A Gift of Chappals” is about Mridu visiting her cousins in Chennai. Ravi shows her a kitten they’re hiding and tells a funny story about it. They hear Lalli’s bad violin playing, then see a beggar with sore feet. The kids give him the music-master’s chappals, making Rukku Manni angry. In the end, she laughs thinking of Gopu Mama’s reaction
1. Introduction to the Story
- Mridu is a young girl living in Madras, now called Chennai.
- She stays with her grandmother Tapi and grandfather Thatha.
- One afternoon, Tapi takes Mridu to her aunt’s house.
- The aunt is Rukku Manni, and Mridu meets her cousins there.
- Rukku Manni opens the door with a smile.
- Ravi and Meena, her cousins, rush out to greet Mridu.
- Mridu takes off her slippers before entering.
- She sees a dusty pair of big slippers with toe marks.
2. The Kitten in the Backyard
- Ravi pulls Mridu to the backyard quickly.
- They go behind a thick bitter-berry bush.
- A small kitten is inside a torn football with sand.
- It drinks milk from a coconut shell.
- Meena says they found the kitten outside the gate.
- It was mewing loudly that morning.
- Ravi says he got milk from the kitchen secretly.
- He poured it into the shell and washed the tumbler fast.
- The kitten’s name is Mahendran, a real name.
- Mridu likes it because it’s not a usual cute name.
3. Ravi’s Story About Mahendran
- Full Name:
- Ravi says the full name is Mahendravarma Pallava Poonai.
- He calls it M.P. Poonai for short.
- Ravi says Mahendran has fur like a lion’s mane.
- He thinks it’s a fine breed of cat.
- Ravi asks Mridu if she knows the Pallava kings’ emblem.
- He says it was a lion, linking it to Mahendran.
- Ravi says Mahendran comes from an ancient cat family.
- He saw a statue of this cat’s ancestor in Mahabalipuram.
- He claims Mahendran is related to the lion scientifically.
- It’s a descendant of the Mahabalipuram Rishi-Cat.
- Ravi says a cat from Egypt, goddess Bastet, came on a Pallava ship.
- Its descendant became the Rishi-Cat, then Mahendran.
- He loves telling this story with a twig in hand.
- Meena and Mridu look at each other, unsure.
4. The Noise and Lalli’s Violin
- Mahendran sharpens his claws on the coconut shell.
- A loud “Kreech” sound comes from the window.
- Mridu is startled by the weird noise.
- Mahendran gets very scared and jumps up.
- He runs to a tray of red chillies to hide.
- Some chillies fall on him, and he howls sadly.
- Ravi says it’s Lalli learning to play the violin.
- He grunts that she’ll never learn properly.
- Ravi says the music-master plays well, like a train.
- But Lalli keeps going off track with her violin.
5. Watching Lalli and the Music-Master
- Mridu Peeks:
- Mridu goes to the window to see what’s happening.
- She sees Lalli holding her violin awkwardly.
- Lalli’s Effort:
- Lalli’s elbows stick out as she tries hard.
- Her eyes show she’s focusing a lot.
- Music-Master’s Look:
- The music-master has a bald head with some hair.
- He wears a gold chain and a diamond ring.
- His Playing:
- He moves his hand smoothly on the violin.
- His big toe taps the floor to keep time.
- Lalli Follows:
- He plays a few notes first.
- Lalli tries to copy but struggles behind him.
6. The Beggar at the House
- A beggar has been coming to the house for a week.
- Paati says he should beg somewhere else now.
- He sits under the neem tree in the garden.
- He spreads his cloth and leans on the trunk.
- Ravi tells him to go away sternly.
- He says Paati doesn’t want him back.
- The beggar says the ladies here are kind.
- He lived on their help for a whole week.
- He calls out to Rukku Manni sadly.
- His strong voice surprises the children.
- She shouts there’s no food left.
- She tells Ravi to say he can’t come again.
7. The Beggar’s Feet
- He sighs and says he’ll go after resting.
- The sun is hot, and the road is melted.
- He shows his feet with big, pink sores.
- They hurt from walking barefoot.
- Mridu whispers he has no money for chappals.
- She asks if there’s an old pair in the house.
- Ravi says his chappals are too small for the beggar.
- His feet are bigger than Mridu’s and Meena’s.
- Meena says it’s not fair he has no chappals.
- Her eyes fill up seeing his pain.
- Ravi tells them to stop crying and think.
- He says they need to find chappals fast.
8. Giving Away the Chappals
- Mridu sees the odd, dusty chappals from earlier.
- She asks Ravi whose they are.
- Ravi checks and says they’re the right size.
- He picks them up happily.
- Ravi drops the chappals in front of the beggar.
- He tells him to wear them and not return.
- The beggar puts them on quickly.
- He blesses the children and leaves fast.
- The music-master comes out after his lesson.
- He sees the children sitting quietly.
9. The Missing Chappals
- He searches for his chappals on the verandah.
- He asks Lalli if she’s seen them.
- He says they were new and costly.
- He bought them from Mount Road.
- Lalli tells Rukku Manni, who comes out upset.
- Paati thinks someone stole them.
- She asks the children if they saw anyone near the verandah.
- She looks angry and suspicious.
- Mridu says a beggar with sore feet was there.
- She tries to explain why they helped him.
10. Rukku Manni’s Reaction
- Rukku Manni asks Ravi if he gave away the chappals.
- She’s upset they took the music-master’s pair.
- Paati groans that children today are naughty.
- She doesn’t like what they did.
- Ravi says Karna gave away things kindly.
- He asks if Amma would mind if they fit.
- She says Karna gave his own things, not others’.
- She tells Ravi to go inside angrily.
- She brings Gopu Mama’s new chappals.
- She gives them to the music-master.
11. The Music-Master Leaves
- The music-master’s eyes light up with the new pair.
- He tries not to show he’s too happy.
- He says children have no respect these days.
- He calls Ravi a naughty Hanuman.
- Rukku Manni wants him to go fast.
- He clatters off in the new chappals.
- She starts laughing while going to the kitchen.
- She thinks of Gopu Mama’s reaction later.
12. Comprehension Check
- Meena tells Mridu about the kitten in the backyard.
- They’re hiding it from the elders.
- Ravi takes milk from the kitchen secretly.
- Ravi says Mahendran comes from Pallava and Egyptian cats.
- It’s hard to believe his big story.
- Ravi talks a lot about M.P. Poonai.
- It shows he has a rich imagination.
- The noise is Lalli’s violin practice.
- It scares Mahendran and surprises Mridu.
- His music is lovely, says the text.
- He plays smoothly unlike Lalli.
- The beggar came for a week, not just once.
- Paati says he’s been there daily.
- A V-shaped line shows she’s angry.
- She’s upset about the chappals.
13. Question & Answers
- Complete the Following Sentences:
- Ravi compares Lalli’s playing to a train going off track.
- Mahendran tips chillies over himself trying to hide.
- Lalli stumbles behind the teacher’s notes.
- The beggar says the ladies are kind and generous.
- The music-master asks Lalli if she saw his chappals.
- Describe the Music Teacher, as Seen from the Window:
- He’s bony with a mostly bald head.
- He has oiled hair and a gold chain.
- (i) What Makes Mridu Conclude That the Beggar Has No Money to Buy Chappals? (ii) What Does She Suggest to Show Her Concern?:
- His blistered feet make her think he’s poor.
- She asks if there’s an old pair to give him.
- “Have You Children…” She Began, and Then, Seeing They Were Curiously Quiet, Went on More Slowly, “Seen Anyone Lurking Around the Verandah?”:
- She wanted to ask if they took the chappals.
- She changed it because they were silent.
- She thought someone stole them.
- On Getting Gopu Mama’s Chappals, the Music Teacher Tried Not to Look Too Happy. Why?:
- He didn’t want to seem glad about the loss.
- He acted upset but liked the new pair.
- On Getting a Gift of Chappals, the Beggar Vanished in a Minute. Why Was He in Such a Hurry to Leave?:
- He was scared they’d take them back.
- He wanted to escape the hot road fast.
- Walking Towards the Kitchen with Mridu and Meena, Rukku Manni Began to Laugh. What Made Her Laugh?:
- She thought of Gopu Mama’s reaction.
- He’d miss his chappals that evening.
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