Yellow Notes
Yellow Notes
INTRODUCTION
Boy named Franz gets late for school
Not prepared for lesson on participles given by teacher – M. Hamel
Afraid of scolding
Thinks of bunking day Bright weather, chirping of birds,
But had the strength to resist open field, Prussian soldiers drilling
BEFORE REACHING SCHOOL
Crowd in front of bulletin board
Franz ignores as he was getting late
Blacksmith, Watcher stops Franz For the last two years all bad news
Says not to hurry. Plenty of time had come from there — the lost
Franz ignores and takes it as fun on him battles, the draft, the orders of the
SCHOOL OBSERVATION commanding officer
Everything quiet as Sunday morning
Different from usual
Franz saw classmates from outside Usually, great noise, opening and
window closing of desks, repeating sounds
Saw M. Hamel walking up and down with of lessons, sound of teacher’s ruler
Iron ruler under his arms striking on table
Franz tries to get inside without getting
noticed
CLASS OBSERVATION
[Link] saw Franz but told nothing
Says, “We were about to begin without you”
Franz sat down at desk
After a moment, observes very different things 1. Teacher had beautiful green
[Link] announces coat, frilled shirt, black silk cap
Order from berlin to schools of Alsace and Lorraine which he only wore on inspection
To teach only German in schools from tomorrow days and prize days
This is the last French lesson
FRANZ’s REACTION 2. so quiet class rooms
Came as thunder clap to him [Link] benches, which were always
Hardly knew how to write empty were occupied by village
Felt sorry for not learning lesson people sitting quietly: old Hauser,
Books that earlier seemed to be heavy weight were now like with his three-cornered hat, the
old friends which he did not wanted to give up on former mayor, the former
Idea of M. Hamel going away made Franz forget about his postmaster, and several others
ruler and how strict he was
Realised blacksmith’s words 4. Everyone looked sad
Realised why old men of village were sitting
While Franz was thinking about all this, 1. they felt sorry about not going
His name gets called to recite participles to school
Stands up, got mixed on first few words, does not look up
2. it was their way of thanking
master for 40 YEARS OF FAITHFUL
SERVICE
Born in the caste of bangle makers, seen nothing but bangles in every other house, every
street in Firozabad piled on four-wheeled handcarts, pushed by young men along the narrow
lanes
in dark hutments, girls with their fathers and mothers, welding pieces of coloured glass into
circles of bangles
Their eyes are more adjusted to the
OTHER PEOPLE IN FIROZABAD
dark than to the light outside. That
Savita, a young girl, soldering pieces of glass, her
is why they often end up losing
hands move mechanically like the tongs of a machine
their eyesight before they become
Savita does not know the sanctity of bangles,
adults.
symbolises an Indian woman’s Suhag, auspiciousness
in marriage
“Ek waqt ser bhar khana bhi nahin khaya,” says old women- not enjoyed even one full meal
in her entire lifetime
The cry of not having money to do anything except carry on the business of making bangles
Years of mind-numbing toil have killed all initiative and the ability to dream
WHY NOT A COOPERATIVE, ASKS AUTHOR
fallen into the vicious circle of middlemen who trapped their fathers and forefathers
even if they get organised, they will be caught by the police, beaten and dragged to jail for
doing something illegal
no leader among them, no one who could help them see things differently. Their fathers
are as tired as they are
They talk endlessly from poverty to apathy to greed and to injustice
AUTHOR SAW TWO DISTINCT WORLDS
Together they have imposed the baggage on the child 1. one of the family, caught in a web
Before he is aware, he accepts it as naturally as his father of poverty
To do anything else would mean to dare
2. the other a vicious circle of the
For them, daring is not part of his growing up
sahukars, the middlemen, the
MUKESH IS DIFFERENT
policemen, the keepers of law, the
Author cheered when senses a flash of daring in Mukesh
bureaucrats and the politicians
“I want to be a motor mechanic,’ he repeats, He will go to a
garage and learn. But the garage is a long way from his
home. “I will walk,” he insists.
“Do you also dream of flying a plane?”
Mukesh silent. Stares at the ground
there is an embarrassment that has not yet turned into regret
But he sticks onto his plan, dreams, this fills in ray of hope in author
Few airplanes fly over Firozabad.
FLAMINGO
CH-33 DEEP WATER BY WILLIAM DOUGLAS
ANECDOTES
INTRODUCTION
An incident happened, 10 or 11 years old 2-3 feet deep at shallow end,
Decided to learn to swim at the Y.M.C.A pool in Yakima, safe pool gradually going up to 9 feet
From the starting had an aversion(fear) to water because of the
incident happened when he was 3-4 years old
After 2-3 days at the pool, misadventure happened Father took to beach in California –
THE MISADVENTURE stood together-- waves came- author
Went early, no one was there, quiet place knocked down-waswas frightened –
Feared going alone in pool so sat on side of pool to wait father laughed but saved.
for others
Big bruiser boy came, 18 years old, made fun of him
Picked author and threw him at the deeper end of pool
INSIDE THE POOL- THE FIRST TIME
1. when feet will reach the bottom, he
Swallowed water. Frightened,
would make abig jump
Made a plan
2. come to the surface like a cork, lie flat
Seemed a long way down 3. paddle to the edge of pool
9 feet like 90, lungs about to burst
When touched bottom, applied all his energy
He thought he would come to surface like cork
Instead came slowly
Opened eyes, saw nothing but water, reached
to grab rope but of no use
Was suffocating, tried to yell, no sound came out
Eyes and nose came out of water but not mouth
Tried to bring legs up, but they hung like dead weight
Screamed but went back to the bottom of pool
INSIDE THE POOL- THE SECOND TIME
Lost all breath, lungs ached, heart throbbed 1. when feet will bottom, he would make a big
But remembered the strategy jump
Went down endlessly, opened eyes, saw 2. come to the surface like a cork, lie flat
nothing 3. paddle to the edge of pool
Screams frozen, only the beating of heart and
pounding of head were a sign that he was alive
Reached bottom, jumped with all his energy
Jump made no difference
Looked for ropes, ladders, nothing but water
shook and trembled with fright. Arms wouldn’t move. Legs wouldn’t move
Nothing happened
there was light, eyes and nose were almost out
but started down a third time
INSIDE THE POOL- THE THIRD TIME
Sucked for air- got water
Got surrounded by blackness
Too tired to jump, felt no pain and got fainted
OUT OF THE POOL
When eyes opened, found himself out of the pool, vomiting beside the pool
Hours later, walked home, weak, trembling, could not have dinner, cried on bed
Never went back to pool, feared water
FEW YEARS LATER
Whenever thought of going in water legs would become paralysed. Icy horror would grab his
heart
This fear ruined his fishing trips
Could not feel the joy of canoeing, boating, and swimming
Used every way to overcome fear but all waste
Finally, 1 October, decided to get an instructor and learn to swim
LEARNING SWIMMING
went to a pool and practiced five days a week, an hour each day
The instructor put a belt around him, and connected it to a rope. The rope was further
around a pulley. This way, the instructor made Douglas go into the water back and forth
by pulling and releasing the rope.
He made Douglas swim bits by [Link]. Gradually, he made him learn to exhale and inhale
while in water and many other strokes.
The author earlier doubted whether he would be able to swim but later commanded over
his legs.
In April, the instructor assured Douglas that he has learnt swimming
But Douglas was not confident and went to different places to check Wentworth lake,
This went till July. islands, glaciers etc.
At once, he got scared a bit during swimming but laughed and
overcame it confidently.
He shouted with joy. He finally overcame his fear with his determination and will power.
The experience taught him many things and had a deep meaning in his life.
CONCLUDING NOTES
In death there is peace. There is terror only in the fear of death.
“All we have to fear is fear itself”
At last he felt released — free to walk the trails and climb the peaks and to brush aside
fear
FLAMINGO
CH-4 THE RATTRAP BY SELMA LANGERLOF
ANECDOTES
A poor peddler, sold rattraps, not profitable
Used to beg, steal to fill stomach
Lived a sad and monotonous life
One day he got an idea
Whole world is a rattrap
Wishes, money, desires are all bait
But he was not caught in this rattrap 1. world had never been kind to
Liked thinking about this all time him, so he liked speaking ill about it
One dark night, saw little cottage
Asked for shelter, given 2. it became his favourite past time
Crofter, no wife, no children welcomed him
3. he was happy that he had not
Was happy to talk to someone as was lonely
fallen into the rattrap of the world
Crofter made the peddler comfortable
Told the peddler that earlier crofter worked
at Ramsjo Ironworks, left job due to age 1. gave him food
Now has cows 2. gave him tobacco roll
got up and went to the window, took down a 3. got out an old pack of cards and
leather pouch, showed peddler 30 kronors played ‘mjolis’
next morning, both leave cottage at the same
time
after half an hour, peddler return, smashes
window, steals the money, puts the pouch back, runs away
dared not to continue on public highway, went through forest
big and confusing forest, walked and walked, realises he is lost
realises the first time that he has fallen into the rattrap and the money was bait
saw no way out, tired to death
heard a sound—a hard regular thumping, got up, and went in the direction of the sound.
Reaches the Ramsjo Ironworks, asks for shelter, given
Ironmaster- Mr. Williamson, comes for inspection
Saw the peddler, mistakes him as an old friend Captain von Stahle
Peddler thinks of taking advantage for money, acts as old friend
Ironmaster invites home, peddler denies
Ironmaster sends daughter Edla Williamson
Convinced him, took him in carriage
Edla doubtful, thinks either this man has stolen money or escaped from jail
In carriage, peddler realises again that he is caught into a rattrap
next day was Christmas Eve, ironmaster came into the dining room for breakfast
thinks to help his friend, Edla talks about the peddler, says man does not seem as educated
as a captain
door opened, peddler enters, truly clean and well dressed 1. She has made a promise with
suit of clothes which belonged to the ironmaster peddler
truth realised, peddler insulted, ironmaster asks to leave 2. It was Christmas eve
Edla supports the peddler 3. peddler got only one day to enjoy
Peddler surprised 4. Edla was kind hearted
Ironmaster agrees
Peddler eats, sleeps, eats whole day as if he had never slept that good
Later, eats the Christmas fish and porridge
Receives present, Suit also gifted
next morning the ironmaster and his daughter got up
go to the early Christmas service, did not disturb the sleeping peddler
in the Church, get to know about the old crofter
hurries down to home, tensed
ironmaster asked the valet whether the stranger was still there and what did he take
valet answers that peddler gone,
did not take anything with him but had left a package for Edla
package contained- a small rattrap, 30 kronors and a letter
letter says that Edla had been very nice to the peddler
treated him like captain
so, he wanted to behave like captain
requests Edla to give the money back to crofter
rattrap is a Christmas gift to Edla by the peddler who would not have come out of the
rattrap if Edla would not have treated him like a captain
SIGNS AS CAPTAIN VON STAHLE
Edla cries with joy
FLAMINGO
CH-55 INDIGO BY LOUIS FISCHER
SUMMARY CUM ANECDOTE
Author first visited Gandhi in 1942 at his ashram in Sevagram, central India
He had gone to the December 1916 annual convention of the Indian National Congress
party in Lucknow
He had come to the Congress session to complain about the injustice of the landlord
Gandhi told Shukla he had an appointment in Cawnpore and was also committed to go to
Impressed by Shukla’s desire and story Gandhi said, ‘‘I have to be in Calcutta on such
such-and-
MONTHS PASSED……
complete information about conditions which Shukla was NOT ABLE TO IMPART
For this, Gandhi ji sent a telegram to prof. J.B Kriplani, of the arts college in
Muzzafarpur whom he had seen at Tagore’s shantiniketan school.
Train arrived at midnight, 15 April 1917
Gandhi stayed in Muzzafarpur for 2 days in the home of prof. Malkani, a teacher in govt.
school
Gandhi appreciates the fact that Malkani even being a govt. teacher made a
place to stay at his own house for Gandhi
News of Gandhi’s nature of mission spread quickly through Muzzafarpur and to Champaran
Gandhi chided the lawyers when they told about how they have fought cases for peasants
and also told Gandhi about the size of their fee. Gandhi ji, said that, where the peasants
are so crushed and fear stricken, law courts are useless and does no good. The real relief
Most of the arable land in Champaran district was divided into large estates owned by
Landlords ordered all tenants to plant 15% of their holdings with indigo AND
Presently, in 1917 landlords learned that Germany had developed synthetic indigo
So, they obtained agreements from sharecroppers to pay them compensation for being
When information of synthetic indigo reached illiterate peasants, they wanted their money
At this point, Gandhi arrived in Champaran
He said that he DISREGARDED the ‘ORDER TO LEAVE’ NOT for the want of respect for the
OF CONSCIENCE
Gandhi ji refused
Later, judge announced that he would not deliver the judgement for several days
Rajendra Prasad, Brij Kishore Babu and several other known lawyers had arrived from Bihar
Senior lawyer replied, “they had come to advice and help him, if he went to jail there will
They withdrew to consult and THOUGHT AMONG THEMSELVES that Gandhi ji was totally a
They on the other hand had given services to peasants and are the residents of the
Lawyers accordingly went back to Gandhi and told him that THEY WERE READY TO
Then he took a piece of paper and divided the group into pairs and put down the order in
Several days later, Gandhi received a written communication from Magistrate informing
him that the Lieutenant governor had ordered the case to be dropped.
Gandhi ji and lawyers now proceeded to conduct a far
far-flung
flung inquiry into the problems of
the farmer
Depositions by about 10,000 peasants were written down and notes made on
other evidences.
Documents were collected
The whole area was throbbed with the activity of investigators.
investigators
Thinking probably that he will not give way, the representative of planters offered to
refund 25%
THE DEADLOCK.
Gandhi ji explained,
1. That the amount of refund was less important than the fact that landlords had to
ABOVE THE LAW. Now the peasant saw that HE HAD RIGHTS AND DEFENDERS, HE
LEARNED COURAGE
During his long stay in Champaran, Gandhi ji kept a long-distance watch on ashram.
He explained that what he did was very ordinary thing that he declared, that THEY COULD
POOR PEASANTS.
HE TRIED TO MULD A NEW FREE INDIAN WHO COULD STAND ON HIS OWN FEET
He saw the cultural and social backwardness in Champaran villages and wanted to do
something immediately
Mahadev desai and Narhari Parikh, 2 young men and disciplines along with
their wives volunteered for work
Several other came from Bombay, Pune and other parts of the land
Devadas, Gandhi ji’s youngest son arrived from ashram and so did Mrs. Gandhi. Primary
Gandhi ji noticed the bad state of women’s clothes. Asked Kasturbai to talk to them
Early, in Champaran episode, Charles Andrews, the English pacifist who had become a
Lawyers thought it would be a good idea for Andrews to stay in Champaran and help them.
He said that the cause is just and they should rely on themselves to WIN THE
SELF-RELIANCE,
RELIANCE, INDIAN INDEPENDENCE AND HELP TO SHARECROPPERS WERE
ALL BOUND TOGETHER.
FLAMINGO
CH-6 POETS AND PANCAKES BY ASOKAMITRAN
ANECDOTES CUM SUMMARY
Taken from the book, “My Years with The Boss” by Ashokamitran
Author used to work at Gemini Studios
Film producing studio
Ordered and used make up brand “Pancakes” in truck loads (huge amount)
Gemini Studios had a make-up room on the third floor Very popular brand, used
Earlier believed to be Robert Clive’s stables by famous celebrities like
Had the look of hair cutting salon miss Gohar
Office boy making the remaining crowd look ugly at times of crowd shooting
Office Boy
Make-up studio had its own office boy
Not a boy but a man in early forties
Joined the studio with the dream of becoming an actor or screen-writer, director or lyricist
Ashokamitran- The Author
Duty- to cut out newspaper clippings on variety of subjects and store them in files.
Many of these had to be written by hand
Was given a small area in a room with French windows on two sides
Most people thought that the job was insignificant (koi zyada mehnat wala kaam nahi tha)
People including office boy would lecture him about how talent was getting wasted
Author wished for more crowd shootings to protect him from lectures
The boy from the make-up
up department blamed that the main reason for all his discomfort and distress was
Kothamanglam Subbu
Subbu
Got better opening in films than the make-up
make boy even though he was less educated and entered this
field in initial stages
Was born a Brahmin which was considered to be a virtue (good luck)
Cheerful man
Capable of keeping a happy face even after his film was a flop
Was bad at doing things on his own
But his loyalty made him a man of importance
Everyone thought that he was creative and a perfect fit for film-making
Would come up with many different ways to perform a scene in a minute
Gave definition and direction to Gemini Studios
Had a separate identity as a poet
Had the opportunity of getting his poetry extraordinary recognition but he still chose to recite it
personally to the masses.
Composed various folk story poems and the infamous (famous for wrong reasons) novel, “Thillana
Mohanambal”
a realistic actor, not interested in playing the protagonist (hero of the film)
Whichever role he performed, he performed it better than the lead actors
Respectful, affectionate (pyaar karne waala) and welcoming
Author not sure about the reason behind such hatred towards Subbu
Guessed it to be because his closeness with boss, and that he praised the boss to gain favours
The boy in the make-up room department wished terrible things for Subbu
Subbu was under a department called the Story Department comprising a lawyer, writers and poets.
The Lawyer
Referred to as the ‘legal adviser’ but people used to call him the opposite because of an incident
The incident- Once an angry actress started throwing tantrums (nakhre) on set leaving everyone in
shock while the lawyer secretly switched on the recording. He played it when the actress stopped,
leaving her shocked. It became very hard for her to recover from the tone, volume and tantrums she
used. Due to this experience, it marked the end of her short but brilliant acting career.
The lawyer wore different unique clothes, different from the usual uniform- khadi dhoti and Khadi shirt
He wore pants, tie and sometimes a coat
Narrator called him a ‘neutral man in the assembly of Gandhiites and Khadiites’ because he was
different from the rest of them
Was allowed to produce his own film, gets flop-lots of make-up used
Finally, the boss shut down the story department
Narrator tells in a sarcastic way that this is the first time where a lawyer lost his job because the poets
were asked to go home
Gemini Studios was frequently visited by famous poets
Mess at studio was excellent
The congress rule meant restrictions and a cup of coffee with friends was the only source of entertainment
entertainment- only
the office boys and clerks worked
Poets wore clothes made of Khadi and respected Gandhi ji for its prevelance (commonness) but were not
politically inclined.
Poets hated terms like Communism
Communist- a person who believes that all the land and property should
should be owned by the
public/government sector and everyone be paid according to the work they do
They thought that a Communist did not love his family. He would not hesitate in killing them.
They thought that a communist is there to create violence among innocent people.
This thought was popular in South India and the poets
Gemini Studio welcomed Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-Armament Army (MRA)
Came to Madras in 1952 consisting of 200 people
Referred to as the international circus though they were not very good
Performed two plays again and again to different parts of Madras and gained appreciation.
Costumes and sets were near to perfect
The MRA was opposed to Communism
However, bosses and businesses remained unaffected
Staff of Gemini Studios enjoyed hosting 200 people as it was different from their usual routine of crowd
performances where pancakes were applied
After a few months, Gemini Studios got another chance to welcome a poet from England
People made guesses about who was going to visit them next
Was not a poet but an editor of a newspaper daily
Highest level of managers at The Hindu were involved which meant that the editor was an important
personality
Staff at the Studio never heard of his name.
Arrival of Guest
Guest was tall, serious-looking
looking British face
Boss of the Studio welcomed him with a speech which was evident that he did not know much about the
guest.
No one could understand anything because of his British accent
His visit became a mystery
Ashokamitran’s views on writing
Feels that writing cannot be performed by the intelligent because it is a task of those who are patient
A writer should not have any feelings of rejection
An incident
The Hindu advertised that there was a short story contest
Organised by a British Publication
Publication- ‘The Encounter’
Writers at Gemini Studio had not heard of the name.
Author wanted to know about the publication before sending his entry
Went to the library, saw many copies of The Encounter
Author pleased by the Editor: Stephen Spender and sent his entry
Many years later
Writer left Gemini Studios
Had plenty of time but not much money
Saw books being sold at footpath on sale which attracted him
Priced at 50 paisa each
Took a copy of the book titled, ‘The God That Failed’
It had 6 essays by six famous men who wrote about communism
One among the author was Stephen Spender, WHO HAD VISITED THE GEMENI STUDIOS
Book became important to him
He was reminded of him and the reaction to Stephen Spender at the Studios was no longer a mystery
Thought that the boss at Gemini Studios may not be concerned with Spender’s poetry.
FLAMINGO
CH-7 THE INTERVIEW BY CHRISTOPHER SILVESTER
ANECDOTES
(refer to the Video by CBSE Winners on YouTube to understand the rest part.”
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FLAMINGO
CH-8 GOING PLACES BY A.R. BARTON
ANECDOTES
(this conversation is not important for paper) (this conversation is not important for paper)
Excuse me, but aren’t you Danny Casey? Promise you’ll tell no-one?” Sophie said. --- “Nothing to tell is
he said, “Yes, that’s right there?” ------- “Promise, Geoff — Dad’d murder me.” --------
“Only if he thought it was true.” ---“Please, Geoff.” --------
I asked him for an autograph for little Derek, “Christ, Sophie, you’re still at school. Danny Casey must have
but neither of us had any paper or a pen. So strings of girls.” ----------“No he doesn’t.”------------------------------
then we just talked a bit. About the clothes in ---- “How could you know that?” he jeered.---------------------------
Royce’s window. He seemed lonely. he said, if - “He told me, that’s how.” --------- “As if anyone would tell a
I would care to meet him. girl something like that.” “Yes he did. He isn’t like that. He’s...
he would give me an autograph then. Of
course, I said I would.”
😊To Support Me in My Journey Towards 100% FREE Education, 🙏 contribute at: [Link]
😊 For Easy-Hindi Explanation of This Chapter, You Can Search “CBSE Winners” on YouTube 😊
Sophie Jansie
3. introvert 3. nosey
😊To Support Me in My Journey Towards 100% FREE Education, 🙏 contribute at: [Link]
VISTAS
THE THIRD LEVEL BY JACK FINNEY
ANECDOTES
END
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VISTAS
CH-2 THE TIGER KING BY KALKI
ANECDOTES
I
Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur
Also called Tiger King- protagonist (leading character of a story)
Very courageous but now dead, manner of death is very interesting
Great miracle took place at his birth.
Astrologers foretold that the child will grow up to become hero of heroes, champion of champions
but ...will die one day
Ten days old Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur spoke up, “O wise prophets!”
Further says that everyone will die one day, would believe their studies if they could tell the manner
of his death.
Everyone in shock, ten days old baby opening lips, also raising intelligent questions!
Astrologers reply, prince born in hour of bull, bull and tigers are enemy, so death will be because of
tigers and advice the prince to be aware of tigers
Prince replies, “let tigers beware!”
II
1. drank milk of an English cow
Crown prince grew taller and stronger day by day
2. brought up by an English nanny
Born and brough up like other princes
3. tutored in English by an English man
Became king at age of 20
Everyone remembered astrologer’s prediction [Link] only English films
Tiger king started tiger hunt, killed a tiger and called the
Astrologers
Astrologers replied that he may kill 99 tigers but the 100th tiger will be the cause of his death
What if the 100th tiger were also killed? asks king
“I shall cut off my tuft, crop my hair and become an insurance agent” replies astrologer
III
To prevent this, 50 expensive rings was sent to officer’s wife to choose one or two rings, but all rings
were taken
Bill of 3 lakh rupees, but managed to retain his kingdom
IV
V
Maharaja dreamt of 100 th tiger day and night
Tigers got extinct even in his father-in-law’s kingdom
Became impossible to locate tigers anywhere
Maharaja announced 3 years exemption (free) from all taxes for village which found out the tiger
Tiger still not found
Maharaja became angry, ordered dewan to double the land taxes and warned him about losing his job
Dewan saw that a tiger had been brought from the People’s park in Madras
At midnight, dewan and his wife dragged the tiger to the place where king was hunting
Maharaja fired a bullet, tiger fell down
Maharaja became extremely happy of killing the 100th tiger, went back happily
Hunters went to take a closer look at tiger and realised that the bulled missed the shot and the tiger just
fainted from the sound of the bullet. Hence, 100th tiger was not killed.
In fear if losing jobs, no one told it to maharaja and one of the hunters killed the tiger
A few days later, Maharaja’s son’s 3rd birthday was celebrated
Maharaja went to shopping centre and searched every shop. Finally, he spotted a wooden tiger in a toy shop
and decided to buy it.
Wooden tiger was very cheap but due to fear of maharaja, the shopkeeper demanded 300Rs.
Maharaja took it and played with his son and the wooden tiger
Wooden tiger was made by an unskilled carpenter and had tiny slivers of wood all over it
One of those slivers pierced the maharaja’s right hand
In four days, it developed into a suppurating sore(pus) and spread all over his arm
3 famous surgeons from Madras were brought and the operation took place
Surgeons came out of the theatre and announced, “The operation was successful. Maharaja is dead.”
In this manner, the hundredth tiger took its final revenge and killed the tiger king.
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VISTAS
JOURNEY TO THE END OF EARTH BY TISHANI DOSHI
ANECDOTES
Revolves around the world’s most preserved place, Antarctica where a south Indian person (author) went on
an expedition(journey) with a group of teenagers linked with ‘Students on Ice’ programme who takes young
minds to different places to make the “future generation of policy makers” learn about the planet at a very
early age.
Initiative was introduced by Geoff Green who got tired of his regular job once he got rich and wanted to give it
back in some way.
In the beginning, the author talks about her journey to one of the coldest, driest and windiest continents on
Earth; Antarctica.
author began journey from Madras and on her journey, crossed 9 time zones, 6 checkpoints, 3 water bodies
and 3 ecospheres
took her about 100 hours of combined travelling by car, aeroplane and then a ship
when she first set her feet on the continent, she felt utmost (greatest) relief as it was all white, and the sight
of blue horizon was very comforting Horizon- line at which land and sky appear to meet
Was astonished by the fact that there was a time when
Indian and Antarctica were geographically connected
Part of History
650 million years ago, there was a super continent known as Gondwana comprising of present-day India and
Antarctica
there was no humans and the climate were warmer which gave rise to huge varieties of flora and fauna
(plants and animals)
it was present for 500 million years until dinosaurs got extinct and human beings came into existence
the huge continent was then forced to separate and form countries as we know today
according to the author, if one wants to have a view of history and to see where we are headed, Antarctica is
the right place
it is the best place to research and understand about mountain ranges, ozone and carbon.
It was a very different experience for the author as being a South Indian sun-worshipping woman, it was hard
for her or anyone else to imagine living in a place where 90 percent of the Earth’s total ice volumes are stored.
Not only biologically or physically difficult, but also for imagination. A place untouched by humans and their
inventions, it gives an experience that makes us forget about all the other things
From small creatures like mites to huge creatures like blue whales, everything can be found in Antarctica
Days are never ending with sun light all the time falling on the southern hemisphere
Human Impact
Human life on earth has been since only 12,000 years which converts into a few seconds on the geological
clock
In this small time, humans have exploited each and every resource creating a chaos in the nature
This exploitation has created a blanket of carbon dioxide around our planet which is further increasing the
average global temperature, thus leading to global warming.
Global warming and climate change are high priority concerns these days
According to the author, if one wishes to study and analyse Earth’s past, present and future, Antarctica is the
place to go
The programme ‘Students on Ice’ has been very successful because it is very easy to sit at home and talk
about real issues, but actually seeing glaciers collapsing gives a glimpse into the future
Antarctica is one of those places with limited biodiversity and has a less complicated eco system.
As a result, little changes in environment can have drastic effects.
“Take care of the small things and the big things will fall into place.”
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END OF CHAPTER
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VISTAS
CH-4 THE ENEMY BY Pearl S. Buck
ANECDOTES
2. Yumi bought the hot water but denied washing the White man
Hana screamed at Yumi but later realised that servants can tell this to police officers, hence changed her tone
Hana said Yumi to return to her work, left alone with the White man
Hana took a small clean towel and washed his face, cleaned his upper body, became more restless, called
Sadao
Sadao came carrying his emergency bag and wearing his surgeon’s coat, prepared to operate the White man
Sadao started his work, Hana very obedient, helped Sadao in every way possible, brought towels, laid down
mats, told Sadao about Yumi denying washing the White man but Sadao paid no attention, hands working
very fast
Sadao told Hana to inject anaesthesia to patient, Hana never done that earlier, Sadao said that it was very
easy, Sadao removed the packing and the blood came out, Hana could not see it, choked, ran out, Sadao
heard sound of vomiting
As Sadao needed Hana’s help to operate, he thought that it would be better for her to empty her stomach so
that she would not feel uneasy again.
Sadao felt irritated that he was not able to help her wife due to the man lying like a dead body
Sadao thought that there was no reason for him to save the man because there was no reason for him to live.
Even then, his hands continued working and operating the White man.
Hana entered room confidently, asked what she was supposed to do, Sadao told her to put some anaesthetic
on cotton and to place the cotton near the man’s nostril, also told her to remove the cotton when the man
started to breathe heavily
Sadao was quick, saw bullet near the kidney, made some surgical cuts on the body and removed the bullet,
the White man murmured “guts”, later became silent, Sadao check pulse again
Sadao stopped Hana from giving more anaesthesia, filled a syringe with the medicine and pushed the vaccine
into the man’s left arm
Man woke up, was full of fear, Hana served him food as the servants refused to enter that room
Hana said man to not be afraid, man surprised that Hana could speak English, Hana told that she lived in
America for a long time, Hana said to man that he would soon become strong
Sadao visited the man on the third day after operation, man was weak and sitting, Sadao screamed and
ordered him to lie down as he could die if not taken proper rest
White man asked what Sadao would do with him, Sadao said that he himself did not know, disclosed that he
know that the man is a prisoner of man, stopped man from speaking further
Hana came, told Sadao that servants would not stay with them if the American White man lived anymore and
that Yumi and servants thought that Hana and Sadao liked Americans
Sadao denied, said Americans were their enemies but he had been trained in such a way that he could not let
a man die and would help him in whichever way he could
Servants taunt Sadao and Hana 1. Old gardener said that the master should have let the White man
Hana felt that the servants were right bleed when he was so close to death
But she had some feelings for the man
That she herself could not analyse 2. the cook said disrespectfully that their master was so proud of his
She did not like the prisoner, injured skill at saving lives that he did not bother whose life he was saving.
man told his name “TOM” to Hana, she
3. Yumi got worried about the children and wondered that when
ignored, injured man was a great trouble
they will grow up, they would be labelled as the children of traitor
to her and was a threat to Sadao and her
(dhokebaaz) and as Sadao was helping an American, all people of
Sadao doing his role of doctor perfectly,
Japan would consider him to be an enemy of Japan.
Would examine the wound everyday
On the 7th day, two incidents happened, 1. the servants of the house left in the morning, Hana did not show
her feelings to the servants and paid them off gracefully and also thanking them for their services, Yumi cried
Hana gets worried, asked Sadao that why were they not behaving with the prisoner of war just like other
Japanese would have and let him die? why are they not clear about what to do? Sadao said nothing and went
into the room where the prisoner of war was resting
Instructed the White man to stand for 5 minutes today and increase the time every day, said it would be good
for everyone that the man gets healthy as soon as possible, hinted that they wanted to get rid of the American
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Man said “Okay”, thanked Sadao for everything, Sadao said to not thank him too early, terror on man’s face
appeared
2nd incident on the 7th day, a messenger wearing official uniform came to the house, Hana scared, felt that
servants must have told that they were sheltering an enemy, unable to speak, messenger stood in front of
Sadao
Messenger said that Sadao was supposed to go with the messenger to the palace, said that the old General
was in pain and Sadao was supposed to treat him as a doctor, Hana relieved, took a deep breath
Sadao said goodbye to Hana, Hana told that she thought that the messenger has come to arrest Sadao
Sadao became sad knowing how Hana is in too much stress due to all the incidents, decided that he must get
rid of the man by any way
Sadao went to the General, narrated him the entire story
General felt that Sadao was a necessary part of his life at that moment and said that Sadao cannot be
arrested, added that if Sadao gets death sentence and the General needs to get operated the next day, then
who would operate upon him, said that he would not let this happen
Sadao
ao suggested that there were many other surgeons in Japan, General replied that he did not trust anyone
else other than Sadao, added that the best surgeons had been trained by the Germans and for them, the
operation would be successful even if the General died
Very interesting lines: then he asked Sadao that being a Japanese, could he not combine the two foreign
elements
1. The harsh nature of the Germans
Germans- referring to giving the prisoner of war to the Japanese army
2. With the emotional nature of Americans- referring to saving his life during operation
Sadao said that he was not sure about it but he was willing to try, General said that the General must not be
the trial case
General said that the best solution was to kill the man silently. Said tha
thatt the White man would not be killed by
Sadao but by General’s hired killers (assassins)
General would send two killers to Sadao’s house that night or any night
Wanted Sadao to keep the door open of the room where the prisoner rested
Killers would come, kill the White man and would take away his body
Sadao went back home, kept on thinking about the plan, thought that in this way, he would not be involved in
the death of the America man, decided to not tell Hana about it
Sadao came into the prisoner’s room, surprised to see the man out of his bed, warned the man not to stand
and walk
Man thanked Sadao and said that if he had not reached Sadao that day, then he would have died, added that
if all the Japanese people would have been
be like Sadao, then the war would not have happened
Sadao said that maybe this could be true, bowed to him and said goodnight
Sadao was restless all night as the killers had to come, imagined the sound of footsteps and that some men
were carrying the American’s dead body, could not sleep the whole night
In the morning, Sadao made an excuse to go to the American’s room, saw the man asleep, could hear the
sounds of his breathing
Hana asked again that what would they do with the man, Sadao promised that h hee would decide in one or two
days
Sadao thought that maybe the killers would come the next night, waited, found out that the American was
still there the next morning, waited for another night, both Sadao and Hana got scared of the sound of loud
crash, American still alive and present the third morning
Man announced happily that he was well, Sadao could not withstand waiting for the killers to come the next
night, he was not bothered about the man’s life but he could not bear the stress any more
Sadao said to the man that he was well now and strong enough to sail a boat, planned that if he arranged a
boat, filled it with food and extra clothing, the man would be able to row it to the nearby island which was not
guarded and not inhabited (matlab koi rehta bhi nahi tha us island par and koi army wagerah bhi nahi thi),
instructed the man to live there until he spotted a Korean fishing boat pass by and go along with it
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White man stared at Sadao and asked whether it was necessary for him to do so. Sadao appealed that the
place he was living in was known to everyone, White man agreed
Sadao made arrangements, pulled out a big boat in the night, placed food, water and two quilts in it, worked
without a torch as did not want to be spotted by anyone
Checked the man’s body temperature and heartbeat, high heartbeat as the American was excited
Young man said to Sadao that he was saving his life once again, Sadao said that it was not like that and that he
was sending him because he could not keep him any longer
Sadao gave the man his own torch, instructed him that if the food gets over before the Korean boat arrives,
then the man must signal Sadao with two flashes of the torch at the dusk time (evening jab sunset ho raha
hota ha), asked him to be careful 1. to not use torch during night
American shook hands and walked away towards the boat
2. can eat raw fish but must not cook it as
---------------------next scene---------------------------------------------------- the fire could be spotted by the guards
A week ago, the General had been operated in an emergency by Sadao, General was weak after the operation
Sadao informed him that the man escaped, he did not have the courage to ask General about what happened
to the killers he was about to send to kill the White man
At Sadao’s home, servants returned, everything was normal
The General was surprised and said that as he was suffering from bad health, he had forgotten about the
promise that he had made of sending those killers
General felt sorry for being careless, added that it was not that he did not love Japan or he was escaping from
his duty, looked at Sadao expecting support
Sadao said that he understood the General’s position, he understood that the General was in his control and
as a result, Sadao was safe, said that he trusted the loyalty of General towards Japan
General was relaxed and said that Sadao was a good man and that he would be rewarded for his goodness
but for Sadao, he got his reward when he found no trace of torch light in the evening which meant that the
White man found a Korean boat and had gone with it safely back home
stood at the veranda and thought “WHY COULD I NOT KILL HIM?”
*MAGIC SENTENCE: Sadao’s heads and hands were moving in different directions
END OF CHAPTER
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VISTAS
SHOULD WIZARD HIT MOMMY BY JOHN HOYER UPDIKE
ANECDOTES
Jo interrupted the story, imagined her own story that the wizard hit mommy skunk and did not change the
smell back, father told nothing like that happened, Jo interrupted again but Jack stopped her and told her that
it was his story
Continued the story that, after some time when Roger skunk was sleeping, his mom came back, hugged him,
told him that he smelled again like her baby skunk and that she loved him a lot
Jack ended the story, Jo asked that did the other animals run away from Roger skunk again
Jack replied ‘no’ because they slowly got habitual to the smell of the skunk
Jo resisted, thought what mommy skunk did was not right and that it was stupid, Jack took it personally, said
‘no’, ordered her to sleep
Jo stood up on bed, started jumping, asked her father to tell a story the next day that wizard took magic stick
and hit skunk’s mom
Jack explained that this was not what the story said 1. the skunk loved his mother more than any of the
Told her that the story gave a message other animals
Jo kept on insisting that the next day, he
Would have to tell her the story like the one she 2. his mother knew what was right for him and what
was not
Wanted, started throwing tantrums, became
Stubborn (ziddi) 3. one should never change for anyone.
Jack ordered her to sleep, closed the door, went to
His wife, thought that both him and his wife are caught in a cage like situation in their marriage
END OF CHAPTER
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VISTAS
ANECDOTES
Telephonic conversation
Story begins when the Secretary of the examination board received a call from Governor, Oxford prison
Governor said, it was a strange request but they wanted to help the person
Named Evans
Told him that, Evans started taking night lessons in O-level of German language, last September
Evans was interested in achieving educational qualification
Secretary agreed to give him a chance, would send all forms required, asked whether Evans was a
violent person
Governor said that there was no such record, nice guy, humorous,
Decided to conduct test in Evans’s own lock up, would call a churchman from a nearby church as
invigilator
About Evans
On the Day of Examination- 8th June, Tuesday Stephens- newly appointed officer
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At 10:50 a.m. Governor found that he had almost forgotten about Evans.
He heard Evans asking to wrap a blanket around his shoulder as it was cold, allowed
At 10:51 a.m. Stephens opened the peep hole and was surprised to see Evans with the blanket, seemed
strange to him, thought of reporting to Jackson, but told himself that he should not overthink as there might
be cold inside
At 11:20 a.m., Mc Lerry told Evans that only 5 minutes were left
At 11:22 a.m. Jackson shouted to Stephens as the Governor wanted to speak to him
Governor ordered him that it was his duty to accompany Mc Lerry to the main gate
Ordered that Stephen had to be fully assured that Evan’s cell is properly locked
At 11:25 a.m. Governor heard the final talks between Evans and Mc Lerry
Mc Lerry asked Evans to stop writing, told him to arrange his sheets in order
Evans said thank you to Mc Lerry, Mc Lerry asked about how his exam was, Evan replied that it was
not too bad
Exam was over
Stephen asked Mc Lerry did Evan’s exam go well, Mc Lerry said that he didn’t think so, his accent was a bit
different and his overcoat was reaching close to his knees
Mc Lerry exits
Stephens felt very happy that the Governor had asked him, and not Jackson, to see Mc Lerry off
Stephens wanted to have a last lookk at Evans
Stephens looked inside Evan’s cell, he was shocked to see the situation inside, he cried and yelled.
For few seconds he thought that it was Evans but later realised that it was Mc Lerry, hair soaked in blood
Stephens shouted loudly to call Jackson, Mc Lerry screamed, cried out of pain, Jackson came, ordered
Stephens to call ambulance and police
Injured Mc Lerry raised himself and told them that they should not worry about him as he is fine, asked for the
Governor as he knew where Evans had gone, Jackson and Stephens took him to Governor
Injured Mc Lerry opened the German question paper, wanted to show something important to the Governor
Governor noticed that a photocopied sheet was cleverly laid on the blank space of the question paper, it was
in German, Governor knew German, translated the text partly
It was written on plan that
Everything should go by the plan
Had to do just 3 minutes before the exam ends
Told to hit on Mc Lerry’s head
Was warned for not overdoing his Scottish accent
By this time, detective Carter came and saluted the Governor asked what the matter was, Injured Mc Lerry
interrupts in between, said that Evans had gone to Elsfield, was breathing heavily, Governor sent injured Mc
Lerry to hospital along with Carter
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Governor started reading the text again and discovered that it was a route towards the examination board
Governor concluded that somebody from the examination board had helped him, scold Stephens and Jackson
Stephen said that it was him who took Evans out (in form of Mc Lerry ) as he had received a call from
Governor, Governor denied, concluded that it was a fake call
Governor scolded Jackson for being so confident. Scolded that they spent two hours in checking
checki Evan’s cell
but even then, Evans was able to hide a false beard, spectacles and other stuff and also had a weapon to hit
Mc Lerry
Finally, Governor decoded the place from the text, felt Evans was careless in leaving the question paper and
that he would be caught soon
Detective Carter called Governor, told him that Mc Lerry had seen Evans in Elsfield, informed him that since
Injured Mc Lerry had grown very weak, they took him to examination office, and then called up the
ambulance
Governor inquired about the injured person in hospital but found out that the ambulance went but came
empty as there was no one
Governor did not speak anything, understood the whole truth.
After a gap of 15 minutes, they found the real Reverend Mc Lerry who was tied up by two men at his own
house since 8:15 a.m.
It was clear that the man who was taken to the prison door by Stephens was not Evans but Evans was the
one who stayed inside the cell and pretended to be injured Mc Lerry
After having delicious food, Evans decided to go back to his hotel room, was wearing a new hat, recalled how
funny it was to wear a fake beard
Evans unlocked his room, turned back and was shocked to see someone in his room. It was the Governor
Evans looked around hopelessly, Governor told him that there is no use of it as he had his men all around
Evans looked disturbed, said it was the correction slip he guessed, the Governor accepted and said that the
Governor knew some German
Evans then relaxed over some time and explained that it was not an actual mistake as it was necessary for
them to know the exact time at which the paper started so that they could make a call exactly before the end
of the exam to make the Governor and other officers busy while making clear way for fake Mc Lerry
Evans said that the correction slip gave him both the hotel name and the time of exam, it was like killing two
birds with one stone, Governor agreed.
Evans then queried how did the Governor get to know that he was staying in which hotel as their were
hundreds of them, Governor said the index number 313 and centre number 271 were the six figure refernce
for the map
Governor stood up and asked him where he got blood from, it was from the rubber ring Governor guessed,
Evans told him that they got pig blood easily from a meat shop
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Governor took Evans with him and walked down the stairs
Governor asked him how he planned this as he had no visitors or letters for him, Evans replied that he had
many friends, also the German teacher was his friend, Governor was shocked
The receptionist said that the van was ready. Both Evans and the receptionist winked at each other.
Evans was chained by the prison officer and both climbed the van, Governor bid him farewell
Soon the van turned right, the prison officer removed the handcuffs from Evans and asked the driver to drive
fast. The driver asked Evans where to go, HENCE,
AT LAST Evans was able to escape once again with the help of his friends who were now pretending to be the prison
officer and the driver.
CHAPTER ENDS