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Question 1., What was Valli’s deepest desire? Find the words and phrases in the story that tell you this., Answer:, Valli’s deepest desire was to go on a bus ride. The words and phrases in the story that tell this, are ‘source of unending joy’, ‘stare wistfully’, and ‘kindle in her longings, dreams and hopes’., Question 2., How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and how did she save up, the fare?, Answer:, Over many days and months, Valli listened carefully to conversations between her neighbours, and people who regularly used the bus and asked a few questions here and there. She came to, know that the town was six miles from her village, the bus fare was thirty paise and the bus trip, took forty-five minutes. She also thought that if she stayed in the bus and came back by the, same bus it would only cost her sixty paise. She saved each and every penny by stopping, herself to buy peppermints, toys, etc and even a ride on the merry-go-round at the village, annual fair so as to save sixty paise. It was a secret trip which she had planned without the, knowledge of her parents., Question 3, Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ‘Madam’?, Answer:, The conductor called Valli ‘Madam’ as she behaved like a grown up and did not think that she, was a child. She also refused his help and told him that she can manage on her own., Question 4, Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?, Answer:, Valli refused to look out of the window on her way back as she saw the dead body of the cow, who was running towards the bus when she was going to town. This made her sad and, frightened., Question 5, What kind of person is Valli? Illustrate your answer from the text that you have read. [CBSE, 2012], Answer:, Valli was a determined, 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 ride 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 go out to explore the town or have a drink. She did, this as she had a limited amount of money which she wanted to ‘ save for her return journey. So,

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Valli used her money wisely. When the conductor offered her a drink, she showed good, manners in refusing to have it.