Maharashtra State Board – English
Standard IX
Chapter 3.4 – How the First Letter was Written
📖 Summary of the Lesson
This lesson is divided into two parts. The first part tells us about the famous artist Sayed Haider Raza, popularly known as Raza. It gives information about his personal life, education, and achievements. His choice of colours, patterns, and artistic style are described in detail. The lesson also mentions the awards he received for his outstanding contribution to art.
The second part throws light on Gond Art. The Gonds are one of the largest Adivasi communities in India. They are believed to be Dravidians whose origin dates back to the pre-Aryan period. They are mainly found in Madhya Pradesh and nearby states. The word ‘Gond’ comes from ‘Kond’, which means green mountains in the Dravidian language. The lesson also explains the materials used in Gond art and the natural colours prepared from plants and other natural sources.
📝 Warming Up!
1. List the materials that man has used for the following purposes in the different ages.
Ans:
| Objects | Neolithic Age (Later Stone Age) | 1st Century CE | Modern Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weapons | Stone, bones, animal teeth | Metal weapons such as swords, daggers, spears; armour | Guns, rifles, missiles, bombs, nuclear weapons |
| Fuel | Wood, fire | Wood, animal fat, fire | Petrol, diesel, coal, kerosene, CNG |
| Utensils | Hollow stones, mud vessels, bamboo stems, coconut shells | Iron vessels, clay pots, metal utensils | Stainless steel, aluminium, plastic, glass |
| Food | Raw meat, fruits, roots, fish | Cooked grains, vegetables, fruits, meat | Processed and cooked food, various grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables |
| Clothes | Animal skins, tree bark | Cotton and natural fibres | Cotton, wool, silk, synthetic fibres |
2. Write your name in Bold Capitals.
(a) Now, within 3 minutes try to make as many words as you can using the letters in your name.
Ans: Example – AMAAN
Man, an, am, Anam.
(b) You may use the above idea to devise a game with your friends.
Ans: Students should attempt this activity on their own.
3. List words from your mother tongue or from Hindi which do not have an exact English equivalent. Try to write their meaning in English.
Ans: Students should do this activity on their own.
4. Now, list at least twenty English words which do not have an exact equivalent in your mother tongue.
Ans: Railway, petrol, bulb, mobile, tablet, xerox, burger, email, Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, telephone, fax, telegram, tube light, Wi-Fi, train, bus, taxi, auto-rickshaw, etc.
5. Browse the internet to find names of people / places, etc. in any language that is not familiar to you. Can you pronounce the names correctly? How will you find the correct pronunciation?
Ans: For example, the Chinese name “Xi” is pronounced as “Shee,” and the English name “Sean” is pronounced as “Shawn.” The town “Muvattupuzha” in Kerala is not pronounced the way it is written.
To find the correct pronunciation, I will search for audio pronunciation guides on the internet or ask knowledgeable people.
📖 In Between the Lesson!
Q1. Give one word for the meanings of each of the names:
a. Tengumai Bopsulai
Ans: Cautious
b. Teshumai Tewindrow
Ans: Inquisitive
c. Taffimai Metallumai
Ans: Naughty or ill-mannered
Q2. Who is the author telling this story to?
Ans: The author is telling this story to the readers in a friendly and conversational manner.
Q3. Why had Taffy stamped her foot? What did the stranger make of it?
Ans: Taffy stamped her foot because she wanted the stranger to obey her. The stranger thought that she was a remarkable and bold child.
Q4. Why did the stranger offer Taffy a big piece of birch-bark?
Ans: The stranger offered Taffy a piece of birch-bark to show that he meant no harm and that his heart was as pure as the white bark.
Q5. Why did the stranger’s admiration for Taffy grow?
Ans: Taffy touched the magic shark’s tooth from the stranger’s necklace without his permission, yet nothing happened to her. This made the stranger admire her bravery.
Q6. Who does the author refer to when he says ‘some people’?
Ans: The author refers to modern city dwellers. He humorously mixes the past and the present.
Q7. Is Taffy’s drawing realistic? In how many ways does it fail to show the real picture?
Ans: No, Taffy’s drawing is not realistic. It shows the spear as if it were stuck in Tegumai’s back. Her hair appears to be standing up in fear. The stranger is not shown clearly as a kind person.
Q8. Write ‘fended’ and ‘splain’ with their proper spellings.
Ans:
Fended – Offended
Splain – Explain
Q9. How did the stranger interpret Taffy’s drawing?
Ans: The stranger misunderstood the drawing. He thought Tegumai was surrounded by enemies and in danger. Therefore, he rushed to get help.
Q10. What mistaken notions made the stranger race off like the wind?
Ans: The stranger believed that Tegumai was about to be killed by enemies. This misunderstanding made him run quickly to seek help.
Q11. What was the stranger’s impression of Teshumai Tewindrow?
Ans: The stranger thought that Teshumai looked very much like Taffy, especially in her eyes and facial expressions.
Q12. Is it possible to promise that one will be surprised?
Ans: No, it is not possible. Surprise is a natural and spontaneous feeling. One cannot plan to be surprised.
Q13. What terrible message had Taffy’s drawing conveyed to her mummy?
Ans: The drawing made Teshumai believe that the stranger had attacked Tegumai and hurt him badly. She thought he was surrounded by enemies.
Q14. Point out two humorous expressions from ‘all the Neolithic ladies sitting patiently on the Stranger-man’.
Ans:
- “All the Neolithic ladies”
- “Sitting patiently”
📚 ENGLISH WORKSHOP
1. Read the remaining part of the original story.
Ans: Students should read the continuation of the story on their own.
2. Make as many 5 to 8 letter words as you can from the name TESHUMAI TEWINDROW.
Ans:
Five-letter words – drawn, sword, humid, width, wheat
Six-letter words – window, wander, warmth, washed
Seven-letter words – smarter, maestro, misdraw
Eight-letter words – estimate, dishware, whitened, unwashed
3. How do the following characters in the story live up to their names?
(a) Tengumai Bopsulai
Ans: Tengumai means a cautious person. He lived up to his name by showing patience and not acting in a hurry.
(b) Taffimai Metallumai
Ans: Taffimai means a naughty child. She behaved boldly and sometimes rudely, proving the meaning of her name.
(c) Teshumai Tewindrow
Ans: Teshumai means a lady who asks many questions. She spoke continuously and made quick conclusions.
4. Find expressions where the author addresses the audience directly.
Ans:
“But we, O Best Beloved…”
“Now attend and listen!”
“He did this, Best Beloved.”
5. Character-sketch of the Stranger-man
Ans:
The Stranger-man was innocent, polite, and simple. He often misunderstood situations and jumped to wrong conclusions. He remained calm even when the Neolithic ladies attacked him. Though kind-hearted, he sometimes acted in a hurry without thinking carefully.
6. Rewrite using double quotation marks.
(a) ‘Here’s a pretty kettle of fish!’ said Tengumai.
Ans: “Here’s a pretty kettle of fish!” said Tengumai.
(b) ‘It will take me half the day to mend this.’
Ans: “It will take me half the day to mend this.”
7. Underline the main clauses in the following sentences.
Ans: Students should underline the main clauses in their textbooks.
8. Write a letter of apology on behalf of Taffy.
Ans:
Dear Stranger-man,
I am very sorry for the misunderstanding caused by my drawing. I did not mean to create trouble for you. My mother misunderstood the picture and treated you badly. I truly regret the incident and thank you for your kindness.
Yours sincerely,
Taffy
9. Narrate the incident from the Stranger-man’s point of view.
Ans:
When I reached the cave, I gave the birch-bark to Taffy’s mother. Suddenly, she and the other ladies attacked me. They pushed me down and sat on me. I was shocked and confused because I had only come to help. Later, everyone realised the misunderstanding and laughed.
10. Convert the episode into a short skit.
Ans: Students should perform this activity in groups.
11. Write a short passage on ‘Women Power’ in the Neolithic, Medieval and Present Times.
Ans:
In the Neolithic Age, women played an important role in gathering food and managing the home. In Medieval times, women had fewer rights and were mostly dependent on men. In the present age, women have gained education and equal opportunities. Today, women work in every field and contribute greatly to society.
12. Read ‘Just So Stories’ and ‘The Jungle Book’ by Rudyard Kipling.
Ans: Students should read these books on their own.