Madam Rides the Bus
Vallikkannan
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INTRODUCTION
This his is a story about the first bus journey of an eight-year-old girl, Valli. She was a curious girl. She had a strong desire to go to the nearest town by riding on a bus. She saves money for this purpose. When she has money for the ticket, she boards the bus. She enjoys her first bus journey. She does not get down the bus in the town. She remains sitting at her seat. She pays another thirty paise for the ticket and reaches home back.
यह एक आठ वर्षीय वल्ली नाम की लड़की की पहली बस यात्रा की कहानी है। वह एक जिज्ञासु लड़की थी। उसकी तीव्र इच्छा थी कि वह बस में सवार होकर निकटतम कस्बे की यात्रा करे। इस उद्देश्य के लिए वह पैसे एकत्र करती है। जब उसके पास टिकट के पैसे हो जाते हैं, तो वह बस में सवार हो जाती है। वह बस की अपनी पहली यात्रा का आनंद लेती है। वह कस्बे में बस से नीचे नहीं उतरती है। वह अपनी सीट पर बैठी रहती है। वह टिकट के लिए और तीस पैसे का भुगतान करती है तथा वापस घर पहुँच जाती है।
Summary In English
Watching the happenings, the street gave her many new unusual experiences. The most fascinating thing of all was the bus that passed through the street each hour. The bus travelled between her village and the nearest town. The sight of the bus was a source of unending joy for Valli. It was a great joy for her to watch new sets of passengers every time the bus passed through the street. As she watched the bus day after day, she developed a wish to have a ride on that bus. Her wish became stronger and stronger until it was an overwhelming desire.
Valli carefully listened to the conversations between her neighbours and people who had travelled on the bus or who regularly used it. She asked some casual questions also. In this way, she learnt about small details about the journey. She came to know that the town was six miles away from her village. It took forty-five minutes to reach there. The fare was thirty paise for one way. One could keep sitting in the bus and return to the village by paying another thirty paise. Valli planned her journey to the town and back. It would be her first journey out of her village. She saved every paisa by resisting her desire to buy ice cream,
toys, balloons, etc. She had also killed her desire to visit the village fair and have a ride in the merry-go-round. When she had saved sixty paise, she was ready for her first bus journey. Then she planned how she would slip out of house. She knew that her mother slept daily after lunch. She decided to use these hours for her journey. She decided to board the bus at one o'clock so that she could be back by two forty-five. So, one fine spring day Valli boarded the bus. The conductor was surprised; but seeing her confidence, he allowed her to board the bus. He was a jolly fellow. He understood that Valli spoke with pride. He called her Madam and offered a seat. He asked others to make way for the 'madam'. There were only six or seven passengers in the bus. They were all looking at Valli. They and the conductor were laughing. Valli overcame her shyness, quickly walked to an empty seat and sat down. Valli looked around her in the bus. The bus had a fine painting of green stripes on the white. It had soft and comfortable seats. It had a beautiful clock above the wind screen. The overhead bars shone like silver. Then she tried to look outside. She found her view cut off by a curtain that covered the lower part of her window. So, she stood on her seat to enjoy the outside scene. The bus was going along the bank of a canal. She saw palm trees, mountains and the blue sky. On the other side, there were green fields. Suddenly an elderly woman warned Valli not to stand on the seat. He called her a child and said that she could fall and get hurt. But Valli did not care for him. She told him proudly that she was not a 'child'. She had paid the full fare like the others. The conductor told the man that Valli was a grown-up madam. Valli looked at the conductor angrily and said that she was not a madam. The conductor told her that she should not stand on the seat. She could fall when the bus took sharp turns. But Valli ignored his remarks also.
On the way bus stopped and some new passengers got on. Afraid of losing her seat, Valli finally sat down. An elderly woman came and sat beside her. Valli looked at the woman. She found her repulsive. She had big and ugly earrings. She was chewing a betel. Valli could see that the betel juice was likely to spill over her lips. That woman asked Valli whether she was travelling all alone. Valli told her that she was alone and she had got a ticket too. Then the old woman asked her if it was proper for a child to travel alone. She also asked whether Valli knew exactly where she was going in town. Valli told the old woman that she need not bother about her. Then she turned her face towards the window.
The bus moved on across a bare landscape. Valli enjoyed the outside scene. Trees came running towards them. Sometimes, the bus seemed to strike the oncoming vehicle. But both passed safely. Suddenly Valli clapped her hands with joy. A cow was running in the middle of the road, in front of the bus. The bus slowed down. The driver sounded the horn again and again. But the cow became more frightened and continued running before the bus. Valli laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes. At last, the cow moved off the road. The bus passed by the side of a railway crossing. Valli enjoyed the scene of trains. Then the bus entered the city area. There were huge crowds of people. Valli looked at different things with surprise. Then the bus reached the city bus stand and stopped. Everybody got off the bus except Valli. The conductor asked Valli to get down.
But she told him that she was going back on the same bus. He was surprised and asked her why she had come to the city. She replied that she just wanted to take a ride on the bus. He asked Valli if she would like to have look at the sights outside the bus. Valli said that she was afraid of that. He asked to have a cold drink. Valli said that she had not enough money for that. The conductor offered to pay for her drink. But Valli did not accept the offer.
The bus resumed its return journey. There were the same wonderful sights. Valli enjoyed the scene again. But suddenly she saw a young cow lying dead, by the roadside. It had been struck by a fast-moving vehicle. She asked the conductor if it was the same cow they saw earlier. The conductor nodded. Valli became sad. It had been a lovable, beautiful creature just a little ago. But now the cow was without its charm and its life. The bus moved on. The memory of the dead cow haunted Valli She no longer wanted to see out of the window. She kept sitting on her seat until her village came. She got down and wished the conductor to see him again. The conductor smiled. He told Valli that whenever she felt like riding the bus she could come and join them. Valli reached home. She found her mother was awake. She was talking to her aunt who lived in the South Street She was a chatterbox. She asked Valli where she had been. But Valli just smiled. Her mother and the aunt were discussing about the things outside the world. Her mother said that no one could know about everything. At this Valli remarked that there were many things happening without our knowledge. Her mother asked her what she meant. Valli's aunt called her a chit of a girl. She took interest in things which did not concern her. She behaved as if she were a grown-up lady, Valli smiled to herself. She didn't want them to understand her smile.
Summary In Hindi
जब उसके पास साठ पैसे इकड़े हो गए तो वह अपनी पहली बस की यात्रा करने के लिए तैयार थी। तब उसने योजना बनाई कि यह घर से बाहर कैसे निकलेगी। वह जानती थी कि उसको माता रोज़ दोपहर के खाने के बाद सोती है। उसने उन घंटों को अपनी यात्रा के लिए प्रयोग करने की बात सोची। उसने फैसला किया कि वह बस में एक बजे सवार होगी ताकि यह दो बजकर पैंतालिस मिनट तक वापस सीट आए। इस प्रकार, बसंत के एक सुंदर दिन को वाली बस में सवार हुई। परिचालक हैरान हो गया, मगर उसके विश्वास को देखकर उसने उसे बस में सफर करने दिया यह एक हंसमुख व्यक्ति था। वह समझता था कि वल्ली गर्व से बोल रही है। उसने वाली को 'मैडम' कहकर पुकारा और उसे एक सीट दी। उसने दूसरों को भी मैडम के लिए रास्ता बनाने के लिए कहा। बस में केवल छह या सात यात्री ही थे। ये सभी वल्ली को देख रहे थे। वे और परिचालक स रहे थे। वल्ली ने अपने शर्मीलेपन पर काबू पाया, जल्दी से एक खाली सीट पर गई और बैठ गई। वल्ली ने बस में अपने चारों ओर देखा यस में सफेद रंग पर सुंदर हरी धारियों का पेंट किया हुआ था। इसकी सीटें नरम और आरामदायक थीं। हवा रोकने वाले शीशे के ऊपर एक सुंदर दीवार घड़ी लगी हुई थी। ऊपर का डंडा चाँदी की तरह चमक रहा था। तब उसने बाहर झाँकने का प्रयत्न किया। उसने देखा कि बाहर का दृश्य एक पर्दे से रुका हुआ है जिसने खिड़की के नीचे के भाग को ढक रखा था इसलिए बाहर के नज़ारे को देखने के लिए वह अपनी सीट पर खड़ी हो गई। बस एक नहर के किनारे के साथ-साथ जा रही थी। उसने खजूर के वृक्षों, पहाड़ों और नीले आसमान को देखा। दूसरी तरफ, हरे खेत थे। अचानक एक वृद्ध व्यक्ति ने उसे चेतावनी दी कि वह सीट पर खड़ी न हो उसने उसे बच्ची कहकर पुकारा और कहा कि वह गिर सकती है और उसे पोट लग सकती है। मगर बल्ली ने उसकी परवाह नहीं की। उसने उसे गर्व से बताया कि वह बच्ची' नहीं है। उसने अन्य लोगों की तरह पूरा किराया दिया है। परिचालक ने उस व्यक्ति को बताया कि वत्ती एक विकसित मैडम है। वल्ली ने परिचालक को गुस्से देखा और कहा कि वह मैडम नहीं है। परिचालक ने कहा कि उसे सीट पर खड़ी नहीं होना चाहिए। जब बस एकदम मोड़ लेगी यह गिर सकती है। मगर वल्ली ने उसकी बातों की भी उपेक्षा कर दी। रास्ते में बस रुकी और कुछ अन्य यात्री सवार हुए अपनी सीट को खो देने के भय से वल्ली आखिर बैठ गई एक बुजुर्ग हिला आई और वल्ली के पास बैठ गई। वल्ली में महिला को देखा उसे वह महिला घृणित लगी। उसने बड़ी और गंदी बालियों नी हुई थीं। वह पान चबा रही थी। वल्ली ने देखा कि पान की पीक उसके होठों से कभी भी गिर सकती है। उस महिला ने वल्ली पूछा कि क्या वह अकेली सफर कर रही है। वल्ली ने उसे बताया कि यह अकेली है और उसके पास टिकट भी है। तब उस वृद्ध महिला ने पूछा कि क्या एक बच्ची के लिए अकेले सफर करना उचित है। उसने यह भी पूछा कि बल्ली जानती है कि शहर में यह निश्चित रूप से कहाँ जा रही है। वल्ली ने उस महिला से कहा कि यह उसके बारे में चिंता न करे तब उसने अपना देहरा खिड़की की ओर कर लिया। बस एक खाली भू-दृश्य के बीच से गुजरी वल्ली ने बाहर के दृश्य का आनंद उठाया। वृक्ष उनकी तरह भागते हुए प्रतीत होते थे। कई बार ऐसा लगता था कि बस सामने से आते हुए किसी वाहन से टकराने वाली है। मगर ये दोनों सुरक्षित गुजर जाते थे। अचानक ती ने खुशी से तालियों बजाई। एक गाव बस के आगे-आगे सड़क के बीचों-बीच भाग रही थी बस धीमी हो गई। ड्राइवर ने बार-बार हॉर्न बजाया मगर गाय और भी भयभीत हो गई और बस के आगे भागती रही। वल्ली तब तक हंसती रही जब उसकी आंखों में आंसू नहीं आ गए। आखिर गाव सड़क से हट गई। बस एक रेलवे फाटक के पास से गुजरी बस्ती में गाड़ियों के दृश्य का आनंद लिया। तब यस ने शहर के क्षेत्र में प्रवेश किया। यहाँ पर लोगों की बहुत भीड़ थी वल्ली ने विभिन्न वस्तुओं को हैरानी से देखा तथ बस शहर के बस स्टैंड पर पहुंची और रुक गई। वल्ली के अलावा हर व्यक्ति बस से उतर गया। परिचालक ने वल्ली से उतर जाने को का मगर उसने उसे बताया कि वह उसी बस से वापस जा रही है। वह हैरान हो गया और पूछा कि वह शहर में क्यों आई है। उसने कहा कि यह केवल बस की सवारी करना चाहती थी। उसने वल्ली से पूछा कि क्या वह बस से बाहर के दृश्यों को देखना चाहेगी। वल्ली ने कहा कि उसे इन सबसे डर लगता है। उसने उससे कहा कि वह शीतल पेय से से गल्ली ने कहा कि उसके पास इसके लिए पैसे नहीं है। परिचालक ने उसके पेय के लिए पैसे देने की पेशकश की मगर पी ने उसकी पेशकश को स्वीकार नहीं। बस ने वापसी की यात्रा आरंभ की। वे अद्भुत दृश्य फिर से आए बल्ली ने दृश्य का फिर से आनंद उठाया। मगर अचानक उसने सड़क के किनारे पड़ी एक मरी हुई गाय देखी यह किसी तेज चलते हुए वाहन से टकरा गई थी। उसने परिचालक से पूछा कि क्या वह यही गाय है जिसे उन्होंने पहले देखा था। परिचालक में हमें में अपना सिर हिलाया। बल्ली उदास हो गई। केवल कुछ समय पहले से यह एक प्यारी और सुंदर गाय थी। मगर अब यह गाय बिना आकर्षण और बिना जीवन के थी। बस चलती रही। मरी हुई गाय की यादी को बार-बार आती रही। अब खिड़की से बाहर देखने की उसकी इच्छा नहीं थी। यह तब तक अपनी सीट पर बैठी रही जब तक कि उसका गाँव नहीं आ गया। यह उत्तर गई और उसने परिचालक को कहा कि वे फिर मिलेंगे। उसने वल्ली को बताया कि जब भी उसका बस में सफर करने का मन करे तो यह आ सकती है। वल्ली घर पहुंची। उसने देखा कि उसकी माता जाग गई है। यह उसकी चाची से बात कर रही है जो दक्षिण गती में रहती थी। यह बहुत बानी थी। उसने वल्ली से पूछा कि वह कहाँ थी। मगर यस्ती केवल मुस्करा दी। उसकी माता और चाची बाहर के संसार की वस्तुओं के बारे में बात कर रही थी। उसकी माँ ने कहा कि कोई भी हर चीज़ के बारे में नहीं जान सकता। इस पर वल्ली ने कहा कि ऐसी बहुत सी पातें हो रही हैं जिनका हमें ज्ञान नहीं है। उसकी माँ ने पूछा कि उसका अभिप्राय क्या है। वल्ली की चाची ने कहा कि यह तो एक छोटी-सी लड़की है। वह ऐसी वालों में रुचि लेती है जिनसे उसका कोई वास्ता नहीं है। यह ऐसे व्यवहार करती है जैसे कि वह एक बड़ी सी हो वासी अपने आप में मुस्कराई। वह नहीं चाहती थी कि वे उसकी मुस्कराहट का अर्थ समझें।
Line by Line FULL EXPLANATION
THERE was a girl named Valliammai who was called Valli for short. She was eight years old and very
Curious- (eager to know or learn something) about
things. Her favourite pastime was standing in the
front doorway of her house,watching what was happening in the street outside. There were no playmates of
her own age on her street, and this was about all she had to do.
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But for Valli, standing at the front door was every bit as enjoyable as any of the elaborate (different
and complex to tell) games other children played. Watching the street gave her many new unusual
(uncommon) experiences. The most fascinating (interesting) thing of all was the bus that travelled
between her village and the nearest town. It passed through her street each hour, once going to the town
and once coming back. The sight of the bus, filled each time with a new set of passengers, was a source
of unending joy for Valli.
Day after day she watched the bus, and gradually (slowly) a tiny wish crept into her head and grew
there: she wanted to ride on that bus, even if just once. This wish became stronger and stronger, until
it was an overwhelming (extremely strong desire
wish). Valli would stare Wistfully- (longingly,
nostalgically) at the people who got on or off the bus when it stopped at the street corner.
Their faces
would Kindle- (set alight (fire), here, feelings)
in her longings, dreams, and hopes. If one of her friends happened to ride the bus and tried to describe
the sights of the town to her, Valli would be too jealous to listen and would shout, in English: "Proud!
proud!" Neither she nor her friends really understood the meaning of the word, but they used it often as
A slang expression- (informal words, often used
within a close group) of disapproval.
इस भावुक कहानी में, एक आठ वर्षीय लड़की की अपने गाँव से बाहर की दुनिया की प्रथम बस यात्रा है और यह उसके
जीवन और मृत्यु का रहस्य है। वह इस बात के अंतर को समझती है कि हम मौत के बारे में क्या जानते हैं और क्या
समझते हैं।
पलियामायी नाम की एक लड़की थी जिसे संक्षेप में वल्ली कहते थे। यह आठ साल की थी और चीजों के बारे बहुत रहती
थी। उसका प्रिय शौक अपने घर के सामने वाले दरवाजे में खड़े होकर यह देखना था कि बाहर गली में क्या हो है।
उसको गली में उसके साथ खेलने के लिए उसकी उम्र के साथी नहीं थे और यह तो बस यही करती थी। लेकिन वासी के लिए,
अपने सामने वाले दरवाजे पर खड़ा होना उतना ही आनंददायक था जितना कि अन्य सड़कों के लिए कोई विस्तृत खेत
खेतना। गली में देखना उसे बहुत से नए असाधारण अनुभवों का ज्ञान कराता था। उसके लिए सबसे अधिक आकर्षक चीज यह
बस थी जोकि उसके गाँव और निकटतम कस्बे के बीच चलती।
हर घंटे बाद उसकी गली में से गुजरती थी, एक बाहर कस्बे में जाते समय और एक बार वहाँ से वापस आते समय हर चार
यों से भरी उस बस का दृश्य, बल्ली के लिए निरंतर आनंद का स्रोत था।
दिन-प्रतिदिन देखती थी, और धीरे-धीरे एक छोटी-सी इच्छा उसके दिमाग में रंगने लगी और यहाँ पैदा हो गई। वह वस
होना चाहती थी चाहे सिर्फ एक बार ही यह इच्छा मजबूत-से मजबूत होती गई, जब तक कि यह एक तीव्र इच्छा नहीं बन
गई। बहुत हो गहन इच्छा के साथ एकटक भाव से लोगों को बस में चढ़ते और उतरते हुए देखती थी तब वह गली के कोने
पर रुकती दी। उनके बेहरे उसकी इच्छाओं, सपनों और आशाओं को प्रकाशित करते थे। यदि उसकी कोई सहेली बस में सवार
हो जाती है और उसे शहर के दृश्यों के बारे में बताती तो वल्ली को उससे इतनी ईर्ष्या होती थी कि यह उसकी बात
नहीं सुनती थी और अंग्रेजी में पिता उठती थी पमंडी घमंडी न तो वह स्वयं और न ही उसकी सहेलियाँ इस शब्द का
अर्थ समझती थीं लेकिन ये असहमति का करने के लिए इस शब्द का प्रयोग करती थीं।
Over many days and months Valli listened carefully to conversations between her neighbours and people
who regularly used the bus, and she also asked a few Discreet questions- (careful questions) here and
there. This way she picked up various small details about the bus journey. The town was six miles from
her village. The fare was thirty paise one way — "which is almost nothing at all," she heard one
well-dressed man say, but to Valli, who scarcely saw that much money from one month to the next, it
seemed a fortune. The trip to the town took forty-five minutes. On reaching town, if she stayed in her
seat and paid another thirty paise, she could return home on the same bus. This meant that she could
take the one-o'clock afternoon bus, reach the town at one forty-five, and be back home by about two
forty-five
On and on went her thoughts as she calculated and recalculated, planned and replanned. Well, one fine
spring day the afternoon bus was just on the point of leaving the village and turning into the main
highway when a small voice was heard shouting: "Stop the bus! Stop the bus!" And a tiny (small) hand was
raised commandingly.
The bus slowed down to a crawl, and the conductor, sticking his head out the door, said, "Hurry then! Tell whoever it is to come quickly." "It's me," shouted (cried) Valli. "I'm the one who has to get on." By now the bus had come to a stop, and the conductor said, "Oh, really! You don't say so!" "Yes, I simply have to go to town," said Valli, still standing outside the bus, "and here's my money." She showed him some coins.
"Okay, okay, but first you must get on the bus," said the conductor, and he stretched out a hand to
help her up. "Never mind," she said, "I can get on by myself. You don't have to help me."
The conductor was a jolly (happy) sort, fond of
joking. "Oh, please don't be angry with me, my fine
madam," he said. "Here, have a seat right up there in front. Everybody move aside please — make way
for madam." It was the Slack time- (a time when there
is not much work) of day, and there were only
six or seven passengers on the bus.
They were all looking at Valli and laughing with the conductor. Valli was overcome with shyness. Avoiding everyone's eyes, she walked quickly to an empty seat and sat down.
बहुत-से दिनों और महीनों तक वल्ली सावधानीपूर्वक अपने उन पड़ोसियों और लोगों के बीच की बातचीत को सुनती
थी जो नियमित रूप से दस में सफर करते थे और कभी-कभार यह उनसे कुछ शांत से सवाल भी पूछ लिया करती थी। इस
तरह से वस की यात्रा के बारे में उसने कई छोटी-छोटी जानकारियाँ हासिल कर सी थी कस्या उसके गाँव से छह
मील की दूरी पर था। एक तरफ का किराया सपैसे या "जोकि लगभग न के बराबर था उसने एक अच्छी पोशाक पहने हुए
व्यक्ति को कहते सुना, लेकिन वत्ती ने इतना अधिक धन कभी नहीं देखा था। एक महीने से दूसरे महीने, उसके
लिए तो यह बड़ी धन-सम्पत्ति था कस्बे तक की यात्रा में पंतालिस मिनट शहर पहुंचकर यदि वह अपनी सीट पर
बैठी रहती और तीस पैसे का भुगतान कर देती तो वह उसी यस पर गाँव लौट सकती थी। इसका अर्थ या कि वह एक
दोपहर बाद एक बजे की बस से सकती थी और एक बजकर पैतालिस मिनट पर कस्बे में पहुंच सकती दी और लगभग दो बजकर
पैंतालिस मिनट तक पर लौट सकती थी
जैसे-जैसे वह गणना और पुनर्गणना, योजना और पुनर्योजना बनाती गई उसके मन में विचार चलते रहे।
वसंत ऋतु में एक सुहावने दिन को जब दोपहर बाद वाली बस में गाँव से जाने ही वाली थी और मुख्य मार्ग पर
मोड़ मुड़ने ही वाली थी, एक छोटी सी बच्ची के चिल्लाने की आवाज सुनाई दी, 'यस को रोको बस को रोको और
आदेशात्मक एक छोटा-सा हाथ उठा। बस की गति धीमी हो गई और परिचालक ने दरवाजे से सिर बाहर निकालकर कहा,
'जल्दी करो जो कोई भी आ रहा है|
'यह मैं हूँ,' वाली ने चिल्लाकर कहा, 'मैं ही अकेली है, जिसे बस में चढ़ना है। अब तक बस रुक चुकी थी और
परिचालक ने कहा, 'ओह, सचमुच तुम ऐसा नहीं कहते! हो, मुझे तो सिर्फ कस्बे में जाना है, वल्ली ने अभी भी
बस से बाहर खड़े हुए कहा, 'और ये मेरे पैसे हैं' उसने उसे कुछ निक्के दिखाए। "ठीक है, ठीक है, लेकिन तुम
पहले बस पर तो चढ़ जाओ', परिचालक ने कहा और उसने उसे ऊपर चढ़ाने में मदद करने के लिए अपना हाथ आगे
बढ़ाया।
चिन्ता मत करो, मैं स्वयं ही बस में चढ़ जाऊँगी। आपको मेरी मदद करने की आवश्यकता नहीं है, उसने कहा
परिचालक एक हंसमुख स्वभाव का मजाक का शौकीन व्यक्ति था, "ओह, मेरी सुन्दर मैडम कृपया मुझसे नाराज मत
होइए उसने कहा, "यह सामने एक सीट से लीजिए। कृपया सभी रास्ते से हट जाइए मैडम के लिए रास्ता बनाइए।"
यह दिन का मंदी वाला समय दर और यस में केवल छह या सात सवारियों थीं। ये सभी पत्नी की ओर देख रहीं दी औ
परिचालक के साथ हंस रही थीं। बल्ली को शर्म आ रही थी। सभी को नजरों से बचते हुए यह तेजी से एक खाली सीट
तक और बैठ गई।
"May we start now, madam?" the conductor asked, smiling. Then he blew his whistle twice, and the bus
moved forward with a roar. It was a new bus, its outside painted a gleaming white with some green
stripes along the sides. Inside, the overhead bars shone like silver. Directly in front of Valli,
above the windshield, there was a beautiful clock. The seats were soft and luxurious (comfortale).
Valli Devoured- (read quickly and eagerly (here)
everything with her eyes). But when she started to look outside, she found her view cut off by a
Canvas- (a coarse fabric) Blind- (a partition) that covered the lower part
of her window.
So, she stood up on the seat and peered over the blind. The bus was now going along the bank of a canal.
The road was very narrow. On one side there was the canal and, beyond it, palm trees, grassland, distant
mountains, and the blue, blue sky. On the other side was a deep ditch (a long narrow hole) and then
acres and acres of green fields — green, green, green, as far as the eye could see.
Oh, it was all so wonderful! Suddenly she was startled by a voice. "Listen, child," said the voice, "you
shouldn't stand like that. Sit down." Sitting down, she looked to see who had spoken. It was an elderly
man who had honestly been concerned for her, but she was annoyed by his attention." There's nobody here
who's a child," she said Haughtily- (proudly).
"I've paid my thirty paise like everyone else." The
conductor chimed in. "Oh, sir, but this is a very grown-up madam. Do you think a mere girl could pay her
own fare and travel to the city all alone?"
Valli shot an angry glance at the conductor and said, "I am not a madam. Please remember that. And
you've not yet given me my ticket." "I'll remember," the conductor said, mimicking (copying) her tone.
Everyone laughed, and gradually Valli too joined in the laughter. The conductor punched a ticket and
handed it to her. "Just sit back and make yourself comfortable. Why should you stand when you've paid
for a seat?" "Because I want to," she answered, standing up again.
"But if you stand on the seat, you may fall and hurt yourself when the bus makes a sharp turn or hits a
bump. That's why we want you to sit down, child." "I'm not a child, I tell you," she said irritably.
"I'm eight years old." "Of course, of course. How stupid of me! Eight years — my!"
एक शोर के साथ बस आगे चल दी। मैडम, क्या अब हम चल सकते हैं। परिचालक ने कराते हुए पूछा सब उसने दो बार अपनी
सीटी यह एक नई बस दी, इसके बाहर चमकदार सफेद रंग हुआ था जिस पर हरे रंग की कुछ पट्टियाँ बनी थीं अंदर ऊपर
लगो लोहे की सलाखे चाँदी की तरह धमक रही थीं। बल्ली के बिल्कुल सामने हत्या रोकने वाले शीशे के ऊपर वहाँ एक
सुन्दर पड़ी
सीटें नर्म और आरामदायक थी। वल्ली ने अपनी नज़रों से सब कुछ खोजा लेकिन जब उसने बाहर देखना शुरू किया, उसने
पाया कि उसकी नज़र को मोटे कपड़े से बने एक पर्दे से पैदा हो रही थी जो उसकी खिड़की के निचले भाग को ढके हुए
था। इसलिए वह उठकर खड़ी हो गई और पर्दे के ऊपर से झाँकने लगी।
अब बस एक नहर के किनारे के साथ-साथ जा रही थी। सड़क बहुत तंग थी। उसके एक ओर तो नहर थी तथा इसके पार खजूर के
पेड़, घास के मैदान, दूरी पर पर्वत व नीला-नीता आसमान या दूसरी और एक गहरी खाई थी और फिर कई एकड़ में फैले
हरे खेत, चारों और जहाँ तक नज़र जाती थी हरियाली-की-हरियाली थी। "ओह, यह सब कुछ कितना अद्भुत था।
अचानक ही वह एक आवाज सुनकर चौंक पड़ी, "सुनो, बच्चे," आवाज ने कहा, "तुम्हें इस तरह से खड़े नहीं होना चाहिए
नीचे बैठ जाओ।" नीचे बैठते हुए उसने यह देखने का प्रयास किया कि कौन बोला था यह एक बड़ा आदमी या जो सचमुच
में उसके प्रति परवाह कर रहा था, लेकिन यह उसके ध्यान की वजह से नाराज हो रही थी। "यहाँ ऐसा कोई नहीं है, जो
बच्चा है," उसने घमंडपूर्वक कहा, "मैंने भी अन्य सभी की तरह तीस पैसे का भुगतान किया है। परिचालक बीच में
बोल पड़ा. अरे, श्रीमान जी, लेकिन यह तो एक बहुत ही व्यस्क मैडम है आपके विचार में क्या मात्र
एक लड़की अपना किराया खुद दे सकती है और बिल्कुल अकेली शहर जा सकती है?" बल्ली ने क्रोधित नज़रों से परिचालक
की ओर देखा और करा, में मेडम नहीं है। कृपया यह बात याद रखना कि आपने अभी तक मुझे मेरा टिकट नहीं दिया है।"
परिचालक ने उसकी आवाज की नकल उतारते हुए कहा हर कोई हंसने लगा और धीरे-धीरे वस्ती भी हंसी में शामिल हो गई।
परिचालक ने एक टिकट पर नम्बर छेदे और उसे वल्ली को पकड़ा दिया, "अब आराम पैसे दे रखे हैं तो तुम खड़ी क्यों
हो? क्योंकि में खड़ा होना चाहती हूँ," उसने उत्तर दिया, फिर से खड़ी होते हुए।
"लेकिन यदि तुम सीट के ऊपर खड़ी होती हो तो तुम गिर सकती हो और तुम्हें चोट लग सकती है। जब बस कोई तेज मोड़
काटेगी। बच्ची यही कारण है कि हम चाहते हैं कि तुम बैठ जाओ।" में एक बच्ची नहीं हूँ, में आपको बता देती हूँ,
उसने चिढ़ते हुए कहा, "में आठ साल की हूँ।" निःसंदेह, निःसंदेह में भी कितना मूर्ख हूँ। आठ सात। हे भगवान!"
बस रुक गई, कुछ नए यात्री अंदर आए और थोड़ी देर के लिए परिचालक व्यस्त हो गया। अपनी सीट के खो जाने के भय
बनी अंततः नीचे बैठ गई।
एक वृद्ध महिला उसके पास आकर बैठ गई "प्रिय, क्या तुम बिल्कुल अकेली से जैसे ही बस पुनः चसी उसने वल्ली से वल्ली को औरत पूर्णतया घृणाजनक लगी उसके कानों के तनवों में कितने बड़े-बड़े सुराख थे और उनमें कितनी भी बालियाँ थीं तथा वह उस सुपारी की गंध मूंच सकती थी जिसे वह महिला चवा रही थी और पान के उस रस को देख सकती थी को किसी भी पल उसके होठों से गिरने का भय पैदा कर रहा था। ओह इस तरह के व्यक्ति के साथ कौन मिलनसार हो सकता है? "से में अकेली यात्रा कर ये हूँ" उसने तीखे स्वर में उत्तर दिया। और मैंने टिकट भी लिया है।
The bus stopped, some new passengers got on, and the conductor got busy for a time. Afraid of losing her
seat, Valli finally sat down. An elderly woman came and sat beside her.
"Are you all alone, dear?" she asked Valli as the bus started again. Valli found the woman absolutely
repulsive (causing strong dislike) — such big
holes she had in her ear lobes, and such ugly earrings in
them! And she could smell the betel nut the woman was chewing and see the betel (pan supari) juice that
was threatening to spill over her lips at any moment. Ugh! — who could be sociable with such a person?
"Yes, I'm travelling alone," she answered Curtly (rudely brief or abrupt). "And I've got a ticket too."
"Yes, she's on her way to town," said the conductor. "With a thirty-paise ticket." "Oh, why don't you
mind your own business," said Valli. But she laughed all the same, and the conductor laughed too. But
the old woman went on with her Drivel (silly,
nonsense)
. "Is it proper for such a young person to travel alone? Do you know exactly where you're going in town?
What's the street? What's the house number?" "You needn't bother about me. I can take care of myself,"
Valli said, turning her face towards the window and staring out.
Her first journey — what careful, painstaking, elaborate plans she had had to make for it! She had
Thriftily (spend money carefully)
saved whatever stray coins came her way, resisting every temptation to buy peppermints, toys, balloons,
and the like, and finally she had saved a total of sixty paise. How difficult it had been, particularly
that day at the village fair, but she had resolutely stifled (suppressed/ controlled with determination)
stifled a strong desire to ride the merry go-round, even though she had the money.
After she had enough money saved, her next problem was how to slip out of the house without her mother's
knowledge. But she managed this without too much difficulty. Every day after lunch her mother would nap
from about one to four or so. Valli always used these hours for her ‘excursions' as she stood looking
from the doorway of her house or sometimes even ventured out (went cautiously, courageously) into the
village; today, these same hours could be used for her first excursion outside the village.
The bus rolled on now cutting across a bare landscape, now rushing through a tiny
hamlet (a small
settlement with a few houses).
or past an odd wayside shop. Sometimes the bus seemed on the point of gobbling
up (to swallow or eat
hastily) another vehicle that was coming towards them or a pedestrian crossing the road. But lo!
somehow
it passed on smoothly, leaving all obstacles safely behind. Trees came running towards them but then
stopped as the bus reached them and simply stood there helpless for a moment by the side of the road
before rushing away in the other direction.
Suddenly Valli clapped her hands with glee (happiness
and joy). A young cow, tail high in the air, was
running very fast, right in the middle of the road, right in front of the bus.
The bus slowed to a crawl, and the driver sounded his horn loudly again and again. But the more he honked, the more frightened the animal became and the faster it galloped — always right in front of the bus.
हौ यह शहर जा रही है' परिचालक ने कहा, तीस पैसे का एक टिकट लेकर" | ओह, आप अपने काम पर ध्यान क्यों नहीं
देते हो?" वल्ली ने कहा। लेकिन यह फिर भी हंस पड़ी और परिचालक भी हंसने
लेकिन बूढ़ी औरत ने अपनी बकबक जारी रखी। "क्या इतने छोटे व्यक्ति के लिए अकेले यात्रा करना उचित है? क्या
तुम्हें सही-सही पता है कि तुम शहर में कहाँ जा रही हो? कौन-सी गली है? क्या मकान नम्बर है?" आपको मेरे बारे
में चिंता करने की आवश्यकता नहीं है। मैं अपना ख्याल खुद रख सकती हूँ।" वल्ली ने खिड़की की ओर अपना चेहरा
घुमाते हुए कहा और बाहर देखने लगी। उसकी पहली यात्रा इसके लिए उसको कितना ध्यानपूर्वक परिश्रम के साथ और
सोच-समझकर योजनाएँ बनानी पड़ी थीं जो भी छोटे-छोटे सिक्के उसके हाथ लग जाते थे कितनी शिकायत के साथ उन्हें
बचाकर के रखा था और कैसे अपने आपको पुदीने की गोलियों, खिलौने, गुब्बारे और इस तरह की अन्य चीजें खरीदने से
रोककर रखा था और आखिरकार उसने 60 पैसे बचा लिए है। यह सब कुछ उसके लिए कितना कठिन था, खासतौर पर गाँव के
मेने वाले दिन लेकिन उसने दृढ़ निश्चय के साथ झूलों पर सर होने की अपनी इच्छा को दवा दिया था, जबकि उसके पास
पैसे भी थे।
उसने पर्याप्त धन बचा लिया था, उसके बाद उसकी अगली समस्या थी अपनी माँ को बिना बताए कैसे घर से बाहर निकले।
लेकिन बिना किसी अधिक कठिनाई के उसने इसकी व्यवस्था कर सी। दोपहर का भोजन करने के पश्चात् उसकी माँ एक बजे
से लेकर चार बजे तक हल्की नींद लिया करती थी वल्ली इन घंटों का प्रयोग हमेशा अपने 'सैर-सपाटे के लिए किया
करती थी। जब अपने घर के दरवाजे पर खड़ी कर बाहर देखती थी या फिर कई बार गाँव में भी जाने का साहस कर लेती थी।
आज यह का प्रयोग गाँव से बाहर उसके पहले भ्रमण के लिए करेगी। कभी यह एक पेड़ रहित भूमि क्षेत्र कभी किसी
छोटे-से गाँव से भागती हुई तथा रास्ते के किनारे बनी किसी दुकान के पास से निकलती हुई आगे बढ़ रही थी। कई
बार ऐसा प्रतीत होता था कि बस अपनी ओर आते हुए किसी दूसरे वाहन सड़क पार कर रहे किसी पद यात्री को निगल
जाएगी। लेकिन यह तो सभी बाधाओं को सुरक्षित भय से पीछे छोड़ते हुए आराम से निकल जाती थी। वृक्ष उनकी ओर भागते
हुए प्रतीत होते थे लेकिन जब यस उनके पहुंचती थी तो वे यहीं रुक जाते और सड़क के एक और एक पल के लिए असहाय
हुए खड़े रहते और फिर दूसरी दिशा में भागने लगते। अचानक ही चल्ली ने (खुशी से)
अपने दोनों हाथों मे ताली बजा
दी एक छोटी सी गाय हवा में अपनी पैठ को उठाकर बहुत तेजी से भाग रही थी, बिस्कुस बीच में ठीकस के सामने यस की
गति धीमी हो गई और चालक बार-यार हो जा रहा था लेकिन वह जितना ज्यादा होने बजाता पशु उतना अधिक भयभीत हो जाता
तथा और तेजी से भागता हमेशा ठीक यस के आगे।
यह बात बत्ती को बहुत अधिक मनोरंजक लगी वह तब तक हंसती रही जब तक कि उसकी आँखों से औसू नहीं आ गए। "अरे
युवती, क्या तुम बहुत ज्यादा नहीं हँस सी हो? परिचालक ने आवाज लगाई, बेहतर होगा, कुछ हँसी कल के लिए।
Somehow this was very funny to Valli. She laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes. "Hey,
lady, haven't you laughed enough?" called, the conductor. "Better save some for tomorrow." At last, the
cow moved off the road. And soon the bus came to a railroad crossing (an intersection where a railway
line crosses a road or path). A speck of a train could be seen in the distance, growing bigger
and
bigger as it drew near. Then it rushed past the crossing gate with a tremendous roar and rattle, shaking
the bus. Then the bus went on and passed the train station. From there it traversed a busy,
well-laid-out shopping street and, turning, entered a wider thoroughfare (a busy public road). Such big,
bright-looking shops! What glittering displays of clothes and other merchandise (things for sale)! Such
big crowds! Struck dumb with wonder, Valli gaped at everything. Then the bus stopped and everyone got
off except Valli.
"Hey, lady," said the conductor, "aren't you ready to get off? This is as far as your thirty paise takes
you." "No," Valli said, "I'm going back on this same bus." She took another thirty paise from her pocket
and handed the coins to the conductor.
"Why, is something the matter?" "No, nothing's the matter. I just felt like having a bus ride, that's
all." "Don't you want to have a look at the sights, now that you're here?" "All by myself? Oh, I'd be
much too afraid." Greatly amused by the girl's way of speaking, the conductor said, "But you weren't
afraid to come in the bus." "Nothing to be afraid of about that," she answered.
"Well, then, why not go to that stall over there and have something to drink? Nothing to be afraid of
about that either." "Oh, no, I couldn't do that."
"Well, then, let me bring you a cold drink." "No, I don't have enough money. Just give me my ticket,
that's all." "It'll be my treat and not cost you anything." "No, no," she said firmly, "please, no." The
conductor shrugged, and they waited until it was time for the bus to begin the return journey. Again,
there weren't many passengers.
Won't your mother be looking for you?" the conductor asked when he gave the girl her ticket. "No, no one
will be looking for me," she said. The bus started, and again there were the same wonderful sights.
Valli wasn't bored in the slightest and greeted everything with the same excitement she'd felt the first
time. But suddenly she saw a young cow lying dead by the roadside, just where it had been struck by some
fast-moving vehicle. "Isn't that the same cow that ran in front of the bus on our trip to town?" she
asked the conductor.
The conductor nodded, and she was overcome with sadness. What had been a lovable, beautiful creature just a little while ago had now suddenly lost its charm and its life and looked so horrible, so frightening as it lay there, legs Spreadeagled (spread out), a fixed stare in its lifeless eyes, blood all Over
अंततः गाय सड़क से हट गई और शीघ्र ही बस एक रेलवे क्रॉसिंग के पास आ गई। दूर से रेलगाड़ी एक छोटे से धब्बे
के समान दिखाई दे रही थी, जैसे-जैसे यह निकट आ रही थी, बड़ी और बड़ी होती जा रही थी। तब यह बहुत अधिक शोर और
खटखट के साथ क्रॉसिंग गेट को पार कर गई, बस को हिलाते हुए। तब यस चल दी और उसने स्टेशन को पार किया। यहाँ से
उसने एक अच्छी तरह से सजी हुई दुकानों पाले बाजार को पार किया और मुड़ने के बाद एक अधिक चीड़े रास्ते पर आ
गई। इतनी बड़ी, धमकदार दुकानें बस्त्रों तथा बेचने की अन्य चीजों का कितना चमकदार प्रदर्शन हो रहा था। इतनी
ज्यादा भीड़ हैरानी के कारण मूक बनी पत्नी हर चीज़ को मुँह खी देखती रही। पुवती परिचालक ने कहा, 'क्या तुम
नीचे उतरने के लिए तैयार नहीं हो? तुम्हारे तीस पैसे तुम्हें यहाँ तक ता सकते थे।"
"नहीं" ने कहा, में इसी बस पर वापस जा रही हूँ। उसने अपनी जेब से और तीस पैसे निकाले तथा सिक्के परिचालक को
सौंप दिए। क्या कुछ बात हो गई है? नहीं कोई बात नहीं है। मैं तो सिर्फ बस की सवारी करना चाहती थी। क्या तुम
कुछ दृश्यों को नहीं देखना चाहोगी, अब तब तुम यहाँ आ ही गई हो। विकुल अकेली? अरे, मुझे बहुत अधिक हर लगेगा।
लड़की के बोलने के ढंग से अत्यधिक प्रसन्न परिचालक ने कहा, लेकिन तुम्हें बस में आते नहीं लगा है। उसमें डर
वाली कोई बात नहीं थी, उसने उत्तर दिया। "ठीक है, तो फिर तुम यहाँ उस दुकान पर जाकर कुछ पीना क्यों नहीं
चाहोगी? उसमें तो डरने अरे नहीं, में ऐसा नहीं करती हूँ। ठीक है, मुझे तुम्हारे लिए एक शीतल पेय साने दो।समय
की भी कोई बात नहीं है, नहीं मेरे पास पर्याप्त पैसे नहीं हैं। बस मुझे तो मेरा टिकट दे दो, यही काफी है।
मेरी तरफ से दावत रहेगी और इसका तुम्हें कोई नहीं करना पड़ेगा। नहीं नहीं उसने दृढतापूर्वक कहा कृपया नहीं।
परिचालक ने अपने कंधे सिकोड़ लिए तथा ये प्रतीक्षा करते रहे जब तक कि बस की वापसी की यात्रा का समय नहीं हो
गया। दोबाग बस में फिर से अधिक यात्री नहीं थे। क्या तुम्हारी मी तुम्हे नहीं रही होगी। परिचालक ने पूछा जब
उसने उसे टिकट दिया। नहीं, कोई भी मेरी ततास नहीं कर रहा होगा, उसने कहा। बस चल दी और फिर में यहाँ यहीं
अद्भुत दृश्य थे। वल्ली का मन बिल्कुल भी नहीं ऊबा और वह प्रत्येक चीज़ का उसी उत्साह से स्वागत कर रही थी
जैसा पहली बार देखने पर किया था लेकिन अचानक से उसने एक छोटी गाय को सड़क किनारे मृत पड़े हुए पाया, ठीक उसी
स्थान पर जहाँ किसी तेज सफ्तार वाले वाहन में उसे टक्कर मारी थी। क्या यह वहीं गाय नहीं है जो शहर आते समय
हमारी यस के आगे भाग रही थी?" उसने परिचालक से पूछा
परिचालक नेसे में सिर हिलाया और उस पर उदासी छा गई। कुछ ही समय पहले जो एक प्यारा, सुन्दर जीव था अप अचानक
अपनी सुन्दरता और जीवन खो चुका था और इतना भयानक और डरावना लग रहा था। जब वह वहाँ पड़ा हुआ था, टोगे फैली
हुई, बेजान आँखों में एक स्थापी टकटकी भरे हुए और सब जगह खून के साथ बस आगे चल दी।
The bus moved on. The memory of the dead cow haunted (returned repeatedly to her mind; was impossible to
forget) her, dampening her enthusiasm. She no longer wanted to look out the window. She sat
thus, glued
to her seat, until the bus reached her village at three forty. She stood up and stretched herself. Then
she turned to the conductor and said, "Well, sir, I hope to see you again."
"Okay, madam," he answered her, smiling. "Whenever you feel like a bus ride, come and join us. And don't
forget to bring your fare." She laughed and jumped down from the bus. Then away she went, running
straight for home.
When she entered her house she found her mother awake and talking to one of Valli's aunts, the one from South Street. This aunt was a real chatterbox, never closing her mouth once she started talking. "And where have you been?" said her aunt when Valli came in. She spoke very casually, not expecting a reply. So Valli just smiled, and her mother and aunt went on with their conversation. "Yes, you're right," her mother said. "So many things in our midst and in the world outside. How can we possibly know about everything? And even when we do know about something, we often can't understand it completely, can we?" "Oh, yes!" breathed Valli. "What?" asked her mother. "What's that you say?" "Oh," said Valli, "I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge." "Just a chit of a girl, she is," said her aunt, "and yet look how she pokes her nose into our conversation, just as though she were a grown lady." Valli smiled to herself. She didn't want them to understand her smile. But, then, there wasn't much chance of that, was there?
मृत गाय की याद उसे परेशान कर रही थी, उसके उत्साह को ठंडा कर रही थी। अब यह खिड़की से बाहर नहीं देखना
चाहती थी। वह अपनी सीट पर तब तक चिपकी हुई बैठी रही जब तक कि तीन चालीस पर बस उसके गाँव नहीं पहुंच गई। यह
उठी और उसने एक अंगड़ाई सी तब वह परिचालक की ओर मुड़ी और कहा, 'अच्छा श्रीमान जी, मैं आपसे फिर मिलने की आशा
रखेंगी। 'ठीक है, मैडम, उसने उसे मुस्कराते हुए उत्तर दिया, जब कभी भी बस को सवारी करने को तुम्हारा मन करे,
तो हमारे साथ आ जाना और अपना किराया लाना मत भूलना। यह हंसी और उसने बस से छलांग लगा दी तब वह सीधी घर की ओर
भाग गई। जब वह घर में पुसी तो उसने अपनी माँ को जागा हुआ पाया और दक्षिणी गली में रहने वाली वल्ली की एक
मौसी से बातें करते हुए पाया। वह मौसी वास्तव में एक बातूनी थी, यदि एक बार घोलना शुरू कर देती थी तो कभी
अपना मुँह बंद नहीं करती थी। "और तुम कहाँ थी?" उसकी मौसी ने पूछा जब इसी अंदर आई। वह बहुत बेरुखी से बोली,
उसे उत्तर की आशा नहीं थी। इसलिए वल्ली सिर्फ मुस्कराई और उसकी मी तथा मौसी अपने वार्तालाप को जारी रखती
रही। 'हो, तुम ठीक हो, उसकी मी ने कहा, 'कितनी सारी चीजें हमारे में और हमारे से बाहर की दुनिया में होती
हैं। हम संभवतः हर चीज के बारे में कैसे जान सकते हैं और यदि हमें किसी बात के बारे में पता भी चल जाता है
तो हम उसे पूर्णतया समझ नहीं पाते हैं, क्या समझ पाते हैं?" "ओह, हाँ।" वन्ती ने सांस लेते हुए कहा। 'ओह,'
वल्ली ने कहा, 'मैं तो केवल उस बात से सहमति व्यक्त कर रही थी जो आप कह रही थीं हमारी जानकारी के बिना घटित
होने वाली बातों के बारे में।'
'क्या? उसकी माँ ने पूछा, 'तुमने क्या कहा?' एक छोटी-सी लड़की है वह, उसकी मौसी ने कहा। और देखो वह हमारी
बातचीत में बिना किसी मतलब के अपनी टाँग अड़ा रही है जैसेकि वह एक समझदार औरत हो ।' वल्ली स्वयं पर
मुस्कराई। वह नहीं चाहती थी कि वे उसकी मुस्कराहट का अर्थ समझें। लेकिन फिर इसकी कोई ज्यादा सम्भावना भी
नहीं थी, क्या थी?
पैगी जिसने इस खेल को सोच कर तैयार किया था, और मैडी, जो उसकी कभी जुदा न होने वाली मित्र थी, सदा जाने
वालों में सबसे अन्तिम हुआ करती थीं । अन्त में वैंडा गली में आगे को बढ़ जाती, उसकी आंखें तेजहीन होतीं
और
उसका मुंह बन्द होता, हर थोड़ी देर के बाद अपने कन्धे को, जैसा कि उसकी अजीब-सी आदत थी, झटक देती, और
स्कूल
तक अपना रास्ता अकेले ही पूरा करती।
पैगी वास्तव में निर्दय नहीं थी। वह छोटे-छोटे बच्चों को धौंसियों से बचाया करती थी तथा वह कई कई घण्टे
रोती
रहती यदि वह किसी जानवर के साथ दुर्व्यवहार होता हुआ देखती। यदि किसी ने उससे ऐसा कहा होता, क्या तुम
ऐसा
नहीं मानती कि वैंडा से व्यवहार करने का यह तरीका निर्दयतापूर्ण है ?" तो उसे बहुत हैरानी महसूस होती।
निर्दयतापूर्ण ? तो उस लड़की ने ऐसा क्यों कहा कि उसके पास एक सौ पोशाकें थीं ?
Exercises
Q.1. What was Valli's favourite pastime?
Ans. She would stand at the front doorway of her house. She kept watching what was happening in the
street outside.
Q.2. What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest
desire?
Ans. A bus travelled from Valli's village to the town. It passed through her street every hour. The
sight of the bus, filled each time with a new set of passengers, was a source of unending joy for
Valli. Her strongest desire was to travel in that bus.
Q.3. What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out
these details?
Ans. She found out that the journey from the village to the town took forty-five minutes. The fare
was thirty paise. She picked up these details by talking to people who regularly used the bus.
Q.4. What do you think Valli was planning to do?
Ans. She was planning to travel to the town by bus,
and then come back by the same bus.
Q.5. Why does the conductor call Valli 'madam'?
Ans. The little girl doesn't like to be considered a child. So, the conductor light-heartedly calls
her 'madam'.
Q6. Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see now?
Ans. She stands up to have a view of the outside. She sees palm trees, grassland, distant mountains
and the blue sky. On the other side is a deep ditch and green fields as far as the eye can see.
Q.7. What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a
child?
Ans. She tells the man that she is no child. She says that she has paid her fare of thirty paise
like everyone else.
Q.8. Why didn't Valli want to make friends with the elderly
woman?
Ans. Valli found the woman very repulsive. She had big holes in her ear lobes with ugly earrings in
them. She was chewing betel nut and betel juice could spill from her lips any moment.
Ans. Valli saved every coin that came her way. She stifled all the desires for toys, balloons,
peppermints, etc. Thus, she was able to save for her first journey. But it was not easy for her.
Q.9. What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?
Ans. She saw a cow running just in front of the bus. It had its tail high in the air. The driver
honked again and again, but the cow kept running in the middle of the road. This sight made Valli
laugh.
Q.10. Why didn't she get off the bus at the bus station?
Ans. It was because of her fear that she didn't get down the bus. The city was unknown to her and
she didn't want to take any risk.
Q.11. Why didn't Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What
does this tell about her?
Ans. She had no money for it. The conductor offered to buy one for her, but she refused firmly. It
shows that Valli was a self-respecting little girl.
Q.12. What was Valli's favourite pastime?
Ans. Valli's favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house. From there she kept
watching what was happening in the street outside. She had no playmates of her own age. And this was
all she did to amuse herself.
Q.13. What was the source of unending joy for Valli? What was her
strongest desire?
Ans. A bus passed through Valli's street every hour. It ran between her village and the nearest town.
Each
time, it had a new set of passengers. The sight of this bus was a source of unending joy for Valli.
Q.14. What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out
these details?
Ans. Valli found out that the town was six miles from the village. The bus took forty-five minutes
to reach the town. The one-way fare was thirty paise. Valli found out these details by listening to
those who used the bus regularly.
Q.15. What wish crept into Valli's head?
Ans. A bus travelled between Valli's village and the nearest town. It passed through Valli's street
every hour. Valli used to look at it curiously. A wish crept into her head to ride on this bus, even
just once.
Q16. What details did Valli pick up about the bus journey?
Ans. Valli found that the town was six miles from the village. The bus took forty-five minutes to
reach the town, and another forty-five minutes to come back. The one-way fare was thirty paise. It
was quite a big amount for Valli.
Q.17. How did Valli pick up various details about the bus
journey?
Ans. There were people who used the bus regularly. They included some of Valli's neighbours also.
Valli would listen to their conversations carefully. Sometimes she indirectly asked them questions
also. Thus, she was able to collect all details about the journey.
Q.18. What plans did Valli make for her journey?
Ans. Valli saved sixty paise for her journey. The
one-way fare was thirty paise. Valli planned that she would take the one o'clock bus and reach the
town at one forty-five. There she would stay in her seat and reach back home on the same bus by two
forty-five.
Q.19. Why does Valli stand up on her seat?
Ans. Valli wants to enjoy the outside view. But the lower part of the window is covered with a
canvas blind. It obstructs the outside view. So Valli stands up on her seat to have a look of the
outside.
Q.20. Why does the conductor call Valli 'madam'?
Ans. Valli is an eight-year-old girl. The conductor offers to help her get on the bus. But Valli
says that she doesn't need any help. The conductor sees that she is a very self-confident girl. He
calls her 'madam' just out of jest.
Q.21. What views does Valli see outside the window of her bus?
Ans. On one side of the bus, there is a canal. Beyond it, there are palm trees, grassland and
distant mountains. On the other side, there is a deep ditch. Beyond it, there are green fields as
far as the eye can see.
Q.22. What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a
child?
Ans. Valli doesn't like being called a child. She tells the man that there is nobody who is a child.
She says that she has paid her fare of thirty paise like everyone else.
Q.23. Who was Valli? What was her overwhelming
Or
Who was valli? What was her favourite pastime?
Ans. Valli was an eight-year-old girl She was a curious girl. She wanted to know many things. She
did not have playmates of her own age. Her favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of
her house to see what was happening outside The most fascinating thing of all was the bus that
passed through the street each hour. The bus travelled between her village and the nearest town. The
sight of the bus was a source of unending joy for Valli. It was a great joy for her to watch new
sets of passengers every time the bus passed through the street. As she watched the bus day after
day, she developed a wish to have a ride on that bus. Her wish became stronger and stronger until it
was an overwhelming desire.
Q.24. How did Valli plan to have a bus ride?
Or
How did Valli plan her visit to the town?
Ans. Valli carefully listened to the conversations between her neighbours and people who had
travelled on the bus or who regularly used it. She asked some casual questions also. She came to
know that the town was six miles away from her village. It took forty-five minutes to reach there.
The fare was thirty paise for one way. Valli planned her journey to the town and back. It would be
her first journey out of her village. She saved every paisa by resisting her desire to buy ice
cream, toys, balloons, etc. She had also killed her desire to visit the village fair and have a ride
in the merry-go-round. When she had saved sixty paise, she was ready for her first bus journey Then
she planned how she would slip out of house. She knew that her mother slept daily after lunch. She
decided to use these hours for her journey.
Q.25. Describe Valli's return journey.
Ans. The bus resumed its return journey. There were the same wonderful sights Valli enjoyed the
scene again. But suddenly she saw a young cow lying dead, by the roadside. It had been struck by a
fast-moving vehicle. She asked the conductor if it was the same cow they saw earlier. The conductor
nodded. Valli became sad. It had been a lovable, beautiful creature just a little ago. But now the
cow was without its charm and its life. The bus moved on. The memory of the dead cow haunted Valli.
She no longer wanted to see out of the window. She kept sitting on her seat until her village came.
She got down and wished the conductor to see him again. The conductor smiled. He told Valli that
whenever she felt like riding the bus she could come and join them.
Watch our video on CS of Valli on YouTube:
Que.26 Write a brief character sketch of Valli.
Ans.
1. Central character: She is in the story. She is eight years. Her full name
is
Valliammai, in short, she is called Valli. She had no playmates to play with. So, she often stands
doorway
to look at the bus coming and going to town. This was her favourite pastime. It was her entertainment.
2. Curious Child: She is eight years curious girl, longing to know the
happening
around her like any child of this age. She is keen observer which is natural. She observed the bus from
inside soft seats she sees and that the bus was luxurious, new bus was painted gleaming white with green
stripes. She enjoys scenes outside by standing on the doorway. She develops a wish to ride that bus that
she
saw at hourly interval.
3. Self-Respecting & Confident: She “stopped the bus” commandingly. She does
not
accept conductor’s help to board the bus. She pays full fare her own. She even replies to conductor that
she
can take care her own and that she is not a child. She has the courage at the age of eight to visit town
alone. She refuses to accept cold drink offered by conductor. That’s why conductor calls her as ‘Madam’.
4. Intelligent Girl: She calculates and recalculates her maiden journey to
town
by that bus without being known to her mother. She manages the ride without too much difficulty. She
asks
carefully framed questions to passengers and gets all information about fare to 30 paise, distance is 6
miles to which it takes 45 minutes one side. She arranges for 60 paise fare though for this she had to
resist her temptation of buying toys, peppermint, merry-go-round in the village fair.
5. Passionate Girl: If you dream, you can fulfil that. She had a wish to
board
that ferry. By the time her wish turns into overwhelming desire. To fulfil that desire she plans and
replans
her actions to execute her plans elaborately. She is passionate about her dream. And she succeeds
finally in
making it a reality.
Watch our video on CS of Bus conductor on YouTube:
Que.27. Write a character sketch of Bus Conductor.
Ans.
1. Amiable Person: He likes to mingle with people. It was not so that he was
concerned only for tickets rather he was concerned about the travellers. He keeps talking with them. He
is
ready to help them during travel. He makes his travellers feel at ease. He stretches his hand to help
her to
get on.
2. Jovial: He was cheerful and friendly. He exhibits happiness in the bus.
He
did not mind her saying that she can get on by herself. He pronounces her as ‘madam’. He asks everyone
to
make way for madam means Valli. He makes everyone in the bus laugh by mimicking Valli’s tone. He is fun
loving person.
3. Caring & Positive Attitude: He is concerned for a young girl travelling
alone. He makes her comfortable and asks her to sit back lest she should fall. He uses ‘please’ and
‘thank
you’ in his conversation with travellers. He radiates positive energy in society that should be
cultivated
in children. He offers to buy her cold drink. He even asks her if her mother would be looking or worried
about for her. In the end, he offers her to come again but tells her to bring bus fare with her.
Multiple Choice Questions
After studying the lesson, try to answer these MCQs from lesson. Match your answers with Answer Key given below:
Watch our video on MCQs on YouTube
Q1- Who is the author of the lesson 'Madam rides the Bus'?
A) Gavin Maxwell
B) Vallikkannan
C) Paulo Coehlo
D) Arup Kumar Dutta
Q2- What was Valli's full name?
A) Vallikkannan
B) Valliammai
C) Valliannai
D) Vallikannam
Q3- What was Valli's age?
A) 7
B) 8
C) 9
D) None of these
Q4- What was her favourite pastime?
A) watching the street outside
B) playing outside
C) travelling the bus
D) reading books
Q5- How many times did the bus cross her street per hour?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 4
D) 6
Q6- What was her overwhelming desire?
A) to have friends
B) to travel by bus
C) to top the class
D) None of these
Q7- 'Valli would stare wistfully at the people who got on or off the bus.' What
is the meaning of wistfully?
A) fearfully
B) carefully
C) willingly
D) longingly
Q8- What would make Valli jealous?
A) strangers ravelling by bus
B) hearing stories of her friend's bus journey
C) her mother travelling the bus
D) all of the above
Q9- How did she pick up small details about the bus journey?
A) listening to conversations of neighbours
B) asking a few discreet questions
C) All of the above
D) None of the above
Q10- Why did Valli stand up?
A) She wanted to enjoy the ride
B) she wasn't able to look outside properly
C) she liked standing
D) she was tired of sitting
Q11- What did the old man say to Valli that annoyed her?
A) He shouted at her
B) he asked why she's alone
C) he merely asked her to sit
D) None of the above
Q12- 'Valli found the woman absolutely repulsive'. What do you mean by
'repulsive'?
A) causing strong dislike
B) showing displeasure
C) extremely attractive
D) admirable
Q13- Why did Valli find the woman repulsive?
A) she had large piercings in her ears
B) she wore ugly earrings
C) she was chewing betel nut which could spill out any moment
D) all of the above
Q14- Why did the old lady ask Valli so many questions?
A) she was bothered about Valli
B) she liked Valli
C) she was poking her nose
D) she was bored
Q15- What did she have to resist on Village Fair Day to save for the
ride?
A) balloons
B) merry go round
C) toys
D) peppermint
Q16- What was the next challenge once she'd saved enough money?
A) tell her mom about it
B) know about the timings
C) buy a ticket
D) to sneak out of the house
Q17- What made her laugh on her journey?
A) the sight of a running cow
B) the old woman's earrings
C) the old man
D) None of the above
Q18- Why did Valli not get off the bus for sight-seeing?
A) she was afraid
B) she didn't want to
C) she didn't have the time
D) she didn't like the city
Q19- What does it tell you about Valli when she refused to accept the conductor's
treat?
A) responsible
B) stubborn
C) rude
D) disrespectful
Q20- Who was a 'real chatterbox'?
A) Valli
B) conductor
C) her aunt
D) all of the above
Q21-What saddened Valli?
A) the dead cow
B) car accident
C) the handicapped passenger
D) all of the above
Q22- What was the one way fare from the village to the town?
A) one rupee
B) 50 paise
C) 40 paise
D) 30 paise
Q23- What was the timing of the afternoon nap taken by Valli's mother?
A) 1 to 3
B) 1 to 4
C) 2 to 4
D) 2 to 3
Q24- How does the conductor address Valli?
A) as Valli
B) as Madam
C) as kiddo
D) None of the above
Q25- What can you tell about the conductor from the text?
A) he was funny
B) he was grumpy
C) he was quiet
D) all of the above
Tally Answers:
Answer Key: 1B 2B 3B 4A 5B 6B 7D 8B 9C 10B
11C 12A 13D 14A 15B 16D 17A 18A 19A 20C
21A 22D 23B 24B 25A
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