Compulsory English: B. Com - Ii Semester - Iv

COMPULSORY ENGLISH
For
B. COM - II
SEMESTER - IV
Compiled by
Dr. Varsha Palsule

M.A. (English), M.Phil, Ph.D (English Lit.)
GP
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COMPULSORY ENGLISH
B.COM - II
SEMESTER - IV
INDEX
SR. NO. PAGE NO.
UNIT - I PROSE
1. GO! KISS THE WORLD - SUBROTO BAGCHI 01 - 05

2. THE GOLD FRAME - R. K. LAXMAN 06 - 11
3. THE CABULIWALLAH - RABINDRANATH TAGORE 12 - 17
4. THE STRUGGLE FOR AN EDUCATION - BOOKER T. WASHINGTON 18 - 23
UP FROM SLAVERY : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY
UNIT - II POEMS
1. IF - RUDYARD KIPLING 24 - 25
2. STAY CALM - GRENVILLE KLEISER 26 - 27
3. BALLAD OF THE LANDLORD - LANGSTON HUGHES 28 - 29
UNIT - III
A) COMPREHENSION OF UNSEEN PASSAGE 30 - 32
B) TRANSFORMATION OF SENTENCES :
(a) EXCLAMATORY-ASSERTIVE AND VICE-VERSA 33
(b) CHANGE THE VOICE 34 - 35
UNIT - IV
A) BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE 36 - 42
B) INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM / OFFICE ORDER 43 - 46
UNIVERSITY QUESTION PAPER 47 - 50

SYLLABUS
B.COM - II
Semester - IV
COMPULSORY ENGLISH
Unit - I PROSE ITEMS FROM “BLOSSOMS”
PROSE ITEMS FROM “BLOSSOMS” :
1. Go! Kiss the World - Subroto Bagchi
2. The Gold Frame - R.K.Laxman
3. The Cabuliwallah - Rabindranath Tagore
4. The Struggle for an Education - Booker T. Washington
Unit - II POEMS FROM “BLOSSOMS”

POEMS FROM “BLOSSOMS” :
1. If - Rudyard Kipling
2. Stay Calm - Grenville Kleiser
3. Ballad of the Landlord - Langston Hughes
Unit - III
(A) Comprehension of Unseen Passage
(B) Transformation of Sentences:
a. Exclamatory-Assertive and vice-versa
b. Change the Voice
Unit - IV
(A) Business Correspondence:
Credit and Collection Letters – Granting Credit / Refusing Credit, Reminders for payment
(B) Interoffice Memorandum / Office Order
QUESTION PAPER PATTERN
COMPULSORY ENGLISH
B.Com. PART – II
SEMESTER - IV
Time – Three Hours Maximum Marks - 80
N.B. LAQ - Long Answer Question to be answered in about 150 words.

SAQ - Short Answer Question to be answered in about 75 words.
VSAQ – Very Short Answer Question to be answered in one or two sentences.
Q 1. A. One LAQ out of Two based on Short Stories (Unit I) 08 Marks

B. Two SAQs with internal choice based on Short Stories (Unit I) 2 x 4 Marks - 08 Marks
Q 2. A. One LAQ out of Two based on prescribed poems (Unit II) 08 Marks
B. One LAQ out of Two based on the prescribed Essays (Unit III) 08 Marks
Q 3. A. Two SAQs with Internal Choice from Unit III (2 x 4 Marks) = 08 Marks
B. (i) Synonyms/Antonyms - Match the following – 4 items against 6 options 04 Marks
(ii) One word substitute – 4 out of 6 (4 x 1 Marks) 04 Marks
Q 4. A. One out of Two items based on Business Correspondence (Unit IV) 08 Marks
B. Comprehension of Unseen Passage – 4 VSAQs – 4 x 2 Marks 08 Marks
Q 5. A. Make a Precis of the given passage and give it a suitable Title 08 Marks
B. Five VSAQs based on Unit I and Unit III (4×2 Marks) = 08 Marks
UNIT - I
PROSE
1. GO! KISS THE WORLD

SUBROTO BAGCHI
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‘Go Kiss the World’ is a speech delivered by Subroto Bagchi, Chief Operating Officer, Mind Tree Con-
sulting, to the class of 2006 on 2 July 2004 at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. In a world
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obsessed with material things, Bagchi gives a very different perspective of success and shares the
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many values of life that he imbibed from his humble parents. In this speech, Bagchi gives an insight into
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the lives of his parents who were not ‘rich’ in the conventional sense but were rich in matters of heart,
values and integrity. As the title so aptly puts it, ‘Go, Kiss the World’ is all about looking beyond yourself,
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broadening your vision, embracing the world and its people and giving back more to life than what you
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have taken from it.
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I was the last child of a small-time government servant, in a family of five brothers. My earliest memory of
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my father is as that of a District Employment Officer in Koraput, Orissa. It was, and remains as back of beyond as
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you can imagine. There was no electricity; no primary school nearby and water did not flow out of a tap. As a result,
I did not go to school until the age of eight; I was home-schooled. My father used to get transferred every year. The
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family belongings fit into the back of a jeep - so the family moved from an establishment and get us going. Raised
by a window who had come as a refugee from the then East Bengal, she was a matriculate when she married my
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father.
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My parents set the foundation of my life and the value system, which makes me what I am today and
largely, defines what success means to me today.
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As District Employment Officer, my father was given a jeep by the government. There was no garage in the
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office, so the jeep was parked in our house. My father refused to use it to commute to the office. He told us that the
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jeep is an expensive resource given by the government - he reiterated to us that it was not ‘his jeep’ but the
government’s jeep. Insisting that he would use it only to tour the interiors, he would walk to his office on normal
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days. He also made sure that we never sat in the government jeep - we could sit in it only when it was stationary.
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That was our early childhood lesson in governance - a lesson that corporate managers learn the hard way,
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some never do.
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The driver of the jeep was treated with respect due to any other member of my father’s office. As small
children, we were taught not to call him by his name. We had to use the suffix ‘dada’ whenever we were to refer to
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him in public or private. When I grew up to own a car and a driver by the name of Raju was appointed - I repeated
the lesson to my two small daughters. They have, as a result, grown up to call Raju, ‘Raju Uncle’ - very different
from many of their friends who refer to their family driver, as ‘my driver’. When I hear that term from a school or
college-going person, I cringe.
To me, the lesson was significant - you treat small people with more respect than how you treat big people.
It is more important to respect your subordinates than your superiors.
Our day used to start with the family huddling around my Mother’s chulha - an earthen fireplace she would
build at each place of posting where she would cook for the family. There was neither gas, nor electrical stoves. The
morning routine started with tea. As the brew was served, Father would ask us to read aloud the editorial page of The
Statesman’s ‘mofussil’ edition - delivered one day late. We did not understand much of what we were reading. But the
ritual was meant for us to know that the world was larger than Koraput district and the English I speak today, despite
having studied in an Oriya medium school, has to do with that routine. After reading the newspaper aloud, we were
told to fold it neatly. Father taught us a simple lesson.
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He used to say, ‘You should leave your newspaper and your toilet, the way you expect to find it’. That lesson
was about showing consideration to others. Business begins and ends with that simple precept.
Being small children, we were always enamored with advertisements in the newspaper for transistor
radios - we did not have one. We saw other people having radios in their homes and each time there was an
advertisement of Philips, Murphy or Bush radios, we would ask Father when we could get one. Each time, my
Father would reply that we did not need one because he already had five radios - alluding to his five sons.
We also did not have a house of our own and would occasionally ask Father as to when, like others, we
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would live in our own house. He would give a similar reply,’ We do not need a house of our own. I already own five
houses’. His replies did not gladden our hearts in that instant.
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Nonetheless, we learnt that it is important not to measure personal success and sense of well being
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through material possessions.
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Government houses seldom came with fences. Mother and I collected twigs and built a small fence. After
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lunch, my Mother would never sleep. She would take her kitchen utensils and with those she and I would dig the
rocky, white ant-infested surrounding. We planted flowering bushes. The white ants destroyed them. My mother
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brought ash from her chulha and mixed it in the earth and we planted the seedings all over again. This time, they
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bloomed. At that time, my father’s transfer order came. A few neighbors told my mother why she was taking so
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much pain to beautify a government house, why she was planting seeds taht would only benefit the next occupant.
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My mother replied taht it did not matter to her that she would not see the flowers in full bloom. She said, ‘I have to
create a bloom in a desert and whenever I am given a new place, I must leave it more beautiful than what I had
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inherited’.
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That was my first lesson in success. It is not about what you create for yourself, it is what you leave behind
that defines success.
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My mother began developing a cataract in her eyes when I was very small. At that time, the eldest among
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my brothers got a teaching job at the University in Bhubaneswar and had to prepare for the civil services examina-
tion. So, it was decided that my Mother would move to cook for him and, as her appendage, I had to move too. For
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the first time in my life I saw electricity in homes and water coming out of a tap. It was around 1965 and the country
was going to war with Pakistan. My mother was having problems reading and in any case, being Bengali, she did
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not know the Oriya script. So, in addition to my daily chores, my job was to read her the local newspaper end to
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end. That created in me a sense of connectedness with a larger world. I began taking interest in many different
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things. While reading out mews about the war, I felt that I was fighting the war myself. She and I discussed the daily
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news and built a bond with the larger universe. In it, we became part of a larger reality. Till date, I measure my
success in terms of that sense of larger connectedness. Meanwhile, the war raged and India was fighting on both
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fronts. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Prime Minister, coined the term ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ and galvanized the
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nation in to patriotic fervor. Other than reading out the newspaper to my mother, I had no clue about how I could be
part of the action. So, after reading her the newspaper, every day I would land up near the University’s water tank,
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which served the community. I would spend hours under it, imagining that there could be spies who would come
to poison the water and I had to watch for them. I would daydream about catching one and how the next day, I
would be featured in the newspaper. Unfortunately for me, the spies at war ignored the sleepy town of Bhubaneswar
and I never got a chance to catch one in action. Yet, that act unlocked my imagination.
Imagination is everything. If we can imagine a future, we can create it, if we can create that future, others
will live in it. That is the essence of success.
Over the next few years, my mother’s eyesight dimmed but in me she created a larger vision, a vision with
which I continue to see the world and, I sense, through my eyes, she was seeing too. As the next few years
unfolded, her vision deteriorated and she was operated for cataract. I remember, when she returned after her
operation and she saw my face clearly for the first time, she was astonished. She said, ‘Oh my God, I did not know
you were so fair’. I remain mightly pleased with that adulation even till date. Within weeks of getting her sight back,
she developed a corneal ulcer and, overnight, became blind in both eyes. That was 1969. She died in 2002. In all
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those 32 years of living with blindness, she never complained about her fate even once. Curious to know what she
saw with blind eyes, I asked her once if she sees darkness. She replied, ‘No, I do not see darkness. I only see light
even with my eyes closed’. Until she was eighty years of age, she did her morning yoga everyday, swept her own
room and washed her own clothes.
To me, success is about the sense of independence; it is about not seeing the world but seeing the light.
Over the many intervening years, I grew up, studied, joined the industry and began to carve my life’s own
journey. I began my life as a clerk in a government office, went on to become a Management Trainee with the DCM
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group and eventually found my life’s calling with the IT industry when fourth generation computers came to India in
1981. Life took me places - I worked with outstanding people, challenging assignments and traveled all over the
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world.
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In 1992, while I was posted in the US, I learnt that my father, living a retired life with my eldest brother, had
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suffered a third degree burn injury and was admitted in the Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. I flew back to attend to him
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- he remained for a few days in critical stage, bandaged from neck to toe. The Safdarjung Hospital is a cockroach-
infested, dirty, inhuman place. The overworked, under-resourced sisters in the burn ward are both victims and
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perpetrators of dehumanized life at its worst. One morning, while attending to my Father, I realized that the blood
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bottle was empty and fearing that air would go into his vein, I asked the attending nurse to change it. She bluntly
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told me to do it myself. In that horrible theater of death, I was in pain and frustration and anger. Finally when she
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relented and came, my Father opened his eyes and murmured to her, ‘Why have you not gone home yet?’ Here
was a man on his deathbed but more concerned about the overworked nurse than his own state. I was stunned at
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his stoic self.
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There I learnt that there is no limit to how concerned you can be for another human being and what the limit
of inclusion is you can create. My father died the next day. He was a man whose success was defined by his
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principles, his frugality, his universalism and his sense of inclusion.
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Above all, he taught me that success is your ability to rise above your discomfort, whatever may be your
current state.You can, if you want, raise your consciousness above your immediate surroundings. Success is not
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about building material comforts - the transistor that he never could buy or the house that he never owned. His
success was about the legacy he left, the memetic continuity of his ideals that grew beyond the smallness of a ill-
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paid, unrecognized government servant’s world.
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My father was a fervent believer in the British Raj. He sincerely doubted the capability of the post-indepen-
dence Indian political parties to govern the country. To him, the lowering of the Union Jack was a sad event. My
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mother was the exact opposite. When Subhash Bose quit the Indian National Congress and came to Dacca, my
mother, then a schoolgirl, garlanded him. She learnt to spin khadi and joined an underground movement that
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trained her in usingdaggers and swords. Consequently, our household saw diversity in the political outlook of the
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two. On major issues concerning the world, the Old Man and the Old Lady had differing opinions.
In them, we learnt the power of disagreements, of dialogue and the essence of living with diversity in
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thinking.
Success is not about the ability to create a definitive dogmatic end state; it is about the unfolding of thought
processes, of dialogue and continuum.
Two years back, at the age of eighty-two, Mother had a paralytic stroke and was lying in a government
hospital in Bhubaneswar. I flew down from the US where I was serving my second stint, to see her. I spent two
weeks with her in the hospital as she remained in a paralytic state. She was neither getting better nor moving on.
Eventually I had to return to work. While leaving her behind, I kissed her face. In that paralytic state and a garbled
voice, she said, ‘Why are you kissing me, go kiss the world.’ Her river was nearing its journey, at the confluence of
life and death, this woman who came to India as a refugee, raised by a widowed mother, no more educated than
high school, married to an anonymous government servant whose last salary was rupees three hundred, robbed
of her eyesight by fate and crowned by adversity was telling me to go and kiss the world!
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Success to me is about vision. It is the ability to rise above the immediacy of pain. It is about imagination.
It is about sensitivity to small people. It is about building inclusion. It is about connectedness to a larger world
existence. It is about personal tenacity. It is about giving back more to life than you take out of it. It is about creating
extraordinary success with ordinary lives.
Thank you very much; I wish you good luck and God’s speed. Go ! kiss the world.
GLOSSARY :
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twig : small branch of a tree
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inherited : received
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appendage : something added to
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raged : prevailed with great violence
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adulation : praise
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corneal : concerning the outer membrane of the eye
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ulcer : discharging pus
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frugality : thrift, economy
fervent : showing warmth of feeling
dogmatic : fixed, predetermined
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tenacity : firmness
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SUMMARY
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Bagchi shared his childhood memories of Korapat, Orissa.It was a Backward region, with no electricity,
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no tap water & school at remote place. So he was educated at home. His father was a district employment officer
& he had a jeep which is given by government. He never used that jeep for his family’s domestic purposes. It was
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meant for tour the interior areas. Bagchi says that his father asked them not to call the driver by his name but as
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dada. When the narrator own his car he gave the same lesson to his daughter for their car driver. The lesson he
gave is it is very important to respect the subordinates.
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Bagchi recalled his childhood days & mentioned that their day would start with morning tea & father would
asked to read the newspaper loudly. They didn’t understand much what they were reading but the English he
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learnt was much because of this practice. Bagchi says it was a lesson to fold the newspaper neatly, so that
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another one could find it in a good condition.
Bagchi also mentioned the routine work of his mother. Also that she used to built a small fencing to the
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government house. Few neighbors wondered why she was taking so much pain in fencing .Bagchi learnt a
lesson through this that It is not about what you create for yourself ,It is what you leave behind that defines
success.
Bagchi’s mother moved with his elder son ,when he got the university job, he too moved with her. As she was
having cataract he used to read newspaper for her. He read war news & started day dreaming of catching the enemies
that he started spying under the water tank & thought enemies would mix poison in the water.
His mother became blind in 1969,she lived blind for 32 years .But she never complained. Until eighty
years of age she did morning yoga everyday, swept her own room & washed her clothes.
Bagchi was in U.S in 1992,his father had burn injury & was admitted to Safdarjung hospital in Delhi. The
inhuman treatment distressed him. On the death bed his father was showing concern to the nurse which touched
him a lot.
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Bagchi’s house saw the diversity in the political outlook of the two. his father believed in British -Raj whereas
mother supported the underground movement who taught her spinning of khadi, use of sword & draggers.
Bagchi’s father taught him that ability to rise above discomfort gives you success. Bagchi’s father’s
success defined by his principles his frugality, his universality, & his sense of inclusion.
When Bagchi’s mother was ill he visited her, he kissed her face & she asked him not stay more & said Go
& kiss the world. By this she means that he should go & serve the world .He should be more concerned about
other human beings of society.
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To rise above the immediacy of pain, about imagination, about sensitivity to small people .It was about
giving back more to life , you took out of it.
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COMPREHENSION :
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A] Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :
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1. Justify the claim that ‘Go, Kiss the World’ is about looking beyond yourself, broadening your vision and giving
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back more to life than what life has given you.
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2. Describe what Bagchi saw in Safdarjung Hospital.
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3. Write about Bagchi’s father. What did his father teach him?
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4. Classify Bagchi’s concept of success.
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B] Answer the following questions in about 75 words each :
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1. What does Bagchi tell us about the “jeep” episode?
2. What impact did the habit of reading the newspaper have on Bagchi?
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3. How did Bagchi’s mother tend the Government houses they were allotted? What was her reply to the neighbours?
4. Describe how ‘a sense of connectedness’ was created in Bagchi during his stay at Bhubaneswar.
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5. What is the importance of imagination? Which act unlocked his imagination?
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6. “Our household saw diversity in the political outlook of the two”. Explain.
7. What did Bagchi’s mother say to him when he was ‘leaving her behind’ to go to the U.S.? What did she mean
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by her statement?
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2. THE GOLD FRAME
R. K. LAXMAN
R.K. Laxman (1921-2015) was born and brought up in Mysore (now Mysuru). He was a keen observer of
men, manners and morals. His sense of humour and presence of mind is aptly reflected in his caricatures.
In his daily cartoon strip “You said it “, the readers could relate to the travails of his ‘common man’.
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Though R.K. Laxman earned adulation as a cartoonist, he has made enough contribution to literature to
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be the worthy brother of the famous novelist and story-writer, R.K. Narayan. He has to his credit short-
stories, travelogues, and a novel – ‘Sorry, No Room’.
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In this light hearted story, R.K. Laxman depicts the plight of Datta, the hardworking owner of a photo
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frame shop, when he accidently spills a tin of enamel paint over an old photograph that was given to
him for framing. His trying to wipe it off from the photograph only worsens an already bad situation.
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Datta was aware that the photograph was quite close to the customer’s heart he wanted nothing less
than a golf frame for it. Datta uses all his resources to wriggle out the situation and the twist towards
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the end of the story leaves not only Datta but also the readers surprised and amused. R.K. Laxman in
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his characteristic simple and dispassionate way and through the richness of detail in characterization
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and setting builds the suspense and irony of the story.
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The Modern Frame Works was actually an extra-large wooden packing case mounted on wobbly legs tucked
in a gap between a drug store and a radio repair shop. Its owner, Datta, with his concave figure, silver-rimmed glasses
and a complexion of seasoned timber, fitted into his shop with the harmony of a fixture.
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He was a silent, hardworking man. He gave only laconic answers to the questions his customers asked
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and strongly discouraged casual friends who tried to intrude on his zone of silence with their idle gossip. He was
always seen sitting hunched up, surrounded by a confusion of cardboard pieces, bits of wood , glass sheets,
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boxes of nails , glue bottles , paint tins and other odds and ends that went into putting a picture in a frame. In this
medley a glass-cutter or a pencil stub was often lost and that was when he would uncoil from his posture and
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grope impatiently for it. Many times he had to stand up and shake his dhoti vigorously to dislodge the lost object.
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This operation rocked the whole shop, setting the pictures on the walls gently swinging.
There was not an inch of space that was not covered by a picture; gods, saints, hockey players, children,
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cheap prints of the Mona Lisa, national leaders, wedding couples, Urdu calligraphy, the snow-clad Fujiyama and
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many others co-existed with a cheerful incongruity like some fabulous world waiting order and arrangement.
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A customer standing outside the shop on the pavement, obstructing the stream of jostling pedestrians,
announced,’ I want this picture framed.’ Datta with his habitual indifference ignored him and continued to be
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engaged in driving screws into the sides of a frame.
‘I want a really good job done, no matter how much it costs.’ The customer volunteered the information,
unwrapping a faded newspaper and exposing a sepia-brown photograph of an old man. It was sharp and highly
glazed in spite of its antiquity.
‘What sort of a frame would you like?’ Datta asked, still bent over his work.
“The best, of course. Do you expect I would stint where this great soul is concerned?’
Datta gave a side glance and caught a glimpse of the photograph; just another elderly person of those
days, he told himself; a standard portrait of a grandfather, a philanthropist, a social worker , with the inevitable
whiskers and top-heavy cascading turban it could be any one of these. At least half a dozen people came to him
every month bearing similar portraits, wanting to demonstrate their homage to the person in the picture in the
shape of a glittering frame.
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The customer was describing the greatness of the old man; extravagant qualities of nobility, compassion
and charity were being generously attributed to him in a voice that came close to the chanting of a holy scripture.’…
If this world had just a few more like him, believe me, it would certainly have been a different place. Of course,
there are demons who may not agree with me. They are out to disgrace his name and destroy his memory. But
he is God in my home!’
“What sort of a frame do you want?’ Datta interrupted.’ Plain, wooden, lacquer, gold, plastic or just enamel
painted? He waived a casual hand towards the picture on the wall. The customer silently surveyed the various
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frames. After some time Datta heard him mumble,’ I want the best…’
’I don’t have any second –rate stuff in my shop,’ Datta said.
customer was baffled by the variety.
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He was shown a number of samples; plain, decorative, floral, geometrical, thin, hefty and so forth. The
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He examined the selection before him for a long time as if he was unsure of his judgement and was afraid
of enshrining his savior forever in some ugly cheap frame.
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Datta came to his rescue and recommended one with a profusion of gold leaves and winding creepers
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and, in order to clear any lingering doubt he might still harbor in regard to its quality, added; It is German !
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Imported!’
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The customer at once seemed impresses and satisfied. Datta next asked,’ You want a plain mount or a
cut mount?’ and watched the puzzled look return. Again he helped the man out by showing his various mounts
and suggested that a cut mount looked more elegant.
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‘All-right, let me have a cut mount then. Is that a cut mount?’ he asked, pointing to a framed picture on the
wall of a soulful-looking lady in an oval cut mount.’ I like that shape. Will it cost much?’
‘No. Frame, mount, glass all will cost seventeen rupees.’ The customer had expected it would be more.
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He pretended to be shocked all the same and tried to bargain. Datta withdrew to his corner without replying and
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began to cut a piece of plywood. The customer hung about uncertainly for some time and finally asked, ‘When will
you have it ready?’ and barely heard the reply over the vibrating noise of the saw on the plywood, “Two weeks from
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today.’
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Datta had learnt by long experience that his customers never came punctually. They came days in advance
and went away disappointed or came months later, and some never turned up at all and their pictures lay unclaimed
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in a box, gathering dust and feeding cockroaches and silver fish. Therefore he made frames for those who came
to him and visited him at least twice before he actually executed their orders.
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Ten days later the tall, rustic-looking man appeared and enquired ‘Has the picture been framed? I was
passing by and thought I could collect it if it was ready.’ Datta cast a side look at him and continued with his work.
I know I have come four days early,’ the customer grinned nervously. ‘Will it be ready by Tuesday?’ Datta merely
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nodded without shifting attention from a tiny nail which he, with precise rhythmic strokes, was driving into a frame,
but sensed the man’s obsessive attachment to the photograph. He told himself there would be trouble if he did not
deliver the order on the promised date.
Next morning he made that his first job, keeping aside all the others.
The photograph was lying on a shelf among many others. He took it and carefully kept it on a wooden
plank on the floor. Then he looked for the pencil stub for marketing the measurements. As usual it was missing.
He swept his hand all round him impatiently, scattering fragments of glass and wood.
False shapes that he mistook for the pencil harassed him no end and stoked his anger. Frustrated in all
his attempts to find it , he finally stood up to shake the folds of his dhoti, an ultimate move which generally yielded
results , But he shook the folds so violently that he upset a tin containing white enamel paint and it fell right on
the scared photograph of the old man, , emptying its thick, slimy contents on it.
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Datta stood transfixed and stared at the disaster at his feet as if had suddenly lost all faculty of movement.
He could not bring himself even to avert his eyes from the horror which he seemed to be cruelly forced to view.
Then his spectacles clouded with perspiration and helpfully screened his vision.
When at last he fully recovered his senses he set about rescuing the picture in such desperate hurry that
he made a worse mess of it. He rubbed the picture so hard with a cloth that he peeled off thin strips of filmy
coating from it surface. Before he realized what he had done half the old man’s face and nearly all of his turban
were gone.
s
Datta helplessly looked at the venerable elder transformed into thick black specks sticking to the enamel
smeared on the rag in his hand.
he did not hold it down.
on
He sat with both hand clutching his head; every nerve in his head throbbed as if it would tear itself apart if
ti
What answer was he going to offer to the customer who had a fanatic devotion to the photograph he had
just mutilated beyond recovery?
a
His imagination ran wild, suggesting nightmarish consequences to his own dear self and to the fragile
c
inflammable shop.
li
He racked his brain for a long while till sheer exhaustion calmed his agitated nerves and made him
accept the situation with a hopeless resignation. Meanwhile the plethora of gods, saints and sages gazed down
b
at him from the walls with a translucent smile and seemed to offer themselves to him to pray to. With a fervent
appeal in his heart he stared at them.
Pu
In his state of mind it did not register for quite a while that a particular photograph of a person on the wall
had held his attention rather more than it was qualified to do. It was an ordinary portrait of a middle-aged man in a
dark suit and striped tie, resting his right arm jauntily on a studio prop made to look like a fluted Roman pillar. Datta
t
was amazed to see that he had a faint likeness to the late lamented old man. The more he gazed at the face the
more convincing it appeared to him. But he dismissed the old resemblance he saw as one of those tricks of a
n
thoroughly fagged-out mind.
e
All the same, at the back of his mind an idea began to take shape; he saw the possibility of finding an acceptable
l
substitute! He brought down the old wooden box in which he had kept all the photographs unclaimed over the years. As
u
he rummaged in it, panicky cockroaches and spiders scurried helter-skelter all over the floor. Unmindful of them Datta
anxiously searched or the brownish photographs of the old man’s vintage. Soon there was a pile before him; he was
t
surprised he could pick up so many which qualified to take the old man’s place.
a
But he had to reject all of them. In most of the portraits the subjects sported a very conspicuous flower
r
vase next to them, or overdressed grandchildren sat on their laps and therefore had to be rejected.
Luckily; there was one with which Datta felt he could take a fair risk; the print had yellowed a bit noticeably
G
but he calculated that the total effect when put in a dazzling gold frame would render it safe.
After a couple of hours ’concentrated work he sat back and proudly surveyed the old man’s double,
looking resplendent in his gold frame. He was so pleased with his achievement that he forgot he was taking
perhaps one of the greatest risks any frame-maker ever took! He even became bold enough to challenge the
customer if his faking was discovered.’ Look, my dear man’, he would say,’ I don’t know who has been fooling you!
That’s the picture you brought here for framing. Take it or throw it away!’
The days that followed were filled with suspense and anxiety. Datta feared that the customer would surprise
him at an unguarded moment making him bungle the entire, carefully-thought-out plot. But the man turned up
promptly a couple of days later. At that moment Datta was bent over a piece of work and slightly stiffened as he
heard the voice, shrill with expectation, ask,’ Is it ready?’
8
Datta’s heart began to race and to compose himself he let a whole minute pass without answering. Then
he put aside the scissors in his hand with slow deliberation and reached out to take the newly wrapped package
in a corner.
‘Ah, it is ready!’ the customer exclaimed with childish delight, at the same time mumbling flattering tributes
to Datta for his promptness and so on. He spread his arms widely with dramatic exuberance to receive the
photograph as if it was actually a long lost person he was greeting.
But Datta took his time removing the wrapper from the frame. The customer waited impatiently, filling in
s
the time showering more praises on his worshipful master who was to adorn the wall of his home.
Datta finally revealed the glittering frame and held it towards him.
on
The customer seemed visibly struck by its grandeur and fell silent like one who had entered the inner
sanctum of a temple. Datta held his breadth and watched the man’s expression. With every second that passed
i
he was losing his nerve and thought that is another moment he would betray the big hoax he had played.
his face.
at
Suddenly he saw the customer straighten; the reverential look and benevolent expression vanished from
c
‘What have you done?’ he demanded, indignantly. For Datta the moment seemed familiar for he had
i
already gone through it a thousand times night and day since he splashed the white paint on the original photograph.
bl
Several times he had rehearsed his piece precisely for this occasion.
But before he could open his mouth the customer shouted with tremendous authority in his bearing,’ Now,
u
don’t deny it! I clearly remember asking for a cut mount with an oval shape. This is square. Look!.
P
GLOSSARY :
Wobbly : unsteady
Laconic : brief, short
nt
Intrude : thrust oneself on another without invitation
e
Hunched up : with bent back
Uncoil : straighten
ul
Grope : Search for something in dark
Cheap : Indecent
at
Calligraphy : Art of writing beautifully
r
Incongruity : Contradiction
G
Sepia-brown : photographic technique to produce prints in brown shades
Stint : restrict
Philanthropist : person with affection for mankind
Lacquer : varnish to coat brass or wood
Mumble : speak indistinctly
Baffled : puzzled
Enshrining : preserving
Winding : climbing in a zigzag way
Harbour : give shelter to, keep in mind
Lingering : prolonged, lasting
9
Obsessive : firmly rooted in mind
Faculty : ability, power
Avert : turn away, turn aside
Fanatic : excessive zeal for a particular cause
Fragile : delicate, easily breakable
Inflammable : likely to catch fire easily
s
Mutilated : disfigured.
n
Plethora : in a large number
o
Jauntily : gladly, with pleasure
i
Fagged-out : tired, exhausted
t
Compose : control, adjust
a
Exuberance : enthusiasm
c
Sanctum : holy place
i
Hoax : trick
Indignantly : angrily
Reverential : respectful
bl
u
Benevolent : Kind and helpful
P
SUMMARY
R. k Laxman depicts the plight of Datta, the hardworking owner of a photo frame shop, when he accidentally
t
spills a tin of enamel paint over an old photograph that was given to him for framing. His trying to wipe it off from
n
the photograph only worsens an already bad situation. He was aware that the photograph was close to the
customer’s heart because he wanted nothing less then the golden frame.It was the photograph of an old man
e
which was now mutilated .Datta got an idea He took out his old wooden box in which he kept some unclaimed
l
portraits. He picked up the one picture which resembled the old man& framed it. Datta was fortunate that the
customer failed to notice it. Datta uses all his resources to wriggle out of the situation & the twist towards the end
u
of the story leaves not only Datta but also the readers surprised and amused.
at
Modern Frameworks & Its Owner :
It was a small shop owned by Datta tugged in between a drug store& radio repair shop .Datta had a
r
concave figure with silver rimmed glasses & a complexion of seasoned timber. He was silent hard working man.
He gave very brief answers to the questions his customers asked & discouraged casual friends who tried to
G
waste his time in useless gossiping.
He was always seen sitting hunched up (with back bent) surrounded by confusion of cupboard pieces,
bits of wood, glass sheet, boxes of nails paint tin & other odds & ends that went into putting a picture into frame.
The Conversation Between Datta & The Customer :
Once a customer visited Datta’s shop to frame the picture. He enquired to datta regarding different types of
frames but Datta gave laconic answers. The customer replied he wants the best frame for the picture no matter how
much it cost. He unwrapped the picture, it was of sepia-brown photograph of an old man. The customer wanted to
have the best frame for the picture. Customer started praising the old man’s soul & said that he had noble qualities
.But the man was confused after looking at many different frames. Datta wanted to rescue him, so he showed a gold
frame with plenty of gold leaves & creepers. He added that it was imported & the customer looked satisfied. After
calculating the total cost Datta told the customer that it would be seventeen rupees. Datta asked him to come back
after two weeks to collect the framed picture.
10
Datta Spoiled The Picture of an Old Man :
Datta took the picture of an old man to frame it. He put it on the wooden plank. He searched for a pencil
stub for making measurements. He searched it everywhere & after not getting it he shooked his dhoti in such a
violent manner that it upset the tin containing white enamel paint. It felt on the photograph of the old man. He tried
to rub off the picture so hard that it peeled the actual picture. He sat down for a long time in upset mood. He got an
idea. He took out his wooden box & searched for the similar picture. He got one photograph which resembles the
similar face as the old man had. He framed that picture was pleased by the idea & forgot that he was taking the
s
highest risk.
n
Customer did’nt detect anything wrong happened :
o
When the customer came to receive his frame he was not able to detect the wrong that had happened
i
with the original photograph.But after sometime customer asked Datta angrily what he had done with the photo.But
before Datta could explain He said he asked for a cut mount with a oval shape & it is square one.
COMPREHENSION :
at
A. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
ic
1. Write about the Modern Frame Works and its owner.
bl
2. Give an account of the conversation between Datta and the customer.
u
3. Summarize the talk between Datta and the customer who had come to receive the framed picture.
P
4. Relate the instances of humour in “The Gold Frame’.
t
B. Answer the following questions in about 75 words each:
1. Describe how the shop of Datta was highly congested.
n
2. How did the customer describe the greatness of the man whose picture was to be framed?
e
l
3. Write about the discussion regarding the paint, quality and mount of the frame for the picture.
4. What had Datta learnt by experience about the customer’s who brought pictures for framing? What was his
u
experience about the new customer?
at
5. What happened when Datta looked for the pencil stub for marking the measurements?
6. How did Datta proceed to frame the picture the customer had brought?
r
7. Describe the after-effect of Dutta’s attempt to reach the pencil stub.
G
8. How did Datta try to remove the stain of paint on the picture? What was the result?
9. Describe Datta’s state of mind when the picture was ‘mutilated beyond recovery’.
10. ”At the back of his mind an idea began to take shape”. How has R.K. Laxman elaborated the statement?
11
3. THE CABULIWALLAH
RABINDRANATH TAGORE
Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) is popularly known as ‘Gurudev’. His ecclesiastical outlook,

philosophical perspective and poetic faculty have made him a famous figure in world literature. He was
awarded the Noble prize for literature in 1913 for his ‘Gitanjali’. Though predominantly a poet, he has to
s
his credit numerous novels and substantial short stories.
n
In the Cabuliwallah, Tagore describes a mutual bond that develops between a man from Kabul and Mini,
o
the Cabuliwallah sees in her own daughter living in the distant country of Afghanistan. The story touches
i
a chord with the readers with its pathos and sensitivity.
t
My first-year-old daughter Mini cannot live without chattering. I really believe that in all her life she has not
a
wasted a minute in silence. Her mother is often vexed at this, and would like to stop her prattle, but I would not. For
Mini to be quiet is unnatural, and I cannot bear it long. And so my own talk with her is always lively.
ic
One morning, for instance, when I was in the midst of the seventeenth chapter of my new novel, my little
l
Mini stole into the room, and putting her hand into mine said: ‘Father! Ramdayal, the door-keeper, calls a crow a
krow! He doesn’t know anything, does he?’
ub
Before I could explain to her the difference between one language and another in this world, she had
embarked on the full tide of another subject, ‘What do you think, Father? Bhola says there is an elephant in the
clouds, blowing water out of his trunk, and that is why it rains.
P
And then, darting off anew, while I sat still, trying to think of some reply to this: ‘Father! What relation is
mother to you?
nt
With a grave face I contrived to say: ‘Go and play with Bhola, Mini! I am busy!’
The window of my room overlooks the road. The child had seated herself at my feet near my table, and
e
was playing softly, drumming on her knees. I was hard at work on my seventeenth chapter, in which Pratap Singh,
l
the hero, has just caught her by the third-storey window of the castle, when suddenly Mini left her play, and ran
to the window , crying: ‘A Cabuliwallah! A Cabuliwallah!’ And indeed, in the street below, there was a Cabuliwallah
u
walking slowly along. He wore the loose, soiled clothing of his people, and a tall turban; he carried a bag on his
t
back and boxes of grapes in his hand.
a
I cannot tell what my daughter’s feelings were when she saw this man, but she began to call him loudly.
‘Ah!’ thought I, he will come in, and my seventeenth chapter will never be finished!’ At that very moment the
r
Cabuliwallah turned, and looked up at the child. When she saw this, she was overcome by terror, and running to
G
her mother’s protection, disappeared. She had a blind belief that inside the bag, which the big man carried, there
were perhaps two or three other children like herself. The pedlar meanwhile entered my doorway and greeted me
with a smile.
So precarious was the position of my hero and my heroine that my first impulse was to stop and buy
something, since Mini had called the man to the house. I made some small purchases, and we began to talk
about. Abdur Rahman, the Russians, the English, and the Frontier Policy.
As he was about to leave, he asked” ‘And where is the little girl, sir?’
And then, thinking that Mini must get rid of her false fear, I had her brought out.
She stood by my chair, and looked at the Cabuliwallah and his bag. He offered her nuts and raisins, but she would
not be tempted, and only clung the closer to me, with all her doubts increased. This was their first meeting.
12
A few mornings later. As I was leaving the house, I was startled to find Mini, seated on a bench near the
door, laughing and talking, with the great Cabuliwallah at her feet. In all her life, it appeared, my small daughter had
never found so patient a listener, save her father. And already the corner of her little sari was stuffed with almonds
and raisins, the gift of her visitor, “Why did you give her those?’ I said, and taking out an eight-anna piece, I handed
it to him. The man accepted the money without demur and put it into his pocket.
Alas, on my return, an hour later, I found the unfortunate coin had made twice its own worth of trouble! For
the Cabuliwallah had given it to Mini’ and her mother, catching sight of the bright round object, had pounced on the
s
child with: ‘Where did you get the eight-anna piece?’
‘The Cabuliwallah gave it to me,’ said Mini cheerfully.
him?’
on
‘The Cabuliwallah gave it to you!’ cried her mother, greatly shocked. ’O Mini how could you take it from
ti
I entered at the moment, and saving her from impending disaster, proceeded to make my own inquiries.
It was not the first or the second time, I found, that the two had met. The Cabuliwallah had overcome the
a
child’s first terror by a judicious bribe of nuts and almonds, and the two were now great friends.
c
They had many quaint jokes, which amused them greatly. Mini would seat herself before him, look down
i
on his gigantic frame in all her tiny dignity, and with her face rippling with laughter would begin: ‘O Cabuliwallah
l
what have you got in your bag?’
b
And he would reply, in the nasal accents of the mountaineer: ‘An elephant!’ Not much cause of merriment,
perhaps, but how they both enjoyed the fun! And for me, this child’s talk with a grown-up man had always in it
u
something strangely fascinating.
P
Then the Cabuliwallah, not to be behind-hand, would take his turn;’ Well, little one, one, and when are you
going to your father-in-law’s house?’
t
Now nearly every small Bengali maiden has heard long ago about her father-in-law’s house; but we were
a little newfangled, and had kept these things from our child, so that Mini at this question must have been a trifle
n
bewildered. But she would not show it, and with ready tact replied: ‘Are you going there?’
e
Amongst men of the Cabuliwallah’s class, however, it is well known that the words ‘father-in-law’s house’
l
have a double meaning. It is a euphemism for jail, the place where we are well cared for, at no expense to
u
ourselves. In this sense, would the sturdy pedlar take my daughter’s questions? ‘Ah,’ he would say, shaking his
t
first at an invisible policeman,’ I will trash my father-in-law! Hearing this, and picturing the poor discomfited relative,
Mini would g off into peals of laughter, in which her formidable friend would join.
a
These were autumn mornings, the very time of year when kings of old went forth to conquest; and I, without
r
stirring from my little corner in Calcutta, would let my mind wander over the whole world. At the very name of
another country, my heart would go out f it, and at the sight of a foreigner in the streets, I would fall to weaving a
G
network of dreams-the mountains , the glens and the forests of his distant land, with his cottage in their midst, and
the free and independent life of faraway wilds. Perhaps scenes of travel are conjured up before me and pass and
repass in my imagination all the more vividly, because I lead an existence so like a vegetable that a call to travel
would fall upon me like a thunderbolt. In the presence of this Cabuliwallah, I was immediately transported to the foot
of arid mountain peaks, with narrow little defiles twisting in and out amongst their towering heights. I could see the
string of camels bearing the merchandise, and the company of turbaned merchants, some carrying their queer old
firearms, and some their spears, journeying downward the plains. I could see –but at some such point, Mini’s
mother would intervene, and implore me to ‘beware of that man.’
Mini’s mother is unfortunately very timid. Whenever she hears a noise in the street, or sees people coming
towards the house , she always jumps to the conclusion that they are either thieves , or drunkards , or snakes
or tigers , or malaria ,or cockroaches, or caterpillars. Even after all these years of experience, she is not able to
overcome her terror. So she was full of doubts about the Cabuliwallah, and used to beg me to keep a watchful eye
on him.
13
If I tried to laugh her fear gently away, she would turn round seriously, and ask me solemn questions:
Were children never kidnapped?
Was it not true that there was slavery in j Cabul?
Was it so very absurd that this big man should be able to carry off a tiny child?
I urged that though not impossible, it was very improbable. But this was not enough, and her dread persisted.
But as it was a very vague dread, it did not seem right to forbid the man the house, and the intimacy went on
s
unchecked.
Once a year, in the middle of January, Rahman, the Cabuliwallah, used to return to his own country, and as time
n
approached, he would be very busy, going from house to house collecting his debts. This year, however, he could
o
always find time to come and see Mini. It might have seemed to a stranger that there was some conspiracy between
i
the two, for when he could not come in the morning; he would appear in the evening.
t
Even to me it was little startling now and then, suddenly to surprise this tall, loose-garmented man laden with
his bags, in the corner of a dark room: but when Mini ran in smiling with ‘O Cabuliwallah! O Cabuliwallah!’ and the two
a
friends, so far apart in age, subsided into their old laughter and their old jokes, I felt reassured.
c
One morning, a few days before he had made up his mind to go, I was correcting proof-sheets in my study. The
i
weather was chilly. Through the window the rays of the sun touched my feet, and the slight warmth was very welcome. It
l
was nearly eight o’clock, and early pedestrians were returning home with their heads covered. Suddenly I heard an uproar
in the street, and, looking out, saw Rahman being led away bound between two policemen, and behind them a crowd of
b
inquisitive boys. There were blood-stains on his clothes, and one of the policemen carried a knife. I hurried out, and partly
u
from another, I gathered that a certain neighbour had owned the pedlar something for a Rampuri shawl, but had denied
buying I, and that in the course of the quarrel Rahman had struck him. Now, in his excitement, the prisoner began calling
P
his enemy all sorts of names, when suddenly in a verandah of my house appeared my little Mini, with her usual exclamation:
‘O Cabuliwallah! O Cabuliwallah!’ Rahman’s face lighted up as he turned to her. He had no bag under his arm today, so
t
she could not talk about the elephant with him. She therefore at once proceeded to the next question: ‘Are you going to your
father-in-law’s house?’ Rahman laughed and said: That is just where I am going, little one!’ Then, seeing that the reply did
n
not amuse the child, held up his fettered hands, ‘Ah!’ he said ’I would have trashed that old father-in-law, but my hands are
e
bound!’
l
On a charge of murderous assault, Rahman was sentenced to several years’ imprisonment.
Time passed, and he was forgotten. Our accustomed work in the accustomed place went on, and the
u
thought of the once free mountaineer spending his years in prison seldom or never occurred to us. Even my light-
t
hearted Mini. I am ashamed to say, forgot her old friend. New companion filled her life. As she grew older, she spent
a
more of her time with girls. So much, indeed, did she spend with them that she came no more, as she used to do,
to her father’s room, so that I rarely had any opportunity of speaking to her.
r
Years had passed away. It was once more autumn and we had made arrangements for out Mini’s marriage.
G
It was to take place during the Puja holidays. With Durga returning to Kailash, the light of our home also would
depart to her husband’s house, and leave her father’s in shadow.\
The morning was bright. After the rains, it seemed as though the air had been washed clean and the rays
of the sun looked like pure gold. So bright were they, that they made even the sordid brick-walls of our walls of our
Calcutta lanes radiant. Since early drawn the wedding -pipes had been sounding, and at each burst of sound my
own heart throbbed. The wail of the tune, Bahiravi, seemed to intensify the pain I felt at the approaching separation.
My Mini was to be married that night.
From early morning, noise and bustle had pervaded the house. In the courtyard there was the canopy to
be slung on its bamboo poles; there were chandeliers with their tinkling sound to be hung in each room and
verandah. There was endless hurry and excitement. I was sitting in my study, looking through the before me. It
was someone entered, saluting respectfully, and stood before me. It was Rahman, the Cabuliwallah. At first I did
not recognize him. He carried no bag, his long hair was cut short and his old vigour seemed to have gone. But he
smiled, and I knew him again.
14
‘When did you come, Rahman?’ I asked him.
‘Last evening,’ he said ‘I was released from jail.’ The words struck harshly upon my ears. I had never
before talked with one who had wounded his fellow-man, and my heart shrank within itself when I realized this;
for I felt that the day would have been better- omented had he not appeared.
“There are ceremonies going on,’ I said,’ and I am busy. Perhaps you could come another day?’
He immediately turned to go; but as he reached the door he hesitated, and said: ‘May I not see the little one, sir, for
a moment?’ It was his belief that Mini was still the same. He had pictured her running to him as she used to do, calling ‘O
s
Cabuliwallah! O Cabuliwallah!’ He had imagined too that they would laugh and talk together, just as of old. Indeed, in
memory of former days he had brought, carefully wrapped up in paper, a few almonds and raisins and grapes, obtained
n
somehow other from a countryman; for what little money he had, had gone.
o
I repeated: ‘There is a ceremony in the house, and you will not be able to see any one today.’
i
The man’s face fell. He looked wishfully at me for a moment, then said,’ Good morning,’ and went out.
t
I felt a little sorry, and would have called him back but I found he was returning of his own accord. He came
a
close up to me and held out his offerings with the words: ‘I have brought these few things, sit, for the little one.
Will you give them to her?’
c
I took them, and was going to pay him, but he caught my hand and said: ’You are very kind, sir! Keep me
i
in your memory. Do not offer me money! - You have a little girl: I too have one like her in my own home. I think of
l
her, and bring this fruit to your child-not to make a profit for myself.’
b
Saying this, he put his hand inside his big loose robe, and brought out a small and dirty piece of paper.
Unfolding it with great care, he smoothed it out with both hands on my table. It bore the impression of a little hand.
u
Not a photograph. Not a drawing. Merely the impression of an ink-smeared hand laid flat on the paper. This touch
P
of the hand of his own little daughter he had carried always next his heart, as he had come year after year to
Calcutta to sell his wares in the streets.
t
Tears came to my eyes. I forgot that he was a poor Cabuli fruit-seller, while I was-But no, what was I more
than he? He also was a father.
n
That impression of the hand of his little Parbati in her distant mountain home reminded me of my own little
e
Mini.
l
I sent for Mini immediately from the inner apartment. Many difficulties were raised, but I swept them aside.
Clad in the red silk of her wedding day with the sandal paste on her forehead, and adorned as a young bride, Mini
u
came, and stood modestly before me.
t
The Cabuliwallah seemed amazed at the apparition. He could not revive their old friendship. At last he
a
smiled and said: ‘Little one, are you going to your father-in-law’s house?’
r
But Mini now understood the meaning of the word; father-in-law’, and she could not answer him as of old.
She blushed at the question, and stood before him with her bride-like face bowed down.
G
I remembered the day when the Cabuliwallah and my Mini had first met, and I felt sad. When she had gone.
Rahman sighed deeply, and sat down on the floor. The idea had suddenly come to him that his daughter too must
have grown up, while he would have to make friends anew with her also. Assuredly he would not find her as she was
when he left her. And besides, what might not have happened to her in these eight years?
The marriage -pipes sounded, and the mild autumn sunlight streamed round us, But Rahman sat in the
Calcutta lane, and saw before him the barren mountains of Afghanistan.
I took out a currency-note, gave it to him, and said:’ Go back to your daughter, Rahman in your own
country, and may the happiness of your meeting bring good fortune to my child.’
Having made this present, I had to curtail some of the festivities. I could not have the electric lights I had
intended, nor the military band, and the ladies of the house were despondent about it. But to me the wedding feast
was all the brighter for the thought that in a distant land a long-lost father had met again his only child.
15
GLOSSARY :
Chanting : Talking
Vexed : annoyed, angry
Prattle : Talk about anything and everything
Embark on : Begin
Dart off anew : move suddenly in another direction
Contrived : managed
Pedlar : Travelling salesman
ns
o
Precarious : uncertain
i
Demur : objection
Impulse : inclination, desire
Clung : stuck
at
c
Startled : shocked, surprised
Save : (here) except
li
b
Nasal: pertaining to nose
Accent : emphasis, stress
Newfangled : sophisticated, advanced
Glen : narrow valley
Pu
t
Conjured : created
Thunderbolt : unexpected and terrible event
Arid : dry, barren
en
l
Defiles : narrow passage through mountains
Queer : strange
Intervene : interrupt
Implore : request
tu
a
Improbable : not likely to happen
Assault : attack
r
G
Bustle : excited activity
Shrank : contracted
Better-omened : more auspicious
Canopy : overchanging cover
Chandeliers : ornamental branched holder hanging from the ceiling with a number of lights.
Wistfully : with a longing / yearning / desire
Apparition : strange, unbelievable appearance
Despondent : dejected, nervous
16
SUMMARY
In the story, Tagore describes a mutual bond that develops between a man from kabul & Mini, a child from
Bengal. Mini was a five year old daughter of the narrator. Rehman, Cabuliwallah came to Calcutta to sell dry fruits
like almond, raisens, & nuts. Rehman used to visit Mini often & they would spent a lot of time laughing, chatting &
cracking jokes. Rehman would offer her nuts, almond, raisins as gift on his visits.
The story touches a chord with the readers with its pathos & sensitivity.
s
Rahman & Mini :
n
Rahman was Cabuliwallah from Afganistan. He comes to calcutta every year to sell dry fruits & clothes. In
one of his visits to author’s house he met Mini, the authors five year old daughter. At first meeting She was very much
o
scared of him. Later on mutual bond of friendship developed between them. They used to sit together for hours
i
laughing, chatting & jocking. Rahman would offer her nuts as a gifton his visits.
at
The mutual affection that builds He saw in her his own daughter, living in the distant country of Afghanistan.
Among them goes beyond all man made barriers of culture, religion & nationality. On meeting Mini, the Cabuliwallah
sees in her own daughter living in the distant country of Afghanistan.
ic
Cabuliwallah’s visit to Mini’s home after he was released from jail :
bl
Rahman was sentenced & many years passed away he was forgotten. Even Mini had forgotten him. Now
she grew older & has many friends. Mini’s family was busy in the arrangements of her marriage. Author was busy
in correcting the proof sheets in his study. Cabuliwallah arrived home after releasing the jail. The narrator told him
u
that ceremonies are going on at home so he would come next day. He moved towards the door suddenly he
P
came back & enquired about the little one. It was his belief that Mini was still the innocent kid. He showed the
author a little page smeared the impression of his own daughter’s little hand. Author realised the pain of Cabuliwallah
t
& had tears in his eyes.
Cabuliwallah was eager to see Mini, the narrator sent for her, after much hesitation as it was her wedding
n
day. Mini came in red saree with a sandal paste on her forehead. The cabuliwalah was amazed by this look of
e
Mini. He was not able to revive their friendship & asked if she is going to father-in-laws house. She smiled & left
l
after some time. It was their last meeting.
u
COMPREHENSION :
t
A. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :
a
1. Who was Rahman? Why was he drawn towards Mini?
r
2. What happened one morning when the narrator was correcting proof sheets in his study?
3. Describe the Cabuliwallah‘s visit to Mini’s house after he was released from jail.
G
B. Answer the following questions in about 75 words each :
1. Give a gist of the talk between Mini and her father before the entry of the Cabuliwallah.
2. Describe the appearance of the Cabuliwallah and write about his first meeting with Mini.
3. How does the narrator describe his wife? Why did she ask him to keep a watchful eye on the Cabuliwallah?
4. Why did the narrator say that ‘he was also a father’?
5. Describe Mini’s last meeting with the Cabuliwallah.
6. Why did Rahman sit on the floor after Mini departed in their last meeting?
7. Why did the narrator give Rahman some money? As a result, which ceremonies did he curtail in the marriage-
ceremony?
17
4. THE STRUGGLE FOR AN EDUCATION
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON
Booker .T. Washington (1856-1915) was one of the most influential Afro-American intellectuals of the
late 19th and early 20th centuries. His life of labour and tenacity made an indelible impact on his community.
A self-made man, he was an educator, writer, orator and a civil rights leader. In addition, he cherished a
s
political perspective which influenced his fellow beings. Born as a slave in grinding poverty and living
in a log cabin with hardly any facilities, he fought against numerous odds. Despite this, he cherished an
n
ardent desire to receive education.
o
The following extract from his autobiography tells us about his keen desire for education. When he
i
learnt about Hampton Institute in Virginia for Afro-American students, he was gripped by a passion for
t
getting himself educated from there. It was this passion that saw him fulfil his dreams, despite the
a
numerous obstacles he faced - physical, mental and financial. His life is a fitting example of the fact that
with a steely resolve, no obstacle can stop you from reaching your goal.
ic
One day, while at work in the coal mine, I happened to overhear two miners talking about a great school
l
coloured people somewhere in Virginia. This was the first time that I had ever heard anything about any kind of
school or college that was more pretentious than the little coloured school in our town.
b
In the darkness of the mine I noiselessly crept as close as I could to the two men who were talking. I heard
u
one tell the other that not only was the school established for the members of my race, but that opportunities
were provided by which poor but worthy students could work out all or a part of the cost of board, and at the
P
same time he taught some trade or industry.
As they went on describing the school, it seems to me that it must be the greatest place on earth, and not
t
even heaven presented more attractions for me at that time than did the Hampton Normal and Agricultural
n
Institute in Virginia , about which these men were talking. I resolved at once to go to that school, although I had no
idea where it was, or how many miles away , or how I was going to reach it; I remembered only that I was on fire
e
constantly with one ambition, and that was to go to Hampton, This thought was with me day and night.
l
After hearing of the Hampton Institute, I continued to work for a few months longer in the coal-mine. While
u
at work there, I heard of a vacant position in the household of General Lewis Ruffner, the owner of the slat furnace
t
and the coal mine. Mrs. Viola Ruffner, the wife of General Ruffner, was a “Yankee” woman from Vermont. Mrs.
Ruffner had a reputation all through the vicinity for being very strict with her servants and especially with the boys
a
who tried to serve her. Few of them had remained with her more than two or three weeks. They all left with the
r
same excuse: she was too strict. I decided, however that I would rather try Mrs. Ruffner’s house than remain in
the coal mine, and so my mother applied to her for the vacant position. I was hired at a salary of $ 5 per month.
G
I had heard so much about Mrs. Ruffner’s severity that I was almost afraid to see her, and trembled when
I went into her presence. I had not lived with her many weeks, however, before I began to understand her. I soon
began to learn that; first of all, she wanted everything kept clean about her, that she wanted things done promptly
and systematically, and that at the bottom of everything she wanted absolute honesty and frankness. Nothing
must be sloven or slipshod; every door, every fence, must be kept in repair.
I cannot now recall how long I lived with Mrs. Ruffner before going to Hampton, but I think it must have been
a year and a half At any rate, I here repeat what I have said more than once before, that the lessons that I learned
in the home of Mrs. Ruffner were as valuable to me any education I have ever gotten anywhere since. Even to this
day I never see bits of paper scattered around a house or in the street that I do not want to pick them up at once.
I never see a filthy yard that I do not want to clean it, a paling off of a fence that do not want to paint or whitewash
it, or a button off one’s clothes , or a grease-spot on them or on a floor, that I do not want to call attention to it.
18
From fearing Mrs. Ruffner I soon learned to look upon her as one of my best friends. When she found that she
could trust me she did so implicitly. During the one or two winters that I was with her she gave me an opportunity to go
to school for an hour in the day during a portion of the winter months, but most of my studying was done at night,
sometimes alone, sometimes under someone whom I could hire to teach me. Mrs. Ruffner always encouraged and
sympathized with me in all my efforts to get an education. It was while living with her that I began to get together my first
library. I secured a dry-goods box, knocked out one side of it, put some shelves in it, and began putting into it every kind
of book that I could get my hands upon, and called it my ‘library’.
s
Notwithstanding my success at Mrs Ruffner’s I did not give up the idea of going to the Hampton Institute.
In the fall of 1872 I determined to make an effort to get there, although as I have stated, I had no definite idea of the
n
direction in which Hampton was or of what it would cost to go there. I do not think that anyone thoroughly sympathized
with me in my ambition to go to Hampton unless it was my mother, and she was troubled with a grave fear that I
o
was starting out on a ‘wild-goose chase.’ At any rate, I got only a half -hearted consent from her that I might start.
i
The small amount of money that I had earned had been consumed by my stepfather and the remainder of the
t
family, with the exception of a very few dollars, and so I had very little with which to buy clothes and pay my
a
travelling expenses. My brother John helped me all that he could, but of course that was not a great deal, for his
work was in the coal mine, where he did not earn much, and most of what he did earn went in the direction of
c
paying the household expenses.
li
Perhaps the thing that touched and pleased them most in connection with my starting for Hampton was
the interest that many of the older coloured people look into the matter. They had spent the best days of their lives
b
in slavery, and hardly expected to live to see the time when they would see a member of their race leave home
to attend a boarding –school, Some of these older people would give me a nickel, others a quarter, or a handkerchief.
Pu
Finally the great came, and I started for Hampton. I had only a small, cheap satchel that contained what few
articles of clothing I could get. My mother at the time was rather weak and broken in health. I hardly expected to see
her again, and thus our parting was all the more sad. She, however, was very brave through it all. At that time there
t
were no through trains connecting that part of West Virginia with eastern Virginia. Trains ran only a portion of the way,
and the remainder of the distance was travelled by stage-coaches.
en
The distance from Maiden to Hampton is about five hundred miles. I had not been away from home many hours
before it began to grow painfully evident that I did not have enough money to pay my fare to Hampton. One experience
l
I shall long remember. I had been travelling over the mountains most of the afternoon in an old-fashioned stage coach,
when, late in the evening, the coach stopped for the night at a common, unpainted house called a hotel. All the other
u
passengers except myself were whites. In my ignorance I supposed that the little hotel existed for the purpose of
t
accommodating the passengers who travelled on the stage coach.
a
The difference that the colour of one’s skin would make I had not thought anything about it. After all the
r
other passengers had been shown rooms and were getting ready for supper, I shyly presented myself before the
man at the desk. It is true I had practically no money in my pocket with which to pay for bed or food, but I had
G
hoped I some way to beg my way into the good graces of the landlord, for at that season in the mountains of
Virginia the weather was cold, and I wanted to get indoors for the night. Without asking as to whether I had any
money, the man at the desk firmly refused to even consider the matter of providing me with food or lodging. This
was my first experience in finding out what the colour of my skin meant. In some way I managed to keep warm by
walking about, and so got through the night. My whole soul was so bent upon reaching Hampton that I did not have
time to cherish any bitterness towards the hotel keeper.
By walking, begging rides both in wagons and in the cars, in some way, after a number of days, I reached
the city of Richmond, Virginia, about eighty –two miles from Hampton. When I reached there, tired, hungry, and
dirty, it was late at night, I had never been in a large city, and this rather added to my misery. When I reached
Richmond, I was completely out of money. I had not a single acquaintance in the place, and, being unused to city
ways, I did not know where to go, I applied at several places for lodging, but they all wanted money, and that was
what I did not have. Knowing nothing else better to do, I walked the streets. In doing this I passed by many food-
stands where fried chicken and half-moon apple pies were piled high and made to present a most tempting
19
appearance. At that time it seemed to me that I would have promised all that I expected to possess in the future to
have gotten hold of one of those chicken legs or one of those pies. But I could not get either of these, nor anything
else to eat.
I must have walked the streets till after midnight. At last I became so exhausted that I could walk no longer.
I was tired, I was hungry. I was everything but discouraged. Just about the time when I reached extreme physical
exhaustion. I came upon a portion of a street where the board sidewalk was considerably elevated. I waited for
a few minutes, till I was sure that no passersby could see me, and then crept under the sidewalk and lay for the
s
night upon the ground, with my satchel of clothing for a pillow. Nearly all night I could hear the tramp of feet over my
head. The next morning I found myself somewhat refreshed, but I was extremely hungry, because it had been a
n
long time since I had had sufficient food. As soon as it became light enough for me to see my surroundings I
noticed that I was near a large ship, and that this ship seemed to be unloading a cargo of pig –iron. I went at once
o
to the vessel and asked the captain to permit me to help unload the vessel in order to get money for food. The
i
captain, a white man, who seemed to be kind-hearted, consented, I worked long enough to earn money for my
t
breakfast, and it seems to me, as I remember it now to have been about the best breakfast that I have ever eaten.
a
My work pleased the captain so well that he told me if I desired I could continue working for a small amount
c
per day. This I was very glad to do. I continued working on this vessel for a number of days. After buying food with
i
the small wages I received there was not much left to added to the amount I must get to pay my way to Hampton.
l
In order to economize I every way possible, so as to be sure to reach Hampton in a reasonable time, I continued
to sleep under the same sidewalk that gave me shelter the first night I was in Richmond. Many years after that the
b
coloured citizens of Richmond very kindly tendered me a reception, at which there must have been two thousand
people present. This reception was held not far from the spot where I slept the first night I spent in that city, and
u
I must confess that my mind was more upon the sidewalk that first gave me shelter than upon the reception,
P
agreeable and cordial as it was.
When I had saved what I considered enough money with which to reach Hampton, I thanked the captain of
t
the vessel for his kindness, and started again, without any unusual occurrence I reached Hampton, with a surplus
of exactly fifty cents with which to begin my education. To me it had been a long, eventful journey; but the first sight
n
of the large, three-story, brick school building seemed to have rewarded me for all that I had undergone in order to
e
reach the palce. If the people who gave the money to provide the at building could appreciate the influence sight
l
of it had upon me, as well as upon thousands of other youths, they would feel all the more encouraged to make
such gifts. It seems to me to be the largest and most beautiful building I had ever seen. The sight of it seemed to
u
give me new life. I felt that I had reached the promised Land, and I resolved to let no obstacle prevent me from
t
putting forth the highest effort to fit myself to accomplish the most good in the world.
As soon as possible after reaching the grounds of the Hampton Institute. I presented myself before the
a
head teacher for assignment to a class. Having been so long without proper food, a bath, and change of clothing,
r
I did not, of course, make a very favourable impression upon her, and I could see at once that there were doubts
in her mind about the wisdom of admitting me as a student. I felt that I could hardly blame her if she got the idea
G
that I was a worthless loafer or tramp. For some time she did not refuse to admit me, neiher did she decide in my
favour, and I continued to linger about her, and to impress her in all the ways I could with my worthiness. In the
meantime I saw her admitting other students, and that added greatly to my discomfort, for I felt, deep down in my
heart, that I could do as well as they, If I could only get a chance to show what was in me.
After some hours had passed, the head teacher said to me: ‘The adjoining recitation-room needs sweeping.
Take the broom and sweep it.
It occurred to me at once that here was my chance. Never did I receive an order with more delight. I knew
that I could sweep for Mrs. Ruffner had thoroughly taught me how to do that when I lived with her.
I swept the recitation -room three times. Then I got a dusting cloth and I dusted it four times. All the
woodwork around the walls, every bench, table, and desk, I went over four times with my dusting-cloth. Besides,
every piece of furniture had been moved and every closet and corner in the room had been thoroughly cleaned. I
20
had the feeling that in a large measure my future depended upon the impression I made upon the teacher in the
cleaning of that room. When I was through, I reported to the head teacher. She was a ‘Yankee woman who knew
just where to look for dirt. She went into the room and inspected the floor and closets; then she took her handkerchief
and rubbed it on the woodwork about the walls, and over the table and benches. When she was unable to find one
bit of dirt on the floor, or a particle of dust on any of the furniture, she quietly remarked,’ I guess you will do to enter
this institution.’
I was one of the happiest souls on earth. The sweeping of that room was my college examination, and
s
never did any youth pass an examination fro entrance into Harvard or Yale that gave him more genuine satisfaction
. I have passed several examinations since then, but I have always felt that this was the best one I ever passed.
GLOSSARY :
yankee : a resident of the northern states of America
on
vicinity : neighbourhood
serverity : seriousness. strictness
ti
implicitly : indirectly, not openly
ca
i
wild-goose chase : effort at the end of which there is no surety of success
l
consumed : spent, used
b
satched : small bag for keeping books, papers
u
consented : agreed
assignment : allotment
loafer : idler, lazy person
P
t
tramp : person who travels
n
linger : move around about on foot from place to place
sloven : habitually untidy / careless person
slipshod : careless
le SUMMARY
tu
The following extract from his autobiography tells us about his keen desire for education. When he learnt
about Hampton institute in Virginia for Afro-American students, he was gripped by a passion for getting himself
a
educated from there. It was his passion that saw him fulfill his dreams ,despite the numerous obstacle he faced-
r
physical, mental & financial. His life is a fitting example of the fact that with a steely resolve, no obstacle can stop
you from reaching your goal.
G
Character sketch of Mrs. Ruffner :
Mrs. Viola Ruffner, the wife of General Ruffner, was a “Yankee” woman from Vermont. Mrs. Ruffner had a reputation
all through the vicinity for being very strict with her servants, and especially with the boys who tried to serve her.
Few of them had remained with her more than two or three weeks. They all left with the same excuse that she
was too strict. She wanted everything kept clean about her, she wanted things done promptly and systematically,
and that at the bottom of everything she wanted absolute honesty and frankness, every door, every fence, must
be kept in repair. Mrs. Ruffner always encouraged and sympathized with me in all my efforts to get an education.
Help that author received from others to reach Hampton :

In the fall of 1872 he set out with very little money from which with which he had to buy clothes and pay my
travelling expenses. His brother John donated some money and some older colored people who were inspired by
his dream. Some of these older people gave him 5 Cents to 25 Cents and a handkerchief.
21
Discrimination Washington faced on his way to Hampton :
The distance from Malden to Hampton is about five hundred miles. He traveled in an stage–coach, when, late in
the evening, the coach stopped for the night at a common, unpainted house called a hotel. All the other passengers
except Washington were whites .He thought that the hotel existed for the purpose of accommodating the
passengers who traveled on the stage–coach. All the other passengers had been shown rooms except for
Washington. So he shyly presented himself before the man at the desk who firmly refused to even consider the
matter of providing Washington with food or lodging.
s
Night out at Richmond :
n
When the man at the hotel desk refused to give accommodation to Washington, he managed to keep himself
o
warm by walking about the Corridors, and so got through the night as the weather in the mountains of Virginia was
i
very cold.
t
Washington’s Breakfast at Richmond :
a
The first morning in Richmond after waking up from sleep, Washington found myself somewhat refreshed but he
was extremely hungry. He found himself near a large ship which was unloading a cargo of pig-iron. He at once went
c
to the vessel and asked the captain to permit him to help unload the vessel in order to get money for food. The
i
captain, a white man, who seemed to be kind hearted, consented. He worked long enough to earn money for his
l
breakfast and he considered that it was the best breakfast that he had ever eaten.
First sight of Hampton Institute :
ub
When Washington reached Hampton, with a surplus of exactly fifty cents to begin his education, the first sight of
P
the large, three-story brick school building seemed to have rewarded him for all that he had undergone in order to
reach the place. The sight of it seemed to give me new life. He felt if the donors of the School had seen the bliss
t
on his face, they would build more such beautiful Schools.
n
Washington’s admission into Hampton Institute:
When Washington reached Hampton Institute, he presented himself before the head teacher to enroll, but he
le
didn’t make a very favorable impression on her, because of his dirty clothes and rough appearance. For some
time she did not refuse to admit him, neither did she decide in his favour. After some hours, the head teacher said
u
to him to clean the adjacent Recitation room. He swept the room thrice, dusted it four times. Besides ,he thoroughly
t
cleaned by moving every piece of furniture had been moved and every closet and corner in the room as he
believed that his future depended on his work. Finally, he earned his place at the institution by passing a test in his
a
cleaning skills.
r
G
COMPREHENSION :
A] Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :
1. What does Booker T. Washington say about Mrs. Ruffener? Why does he say that the lessons he learnt in her
home were as valuable to him as any education he has ever obtained anywhere since?
2. “One experience I shall long remember”. Describe this experience of Booker T. Washington which enabled him
to find out “what the colour of skin meant.”
3. Summarise Booker T. Washington’s journey and experiences from home to Hampton.
4. Give a detailed account of the best examination Booker T. Washington ever passed.
22
B] Answer the following questions in about 75 words each :
1. What did Booker T. Washington learn from the talk between the two men about the school established for the
members of his race?
2. Why did Booker T. Washington get only a half-hearted support from his mother for, what she called, his wild-
goose chase?
3. Which thing “touched and pleased” Booker T. Washington regarding his journey to Hampton?
4. How did Booker T. Washington reach Richmond, Virginia? Write about his bitter experiences when he was
s
tired, hungry and penniless.
n
5. How did Booker T. Washington find shelter for the night in Richmond?
o
6. Which, according to Washington, had been ‘about the best breakfast?’ How did he manage to get it?
i
7. How did the captain of the ship, who was pleased with his work, help Booker T. Washington? How did the save
t
money to reach Hampton?
a
8. Describe the feelings of Booker T. Washington when “the coloured citizens of Richmond tendered him a
reception.”
ic
9. Narrate Washington’s impression about the school-building at Hampton.
l
10. What happened when Washington presented himself before the head teacher for assignment to a class?
b
11. How did Washington complete the task assigned to him by the head teacher?
Pu
nt
le
tu
ra
G
23
UNIT - II
POEMS
1. IF
RUDYARD KIPLING
ns
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English poet and novelist. He is known for children’s books. He is
more famous for ‘The Jungle Book’ and ‘Kim’. He has also written many stories and poems about the
o
British in India during the foreign rule. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907. He was
i
offered knighthood several times but he always declined the honour.
at
If is written from the perspective of a father who is imparting advice to his son. The poem reminds us of
the advice of Polonious to his son, in Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’. In this poem, Kipling expounds the
c
significance, of virtue and self control in life. This poem is regarded as one of the most inspiring poems
i
ever written.
l
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
b
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
u
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
P
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,
t
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream-and not make dreams your master;
n
If you think-and not make thoughts your aim;
e
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
l
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
u
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
t
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools;
a
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
r
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at you beginnings.
G
And Never breathe a word about you r loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings –nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run-
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And-which is more-you’ll be a Man my son!
24
GLOSSARY :
Make allowance : give room for, admit
Give way to : surrender, yield
Triumph and Disaster : success and defeat
Twisted : forced, compelled
Knaves : dishonest men, rogues
Stoop : bend
Worn out : old
ns
o
Turn of pitch and toss : uncertain attempt
i
Sinew : muscle
Will : Firm determination
Count with : depend on, consider friendly
at
SUMMARY
ic
expounds the significance of virtue & self-control in life.
bl
The poem is written by a perspective of a father who is imparting advice to his son. In the poem, the poet
u
The poet says that we should keep calm even when others are blaming us. But we should consider the
doubts expressed by others about us. People may spread false stories about us ,they may hate us but we should
P
not do the same. We should not stop with mere thoughts Our goods thought must be translated into wisdom.
If the things created by us will be destroyed we should have courage to face them. We should always be
t
prepared to take highest risks in life. We should always be willing to carry out our duties even if we have grown old
n
& tired.
e
We should be able to mix with common people without loosing our goodness & with people in high places
l
without losing contact with common people. We should consider everyone important but none too important. We
should make use of every bit of our life,If time is lost everything is lost.
COMPREHENSION :
tu
ra
1. What, according to Kipling, are the qualities need for becoming a Man?
G
2. Attempt a summary of ‘IF’ and clarify the message it gives to the young generation

1. Why is ‘IF’ inspirational? What does the poet suggest regarding ‘lies’ and “hatred”?
2. How should according to Kipling, person’ met Triumph and Disaster’ and face “loss”? Why does he say, “So
hold on when there is nothing in you”?
3. In what ways is the advice of Kipling advantages ? What does he say about “talking with crowds” and “walking
with kings”?
25
2. STAY CALM
GRENVILLE KLEISER
Gren ville Keiser (1868 -1935) wrote many books which impart abundant inspiration. He also wrote guides
which ensure oratorial accomplishment and personality development. In reality, he assumed the role of
a friend, philosopher and guide to the young generation wanting to make a mark in life.
s
In Stay Calm, the poet calls upon readers to remain calm and quiet even when dangers and difficulties are
n
staring them in the face. Nothing in life is certain and life itself is uncertain. In such a situation, a tranquil
temperament is the most potent non-violent weapon one can wield in order to win.
io
When you feel like saying something
t
That you know you will regret,
Or keenly feel an insult
a
Not quite easy to forget,
c
That’s the time to curb resentment
i
And maintain a mental peace,
l
For when your mind is tranquil
All your ill- thoughts simply cease.
It is easy to be angry
When defrauded or defied.
ub
To be peeved and disappointed
P
If your wishes are denied;
But to win a worthwhile battle
t
Over selfishness and spite,
You must learn to keep strict silence
n
Though you know you’re in the right.
le So keep your mental balance

When confronted by a foe,
u
Be it enemy in ambush,
t
Or some danger that you know.
If you are poised and tranquil
a
When all around is strife,
r
Be assured that you have mastered
The most vital thing in life.
G
GLOSSARY :
Tranquil : calm, peaceful, steady
Defrauded : cheated deceived
Defied : insulted, disobeyed
Peeved : annoyed, made angry
Spite : malice, hatred
Confronted : faced
Ambush : place for hiding, trap
Poised : balanced
Strife : struggle
26
SUMMARY
The poet calls upon readers to remain calm & quiet even when dangers& difficulties are starting them in
the face. Nothing in life is certain & life itself is uncertain. In such a situation ,a tranquil temperament is the most
potent non-violent weapon one can weild in order to win.
We must maintain mental peace when we feel an insult or when we regret on saying something. In these
situation we should stay calm & quiet. When our mind is calm & peaceful all our ill feelings will vanish. We
experience peace & joy in our hearts.
ns
According to the poet ,it is easy to be angry when we are cheated .We can also feel annoyed or disappointed
when our wishes are denied.Sometimes,we are confronted by selfishness & hatred.The best we can do is that
o
we can keep calm & silence even though we know that we are right.
i
This practice of keeping silence will help us to learn to overcome anger.
t
Tranquility is important in human life. When we are confronted by an enemy who may be invisible ,or when
we are faced with some danger, we must keep our balance. We should not loose our temper but we should lose
a
to win. If we are calm, tranquil & balanced when everything goes against, it is sure that we have have mastered
c
the most vital thing of life.
i
When the poet left for Bombay from Baroda, the banyan tree remained in his memory. However there are
l
no trees in Bombay. The only tree in the Bombay is the one that grows in the dream’s .
COMPREHENSION :
ub
P
t
1. Narrate the message which “Stay Calm’ imparts.
2. What, according to Kleiser, are the advantages of calmness?
n
3. In the opinion o Kleiser, which is the most vital thing in life? Why must a person master it?
e
l
u
1. When should one curb resentment as mentioned in ‘Stay Calm’?
t
2. In the opinion of Kiesler, how can one win the battle against selfishness and spite?
a
3. According to Klesier, why is tranquility important in human life?
r
4. How, in Kleiser’s opinion, must we overcome anger?
27
3. BALLAD OF THE LANDLORD
LANGSTON HUGHES
Langston Hughes (1902-1967) took active interest in making Jazz poetry popular in the USA. He also
wrote some poems of which this ballad is more famous because it reflects the social situation and the
plight of the back community.
s
Ballad of the Landlord refers to the tortures inflicted on the black community even when slavery has
been legally abolished. The black speaker in the poem displays his courage to speak up for his own
n
rights as a tenant. However, his efforts are misconstrued as anti-social and anti-establishment due to
o
the prejudices held by the whites towards the coloured people.
i
Landlord. Landlord,
t
My roof has sprung a leak.
Don’t you ‘member I told you about it
a
Way last week?
c
Landlord, landlord,
i
These steps is broken down.
l
When you come up yourself
b
It’s a wonder you don’t fall down.
Ten bucks you say I owe you?
u
Ten Bucks you say is due?
Well, that’s Ten Bucks more’n I’ll pay you
P
Till you fix this house up new.
t
What? You gonna get eviction orders?
You gonna cut off my heat?
n
You gonna take my furniture and
Throw it in the street?
le
Um-huh! You talking high and mighty.
Talk on- till you get through.
u
You ain’t gonna be able to say a word
t
If I land my fist on you.
Police! Police!
a
Come and get this man!
r
He’s trying to ruin the government
And overturn the land!
G
Copper’s whistle!
Patrol bell
Arrest.
Precinct Station.
Iron cell
Headlines in press.
MAN THREATENS LANDLORD
TENANT HELD NO BAIL
JUDEG GIVES NEGRO 90 DAYS IN COUNTRY JAIL
28
GLOSSARY :
Sprung : developed
Eviction : expulsion, ejection, termination
Um-huh : expression of contempt
Copper : official
Precinct : area under the jurisdiction of police
SUMMARY
ns
o
Ballad of the landlord refers to the tortures inflicted on the black community even when the slavery has
i
been legally abolished. The black speaker of the poem displays his courage to speak up for his own right as a
t
tenant. However, his efforts are misconstrued as anti-social & anti-establishment due to the prejudices held by
the whites towards the coloured people.
a
Tenant asked him if he’s going to get eviction orders, is he going to cut the electricity or he’s going to throw
c
the furniture or him on the street. The tenants become angry & warns he will punch him on the face to keep his
i
mouth shut.
l
The landlord calls the police to arrest the tenant. The landlord misguides the police saying that the tenant’s
b
acts are anti-social& anti-establishment. The tenant is arrested & thrown into jail without bail for ninety days.
The poem describes the complaints made by black tenant to his white landlord.The tenant reminds the
u
landlord that roof of his has leakage about which he had told him previous week.
P
He also reminds of the stairs Landlord reminds him the dues which he asked him to pay but tenant says
he’ll pay all the rent when landlord will repair the house.
t
There is an argument which took place between the two The tenant insisting for the house to be repaired
n
and the landlord insisting him to pay the rent.
COMPREHENSION :
le
u
A. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
t
1. What was the grievance of the tenant and how does the landlord react to his plea for repairs in ‘The Ballad of
a
the Landlord’?
r
2. Attempt a summary of ‘The Ballad of the Landlord.’
G
1. Write about the difficulties faced by the tenant in “Ballad of the Landlord’. When and how much does he
promise to pay the landlord?
2. What is the reaction of the tenant on learning about the termination of his tenancy?
3. Describe the situation at the end of ’Ballad of the Landlord’.
29
UNIT - III
(A) COMPREHENSION OF UNSEEN PASSAGE
INTRODUCTION :
s
Communication in a language is considered to be successful only when the reader or the listner understands
n
the meaning or context of the language written or spoken. In other words a reader or a listner can fully enjoy a prose
or a poetry only when he is capable of understanding what the writer wants to say. The word ‘comprehend’ means ‘to
o
understand’ or ‘to grasp with the mind’ and ‘comprehension’ means the process or power of understanding’. Thus,
i
comprehension is a very vital element in learning and teaching a language.
at
When we read or listen a text we try to understood the ideas contained in the text, the supporting logic
behind the idea, the purpose of the text and the writer’s own view on thesubject, i.e., we try to comprehend the text.
Comprehension thus refers to grasping the idea of the text in totality.
ic
The questions or exercises in the comprehension helps to improve the students ability to understand the
l
finer aspects of the written communication. The student is required to express what he has understood by answering
the questions briefly and by using simple english.
ub
Points to be kept in mind while answering the comprehension exercises :
1. Never read thequestions, before reading the text. It drives away your attention from the meaning of the text.
P
2. Read the text atleast twice before answering the questions.
t
3. Read the questions properly so that no question is misunderstood.
n
4. Now keeping the questions in mind, again read the text.
e
5. Answer the questions in your own words and in simple language. But do not change the meaning of the original
l
sentences.
6. The answer should be in complete sentences.
tu
7. The questions are to be answered as per the given text. One’s own ideas are to be avoided.
8. Check your answers.
EXAMPLE :
ra
1. Read the passages given below and then answer the questions that follow them.
G
Every baby’s face is different from every other’s, in the same way, every baby’s pattern of development is
different. One may be very advanced in his general bodily strength and coordination, an early sitter, stander, walker
--- a sort of infant athlete. And yet he may be slow in doing careful, skillful things with his fingers, in talking. Even a
baby who is an athlete in rolling over, standing, and crawling may turn out to be slow to learn to walk. A baby who’s
advanced in his physical activities may be very slow in his teething, and vice versa. A child who turns out later to be
smart in his school work may have been so slow in the beginning to talk that his parents were afraid that he was
dull; and a child who hasjust an ordinary amount of brains is sometimes a very early talker.
I am purposely picking out examples of children with mixed rates of development to give you an idea of
what a jumble of different qualities and patterns of growth each individual person is composed of.
One baby is born to be big-boned and square and chunky, while another will always be small-boned and
delicate. One individual really seems to be born to be fat. If he loses weight during an illness, he gains it back
30
promptly afterwards. The troubles that he has in the world never take away his appetite. The opposite kind of
individual stays on the thin side, even when he has the most nourishing food to eat, even though life is running
smoothly for him.
Love and enjoy your child for what he is, for what he looks like, for what he does, and forget about the qualities
that he doesn’t have. I didn’t give you this advice for sentimental reasons. There’s a very important practical point
here. The child who is appreciated for what he is even if he is homely, or cumsy, or slow, will grow up will confidence
in himself, happy. He will have a spirit that will make the best of all the capacities that he has, and of all the opportunities
s
that come his way. He will make light of any handicaps. But the child who has never been quite accepted by his
parents, who has always felt that he was not quite right, will grow up lacking confidence. He’ll never be able to make
n
full use of what brains, what skills, what physical attractiveness he has. If he starts life with a handicap, physical or
o
mental, it will be multiplied tenfold by the time he is grown up.
i
QUESTIONS :
t
(a) What has an infant to ‘coordinate’? give an example of learning a skill demanding coordination, and explaining
a
what things have to be coordinated.
c
(b) The first paragraph consists mainly of pairs of contracts. List them, using not more than six words for each
i
pair.
l
(c) The third paragraph too describes pairs of contracts, but contrasts of a new kind. What is the general topic of
the first paragraph, and what is the general topic of the third?
ub
(d) What is the importance of ‘acceptance’ in the growth of any child?
(e) The writer says each person is composed of a jumble. Explain his exact meaning.
P
t
The defects of the ordinary system of mass education are many and they may be briefly summarised as
follows. First, the system of teaching in large classes is rigid. No allowance is made for the peculiar mental
n
constitution of the individual child, who is sacrificed to the average of the classes. The class and the fixed curriculum
e
are like the bed of Procrustes in the story; those who are too long for the bed are cut down until they fit; and those
l
who are too short are stretched. The child who is quick and talented in one subject but not in others is compelled
under the current system of mass education to sacrifice his talents to his deficiencies. Thus a child may have a
u
great talent for English and none for arithmetic. He may have a real feeling for literature, a gift for composition; but
t
when you ask him what percentage of a floor 18.7 feet long by 53/16 metres wide remains uncovered when you
have spent three pounds eleven shillings and seven pence on linoleum costing $179.06 per acre, he finds it
a
difficult or impossible to reply. He must therefore remain in a low class, where they read nothing but baby books
r
and concentrate on spelling and grammar until such time as he can solve this interesting and instructive problem.
Second, under the present system of mass education by classes, too much stress is laid on teaching and
G
too little on active learning. The child is not encouraged to discover things on his own account. He learns to rely on
outside help, not on his own powers, thus losing intellectual independence and all capacity to judge for himself .
Moreover, lessons in class leave him mainly unoccupied, and therefore bored. He has to be forced into learning
what does not interest him and the information acquired mechanically and reluctantly, by dint of brute repetition, is
rapidly forgotten.
Third, the child, being bored and unoccupied, is also mischievous. A strict external discipline becomes
necessary, unless there is to be confusion. The child learns to obey, not to control himself. He loses moral as well
as intellectual independence.
QUESTIONS :
(a) Why does the author think that the ordinary system of mass education is rigid?
(b) What happens to a child who is talented in one subject and not in another?
31
(c) What reason does the author give for a child not developing an intellectual independence?
(d) What happens when a child is bored?
(e) Give from the passage one example of the author’s humour.
(f) Give a suitable title of not more than four words.
(g) Find words from the passage which have a similar meaning to the following :
(i) educative; (ii) shortcomings; (iii) unwillingly.
ns
I was somewhat surprised when the man opposite me in the train said he did not smoke and that he could
o
not give me a light. I had been admiring the fine lighter which he had on the folding table by the window and the least
i
I expected of it was that it would work. But I did not give the matter a second thought, for we were now rapidly
t
approaching the frontier and conversation on the customs examination we were soon to undergo was becoming
a
quite heated. We had been given forms to fill in, and the lady beside me was arguing that a fur coat which had been
worn three times was a used article. Everybody joined in the argument except the man opposite who kept gazing
c
intently out of the window.
li
I finally grew bored with the discussion and was just trying to get some sleep when an official came into our
compartment and asked for passports. He collected them wearily, stamped them mechanically, and handed them
b
back to us. He had no sooner left when the customs officers entered. They were extremely polite and much to our
surprise (especially the lady in the fur coat) did not seem too concerned about the goods we had with us. They
u
opened one or two cases, which they did not examine very thoroughly, and then asked each of us how much
P
money we had with us and requested to see it. (I learned afterwards that large sums of money were being
smuggled out of the country.)
t
The officers remained quite satisfied that all was in order and were preparing to leave when one of them
casually picked up the cigarette-lighter to light his pipe. The man opposite me made an involuntary movement and
n
checked himself, saying that the lighter was broken. The officer replied jokingly that was why the man had probably
e
had no cigarettes to declare. THe man stammered an embarrassed reply and it was clcar he was trying to hide
l
something. The customs officer noticed this too and offered to repair the man’s lighter. He unscrewed the bottom
of it and, to our amazement, began to draw out a thick roll of dollar bills of high value. A lighter like his was too
u
valuable to be left hying around, the officer said, and he asked the man to follow him out of the compartment.
QUESTIONS :
at
(a) Why was the writer surprised when he found that the man opposite him did not smoke?
r
(b) Why did conversation among the passengers in the compartment become heated.
G
(c) What did the customs officer ask each passenger?
(d) Where did the customs officer find the hidden dollar bills?
(e) Find words from the passage which mean the same as these :
(i) giving full attention; (ii) in a bored manner; (iii) done unintentionally.
32
(B) TRANSFORMATION OF SENTENCES
(a) EXCLAMATORY - ASSERTIVE SENTENCES (VICE - VERSA)

Subject and verb of exclamatory sentence are to be used as the subject and verb of assertive sentence at the
outset of the sentence.
How / What → Very (before adjective) Great (Noun)
s
I]
n
Ex. How fortunate you are!
You are very fortunate.
Ex. What a fool you are!
io
t
You are a great fool.
a
II] Sometimes the subject and verb may be eclipsed.
c
Ex. What a beautiful scenery!
i
It is a very beautiful scenery.
Ex. What a pity!
It is a great pity.
bl
u
III] Hurrah / Bravo → I / we rejoice that / it is a matter of joy that Hurrah
P
Ex. we have won the game.
It is a matter of joy that we have won the game.
IV]
nt
Alas → I / we mourn that / it is a matter of sorrow or grief that.
e
Ex. Alas ! He has failed.
l
It is a matter of grief that he has failed.
u
V] Had / were / if / would that (at the out set) → I wish + subject again + were / had + rest parts.
t
Ex. Had I wings of a bird !
a
I wish I had wings of a bird.
r
Study the following examples:
1. How lovely the park is! (Exclamatory)
G
The park is very lovely. (Assertive)
2. What a good boy Mahesh is!
Mahesh is a very good boy.
EXERCISE 1 : EXERCISE 2 :
Change the following info assertive sentences: Change the following into exclamatory sentences:
1. What a clever girl you are! 1. This is a very interesting book.
2. How pleased he was to see us! 2. The street is very dirty.
3. How beautiful this garden is! 3. He is a very nice boy.
4. What a large nose he has! 4. Gopal writes very beautifully.
5. How terrible! 5. She dances very well.
33
(b) CHANGE THE VOICE
1. The subject in a sentence is a person or thing that we talk about. It may be the doer or receiver of the verb.
For Example :
Subject Predicate
(a) Robin (Doer) Kicked the ball hard. (Receiver)
s
(b) The ball (Receiver) was kicked hard by Robin. (Doer)
In sentence (a), the doer is in the subject part.
In sentence (b), the receiver is in the subject part.
on
i
When the doer is in the subject part, the verb is said to be in the Active Voice.
t
When the receiver is in the subject part, the verb is said to be in the Passive Voice.
a
2. Transitive Verb and its object :
c
When the action of the verb passes over to someone or something, the verb is said to be Transitive and someone
i
or something to which the action passes over is its object.
For Example :
He Kicked the ball
bl hard
u
(doer) (verb) object (receiver)
P
You must remember that only transitive verbs can be used in the passive voice.
For Example :
He
(doer)
nt is reading
(verb)
loudly
e
From the above sentence, we know that he is reading; but we do not know what he is reading. So, the vern does
l
not show any receiver (object). In this case the verb is intransitive and this verb in this sentence cannot be
u
changed to Passive Voice.
t
3. You have learnt tenses in the previous chapter. You should know that all the different kinds of tenses are not
used in the Passive Voice. The tenses used in Passive Voice are :
ra
1. Simple Present, Simple Past, and Simple Future Tense.
2. Present Continuous and Past Continuous Tense.
G
3. Present Perfect, Past Perfect, and Future Perfect Tense.
So, only eight kinds of tenses are used in the Passive Voice.
Now read the following sentences and see how their Active forms are changed to their Passive forms :
Active Voice Passive Voice
1. He kicks the ball hard. The ball is kicked hard by him.
2. He is kicking the ball hard. The ball is being kicked hard by him.
3. He kicked the ball hard. The ball was kicked hard by him.
4. He was kicking the ball hard. The ball was being kicked hard by him.
The same verb with the same doer and the same object (receiver) has been used to explain the use of the verb
in the Passive Voice.
Now read the following sentences to see how a verb can be changed to Passive Voice :
34
1. Active : He eats an apple everyday.
Passive : An apple is eaten by him everyday.
2. Active : She eats at least two eggs everyday.
Passive : At least two eggs are eaten by her everyday.
3. Active : They are laughing at a poor beggar.
Passive : A poor beggar is being laughed at by them.
4. Active
Passive
:
:
We saw your friend.
Your friend was seen by us.
ns
5. Active : Rajan was writing a letter.
io
t
Passive : A letters was being written by Rajan.
a
6. Active : I shall not give you my pen.
c
Passive : You will not be given my pen.
Q. Re-write the following sentences in the passive voice :
li
b
1. Bhanu is singing a melodious song.
u
2. The tailor stitches our clothes.
P
3. Mother has prepared dinner.
4. Ross bought a motorcycle.
t
5. They were planning an excursion.
n
6. Estella had learnt the lesson.
e
7. He will convey the message.
8.
l
She will have taken her medicine.
u
t
Q. Re-write the following sentences in the active voice :
1. Carpets are sold by that man.
2.
3.
ra
The milk was drunk by the kitten.
The work will have been finished by Ashton.
G
4. The patient is being treated by the doctor.
5. The block-buster movie had been seen by me.
6. A car was being driven by Ali.
7. A line has been forgotten by her.
8. Poems will be recited by them.
35
UNIT - IV
(A) BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE
CREDIT LETTERS
ns
On the strength of status reports obtained from the referees named by the buyer and the reports from his
bankers, the supplier decides to grant credit or refuse it. In either case, the letter has to be cautions, since credit
o
is always a matter of chance. The reply to a request for credit may be structured along the following lines:
(a) Thank the buyer and refer to his request.
ti
(b) If granting credit, state the limit, period of credit and other terms such as overdue interest.
ca
(c) If refusing credit, it is better to avoid naming the exact source of information which makes you refuse credit
and not assign a specific reason for your refusal. Naming names may involve other parties, who may not like to be
i
quoted. Be frank, but be diplomatic. Try to retain business.
(e) Express goodwill.
bl
(d) In case of a refusal, offer to do business on c.o.d. (cash on delivery) basis.
Examples :
1. Partial grant of credit.
Pu
t
Name of the Receiver
n
Address of the Receiver
Date :
le
Subject :Partial grant of credit.
Dear Sir
tu
We refer to your letter dated 8th March for opening a line of credit with us for supply of woollen blankets. We
a
are pleased to state that a credit limit of Rs. 45,000 has been sanctioned to you. Though this is somewhat
r
short of the figure you named, we hope you will understand that we are governed by market forces and have
made our best offer to you. Normally, our credit is for 30 days, whereafter overdue interest @16% is chargeable.
G
We sincerely hope taht you will find it profitable to start business with us. The matter may be reviewed after
one year. For supplies in excess of the limit, you may pay cash on delivery.
We assure you of our best terms.
Yours faithfully
Name & Designation of the Sender
36
2. Refusing credit on account of an unfavourable report from bankers.

Date :
Subject : Refusing credit
s
Dear Sir
n
We refer to your credit application dated 9th July and wish to state that we have given the matter our careful
o
consideration. Given the position we are in, we are unable to extend credit to you. At the same time you may
i
avail of our quality product on c.o.d. basis and take the benefit of the good reputation that the products enjoy
t
in the market.
a
Yours faithfully
3. Grant of credit to a highly reputed firm.
ic
bl
u
Date :
P
Subject : Granting credit
t
Dear Sir
n
Thanks for your letter of 1st March requesting for a line of credit of Rs. 1.50 lakhs to you. We are happy to
extend this facility to you with immediate effect. We enclose a charter of our standard terms of credit.
le
We look forward to an excellent business relationship with you.
u
Yours faithfully
t
ra
4. Suspension of credit line due to unsatisfactory payment record.
G
Date :
Subject : Refuising the Credit Limit.
Dear Sir
We invite your attention to our correspondence about supplies on credit and recovery of dues.
You would note that you have enjoyed a large credit facility of Rs. 75,000 with us, but in the last three instances
we have had to write two to three reminders, and send fax messages and our representative personally to
secure our payments. In the circumstances, our own trade is affected, not to speak of the inconvenience of
writing reminders, etc. As such the credit stands withdrawn from now on.
37
We may add that since you already have a market for our goods in your area, you may keep up the business
relationship with cash purchases.
We assure you of oue best services at all times.
Yours faithfully
ns
io
at
ic
bl
Pu
nt
le
tu
ra
G
38
COLLECTION LETTERS
INTRODUCTION :
Collection letters are written when one has to recover/ collect dues from a customer, for the goods or
services given on credit. If the customer has not paid in time, it becomes necessary to remind him. This is a
delicate situation, because on one hand you want to retain the business relationship and on the other hand your
money in time. Hence, tact of language is necessary to impress upon the customer (who may himself be in
s
financial difficulties) to pay one dues anyway. In some cases. It is a reality of business that you have to accept part
payment also.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING COLLECTION LETTERS :
on
i
1. Tact and restraint : To remind someone that he has failed to meet his financial commitment is a sensitive matter.
t
Hence one has to use a language of tact and restraint. Moreover, one has to provide for two circumstances: that the
payment is already sent/ received but not within the knowledge, or that the goods/ services are unsatisfactory. The buyer
a
may be facing difficulties in realizing value out of your supplies. At the same time, some customers are habitually late or
negligent. Therefore each case will have to be taken on merits.
ic
2. Polite tone : A good businessman has his future business angle in mind and uses polite language in a
l
collection letter. He avoids hurting the reader Even if it is the last collection letter threatening legal action, good
b
business requires that you be polite and use words like ‘with regret.”
3. Show understanding of the customer’s problems : If the customer is caught up in a difficult financial
u
situation himself, has no ready money and has been unable to realize cash out of the goods, he may have to get
P
involved to some extent in his problems and find a common solution to get value for your goods. This sensitivity
needs to be shown in your letter and overall approach to the collection.
t
4. Progressive steps in writing a series of collection letters : It may happen that one collection call is not
n
enough to get your dues. The customer may willfully or otherwise default on payment. The stages in writing
collection letters in a series are:
le
i) Formal reminder, assuming he will pay, in a mild tone.
ii) A firmer and persuasive reminder stressing the necessity to pay here and now.
tu
iii) “Last resort” letter, which states that the customer must pay, otherwise legal action will follow.
a
FIRST STAGE COLLECTION LETTERS :
r
At this stage the letter is a formal one. Even a printed form letter can be used. It is presumed that the
customer just forgot to pay and will act upon the reminder at once.
G
Useful starters for first collection letters :
1. We notice that your account, which was due for payment on… is outstanding in our books.
2. We have to invite your attention to our invoice no… for Rs…
3. We have to remind you that we have not yet received the balance shown against your name in our statement
dated …amounting to Rs… which is now more than a month overdue.
Closers :
1. We hope you will settle the bill by return.
2. We look forward to your remittance within the next few days.
3. In case you have sent the payment in the meantime, you may ignore this notice.
39
SPECIMEN FORMAL REMINDER :

Date :
Subject: Outstandings vide our invoice no… dated….
s
Dear Sir / Madam
n
This is to call your attention to our invoice, the payment for which was due on 30th January 2006. A copy of it
o
is enclosed for your ready reference.
i
We may remind you that you already have our best price on this deal and that you had agreed to settle the bill
t
promptly.
a
It is possible that there may be some oversight in your accounts department, and now we have to request
c
you to speed up the payment.
li
Yours faithfully
ub
PERSUASIVE / FIRM REMINDER : If the first collection letter does not bring in the payment after a due wait, a
second letter is sent in about 15- 20 days. In this letter the language is firmer but the tone is still polite. One should
P
not annoy the customer but rather seek his co-operation.
Some Starters :
unresponded.
nt
1. We see from our records that our reminder to you payment vides our invoice dated…is to this date
e
2. We refer to our letter dated… requesting you settle your dues.
l
3. We have to remind you again of your dues under our invoice no… dated… for Rs… for which our first reminder
dated… seems to be unresponded by you.
Closers :
tu
1. We urge you once again to take this up on priority and settle the dues at once.
a
2. We sincerely hope that this time you will take a serious note of the dues and clear them immediately.
r
3. We trust that this impresses upon you the urgency of the matter and that you will ac forthwith.
G
SPECIMEN COLLECTION LETTER STAGE II
Date :
Subject : Collection Letter.

Dear Sir / Madam
We refer to our letter of… requesting you to settle the dues under invoice no… dated…and find that there is
no reply yet. We hope you realize that this hampers our trade cycle and the money is required immediately.
If, however, you have any special reason for not paying / responding so far, you are welcome to have a clear
dialogue with us.
40
In view of your past good record, we await the payment within the next few days.
Yours faithfully
LAST RESORT LETTER/ FINAL COLLECTION LETTER : If there is no response to the earlier collection
s
letters, a final collection letter is sent according to the following plan:
n
a) Record the past efforts for collection.
b) Offer one more chance to pay.
io
c) Mention the legal action that will be necessary if this request is also ignored.
Some Starters :
at
1. We wrote you on… and again on… for recovery of our dues vide invoice no…dated… with still no action from
c
you.
i
2. We have to say that our earlier requests dated… and … for settlement of our bill dated… for… remain unhonoured
l
by you
b
3. We note with surprise and disappointment that our two successive letters concerning the overdues from you
u
in respect of our bill dated… are nor answered.
P
Closers :
1. Now unless we receive our dues by… we shall have no option but to put the matter in the hands of our lawyers.
t
2. Please treat this as our last request for payment in the matter before we resort to law. But we still hope you will
n
act within a fortnight and pay up the dues.
e
3. We still hope you will remit by… and save yourself the considerable cost and inconvenience of legal action.
l
SPECIMEN LAST RESORT LETTER / FINAL COLLECTION LETTERS
u
t
a
Date :
r
G
Dear Sir/ Madam
We refer to our communications to you dated…. And requesting you to [ay your dues under invoice no…
dated… We regret to find that the dues remain outstanding.
In the past we had regular payments from you, hence we chose to remind you and wait for these payments. The
continued non-payment leaves us little option but to ask our lawyers to handle the matter.
However, as a matter of further concession, we now request you to settle the account by 10th January 2006
and conclude the matters satisfactorily.
Yours faithfully
41
2.

Date :
Dear Sir
ns
We refer to our invoice no. 104 dated 23rd March 2006 under which we shipped goods worth Rs. 56, 750 to you
o
on 15 days credit. Since the payment did not arrive in time , we wrote to you reminding thereof on 15th April and
i
2nd May, without results. We even gave you the option to make a partial payment, which was ignored by you.
at
Now if the payment does not materialize within 15 days of this letter, we shall have no choice but to seek a legal
remedy. Hence, we now finally request you to remit the sum before 10th June 2006 and avoid the unpleasantness
c
of legal action.
i
Yours faithfully
l
3.
ub
P
t
Date :
n
e
l
Dear Sir
u
Despite repeated requests for settlement of your dues on account of our shipments dated... (Invoice No....) the
t
dues have still not been paid. Please pay Rs. 19,9000 immediately by one of the methods described overleaf.
Failing immediate settlement, we shall have no alternative buut to authorize legal action for recovery of the
a
debt.: the details will be passed on to our Collection Manager who will contact you.
Your faithfully
r
P.K. Das
G
Accounts Department
42
(B) INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM / OFFICE ORDER
INTRODUCTION :
In a Small company, communication within itself is fairly easy. As the organization grows in size and
complexity, the communication becomes varied and multi-layer. In a small company, everyone interfaces everyone
else, and the modes of communication are also simple. We shall discuss here the communication patterns
s
within a large organization.
n
The department or officers often communicate by means of a memorandum (plural memoranda) or
memo for short.
io
The management of a large company may instruct its employees or groups of employees through office
t
orders. It may give general information by means of office circulars. Another means is office notes.
a
Memorandum (memo) : In format, this is more informal than a proper letter, and is a quick and precise way of
informing or getting things done. It may be used for conveying a warning to an employee, information about arrival
c
of goods, resolution of complaints, etc.
li
Office Order : An Office Order as the word signals, an order from a superior to his underlings. It is downward
communication. It may be used for conveying a renewed instruction about maintaining punctuality or change in
b
working hours.
u
Office circular : An Office circular brings to the notice of a certain employees departments any matters of
importance. It may be used for conveying a new scheme of discounts, a facility to employees, etc.
P
Office note : These are exchanged between two departments and are an example of horizontal/ lateral
t
communication.
n
MEMORANDUM :
e
A memo is an important method of internal communication. It is used internally only. A memo may be from
l
one officer to another or between juniors and seniors. Some organizations insist that even small events and
requests be recorded in the form of memos. Its advantages are:
tu
1. It is a simplified form of communication.
2. When things are in writing, they are quite clear and leave no room for doubt or ambiguity.
ra
3. It helps in fixing the accountability of the sender and receiver.
4. With a written communication in hand, the receiver gets time and facility to think and act.
G
A memo is meant to inform or to persuade. It should clarify the writer’s purpose and answer the receiver’s needs.
Otherwise it fails as a tool of communication.
How to write an effective memo : As in business letter writing, there are three stages of memo drafting: pre-
writing, writing, review.
Pre-writing : Answer the four key questions involved. What is the goal of this memo? Who will receive it? How
many points should it cover and how? What action is desired from the receiver?
Write : Write down the memo in a systematic order. Attach any enclosures, photocopies, etc. that are necessary.
Review : Edit it for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Remove any errors of grammar, typing, facts, etc. Make sure it
will go to all concerned.
43
1. Specimen memo from the managing director to the customer relations officer for not attending to a
customer complaint
COMPEX CORPORATION
From the desk of : The Managing Director
To : The Customer Relations Officer,
s
1 June 2006
n
Ref: MD-106
o
Subject : Complaint from Pyramid Megastores
ti
The Chief Manager of Pyramid Megastores has just telephoned me that his written complaint dated
28th Many about the colour printers in their store remains unattended by us. You must be aware that they are
a
a valued customer of ours and their work of promotions is hampered. When we are on a business drive, you
will surely appreciate that good after-sales service and satisfied customers form a major boost to this drive.
c
I trust you will resolve the compliant without further loss of time and keep me informed.
Sd/-
li
b
Managing Director
Pu
2. An office memorandum warning an employee against his habit of reading newspapers and magazines
during office hours
nt ABC LIMITED
e
Office Memorandum
To
ul
Mr. P.K. Verma, Senior Clerk PURCHASE Department
22nd January 2005
From
t
General manger
a
r
Ref: 109/ PD/ 2005
G
It has been reported that during office hours, you were often found reading daily newspapers and film
magazines, in spite of clear direction against this practice by your immediate superior. Reading newspapers
etc. during working hours in against Service Conduct Rules.
You are hereby advised to desist from such activities and to follow strictly the directions given by the superiors.
Any violation of these instructions in future would be viewed seriously.
Sd/-
General Manager.
44
3. A memorandum warning an employee on account of being habitually late (different format)
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
NGPC LIMITED
22nd January 2005
To Mr. Alok Das, Steno, Sales Division
s
From Personnel Manager
n
Re 119/ SD/2005
o
It is noticed that for the last four days you have been reporting very late on duty without permission. You are
i
hereby advised to attend office in time and maintain office punctuality. Failure to maintain office discipline
t
would invite disciplinary action against you.
a
Sd/-
c
Personnel Manager.
OFFICE ORDER :
li
b
As the term denotes, it is a order containing directions or instructions, which are required to be complied with
by the recipient. In case of non- compliance of office orders, disciplinary action may be initiated.
acknowledged by the person who has to comply with it.
Pu
In an office order should be drafted carefully, typed and signed by the concerned authority. It has to be duly
This document is mostly used in government departments and public companies.
nt
While drafting an office order, the following points should be kept in mind-
1. It should be correct, short and to the point.
e
2. It should draw the attention of the person’s who have to comply with it.
l
3. It must contain the specific instructions or directions for compliance.
u
4. It must be authentic and duly signed by a competent authority.
t
1. An office order asking an employee to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against
a
him for being disobedient to his superior.
r
XYZ limited
Delhi
G
Office Order
1st June 2005
Ref: 108/PER/05
Shri S.K. Patel, Junior Assistant is hereby required to show cause in writing by June 15, 2003 as to why
disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his persistent refusal to carry out faithfully the instructions
issued by his section officer.
Shri Patel is hereby informed that on his failure to give satisfactory explanation about his conduct, disciplinary
action will be taken as per Company’s rules.
Sd/-
Personnel Manager.
45
2. An office order banning smoking in the office premises, except the canteen.
Office Order
It has been decided that all the offices of the Company shall be made a non-smoking area with effect from
1st January, 2005 in view of their centralized air-conditioning. However, smoking within the canteen premises
would not be prohibited. This decision has been taken to protect the general health of their employees and
s
also members of the public visiting the Company’s offices. All employees are requested to co-operate and
adhere to the decision strictly.
Sd/-
on
i
Office Manager
at
ic
bl
Pu
nt
le
tu
ra
G
46
NJR/KS/18/6584
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) Semester - IV (C.B.C.S.) Examination
COMPULSORY ENGLISH
Compulsory Paper - 5
Time : Three Hours Maximum Marks : 80
s
N.B. :- All questions are compulsory.
1. (A) Answer the following question in about 150 words :
n
Write about Bagchi's father. What lessons Bagchi had learnt from his father ?
o
i
OR
t
Give an account of the conversation between Datta and the customer. [8]
a
(B) Answer the following question in about 150 words :
c
Describe the Cabuliwallah's visit to Mini's house after he was released from jail.
OR
li
b
Give detailed account of the best examination Booker T. Washington ever passed. [8]
u
2. Answer any four of the following questions in about 75 words each :
(a) What does Bagchi tell us about the "Jeep" episode?
(b) Describe how the shop of Datta was highly congested.
P
t
(c) Describe the appearance of the Cabuliwallah and write about his first meeting with Mini.
n
(d) How did Booker T. Washington find shelter for the night in Richmond?
(e) How did Bagchi's mother tend the Government houses they were allotted? What was her reply to the
e
neighbours?
ul
(f) How did Datta try to remove the stain of the paint on the picture? What was the result? [16]
t
Attempt a summary of the poem, 'If'.
ra OR
What according to Kleiser, are the advantages of calmness? [8]
G
(B) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
The cinema is a very valuable aid. Historical films help the teacher of History. A couple of hours spent in
the company of historical characters dressed in the costumes of the period can teach us far more than we can
learn from a whole week's study of a history book.
Science can be taught very effectively through films. There are educational film companies which devote
their time to the filming of the habits and customs of animals, insects, fish, germs and numerous other branches
of scientific life. We can see the hatching of the eggs of fish and their gradual development into large fish; we can
see the hatching activity of many kinds of germs and their effects on water, milk or blood. We can watch the
opening and closing of flowers and leaves, and the growth of grass and weeds. All these actions and movements
are greatly magnified on the screen. Such pictures are intensely interesting and are a very great help in the cause
of education.
47
Questions :
(i) What are the two great advantages of cinema ?
(ii) How do historical films help the teacher of history?
(iii) How can science be taught very effectively?
(iv) How are the actions and movements of animals and insects shown on the screen? [8]
4. (A) (I) Do as directed :

(i) What a scholar he is! (Change into Assertive sentence)
s
(ii) How funny! (Change into Assertive sentence)
(iii) It is very sad that he has failed in the examination. (Change into Exclamatory sentence)
n
(iv) It is a very poisonous snake. (Change into Exclamatory sentence) [4]
(II) Change the voice :

(i) He speaks French.
io
t
(ii) Buses were burnt by protestors.
a
(iii) I am writing a novel.
(iv) Let a lie never be told. [4]
ic
(B) Mr. Balwant Tukaram Thakre has a Kirana shop in Girgaon. He wishes to enlarge his stocks of vegetable oil.
l
Draft a letter from him to Ahmad Mills, Mumbai-400008 requesting a credit up to Rs. 2 Lakhs for six months on
b
each consignment.
OR
u
M. B. Vaish, a customer of Mehta & Sons, has neither settled his account with them nor given any reply to their
P
reminders. Write a sympathetic letter to M. B. Vaish from the Manager, Mehta & Sons inquiring whether he is in
any difficulty and suggesting payments by installments. [8]
nt
5. (A) You are Chief General Manager of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Ltd. Head Office, Santacruz,
Mumbai. It has come to your notice that some employees are wasting their valuable time on social websites
during office hours neglecting their duties. Issue a memo to all the employees giving a warning of initiating a strict
e
action against those who involve in such activities during office hours.
ul OR
You are Managing Director of Apex Infra Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai. Issue an office order granting 20% hike in the monthly
t
salary of the employees of the organization as company has earned a huge profit on account of dedication and
a
excellent performance of them. [8]
r
(B) Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each :
G
(i) What was Bagchi's father? [2]
(ii) How far was Hampton from Richmond? [2]
(iii) What was the name of the shop owned by Datta? [2]
(iv) Do as directed :
(i) He gave me a gift. (Change the voice) [1]
(ii) What a good boy Rajesh is! (Change into Assertive sentence) [1]
48
NRT/KS/19/5481
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) Semester–IV Examination
ENGLISH
Paper–5
(Compulsory Language)
Time : Three Hours] [Maximum Marks : 80
N.B. :—ALL questions are compulsory.

ns
Justify the claim that ‘Go, Kiss the World’ is about looking beyond yourself, broadening your vision and giving back
o
more to life than what life has given you.
i
OR
Relate the instances of humour in ‘The Gold Frame’. 8
(B) Answer the following question in about 150 words :
at
What happened one morning when the narrator was correcting proof sheets in his study ?
c
OR
i
“One experience I shall long remember”. Describe this experience of Booker T. Washington which enabled him to
l
find out “what the colour of skin meant”. 8
b
2. Answer any FOUR of the following questions in about 75 words each :
(a) What impact did the habit of reading the newspaper have on Bagchi ?
Pu
(b) What had Datta learnt by experience about the customers who brought pictures for framing ?
What was his experience about the new customer ?
t
(c) Why did the narrator say that he was also a father ?
n
(d) How did Booker T. Washington reach Richmond, Virginia ? Write about his bitter experiences when he was
tired, hungry and penniless.
le
(e) Describe how ‘a sense of connectedness’ was created in Bagchi during his stay at Bhubaneshwar.
u
(f) “At the back of his mind an idea began to take shape”. How has R.K. Laxman elaborated the statement ?
t
16
a
What, according to Kipling, are the qualities needed for becoming a man ?
r
OR
In the opinion of Kleiser, which is the most vital thing in life ? Why must a person master it ? 8
G
(B) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
The “standard of living” of any country means the average person’s share of the goods and services which the
country produces. A country’s standard of living, therefore, depends first and foremost on its capacity to produce
wealth. “Wealth” in this sense is not money, for we do not live on it but on things that money can buy : “goods”
such as food and clothing, and “services” such as transport and entertainment.
A country’s capacity to produce wealth depends upon many factors, most of which have an effect on the another.
Wealth depends to a great extent upon a country’s natural resources, such as coal, gold, and other minerals,
water supply, and so on. Some regions of the world are well supplied with coal and minerals, and have fertile soil
and a favourable climate ; other regions possess perhaps only one of these things, and some regions possess
none of them. The U.S.A. is one of the wealthiest regions of the world because she has vast natural resources
within her borders, her soil is fertile, and her climate is varied. The Sahara desert, on the other hand, is one of the
least wealthy.
49
Questions :
(1) What does a country’s standard of living depend on ?
(2) What are the important natural resources of a country ?
(3) How do the different regions of the world vary ?
(4) In what respect is the Sahara Desert contrasted with the U.S.A. ? 8
4. (A) (I) (i) How pleased he was to see us ! (Change into Assertive Sentence)
(ii) What a good idea ! (Change into Assertive sentence)
s
(iii) She dances very well. (Change into Exclamatory sentence)
n
(iv) The dog is a very faithful animal. (Change into Exclamatory sentence) 4
(II) Change the voice :
o
(i) When did he sell his car ?
i
(ii) I was leant a pen
t
(iii) People consider him to be a great patriot.
(iv) They say ghosts live in the house over there. 4
ca
(B) Assuming that you are the Sales Officer of one of the companies producing water-coolers, draft a quotation
i
letter in response to the above enquiry. Invent necessary details.
l
OR
As Sales Manager of Jupiter Company draft a reply offering replacement. 8
ub
5. (A) Assume that you have been appointed Secretary of a Committee comprising management, staff
and workers’ representatives to advise the company to produce a handbook containing information about conditions
P
of service, rules and regulations, fringe benefits and other related matters. The Committee held its first meeting
on 12 March 2018 and discussed the procedures for the collection of information and its organization for the
t
handbook. Invent the necessary details and draft the agenda and minutes of this meeting.
OR
n
You are Managing Director of Apex Infra Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai. Issue an Office Order granting 20% hike in the monthly
e
salary of the employees of the organization as company has earned a huge profit on account of dedication and
l
excellent performance of them. 8
u
(B) Answer the following questions in ONE or TWO sentences each :
t
(i) “The ritual was meant for us to know that the world was larger than Koraput district”. What was the “ritual” ?
2
a
(ii) How far was Hampton from Richmond ? 2
r
(iii) How was the sacred photograph of the old man defaced ? 2
(iv) Do as directed :
G
(i) Don’t cut it. (Change the voice) 1
(ii) What a piece of work man is ! (Change into Assertive sentence) 1
50
NOTES

Compulsory English: B. Com - Ii Semester - Iv

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Compulsory English: B. Com - Ii Semester - Iv

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COMPULSORY ENGLISH

Dr. Varsha Palsule

1st Edition - Dec., 2017

2nd Edition - Dec., 2018

3rd Edition - Dec., 2019

4th Edition - Dec., 2020

5th Edition - Jan., 2021

Published By - Gratulent Publications

Printed by - Shree Graphic

Available in all leading book stalls

1. GO! KISS THE WORLD - SUBROTO BAGCHI 01 - 05

A) COMPREHENSION OF UNSEEN PASSAGE 30 - 32

B) INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM / OFFICE ORDER 43 - 46

UNIVERSITY QUESTION PAPER 47 - 50

Unit - II POEMS FROM “BLOSSOMS”

N.B. LAQ - Long Answer Question to be answered in about 150 words.

Q 1. A. One LAQ out of Two based on Short Stories (Unit I) 08 Marks

1. GO! KISS THE WORLD

customer was baffled by the variety.

he did not hold it down.

Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) is popularly known as ‘Gurudev’. His ecclesiastical outlook,

Help that author received from others to reach Hampton :

First sight of Hampton Institute :

B. Answer the following questions in about 75 words each :

le So keep your mental balance

MAN THREATENS LANDLORD

TENANT HELD NO BAIL

JUDEG GIVES NEGRO 90 DAYS IN COUNTRY JAIL

(A) COMPREHENSION OF UNSEEN PASSAGE

(a) EXCLAMATORY - ASSERTIVE SENTENCES (VICE - VERSA)

How / What → Very (before adjective) Great (Noun)

Q. Re-write the following sentences in the passive voice :

(A) BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE

(e) Express goodwill.

Name of the Receiver

Subject : Refusing credit

3. Grant of credit to a highly reputed firm.

Subject : Refuising the Credit Limit.

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING COLLECTION LETTERS :

Name of the Receiver

Subject: Outstandings vide our invoice no… dated….

Subject : Collection Letter.

Name of the Receiver

Subject : Collection Letter.

From the desk of : The Managing Director

To : The Customer Relations Officer,

acknowledged by the person who has to comply with it.

This document is mostly used in government departments and public companies.

4. (A) (I) Do as directed :

(II) Change the voice :

N.B. :—ALL questions are compulsory.

(B) Answer the following question in about 150 words :

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