CLASS 10 ENGLISH CHAPTER MADAM RIDES THE BUS

MADAM RIDES THE BUS

Short summary

In this story, the author tries to present a world as seen from a child’s perspective. The main character of this story is an eight year old girl who lives near a bus stop in a village. For major part of the day, she enjoys standing in her doorway; watching frenetic activities at the bus stop. Valli develops a desire to enjoy a ride on the bus but she needs to plan meticulously to realize her dream. She has to curtail her expenses so that she can save enough money for two-way fair. She also has to make the journey during the time when her mother takes afternoon nap. While on her journey, Valli does not want anybody’s help and wants to feel independent. She enjoys every bit of her journey to the town. But she is careful enough not to get off the bus in the unknown environs of the town. On her return journey, a sad accident spoils her mood and she just keeps to herself throughout the journey. She does not seem to be satisfied with one ride and wishes to make another attempt in future. She is also quite mischievous when she is sure that her mother did not know about her journey.

EXTRA QUESTIONS

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q1. What was a source of unending joy for Valli ? What was her strongest desire?

Or

What was the most fascinating thing for Valli ?

Answer. Valli’s source of unending joy was watching the bus and its new set of passengers every time it crossed the village . Her strongest desire was to travel in the bus and take a ride to te nearby town and back.

Q2. What was Valli’s favourite pastime ?

Or

Valli was an eight-year-old girl who was very curious about things. What was her favourite pastime?

Answer. Valli’s favourite pastime was to stand in the front doorway of her house and watch the hustle and bustle in the street . There were no playmates of her age on her street so watching the street gave her many unusual experiences which were equally enjoyable.

Q3. Why did Valli find the elderly woman on the bus, repulsive. Give two reasons.

Answer. Valli did not want to make friends with the elderly woman as she was irritated by the concern she showed, Moreover she found her repulsive as she had big holes in her earlobes and was wearing ugly earrings. She disliked the manner in which the woman was chewing the beetle nut and it’s juice was on the verge of spilling out .

Q4. Why did Valli not get off from the bus when it stopped at the bus stand?

Answer. Valli’s sole purpose was to enjoy the bus ride. She neither had the money to buy anything from the shops at the town nor the courage to get down at the strange place among strangers. Moreover she was to afraid to casually have a look at her surroundings as she was all alone .

Q5. Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ‘madam’?

Answer. Valli was trying to look overconfident and smart. She got annoyed if anyone called her a child or treated her like one.He was amused at her behaviour. Being fun loving and jovial and in an effort to tease her he started addressing Valli as ‘Madam’ as she was grown up enough to buy her own ticket and could take care of herself.

Q6. Write down the conductor’s advice to Valli?

Answer. The conductor requested her to sit down. It would make her comfortable. Standing up, again and again, could make her fall and get hurt when the bus made a sharp turn or encountered a bump on the road .

Q7. How did Valli manage to leave the house?

Answer. Valli knew that after lunch her mother would take a nap from one to four or so. It was Valli’s habit to engage these hours in her excursions to the village and this time she would move outside the village.

Q8. What did Valli calculate and plan to fulfil her dream ? Was it easy for her ?

Answer. Valli put in innumerable amount of effort in planning and saving for her first journey . She resisted every temptation and saved sixty paise for the fare. She also calculated the time and planned to undertake her journey during the hours her mother took nap .No, it was not not at all easy for her .

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q1. What kind of person is Valli? Illustrate your answer from the text that you have read.

Answer. Valli was a detetmined, confident and brave girl. She was also a good planner and executioner. She sacrificed a lot of things to achieve her dream. For example, she curbed the temptation to buy sweets and riding on the merry-go-round in the fair so that she could save money for the bus ride. Sacrificing all these things at such a tender age is very difficult for a child. She also behaved confidently in the bus and did not get bobbed down in the presence of elders.

When the bus reached the town, Valli did not succumb to the temptation of going out to explore the town or having a drink. She did this as she had a limited amount of money which she wanted to ‘ save for her return journey. So, Valli used her money wisely. When the conductor offered her a drink, she showed good manners in refusing to have it.

Q2. Age is not a barrier when it comes to doing something different and great. Which characteristics of Valli help her achieve the wonder of visiting the town at such a tender age?

Answer. In today’s era, age is no more a barrier. Children are doing wonders at a very young age. Same goes with Valli. At an age of 8 years, Valli was able to pursue her dream all alone by travelling in the bus to town. She was no different from others, except that she had certain characteristics that made her fulfil her dreams. Valli was a very confident and a bold girl. She had a knowledge of proper planning and execution. She controlled her wishes to save money for the bus ride. Also, she was a very good observer and learner. All these qualities made her realise the dream of visiting the town. Hence, one should always remember that there is no age to learn and experience new things.