How I Taught My Grandmother To Read
By Sudha Murty
Introduction to How I Taught My Grandmother To Read (Kaveri Class 9 English)
“How I Taught My Grandmother” is a heartwarming story written by Sudha Murty. It shows the deep love between a granddaughter and her grandmother. The story tells us how the grandmother, who never went to school, feels the need to learn reading and writing. She understands that education is very important in life. Even at an old age, she decides to study and becomes determined to achieve her goal. This chapter teaches us that learning has no age limit. It also highlights values like respect, hard work, and strong family bonding.
Theme Of “How I Taught My Grandmother To Read” (Kaveri Class 9 English)
The story “How I Taught My Grandmother” by Sudha Murty highlights the importance of education and the idea that learning has no age limit. It shows that strong determination and hard work can help anyone achieve their goals, even in old age. The story also focuses on respect for teachers and the value of knowledge. Another important theme is the loving bond between family members, especially between the grandmother and granddaughter. It teaches us that we should never feel ashamed to learn new things and should always try to improve ourselves.
About the Author
Sudha Murty is a famous Indian writer and social worker. She is known for writing simple and meaningful stories that teach good values. She was born in Karnataka and has written many books for both children and adults. Her stories are easy to understand and are often based on real-life experiences. She believes in the power of education and kindness. Along with writing, she also does social work and helps people through the Infosys Foundation. Her writings inspire readers to become better human beings.
Summary Of “How I Taught My Grandmother To Read” (Kaveri Class 9 English)
The story “How I Taught My Grandmother” by Sudha Murty is about a loving relationship between a young girl and her grandmother. According to the narrator, she grew up in a small village in Karnataka. She lived with her grandmother, whom she called Avva. Avva was 62, the backbone of their big joint family. She cooked delicious meals for everyone and kept the house running smoothly. But she never learned to read or write. According to the grandmother, in her day, girls married young, and school wasn't for them. Still, Avva made sure all her children and grandchildren studied well. But still she had regret about her own lack of education.
Every Friday, the bus brought the mail, including a popular magazine called Karmaveera. The narrator, who was just 12, read the stories aloud to Avva. She enjoyed listening to it and always waited eagerly for the next issue. They both loved a serial called Kashi Yatre by Triveni. It was about an old woman who dreamed of a holy trip to Kashi but could not fulfill her wish. She even saved money, but gave her whole saving to a girl who wanted to marry the boy she loved. Avva connected deeply with the character.
Once the narrator went to another village to attend a wedding. While she was away, the next issue arrived. Avva eagerly picked it up, wanting to know what happened next. But the words swam before her eyes; she couldn't read a single line. Frustration turned to tears. She felt so small and helpless, like a child waiting endlessly for help. When the narrator returned, Avva poured out her heart. She talked about her tough childhood—losing her mother young, her busy father remarrying—and how society robbed girls of learning. "I don't want to depend on anyone anymore," she said. It was a turning point.
Avva made a bold promise. "Teach me Kannada," she told the narrator. "By Saraswati Pooja in six months, I'll read Kashi Yatre on my own." The narrator felt a mix of excitement and doubt—could her grandma really do it at her age? Lessons began, and Avva turned into the perfect student. She scribbled letters on old newspapers since paper was scarce, repeated sounds aloud alone in the kitchen, and even did "homework" by copying lines neatly. The narrator praised every small win, and they shared laughs over mix-ups.
The family noticed the change. Cousins teased at first, but soon everyone cheered Avva on. She stumbled sometimes but never quit. Weeks turned to months. By pooja time, she read fluently. The day arrived with decorations, prayers, and guests. After the rituals, Avva picked up the magazine. In a steady voice, she read the entire final episode of Kashi Yatre without pausing. Her eyes welled up with joy. The room erupted in claps—her victory at 62 was magical.
Then came the moment no one expected. Avva bent low and touched the narrator's feet. Shocked, the girl pulled back. "Avva, what?" Avva smiled warmly. "I'm not honoring my granddaughter. I'm respecting my guru. You taught me with such kindness and patience. Now I can read any book. A teacher deserves this, no matter age or relation." The narrator's heart swelled. It flipped everything she knew about roles.
That experience stayed forever. Avva showed learning has no deadline. Her grit turned a hidden sadness into shining pride. The story warmed the family and taught a big truth: education frees the soul, and love makes any lesson possible. Age? Just a number when determination kicks in.
The story “How I Taught My Grandmother” by Sudha Murty is about a loving relationship between a young girl and her grandmother. The grandmother was not educated because, in her childhood, girls were not sent to school. Even though she could not read or write, she loved listening to stories.
Every week, a story was published in a magazine, and the narrator used to read it aloud to her grandmother. She enjoyed listening to it and always waited eagerly for the next episode. One day, the narrator went to attend a wedding in another village. During her absence, the next issue of the story was published. Ajji felt very sad because she could not read it on her own. She had to depend on others, which made her feel helpless.
This incident changed her thinking. She realised how important education is. She decided that she would learn to read and write, no matter how old she was. She asked her granddaughter to teach her. The young girl happily agreed and started teaching her regularly.
Ajji worked very hard. She practised reading and writing every day with full dedication. Slowly, she began to learn and improve. After some months, during the festival of Saraswati Puja, Ajji achieved her goal. She was able to read a book on her own for the first time.
She felt very proud and happy. As a sign of respect, she touched her granddaughter’s feet because she was now her teacher. The granddaughter felt surprised and emotional, but Ajji explained that a teacher should always be respected, no matter their age.
This story teaches us that learning has no age limit. It also shows the importance of determination, respect for teachers, and the value of education. Ajji’s strong will inspires us to keep learning throughout our life.
Also write the theme in 100 words
Here is the theme (about 100 words) in very simple and human-friendly language:
Text:
When I was a girl of about twelve, I used to stay in a village in north Karnataka with my grandparents. Those days, the transport system was not very good, so we used to get the morning paper only in the afternoon. The weekly magazine used to come one day late. All of us would wait eagerly for the bus, which used to come with the papers, weekly
magazines and the post.
At that time, Triveni was a very popular writer in the Kannada language. She was a wonderful writer. Her style was easy to read and very convincing. Her stories usually dealt with complex psychological problems in the lives of ordinary people and were always very interesting. Unfortunately for Kannada literature, she died very young. Even now, after forty years, people continue to appreciate her novels.
Word Meanings:
Weekly magazine – A magazine that is published once a week
Eagerly – With excitement and interest
Post – Letters and mail sent from one place to another
Detailed Explanation and short questions with their answers:
The speaker shares her childhood memories of living in a village in north Karnataka. Due to poor transport’ newspapers and magazines arrived late, and everyone waited eagerly for the bus that brought news and letters.
She also talks about Triveni, a very popular Kannada writer whose stories were simple to read yet deeply explored human emotions and psychological problems of ordinary people.
Even though Triveni died young, her writings are still loved and appreciated many years later, showing her lasting impact on readers.
Q: Why did people value the arrival of the bus so much?
A: Because it was their main source of news, stories, and communication with others
Q: What does Triveni’s popularity tell us about her writing?
A: It shows that her writing connected deeply with people and was easy to understand.
Q: Why are Triveni’s works still appreciated after many years?
A: Because her stories deal with timeless human emotions and real-life problems.
Q: How did poor transport affect people’s daily lives?
A: It delayed access to information and communication, making people depend on limited sources.
Q: What can we learn from the speaker’s experience?
A: To value simple things like communication and appreciate meaningful literature.
Q: How old was the speaker?
A: About 12 years old.
Q: Where did she live?
A: In a village in north Karnataka.
Q: Why did newspapers arrive late?
A: Because transport was not good.
Q: What did the bus bring?
A: Papers, magazines, and posts.
Q: When did the newspaper arrive?
A: In the afternoon.
Q: When did the weekly magazine come?
A: One day late.
Q: What did people wait for?
A: The bus.
Text:
One of her novels, called Kashi Yatre, was appearing as a serial in the Kannada weekly _Karmaveera then. It is the story of an old lady and her ardent desire to go to Kashi or Varanasi. Most Hindus believe that going to Kashi and worshipping Lord Vishweshwara is the ultimate punya. This old lady also believed in this, and her struggle to go there was described in that novel. In the story there was also a young orphan girl who falls in love but there was no money for the wedding. In the end, the old lady gives away all her savings without going to Kashi. She says, ‘The happiness of this orphan girl is more important than worshipping Lord Vishweshwara at Kashi.’ My grandmother, Krishtakka, never went to school so she could not read. Every Wednesday the magazine would come and I would read the next episode of this story to her. During that time she would forget all her work and listen with the greatest concentration. Later, she could repeat the entire text by heart. My grandmother too never went to Kashi, and she identified herself with the novel’s protagonist. So more than anybody else she was the one most interested in knowing what happened next in the story and used to insist that I read the serial out to her.
Word Meanings:
Novel – A long story book
Weekly – Something that comes once a week
Ardent – Very strong or passionate
Worshipping – Praying to or showing respect to God
Ultimate – The most important or highest
Punya – Good deeds that bring spiritual reward
Orphan – A child who has no parents
Concentration – Full attention
By heart – To remember something completely
Identified (herself) – Felt similar or connected
Protagonist – The main character of a story
Insist – To strongly demand something
Detailed Explanation and short questions with their answers:
The novel Kashi Yatre by Triveni was published as a weekly serial and tells the story of an old woman who dreams of going to Kashi, which many Hindus believe is a holy place that brings great spiritual reward.
In the story, the old woman sacrifices her dream and gives all her savings to help a poor orphan girl get married, showing that kindness and helping others is greater than personal religious desires.
The speaker’s grandmother, who could not read, loved listening to the story every week, remembered it by heart, and connected deeply with the old woman because she too could never go to Kashi.
Q: What is Kashi Yatre about?
A: An old woman’s wish to go to Kashi.
Q: Who wrote Kashi Yatre?
A: Triveni.
Q: What did the old woman do with her savings?
A: She gave them to an orphan girl.
Q: Could the grandmother read?
A: No.
Q: Why did the old woman give up her dream of going to Kashi?
A: She believed helping the orphan girl was more important than fulfilling her own wish.
Q: What does the grandmother’s interest in the story show?
A: It shows that stories can deeply connect with people’s real-life feelings and experiences.
Q: What value does the story of Kashi Yatre teach?
A: It teaches kindness, sacrifice, and helping others.
Q: Why was the grandmother able to remember the story so well?
A: Because she listened with full attention and was emotionally connected to it.
Q: How is the grandmother similar to the old woman in the story?
A: Both could not go to Kashi and shared similar feelings and dreams.
Text:
After hearing what happened next in Kashi Yatre, she would join her friends at the temple courtyard, where we children would also gather to play hide and seek. She would discuss the latest episode with her friends. At that time, I never understood why there was so much of debate about the story.
Word Meanings:
Courtyard – An open space inside or near a building where people gather.
Episode – A part or chapter of a story.
Debate – A discussion where people share different opinions.
Detailed Explanation and short questions with their answers:
The grandmother eagerly followed the story Kashi Yatre and loved sharing it with her friends. After hearing the latest part, she would go to the temple courtyard and discuss it with great interest.
The temple courtyard was also a lively place where children played games like hide and seek, showing how daily life, fun, and storytelling happened together.
As a child, the narrator could not understand why the elders were so deeply involved in discussing the story, but it shows how meaningful and engaging the story was for them.
Q. Where did the grandmother discuss the story?
Ans. At the temple courtyard.
Q. What were the children doing there?
Ans. They were playing hide and seek.
Q. Why do you think the grandmother was excited to discuss the story?
Ans. Because she was interested in the story and wanted to share her thoughts with friends.
Q. Why could the narrator not understand the debate?
Ans. Because the narrator was a child and could not fully understand the importance of the story.
Q. What does this scene tell us about community life?
Ans. It shows that people enjoyed spending time together, sharing stories, and discussing ideas
Text:
Once I went for a wedding with my cousins to the neighbouring village. In those days, a wedding was a great event. We children enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. We would eat and play endlessly, savouring the freedom because all the elders were busy. I went for a couple of days but ended up staying there for a week.
When I came back to my village, I saw my grandmother in tears. I was surprised, for I had never seen her cry even in the most difficult situations. What had happened? I was worried.
“Avva, is everything all right? Are you okay?”
I used to call her Avva, which means mother in the Kannada spoken in north Karnataka.
She nodded but did not reply. I did not understand and forgot about it. In the night, after dinner, we were sleeping in the open terrace of our house. It was a summer night and there was a full moon. Avva came and sat next to me. Her affectionate hands touched my forehead. I realised she wanted to speak. I asked her, “What is the matter?”
‘When I was a young girl, I lost my mother. There was nobody to look after and guide me. My father was a busy man and got married again. In those days people never considered education essential for girls, so I never went to school. I got married very young and had children. I became very busy. Later I had grandchildren and always felt so much happiness in cooking and feeding all of you. At times I used to regret not going to school, so I made sure that my children and grandchildren studied well...’
Word Meanings
Savouring – Enjoying something fully.
Terrace – The flat open roof of a house.
Affectionate – Showing love and care.
Regret – Feeling sad about something not done in the past.
Essential – Very important or necessary.
Detailed Explanation and short questions with their answers:
The narrator went to a wedding in a nearby village with cousins and enjoyed it a lot because weddings in those days were big, joyful events. The children had full freedom to eat, play, and have fun as the elders were busy.
The narrator planned to stay for only a few days, but enjoyed it so much that the stay became longer. This shows how exciting and carefree childhood moments can be.
When the narrator returned home, she found her grandmother crying, which was very unusual and shocking, since her grandmother had always been strong, even in difficult times.
Later at night, in a calm and peaceful environment on the terrace, the grandmother came close and lovingly tried to share her feelings. This shows her deep emotional bond with the narrator.
The grandmother shared her painful past. She lost her mother early, did not get education, and had to marry young, which made her life full of responsibilities from an early age.
Even though she had regrets about not studying, she found happiness in caring for her family and made sure that her children and grandchildren received education. This highlights her wisdom and love.
Q. Where did the narrator go with the cousins?
Ans. To a wedding in a neighbouring village.
Q. What does “Avva” mean?
Ans. It means mother/grandmother/elderly woman in the Kannada language.
Q. Why did the children enjoy the wedding so much?
Ans. Because they had freedom to eat, play, and enjoy, as the elders were busy.
Q. Why was the narrator surprised to see the grandmother crying?
Ans. Because she had never seen her cry even in difficult times before.
Q. What lesson do we learn from the grandmother’s life?
Ans. We learn the importance of education and valuing the opportunities we have.
Q. For how many days did the narrator plan to stay at the wedding?
Ans. For a couple of days.
Q. How long did the narrator actually stay?
Ans. For a week.
Q. Where were they sleeping at night?
Ans. On the open terrace.
Q. What kind of night was it?
Ans. A summer night with a full moon.
Q. Who came and sat next to the narrator at night?
Ans. The grandmother (Avva).
Q. Why did the narrator forget about the grandmother’s tears at first?
Ans. Because the grandmother did not explain anything, and the narrator got distracted.
Q. What does the grandmother’s life story tell us about her strength?
Ans. It shows that she faced many difficulties but still cared lovingly for her family.
Q. Why did the grandmother value education later in life?
Ans. Because she did not get the chance to study and regretted it.
Q. How did the grandmother show her love for her family?
Ans. By cooking, feeding, and taking care of everyone with happiness.
Q. Why do you think the grandmother chose nighttime to share her feelings?
Ans. Because it was quiet and peaceful, making it easier to talk openly.
Q. What change do you notice in the narrator’s understanding?
Ans. The narrator begins to understand the grandmother’s emotions and past struggles.
Q. What message does this passage give about elders?
Ans. Elders have deep experiences and emotions that we should listen to and respect.
Text:
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?’
Word Meanings
Immensely – Very deeply or greatly.
Expression – The look on someone’s face that shows feelings.
Accompanies – Goes along with something
Embarrassed – Feeling shy or uncomfortable.
Detailed Explanation and short questions with their answers:
The narrator felt confused because the grandmother was sharing her life story late at night, but at the same time, the narrator understood that it must be important because of their deep love and bond.
The grandmother looked sad and worried, which was unusual because she was usually cheerful. This change in her expression showed that something was troubling her deeply.
The narrator showed care and maturity by comforting her and offering help, showing a strong emotional connection between them.
The grandmother explained that she could not read the magazine Karmaveera when it arrived. She felt helpless because she could not understand the story Kashi Yatre on her own.
She felt ashamed to ask others for help, which made her feel dependent despite being financially comfortable. This highlights how the lack of education affected her confidence.
The grandmother realised that money could not replace education and independence. She wished to be able to read and understand things by herself.
Q. How old was the grandmother?
Ans. Sixty-two years old.
Q. What was the narrator’s age?
Ans. Twelve years.
Q. What made the grandmother feel helpless?
Ans. She could not read the magazine.
Q. What did the grandmother want?
Ans. She wanted to be independent and educated.
Q. Why did the narrator feel confused at first?
Ans. The narrator felt confused because the grandmother was sharing her life story late at night, which seemed unusual. However, the narrator also sensed that it was important and meaningful, as their grandmother looked upset and emotional, which made the narrator listen carefully.
Q. Why did the grandmother feel embarrassed to ask others for help?
Ans. The grandmother felt embarrassed because she did not want others to know that she could not read. She feared being judged or looked down upon. This shows how a lack of education can affect a person’s confidence and make them feel uncomfortable in social situations.
Q. What does the grandmother’s reaction to the magazine show about her feelings?
Ans. Her reaction shows that she strongly wished to read and understand the story by herself. She felt frustrated and helpless when she could not do so. It also reveals her deep desire to become educated and independent, even at an older age.
Q. Why does the grandmother say that money is not enough?
Ans. The grandmother believes that money cannot replace education and independence. Even though she is well-off, she cannot read or understand things on her own, which makes her feel dependent. This shows that true empowerment comes from knowledge, not just wealth.
Q. What kind of relationship do the narrator and grandmother share?
Ans. The narrator and grandmother share a loving and trusting relationship. The grandmother feels comfortable sharing her deepest feelings, and the narrator responds with care and concern. This shows strong emotional bonding and mutual respect between them.
Text:
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.
‘Avva, at this age of sixty-two you want to learn the alphabet? All your hair is grey, your hands are wrinkled, you wear spectacles and you work so much in the kitchen...’
Childishly I made fun of the old lady. But she just smiled.
‘For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle. I will work harder than anybody but I will do it. For learning there is no age bar.’
Word Meanings:
Determination – A strong decision to do something and not give up.
Alphabet – The set of letters in a language.
Deadline – A fixed time by which something had to be completed.
Obstacle – A difficulty or problem that stopped progress.
Wrinkled – Having lines on the skin due to old age.
Spectacles – Glasses used to help see clearly.
Detailed Explanation and short questions with their answers:
The grandmother decided that she wanted to learn the Kannada alphabet, showing her strong will and desire to become independent. She also set a clear goal to achieve this by Saraswati Puja during Dassara.
She believed that learning would help her read a novel on her own, which showed her deep interest in gaining knowledge.
The narrator laughed at her because of her childish thinking and felt that she was too old to learn. This showed a lack of understanding at that moment.
However, the grandmother remained calm and did not feel hurt. Instead, she smiled and expressed her strong belief in hard work and determination.
She explained that age did not matter for learning and that anyone could achieve their goals with effort and dedication.
Her positive attitude and confidence showed her inner strength and became an inspiring example.
Q. What did the grandmother decide to learn?
Ans. She decided to learn the Kannada alphabet.
Q. What deadline did she set?
Ans. She set Saraswati Puja day during Dassara as the deadline.
Q. How did the narrator react?
Ans. The narrator laughed at her.
Q. What lesson did the grandmother give?
Ans. She said that there was no age barrier for learning.
Q. Why did the grandmother set a deadline for herself?
Ans. The grandmother set a deadline to remain focused and motivated. It helped her work with a clear aim. This showed her seriousness and commitment towards learning, as she wanted to become independent and prove that she could achieve her goal.
Q. Why did the narrator laugh at the grandmother?
Ans. The narrator laughed due to childish thinking and the belief that old people could not learn new things. The narrator focused on her age and physical condition and did not understand her strong determination and desire to learn.
Q. What does the grandmother’s response show about her personality?
Ans. Her response shows that she was calm, confident, and determined. She did not get discouraged by the narrator’s reaction. Instead, she trusted her abilities and stayed focused on her goal, which showed her strong willpower.
Q. What important message did this passage give?
Ans. This passage teaches that learning has no age limit. It shows that with determination and hard work, anyone can overcome difficulties. It also reminds us to respect others’ efforts and never make fun of someone trying to improve themselves.
Q. How did this incident change our view about age and learning?
Ans. This incident shows that age is not a barrier to learning. It helps us understand that even older people can learn new things if they are motivated. It encourages us to support and respect people who wish to learn at any stage of life.
Text:
The next day onwards I started my tuition. Avva was a wonderful student. The amount of homework she did was amazing. She would read, repeat, write, and recite. I was her only teacher and she was my first student. Little did I know then that one day I would become a teacher in Computer Science and teach hundreds of students.
The Dassara festival came as usual. Secretly I bought Kashi Yatre which had been published as a novel by that time. My grandmother called me to the puja place and made me sit down on a stool. She gave me a gift of frock material. Then she did something unusual. She bent down and touched my feet. I was surprised and taken aback. Elders never touch the feet of youngsters. We have always touched the feet of God, elders, and teachers. We consider that as a mark of respect. It is a great tradition but today the reverse had happened. It was not correct.
She said, ‘I am touching the feet of a teacher, not my granddaughter; a teacher who taught me so well, with so much of affection that I can read any novel confidently in such a short period. Now I am independent. It is my duty to respect a teacher. Is it not written in our scriptures that a teacher should be respected, irrespective of the gender and age?’
I did return her namaskara to her by touching her feet and gave my gift to my first student. She opened it and read immediately the title Kashi Yatre by Triveni and the publisher’s name. I knew then that my student had passed with flying colours.
Word Meanings:
Recite – To say something aloud from memory.
Taken aback – Feeling surprised or shocked.
Tradition – A custom or belief followed for a long time.
Scriptures – Holy or religious books..
Detailed Explanation and short questions with their answers:
The narrator started teaching the grandmother from the very next day. The grandmother worked very hard as a student and practised reading, writing, and repeating regularly. This shows her dedication and eagerness to learn.
The narrator became the grandmother’s first teacher, and this small experience later inspired the narrator to become a teacher in life. It shows how simple moments can shape our future.
By the time of the Dassara festival, the grandmother had improved a lot. The narrator secretly bought the novel Kashi Yatre to test her reading ability.
During the puja, the grandmother surprised the narrator by touching her(narrator’s) feet. This was unusual because elders are usually respected by touching their feet, not the other way around.
The grandmother explained that she was not touching her granddaughter’s feet but her teacher’s. She believed that a teacher deserves respect, regardless of age or gender. This shows her respect for knowledge and learning.
In the end, the grandmother successfully read the book on her own, proving her hard work. The narrator felt proud, knowing that the grandmother had succeeded with great achievement.
Q. Who became the grandmother’s teacher?
Ans. The narrator.
Q. What did the grandmother practise daily?
Ans. Reading, writing, and reciting.
Q. What gift did the narrator buy?
Ans. The novel Kashi Yatre.
Q. Why did the grandmother touch the narrator’s feet?
Ans. To show respect to her teacher.
Q. Why was the grandmother called a wonderful student?
Ans. The grandmother was called a wonderful student because she worked very hard and practised regularly. She showed dedication by reading, writing, and reciting every day. Her strong determination helped her learn quickly and achieve her goal of becoming independent.
Q. Why was the narrator surprised when the grandmother touched her feet?
Ans. The narrator was surprised because in their culture, elders are respected by touching their feet, not the other way around. It felt unusual and unexpected. However, the grandmother did this to honour the narrator as a teacher, which shows her respect for education.
Q. What values did the grandmother show through her actions?
Ans. The grandmother showed respect for teachers, love for learning, and humility. She believed that knowledge is important and that teachers should always be respected. Her actions also showed that true learning makes a person independent and confident, no matter their age.
Q. How did this experience influence the narrator’s future?
Ans. This experience played an important role in shaping the narrator’s future. Teaching the grandmother gave the narrator confidence and interest in teaching. Later in life, the narrator became a teacher and taught many students, showing how small experiences can have a lasting impact.
Q. What message does this passage give about learning and respect?
Ans. The passage teaches that learning has no age limit and that hard work leads to success. It also highlights that teachers deserve respect regardless of age. True education brings independence, confidence, and a sense of achievement in life.
Check Your Understanding(page-6)
I. Complete the cause-and-effect table given below based on Part I of the story. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
II. Do you think the narrator expected to see her grandmother in tears when she returned to the village? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Ans: No, the narrator did not expect to see her grandmother in tears. She was surprised because she had never seen her grandmother cry before. The grandmother felt helpless as she could not read the story on her own when the narrator was away.
III. How might the narrator help her grandmother to fulfil her desire to learn to read and write?
Ans: The narrator decided to help her grandmother learn to read and write. She taught her the alphabet step by step and made her practice daily. She patiently read stories with her and encouraged her at every step. With time and effort, the grandmother began to read simple words and gained confidence.
Check Your Understanding (page- 9 - 13)
True or False
The grandmother wanted to learn the Kannada alphabet to gain independence. → True
The grandmother asked someone in the village to read Kashi Yatre to her while the narrator was away.→ False
The narrator was the grandmother’s first teacher and taught her how to read Kannada. → True
The grandmother believed that there was no age limit for learning → True
The grandmother touched the narrator’s feet as a mark of respect for her as a teacher → True
The narrator was disappointed with the progress her grandmother made in learning to read. → False
Critical Reflection
l. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
When I came back to my village, I saw my grandmother in tears. I was surprised, for I had never seen her cry even in the most difficult situations. What had happened? I was worried.
‘Avva, is everything all right? Are you okay?’
I used to call her Avva, which means mother in the Kannada spoken in north Karnataka.
She nodded but did not reply. I did not understand and forgot about it. In the night, after dinner, we were sleeping in the open terrace of our house. It was a summer night and there was a full moon. Avva came and sat next to me. Her affectionate hands touched my forehead.
The phrase ‘never seen her cry in the most difficult situations’ tells us that the grandmother was ________.
Ans: A. strong-willedGrandmother did not reply because she was too ________.
Ans: emotionalIdentify the clue that shows a rural setting.
Ans: “We were sleeping in the open terrace of our house.”Which line shows a tender and loving atmosphere?
Ans: “Her affectionate hands touched my forehead.”Which aspect is NOT emphasised in the extract?
Ans: C. the grandmother’s regret over her lack of education
II.
“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.
‘Avva, at this age of sixty-two, you want to learn the alphabet? All your hair is grey, your hands are wrinkled, you wear spectacles, and you work so much in the kitchen...’
Childishly, I made fun of the old lady. But she just smiled.
“For a good cause, if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle. I will work harder than anybody, but I will do it. For learning, there is no age bar.”
“I want to be independent” shows that the grandmother: ________
Ans: B. She desires self-sufficiency.Learning has no ________.
Ans: age limitWhy does the narrator laugh at her grandmother?
Ans: The narrator laughs because she thinks her grandmother is too old to learn and finds it unusual.Write any two qualities of the grandmother.
Ans: Determined and hardworking.How is the narrator making assumptions?
Ans: She assumes that old people cannot learn new things.
Answer the following questions:
1. Why do you think the grandmother felt embarrassed to ask someone else to read to her while the narrator was away?
Ans: The grandmother felt embarrassed because she was uneducated and could not read. She did not want others to know about her weakness. She felt shy and helpless, which made her avoid asking anyone else to read the story to her.
2. Why does the narrator initially laugh at her grandmother’s determination to learn at the age of sixty-two?
Ans: The narrator laughs because she thinks learning at such an old age is unusual and difficult. She believes that old people cannot learn new things easily, so she finds her grandmother’s decision surprising and slightly amusing at first.
3. What significance does the story of Kashi Yatre have in both the grandmother’s life and the story?
Ans: The story inspires the grandmother deeply and creates a strong emotional connection. It becomes the reason for her desire to learn reading. In the narrative, it plays a key role in showing the importance of education and personal growth.
4. What does the grandmother’s desire to learn the Kannada alphabet reflect about her?
Ans: It reflects her determination, courage, and strong will. It shows that she values education and independence. Her desire also proves that learning has no age limit and that anyone can improve themselves with effort and dedication.
5. What lessons can we infer from the grandmother’s action of touching the narrator’s feet?
Ans: This action shows respect for the teacher and the importance of knowledge. It teaches humility and gratitude. It also reminds us that learning is valuable at any age and that teachers should always be respected.
6. What does the line ‘For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle’ tell us about the broader theme of the story?
Ans: This line highlights the theme of determination and perseverance. It shows that strong willpower can help overcome difficulties. The story teaches that with dedication, one can achieve goals and bring positive change in life.
7. How effectively does the story highlight the value of education in supporting personal independence?
Ans: The story clearly shows that education brings independence and confidence. The grandmother becomes self-reliant after learning to read. It proves that education empowers individuals and helps them live with dignity, even at an older age.
Vocabulary and structures in context (page-13)
sink or swim → (vii) succeed or fail without help
on and off → (v) sometimes, occasionally
mix and match → (i) put different things together to get a range of possibilities
all or nothing → (viii) something to be done completely or not at all
part and parcel → (ii) complete part of or belong to
pick and choose → (iii) choose only the best (things, people, etc.)
sooner or later → (iv) at sometime in the future
leaps and bounds → (vi) increase or develop very quickly
Using binomials in sentences:
She improved her reading skills by leaps and bounds after regular practice.
He studies on and off, so he needs to be more consistent.
In life, you must face challenges on your own—it is sink or swim.
Good manners are part and parcel of a person’s character.
She likes to mix and match her clothes to create new styles.
III. Identify any five words with prefixes from the story and make sentences using each.
1. Unhappy
Ans: The grandmother felt unhappy when she could not read the story on her own.
2. Unusual
Ans: It seemed unusual for her to start learning at the age of sixty-two.
3. Unfortunately
Ans: Unfortunately, she never got a chance to go to school.
4. Irrespective
Ans: She decided to learn irrespective of her age.
5. Independent
Ans: She wanted to become independent by learning to read.
Match the Idioms
Sentences using Idioms
1. to hit the books
Ans: I need to hit the books before my exams.
2. to draw a blank
Ans: I drew a blank when the teacher asked me a difficult question.
3. to learn the ropes
Ans: It took her some time to learn the ropes of her new job.
4. to rack one’s brain
Ans: He racked his brain to solve the tough problem.
5. to learn by heart
Ans: She learned the poem by heart for the competition.
6. burn the midnight oil
Ans: He burned the midnight oil to complete his project.
V. (i) Fill in the blanks (Simple Past & Past Perfect)
A. When the delegates arrived, the keynote speaker had already begun the session.
B. After the students learned, they started verifying information before sharing it.
C. Before Kiran started using digital payment platforms, she had ensured her understanding of online fraud prevention.
D. By the time Varun recognised, he had exhausted most of his savings.
E. When Raghu logged in, the instructor had already discussed the importance of strong passwords.
V. (ii) Fill in the blanks with correct verb forms
Last year, my parents and I _______________
A. took a financial planning course.
When we ________________
B. reviewed our expenses, we realised we
C. had spent too much on unnecessary purchases.
After my parents ____________
D. discussed ways to save, I
E. opened a savings account.
By the time we ______________
F. set our budget, the course
G. had already introduced investment strategies.
We ______________________
H. hurried to take notes, but many participants
I. had completed their financial plans.
Despite that, we ________________
J. enjoyed learning how to manage money wisely.
Page (17)
Literacy these days includes the ability to use digital technology.
Digital literacy is also about protecting personal information.
Digital literacy enables the elderly to stay independent.
Digital literacy encourages using the internet safely by helping us recognise fake news and scams.
The National Digital Literacy Mission helps people across the country by imparting basic skills.
Topic 1: It is important to learn a new language apart from your mother tongue
For:
To begin with, I would like to speak for the motion. Learning a new language helps us communicate with more people. It also increases job opportunities. Moreover, it helps us understand different cultures. I strongly feel that knowing more than one language makes a person smarter and more confident.
Against:
On the other hand, learning a new language is not always necessary. Many people can live comfortably using only their mother tongue. It can also take a lot of time and effort. Well, I am not sure whether everyone really needs to learn another language, especially if it is not useful in their daily life.
Topic 2: Learning can happen only when you are young
For:
To begin with, I would like to speak for the topic. Young people learn faster because their minds are fresh. They can remember things easily. Most importantly, children have more time to study and practise new skills.
Against:
On the contrary, learning can happen at any age. Many adults learn new skills and even start new careers. There’s no doubt that experience also helps in learning. I strongly feel that learning is a lifelong process.
Writing Task: Letter to Editor
Green Valley School
New Delhi
April 20, 2026
Subject: Students' Role in Adult Literacy Camps
Sir/Madam
I am a concerned citizen, and I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the importance of student participation in adult literacy programmes. Many adults in our society still cannot read or write, which creates problems in their daily lives.
In fact, it affects a large section of society. Lack of literacy limits job opportunities and awareness. It is important that students take part in literacy camps, as they can teach basic reading and writing skills. Such initiatives will also help students develop responsibility, confidence, and social awareness.
A possible solution to this issue could be organising awareness campaigns in schools and colleges. Authorities could encourage students by giving certificates or rewards for volunteering. Social media and community programmes can also be used to spread awareness.
I hope this matter will be considered seriously for the benefit of society. I request you to publish my views in your esteemed newspaper for the benefit of the masses.
Yours sincerely
Rahul Sharma
Learning Beyond the Text
Table of Family Words
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