How I Taught My Grandmother to Read – Summary

Easy Summary

The narrator was about twelve years old.
She lived with her grandparents in a village in north Karnataka.
Transport facilities were not good in the village.
Newspapers arrived only in the afternoon.
Weekly magazines also came one day late.
Everyone waited eagerly for the bus bringing letters and magazines.
A famous Kannada writer named Triveni was very popular.
Her stories were simple, emotional and interesting.
One of her novels, Kashi Yatre, was published as a weekly serial.
The story was about an old woman who wanted to go to Kashi.
Many Hindus believe visiting Kashi brings great religious merit.
In the story, an orphan girl wanted to marry but had no money.
The old woman in the novel gave her savings to help the girl.
She sacrificed her own dream of going to Kashi.
The narrator’s grandmother was named Krishtakka.
She had never gone to school.
She could not read or write.
The narrator used to read the weekly story to her grandmother.
The grandmother listened with great concentration.
She even memorised the story after hearing it.
She strongly identified with the old woman in the novel.
After hearing the episode, she discussed it with her friends.
The narrator once went to a wedding in a nearby village.
She stayed there for about a week.
Meanwhile, the next episode of the story arrived.
When the narrator returned home, she saw her grandmother crying.
She was surprised because her grandmother was usually strong.
At night, the grandmother explained the reason for her sadness.
She had opened the magazine but could not read it.
She felt helpless and dependent on others.
She was too embarrassed to ask someone else to read it.
She regretted not going to school in her childhood.
In those days, girls’ education was not considered important.
The grandmother decided to learn to read and write.
She asked her granddaughter to teach her Kannada.
She fixed a goal to learn before the Dassara festival.
The narrator first laughed at her grandmother’s decision.
But the grandmother remained determined and confident.
She said there is no age limit for learning.
The narrator began teaching her every day.
The grandmother worked very hard on her lessons.
She practised reading, writing and repeating words.
Slowly she learned the Kannada alphabet.
The narrator became her first teacher.
When Dassara arrived, the narrator bought the novel Kashi Yatre.
The grandmother read the title and words herself.
She had successfully learned to read.
She touched the narrator’s feet to show respect to her teacher.
The narrator felt surprised but proud.
The story teaches that determination and education bring independence.

Questions and Answers

Why did the grandmother decide to learn to read and write?
The grandmother loved listening to the serial story Kashi Yatre. Her granddaughter read the story aloud to her every week. Once the narrator went away to attend a wedding. During that time the magazine arrived but the grandmother could not read it. She felt helpless and decided to learn reading and writing.
Why did the grandmother never go to school in her childhood?
The grandmother never went to school when she was young. In those days many people believed girls did not need education. She also lost her mother early in life. Soon she was married and became busy with family duties. Because of these reasons she remained uneducated.
Why did the grandmother cry when the narrator returned home?
The grandmother cried when the narrator came back home. The new episode of Kashi Yatre had arrived while she was away. The grandmother tried to read it but could not understand the words. She felt sad because she depended on others to read it. This made her feel helpless and embarrassed.
Why was the story Kashi Yatre important to the grandmother?
Kashi Yatre was a very interesting story for the grandmother. She loved listening to it every week. Her granddaughter read the story aloud to her. She waited eagerly for each new episode of the magazine. She also enjoyed discussing the story with her friends.
Why did the narrator laugh when her grandmother wanted to study?
The narrator laughed when her grandmother wanted to learn the alphabet. She thought it was strange for a sixty-two-year-old woman to study. Usually children begin learning at a young age. However, the grandmother was serious about learning. Later the narrator realised her grandmother’s determination.
What did the grandmother believe about learning at any age?
The grandmother believed that learning has no age limit. She said anyone can learn if they are determined. According to her, strong willpower can overcome difficulties. She worked very hard to achieve her goal. Her success proved that determination leads to success.
How did the narrator help her grandmother learn to read?
The narrator agreed to teach her grandmother to read. She became her grandmother’s first teacher. She started by teaching the Kannada alphabet. Every day she gave her lessons and homework. The grandmother practised reading and writing regularly.
Why was the grandmother called a good student?
The grandmother was a very serious and hardworking student. She listened carefully to every lesson. She practised the alphabet and reading daily. She never ignored the homework given by her granddaughter. Because of her dedication she learned quickly.
What goal did the grandmother set for herself?
The grandmother set a clear goal for her learning. She wanted to learn reading before the festival of Dassara. She decided to read a novel by herself on Saraswati Puja day. This goal encouraged her to study regularly. Her strong determination helped her succeed.
What happened on the day of the Dassara festival?
On the day of the Dassara festival the grandmother achieved her goal. She could read the novel Kashi Yatre by herself. She was very happy and proud of her success. Her dream of reading independently came true. It was an unforgettable moment for her.
Why did the grandmother touch the narrator’s feet?
The grandmother touched the narrator’s feet to show respect. In Indian culture people respect their teachers greatly. She believed her granddaughter was her teacher. Therefore she touched her feet with gratitude. It was her way of expressing respect and thanks.
How did the narrator feel when this happened?
The narrator felt surprised when her grandmother touched her feet. Normally elders do not touch the feet of younger people. She felt a little embarrassed but also proud. She realised how serious her grandmother was about learning. The moment became very emotional for her.
What gift did the grandmother give the narrator?
The grandmother gave her granddaughter a piece of frock material. It was a small but meaningful gift. She wanted to thank her for teaching her to read. The gift showed her love and gratitude. It made the narrator very happy.
How did the narrator know that her grandmother had succeeded?
The narrator knew her grandmother had succeeded in learning. The grandmother read the title Kashi Yatre by herself. She also read the name of the publisher. She understood the words clearly. This showed that she had truly learned to read.
Describe the relationship between the narrator and her grandmother.
The narrator and her grandmother shared a loving relationship. They cared deeply for each other. The narrator respected her grandmother greatly. The grandmother trusted her granddaughter completely. Their bond became stronger through the process of learning.
What qualities of the grandmother are shown in the story?
The story shows many qualities of the grandmother. She is determined and hardworking. She shows courage by learning at an old age. She is also humble and respectful. Her determination helps her achieve success.
Why did the grandmother feel dependent earlier?
Earlier the grandmother could not read or write. She depended on others to read newspapers and magazines. This made her feel helpless sometimes. She did not like being dependent on others. Therefore she decided to learn reading.
What lesson does the story teach about education?
The story teaches the importance of education. Education gives knowledge and independence. It helps people live with confidence. Learning can change a person’s life. Everyone should try to learn throughout life.
What message does the story give about determination?
The story highlights the power of determination. The grandmother worked hard despite her old age. She did not lose hope while learning. Her strong will helped her succeed. This shows determination leads to success.
What is the main theme of the story?
The main theme of the story is the importance of education. It shows that learning has no age limit. Determination can help people overcome difficulties. Education gives independence and self-respect. The story encourages everyone to keep learning.