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Extract from the Story
Then he had his lunch, and ran off to play cricket with his friends, and forgot all about the cherry seed.
When it was winter in the hills, a cold wind blew down from the snows and went whoo-whoo-whoo in the deodar trees, and the garden was dry and bare.
In the evenings Grandfather and Rakesh sat over a charcoal fire, and Grandfather told Rakesh stories—stories about people who turned into animals, and ghosts who lived in trees, and beans that jumped and stones that wept—and in turn, Rakesh would read to him from the newspaper, Grandfather’s eyesight being rather weak. Rakesh found the newspaper very dull—especially after the stories—but Grandfather wanted all the news...
When it was winter in the hills, a cold wind blew down from the snows and went whoo-whoo-whoo in the deodar trees, and the garden was dry and bare.
In the evenings Grandfather and Rakesh sat over a charcoal fire, and Grandfather told Rakesh stories—stories about people who turned into animals, and ghosts who lived in trees, and beans that jumped and stones that wept—and in turn, Rakesh would read to him from the newspaper, Grandfather’s eyesight being rather weak. Rakesh found the newspaper very dull—especially after the stories—but Grandfather wanted all the news...
Summary in Bullet Points
- Nature works quietly even when Rakesh is not watching. He forgets the seed, but the planted seed remains in the soil.
- The winter scenes also deepen the bond between Rakesh and Grandfather. Grandfather tells fantastic stories; Rakesh reads the newspaper to him because his eyesight is weak.
- The passage of seasons becomes the story’s clock. We understand growth through winter, spring, monsoon and another winter rather than through dates.
Board Pattern
Questions Mapped to Exam Format
Short Answer
2 marks
Why does the writer mention Grandfather’s stories and Rakesh reading the newspaper to him?
2 Marks
How to answer:
Give the key point and one relevant detail from this section.
View Answer
Answer: These details show their affectionate, mutually helpful relationship. Grandfather entertains and guides Rakesh, while Rakesh helps him read the news.
Longer Short Answer
3 marks
How does winter help the story’s structure?
3 Marks
How to answer:
Explain the idea and connect it with the story’s development.
View Answer
Answer: Winter marks the passage of time and creates a pause before the surprise of spring. The bare garden makes the later appearance of the tiny green cherry shoot feel more striking.
