Madam Rides The Bus
1. What was Valli's favourite pastime?
Answer: Valli's favorite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house, watching what was happening in the street outside.
2. What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?
Answer: The source of unending joy for Valli was watching the bus that passed through her street each hour, filled with passengers. Her strongest desire was to ride on that bus, even if just once.
3. What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details?
Answer: Valli found out that the town was six miles away, the fare for the bus was thirty paise one way, and the journey took forty-five minutes. If she stayed in her seat and paid another thirty paise, she could return home on the same bus. She gathered these details by carefully listening to conversations between her neighbors and people who regularly used the bus and by asking a few discreet questions.
4.What do you think Valli was planning to do?
Answer: Valli was planning to ride the bus to the town. She had carefully calculated the costs and the timing, and she seemed determined to fulfill her wish to experience the journey.
Here’s an analysis of the latest part of the story:
In this section, Valli’s emotional journey takes a somber turn. After her joyful and curious experience on the bus, she encounters something that brings her face-to-face with the harsh reality of life and death, something she has never truly understood until now.
Oral Comprehension Check:
1.How did Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?
Valli saved up money by resisting the urge to buy things like peppermints, toys, and balloons. She carefully set aside any stray coins that came her way. It wasn’t easy, as she had to be disciplined, even giving up on going on the merry-go-round at the village fair, but she was determined.
2.What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?
Valli laughed when she saw a young cow running in front of the bus, causing the bus to slow down and honk its horn repeatedly. She found the sight amusing and laughed uncontrollably, even to the point of tears.
3.Why didn't she get off the bus at the bus station?
Valli didn’t get off at the bus station because she wanted to continue the bus ride. She had enjoyed the journey so much that she didn’t want to stop. She simply wanted to go back on the same bus, rather than explore the city.
4.Why didn't Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does this tell you about her?
Answer: Valli didn’t want to go to the stall and have a drink because she felt too afraid to do so alone. This shows that while she is brave enough to travel alone on the bus, she still has some fears and insecurities, especially when it comes to stepping further into unfamiliar situations. It tells us that Valli is still a child in some ways, despite her independence.
This section beautifully portrays Valli’s growth from innocent excitement to a more somber realization about life, making her journey not just a physical one, but an emotional and psychological one as well.
Would you like to explore any other aspects of the story or move on to a different part?In this concluding part of the story, Valli’s inner journey is subtly reflected through her interactions with others, and the ending brings the tale full circle.
Key Moments:
5.Valli's Farewell to the Conductor:
Answer: Valli, after completing her journey, smiles at the conductor and bids him goodbye, telling him that she hopes to see him again. His cheerful response, "Whenever you feel like a bus ride, come and join us," reflects the warmth and casualness of their interaction. It marks a sweet moment of independence for Valli, as she has taken this trip all by herself and will likely cherish the experience for a long time.
Valli's Return Home:
When Valli returns home, she finds her mother awake and in a conversation with her aunt. The casual, unbothered nature of the adults contrasts with Valli’s personal achievement of the day. Her mother’s conversation about the complexity of life and how many things happen beyond our understanding seems almost like a reflection of Valli's own experience during her bus ride—the realization of the world being much bigger, complex, and unpredictable than she had initially imagined.
Valli’s Response to Her Aunt:
Her aunt, who comments on Valli’s curiosity, calls her a "chit of a girl" for getting involved in their adult conversation. Valli's smile here is bittersweet. She knows that the adults will never understand the depth of her experiences. Her journey, both literal and emotional, has allowed her to grow in a way that the adults around her cannot comprehend.
Valli’s Reflection:
Valli smiles to herself, knowing that the world outside, as vast and unpredictable as it is, has given her experiences that no one else will understand. This moment symbolizes her independence and self-discovery. Despite her young age, she has explored new horizons—literally through her bus ride and emotionally through her realizations about life and death.
Final Thoughts:
The story beautifully encapsulates the transition from childhood to a more mature understanding of the world. Valli, though still young, has ventured into the unknown and come back with a deeper sense of both joy and sorrow. The death of the cow during her journey served as a reminder of life’s fleeting nature, something she had never fully grasped before.
The ending, with Valli returning home and smiling to herself, suggests that some experiences are deeply personal and will remain with us, even if others do not understand them.
Oral Comprehension Check:
1.What does Valli say to the conductor when she gets off the bus?
Answer: Valli tells the conductor, "Well, sir, I hope to see you again," before jumping down from the bus and running home.
2.What is the conversation between Valli's mother and aunt about when she returns home?
Answer: Valli’s mother and aunt talk about how there are many things happening in the world that people can never fully understand, implying the complexity and unpredictability of life.
3. What does Valli do when her aunt comments on her involvement in their conversation?
Answer: Valli smiles to herself but doesn't explain her smile. She realizes that the adults around her will never truly understand her experiences.
4.What does the ending reveal about Valli?
Answer: The ending shows that Valli has gained a deeper, more complex understanding of the world, which the adults around her cannot comprehend. It highlights her independence and her ability to find meaning in her own experiences, even if they are beyond the grasp of those around her.
This conclusion effectively ties together Valli's journey of self-discovery and independence. Would you like to explore any specific aspects further?
1. Valli's Deepest Desire:
Answer: Valli's Desire: Valli's deepest desire was to take a bus ride to the town, to explore beyond the familiar surroundings of her village. She longed for adventure and independence.
Words and Phrases:
- "Stop the bus! Stop the bus!" – This shows her urgency and excitement for the bus ride.
"I’ve paid my thirty paise like everyone else." – Valli's determination and readiness to take the journey, demonstrating how serious she is about fulfilling her desire.
2. How Valli Planned Her Bus Ride:
Planning: Valli carefully saved up her money over time, resisting temptations to buy small things like toys or sweets. She collected a total of sixty paise.
What She Found Out: Valli discovered the bus schedule and learned about the fare, which was thirty paise each way.
How She Saved the Fare: Valli saved her money by thriftily avoiding unnecessary purchases and spent time strategizing how to save enough to afford the bus ride.
3. What Kind of Person is Valli?:
To answer this, let's look at the specific phrases:
"Stop the bus! Stop the bus! And a tiny hand raised commandingly."
(Confident, determined) – Valli shows assertiveness in her command.
"It's me," shouted Valli. "I'm the one who has to go to town."
(Confident) – She is determined to go to town and makes it clear.
"There's nobody here who's a child," she said haughtily. "I've paid my thirty paise like everyone else."
(Proud, independent) – Valli refuses to be treated like a child.
"Never mind," she said, "I can get on by myself. You don't have to help me."
(Independent) – Valli insists on doing things on her own without help.
"I’m not a child. I tell you," she said irritably. "I'm eight years old."
(Defiant, confident) – She asserts her maturity and independence.
"Well, sir, I hope to see you again."
(Polite, self-assured) – Despite her youth, she is polite and confident.
4. Why Does the Conductor Call Valli 'Madam'?:
Answer: The conductor calls Valli "madam" humorously because of the way she presents herself. Her confident and mature attitude, especially for someone so young, prompts him to treat her with exaggerated respect. It's a playful way of acknowledging her maturity, even though she's still a child.
5. Lines Showing Valli Enjoying the Ride:
Answer: Lines Showing Enjoyment:
"Oh, it was all so wonderful!" – Valli is excited and thrilled by the sights around her.
"Valli clapped her hands with glee." – This is a clear indication of her happiness.
"She devoured everything with her eyes." – Valli is fascinated by the new experiences.
6. Why Does Valli Refuse to Look Out of the Window on Her Way Back?:
Answer: Valli refuses to look out the window after seeing the dead cow by the roadside. The sight of the dead animal deeply saddens her, and it represents a jarring, unexpected reality that dampens her initial excitement. The death of the cow shocks her and she doesn't want to face it again.
7. What Does Valli Mean When She Says, "I Was Just Agreeing with What You Said About Things Happening Without Our Knowledge"?:
Answer: Valli is subtly acknowledging the complexity of life that her mother is talking about. She agrees with her mother's sentiment that there are many things in the world that happen without our awareness, much like her own unplanned journey and the unexpected events that happened during it, such as the cow’s death. This moment reflects her growing understanding of the world beyond her limited experience.
❤Evidence for the Story Being from an 8-Year-Old’s Perspective:
Textual Evidence:
Valli’s Curiosity: "She stood looking from the doorway of her house" and "she ventured out into the village." The curiosity and cautiousness of a young child exploring the world is evident here.
Her Enthusiasm: "Valli clapped her hands with glee." Children are often filled with joy and excitement when experiencing something new.
Her Innocence: The way Valli was initially unaware of the harsh realities of the world, like the death of the cow, shows the innocence of a child who has not yet fully encountered the complexities of life.
Speaking Activity:
Conductor: "Hey, lady, haven’t you laughed enough? Better save some for tomorrow."
Valli: (laughing) "I can't help it, I’ve never seen anything like that before!"
Aunt: "Where have you been, Valli? You’re so quiet."
Valli: (smiling) "I’ve been out, just taking a little trip."
These conversations, full of humor and curiosity, mirror similar moments where you may have interacted with people who were either playful or concerned for you, just as Valli’s journey was both humorous and insightful.
THANK YOU-
AUTHOR-RUMI DEKA
