of seeing death - even of an animal - had deeply affected her.

She sat thus, glued to her seat, until the bus reached her village at three forty. She stood up and stretched herself. Then she turned to the conductor and said, "Well, sir, I hope to see you again."

"Okay, madam," he answered her, smiling. "Whenever you feel like a bus ride, come and join us. And don't forget to bring your fare."

She laughed and jumped down from the bus. Then away she went, running straight for home.

Valli sat quietly, glued to her seat - that means she stayed in her seat without moving - until the bus reached her village at three forty. Then she stood up, stretched, and said to the conductor "Well, sir, I hope to see you again." The conductor smiled and said "Okay, madam. Whenever you feel like a bus ride, come and join us. And don't forget to bring your fare." Valli laughed, jumped down from the bus, and ran straight home.

When she entered her house she found her mother awake and talking to one of Valli's aunts, the one from South Street. This aunt was a real chatterbox, never closing her mouth once she started talking.

When Valli reached home, her mother was awake and talking to one of her aunts - the one from South Street. The aunt was a chatterbox - someone who talks a lot and never stops.

"And where have you been?" said her aunt when Valli came in. She spoke very casually, not expecting a reply. So Valli just smiled, and her mother and aunt went on with their conversation.

Valli came in, and her aunt casually asked "And where have you been?" but she didn't really expect an answer. Valli just smiled, and her mother and aunt continued their conversation.

"Yes, you're right," her mother said. "So many things in our midst and in the world outside. How can we possibly know about everything? And even when we do know about something, we often can't understand it completely, can we?"

"Oh, yes!" breathed Valli.

"What?" asked her mother. "What's that you say?"

"Oh," said Valli, "I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge."

"Just a chit of a girl, she is," said her aunt, "and yet look how she pokes her nose into our conversation, just as though she were a grown lady."

Now students, this is a very important part of the story. Valli's mother was saying that there are so many things happening around us and in the world outside. How can we possibly know about everything? And even when we do know about something, we often can't understand it completely. Valli said "Oh, yes!" - she was agreeing with this. Her mother asked what she said, and Valli explained that she was just agreeing with what her mother said about things happening without our knowledge. The aunt commented that Valli was just a chit of a girl - a very young girl - and yet she was poking her nose into their conversation as if she were a grown lady.

Valli smiled to herself. She didn't want them to understand her smile. But, then, there wasn't much chance of that, was there?

Valli smiled to herself. She didn't want her mother and aunt to understand her smile - the smile that came from her own secret experience and newfound understanding. But there wasn't much chance of them understanding, was there? They didn't know what she had been through.

Now students, let me explain some important words from this section.

"Spreadeagled" means spread out. The cow was lying with its legs spreadeagled.

"Haunted" means returned repeatedly to the mind; was impossible to forget. The memory of the dead cow haunted Valli.

"Pokes her nose" is an idiom that means takes an interest in something that doesn't concern her. The aunt said Valli was poking her nose into their conversation.

Now students, let's move to the Oral Comprehension Check for Section IV.

Question 1: How did Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?

Answer: This question was already answered in Section III. Valli saved money thriftily by saving stray coins and resisting temptations. It was very difficult, especially at the village fair.

Question 2: What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?

Answer: This question was also answered in Section III. Valli saw a young cow running in front of the bus, and this made her laugh.

Question 3: Why didn't she get off the bus at the bus station?

Answer: This question was also answered in Section III. She didn't get off because she just wanted a bus ride, not to see the town.

Question 4: Why didn't Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does this tell you about her?

Answer: This question was also answered in Section III. She didn't want to go because she didn't have enough money, and she refused the conductor's offer to pay. This shows she was proud and independent.

Now students, we have completed all four sections of the story. Now let's move to the "Thinking about the Text" section, where we have to answer some important questions about the story.

## Thinking about the Text

Question 1: What was Valli's deepest desire? Find the words and phrases in the story that tell you this.

Answer: Valli's deepest desire was to ride on the bus, even if just once. The story tells us this through several words and phrases. The story says "gradually a tiny wish crept into her head and grew there: she wanted to ride on that bus, even if just once." It also says "This wish became stronger and stronger, until it was an overwhelming desire." And it says "Valli would stare wistfully at the people who got on or off the bus... Their faces would kindle in her longings, dreams, and hopes." These words and phrases clearly show that Valli's deepest desire was to ride the bus.

Question 2: How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and how did she save up the fare?

Answer: Valli planned her bus ride very carefully. First, she found out details about the bus journey by listening to conversations between neighbours and people who used the bus, and by asking discreet questions. She learned that the town was six miles away, the fare was thirty paise one way, the trip took forty-five minutes, and she could return on the same bus by paying another thirty paise. She calculated that she could take the one o'clock bus, reach the town at one forty-five, and be back home by about two forty-five. To save the fare, she thriftily saved whatever stray coins came her way, resisting every temptation to buy peppermints, toys, balloons, and the like. She saved a total of sixty paise. She also planned to go during her mother's nap time - from about one to four o'clock - so her mother wouldn't know she was gone.

Question 3: What kind of a person is Valli? To answer this question, pick out the following sentences from the text and fill in the blanks. The words you fill in are the clues to your answer.

Let me go through each sentence:

(i) "Stop the bus! Stop the bus!" And a tiny hand was raised commandingly.

The word here is "commandingly" - this shows that Valli was bold and confident. She wasn't afraid to speak up and demand attention.

(ii) "Yes, I simply have to go to town," said Valli, still standing outside the bus.

The word here is "simply" - this shows that Valli was determined and had a clear purpose. She knew what she wanted.

(iii) "There's nobody here who's a child," she said haughtily. "I've paid my thirty paise like everyone else."

The word here is "haughtily" - this shows that Valli was proud and wanted to be treated like an adult. She didn't want to be seen as a child.

(iv) "Never mind," she said, "I can get on by myself. You don't have to help me."

The words here are "by myself" - this shows that Valli was independent and capable. She wanted to do things on her own.

"I'm not a child, I tell you," she said irritably.

The word here is "irritably" - this shows that Valli was impatient and easily annoyed when people treated her like a child.

(v) "You needn't bother about me. I can take care of myself," Valli said, turning her face toward the window and staring out.

The words here are "can take care of myself" - this shows that Valli was confident and self-reliant.

(vi) Then she turned to the conductor and said, "Well, sir, I hope to see you again."

The phrase here is "I hope to see you again" - this shows that Valli was polite and had formed a friendly bond with the conductor. She was grateful for the experience.

So students, based on these clues, Valli is a person who is bold, confident, determined, proud, independent, self-reliant, and polite. She is mature for her age and has a strong sense of self.

Question 4: Why does the conductor refer to Valli as 'madam'?

Answer: The conductor refers to Valli as 'madam' in a playful and teasing manner. He finds it amusing that such a young girl is traveling alone and wants to be treated like an adult. He uses the term to joke with her and make fun of the way she is acting - like a grown-up lady. He says things like "Oh, please don't be angry with me, my fine madam" and "make way for madam." This becomes a running joke throughout the story. The term is used affectionately and humorously, not disrespectfully.

Question 5: Find the lines in the text which tell you that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus.

Answer: There are several lines in the text that show Valli was enjoying her ride. Let me find them for you:

1. "Valli devoured everything with her eyes." - This shows she was very interested in everything she saw.

2. "Oh, it was all so wonderful!" - This is what she said when she saw the scenery.

3. "Suddenly Valli clapped her hands with glee." - This shows she was very happy when she saw the cow running in front of the bus.

4. "She laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes." - This shows she found the situation very funny and was enjoying herself.

5. "Struck dumb with wonder, Valli gaped at everything." - This shows she was amazed by everything she saw in the town.

6. "Valli wasn't bored in the slightest and greeted everything with the same excitement she'd felt the first time." - This explicitly states that she was enjoying the ride.

Question 6: Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?

Answer: Valli refuses to look out of the window on her way back because she has just seen a young cow lying dead by the roadside. She realizes it is the same cow that had run in front of the bus on the way to town. The memory of the dead cow haunts her - it keeps coming back to her mind and she cannot forget it. This experience has dampened her enthusiasm. The sight of the dead cow has made her sad and has taken away her joy of looking at the scenery. She no longer wants to look out the window because the image of the dead cow keeps appearing in her mind.

Question 7: What does Valli mean when she says, "I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge."

Answer: When Valli says this, she is referring to her own experience. Her mother was saying that there are so many things happening in the world that we cannot know about everything, and even when we do know something, we often cannot understand it completely. Valli had just experienced this herself. She had gone on a bus ride - something her mother didn't know about - and she had witnessed the death of the cow - something she hadn't expected or understood. So when she says she was "agreeing" with her mother, she is saying that she now understands from her own experience that there are things that happen without our knowledge and that we cannot fully understand. She has learned this lesson through her own journey.

Question 8: The author describes the things that Valli sees from an eight-year-old's point of view. Can you find evidence from the text for this statement?

Answer: Yes, there is plenty of evidence that the author describes things from an eight-year-old's point of view. Here are some examples:

1. "The most fascinating thing of all was the bus" - A child finds the bus fascinating, while an adult might take it for granted.

2. "Trees came running towards them but then stopped as the bus reached them and simply stood there helpless for a moment by the side of the road before rushing away in the other direction." - This is how a child would perceive the movement of trees from a moving vehicle - they seem to be running towards and then away.

3. "Suddenly Valli clapped her hands with glee. A young cow, tail high in the air, was running very fast, right in the middle of the road, right in front of the bus." - A child would find this scene exciting and amusing.

4. "She laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes." - A child would laugh so hard at such a scene.

5. "Struck dumb with wonder, Valli gaped at everything." - A child would be amazed by the sights of the town.

6. The way she reacts to the elderly woman - noticing her earrings, the betel nut, and the betel juice - shows a child's keen observation of details that adults might ignore.

7. The way she insists she is not a child and wants to be treated like an adult is typical of an eight-year-old.

8. The way she is deeply affected by seeing the dead cow shows a child's innocent and sensitive nature.

Now students, let's move to the "Speaking" activity.

## Speaking

This story has a lot of people talking in it. The conductor jokes and laughs with Valli, some passengers try to show their concern for her, and her mother and her aunt spend time chatting.

Read the conversations carefully. Then think of similar people, or similar situations that you have experienced. Mimic a person or persons who spoke to you, saying what they said, along with your replies.

So students, for this speaking activity, you need to think about similar conversations you have had in real life. Perhaps you have met a jolly person like the conductor who likes to joke around. Or perhaps an elderly person has asked you questions like the elderly woman did. Or perhaps you have had a conversation with your mother or aunt like the one at the end of the story. You need to mimic - that means imitate or copy - those people, saying what they said along with your replies.

For example, you could talk about a time when you traveled by bus or train and had a conversation with the conductor or with another passenger. Or you could talk about a time when an elderly person asked you questions about where you were going. Or you could talk about a conversation you overhead between your mother and aunt.

The purpose of this activity is to help you practice conversational English and to relate the story to your own life experiences.

Now let's move to the "Writing" activity.

## Writing

Write a page — about three paragraphs — on one of the following topics.

So students, for the writing task, you need to write about three paragraphs on one of these topics:

1. Have you ever planned something entirely on your own, without taking grown-ups into your confidence? What did you plan, and how? Did you carry out your plan?

2. Have you made a journey that was unforgettable in some way? What made it memorable?

3. Are you concerned about traffic and road safety? What are your concerns? How would you make road travel safer and more enjoyable?

Let me give you some guidance on how to approach each topic:

For the first topic, you can write about a time when you planned something yourself - maybe a surprise for someone, or a small adventure, or something you wanted to buy but didn't tell your parents about. You should explain what you planned, how you planned it, and whether you were successful in carrying out your plan.

For the second topic, you can write about a journey that was memorable - maybe your first bus ride, or a train journey, or a trip to a relative's house. You should describe what made it memorable - the scenery, the people you met, something unexpected that happened, or something you learned from the journey.

For the third topic, you can write about your concerns regarding traffic and road safety. You can talk about issues like rash driving, lack of traffic rules enforcement, road conditions, and so on. Then you can suggest ways to make road travel safer and more enjoyable, such as stricter enforcement of traffic rules, better road infrastructure, public awareness campaigns, and so on.

Now let's move to the "In This Lesson" section.

## In This Lesson

### WHAT WE HAVE DONE

We have related the story of Valli's first bus ride. We have seen how an eight-year-old girl named Valliammai, called Valli, planned and executed her first bus journey from her village to the town and back. We have learned about her curiosity, her determination, her independence, and her sensitive nature. We have also seen how this journey taught her about the mysteries of life and death.

### WHAT YOU CAN DO

Now students, there are some activities you can do to further enhance your learning:

1. The students should be given two or three days to collect old (used) tickets from their friends, relatives and acquaintances: they could be bus tickets, train tickets, plane tickets, cinema tickets, tickets to cultural events, etc. By the time they finish the lesson they should be able to get a good collection in place. Get them to make a collage using as many as possible of the tickets collected, on a sheet of poster paper. This can then form the basis for many interesting activities: classification according to type of tickets (for what?) or price (how much?), etc; the most desirable tickets, the tickets no one wants, etc. — let students think of more ways to classify them. Get students to write a paragraph with the collage as base, and their imagination as guide.

So students, this is a fun activity. You can collect old tickets - bus tickets, train tickets, cinema tickets, and so on - from your friends and relatives. Then you can make a collage using these tickets on a poster paper. You can classify them by type, by price, or by any other criterion you can think of. Then you can write a paragraph about your collage, using your imagination.

2. You can also ask the students do the following.

(i) In the story Valli has to save money and make plans to be able to ride the bus. In pairs, discuss how you spent your pocket money last month. Did you spend it on yourself, or on someone dear to you?

This is a discussion activity where you can talk with a partner about how you spent your pocket money. Did you spend it on yourself - on things you wanted - or did you spend it on someone else, like a family member or friend? This will help you relate to Valli's experience of saving money.

(ii) Valli's enthusiasm is dampened and the memory of the dead cow haunts her. In groups, discuss an incident which may have troubled or discouraged you.

This is another discussion activity where you can talk in groups about an incident that troubled or discouraged you. Just like Valli was affected by seeing the dead cow, we all have experiences that affect us deeply. You can share such experiences with your group members.

Now students, we have completed the main story "Madam Rides the Bus." But wait, there's more! In your textbook, this chapter also includes a poem called "The Tale of Custard the Dragon." Let me teach you this poem as well.

## The Tale of Custard the Dragon

Now students, this poem is written in the style of a ballad - a song or poem that tells a story. You must be familiar with ballads that narrate tales of courage or heroism. This poem is a humorous ballad close to a parody. Let me read it aloud to you, paying attention to the rhythm.

> Belinda lived in a little white house, > With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse, > And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon, > And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.

So students, the poem begins by introducing the characters. Belinda lives in a little white house. She has several pets: a little black kitten, a little grey mouse, a little yellow dog, and a little red wagon. And she also has a little pet dragon. The words "realio, trulio" are made-up words that add to the playful nature of the poem.

> Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink, > And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink, > And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard, > But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.

Now we learn the names of the pets. The black kitten is called Ink, the grey mouse is called Blink, and the yellow dog is called Mustard - because yellow is the color of mustard. But the dragon is called Custard, and he is described as a coward. This is interesting - a dragon that is a coward!

> Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth, > And spikes on top of him and scales underneath, > Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose, > And realio, trulio daggers on his toes.

Now the poet describes Custard's appearance. He has big sharp teeth, spikes on top, and scales underneath. His mouth is like a fireplace, his nose is like a chimney, and he has daggers on his toes. Despite his fearsome appearance, he is a coward.

> Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears, > And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs, > Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage, > But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.

Now we learn about the bravery of the characters. Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears. Ink and Blink - the kitten and mouse - chase lions down the stairs. Mustard is as brave as a tiger in a rage. But Custard - the dragon - cries for a nice safe cage. He is afraid and wants to be protected.

> Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful, > Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival, > They all sat laughing in the little red wagon > At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.

Belinda tickles Custard unmercifully - that means she tickles him a lot. The other pets - Ink, Blink, and Mustard - rudely call him Percival. They all sit laughing in the little red wagon at the cowardly dragon. They are making fun of him because he is afraid.

> Belinda giggled till she shook the house, > And Blink said Weeck! which is giggling for a mouse, > Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age, > When Custard cried for a nice safe cage.

Belinda giggles so much that she shakes the house. Blink makes a sound that is like giggling for a mouse. Ink and Mustard rudely ask Custard's age - another way of making fun of him. And Custard keeps crying for a nice safe cage.

> Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound, > And Mustard growled, and they all looked around. > Meowch! cried Ink, and ooh! cried Belinda, > For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda.

Now something exciting happens! They hear a nasty sound. Mustard growls. They all look around. Ink cries "Meowch!" and Belinda cries "Ooh!" because there is a pirate climbing in the window. A dangerous situation has arrived!

> Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right, > And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright, > His beard was black, one leg was wood; > It was clear that the pirate meant no good.

The poet describes the pirate. He has a pistol in his left hand and a pistol in his right hand. He holds a cutlass - a kind of sword - in his teeth. His beard is black, and one leg is made of wood. It is clear that the pirate is up to no good - he is dangerous.

> Belinda paled, and she cried Help! Help! > But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp, > Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household, > And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed.

Now the poet describes how each character reacts to the pirate. Belinda turns pale and cries for help. But Mustard - the brave dog - flees with a terrified yelp. Ink - the kitten - trickles down to the bottom of the household - that means he runs down and hides. And little mouse Blink "mouseholed" - that means he ran into a mousehole to hide. All the brave animals run away when the real danger comes!

> But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine, > Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon, > With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm, > He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.

But now the cowardly dragon, Custard, jumps up! He starts snorting like an engine. He clashes his tail like iron in a dungeon. With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm, he goes at the pirate like a robin at a worm. Despite being a coward all along, Custard becomes brave when there is real danger. He attacks the pirate!

> The pirate gaped at Belinda's dragon, > And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon, > He fired two bullets, but they didn't hit, > And Custard gobbled him, every bit.

The pirate is amazed at Custard. He gulps some grog - a drink typically drunk by sailors - from his pocket flagon. He fires two bullets, but they don't hit Custard. And then Custard gobbles him up - he eats the pirate completely! Every bit of him!

> Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him, > No one mourned for his pirate victim. > Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate > Around the dragon that ate the pirate.

After the pirate is eaten, Belinda embraces Custard - she hugs him. Mustard licks him. No one mourns for the pirate - they are happy he is gone. Ink and Blink dance around in glee - they are very happy. The cowardly dragon has become a hero!

> But presently up spoke little dog Mustard, > I'd have been twice as brave if I hadn't been flustered. > And up spoke Ink and up spoke Blink, > We'd have been three times as brave, we think, > And Custard said, I quite agree > That everybody is braver than me.

Now the poet shows the hypocrisy of the other animals. Little dog Mustard says he would have been twice as brave if he hadn't been flustered - that is, confused and nervous. Ink and Blink say they would have been three times as brave. But Custard says he quite agrees that everybody is braver than him. This is very humble of Custard, even after he has saved everyone.

> Belinda still lives in her little white house, > With her little black kitten and her little grey mouse, > And her little yellow dog and her little red wagon, > And her realio, trulio little pet dragon.

The poem ends the same way it began, with Belinda living in her little white house with all her pets, including the dragon.

> Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears, > And Ink and Blink chase lions down the stairs, > Mustard is as brave as a tiger in a rage, > But Custard keeps crying for a nice safe cage.

And the poem ends with the same lines about bravery - Belinda is brave, Ink and Blink are brave, Mustard is brave, but Custard keeps crying for a nice safe cage. This shows that even after Custard has proven himself to be brave, the others still think of him as a coward. This is a bit unfair, but it also shows that the poem is meant to be humorous.

Now students, let me tell you a little about the poet. Ogden Nash wrote over four hundred pieces of comic verse. The best of his work was published in 14 volumes between 1931 and 1972. His work is perhaps best described in this poetic tribute by Anthony Burgess:

"...he brought a new kind of sound to our literary diversions. And didn't care much about breaking the poetic laws of the Medes and the Persians. He uses lines, sometimes of considerable length that are colloquial and prosy. And at the end presents you with a rhyme... This bringing together of the informal and the formal is what his genius chiefly loves. I am trying to imitate him here, but he is probably quite inimitable."

This tribute describes how Ogden Nash brought a new kind of sound to poetry. He didn't care about following traditional poetic rules. He used long lines that were conversational and prose-like, and he ended them with rhymes. He brought together the informal and the formal, which is what his genius chiefly loved.

Now students, let's move to the "Thinking about the Poem" section.

## Thinking about the Poem

Question 1: Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.

Answer: The characters in the poem are:

1. Belinda - the owner of the pets 2. Ink - the little black kitten 3. Blink - the little grey mouse 4. Mustard - the little yellow dog 5. Custard - the little pet dragon

Question 2: Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called "cowardly dragon"?

Answer: Custard cried for a nice safe cage because he was a coward. He was afraid of everything and wanted to be protected in a safe place. He is called the "cowardly dragon" because despite his fearsome appearance - big sharp teeth, spikes, scales, and daggers on his toes - he is actually very afraid and timid. He cries for a safe cage instead of being brave like the other pets.

Question 3: "Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful..." Why?

Answer: Belinda tickled Custard unmercifully because she and the other pets were making fun of him. They were all laughing at him because he was a coward. They were teasing him and not treating him seriously. This shows that the other pets were being unkind to Custard, but it also shows the playful and humorous nature of the poem.

Question 4: The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example: "Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon" — the poetic device here is a simile. Can you, with your partner, list some more such poetic devices used in the poem?

Answer: Yes, the poet has employed many poetic devices. Let me list some examples:

1. Simile - "Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon" - comparing Custard's tail to iron using "like" 2. Simile - "Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears" - comparing Belinda's bravery to a barrel full of bears 3. Simile - "Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage" - comparing Mustard's bravery to a tiger 4. Simile - "He went at