Do you think Mr Gessler was a failure as a bootmaker or as a competitive businessman?
Mr. Gessler was successfully as a bootmaker because his customers were
immensely satisfied with the boot he made. His shoes perfectly fit them and lasted long. But, May be, he was a failure as a competitive businessman. He didnt have money like the big firms so couldnt invest on advertisements. He lost his business to them. He took time in delivering the boots because he made boots them alone. He lost his customers because of the late in delivery. He worked hard, striving for long hours. Whatever, he earned spend on paying the rent for his shop and for buying leathers. He spent days of great penury.
(i) After a very long spell of heat, the weather is at last. (ii) We have no right to people who do small jobs.
(iii) Nitin has always his uncle, who is a self-made man.
(iv) The police are the matter thoroughly.
(v) If you want to go out, I will the children for you.
(vi) I promise to on your brother when I visit Lucknow next.
(vi) when you are crossing the main road.
Speak to five adults in your neighbourhood. Ask them the following questions (in any language they are comfortable in). Then come back and share your findings with the class.
(i) Do they buy their provisions packed in plastic packets at a big store, or loose, from a smaller store near their house?
(ii) Where do they buy their footwear? Do they buy branded footwear, or footwear made locally? What reasons do they have for their preference?
(iii) Do they buy ready-made clothes, or buy cloth and get their clothes stitched by a tailor? Which do they think is better?
What was Mr Gessler’s complaint against “big firms”?
What was the effect on Mr Gessler of the author’s remark about a certain pair of boots?
What is the significance of the title? To whom or to what does it refer
Notice the way Mr Gessler speaks English. His Englishis influenced by his mother tongue. He speaks Englishwith an accent.• When Mr Gessler speaks, p,t,k, sound like b,d,g. Canyou say these words as Mr Gessler would say them?It comes and never stops. Does it bother me? Not atall. Ask my brother, please.
What was the author’s opinion about Mr Gessler as a bootmaker?
Look at the picture.Ajit: I have decided to go abroad for higher studies.Anisa: Have you? I dont think I ll ever do that. I love my country.Let pairs of students talk to each other about leaving thecountry. One student repeats Ajit’s statement. The other
gives a reason for not agreeing with Ajit. The sentenceopenings given below should be used.
Why did the author order so many pairs of boots? Did he really need them?
What did Nishad give Mr Nath? Why?
Why did the king want to know answers to three questions?
What is the secret that Meena shares with Mridu inthe backyard
Why did the king want no more talk about the hilsa-fish?
Why did the neighbours kill the dog?
What is “strange” about Mr Nath’s Sundays?
Messengers were sent throughout the kingdom
(i) to fetch wise men.
(ii) to find answers to the questions.
(iii) to look for the wise hermit.
(iv) to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions.
Mark your choice.
How does Ravi get milk for the kitten?
What did the king ask Gopal to do to prove that he was clever?
Mark the right item.
(i) The old farmer and his wife loved the dog
(a) because it helped them in their day-to-day work.
(b) as if it was their own baby.
(c) as they were kind to all living beings.
(ii) When the old couple became rich, they
(a) gave the dog better food.
(b) invited their greedy neighbours to a feast.
(c) lived comfortably and were generous towards their poor neighbours.
(iii) The greedy couple borrowed the mill and the mortar to make
(a) rice pastry and bean sauce.
(b) magic ash to win rewards.
(c) a pile of gold.
Complete the following sentences.
(i) Ravi compares Lalli’s playing the violin to
(ii) Trying to hide beneath the tray of chillies, Mahendran
(iii) The teacher played a few notes on his violin, and Lalli
(iv) The beggar said that the kind ladies of the household
(v) After the lesson was over, the music teacher asked Lalli if
Why did the king want to know answers to three questions?
Describe the music teacher, as seen from the window.
Had the beggar come to Rukku Manni’s house for thefirst time? Give reasons for your answer.
Discuss in small groups
1.If you want to give away something of your own to the needy, would it be better to ask your elders first?
2.Is there someone of your age in the family who is very talkative? Do you find her/him interesting and impressive or otherwise? Share your ideas with others in the group.
3.Has Rukku Manni done exactly the same as the children? In your opinion, then, is it right for one party to blame the other?
“A sharp V-shaped line had formed between her eyebrows.” What does it suggest to you about Rukku Manni’s mood?
What does Nishad find out about Mr Nath from Ramesh? Arrange the information as suggested below.
• What he eats
• When he eats
• What he drinks, and when
• How he pays
What did the king ask Gopal to do to prove that he was clever?
The word ‘tip’ has only three letters but many meanings. Match the word with its meanings below.
(i) finger tips – be about to say something
(ii) the tip of your nose – make the boat overturn
(iii) tip the water out of – the ends of one’s fingers the bucket
(iv) have something on – give a rupee to him, the tip of your tongue to thank him
(v) tip the boat over – empty a bucket by tilting it
(vi) tip him a rupee – the pointed end of your nose
(vii) the tip of the bat – if you take this advice
(viii) the police were – the bat lightly touched tipped off the ball
(ix) if you take my tip – the end of the bat
(x) the bat tipped the ball – the police were told, or warned
Now let us look at the uses of the word break. Match the word with its meanings below. Try to find at least three other ways in which to use the word.
(i) The storm broke – could not speak; was too sad to speak
(ii) daybreak – this kind of weather ended
(iii) His voice is beginning – it began or burst to break into activity
(iv) Her voice broke and – the beginning of daylight she cried
(v) The heat wave broke – changing as he grows up
(vi) broke the bad news – end it by making the workers submit
(vii) break a strike – gently told someone the bad news
(viii) (Find your own expression. Give its meaning here.)