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Bholi Introduction, Bholi is a story written by K.A. Abbas. The story revolves around a girl who due to an accidental fall and, disease in her childhood faces the problem of being dull and ugly. She is always a target by everyone for, not being good-looking and intelligent. Her life turns when she joins a nearby school where her teacher, encourages her and helps her to become a learned and confident person. Later in the story,, circumstances arise where Bholi has to give acceptance to the marriage with an unequal match but, rejects it when she sees her father pleading to the bridegroom when he demands dowry. The story, shows the rise of a girl against social injustice., Bholi Summary :, The story opens up with the introduction of a little girl named Sulekha. She was called ‘Bholi’ for, being a simpleton. This was so because some part of her brain had got damaged due to an injury during, her childhood. She stammered and had pockmarks on her face which she got when she had contracted, smallpox at the age of two. She was a laughing stock for everyone. Her father Ramlal was a Numberdar., He had three sons and four daughters, Bholi being the youngest of all. Ramlal was always worried about, her as it seemed impossible to marry her with her having an ugly face and a dumb mind. One day, the, Tehsildar visited their village to inaugurate a girl‘s primary school. He persuaded Ramlal to send his, daughters to school. Ramlal’s wife suggested to send Bholi to school, although she was against sending, girls to school because no boy would marry such a girl. She reasoned that as Bholi had no chance of, getting married, so she could go to school. In the beginning, Bholi was frightened to leave her house but, when for the first time in her life, she was dressed up and her hair was washed and oiled, she felt that, she was to visit a better place. In the school, she met a teacher who was very kind and polite to her. She, encouraged her to study and speak with confidence. This filled hope in Bholi and she began to go to, school every day. Years passed and her village upgraded into a small town with some facilities like a, cotton mill, a cinema and the primary school being converted into a secondary school. One day Bholi‘s, parents decided to marry her to a lame old man who was a widower but was rich and had not, demanded any dowry. They thought it to be the best marriage proposal for their dumb daughter and, fixed up her marriage. On the wedding day, the bridegroom arrived with great pomp and show which, filled Ramlal with joy. The groom discovered that Bholi had pock marks and demanded dowry in return, for marrying her. He demanded a sum of five thousand rupees. Ramlal begged for mercy and even, placed his turban in Bishamber’s feet but Bishamber Nath did not agree. Ramlal had to give the money, in order to save both his family‘s honour and his daughter’s marriage. Bholi could not bear all this, and refused to marry a greedy old man. People accused her of being shameless. The wedding party, returned. The marriage ceremony ended without Bholi getting married. Her father was surrounded by, grief and said that now no one would marry her and what would she do in future. To this, she replied, that she would take care of her parents when they grew old and would teach in her school. Her teacher, who was quietly watching all this felt proud of her decision., Bholi Explanation

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HER name was Sulekha, but since her childhood, everyone had been calling her Bholi, the simpleton. She, was the fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal. When she was ten months old, she had fallen off the cot, on her head and perhaps it had damaged some part of her brain. That was why she remained a, backward child and came to be known as Bholi, the simpleton., Word meanings, Cot: bed, Backward: slow learner, The narrator describes a girl named Sulekha. She was the fourth daughter of the Numberdar (landlord), Ramlal. Sulekha was called Bholi since her childhood. She was called so for being a simpleton and a slow, learner. All this happened because she had fallen on her head from a narrow bed when she was only ten, months old. This had led to damage of some part of her brain making her a slow learner., At birth, the child was very fair and pretty. But when she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox. Only the eyes were saved, but the entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black, pockmarks. Little Sulekha could not speak till she was five, and when at last she learnt to speak, she, stammered. The other children often made fun of her and mimicked her. As a result, she talked very, little., Word meanings, Pockmarks: spots on the skin, Stammered: fumbled for words, Mimicked: copy, imitate, When she was born, she was very fair and beautiful. But when the child was two years old, she caught, smallpox which left spots on her whole body. Only her eyes were saved from it. She started speaking, when she turned five and would often fumble. Other children made fun of her and copied her. This, made her feel so bad that she stopped speaking., Ramlal had seven children — three sons and four daughters, and the youngest of them was Bholi. It was, a prosperous farmer‘s household and there was plenty to eat and drink. All the children except Bholi, were healthy and strong. The sons had been sent to the city to study in schools and later in colleges. Of, the daughters, Radha, the eldest, had already been married. The second daughter Mangla’s marriage, had also been settled, and when that was done, Ramlal would think of the third, Champa. They were, good-looking, healthy girls, and it was not difficult to find bridegrooms for them. But Ramlal was worried, about Bholi. She had neither good looks nor intelligence., Word meanings, Prosperous: doing well, rich

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Plenty: a lot of, Ramlal had seven children- three sons and four daughters. Bholi was his youngest child. Ramlal was a, rich farmer. He provided the family with good food. All the children were healthy and strong except, Bholi. His sons were sent to the city to study at the schools and colleges. Radha was his eldest daughter,, who was married. Mangla‘s marriage had been fixed and now it was Champa, the third daughter’s, turn. As all of them were healthy and beautiful girls, it was not tough to marry them off. The main, concern for Ramlal was Bholi because neither was she beautiful or intelligent. It was not an easy thing to, find a bridegroom for her., Bholi was seven years old when Mangla was married. The same year a primary school for girls was, opened in their village. The Tehsildar sahib came to perform its opening ceremony. He said to Ramlal,, “As a revenue official you are the representative of the government in the village and so you must set, an example to the villagers. You must send your daughters to school.”, Word meanings, Tehsildar: District collector, Representative: spokesperson, Bholi was seven years old when her elder sister Mangla got married. That year a primary school for girls, was opened in the village. The Tehsildar (District Collector) visited to inagurate it. He asked Ramlal to, send his daughters to school. He encouraged him to do so because as he was the revenue official, his act, of sending his daughters to school would serve as an example for the villagers. This would lead to the, education of girls in the village., That night when Ramlal consulted his wife, she cried, “Are you crazy? If girls go to school, who will marry, them?” But Ramlal had not the courage to disobey the Tehsildar. At last his wife said, “I will tell you, what to do. Send Bholi to school. As it is, there is little chance of her getting married, with her ugly face, and lack of sense. Let the teachers at school worry about her.”, Word meanings, Consulted: discussed, After hearing the tehsildar, Ramlal discussed the matter with his wife. She at once rejected it by saying, that it would become difficult for them to marry their educated daughters. Ramlal was now double, minded as he didn‘t want to disobey the tehsildar and on the other hand, his wife was also right., Finally, his wife suggested to send Bholi to school because anyways, there were negligible chances for, her to get married., The next day Ramlal caught Bholi by the hand and said, “Come with me. I will take you to school.”, Bholi was frightened. She did not know what a school was like. She remembered how a few days ago, their old cow, Lakshmi, had been turned out of the house and sold. “N-n-n-n NO, no-no-no,” she, shouted in terror and pulled her hand away from her father‘s grip.

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The next morning, Ramlal took Bholi to school. Bholi was afraid of going to school as she was not aware, of what school was. Bholi was reminded that a few days ago, their cow, Lakshmi had been sent out of, home and her father got money in return for it. She thought that she too would be sold like Lakshmi and, so, pulled her hand away from her father‘s hand., “What‘s the matter with you, you fool?” shouted Ramlal. “I am only taking you to school.” Then, he told his wife, “Let her wear some decent clothes today, or else what will the teachers and the other, schoolgirls think of us when they see her?” New clothes had never been made for Bholi. The old, dresses of her sisters were passed on to her. No one cared to mend or wash her clothes. But today she, was lucky to receive a clean dress which had shrunk after many washings and no longer fitted Champa., She was even bathed and oil was rubbed into her dry and matted hair. Only then did she begin to, believe that she was being taken to a place better than her home!, Word meanings, Shrunk: reduced, Matted: untidy, Bholi‘s father got irritated with her behavior and shouted that he was taking her to school. He then, told his wife to dress her up because he didn’t want others to think ill of them. So, it was for the first, time that Bholi got clean clothes to wear, although it was her elder sister Champa‘s worn-out dress., She was bathed and her messy hair was washed and oiled. Such treatment made her believe that she, was going to some better place than her home., When they reached the school, the children were already in their classrooms. Ramlal handed over his, daughter to the headmistress. Left alone, the poor girl looked about her with fear-laden eyes. There, were several rooms, and in each room girls like her squatted on mats, reading from books or writing on, slates. The headmistress asked Bholi to sit down in a corner in one of the classrooms., Word meanings, Fear-laden: full of fear, Squatted: to sit with one‘s knees bent, Upon reaching school, they found that children were already in their classrooms. Ramlal handed Bholi to, the headmistress and left the place. Bholi‘s eyes were full of fear because it was the first time that she, had gone out of home. There were a number of classrooms with many students in each one. They were, sitting on the mats and were reading or writing. Bholi was taken to a classroom and was ordered to sit, there by the headmistress, Bholi did not know what exactly a school was like and what happened there, but she was glad to find so, many girls almost of her own age present there. She hoped that one of these girls might become her, friend.

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Bholi was not aware of anything about school. What made her happy was that there were so many girls, of her age. She thought that she may find a friend among these girls., The lady teacher who was in the class was saying something to the girls but Bholi could understand, nothing. She looked at the pictures on the wall. The colours fascinated her — the horse was brown just, like the horse on which the Tehsildar had come to visit their village; the goat was black like the goat of, their neighbour; the parrot was green like the parrots she had seen in the mango orchard; and the cow, was just like their Lakshmi. And suddenly Bholi noticed that the teacher was standing by her side,, smiling at her. “What‘s your name, little one?”, Word meanings, Fascinated: attracted, Orchard: land planted with fruit trees, In the class, the lady teacher was teaching something but Bholi could not understand it. She was just, looking at the various pictures on the wall which were beautiful. Bholi was attracted towards them., There was a picture of a brown horse that resembled the horse on which the tehsildar had visited their, village. There was also a picture of a green parrot which looked like the same parrots that she had seen, in the mango orchard (land planted with mango fruit trees). There was also an image of a cow that, resembled their own cow Lakshmi. While she was busy looking at the pictures, she realized that the, teacher was standing near her. She asked Bholi her name., “Bh-Bho-Bho-.” She could stammer no further than that. Then she began to cry and tears flowed from, her eyes in a helpless flood. She kept her head down as she sat in her corner, not daring to look up at, the girls who, she knew, were still laughing at her., When the school bell rang, all the girls scurried out of the classroom, but Bholi dared not leave her, corner. Her head still lowered, she kept on sobbing. “Bholi.” The teacher‘s voice was so soft and, soothing! In all her life she had never been called like that. It touched her heart., Word meanings, Stammer: fumble for words, Sobbing: noisy crying, Bholi tried hard but stammered and could only say Bho- Bho. After this she began to cry and did not, dare to look up as she was sure that all the other girls would be laughing at her. When school was over,, the teacher came to Bholi and called her by her name. Bholi was still crying with her head down. The, teacher‘s voice was very soft and Bholi had never been addressed with such affection before. She felt, so good that it touched her heart., “Get up,” said the teacher. It was not a command, but just a friendly suggestion. Bholi got up.

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“Now tell me your name.”, Sweat broke out over her whole body. Would her stammering tongue again disgrace her? For the sake, of this kind woman, however, she decided to make an effort. She had such a soothing voice; she would, not laugh at her., “Bh-Bh-Bho-Bho-,” she began to stammer., “Well done, well done,” the teacher encouraged her. “Come on, now — the full name?”, “Bh-Bh-Bho-Bholi.” At last she was able to say it and felt relieved as if it was a great achievement., “Well done.” The teacher patted her affectionately and said,, “Put the fear out of your heart and you will be able to speak like everyone else.”, Bholi looked up as if to ask, ‘Really?’, Word meanings, Soothing: reduce pain or discomfort, Disgrace: dishonor, shame, The teacher tried to make her comfortable by her friendly manner. She asked her name again. Though, Bholi was hesitant and nervous, she tried and was able to speak her full name. The teacher praised her, for her attempt and said that if she shunned fear, she would be able to speak clearly. Bholi was, surprised to hear that she could speak clearly., “Yes, yes, it will be very easy. You just come to school everyday. Will you come?”, Bholi nodded., “No, say it aloud.”, “Ye-Ye-Yes.” And Bholi herself was astonished that she had been able to say it., “Didn‘t I tell you? Now take this book.”, The book was full of nice pictures and the pictures were in color — dog, cat, goat, horse, parrot, tiger, and a cow just like Lakshmi. And with every picture was a word in big black letters., Word meanings, Nodded: bow your head in a direction to give your approval, Astonished: impressed, greatly surprised

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The teacher at once understood her curiosity and said that what she had said was true and that if she, came to school every day, she would be able to speak without any problem. Then she enquired if Bholi, would come to school the next day. Bholi gave her approval by moving her head in up and down, direction. The teacher prompted her to speak it loudly. This encouraged Bholi and she spoke ‘yes’, clearly. She was surprised at her ability to speak clearly. The teacher again praised her and gave her a, book full of pictures and of dog, cat, goat, etc with an alphabet written in big size along with every, picture., “In one month you will be able to read this book. Then I will give you a bigger book, then a still bigger, one. In time you will be more learned than anyone else in the village. Then no one will ever be able to, laugh at you. People will listen to you with respect and you will be able to speak without the slightest, stammer. Understand? Now go home, and come back early tomorrow morning.”, The teacher said that when Bholi would complete that book, she would be given a bigger book and after, that a still bigger book. She also told her that one day she would become an educated person in the, village and people would respect her because of her knowledge and wisdom. Not only this, she would, be able to speak clearly. With this, she asked her to come to school early the next morning., Bholi felt as if suddenly all the bells in the village temple were ringing and the trees in front of the, school-house had blossomed into big red flowers. Her heart was throbbing with a new hope and a new, life. Thus the years passed. The village became a small town. The little primary school became a high, school. There were now a cinema under a tin shed and a cotton ginning mill. The mail train began to, stop at their railway station., Word meanings, Blossomed: grow, bloom, Throbbed: beat, pulse, Ginning: the process of treating (ginning) the cotton, Bholi was very happy. Her heart felt a rare type of happiness and she imagined that she could hear the, bells at the temple ringing and imagined that the trees outside the school had red coloured flowers on, them. She felt a sudden beat in her heart that made her full of hope and happiness. Years passed and, the village grew into a small town, her primary school was now a high school. There was a cinema under, a tin shed and a cotton ginning mill opened in her town. Even the mail train started to halt at the village, railway station., One night, after dinner, Ramlal said to his wife, “Then, shall I accept Bishamber‘s proposal?”, “Yes, certainly,” his wife said. “Bholi will be lucky to get such a well-to-do bridegroom. A big shop, a, house of his own and I hear several thousand in the bank. Moreover, he is not asking for any dowry.”

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“That‘s right, but he is not so young, you know — almost the same age as I am — and he also limps., Moreover, the children from his first wife are quite grown up.”, Word meanings, Proposal: offer, Certainly: definitely, One night, Ramlal was discussing with his wife that he had got a marriage offer for Bholi. He asked his, wife whether to accept Bhishamber‘s proposal or not. To this, his wife replied that they should, definitely accept the proposal because it was suitable for Bholi. She supported her view by saying that, Bhishamber had a big shop, own house and cash deposit in the bank. Also, he was not asking for dowry., Ramlal was a bit unsure because Bishamber was of his own age and was handicapped. He also had, grown-up children from his first marriage., “So what does it matter?” his wife replied. “Forty-five or fifty — it is no great age for a man. We are, lucky that he is from another village and does not know about her pock-marks and her lack of sense. If, we don‘t accept this proposal, she may remain unmarried all her life.” “Yes, but I wonder what, Bholi will say.” “What will that witless one say? She is like a dumb cow.” “May be you are right,”, muttered Ramlal. In the other corner of the courtyard, Bholi lay awake on her cot, listening to her, parents’ whispered conversation., Word meanings, Pock marks: marks, blemishes, Witless: fool, Muttered: murmur, His wife said that there was no harm in it if there was a big age gap between Bholi and the groom. She, said that they could not find any other match for Bholi. She also said that as he was from another village,, he may not know about Bholi‘s mental condition and her ugly face. Ramlal said that he was worried, that how Bholi would react to it but her mother replied that Bholi was like a dumb cow and would not, say anything. Bholi was lying in her bed nearby and listening to her parents conversation., Bishamber Nath was a well-to-do grocer. He came with a big party of friends and relations with him for, the wedding. A brass-band playing a popular tune from an Indian film headed the procession, with the, bridegroom riding a decorated horse. Ramlal was overjoyed to see such pomp and splendour. He had, never dreamt that his fourth daughter would have such a grand wedding. Bholi‘s elder sisters who had, come for the occasion were envious of her luck., Word meanings, Grocer: a person who sells house hold goods and food items

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Procession: March, Parade, Splendour: lavishness, Envious: jealous, The bridegroom, Bishamber Nath was a rich man. He had a grocery shop where he used to sell food, items and household goods. He had a good business. On the wedding day, he came with his friends and, family. They were accompanied by a brass band which was playing a popular tunes from Hindi movies., The bridegroom was riding a decorated horse. Ramlal was very happy to see all this. He had never, dreamt of such a grand wedding for his fourth daughter. Bholi’s elder sisters felt jealous of her good, luck., When the auspicious moment came the priest said, “Bring the bride.”, Bholi, clad in a red silken bridal dress, was led to the bride‘s place near the sacred fire., “Garland the bride,” one of his friends prompted Bishamber Nath. The bridegroom lifted the garland, of yellow marigolds. A woman slipped back the silken veil from the bride‘s face. Bishamber took a, quick glance. The garland remained poised in his hands. The bride slowly pulled down the veil over her, face., “Have you seen her?” said Bishamber to the friend next to him., “She has pock-marks on her face.”, “So what? You are not young either.”, “Maybe. But if I am to marry her, her father must give me five thousand rupees.”, Word meanings, Auspicious: good, favorable, Clad: dressed, Garland: wreath of flowers and leaves, Veil: cover, Poised: calm, On the wedding day, Bholi was brought for the wedding rituals. She was dressed in a red silk sari. When, she reached, one of Bishamber‘s friends asked him to garland the bride. As he was about to put the, garland around her neck, a woman removed the veil that covered her face. He saw the blemishes on her, face and at once objected to the marks on the bride’s face. His friend answered that he should ignore

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this as he himself was not young to marry a young girl like her. Bishamber told Ramlal that he wanted, five thousand rupees in return for marrying an ugly woman like Bholi., Ramlal went and placed his turban — his honour — at Bishamber‘s feet. “Do not humiliate me so., Take two thousand rupees.”, “No. Five thousand or we go back. Keep your daughter.”, “Be a little considerate, please. If you go back, I can never show my face in the village.”, “Then out with five thousand.”, Tears streaming down his face, Ramlal went in, opened the safe and counted out the notes. He placed, the bundle at the bridegroom‘s feet., On Bhishamber‘s greedy face appeared a triumphant smile. He had gambled and won. “Give me the, garland,” he announced., Word meanings, Humiliate: insult, Considerate: thoughtful, Streaming: flowing, Triumphant: winning, Gambled: bet, On hearing the bridegroom‘s demand, Ramlal got so upset that he went to him and kept his turban at, his feet. He requested him to be considerate and requested him to accept two thousand rupees instead, of five thousand as dowry. Bishamber was firm and said that he could keep his daughter at home then., Ramlal requested him not to do all this as it would ruin his pride in front of the whole village. But, Bishamber was adamant on his demand of five thousand rupees. Ramlal went inside and brought five, thousand rupees from the safe, counted the money and handed it over to Bishamber. Now the, bridegroom was happy because he had won the bet. He asked for the garland. He was ready for the, marriage., Once again the veil was slipped back from the bride‘s face, but this time her eyes were not downcast., She was looking up, looking straight at her prospective husband, and in her eyes there was neither anger, nor hate, only cold contempt. Bishamber raised the garland to place it round the bride’s neck; but, before he could do so,, Bholi‘s hand struck out like a streak of lightning and the garland was flung into the fire. She got up and, threw away the veil.

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Word meanings, Downcast: low, cast down, Prospective: would be, Contempt: disrespect, disregard, Struck: hit, bang, Flung: aim, launch, Bholi removed the cover off her face and stared at Bishamber. Her eyes were full of disrespect for him., There was no anger or hatred in her eyes. As Bishamber was about to garland her, she struck her hand, at the garland as quick as a streak of lightning. The garland flew and fell into the sacred fire. She threw, away her veil too., “Pitaji!” said Bholi in a clear loud voice; and her father, mother, sisters, brothers; relations and, neighbours were startled to hear her speak without even the slightest stammer., “Pitaji! Take back your money. I am not going to marry this man.” Ramlal was thunderstruck. The, guests began to whisper, “So shameless! So ugly and so shameless!”, “Bholi, are you crazy?” shouted Ramlal. “You want to disgrace your family? Have some regard for, our izzat!”, “For the sake of your izzat,” said Bholi, “I was willing to marry this lame old man. But I will not have, such a mean, greedy and contemptible coward as my husband. I won‘t, I won’t, I won‘t.”, Word meanings, Startled: sudden shock, Thunderstruck: shocked, Contemptible: offensive, Bholi addressed her father by saying “Pitaji”. Her voice was clear and she spoke without stammering., Her family was shocked to see this. She continued and said that her father should take back his money, as she would not marry this man. Ramlal was shocked to hear all that. Even the relatives started, whispering that the girl was shameless as she was refusing to the marriage. Ramlal grew angry and, shouted at Bholi that she had gone mad because such an act of her could bring disgrace to their family., Bholi replied that it was for the sake of her family’s honour that she had consented to marry the lame, old man but she was not ready to marry a greedy coward., “What a shameless girl! We all thought she was a harmless dumb cow.” Bholi turned violently on the, old woman, “Yes, Aunty, you are right. You all thought I was a dumb–driven cow. That‘s why you

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wanted to hand me over to this heartless creature. But now the dumb cow, the stammering fool, is, speaking. Do you want to hear more?” Bishamber Nath, the grocer, started to go back with his party., The confused bandsmen thought this was the end of the ceremony and struck up a closing song., Word meanings, Violently: strong or extreme manner, Dumb: dull, Heartless: unkind, An old woman commented that Bholi was a shameless girl though they all thought that she was a dull, and innocent girl. Bholi looked at her with extreme anger and said that everyone thought that she was a, fool and that is why they wanted to marry her off to an unkind man. They called her shameless because, she could take a stand for herself. Bishamber Nath and his friends and family started to return. The, bandsmen were not sure of what was happening. They thought that the marriage ceremony had, completed and so, started playing the music related to the ending of a wedding ceremony., Ramlal stood rooted to the ground, his head bowed low with the weight of grief and shame., The flames of the sacred fire slowly died down. Everyone was gone. Ramlal turned to Bholi and said,, “But what about you, no one will ever marry you now. What shall we do with you?”, And Sulekha said in a voice that was calm and steady, “Don‘t you worry, Pitaji! In your old age I will, serve you and Mother and I will teach in the same school where I learnt so much. Isn’t that right, Ma, ‘am?”, The teacher had all along stood in a corner, watching the drama. “Yes, Bholi, of course,” she replied., And in her smiling eyes was the light of a deep satisfaction that an artist feels when contemplating the, completion of her masterpiece., Word meanings, Rooted: fixed, Grief: sorrow, Steady: firm, Contemplating: view, observe, Ramlal was in deep sorrow, he was feeling ashamed. The flames of the sacred fire died after sometime, and the guests too went away. He then asked Bholi that what would be her future now and who would, marry her. Bholi replied that she would take care of both her parents and would teach in the same, school that had made her learn so much. She sought approval from her teacher who was quietly

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watching all the drama. She approved Bholi‘s statement. She was deeply satisfied with Bholi’s, response to the whole situation. It was similar to the way an artist feels when he sees his masterpiece, once it is complete., Question Answers:, Q1- Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school. What made her feel that she was going to a, better place than her home?, A1- In the beginning, Bholi was scared of the idea of going to school. She was reminded of their cow, Lakshmi who had been turned out of the house and sold off. It was when for the first time in her life that, she was bathed, her hair washed and oiled and was dressed in clean clothes, that she felt that she was, going to some better place than her home. She had never received such attention and care before., Q2- How did Bholi‘s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life?, A2- Bholi was always laughed at by everyone. People used to call her dumb and laughed at her when, she would fumble while speaking. This made her sad and a low confident child who would remain quiet, and sit with her head bent down into her knees. It was on the first day of her school that her teacher, discovered her problem of being low confident due to her inability to speak clearly. She encouraged, Bholi and treated her in a polite manner. Bholi was never treated like this by anyone. Her teacher told, her that with practice she could become a learned person who could speak properly without, stammering. This filled her with hope and led to a change in the course of her life., Q3- Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the marriage? What does, this tell us about her?, A3- Bholi agreed to marry an unequal match because she had heard her parents discussing the marriage, proposal. They said that she was lucky to get a bridegroom who was rich and was ready to marry her, without taking dowry. He was unaware of Bholi‘s pockmarks and dumbness. She had heard her, mother say that if they did not accept the proposal, Bholi might remain unmarried all her life. Later,, Bholi refused from the marriage because the bridegroom demanded five thousand rupees as dowry, from her father. Moreover, it was unbearable for her to see her father pleading in front of him for the, sake of his daughter and family’s honour. Her self respect made her refuse from marrying a greedy, coward., Q4- Bholi‘s real name is Sulekha. We are told this right at the beginning. But only in the last but one, paragraph of the story is Bholi called Sulekha again. Why do you think she is called Sulekha at that point, in the story?, A4- The word “Bholi” means simpleton. On the other hand, the word Sulekha means a person with, good handwriting. Throughout the story Bholi was sketched as a person who was a simpleton and never, raised her voice for her betterment. At the end of the story she raised her voice for her self-respect and

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for her father’s dignity and refused to marry a greedy old man. The word Sulekha is used in the end to, show her confidence, knowledge and ability to speak up against injustice., Extra Questions :Extract Based Questions, Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow., Question 1., Little Sulekha could not speak till she was five, and when at last she learnt to speak, she stammered. The, other children often made fun of her and mimicked her., (a) What did Sulekha later on come to be known as?, (b) Why did children make fun of her?, © What does the word ‘mimicked1 mean?, (d) What part of speech is ‘often’?, Answer:, (a) Sulekha later on came to be known as Bholi., (b) Children made fun of her because she stammered while speaking., © The word ‘mimicked’ means to copy the speech of others., (d) It is an adverb., Question 2., She remembered how a few days ago their old cow, Lakshmi, had been turned out of the house and, sold. “N-n-n-n No, no-no-no,” she shouted in terror and pulled her hand away from her father‘s, grip., (a) Why did Bholi shout in terror?, (b) Why did she remember ‘Lakshmi’ ?, © What is the antonym of ‘forgotten’ in the extract?, (d) The present tense of ‘sold’ is, Answer:, (a) Bholi shouted in terror as she thought that her father was turning her out of her house.

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(b) She remembered her cow ‘Lakshmi’ because ‘Lakshmi’ had also been turned out of the house, a few days ago., © ‘‘remembered’ is the intonym of ‘forgotten’ in the extract., (d) Its present tense is ‘sell’., Question 3., The lady teacher who was in class was saying something to the girls but Bholi could understand nothing., (a) Where was Bholi ?, (b) Why could she understand nothing?, © What is the antonym of ‘everything’ in the extract?, (d) The opposite of ‘lady teacher’ would be, Answer:, (a) Bholi was in the classroom in village school., (b) She could not understand anything as it was her first day at school., © ‘nothing’ is the antonym of ‘everything’ in the extract., (d) ‘Male Teacher’ would be its opposite., Question 4., He said to Ramlal, “As a revenue official you are the representative of the government in the village, and so you must set an example to the villagers. You must send your daughters to school.”, (a) Who is ‘he’?, (b) What example does ‘he’ want Ramlal to set?, © What does the word ‘revenue’ mean?, (d) What part of speech is the word ‘an’ in the extract?, Answer:, (a) ‘He’ is the Tehsildar., (b) The Tehsildar wanted Ramlal to send his daughters to the village school so that other villagers will, follow his example by sending their daughters to the school too.

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© It means ‘tax’., (d) It is an article., Question 5., Then she began to cry and tears flowed from her eyes in a helpless flood. She kept her head down as she, sat in her corner, not daring to look up at the girls, who, she knew, were still laughing at her., (a) Who is ‘she’?, (b) Why were the girls laughing at her?, © What does the word ‘daring’ mean?, (d) What is the opposite of ‘laughing’?, Answer:, (a) ‘She‘ is Sulekha, also known as Bholi., (b) The girls were laughing at her because she had stammered while speaking her name when asked by, the teacher., © It means ‘wanting’., (d) It is ‘crying’., Question 6., And in her smiling eyes was the light of a deep satisfaction that an artist feels when contemplating the, completing of her masterpiece., (a) What satisfaction did the teacher have?, (b) Who was the ‘masterpiece’?, © Find a word from the extract which means ‘thinking deeply’., (d) What is the opposite of ‘deep’?, Answer:, (a) The teacher had the satisfaction of seeing her pupil (Bholi) turn into a bold girl willing to fight for her, rights., (b) Bholi was the ‘masterpiece.’, © ‘Contemplating ’ from the extract means ‘thinking deeply.

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(d) Its opposite is ‘superficial’., Short Answer Type Questions:, Question 1., Why is Sulekha called ‘Bholi’?, Answer:, Sulekha is called ‘Bholi’ because she is a simpleton due to her suffering some brain damage after, falling off a cot when she was ten months old. As a result, she is not as smart as children of her age., Question 2., What happened to Bholi when she was two years old?, Answer:, Bholi fell a victim to small pox at the age of two years. Her face and body became full of pock marks. She, was still fortunate as her eyes had remained untouched and were fine., Question 3., How did Bholi react when the teacher asked her name?, Answer:, Bholi stammered when she spoke and could not tell her name completely when the teacher asked her, to do so. So, she broke into tears., Question 4., Bholi was fascinated by the walls of the classroom. Why?, Answer:, The walls of the classroom had bright and colourful pictures of a horse, a goat, a parrot and a cow. They, all looked familiar to Bholi and were like the ones in the village. That is why she was fascinated to see, those pictures., Question 5., Bholi found her teacher to be different from others. How?, Answer:, Others had always neglected Bholi. They made fun of her all the time. But, she found her teacher to be, different. Her voice was calm, her manner comforting and touch was full of affection.

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Question 6., What filled Bholi‘, a dumb cow, with a new hope in her?, Answer:, Bholi‘s first day of school brought a hope of a new life. She had found a loving and kind teacher. The, teacher had inspired her and given her a book and had made Bholi feel confident about herself., Question 7., In what way did the village change over time?, Answer:, The village changed into a small town over a period of time. The primary school had become a high, school. The village had a cinema and a cotton ginning mill. The mail train also stopped at the village, railway station., Question 8., What objections does Ramlal have to Bishamber‘s proposal?, Answer:, Ramlal was not very happy with the proposal. He did not like the fact that Bishamber was of his age. He, had a limp and children were quite grown up. It was not a very satisfactory proposition., Question 9., Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal?, Answer:, Bholi‘s parents accepted Bishamber’s marriage proposal because they were happy that he was well, off and had not asked for dowry., Question 10., Why were Bholi‘ sisters envious of her luck?, Answer:, Bishamber Nath was quite prosperous. The procession for Bholi‘s marriage had a brass band and the, groom rode a decorated horse. Such pomp and show impressed everyone. All this made her sisters, envious of her., Question 11.

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Why did Bishamber‘s marriage with Bholi not take place?, Answer:, Bishamber’s marriage with Bholi did not take place because he had demanded a dowry of five thousand, rupees from her father for the marriage. So, Bholi refused to marry him., Question 12., Why was Ramlal thunderstruck?, Answer:, Ramlal had always taken his daughter to be dumb. He was thunderstruck when she loudly asked him to, take back the money and declared that she was not going to marry Bishamber because of his greed., Question 13., The last line of the text talks about an artist and the masterpiece. Elaborate., Answer:, Answer:, The ‘artist’ is the teacher and the ‘masterpiece’ is Bholi. It was her teacher who had turned Bholi, into a strong and independent girl who was aware of her place in society., Question 14., What kind of mother was Randal‘s wife?, Answer:, Answer:, Ramlal‘s wife was a traditional housewife who believed that daughters should not be educated, as it, would be difficult to find husbands for them. She neglected looking after her Bholi because she was a, slow learner., Long Answer (Value Based) Type Questions:, Question 1., ‘Dowry is negation of the girl’s dignity‘. Discuss with reference to the story ‘Bholi’., Answer:

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A girl is an individual in her own right. Equal opportunities in life can help her become independent and, strong. She is not a burdensome object to be given away with money as compensation.Thus dowry, negates the girl‘s dignity and self respect., The story ‘Bholi’ shows this in a dramatic manner. Bholi is thought to be ugly and dumb by her, parents. So, they are willing to pay dowry to an old man with a limp. So that he marries her. Bholi, on, the other hand, refuses to marry that man. She is educated; assertive and capable of taking care of, herself. She dedicates her life to service of her parents and teaching at school., Question 2., Bholi chose a dignified life of service rather than surrendering herself to a greedy old man for the rest of, her life. Education provides the required stimulus to overcome one‘s personal barriers. Explain the, role of education in shaping the life of a child with respect to the lesson ‘Bholi’., Answer:, Education is the answer to all social ills. Illiteracy and ignorance bring nothing but poverty, suffering and, misery. Bholi lacks confidence initially because of her disabilities. She is silent, timid and weak in mind., Her ugliness and her stammer do not let her progress. She is afraid to speak as others make fun of her., School changes her life completely. It opens a new world of hope for her. Her teacher treats her with, love and kindness Her affection and support help Bholi to have faith in herself. She studies and grows, into a confident young woman. She knows her rights and she asserts them as well. She refuses to marry, a man who demands dowry. Thus, being educated changes the life of Bholi., Question 3., The chapter ‘Bholi’ highlights the discrimination against the girl child. Analyse., Answer:, Nature does not discriminate, but society does. From time immemorial the world has discriminated, against the girl child. The chapter, ‘Bholi’ throws up many such instances. Randal‘s sons go to, school and college. His daughters are not educated but married off. Her mother does not think it, necessary to take Bholi’s consent for her marriage. The groom is old and lame. Still he demands, dowry. Her father is ready to pay him also. It is the girl herself who raises her voice against this marriage., She is criticised and humiliated for standing up for her dignity. But she is firm and decides the course of, her life., Question 4., Bholi is a child different from others. This difference makes her an object of neglect and laughter., Elaborate., Answer:

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Society does not tolerate difference very easily. Bholi is not like others. She is slow for her age. She, stammers when she speaks. Small pox leaves her all covered with pock-marks. As a result, she has to, suffer a lot. Her parents do not even bathe her. She is ignored and neglected. They take her only as a, burden. People laugh at her. Children imitate her when she speaks. So, she remains silent most of the, time. She has no confidence or self esteem., Society must realise that it must accept those who are “ different. They must be treated with the same, love and respect as others., Question 5., “Put the fear out of your heart and you will be able to speak like anyone else”. These words of, encouragement from the teacher highlight that change of social attitude and encouragement can help a, child like Bholi to become confident and face the world bravely. Taking help from the lesson ‘Bholi’, write how the social attitude towards Bholi made her an introvert. What should be done to help such, children to face the world bravely?, Answer:, Bholi suffered a weak mind due to her accident (falling from her cot) during her infancy. She also started, to a stammer while speaking. Then she became ugly due to pock-marks on her face and body on, contracting the smallpox disease. All these made her family and other children treat her badly, resulting, in her becoming an introvert. To help such children face the world bravely, we must treat them with, love and affection and encourage them to join mainstream society. We must not mock their disabilities;, instead we should give them hope that they can be as good as the other children by motivating and, uplifting them.