FLAMINGO :-

(Prose)
1.The Last Lesson
2.Lost Spring
3.Deep Water
4.The Rattrap
5.Indigo
6.Poets and Pancakes
7.The Interview
8.Going Places
(Poetry)
1.My Mother at Sixty-Six
2.Keeping Quiet
3.A Thing of Beauty
4.A Roadside Stand
5.Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
VISTAS :-
1.The Third Level
2.The Tiger King
3.Journey to the End of the Earth
4.The Enemy
5.On the Face of It
6.Memories of Childhood :- 1.The Cutting of My Long Hair
2. We Too are Human Beings
 - : LAST LESSON : -

The narration of this story is by a French boy, Franz. Franz is a lazy boy. However, in spite of his laziness, Franz likes to
play and is of a sensitive nature. Furthermore, Franz hates his teacher M. Hamel in his school and has no interest in
studying French.
An order has come from Berlin after taking over the districts of Alsace and Lorraine in France that the German language
rather than the French should be taught in the schools there. Furthermore, it is the school French teacher M. Hamel‟s last
day. This teacher has been working there for forty years. Moreover, the teacher has feelings of patriotism. He is also full of
nostalgia and grief. The village men also attend his „last lesson‟ so as to honour and respect him. The village is regretting
and is sad that they didn‟t learn their mother tongue in their childhood.
Franz receives a big shock when he learns that this is his last lesson in French. He is shocked because he does not know
French. Furthermore, on learning about the last lesson, a sudden interest arises in him for learning French. Moreover, he
pays careful attention and learns everything taught on this last day.
Instantly, he develops liking for the teacher M. Hamel. His feelings of hatred for him suddenly came to an end. Moreover,
Franz develops respect for the hard work and sincerity of his teacher. Franz is sad and ashamed for being unable to recite
his lesson.
Hamel explains that they all are at fault for lacking eagerness to learn. Furthermore, he also includes himself in this fault. He
blames himself for lack of sincerity in teaching them.
There is a reflection of his patriotism in his praise for the French language. He says that the French language is the most
logical and beautiful language in the world. It seems that M. Hamel got emotional on this occasion. Furthermore, he asks
the class to guard their language. He says that being close to one‟s language is a way to escape the clutches of
slavery. This language will assist them in attaining freedom from the Germans. The people realize the significance of their
mother tongue. Moreover, they feel the reason for their defeat is illiteracy.
Franz feels that it is impossible to remove one‟s language from a person. This is because it is something that is natural to a
person. This means that no matter how hard the opposition may try, they will fail to remove one‟s language.

CONCLUSION :-The Last Lesson summary reflects on the importance of one‟s language for any race and why it is crucial
to safeguard it.
 - : LOST SPRING : -
The first part tells the author‟s impressions regarding the life of poor rag pickers. The rag pickers have come
from Dhaka. Furthermore, the settlement of the rag pickers is in the area of Seemapuri. Destruction has
come in their fields and homes due to the storms. They had come to the big city in the hope of finding living
there. However, the reality was, in fact, painful for them and they had to face many hardships. They are
certainly poor and lack various resources.
The writer watches Saheb every morning as he scrounges for “gold” in the neighbourhood. The means of
survival for these rag pickers is the garbage. Furthermore, for the children, it is a wondrous thing. The
children are able to find a coin or two from it. These people have ambitions and desires. The problem is that
they do not know the way to make them possible. There are quite a few things that they are unable to reach.
Later Saheb joins a tea stall where there is a possibility for him to earn 800 Rupees and all the meals.
However, this job has deprived him of his freedom. As such their condition is pretty hopeless and full of
misery.
The second part explores the life of Mukesh. Mukesh is a boy who belongs to the family of Bangle-makers.
Firozabad is famous for its amazing glass-blowing industry. There is an engagement of nearly 20,000
children in this particular business. Furthermore, no one over there understands or respects the law that
forbids child labour. Moreover, the living condition, as well as the working environment, are both
horrendous.
These children live in dreary cells. Also, they work close to hot furnaces. This is certainly very dangerous as
it makes these children blind when they enter adulthood. Furthermore, these children have to deal with the
pressure of debt. Moreover, they are unable to think of a solution to solve this problem. There is no way for
these children to come out of this trap.
The policemen, bureaucrats, middlemen, and politicians will all hinder their way of progress. The women in
the household consider it to be their destiny or fate. As a result of such thinking, they just follow the
established tradition. There is something different about Mukesh. He is not like the rest of the folk there.
This is because Mukesh has big dreams. He has a desire to become a motor mechanic in future. The
 - : DEEP WATER : -

Deep Water is about the writer‟s journey of overcoming the fear of water, which is deeply rooted in him since
childhood. The author started fearing water since the age of four. It starts when he was visiting California
with his father. He visits a beach where a wave knocks him down and sweeps over him. This terrifies the
author, although the father laughs at this knowing it was no danger. However, this experience terrifies him
and develops a fear of water. After that, when the author is 11 years old, he experiences another incident
which escalates his fear.
He is at a swimming pool in Yakima, trying to learn swimming. On one fine day, a bully decides to pull a
dangerous prank. He pushes him in the deep end of the pool which frightens the author. He reaches nine
feet into the water and starts struggling desperately to hold on to something.
Moreover, he yells for help but he starts feeling paralyzed and only his heart was moving now. Thus, he
gives up and readies himself to die but wakes up at the side of the pool. However, the terror he experiences
while drowning never goes away. It continues to haunt him for many years and even spoiled his future
expeditions concerning canoeing, swimming, fishing and more.
He even visits Marine Lakes, Columbia, New Hampshire and more but is not able to enjoy it. Thus, he
decides to overcome this fear by hook or by crook. He enrols himself in a swimming class and tries to learn
from the instructor. The instructor teaches him many tips and tricks for swimming. He begins with the
inhaling and exhaling part then he practices it for many weeks.
Further, he moves on to the kicking the legs on the side of the pool. Finally, he combines all this with the
final move of swimming. Although the author knows how to swim, he is still terrified of water. Thus, in order
to get rid of the fear, he decides to confront it. He mocks it by thinking what can it really do? Consequently,
he plunges in to the water and to his surprise, his fear goes away. He faced it in many places and at last,
manages to conquer it.

CONCLUSION : - To sum up, Deep Water summary, we learn that if we are determined enough and have
 - : RATTRAP : -

The story begins with a rattrap peddler who is in a rugged condition. He is dressed in rags and is very frail and looks
starved. We learn he has no home and sometimes even begs and steals to survive in the world. He leads a lonely life with
no one to care about him. One fine day, it strikes to him that this whole world is a rattrap itself. If we touch it, it will trap us
and never let us go. He goes on to think that there are people out there who are already in this rattrap and reaching for the
bait. On one cold evening, he reaches at a cottage to ask for shelter. An old crofter lived in that cottage who took in the
peddler.
The crofter needed company so he welcomes the peddler. He gives him hot food and even tobacco to smoke. They play
cards and start talking. The peddler learns that the crofter got thirty kronor for selling his cow which he keeps in a pouch on
the window frame. The peddler leaves the next day but after seeing the crofter leave his cottage, he comes back to steal
the pouch of money.
After stealing it, he takes the woods to remain unsuspected. In the wood, the peddler meets an ironmaster who mistakes
him to be his old comrade. He invites him over for Christmas but he refuses. After that, the ironmaster‟s daughter, Edla
visits him and insists him to stay with them. In between, he feels sorry for stealing the crofter‟s money. They help the
peddler get a makeover and dress him in nice clothes and shave his beard off. After this, the ironmaster realizes he has
made a mistake; the peddler was not his comrade.
Thus, the ironmaster thinks he is a fraud and decides to turn him in. However, Edla insists on letting him stay and celebrate
Christmas with them. Her father agrees, and they celebrate Christmas together. Next day, the ironmaster and Edla learn
that the peddler was a thief through the church about the incident at the old crofter‟s. They head home in a hurry thinking
he must have stolen all the silver. However, to their surprise, the peddler did not steal a thing. He left a note for Edla in the
form a tiny rattrap. There was also a note thanking her for her kindness which saved him from the rattrap he got caught in.
Most importantly, he also left the crofter‟s money asking to return it to him.
CONCLUSION :- To sum up, The Rattrap summary, we learn that we can change the world through kindness and
compassion; in addition, it teaches us that materialistic things never bring inner joy, only love and respect does.
 - : INDIGO : -

This story is set in 1916 where Gandhi steps up to help a bunch of poor peasants from Champaran. It gives an account of
how he struggled to bring them justice and equality. Thus, it begins with most of the arable land of Champaran that divides
into a large estate. The owners of the estate are Englishmen and the workers are Indian tenants. We learn that the chief
commercial crop on this land is Indigo. Moreover, we also see that the landlords compel all the tenants to plant 15% of their
Indigo and submit the whole harvest in the form of rent. The tenants are under a long-term agreement to do so.
However, Germany starts developing synthetic Indigo. Thus, the British do not require the Indigo crop any more. Thus, in
order to release the poor peasant from their agreement of 15%, they start demanding compensation. While some of the
uneducated peasants agreed on this, the other did not agree. Thus, we notice that one of the sharecroppers, Raj Kumar
Shukla arranges for a meeting with Gandhi.
He meets him for the same issues and insists Gandhi to visit the place to end the longstanding injustice. Gandhi agrees and
boards a train to Patna in Bihar. After that, Raj Kumar Shukla helps Gandhi visit the house of Rajendra Prasad, a lawyer. As
Gandhi dresses simply, the servants thought of him to be a poor peasant. Thus, Gandhi planned before trying to get the
peasants any justice. It is because the British government are punishing anyone who is keeping national leaders or
protestors.
Thus, when Gandhi arrived in the place, the news of his arrival and mission spread across the town like wildfire. This
resulted in a lot of lawyers and peasant groups pouring in large numbers in his support. Consequently, the lawyers did
accept that the charges are quite high and too unreasonable for a poor peasant.
However, Gandhi was criticizing them for collecting huge fees from the sharecroppers. He was emphasizing on counselling
as this will provide the peasants with confidence to fight their fear. Thus, he manages to get justice after a yearlong fight for
the peasants. He has also arranged for the education, health, and hygiene for the families of the poor peasants. Finally, he
teaches them a lesson of self-sufficiency and self-confidence.
CONCLUSION :- To sum up, Indigo summary, we learn how Gandhiji did not merely help in freeing India, but was always
working for the betterment of his countrymen from the very start.
 - : POETS AND PANCAKES : -

The lesson begins with Asokamitran telling us about Gemini studios. We learn about the very popular make-up
brand whose name was „Pancakes‟. The Gemini studios use this brand excessively and orders truckloads of their
products. After that, he goes on to tell the readers about the troubles the actors and actresses face.
We learn about the many lights glaring in their faces when they are getting ready in the make-up room. Moreover,
he also mentions how the make-up department uses loads of makeup to make them look ugly. He also tells us
about the office boy in the make-up department. He has a job to slap paint, during crowd-shooting, on the faces of
players.
Further, we learn that the author is a poet who joins the studio to become an actor, screenwriter, director or lyricist.
He has a cubicle to work where he has to collect newspaper cuttings. The office boy always came in with his
complaints to the author. The author thinks that Subbu is the one who troubles him. As Subbu is a Brahmin, the
author thinks he has an upper hand.
We see that Subbu is a resourceful man with a loyalty that sets him apart. Subbu is the perfect one for films and
film-making is impossible without him. Everyone loves Subbu for being friendly and hospitable. Along with many
others, Subbu also does poetry. He works for the story department that also has a lawyer. However, people
considered him to be the exact opposite of a legal consultant.
Moreover, he is a logical man with a neutral mindset in a group where there are only dreamers. After that, we learn
how the Gemini Studios got the opportunity to host the Moral Rearmament Army. They are a group of international
performers named Moral Rearmament Army. While they did not have very complex plots or messages, their sets
and costumes were almost perfect.
Further, another guest, Stephen Spender, makes a visit to Gemini Studios. However, turns out, he is not that
famous and many people have not even heard of him. Moreover, owing to language barriers, many could not
understand him. Thus, his visit remained a mystery until after many years the author saw Stephen‟s name in a
book and recognized him from his visit to the studio.
CONCLUSION :-To sum up, Poets and Pancakes summary, we learn about the film industry in detail and the
 - : THE INTERVIEW : -

The chapter starts with the author introducing us to the method of an interview. We learn that it is pretty common in journalism
and its origin dates back to 130 years before. He expresses that unsurprisingly, various people carry different opinions about the
concept of the interview and its uses. Some people think of it very highly while others cannot bear giving an interview. The
chapter tells us that an interview can make a lasting impression. Moreover, as per an old saying, when we make perceptions about
a particular person, the original identity of their soul is taken away. We learn how the most popular celebrities have criticized
interviews.
Similarly, Rudyard Kipling’s wife writes in her diary about how two reporters in Boston ruined her. He thinks of interviewing as
an assault. Moreover, he even believes that this crime should have a punishment. Further, Kipling is of the thinking that no
respectable person asks for or gives an interview. Moreover, this chapter also contains an excerpt from an interview between
Mukund, belonging to The Hindu Newspaper and Umberto Eco. Eco is a professor at the University of Bologna in Italy. He has a
daunting status as a scholar for his philosophies on semiotics (the study of signs), literary interpretation, and medieval aesthetics
before taking up writing fiction.
In the interview, we see it centres on his successful novel, The Name of the Rose. His novel sold more than 10 million copies.
Mukund begins by asking him how he manages to do such different things. Umberto replies saying he is doing the same thing.
Further, he goes on to justify his books that revolve around peace and non-violence. We learn that Umberto classifies himself as an
academic scholar. He attends various academic conferences throughout the week and writes novels on Sundays. Moreover, he
expresses that others considering him as a novelist and not scholar does not affect him at all. He agrees it is rather tough to
influence millions of people with academic work.
Moreover, we also learn how he believes that our lives have empty spaces like the ones in atoms. He refers to them as interstices
and admits that he does most of his productive work in the course of that time. Speaking about his novel, he remarks that it is not
an easy read. It has got a detective feature to it alongside metaphysics, theology and medieval history. Similarly, he thinks that if
he wrote the novel ten years earlier or later, it would not have achieved the same success. Thus, the reason for the success of the
novel remains a mystery.
CONCLUSION :- To sum up, The Interview summary, we learn how many people differ when it comes to
interviews, nonetheless, they are very interesting and informative as seen from Umberto’s interview.
 - : GOING PLACES : -

The story begins by telling the reader about a teenage girl, Sophie. Being a normal teenager, she has also got many fantasies and
dreams. Sophie belongs to a lower-middle-class family that struggles with finances. However, she dreams to own a boutique one
day. Further, she also dreams of becoming an actress of a fashion designer. Similarly, Jansie, her friend, is more practical and
level-headed. She knows that they do not have a strong financial background, thus they have to work in a biscuit factory. Jansie
does not have any unachievable fantasies. She tries her best to help Sophie stay in touch with reality, but all that goes in vain as
Sophie does not listen.
Sophie has got two brothers and lives with her parents in a small house. She does not shy away from expressing her desires and
fantasies. However, her parents do not pay much heed to it as they are far more mature than her. They are already facing the harsh
realities of life, thus, they do not believe in her fantasies. Sophie’s elder brother is Geoff who is tall, strong, and handsome and
remains reserved. She is sort of fascinated by her elder brother. It is so because his silence makes her jealous and wonders what he
keeps thinking about.
Further, we learn that Sophie is always fantasizing about a young Irish football player, Danny Casey. She has seen him play in a
number of matches and thus starts liking him. As she is always living in her fantasy world, she makes up stories about him. In one
made-up story, she tells her elder brother, Geoff, that they met one day in the streets. Being more sensible, Geoff does not believe
her story. He feels it is highly unlikely that she just met such a sensation in the streets just like that.
However, as Sophie is so good at immersing herself in fantasy land, she starts describing life-like details. Thus, upon hearing these
details, even Geoff wishes that what she was saying turns out to be true. She even goes on to say that they will meet again as
Danny has promised her. Thus, Sophie immerses herself so much in the make-believe story that she starts thinking of it as
true. She keeps waiting for Danny to arrives, but alas he does not. Thus, on the way back, she is thinking about how Danny’s not
turning up will disappoint Geoff. Nonetheless, she still keeps fantasizing about him and believes they will definitely meet.
CONCLUSION :- To sum up, Going Places summary, we learn about the naïve fantasies of teenagers and how
reality may hit us harder as the world in full of compromises and costs a lot of dreams.
 - : MY MOTHER AT SIXTY SIX : -
Ageing is an inescapable phase of every human‟s life. A person enters their childhood, experiences adolescence
when they are energetic and have so many dreams. Finally, every person approaches their old age and then they
die. Relationships between people become much stronger in every phase of life. No one can‟t bear the separation
from their loved ones just because of ageing.
Firstly, when the author going to the Cochin airport with her mother she looks at her carefully and presents before
us her image. As she looks at her mother‟s soft and whitish face, she gets stuck with the fear of losing her mother.
Her mother with a sleepy face and open mouth is comparable to a corpse. Here, the author shows love and
affection in a relationship between a mother and a daughter.
The poet is hurt and sad and shifts her attention outside the car for driving out the undesirable feelings. She
changes her bad mood. The scene from the window of the car is of rising life and energy. The fast sprinting green
and huge trees alongside the cheerfully playing kids represent life, youth, and vitality. The poet here is
remembering about her own childhood. In her childhood, her mother was young and beautiful. Whereas now her
mother is surrounded by the fear of losing her life and that made her insecure and sad.
She reaches the airport to take her flight. It shows departure and parting which makes her sad. As she said
goodbye to her mother, the image of the old mother in the dusk of years strikes her. Here again, a simile is
comparable with her mother with a late-night moon of the winters. The light of the moon is an obstacle by the fog
and haze as she appears older now.
The poet is now feeling the pain of getting separated because of leaving her mother. Her childhood fear of losing
her loving mother now became so terrifying. Now her mother could die of old age anytime unexpectedly. She is so
sad that she starts crying slowly without control but keeping a brave heart she hides her tears and starts smiling.
Thus, she offers her farewell to her old mother and keeps her hope of seeing her mother alive again. She says “see
you soon, Amma”. She hides her tears and sorrow as she does not want to make a painful and emotional
environment. Moreover, she doesn‟t want her mother to cry and shows her that she is enjoying her life. She
expects her mother to be happy and enjoy her life just like her.
CONCLUSION :- To conclude, my mother at sixty six summary revolves around the beautiful relationship between the
poet and her mother. The summary shows the theme of the advancing age of the mother of the author and the fear
of separation. This apparently short poem touches upon the theme of a beautiful bond between the mother and the
 - : KEEPING QUIT : -
This poem emphasizes the importance of self-introspection and silence. Furthermore, these two can transform the
life of an individual. Moreover, they can also transform the face of the earth. The poet says that self-introspection
and silence do not take much time to look within. Any individual can do it and examine oneself. This is easy and
takes only as long as it will take someone to count to twelve. During this time of introspection (self-examination), it
is important for the individual to keep quiet. The individual must say nothing at all. Without silence and keeping
quiet, self-introspection will not work. Silently introspecting will give the individual a strange feeling of unity and
togetherness with all others.
In the beginning, it will certainly feel a little strange. However, eventually, it has the power to bring us all together.
This silence will be free from the annoying sounds of engines. Furthermore, this silence will also be free from the
people rushing to get their work done. The author feels contentment while imagining the change that will take place
in those moments. The men who have to deal with the pain while collecting salt will get a little relief. Even the
people who desire war and destruction will put on clean clothes and an opportunity to walk among their brothers.
They will get to experience a life that is free of enmity and hatred. There will be a halt to their destructive and
dangerous activities. Peace and tranquillity will prevail everywhere once such harmful activities come to a stop,
even if it is for a short time.
The poet clarifies that his wish should not mean “total inactivity”. The poet only desires to interrupt the violent,
cruel, and sad activities taking place all over the world for a few moments and let individuals introspect their
actions. In fact, there is a connection to what he says with life rather than death. Activity is the very essence of life
whereas inactivity is symbolic of death. However, for a new, improved, and useful activity, a little stillness is quite
important.
The poet makes use of the image of the earth to explain how life exists in things that seem dormant. In winter, the
earth becomes very silent and it seems to be dead. The Earth becomes lively again in spring. Furthermore, in
spring, the addition of fresh new beauties and colours takes place. In a similar fashion, man can resume his
activities in a better manner after a little silence and quietness.
CONCLUSION :- Keeping Quiet summary tells us about the big impact of silence and self-introspection in making this
world a better place.
 - : A THING OF BEAUTY : -
A Thing of Beauty is by the famous poet John Keats. Furthermore, the poet says that a beautiful thing can give us extreme
happiness and delight. Moreover, a beautiful thing is eternal that never declines or fades. Also, a beautiful thing resembles a
shady shelter which gives us a comfortable sleep comprising of sweet dreams and relaxation. This will ultimately lead to
good health. The sight of lovely and beautiful things will live on in our memories for the rest of our lives. Thinking about them
makes our bodies and minds healthier, as the ideas give us serenity and mental calm.
The author says that individuals have an attachment to Earthly things. This attachment is such that it has the resemblance
of a flowery wreath. Furthermore, there are traps that keep people connected to materialistic things. This connection with
materialistic things distracts humans from eternal happiness. This is because the focus of such materialistic people will be
on acquiring more and more resources rather than on attaining eternal happiness. The world has a lot of negativity, hatred,
and greed. According to the poet, the cause of gloom and sadness is this negativity. Moreover, one can fade away these
negative vibes away with the help of beautiful things that surround us. This is because these beautiful things bring nothing
but positivity. Man and nature are strongly intertwined. The beauty of nature is what keeps us connected to this planet.
Every morning, we select beautiful fresh flowers and make garlands. They lift our spirits and make us forget about our
problems for a while.
The poet informs us about some beautiful things that are all around us. Beauty is certainly in the eyes of the one who
beholds. This means one can see the beauty in anything. Furthermore, the poet talks about the numerous creations of God
which we should admire. One such creation is the Sun which provides energy. Moreover, the poet also talks about the
beauty of the moon and the natural beauty of the trees.
There are various animals around that make our world lively. Pretty flowers like daffodils enhance the liveliness and
greenery of the world. Moreover, the flowing streams of water provide a refreshment and cooling effect to us in the hot
summer season. The forests have plenty of pretty musk rose flowers. Such flowers are a beautiful sight and eyes feel the
delight due to them. All such things certainly are things of beauty. Also, one must not forget the beautiful and inspiring
stories of the brave soldiers. These brave soldiers risked and sacrificed their lives in order to protect others.
These beautiful things have a resemblance to the fountain of immortality bestowed upon us by God as a gift and a blessing.
Such beautiful things are an inspiration for all of us to continue living. They make life worth living. Also, they also help us in
maintaining our faith in goodness. Life without these beautiful things would certainly become very hard.
CONCLUSION :- A Thing of Beauty summary tells us the value of beautiful things that are all around us and that one must
cherish them. They provide us timeless joy and leave an unforgettable imprint on our minds, therefore every beautiful thing
is worth preserving.
 - : A ROADSIDE STAND : -
There has been an extension of the shed in front by the occupants of the little old house. Furthermore, this extension is
around the edge of the road where the passage of traffic takes place. It seems like the shack-owners want to implore the
passers-by to purchase something from the shack. These deprived people have a huge desire for the currency.
Unfortunately, the traffic goes past ignoring the shack. If by chance the traffic does stop, it would come with a feeling of
disappointment. They are very disturbed to see the poor unattractive signboards. There is an offer of wild berries shack for
sale in a wooden quart (a quarter of a gallon). This place offers a peaceful natural stay for those who can afford it. The poet
becomes angry at this attitude of the „polished traffic‟ and asks them to move ahead.
The poet shows more concern for the sadness of the shed-owners than he does for the landscape blemish. He believes that
these people have a longing to handle some city money. This money can reduce their suffering as one can see in movies.
The political party that enjoys power is the one that deprives them of a happy life.
The poet makes mention of the news which points out the relocation of the poor villagers to the vicinity of shops and
theatres. There were big promises to ensure good care for them. However, the government authorities became negligent of
these promises. Furthermore, the poet is angry at this behavior and calls them “greedy good-doers”. He calls them “beasts
of prey” who indulge in the exploitation of the poor villagers.
The villagers pay a heavy price as they had to lose their land. The civic authorities are successful in fooling these naïve
villagers. They promise them a better life and a good sleep. However, these civic authorities are the ones who sleep
peacefully while making the lives of villagers miserable. Work during the day and sleep at night was the norm in ancient
times. However, there has been a reversal of this norm as the villagers are not able to sleep at night.
The poet expresses his distress while explaining the endless wait of shed owners for buyers. There is an ambiance of
sadness all over the place. Sometimes a car stops but that is to enquire about the farmer‟s price. Furthermore, others who
stop just want to make use of the backyard. One of the cars stops for a gallon of gas. Moreover, this demonstrates the
sense of alienation between urban and rural life.
The poet regrets that money is not abundant in the country-side. Furthermore, money can raise spirits while a lack of it
dampens it. The villagers have a tendency to express their grievance about a life which has a lack of money. Moreover, the
poet becomes very emotional and contemplates their pain. He certainly wants to change their lives in one go but
understands that this will be a futile act.
CONCLUSION :- A Roadside Stand summary shows us the great contrast between the comfortable life of city dwellers and the
harshness faced by the impoverished rural people.
 - : AUNT JENNIFER‘s TIGER : -
In this poem, the poet describes a lady whom she addresses as Aunt Jennifer. The poet also says that she is doing
embroidery on a piece of cloth that could be a wall hanging or table cloth. Moreover, she has made it with beautiful
tigers that are running fiercely in the green forest. Further, she describes their beauty in comparison to a topaz. As
in the green background of the forest, they appear bright yellow. Company of men does not affect them as they are
fearless. At this point, we can sense the contrast of behaviour between the aunt and tigers. Although tiger made by
her is fierce she is afraid of her husband. According to the poet, tigers are the proud and fearless citizens of the
forests. These creatures are very elegant and shiny.
In this para, the poet defines Aunt Jennifer‟s fear of her husband. While doing embroidery she says that her fingers
shake with the fear of her husband. As her husband does not approve her hobby of embroidery. Hence, she
quivers while she is embroidering the piece of cloth. Also, it becomes difficult for her to pull the needle up and
down. After that, she defines her wedding ring which her husband give her on their wedding day. In addition, she
sees it as a kind of burden to wear this ring.
She feels this because her husband tortures her so much that she sees the wedding ring as a burden instead of a
beautiful gift by her husband. Due to the many difficulties, she has faced in her married life that she describes the
little wedding ring as a heavy band on her trembling fingers. It also means that the ring is linked with some bad
experiences in the form of torture that she has faced. Further, this experience relates to the dominating behaviour
of her husband.
In the last part, the poet says that though aunt‟s design of tigers can easily sense her desire for freedom and
fearlessness. However, the poet says that it is not possible for her to achieve this freedom during her lifetime. Only
after her death, she will attain freedom. But the irony here is that even then she will be tied with chains in the form
of her husband‟s wedding ring. This ring is the only proof of the pains that she had faced from her husband. On the
contrary, the tigers made by Aunt Jennifer will always portray her desire for living a fearless life by jumping boldly
and proudly on a piece of cloth.
CONCLUSION :- By Aunt Jennifer‟s Tigers summary, the poet wants to represent the life of a woman who has to live
under a constant fear from her husband. Also, she will only get freedom when she will die.
 - : THE THIRD LEVEL : -
In New York, the Grand Central Station has two levels. Nonetheless, Charley a 31-year-old city resident talks that there
exists a third level. Also, he claims that he has been there. To talk about this problem he visits a psychiatrist friend. He calls
it a “walking-dream wish fulfilment” and explains Charley‟s psychology by saying that “the modern world is full of fear,
insecurity, war, and worry…..” and everybody wants to escape to some “temporary refuge from reality.” As for him, hobbies
like stamp collection is an indicator of this escape.
At times the Grand Central Station seems like a maze to Charley. While taking the subway earlier he had lost his way a
couple of times. One time he entered the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel. While the other time he appeared at an office
building that was three blocks away. However, this time he loses his way and something unique occurs. Charley visits the
third level!
In the silent hallway, Charley keeps walking, turning left, and sloping downward, until he touches an architecturally old
station, which is totally different from the two familiar levels. Moreover, this old small room with fewer ticket counters and
train gates, a wooden information booth, wavering open flame gas lights and brass spittoons. All this remind him of the
architecture of the 1800s. Further, he sees people in outdated outfits. When he noticed the date in the newspaper „The
World‟ he sees 11 June 1894. When he tries to buy two tickets, he realizes that he needs old currency.
He always wanted to travel to Galesburg with his wife, Louisa. Back in his head, it is “a wonderful town still, with big old
frame houses, huge lawns, and tremendous trees….” The place has pleasant and long summer dusks and where people
have ample of time. Hence, the next day during lunch, he exchanges three hundred dollars for old currency amounting to
some two hundred only. In addition, the amount doesn‟t bother him as he believes that everything there will be cheaper.
However, he could never again find the corridor that leads him to the third level.
When her wife came to know about this she asks him to stop looking. Unexpectedly, his friend Sam Weiner also disappear
and his wife keeps on looking for him for in the weekends. Moreover, Sam was the one whom Charley shares his idea about
Galesburg.
Charley inherited the hobby of stamp collection from his grandfather. And someday while looking at the stamp collection,
Charley finds a letter that was earlier not there. Also, it has the postmark on a faded six-cent stamp with a picture of
President Garfield. Further, the envelop read as 18 July 1894 to Charley‟s grandfather in Galesburg and it addresses
Charley.
In the letter, Sam tells Charley that he has reached Galesburg and he invites Charley and Louisa there. After going to stamp
and coin shop he gets to know that Sam exchange eight hundred dollars for old currency bills to establish his business in
Galesburg. Besides, Sam was none other than Charley‟s psychiatrist!
 - : THE TIGER KING : -
This story refers to the Maharaja Sir Jilani Hung Bahadur of Pratibandapuram. Astrologers predict his future when he was
just 10 days old. Astrologers say that a tiger will kill him. On this, surprisingly the 10-day old prince said: “Let tigers beware!”
The boy grows up just like any other royal child raised. Such as by drinking the milk of white cow and looked after by
English nanny and watching English movies.
When he was 20, he was crowned king and came to know about the prediction about his death. So, then onwards he
started killing a tiger and put a ban on the tiger hunt in his state. According to the astrologers he needs to be careful with the
100th tiger even if he successfully kills 99 tigers.
One time a high ranking British officer visits his state and wants to go for a tiger hunt. However, the maharaja declined his
wish. And in order to secure the state from the wrath of the British officer. The maharaja sent 50 diamond rings to the
officer‟s wife whose worth was Rs 3 lakh.
Within ten years the maharaja successful slays 70 tigers. But after that, there were no tigers left in Pratibandapuram.
Hence, to complete his target of killing a hundred tigers he marries a girl from the royal state that has more tigers so that he
can complete his target. Whenever he visits his in-laws, he makes sure that he kills 5-6 tiger each time. In addition, in this
way, he was able to kill 99 tigers but he was unable to find the 100th tiger. On not finding the 100th tiger the maharaja
became violent and threatened the Dewan. In order to save himself from the fury of the king, the Dewan got an old tiger
from the circus and with great difficulty put him in the forest.
He told Maharaja about the tiger. So, maharaja went on a hunt and shot the tiger and felt victorious and happy. But then
again, he didn‟t know that his bullet miss and the tiger was alive and he only collapsed out of fear. No one has the guts, to
tell the truth to the king so they killed the tiger and brought it in a grand procession.
Lastly, the maharaja was joyful and happy. So, on his son‟s birthday, he buys a wooden tiger as a gift for him. The tiger had
rough edges and while playing with it he gets a woodcut in his hand which later on advances into an infection. And because
of it, he dies. Therefore, fatefully the 100th tiger although made of wood take its revenge and killed the king.

CONCLUSION:- By means of the tiger king summary, the writer wants to say that no one can change what‟s written in
destiny no matter what they do.
 - : JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE WORLD : -
The story begins with the author on a journey in a Russian vessel. It was headed towards Antarctica. We learn that
the author has travelled about 100 hours in a car, aeroplane as well as the ship. The main objective of this trip is to
learn everything in detail about Antarctica. Further, we learn about her two-week stay there and what all is present
there. The place stores 90% of the earth‟s total ice volumes with no trees, buildings or anything. It has 24-hour
austral summer light. Moreover, it is covered in silence.
This makes the author wonder about the time when India and Antarctica were the same landmass‟s part. We learn
about the existence of a southern supercontinent, Gondwana. It existed for six hundred and fifty million years
ago. We learn that the climate back then was much warmer and also sustained a huge variety of flora and fauna.
All this was before the arrival of human beings. Moreover, for 500 million years, Gondwana flourished. Thus, after
the extinction of dinosaurs, the landmass separated into countries, as we know today. Moreover, we also learn
about the reality of climate change. Similarly, the author believes that to study the impact closely, one must make a
visit to Antarctica.
After that, we learn about Antarctica‟s ecosystem and how it lacks biodiversity. Moreover, it is the place to observe
if you wish to see what consequences a little action can bring about in the environment. If the ozone layer keeps
depleting at the present rate, it will impact the lives of the inhabitants of the area like the sea-animals and birds.
Moreover, it will also impact the global carbon cycle.
We learn about the contributors to climate change, like the burning of fossil fuels and more. All this is damaging the
quality of Antarctica and this may cause immense danger to human life. Moreover, we also learn about it through
examples of phytoplankton. Finally, the story ends with the author observing some seals sunbathing on ice. It
makes her wonder whether this beauty will be reserved for the years to come, or will the future be catastrophic.
CONCLUSION : - To sum up, Journey to End of the Earth summary, we learn in detail about climate change and
how it is impacting our lives and of other living beings dangerously, it serves as a wakeup call to start working to
make the planet a healthier place.
 - : THE ENEMY : -
The Enemy is a story written by Pearl Sydenstricker Buck. It is about a Japanese surgeon, Sadao. He went
to study in America and meets a Japanese girl, Hana, there. He marries her and brings her back to Japan to
settle down. This was the time of World War II. Thus, all the doctors were called upon to serve the Japanese
army. However, they allowed Sadao to stay back. It was because he was tending to the old General who
was on his death bed. However, one night, an incident changes his life. He encounters an American Navy-
man who is injured by a gun-shot and dying.
Although Sadao was in no mind to help the enemy, he takes in the young soldier and provides him with
medical assistance. He keeps him at his house to avert any danger coming his way. However, he knew he
has opened doors to danger by helping the enemy. His servants decide to leave Sadao too. As the days
kept passing, the soldier was now beginning to gain his health back. Now that the soldier was no longer
Sadao‟s patient, he decides to kill him off in his sleep. He informs the General of the American and thus the
General reciprocates. They decide to send private assassins to kill the American soldier.
While waiting for the assassins, Sadao starts noticing it was delaying. However, during this course,
humanity in Sadao arises. He realizes that he is a human being at the end of the day. He now recognizes
the value of human life as well as universal brotherhood. Thus, this opens his mind which was limited to
race, boundaries, and wars. Finally, he comes to the conclusion that the American soldier is not his enemy
just because he belongs to another country. Thus, he rises above his prejudices and does the right thing by
helping the American soldier escape, thus saving his life.

CONCLUSION :- To sum up, The Enemy summary, we learn how love and compassion can make us better
human beings as opposed to prejudices and biases against other people with whom we do not share
anything but the bond of being humans.
 - : ON THE FACE OF IT : -
The story starts with a teenage boy (Derry) who enters a garden. Due to an accident when acid befell on his
face and got burned on one side. He was afraid of facing people that‟s why he has gone there to hide.
Because other people tease him for having such a face. Upon entering the garden he finds someone
already presents there. Hence, he tries to leave but the old man, Mr. Lamb (owner of the garden) stops him.
Not arriving without permission Derry feels guilty. However, Mr. Lamb welcomes him in his garden and tells
him not to leave just because of his presence. People don‟t like his face that‟s what Derry think and that‟s
why he wants to leave. Then again Mr. Lamb asks him to stay there. After that, they start having a
conversation that how no one like Derry and how he hates people behaving like this with him. Also, Mr.
Lamb attempts to console him.
Mr. Lamb state to him that he has a tin leg and how kids make fun of him. Yet he enjoys his life to the fullest.
Their conversation went on and on and reveal various things about Derry‟s fear, hatred, and depression
about being in such a condition. Also, Mr. Lamb keeps on telling him to think about the positive things.
Before long they became friends and Mr. Lamb asks Derry to assist him in plucking the crab apples of his
garden.
Derry state to him that he had come too far from his home and hadn‟t told anything about this to his mother.
So, Mr. Lamb asks him to take permission from his mother. Bur Derry finds it difficult and this leads to a
small argument between both of them. Eventually, Derry agrees and tells Mr. Lamb that he would come
back after asking permission from his mother. However, his mother does not want him to go but he came
back to fulfill his promise.
In the meantime, Mr. Lamb climbs a ladder on his own to pluck the crab apples as he was sure that Derry
would not return. Moreover, because of his disability, it was difficult for him to climb. So, he slips from the
ladder and dies. On the other hand, Derry returns to the garden to help him but on entering the garden he
sees him lying on the floor. Further, he attempts to move him but didn‟t get any response from him. In the
end, he came to know that he is dead and starts crying.
CONCLUSION :- On the Face of its summary, the writer wants to say that we should never feel shame on
 - : MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD : -
The first part explores the account of Simmons. Simmons was an American Indian who was against social
discrimination towards American Indians. She throws light on her first-day experience at the Carlisle Indian
School. Zitkala SA„s first day at school is bad and unpleasant. The customs of the place were new and
strange to her. Moreover, there was pressure on her to wear clothes that were not reputable in her culture.
She does not understand the rules at the breakfast table. Consequently, she makes several mistakes. There
was a requirement for everyone to pull a chair at the first bell. Zitkala sat down while others were still
standing. Furthermore, everyone had to sit down at the second bell. However, Zitkala kept standing even
when the second bell rang. A feeling of humiliation came in her. When another bell rang, she didn‟t do
anything because of fear of making a mistake. She then cried due to these mistakes and humiliation. She
was fearful of the woman with a pale face.
Her friend Judewin talked to her about the cutting of her hair. In her culture, captured unskilled warriors had
shingled hair and mourners kept short hair. She hid but was dragged and tied to a chair so as to cut her long
hair. There was a crushing of her spirit due to this act. Moreover, this cruelty made her realize the comfort of
her home.

The second part is a part of the „Karukku‟ autobiography by Bama – a Tamil Dalit. Bama was an innocent
child who was spending her childhood in a village. She used to walk back home When school was over, she
had to do walking to reach home. Furthermore, the normal duration of the walk was ten minutes. However,
she made her walk for a duration of half an hour to one hour. This was because she took pleasure in
watching the various fun games.
Her innocence was lost when she had to deal with the evil of untouchability very early in life. One day an
elder of her community carrying food packet holding it by its strings. She felt amused but her brother
explained that they belonged to a low caste. The belief was that the food packet will become impure if there
was touching by a lower caste person. Her brother wanted to determine his caste as he asked about the
street he lived in. He told Bama that in order to win dignity, she must work hard to win the honor. Bama was
a hard-working student and stood first in her class.