I could not understand why my sixty-two-year-old grandmother was telling me, a twelve-year-old, the story of her life in the middle of the night. But I knew I loved her immensely and there had to be some reason why she was talking to me. I looked at her face. It was unhappy and her eyes were filled with tears. She was a good-looking lady who was usually always smiling. Even today, I cannot forget the worried expression on her face. I leaned forward and held her hand.
‘Avva, don’t cry. What is the matter? Can I help you in any way?’
‘Yes, I need your help. You know when you were away, Karmaveera came as usual. I opened the magazine. I saw the picture that accompanies the story of Kashi Yatre and I could not understand anything that was written. Many times I rubbed my hands over the pages wishing they could understand what was written. But I knew it was not possible. If only I was educated enough. I waited eagerly for you to return. I felt you would come early and read for me. I even thought of going to the village and asking you to read for me. I could have asked somebody in this village but I was too embarrassed to do so. I felt very dependent and helpless. We are well-off, but what use is money when I cannot be independent?’
I did not know what to answer. Avva continued. ‘I have decided I want to learn the Kannada alphabet from tomorrow onwards. I will work very hard. I will keep Saraswati Puja day during Dassara as the deadline. That day I should be able to read a novel on my own. I want to be independent.’
I saw the determination on her face. Yet I laughed at her.
Critical Reflection Questions
- Why was the narrator confused by her grandmother’s conversation that night?
The narrator was confused because she could not understand why her sixty-two-year-old grandmother was sharing such deep personal feelings with a twelve-year-old child in the middle of the night.
- What does the grandmother’s reaction to the magazine reveal about her feelings towards education?
Her reaction shows that she deeply regretted being uneducated. She felt helpless and emotionally hurt because she could not read the story by herself.
- How does the extract show the grandmother’s desire for independence?
The grandmother says that wealth is useless without independence. She decides to learn the Kannada alphabet so that she can read on her own without depending on others.
- Why did the grandmother feel embarrassed to ask others for help?
She felt ashamed of her inability to read and did not want others in the village to know about her dependence and illiteracy.
- What does the sentence “I saw the determination on her face” suggest about the grandmother’s character?
It suggests that the grandmother was strong-willed, determined, and serious about achieving her goal despite her old age.
- Find a word from the extract which means “unable to manage without others.”
“Dependent.”
- Find a word from the extract which means “feeling ashamed or uncomfortable.”
“Embarrassed.”
- Which word in the extract means “strong wish or eagerness”?
“Eagerly.”
Questions with Long Answers
- Why did the grandmother decide to learn the Kannada alphabet?
The grandmother decided to learn the Kannada alphabet because she felt helpless and dependent when she could not read the latest episode of Kashi Yatre by herself. While the narrator was away, she opened the magazine and recognised the picture related to the story, but she could not understand the written words. This made her realise the importance of education and independence. She did not want to depend on others anymore, so she firmly decided to learn reading and writing despite her age.
- How does the extract highlight the emotional bond between the narrator and her grandmother?
The extract highlights a deep emotional bond between the narrator and her grandmother. The narrator loved her grandmother immensely and became worried after seeing tears in her eyes. She comforted her lovingly by holding her hand and asking if she could help in any way. The grandmother trusted the narrator enough to share her deepest feelings, regrets, and ambitions. Their conversation reflects mutual affection, understanding, and emotional closeness.
- Describe the grandmother’s feelings when she could not read the magazine by herself.
The grandmother felt deeply disappointed and helpless when she could not read the magazine. She recognised the picture connected to the story of Kashi Yatre but could not understand the written words. She rubbed her hands over the pages as if wishing she could magically read them. She eagerly waited for the narrator to return and even thought about going to the neighbouring village for help. However, she felt too embarrassed to ask others to read for her. Her inability to read made her realise how dependent she had become despite being financially comfortable.
- How does the extract show that education is connected with self-respect and confidence?
The extract clearly shows that education gives a person independence, confidence, and self-respect. Although the grandmother belonged to a well-off family, she felt helpless because she could not read. She believed that money was meaningless if a person remained dependent on others. Her embarrassment in asking others for help also reflects the loss of confidence caused by illiteracy. Therefore, she decided to educate herself so that she could read independently and regain her self-respect.
- Why did the narrator laugh at the grandmother’s decision, and what does this reveal about her age?
The narrator laughed because she found it difficult to believe that a sixty-two-year-old woman could learn the Kannada alphabet and read a novel within a short period. Being only twelve years old, the narrator viewed the task as unrealistic for someone of her grandmother’s age. Her reaction reveals her childish innocence and lack of understanding about determination and the power of strong will. Later, however, she realised the seriousness and determination behind her grandmother’s decision.
