Madam Rides the Bus

Classwork Notes
Theme of the Lesson
The main character, Valli is shown to be a curious child. This feature has been highlighted in the story. She gets fascinated
by things and her fascination arouses attraction due to which she undertakes an adventure trip, without worrying about the
risks and dangers that it involves.
1. What was Valli’s deepest desire? Find the words and phrases in the story that tell you this.
A. Valli’s deepest desire was to travel by bus. Words and phrases like “the most fascinating thing of all” and “source of
unending joy” have been used to describe Valli’s deepest desire.
2. How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and how did she save up the fare?
A. Once she decided to travel by bus, she started listening to her neighbour’s conversations about their bus rides very
carefully. In the process, she would herself ask some careful questions here and there in order to enhance her knowledge
about the journey. Valli found out that the town was six miles from the village and it cost thirty paise to travel one side. It
took forty five minutes to reach town and the same bus could bring you back as well. She collected the money with utmost
determination. She resisted every temptation ranging from peppermints, toys, balloons to merry-go-round at the village fair.
After so many efforts, she finally saved sixty paise.
3. What kind of a person is Valli? To answer this question, pick out the following sentences from the text and fill in
the blanks. The words you fill in are the clues to your answer.
“Stop the bus! Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised commandingly.
“Yes, I simply have to go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus.
“There’s nobody here who’s a child ,” she said haughtily. “I’ve paid my thirty paise like everyone else.”
“Never mind,” she said, “I can get on by myself. You don’t have to help me. I’m not a child, I tell you,” she said, .
“You needn’t bother about me. I can take care of myself,” Valli said, turning her face toward the window and staring out.
Then she turned to the conductor and said, “Well, sir, I hope to see you again.”
These words show that Valli is a mature, determined and independent girl. Although she is only eight years of age, she has
confidence and can take care of herself.
4. Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ‘madam’?
A. When the conductor gave Valli a hand in order to help her climb the bus, Valli denied. She further denied all the help that
she was being offered, because she considered herself not to be a child. Moreover, the conductor was of the joking sort and
thus, started addressing Valli as a grown up ‘madam’.
5. Find the lines in the text which tell you that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus.
A. The text which tells that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus is as follows-
1. Oh, it was all so wonderful!
2. Suddenly Valli clapped her hands with glee.
3. Somehow this was very funny to Valli. She laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes.
4. Struck dumb with wonder, Valli gaped at everything.
5. Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?
A. On her way back to the village, Valli saw a lifeless cow lying on the road. It was the same cow that was so joyful on their
journey to the town. She got devastated as to how something that was so full of life at one moment could turn into
something horrible in just a blink of an eye. Thus, she sat on her seat silently after this and refused to look out of the
window.
6. What does Valli mean when she says, “I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our
knowledge.”
A. Valli agreed to her mother’s statement that things happened without our knowing about them. She meant to say that her
mother was ignorant about her bus ride
I. NCERT Solutions
Q1. What was Valli’s favourite pastime?
A. Valli’s favourite pastime was to gaze at the hustle and bustle of the street.
Q2. What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?
A. Valli enjoyed watching the bus and its new set of passengers every time it crossed the village. It gave her a never ending
joy. Her strongest desire was to travel in the bus and take a ride to the nearby town and back.
Q3. What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details?
A. Valli found out that the town was six miles from the village and it cost thirty paise to travel one side. It took forty five
minutes to reach town and the same bus could bring you back as well. Once she decided to travel by bus, even if just once,
she started listening to her neighbour’s conversations about their bus rides very carefully. In the process, she would herself
ask some careful questions here and there in order to enhance her knowledge about the journey.
Q4. What do you think Valli was planning to do?
A. Valli was planning secretively to fulfill her desire of travelling by bus without her mother noticing.
Q5. Why does the conductor call Valli ‘madam’?
A. Well prepared and proud Valli got annoyed if someone called her a child or treated her like one. On the other hand, the
bus conductor was of the joking sort and began addressing her ‘madam’ as she was grown enough, bought her ticket and
could take care of herself.
Q6. Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see now?
A. Valli was short in height and thus, when she tried looking out of the window, the window blinds would come her way
obstructing her outside view. Thus, she decided to stand on her seat. She saw that the bus was moving on a very narrow
road. It had a canal on one side, beyond which palm trees, mountains and blue sky could be seen. On the other side, there
was a deep ditch followed by greenery as far as one could see.
Q7. What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child?
A. On being advised by a concerned old man to sit down, Valli told him that she was not a child and she could take care of
herself. She told him that she was just as capable and responsible like other passengers as she had paid the fare of thirty
paise for the ticket.
Q8. Why didn’t Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?
A. Valli was already annoyed with how everyone was treating her like a child. When that elderly woman came and showed
concern about her, it irritated her further. Moreover, she had large holes in her earlobes with ugly earrings that Valli
developed strong dislike for. The lady was chewing betel nut and it’s juice could have spilled any moment, automatically
making her a less socially desirable person according to Valli.
Q9. How did Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?
A. Undoubtedly, she had put an innumerable amount of effort in planning and saving for her first ever bus journey. It was a
dream ride for her. She resisted every temptation ranging from peppermints, toys, balloons to merry-go-round at the village
fair. After so many efforts, she finally saved sixty paise. No, it was not easy for her.
Q10. What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?
A. Valli saw a cow that was running along the road and came in front of the bus. As the driver honked, it started running in
front of the bus. The more the driver blew the horn, faster did it run but did not get out of the way. This was funny for Valli
and she kept on laughing till she had tears in her eyes.
Q11. Why didn’t she get off the bus at the bus station?
A. Valli didn’t get off the bus on reaching the town because she only boarded the bus with the intention of taking a ride to
and from the nearby town. Moreover, she was too afraid to even casually have a look at her surroundings as she was all
alone.
Q12. Why didn’t Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does this tell you about her?
A. Valli was too afraid to get off the bus alone. Moreover, she didn’t have enough money to buy herself a drink. Therefore,
she didn’t intend on going to the stall for a drink. This shows that Valli was a responsible and careful child who was aware
that getting off the bus without an adult could get her in trouble. Moreover, as she did not have the money, she denied the
treat offered by the conductor which showed that she was a mature child.
Q13. What was Valli’s deepest desire? Find the words and phrases in the story that tell you this.
A. Valli’s deepest desire was to travel by bus. Words and phrases like “the most fascinating thing of all” and “source of
unending joy” have been used to describe Valli’s deepest desire.
Q14. How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and how did she save up the fare?
A. Once she decided to travel by bus, she started listening to her neighbour’s conversations about their bus rides very
carefully. In the process, she would herself ask some careful questions here and there in order to enhance her knowledge
about the journey. Valli found out that the town was six miles from the village and it cost thirty paise to travel one side. It
took forty five minutes to reach town and the same bus could bring you back as well. She collected the money with utmost
determination. She resisted every temptation ranging from peppermints, toys, balloons to merry-go-round at the village fair.
After so many efforts, she finally saved sixty paise.
Q15. What kind of a person is Valli? To answer this question, pick out the following sentences from the text and fill
in the blanks. The words you fill in are the clues to your answer.
“Stop the bus! Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised commandingly.
“Yes, I simply have to go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus.
“There’s nobody here who’s a child ,” she said haughtily. “I’ve paid my thirty paise like everyone else.”
“Never mind,” she said, “I can get on by myself. You don’t have to help me. I’m not a child, I tell you,” she said, .
“You needn’t bother about me. I can take care of myself,” Valli said, turning her face toward the window and staring out.
Then she turned to the conductor and said, “Well, sir, I hope to see you again.”
These words show that Valli is a mature, determined and independent girl. Although she is only eight years of age, she has
confidence and can take care of herself.
Q16. Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ‘madam’?
A. When the conductor gave Valli a hand in order to help her climb the bus, Valli denied. She further denied all the help that
she was being offered, because she considered herself not to be a child. Moreover, the conductor was of the joking sort and
thus, started addressing Valli as a grown up ‘madam’.
Q17. Find the lines in the text which tell you that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus.
A. The text which tells that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus is as follows-
1. Oh, it was all so wonderful!
2. Suddenly Valli clapped her hands with glee.
3. Somehow this was very funny to Valli. She laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes.
4. Struck dumb with wonder, Valli gaped at everything.
Q18. Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?
A. On her way back to the village, Valli saw a lifeless cow lying on the road. It was the same cow that was so joyful on their
journey to the town. She got devastated as to how something that was so full of life at one moment could turn into
something horrible in just a blink of an eye. Thus, she sat on her seat silently after this and refused to look out of the
window.
Q19. What does Valli mean when she says, “I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without
our knowledge.”
A. Valli agreed to her mother’s statement that things happened without our knowing about them. She meant to say that her
mother was ignorant about her bus ride
II. Extract Based Questions
A Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
There was a girl named Valliammai who was called Valli for short. She was eight years old and very curious about things.
Her favorite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house, watching what was happening in the street outside.
There were no playmates of her own age on her street and this was about all she had to do. But for Valli, standing at the
front door was every bit as enjoyable as any of the elaborate games other children played: Watching the street gave her
many new unusual experiences.
What was the short name of the girl?
Ans. Valli was the short name of the girl.
What was Valli’s favorite pastime?
Ans. Valli’s favorite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house.
Why did she spend her time all alone?
Ans. She spent her time all alone because she had no playmates of her age in her street.
Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as- uncommon.
Ans. unusual
B Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
The most fascinating thing of all was the bus that traveled between her village and the nearest town. It passed through her
street each hour, once going to the town and once coming back. The sight of the bus filled each time with a new set of
passengers, was a source of unending joy for Valli. Day after day she watched the bus, and gradually a tiny wish crept into
her head and grew there she wanted to ride on that bus, even if just once. This wish became stronger and stronger, until it
was an overwhelming desire. Valli would stare wistfully at the people who got on or off the bus when it stopped at the street
corner. Their faces would kindle in her longings, dreams, and hopes. If one of her friends happened to ride the bus and
tried to describe the sights of the town to her. Valli would be too jealous to listen and would shout, in English “Proud!
Proud!”
What did Valli watch daily?
Ans. Valli watched the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town.
What was her overwhelming desire?
Ans. Valli’s overwhelming desire was to ride the bus.
What was Valli’s source of joy?
Ans. The sight of the bus filled each time with a new set of passengers, was a source of unending joy for Valli.
Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as- longingly.
Ans. wistfully
C Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
Over many days and months, Valli listened carefully to conversations between her neighbors and people who regularly
used the bus, and she also asked a few discreet questions here and there. This way she picked up various small details about
the bus journey. The town was six miles from her village. The fare was thirty paise one way-which is almost nothing at all
she heard one well-dressed man say, but to Valli, who scarcely saw that much money from one month to the next, it seemed
a fortune. The trip to the town took forty-five minutes. On reaching town, if she stayed in her seat and paid another thirty
paise, she could return home on the same bus: This meant that she could take the one-o’clock afternoon bus, reach the town
at one forty-five, and be back home by about two forty-five. On and on went her thoughts as she calculated and
recalculated, planned and replanned.
How did Valli know details about this bus journey?
Ans. Valli knew details about the bus journey from the conversations between her neighbors and commuters.
What was the distance of the town from Valli’s village?
Ans. The distance of the town from Valli’s village was six miles.
 How did she pay for her journey?
Ans. She paid thirty paise for her bus journey.
Pick out the words from the passage that mean the same as- careful questions.
Ans. discreet questions
D Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
Well, one fine spring day the afternoon bus was just on the point of leaving the village and turning into the main highway
when a small voice was heard shouting “Stop the bus. Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised commandingly. The bus
slowed down to a crawl, and the conductor, sticking his head out the door, said “Hurry then! Tell whoever it is to come
quickly.” “it’s me,” shouted Valli. “I’m the one who has to get on.”
Where was the bus going?
Ans. The bus was leaving the village and going to the city.
Who stopped the bus?
Ans. Valli stopped the bus.
What did the conductor say to Valli?
Ans. The conductor asked Valli to hurry up and come quickly.
Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as- “small”.
Ans. tiny
E Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
It was the slack time of day, and there were only six or seven passengers on the bus. They were all looking at Valli and
laughing with the conductor. Valli was overcome with shyness. Avoiding everyone’s eyes she walked quickly to an empty
seat and sat down. “May we start now, madam?” the conductor asked, smiling. Then he blew his whistle twice, and the bus
moved forward with a roar. It was a new bus, its outside painted a gleaming white with some green stripes along the sides.
Inside, the overhead bars shone like silver. Directly in front of Valli, above the windshield, there was a beautiful clock. The
seats were soft and luxurious.
What were the six or seven passengers doing?
Ans. They were all looking at Valli and laughing with the conductor due to which Valli was overcome with shyness.
Why did she avoid everyone’s eyes?
Ans. Valli avoided everyone’s eyes because she was feeling shy.
How was the outside of the bus painted?
Ans. The outside of the bus was printed white with some green stripes along the sides.
Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as- A time when there is not much work.
Ans. ‘Slack Time’
F Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
Valli devoured everything with her eyes. But when she started to look outside, she found her view cut off by a canvas blind
that covered the lower part of her window. So she stood up on the seat and peered over the blind The bus was now going
along the bank of a canal. The road was very narrow. On one side there was the canal and, beyond it palm trees, grassland,
distant mountains, and the blue, blue sky. On the other side was a deep ditch and then acres and acres of green fields-
green, green, green, as far as the eye could see.
Why did Valli stand up on her seat?
Ans. Valli stood up on her seat because she wanted to look outside.
Where was she going?
Ans. She was going to the city.
How was Valli feeling?
Ans. Valli was feeling happy and enjoying her ride.
 Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as- looked through.
Ans. peered
G Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
Suddenly she was startled by a voice “Listen child,” said the voice, you shouldn’t stand like that. Sit down” Sitting down,
she looked to see who had spoken. It was an elderly man who had honestly been concerned for her, but she was annoyed by
his attention. “There’s nobody here who’s a child” she said haughtily, “I’ve paid my thirty paise like everyone else.” The
conductor chimed in, “Oh, sir, but this is a very grown-up madam. Do you think a mere girl could pay her own fare and
travel to the city all alone?”
What did somebody say to Valli?
Ans. Somebody said to Valli that she should not stand like that and asked her to sit down.
What did the elderly man advise the child?
Ans. The elderly man advised the child to sit down.
What did the conductor chime in about Valli?
Ans. The conductor chimed in about the girl calling her as a grown-up woman.
Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as- proudly.
Ans. haughtily.
H Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
An elderly woman came and sat beside her “Are you all alone, dear?” She asked Valli as the bus started again. Valli found
the woman absolutely repulsive- such big holes she had in her ear lobes, and such ugly earrings in them! And she could
smell the betel nut the woman was chewing and see the betel juice that was threatening to spill over her lips at any moment.
Ugh!- who could be sociable with such a person?
What did the elderly woman try to do?
Ans. The elderly woman tried to befriend Valli.
Why did Valli find the woman repulsive?
Ans. Valli found the woman absolutely repulsive as she had big holes in her ear lobes and ugly earrings in them.
She was also chewing betel nut.
What did the woman ask her?
Ans. The woman asked Valli if she was all alone.
Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as- causing dislike.
Ans. repulsive
III. Short Answers
Q1. What kind of a person was Valli?
Ans. Valli was a curious, keen observer who had strong will power and determination. She was bold and brave. She had
immense self confidence and wanted to do everything on her own. She was Innocent, highly sensitive, intelligent and was a
very careful planner. Valli’s favorite pastime was to stand in the front doorway of her house and watch the happenings of
the street.
Q2. What did Valli do after she got into the bus?
Ans. She got into the bus and she looked at everything very thoroughly. When she looked outside she found her view cut off
by the canvas blind that covered the lower part of her window. So she stood upon the seat and peered over the blind.
Q3. Why did Valli want to ride on the bus?
Ans. Valli used to watch the bus on its hourly rounds through her street everyday. The sight of the bus filled with new
passengers every time gave her unending joy. She was curious and wished to ride it once. So she wanted to ride on the bus
to enjoy it.
Q4. How did Valli plan for her first journey?
Ans. Valli made careful and painstaking plans for her first journey. She saved every penny, cut down on her expenses and
resisted all the temptations to save sixty paise for the fare. She gathered the information from the passengers and neighbors.
She calculated the time required and chose afternoon, as her mother would take a nap during that time. All this shows that
she was a meticulous planner.
Q5. During her journey, Valli absorbed the natural beauty and clapped her hands in happiness on seeing a young
cow running very fast. What does this reveal about Valli? (CBSE QUESTION BANK)
OR
How was the view outside the bus when it went through the canal? [CBSE 2015]
Ans. Valli saw nature’s grandeur out of the bus window. She saw the green bank of a canal with the palm trees and
mountains in the background and the blue sky. On the other side, she saw a deep ditch and green fields. She saw other
vehicles, a young cow running in front of the bus.
Q6. What did Valli find when she entered her house after the ride from the bus?
Ans. Valli entered her house after the ride from the bus. Her mother was awake and talking to one of her aunts. She was
from South Street and was a real chatterbox. She would never close her mouth once she started talking.
Q7. How did Valli arrange for her bus fare?
OR
How did Valli save money to travel by bus? [CBSE 2013]
Ans. Valli arranged for her bus fare meticulously for her first journey outside the village. Valli needed sixty paise for the
two way fare of the bus. She needed some knowledge and ample time. She saved the money herself, collected the
information from the passengers and utilised the time of her mother’s nap for it.
Q8. Why didn’t Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?
Ans. Valli was a girl of superior nature. She greatly disliked the elderly woman for her big holes in the ears. The earrings
were very ugly. She was chewing the betel nut. Its juice could fall at any moment. She was asking irrelevant questions from
Valli.
Q9. What was Valli’s favorite pastime?
Ans. Valli was a Tamil girl. She had no playmates. It was her favorite pastime to stand in the doorway of her house. Thus,
she was able to watch all that was going on in the street. This became her favourite pastime because she did not have any
friends.
Q10. What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?
Ans. Valli was deeply attracted towards the bus. She had the strongest desire to ride in it. It traveled between her village and
the nearest town at an interval of an hour. The sight of the bus and passengers had been the source of unending joy for her.
Q11. What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details?
Ans. Valli used to look at the faces of the daily travelers of the bus very often and listened to the conversations held between
her neighbors and the passengers. Sometimes she also asked questions from them.
Q12. What do you think Valli was planning to do?
Ans. Valli was a clever girl. She was planning to travel by bus. She gathered information regarding the bus fare, timings and
the time the bus took to the town and back.
Q13. How did Valli feel on seeing the dead cow on the road? [CBSE 2014]
Ans. Valli was filled with sadness. She thought what had been a lovable, beautiful creature just a little while ago had now
suddenly lost its charm and its life and looked so horrible and frightening.
Q14. Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see now?
Ans. Valli stood up on her seat. She had a keen desire to see everything with her own eyes. So she started to look outside.
She saw that the bus was going along the bank of a canal. The road was very narrow. Beyond it were the palm trees,
mountains and fields etc.
Q15. What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child?
Ans. Valli was a very smart girl. She had a superiority complex in her mind. She did not want to be called a child. On
hearing herself termed as a child, she answered that there was no child. She had paid thirty paise like everyone else did.
IV. Long Answer Questions
Q1. On and on went her thoughts as she calculated and recalculated, planned and replanned. In which manner did
Valli calculate, plan and prepare herself for the ride on the bus?
Ans. For her trip to the town, Valli had carefully, painstakingly, and elaborately planned everything. She had put all of her
money into savings. She managed to resist the desire to purchase ice, toys, balloons, and peppermints. In the end, she
managed to save sixty paise. She resisted the urge to ride the merry-go-round at the community fair. The next challenge was
to sneak out of the house unnoticed by her mother. But she was able to do this without too much difficulty because her
mother took a nap every day after lunch from around one to four. During this time, she would travel to the city.
Q2. Never mind ‘she said, “I can get on by myself” “You do not have to help me, said Valli to the conductor. She
shows extraordinary courage in making the bus journey all alone. Taking inspiration from Valli’s character, write
how ability and courage to take risks are essential to fulfil one’s dreams.
OR
Valli shows extraordinary courage in taking a bus journey all alone. Explain how ability and courage are essential to
fulfill one’s dream. (CBSE SQP 2019-20)
OR
Age is not a barrier when it comes to doing something different and great. Which characteristics of Valli help her
achieve the wonder of visiting the town at such a tender age? [CBSE 2014]
Ans. It is undeniably true that having the skill and bravery to take chances is necessary to achieve one’s goals. Valli was
eight years old. She didn’t go outside at all. She didn’t even take a bus once. Her parents forbade her from leaving the
house, but she summoned bravery and boarded a bus to travel. She relished the travel and was aware of the outer world’s
realities. She was a little child, yet despite that, she managed to travel without difficulty because she had the guts to take
chances.
In other words, we can say that the thing or task that seems to be very hard is actually not so tough. We can do it if we have
the ability and courage to take risks. If we do not dare to take risks, we lose opportunities to get better.
Q3. Whenever we want to achieve something, difficulties always come in our way. What did Valli have to do to go
and ride in a bus?
OR
Once we decide to achieve something, so many difficulties come in our way but with focused attention we can make
that achievement. How did Valli succeed in fulfilling her desire of riding a bus?
Ans. It is true that obstacles do present themselves whenever we seek anything out. Nonetheless, ambition in life is
necessary. Perseverance is necessary to achieve goals. Valli wanted to take the bus, but she lacked the funds to do so. The
task at hand was to come up with the necessary sum of money, so Valli had diligently saved whatever spare change that
came her way while restraining herself from splurging on things like peppermints, toys, balloons, and the like. At the end,
she had thirty pence. She also paid close attention to the bus’ timetable and routine. She also listened in on chats regarding
people’s travels. Nonetheless, her efforts allowed her to fulfil her goal in the end.
Q4. Compare Valli’s journey to the city with her journey back home. Why was there a change in her mood?
OR
“Valli’s journey to the city is also her introduction into the mystery of life and death.” Elaborate.
OR
Why did Valli not enjoy her bus ride back home?
Ans. The voyage to the city for Valli also serves as her introduction to the enigma of life and death. Valli was travelling to
the city when she noticed a cow moving quickly along the middle of the road in front of the bus. She first continued to
giggle while having tears in her eyes. We receive happiness and enjoyment from life. Valli admired the setting.
She came upon a dead cow on the road on her way home. Perhaps it had been struck by a fast-moving vehicle. She was
aware that it was the same cow that had made her life enjoyable and joyful just a short while earlier. Sadness swept over her,
engulfing her. She realised the impact death may have on life. What was once a charming, lovely creature had suddenly lost
its allure and liveliness and looked horrifying and terrifying. Valli was plagued by the vision of the dead cow and found it
difficult to enjoy the rest of her journey.
Q5. How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus and how did she save the fare?
Ans. Valli was an eight-year-old Tamil girl. No one played with her. She likes to stand on the front threshold of her house
and watch the world go by. She kept an eye on what was going on outside on the street. She yearned for a bus ride more
than anything else. She listened in on the conversations taking place between her neighbours and regular bus travellers. She
even asked them questions. She was well-informed on the bus, the bus fare, and the travel time. Between her village and the
closest town, a bus ran. Her village was six kilometres from the town.
The cost for one way was thirty paise. In order to pay for the two side trips, she had to collect sixty rupees. She had heard
this from a well-dressed individual. It took 45 minutes to travel to the town. She would catch the bus in the afternoon at 1
o’clock and arrive in the town at 1:45. She planned to return around 2:45. She saved money despite all of her urges to buy
balloons and toys. All the dropped coins that came her way, she gathered. She stayed away from the swing and the merry-
go-round at the village fair. She then gathered the necessary funds.
Q6. Find the lines in the text which tell you that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus.
Ans. The following lines in the text tell us that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus.
While the bus was moving on a narrow road along the bank of a canal, she saw distant mountains, fields, sky and so on. She
went on seeing as far as her eyes could see. She uttered, “Oh, it was all so wonderful.”
The bus rolled on cutting across a bare landscape and was about to gobble up another vehicle. The bus left everything safely
and Valli suddenly clapped her hands with glee. There came a cow, it ran faster at the horn and came right before the bus.
This scene made her laugh until there were tears in her eyes. The conductor said, “Hey, lady, haven’t you laughed enough?
Better save some for tomorrow.”
The bus passed the shopping street. There were displays of clothes and other merchandise! Such big crowds! Struck dumb
with wonder, Valli gaped at everything.