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Extract from the Story
"The Dassara festival came as usual. Secretly I bought Kashi Yatre which had been published as a novel by that time. My grandmother called me to the puja place and made me sit down on a stool. She gave me a gift of frock material. Then she did something unusual. She bent down and touched my feet. I was surprised and taken aback. Elders never touch the feet of youngsters...
She said, 'I am touching the feet of a teacher, not my granddaughter; a teacher who taught me so well, with so much of affection that I can read any novel confidently in such a short period. Now I am independent. It is my duty to respect a teacher. Is it not written in our scriptures that a teacher should be respected, irrespective of the gender and age?'
I did return her namaskara to her by touching her feet and gave my gift to my first student. She opened it and read immediately the title Kashi Yatre by Triveni and the publisher's name. I knew then that my student had passed with flying colours."
She said, 'I am touching the feet of a teacher, not my granddaughter; a teacher who taught me so well, with so much of affection that I can read any novel confidently in such a short period. Now I am independent. It is my duty to respect a teacher. Is it not written in our scriptures that a teacher should be respected, irrespective of the gender and age?'
I did return her namaskara to her by touching her feet and gave my gift to my first student. She opened it and read immediately the title Kashi Yatre by Triveni and the publisher's name. I knew then that my student had passed with flying colours."
Summary in Bullet Points
- Avva bent down and touched the narrator’s feet.
- The narrator was taken aback . taken aback = completely surprised by something unexpected (idiom)
- Elders never touch a youngster's feet.
- Avva said she was honouring a teacher , irrespective of age, as the scriptures advise. irrespective = without being affected by; regardless of any condition scriptures = sacred religious texts or holy books
- The narrator returned her namaskara and gave her the novel. namaskara = a respectful Indian greeting.
- Joining palms together or touching the feet of a respected person.
- Avva read the title aloud at once.
- She had passed with flying colours .
NCERT Questions (from the Textbook)
Critical Reflection — Extract 1 (NCERT Kaveri pages 10–12)
The Dassara Day surprise is the climax covered in the Critical Reflection extract. See Critical Reflection
Board Pattern
Questions Mapped to Exam Format
Fill in the Blank (Bracket Choice)
1 mark - 1 sentence only
The narrator was surprised and __________ (taken aback / pleased) when Avva touched her feet.
How to answer:
Start with the key word from the question. Support your answer with specific details from the story. Write in complete sentences.
View Answer
taken aback
taken aback = completely surprised by something unexpected (idiom); shocked in a way you didn't expect
Why: The extract uses "taken aback" which means completely surprised by something unexpected. Avva's gesture reversed the normal elder-to-younger direction of respect.
taken aback = completely surprised by something unexpected (idiom); shocked in a way you didn't expect
Why: The extract uses "taken aback" which means completely surprised by something unexpected. Avva's gesture reversed the normal elder-to-younger direction of respect.
Explanation:
EXAMINE = analyse how the writer presents the character. Go beyond what she does. Analyse the WHY and the effect on the reader.
Effect: usne apne bacchon aur pote-potiyon ko achhe se padhai karwai. Apna regret next generation tak nahi pahunchne diya — yahi uski strength hai.
MCQ. Line Signifies (1 mark)
The line "I am touching the feet of a teacher, not my granddaughter" signifies:
How to answer:
Start with the key word from the question. Support your answer with specific details from the story. Write in complete sentences.
View Answer
Answer: (B)
- Avva is not denying their family bond; she is saying that in this moment, her granddaughter's role as teacher is what she is honouring. Above and beyond their relationship.
Knowledge and teaching demand respect regardless of age.
Knowledge and teaching demand respect regardless of age.
Is question ka jawab story se directly connect hota hai. Short aur clear likho — 2-3 sentences kaafi hain. Exact text ke words use karo.
Short Answer. With Reference Explain (1 mark)
With reference to the extract, explain the sentence: "I knew then that my student had passed with flying colours."
How to answer:
Start with the key word from the question. Support your answer with specific details from the story. Write in complete sentences.
View Answer
When Avva instantly read the title
Kashi Yatre
and the publisher’s name from the gifted novel, the narrator knew her once-illiterate student now read fluently. This was a remarkable success.
Kashi Yatre wali budhiya ne apni savings ek garib ladki ki shaadi mein de di — apna lifelong Kashi jaane ka sapna chod diya. Yeh selflessness aur compassion dikhata hai. Short mein: desire sacrifice ki real purity se zyada important hai.
Short Answer. Examine the Scene (2 marks)
Examine the portrayal of Avva in the scene at the puja place on Dassara day.
How to answer:
Start with the key word from the question. Support your answer with specific details from the story. Write in complete sentences.
View Answer
Avva is portrayed as gentle yet culturally courageous. She gives a gift, then does the unprecedented: touches her granddaughter’s feet.
Citing scripture to justify this reversal, she respects tradition while boldly using it to honour knowledge.
Citing scripture to justify this reversal, she respects tradition while boldly using it to honour knowledge.
Justify karne ke liye exact quote do: 'I had never seen her cry even in difficult situations.' Yeh prove karta hai ki Avva resilient thi — uske aansu unusual the.
Short Answer (3 marks) - 40–50 words
"The story beautifully shows a reversal of roles between grandmother and granddaughter." Bring out this reversal and the irony it creates.
How to answer:
Start with the key word from the question. Support your answer with specific details from the story. Write in complete sentences.
View Answer
The reversal has three stages: the child first reads to the elder; then becomes her teacher; finally, on Dassara day, the elder touches the child’s feet. Inverting the social order. The irony is that the mocker became the honoured teacher.
Explanation:
Q8 reversal answers must show the STAGES. Not just the final act. Three stages = full marks. Name the irony explicitly at the end.
Dassara pe Avva ne Kashi Yatre khud uchhi awaaz mein padhi — narrator ka plan tha ki woh gift le jaye par Avva ne pehle se hi padh liya tha. Yahi 'surprise' tha jo narrator ko aback le gaya.
