Life | Prose 2 |English 8th | Tulip Series |

Life | Prose 2 |English 8th | Tulip Series |
Ram Nath Shastri (Translated by Shivnath)

SUMMARY

The dialogue in this text is based on a poem in Dogri by Ram Nath Shastri and translated into English by Shivnath. The passing wind asks the question "What is life?" to various things in the universe such as the stars, the moon, the cloud, the ocean, the earth, and a little girl. Each of them gives their own definition of life. The stars say that to shine with one's own brightness is life, and that having their own light is what makes them feel alive. The moon, on the other hand, says that it is sick and a lifeless entity because of its borrowed light. The ocean believes that to realize one's limits and maintain one's dignity is the meaning of life. The cloud says that to rain on hills that are in dire need of water is the real meaning of life. The earth says that life is love, the flow of affection that numerous lives drink from. The little girl says that she is the life of this creation and that she is lighting new lamps with the one that is alight in her hand. She also adds that she loves the play of life. The wind, impressed by the little girl's answer, forgets herself and joins her.Top of Form

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WORKING WITH THE TEXT

Q1. What the answer did the stars give to the wind?

Ans: The stars replied that to shine with one's own brightness is true life. They said that when there is no moon, it seems as if they were released from captivity. They explained that they feel they have a large family of their own and that a life of dependence is no life. Thus, having their own light is life for them.

Q2. What was the moon's reply? 

Ans: The moon replied that it was a sick and lifeless entity. Its borrowed light was the cause of       the dark spots on it, and it feels like a shroud enveloping its dead body.

Q3. What was the ocean's response?

 Ans: The ocean stated that the meaning of life is to understand one's limits, maintain one’s dignity and use negative experiences as valuable lessons. It views life as a way of penance or renunciation. It produces clouds that bring rain. It is a way to turn bitter experiences into valuable pearls.

Q4. What was the earth's reply to the question put forth to her by the wind?

Ans: The earth replied that life is love, the flow of affection that sustains various lives. It is the act of giving and receiving that defines the true meaning of life. The Earth also explained that the sentiment of "mamta" (motherly love) is a boon for her, as it helps it to grow and nourish lives.

Q5. What was the little girl doing when the wind saw her?

Ans: The little girl was lighting new lamps with the lamp that was already alight in her hand.

Q6. Why was the wind impressed by the little girl?

Ans: The wind was impressed by the little girl's play of lighting the lamps which were waiting to be lighted and eager to live leaving behind those lamps that had no oil left in them.

Q7. Why did the wind join the girl?

Ans: The wind joined the girl because she was deeply impressed by the girl's answer. Thus the wind forgot everything and joined the little girl.

GRAMMER WORK

Look at the following example:

Whatever water I get from the clouds, rivers and streams..........

In the lesson, the following words complete the sentence:

I store it inside me in pure trust and distribute it among the thirsty.

This is an example of a filler i.e., a short text used to fill extra space in talk, sentence, etc. to complete its meaning.

Now choose the appropriate filler for each of the following from the given options:

1.                 He tames animals because he . . . 

a.       seldom loves them.

b.       is afraid of them.

c.       is fond of them.

d.      hates them.

 Ans. (c) 

2.              He is so lazy that he . . .

a.                 always helps others.

b.                 dislikes work.

c.                 can seldom complete his work.

d.                 can not delay his work. 

                    Ans. (b) 

 

3.                 Whichever way you approach the problem, . . .

 

a.              no one will not solve it

b.              it will not solve

c.              it will not be solve

d.              it will not be solved

 

Ans. (d) 

 

4.                 The doctor warns him that unless he gives up smoking . . .

 

a.           will he be able to recover

b.           he will not suffer

c.           his health will soon be recovered

d.           he will not recover

 

Ans. (d) 

 

II. Write two synonyms of each of the following Words:

Word	Synonym 1	Synonym 2	Synonym 3	Synonym 4
Abhor	Loathe	Detest	Dislike	Hate
Betray	Deceive	double-cross	Turncoat	Sell out
Counsel	Advise	Consult	Guide	Coach
Delight	Joy	Pleasure	Thrill	Rapture
Educate	Teach	Instruct	School	Tutor
Fate	Destiny	Kismet	Fortune	Providence
Generous	Charitable	Benevolent	Philanthropic	Magnanimous
Hasty	Rash	Impulsive	Quick	Hurried
Intellectual	Smart	Intelligent	Wise	Learned
Justice	Fairness	Righteousness	Equity	Impartiality
Languid	Tired	Sluggish	Lethargic	listless
Mend	Fix	Repair	Rectify	Improve
Nonsense	Foolishness	Ridiculousness	Absurdity	Lunacy
Obstacle	Barrier	Hurdle	Impediment	Roadblock
Palatable	Tasty	Delicious	Appetizing	Savoury
Queer	Strange	Odd	Weird	Peculiar
Religious	Spiritual	Devout	Pious	God-fearing
Sober	Clear-headed	Rational	Level-headed	Self-controlled
Transient	Ephemeral	Fleeting	Momentary	Short-lived
Urge	Desire	Drive	Motivation	Impulsion

Word Phonetic Transcription Abhor əbˈhɔː(r) Betray bɪˈtreɪ Counsel ˈkaʊns(ə)l Delight dɪˈlaɪt Educate ˈedjʊkeɪt Fate feɪt Generous ˈdʒɛn(ə)rəs Hasty ˈheɪsti Intellectual ˌɪntəˈlɛktʃuəl Justice ˈdʒʌstɪs Languid ˈlæŋɡwɪd Mend mɛnd Nonsense ˈnɒns(ə)ns Obstacle ˈɒbstək(ə)l Palatable ˈpælətəb(ə)l Queer kwɪr Religious rɪˈlɪdʒəs Sober ˈsəʊbə(r) Transient ˈtrænsɪənt Urge ɜːdʒ

GRAMMER WORK

Write the following sentences inserting ‘to’ wherever necessary before the infinitive in brackets:

1. I have no money (lend) you.

Ans. I have no money to lend you.

2. We saw the thief (run).

Ans. We saw the thief running.

3. We heard her (sing).

Ans. We heard her singing.

4. They watched their team (play).

Ans. They watched their team play.

5. He made us (wait) for a long time.

Ans. He made us wait for a long time.

6. Let him (work).

Ans. Let him work.

7. Need I (come) tomorrow?

Ans. Need I to come tomorrow?

8. Do you wish to make (make) a complaint?

Ans. Do you wish to make a complaint?

9. He heard a cock (crow) and got up.

Ans. He heard a cock crowing and got up.

10. How dare you (read my letter?

Ans. How dare you read my letter?

11. It is up to you (increase) your knowledge.

Ans. It is up to you to increase your knowledge.

12. Bid him (go) there.

Ans. Bid him go there.

13. Goodbye! I hope (see) you again.

Ans. Goodbye! I hope to see you again.

14. I would like (be) a teacher.

Ans. I would like to be a teacher.

15. He learned (swim) when he was ten years old.

Ans. He learned to swim when he was ten years old.

16. I’m tired. I want (go) to bed.

Ans. I’m tired. I want to go to bed.

17. What have you decided (do)?

Ans. What have you decided to do?

18. We should learn (speak) the truth.

Ans. We should learn to speak the truth.

19. Where is Sumaya? I need (ask) her something.

Ans. Where is Sumaya? I need to ask her something.

20. I’m trying (concentrate). Please stop talking.

Ans. I’m trying to concentrate. Please stop talking.

LETS WRITE

1.      Write a dialogue (100-150 words) on ‘Life is Gift’.  (A.R Bhat)

(Kamil and Faizan ran into each other at a park where Kamil goes to jog every day. They were surprised to see each other after a long time and caught up on how they've been. They both agreed that it's a beautiful day and the nature around them is refreshing. They sat on a bench and talked about how the children playing and birds singing made them appreciate life and how they should be grateful for every moment and try to make a positive impact on the world. They also agreed that life is short and they should make the most of it and spread kindness and happiness wherever they go)

Dialogue:

Kamil: Hey Faizan, is that you?

Faizan: Kamil! Oh my gosh, I can't believe it! What are you doing here?

Kamil: I come to this park every day to jog. I can't believe I just ran into you.

Faizan: This is such a surprise! I haven't seen you in ages. How have you been?

Kamil: I've been good, thanks. Just working and trying to stay healthy. How about you?

Faizan: Same here. I've been busy with work, but it's good to see you.

Kamil: Yeah, it's great to see you too. What brings you to the park today?

Faizan: Hey, Kamil! I was just out for a walk and enjoying the beautiful nature around me. What about you?

Kamil: I was just taking a walk to clear my head. It's such a beautiful day.

Faizan: Yeah, it's really nice. I love how everything looks so happy and great. Look at those children playing over there and the birds chirping. It's such a pleasant surprise to see them.

Kamil: Yeah, it's definitely refreshing to see kids enjoying themselves and the birds singing. It's like nature is telling us to take a break and enjoy life.

Faizan: Yeah, let’s sit for a while and have a chat.

Kamil: Definitely, that sounds great.

(Both the friends sit and on a bench and continue talking)

Kamil: Hey Faizan, look at these kids playing, they seem so happy.

Faizan: Yeah, it's great to see them enjoying themselves.

Kamil: And look at the birds and butterflies, they all seem to be happy and enjoying life.

Faizan: It's true, everything seems to be in harmony.

Kamil: You know what this reminds me of?

Faizan: What?

Kamil: How life is a gift and we should appreciate it.

Faizan: Yeah, that's true. We should be grateful for every moment we have.

Kamil: Exactly, we should make the most of it and not take it for granted.

Faizan: Definitely, we should try to make a positive impact on the world while we're here.

Kamil: That's a good point. We should try to spread kindness and happiness wherever we go.

Faizan: Exactly, life is short, we should make the most of it.

Kamil: Let's make a promise that we’ll appreciate life and make the most of every moment.

Faizan: I promise. Let's make the most of this gift called life.