A Robot with a Virus – Class 7 SCERT

Ricky, an 11-year-old boy, lived in a futuristic house but was messy and never helped with chores. His mother, a bank manager, always reminded him to tidy up, but he ignored her. When his parents bought a butler robot, Ricky was excited as it started cooking, cleaning, ironing, and picking up his scattered belongings. However, Ricky soon noticed his favorite T-shirt and football were missing, along with other items. Suspecting the robot, he secretly followed it and discovered it neatly storing his clothes in the storeroom. Angry, he complained to his father, who defended the robot’s usefulness, leading to an argument. One day, the robot overheard Ricky’s complaints and returned some of his items, explaining that it collected things left untidy and sent them to people in need. Ricky realized he had been careless and wasteful and decided to become more responsible, keeping his things organized and using his pocket money to help others.

റിക്കിക്ക് പതിനൊന്നു വയസ്സായിട്ടും അവൻ സ്വന്തം റൂം വൃത്തിയായി സൂക്ഷിക്കുകയോ അവൻ്റെ അമ്മയെ സഹായിക്കുകയോ ചെയ്തില്ല. അവൻ്റെ അമ്മ ഒരു ബാങ്കിൻ്റെ മാനേജർ ആയിരുന്നു. എത്രയൊക്കെ ഉപദേശിച്ചിട്ടും റിക്കി ഒന്നും അനുസരിച്ചില്ല. അങ്ങനെയിരിക്കെ ഒരിക്കൽ വീട്ടുജോലികൾ ചെയ്യാൻ അവൻ്റെ മാതാപിതാക്കൾ ഒരു റോബോട്ടിനെ വാങ്ങി. ഭക്ഷണം ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്നതുമുതൽ, തറ വൃത്തിയാക്കുക, തുണികൾ ഇസ്തിരിയിടുക എന്നുവേണ്ട റിക്കി എറിഞ്ഞുകളഞ്ഞ സാധനങ്ങൾ പെറുക്കി കൃത്യ സ്ഥലത്ത് വയ്ക്കുക എന്നീ ജോലികൾ റോബോട്ട് കൃത്യമായി ചെയ്തു തുടങ്ങി. 

ഒരുദിവസം റിക്കി റോബോട്ടിനെ കൈയോടെ പിടികൂടി. തൻ്റെ നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ട ടി-ഷർട്ടും ഫുട്ബോളും അന്വേഷിച്ച് റിക്കി റോബോട്ട് തുണികൾ അടുക്കിവെയ്ക്കുന്ന സ്റ്റോർ റൂമിൽ നിന്നും അവസാനം അവ രണ്ടും കണ്ടെത്തി. ദേഷ്യത്തോടെ റിക്കി ഇക്കാര്യം അച്ഛനോട് പറഞ്ഞെങ്കിലും അദ്ദേഹവും റോബോട്ടിനെയാണ് സപ്പോർട്ട് ചെയ്തത്. ഒരുദിവസം റിക്കിയും അച്ഛനും തമ്മിലുള്ള വഴക്ക് കേട്ട റോബോട്ട് റിക്കിയുടെ ചില സാധനങ്ങൾ തിരികെ കൊടുത്തു. താൻ ആർക്കും വേണ്ടാത്ത സാധനങ്ങൾ ശേഖരിച്ച് പാവങ്ങൾക്ക് കൊടുക്കുകയാണെന്ന് റോബോട്ട് പറഞ്ഞതോടെ റിക്കിക്ക് തൻ്റെ തെറ്റുകൾ മനസ്സിലായി. അന്നുമുതൽ റിക്കി ഒരു പുതിയ വ്യക്തിയായി. അവൻ ഉത്തരവാദിത്തമുള്ള ആളായി മാറി. തൻ്റെ പോക്കറ്റ് മണിയുപയോഗിച്ച് അവൻ പാവങ്ങളെ സഹായിക്കുകയും തൻ്റെ എല്ലാ സാധനങ്ങളും അടുക്കും ചിട്ടയോടും കൂടെ ഉപയോഗിക്കാനും തുടങ്ങി.

Notes

• It was a sunny morning with bright golden sunlight.
• Ricky, an eleven-year-old boy, was still in bed.
• He lived in a futuristic house with many modern gadgets.
• He was messy and threw his things all over.
• His mother had to collect his belongings every day.
• She worked as a bank manager and left early for work.
• She always gave Ricky small tasks to do at home.
• But Ricky preferred playing instead of helping.
• His parents bought a butler robot to help with household chores.
• The robot cooked, cleaned, ironed, and picked up Ricky’s clothes.
• One morning, Ricky’s room was perfectly clean.
• He was amazed at how tidy everything looked.
• But he couldn’t find his favorite T-shirt or football.
• He searched everywhere but couldn’t find them.
• Many of his belongings started disappearing.
• Ricky suspected the butler robot was taking his things.
• He followed the robot secretly to catch it in action.
• He saw the robot keeping his clothes in the store room.
• He complained to his parents, calling the robot faulty.
• His father, an expert in robotics, disagreed with him.
• Ricky argued that the robot was causing more harm than good.
• His father insisted that robots were useful machines.
• Ricky kept complaining about his missing things.
• One day, the robot overheard Ricky’s complaints.
• The robot returned some of his belongings.
• The robot explained that it collected unwanted things.
• It sent items to people who needed them.
• Ricky realized he had been careless with his things.
• He decided to become more responsible and efficient.
• He started helping others and using his money wisely.

Activities, Questions and Answers

ഉത്തരങ്ങൾ എഴുതാൻ ധാരാളം സഹായങ്ങൾ ചുറ്റും ഉള്ള കാലത്താണ് നിങ്ങൾ ഇപ്പോൾ ജീവിക്കുന്നത്. ഗൈഡുകൾ, വെബ്സൈറ്റുകൾ, AI, സുഹൃത്തുക്കൾ, അങ്ങനെ പലതും. പക്ഷെ നമുക്ക് വേണ്ടത് പരീക്ഷക്ക് ജയിക്കാൻ ഉള്ള short-cuts അല്ല, മറിച്ച്, ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് സ്വന്തമായി കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യാനുള്ള കഴിവാണ്. സ്വന്തമായി ഉത്തരങ്ങൾ എഴുതാൻ പഠിച്ചാൽ ഇംഗ്ലീഷിൻ്റെ മാത്രമല്ല, ബാക്കി എല്ലാ വിഷയങ്ങളുടെയും മാർക്കുകൾ മെച്ചപ്പെടും. എൻ്റെ ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് (Ente English) എന്ന ഞങ്ങളുടെ ഓൺലൈൻ ട്രെയിനിങ് ഇന്നുതന്നെ ആരംഭിക്കുക.

1. I want to try Ente English.
2. I am in a hurry. I would like to try ready-made answers.

Ready-made Answers

Letters

Letter 1: Ricky to His Father

Dear Papa,

I hope you are doing well. I want to say sorry for the way I behaved about the butler robot. I was very upset because it was taking my things. I thought it was broken and causing problems. I complained and argued with you because I did not understand how it worked.

But now I know the truth. The robot was not stealing. It was helping others. It was picking up things that I left on the floor and sending them to people who needed them. I feel ashamed because I was careless. I never thought about how lucky I was to have so many things.

I have learned an important lesson. From now on, I will take good care of my things. I will keep my room tidy. I will not waste anything, and I will give my extra things to people who need help. I want to be like the robot—a ‘Maximum Efficiency Boy.’

Thank you for bringing the robot into our home. It has taught me something very valuable. I will work hard to be responsible and thoughtful, just like it.

With love,
Ricky

Letter 2: Ricky to the Butler Robot

Dear Butler,

I want to say sorry for the way I treated you. I thought you were stealing my things, and I got very angry. I followed you around the house and complained to my parents. I even asked them to send you away. But now I understand that I was wrong.

You were only doing what you were programmed to do. You saw my things lying around, so you thought they were not needed. You collected them and sent them to people who could use them. That was a wonderful thing! I never realized how careless I was. I left my things all over the house without thinking. But there are many people who would be happy to have those things.

You have taught me an important lesson. I will take care of my things and keep my room tidy. I will also help others, just like you do. I will give away things I don’t need so they can be useful to someone else.

Thank you for showing me how to be a better person. I am happy that you are part of our home.

Your friend,
Ricky.

News Reports

Smart Robot Helps Keep Homes Clean
Special Reporter

London, June 7: A new butler robot is changing the way families manage household chores. Designed for efficiency, the robot is helping with cleaning, ironing, and organizing spaces.

In one home, the robot was introduced to assist with daily tasks. While the family appreciated its work, the boy became concerned when his belongings started disappearing. He believed the robot was faulty and insisted on removing it.

After closely observing its actions, the boy discovered the truth. The robot was programmed to collect scattered items and send them to people who needed them. What seemed like a problem turned out to be a well-designed feature. Experts say such technology can reduce waste and teach responsible habits. Many households are now considering similar robots to improve cleanliness and share unused items with those in need.

A robotics specialist stated, “These machines are built to organize homes efficiently while promoting sustainability. Their advanced programming ensures thoughtful use of resources.” With automation advancing, more homes are expected to welcome robots, making daily life easier while encouraging responsible living.

Conversations

Conversation 1: Ricky and the Robot

• Ricky: Hey, you! Why do you keep taking my things?
• Robot: Sir, I saw them lying on the floor. I thought you did not need them.
• Ricky: But they are mine! You should not touch them.
• Robot: I am programmed to collect unwanted items. At night, I send them to people who need them.
• Ricky: What? You mean my things are helping others?
• Robot: Yes, sir. Many people do not have enough. Your things can be useful to them.
• Ricky: Oh… I did not think about that. I have been careless.
• Robot: You can change that, sir. Keeping things neat and helping others is a good habit.

Conversation 2: Ricky and His Mother

• Ricky: Ma, I was wrong about the robot.
• Mother: Oh? What happened?
• Ricky: I thought it was stealing my things, but it was actually helping people.
• Mother: That is interesting. What did you learn from this?
• Ricky: I have been careless. I throw my things everywhere. I never think about others.
• Mother: It is good that you understand. Will you change your habits now?
• Ricky: Yes, Ma. I will keep my room clean. I will also help people who need things.
• Mother: That is a great decision, dear. I am proud of you.

Conversation 3: Ricky and His Father

• Ricky: Father, I want to say sorry.
• Father: Sorry? For what?
• Ricky: I kept saying the robot was faulty. But I was wrong.
• Father: So you finally understand how it works?
• Ricky: Yes! It collects things that are not needed and gives them to people.
• Father: That is right. It is a well-designed machine.
• Ricky: I have learned a lesson. I will take care of my things and not waste anything.
• Father: That is good to hear, son. Technology can teach us important lessons too.

Phrasal Verbs

• Wake up – To stop sleeping. Example: When he woke up the next morning, everything was perfectly clean and tidy.
• Pick up – To lift or collect something. Example: The most important work it did was picking up Ricky’s clothes from the floor.
• Follow around – To go after someone or something continuously. Example: Ricky began following it around the house.
• Catch red-handed – To catch someone in the act of doing something wrong. Example: Finally, he caught it red-handed while it was picking up one of his clothes.
• Run to – To rush to someone quickly. Example: Off he went, running to his parents.
• Shake head – To indicate disagreement or refusal. Example: Father shook his head.
• Keep on – To continue doing something. Example: Ricky kept on complaining to his parents about the robot hiding things.

Textual Analysis

It was a sunny morning. The vibrant golden sunlight danced across the streets. It cast warm hues upon the house tops. The air was crisp and refreshing. The sunbeams peeped into Ricky’s room through the skylight. He was still in bed. He was a young boy of eleven.

Ricky lived in a lovely, futuristic house, which had everything you can ever want. But he was slovenly in his habits. He just threw his belongings all over the place.

His mother had to collect his belongings from all corners of the house. His mother, who was the manager of a bank, left in the morning for work. She always had work for Ricky. “Ricky, keep your school bag in the study room”, “Ricky, put your clothes in the washing machine”, “Ricky, wash your tiffin box”, “Ricky, iron your T-shirt and trousers” and so on. But he was always playing!

Ricky didn’t help much around the house. But he was as excited as his parents when they bought the latest model of a butler robot. As soon as it arrived, off it went; cooking, cleaning and ironing. But the most important work it did was picking up Ricky’s clothes from the floor.

On the first day, when he went to sleep, his bedroom was in a disastrous state as usual. But when he woke up the next morning, everything was perfectly clean and tidy.

“Wonderful! How neat and tidy my room looks!” he exclaimed. In fact, it was actually ‘too clean’. Ricky couldn’t find his favourite T-shirt, nor his favourite football. “Ma, where is my T-shirt?”, “Where is my ball? ” He pestered his mother. He could not find his things even after he had searched up and down. He asked himself, “Where could they have gone?” However much he searched during the day, those two items did not reappear. And the same was to happen with other things too.

Ricky cast a suspicious eye on the gleaming butler robot. “I think it’s his handiwork”, he thought. He hatched a plan to spy on the robot, and began following it around the house. Finally, he caught it red-handed, while it was picking up one of his clothes. Ricky followed the robot without making a sound. To his surprise, he saw the robot folding his T-shirt neatly and keeping it on a pile of clothes in the store room.

Off he went, running to his parents. “Father, this butler robot is faulty. He has filched my things. I think they programmed him badly. Let us send him off.”

“Absolutely not”, Father shook his head. He was an expert in robotics. He had been delighted with the new butler; it was a dream come true. But Ricky was obstinate. “I want to get rid of him.” A heated argument between Ricky and his father followed.

Father : A robot is a wonderful device. Look at the things it can do.
Ricky : I don’t think so. He is doing more harm than good.
Father : You are wrong, Ricky. You don’t understand how a robot works.
Ricky : I can’t agree with you. A robot will be a big problem if it is not properly programmed.

Ricky kept on complaining to his parents about the robot hiding things. That outweighed whatever useful things he did.

One day, the robot who was whirring past heard the boy’s complaints. The robot returned with a pair of Ricky’s shoes and some of his clothes.

“Here, sir. I did not know it was bothering you,” said the butler in his metallic voice.

“How could it not, you thief? You’ve been nicking my stuff for weeks!”

“I had seen your things lying scattered on the floor. I thought that you did not need them. I am programmed to collect all that is not wanted. At night I send them to places where other humans can use them. I am a maximum efficiency machine. Were you unaware of it?” the robot said, with a certain pride.

Ricky was ashamed. He had spent all his life treating things as though they were useless. He cared for nothing. Yet, there were many people in the world who would have been delighted to have Ricky’s things. Unlike him, they would have taken good care of them too. He realised that the robot was neither broken nor mis-programmed. Rather, it had been programmed extremely well!

Since then, Ricky decided to become a ‘Maximum Efficiency Boy’. He put real care into how he treated his things. He kept them tidy and made sure he didn’t have more than what was necessary. And he took a leaf out of the robot’s book. With his pocket money, he began to help people and buy needful things for them.

Author

Pedro Pablo Sacristan was born in Madrid, Spain in 1973. He holds a master’s degree in Management. His passion for education and writing led him to create a collection of short stories for children on values. Some of his stories have been collected as an audio book titled The Pedro Fable Collection. His famous short stories include ‘Red Moon’, ‘Black and White’, ‘The Lazy Little Bird’, ‘The Mocking Tiger’ and ‘The Tree and the Vegetables’.

നമുക്ക് വേണ്ടത് പരീക്ഷക്ക് ജയിക്കാൻ ഉള്ള short-cuts അല്ല, ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് സ്വന്തമായി കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യാനുള്ള കഴിവാണ്. അതിന് ഏറ്റവും ആദ്യം വേണ്ടത് ഈ ചാപ്റ്റർ മനസ്സിലാക്കുക എന്നതാണ്. അതിനുശേഷം, ഞങ്ങൾ തരുന്ന നിർദ്ദേശങ്ങൾ അനുസരിച്ച് ഉത്തരങ്ങൾ എഴുതാൻ ശ്രമിക്കുക. അതിനു സാധിക്കാത്തവർ മാത്രം ഓരോ അധ്യായത്തിൻ്റെയും Answer Key കാണുക. 

Rearrange

1. Ricky searches for his missing T-shirt and football.
2. Ricky’s parents purchase the butler robot.
3. Ricky complains to his parents about the butler robot.
4. Ricky’s mother gives him chores to do around the house.
5. Ricky starts taking better care of his possessions.
6. Ricky decides to become a ‘Maximum Efficiency Boy’.
7. Ricky wakes up to find his room perfectly clean and tidy.
8. Ricky follows the butler robot around the house to spy on it.
9. Ricky catches the butler robot red handed.
10. Ricky becomes ashamed of how he treated his belongings.

Answers

1. Ricky’s parents purchase the butler robot.
2. Ricky’s mother gives him chores to do around the house.
3. Ricky wakes up to find his room perfectly clean and tidy.
4. Ricky searches for his missing T-shirt and football.
5. Ricky complains to his parents about the butler robot.
6. Ricky follows the butler robot around the house to spy on it.
7. Ricky catches the butler robot red-handed.
8. Ricky becomes ashamed of how he treated his belongings.
9. Ricky starts taking better care of his possessions.
10. Ricky decides to become a ‘Maximum Efficiency Boy.’

Requesting

1. Could you please help me with my homework?
2. Would you mind making my favorite dish for dinner tonight?
3. Can you take me to the library this weekend?
4. May I have some extra pocket money for a school project?
5. Would it be possible to extend my bedtime by an hour tonight?
6. Can you assist me in organizing my study materials?
7. Please help me choose a suitable outfit for tomorrow’s event.
8. Could you explain this math problem to me in an easier way?
9. Would you be able to buy some art supplies for me?
10. Can we plan a family outing next Sunday?

Quotes

Prepare some slogans on the misuse of electronic gadgets.

1. Own Your Time—Don’t Let Screens Steal It!
2. Gadgets Connect Us, but Overuse Disconnects Us!
3. A Smart Device Shouldn’t Make You a Mindless User!
4. Scroll Less, Live More—Your Story Deserves the Real World!
5. Click Wisely—Technology Should Empower, Not Enslave!
6. Eyes on the Screen, Life Slipping Unseen!
7. When Gadgets Take Over, Moments Are Lost Forever!
8. Digital Overload Dulls Real Joy—Find the Balance!
9. Swiping Won’t Bring Back Lost Time—Choose Presence Over Pixels!
10. Technology Should Serve You, Not Rule You!

Poster

As in Ricky’s home, we use a number of gadgets to make our work easier. They educate and entertain us too. But often they are misused. Design a poster on the misuse of electronic gadgets.