Category: English Summary

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Taros Reward Summary Class 6 English Honeysuckle

Taros Reward Summary in English

Taro was a young woodcutter. He lived with his parents on a lonely hillside. Though he worked very hard, he earned veiy little money. So the family was very poor.

One evening Taro and his parents were sitting in their hut. A cold strong wind was blowing. Taro’s father wished he had a cup of sake to warm him. Taro could not buy that expensive drink for his old father. He became veiy sad. He decided to work harder than before.

Next morning he went to the forest early. He felt tired working by noon. His mouth was dry. He felt thirsty. Suddenly he heard the sound of rushing water. He had never seen a stream there before. He ran to the waterfall behind a rock. He put the water to his lips. It tasted like sake.

Taro quickly filled his pitcher with that water. At home the old father found the liquid tasty as well as heart warming. He began to dance. He offered a cup of sake to an old lady and also told her the story of that magic waterfall. She spread the news in the village.

So many villagers took a sip of the sake. Next morning they went to that waterfall with jars and pitchers. But they were disappointed. To them the water tasted like ordinary cold water. They cursed Taro and looked for him to punish him. But Taro saved his life cleverly.

The story of Taro and his magic waterfall reached the Emperor of Japan. He called Taro and rewarded him for his goodness and his service to his old parents. He named the city’s best fountain after Taro. He wanted all children to respect and obey their parents.

Taros Reward Summary in Hindi

टैरो एक युवा लकड़हारा था। वह अपने माता-पिता के साथ पहाड़ी की वीरान तलहटी में रहता था। यद्यपि वह काफी कठिन परिश्रम करता था, फिर भी उसकी आय बहुत कम थी। इस कारण परिवार बहुत निर्धन था।

एक शाम टैरो अपने माता-पिता के साथ झोंपड़ी के अन्दर बैठा था। बर्फीली हवा चल रही थी। टैरो के पिता ने एक प्याला ‘सेक (एक प्रकार की पौष्टिक महँगी पेय)’ पीने की इच्छा जाहिर की ताकि उसके शरीर में गर्मी आ जाए। टैरो अपने वृद्ध पिता के लिये ऐसी महँगी द्रव खरीद पाने में असमर्थ था। वह बहुत उदास हो गया। उसने सोच लिया कि अब वह पहले से अधिक परिश्रम करेगा।

अगली प्रात: वह तड़के ही जंगल की ओर चल दिया। दोपहर तक काम करते-करते वह थक गया। उसका मुँह सूखने लगा। अचानक उसे बहते जल की कलकल सुनाई दी। उसने पहले कभी वहाँ किसी झरने को नहीं देखा था। वह चट्टान के पीछे चल रहे झरने तक दौड़कर गया। उसने पानी मुँह में डाला। उसका स्वाद तो सेक जैसा था।

टैरो ने शीघ्रता से अपना घड़ा उस पानी से भर लिया। घर पर वृद्ध पिता को वह तरल द्रव बहुत स्वादिष्ट तथा हृदय को उष्णता देने वाला लगा। वह नाचने-कूदने लगा। उसने सेक का एक प्याला एक बूढ़ी महिला को दिया। उसने उस जादुई झरने की कहानी भी उसे सुनाई। महिला ने यह समाचार गाँव में फैला दिया।

इसलिए, बड़ी संख्या में गाँववालों ने सेक को चखा। अगली प्रात: वे उस झरने पर अपने-अपने घड़े आदि लेकर पहुँच गये। पर उन्हें निराश होना पड़ा। उनके लिये पानी का स्वाद साधारण ठण्डे जल जैसा ही था। उन्होंने टैरो को बुरा-भला कहा और उसे दण्ड देने हेतु खोजा। पर टैरो ने अपनी जान चतुराई से बचा ली।

टैरो और उसके मायावी झरने का समाचार जापान के सम्राट के कानों तक पहुँचा। उसने टैरो को बुला भेजा और उसके सद्गुणों तथा अपने वृद्ध माता-पिता की सेवा करने के लिए उसे पुरस्कार दिया। सम्राट ने नगर के सर्वश्रेष्ठ झरने का नाम टैरो रख दिया। वह चाहते थे कि सभी बच्चे अपने माता-पिता का आदर करें तथा उनकी आज्ञा का पालन करें।

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The Friendly Mongoose Summary Class 6 English A Pact With the Sun

The Friendly Mongoose Summary in English

Once there lived a farmer and his wife in a village. They had a small son. They wanted to have a pet to give company to their son.

One evening the farmer brought home a little mongoose. Both the baby and the mongoose grew together. The animal grew to its full size in six months. The baby was still kept in a cradle.

One day the farmer’s wife decided to go for shopping. She rocked the baby to sleep in the cradle. She told her husband to keep an eye on the baby. She. in fact, did not like to leave the child alone with the mongoose.

The farmer told her not to worry. He said that the baby and the mongoose were good friends. The wife went away to the bazar. The farmer also went out to look after his fields. He met some friends there and returned home a little late.

The farmer’s wife came back home with a basket. It was heavy with food items. The mongoose was sitting outside, waiting for her. He ran as usual to welcome her. But she was shocked to see blood on his face and paws. She cursed the animal for killing her baby. In anger, she dropped the heavy basket on him. The mongoose died.

She ran inside to see the child’s cradle. The baby was fast asleep. But on the floor lay a snake. It had been killed by the mongoose.

At once she realised her mistake. The mongoose had, in fact, killed the snake to save the baby. She started crying. But it was too late. Her rash action had killed the innocent and friendly mongoose.

The Friendly Mongoose Summary in Hindi

एक समय एक किसान अपनी पत्नी के साथ एक गाँव में रहता था। उनका एक छोटा बेटा था। वे चाहते थे कि किसी जीव को पालतू बना लिया जाये ताकि वह उनके बेटे का साथी बन जाये।

एक शाम किसान अपने साथ एक छोटा नेवला ले आया। बच्चा तथा नेवला साथ-साथ बड़े होने लगे। नेवला तो छह माह में पूरा आकार ले गया। बच्चा अभी भी पालने में रखा जाता था।

एक दिन किसान की पत्नी ने खरीदारी करने का मन बनाया। उसने बच्चे को पालने में सुला दिया। उसने पति को बच्चे की देखभाल करते रहने को कहा। वास्तव में वह बच्चे को नेवले के साथ अकेला नहीं छोड़ना चाहती थी।

किसान ने उससे कहा कि चिन्ता मत करो। उसने बताया कि बच्चा तथा नेवला अच्छे मित्र हैं। पत्नी बाज़ार चली गई। किसान भी अपने खेतों की देखभाल करने हेतु निकल गया। उसे वहाँ कुछ मित्र मिल गये तथा वह थोड़ी देर से घर लौटा।

किसान की पत्नी टोकरी लेकर घर लौटी। वह खाद्य सामग्री से भरी होने के कारण वजनी हो गई थी। नेवला घर के बाहर बैठा था मानो उसकी प्रतीक्षा कर रहा हो। वह पूर्ववत उसक स्वागत करने के लिये दौड़कर गया। पत्नी नेवले के चेहरे और पंजों पर रक्त के धब्बे देखकर सन्न रह गई। उसने नेवले को बच्चे का हत्यारा समझकर खूब कोसा। क्रोध में आकर उसने भारी टोकरी उसके सिर पर पटक दी। नेवला मर कर ढेर हो गया।

पत्नी घर के अन्दर बच्चे के पालने के पास दौड़कर गई। बच्चा गहरी नींद में सो रहा था। पर फर्श पर एक साँप पड़ा था। उसे नेवले ने मार डाला था।

तुरन्त पत्नी को अपनी गलती का एहसास हो गया। वास्तव में नेवले ने बच्चे की रक्षार्थ साँप को मारा था। पत्नी विलाप करने लगी। पर अब तो समय हाथ से निकल चुका था। उसकी जल्दबाजी ने निर्दोष तथा मैत्रीपूर्ण नेवले की जान ले ली थी।

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How the Dog Found Himself a New Master Summary

How the Dog Found Himself a New Master Summary in English

Long, long ago dogs roamed freely in the forest. They were their own masters like the wolves. But once a dog did not like that way of life. He was sick of wandering alone in search of food. He was also afraid of animals stronger than him.

He, therefore, decided to find a master for himself. He wanted his new master to be stronger than anyone on earth. He first met a wolf who agreed to be the dog’s master. The two of them went on together. At one place the wolf got the smell of a bear. Out of fear he ran off deep into the forest. The bear could eat up both of them. The dog left the weak wolf.

The dog next decided to take up service with the bear. The two set out to find a herd of cows for food. They did see the cows. But suddenly the cows started mooing or lowing in fear. They ran here and there in panic. The bear too hid himself behind a tree. He told the dog that the lion was the ruler of the forest.

The dog said goodbye to the bear also. He became the servant of the lion. The two went on together. The dog had a good and secure life. None dared to touch him.

But one day, the lion while walking with the dog stopped and gave a great roar. Then he began turning back quietly. He had smelled a man coming that way. He suggested the dog that they should run for cover.

So the dog finally decided to take up service with man, the strongest of all creatures. Since then it has been serving man faithfully. He knows no other master now.

How the Dog Found Himself a New Master Summary in Hindi

बहुत समय पूर्व कुत्ते जंगल में आजाद घूमते-फिरते थे। वे भेड़ियों की तरह अपना मालिक स्वयं थे। पर एक बार एक कुत्ते को वह जीवनशैली पसन्द नहीं आई। भोजन की खोज में अकेले भटकते रहने से वह तंग आ गया था। उसे अपने से अधिक ताकतवर पशुओं से भी डर बना रहता था।

इसलिये उसने अपने लिये एक स्वामी खोजने का निर्णय लिया। वह चाहता था कि उसका नया स्वामी धरती पर किसी अन्य की तुलना में अधिक ताकतवर हो। उसकी सर्वप्रथम भेंट एक भेड़िये से हुई जो कुत्ते का मालिक बनने को राजी हो गया। दोनों साथ-साथ घूमने लगे। एक स्थान पर भेड़िये को रीछ की गंध मिल गई। भय के कारण वह घने जंगल में भाग गया। रीछ उन दोनों को मार कर खा सकता था। कुत्ते ने कमजोर भेड़िये का साथ छोड़ दिया।

अगली बार कुत्ते ने रीछ की सेवा करने का निश्चय कर लिया। दोनों गायों के झुण्ड की खोज में निकल पड़े ताकि उनमें से किसी को मारकर पेट भर लें। उन्हें गायें दिख भी गईं। पर अचानक उन गायों ने घबराहट से डकराना या आवाजें निकालना शुरू कर दिया। वे डरकर तितर-बितर हो गईं। रीछ भी एक वृक्ष के पीछे जा छिपा। उसने कुत्ते को बताया कि शेर सबसे ताकतवर है क्योंकि वह जंगल का राजा है।

कुत्ते ने रीछ को अलविदा कह दिया। अब वह शेर का सेवक बन गया। दोनों साथ-साथ घूमने लगे। कुत्ते को यह जीवन अच्छा तथा सुरक्षित लगा। कोई अन्य जीव उसके पास आने से डरते थे।

पर एक दिन शेर कुत्ते के साथ टहलते हुए अचानक रुक गया तथा उसने तगड़ी दहाड़ मारी। फिर वह चुपचाप पीछे खिसकने लगा। उसे मनुष्य की गंध मिल गई थी जो उसी ओर आ रहा था। उसने कुत्ते को सुझाव दिया कि आदमी से बचने के लिये उन्हें भाग जाना चाहिये।

इसी कारण अंत में कुत्ते ने मनुष्य का सेवक बनना स्वीकार कर लिया जो सभी जीवों से अधिक बलशाली था। उस समय से __ कुत्ता मनुष्य की सेवा बहुत निष्ठापूर्वक कर रहा है। अब वह किसी अन्य मालिक को नहीं जानता।

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The Hundred Dresses Part 2 Summary in English by El Bsor Ester

Author Name	El Bsor Ester
Born	9 May 1906, West Haven, Connecticut, United States
Died	15 July 1988, Hamden, Connecticut, United States
Awards	John Newbery Medal
Education	Pratt Institute School of Information, West Haven High School, Pratt Institute

The Hundred Dresses Part 2 Summary in English

Wanda is adjudged the best designer as she has sketched a hundred dresses, all beautiful and all different. But she cannot come to school to receive the medal. Her father writes a letter to Miss Mason that Wanda will not come to school as they are moving to a new city. The mischievous girls Peggy and Maddie feel sorry for teasing Wanda for her hundred dresses and her unusual name. Maddie personally feels sad and tensed for being a party to Peggy in teasing Wanda. Both of them decide to write a letter to Wanda which was responded to by Wanda writing a loving letter to Miss Mason and she requested her to gift the beautiful dresses to Peggy and Maddie. On seeing the beautiful pictures, both of them become emotional. Finally, they change their opinion about Wanda and regret teasing her.

The Hundred Dresses Part 2 Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Why had Wanda’s father written a letter to Miss Mason?
Answer:
Wanda’s father was pained to know that his daughter was teased in the school for her strange name so he wanted to inform the teacher that his daughter would not attend the school where the students made fun of her name. They were shifting to a bigger city where people did not make fun of strange names.

Question 2.
Why was there a silence when the teacher read the letter from Wanda’s father?
Answer:
The students realised their mistake. They now felt sorry for Wanda and were sad at her departure from the school. They also felt vilely for thinking that ‘name’ of a person is more important than anything else in life. So there was a silence when the teacher read the letter from Wanda’s father.

Question 3.
Why was Maddie upset after listening to the teacher’s views on teasing the fellow students?
Answer:
Maddie was a conscientious student who did not enjoy hurting others but she had been a mute spectator when Peggy was making fun of Wanda’s hundred dresses. Now she realised that she had been a party to all the insults and humiliations which Wanda suffered quietly. So she was disturbed after listening to the teacher’s views on teasing the fellow student.

Question 4.
Why was Maddie sad about Wanda?
Answer:
Ans. Maddie was sad about Wanda because she had realised her mistake that she should not have made . fun of her.

Question 5.
Why did Peggy and Maddie decide to go to Boggins Heights?
Answer:
Peggy and Maddie decided to go to Boggins Heights because they felt sorry to know that they were misbehaving with an innocent girl and were teasing her for her poverty. Now they realised their mistake and wanted to say sorry to Wanda.

Question 6.
What is the comparison between Wanda’s house and her dress?
Answer:
The comparison between Wanda’s house and her dress is that both of them look shabby but are clean.

Question 7.
How did the memories of Wanda haunt Maddie?
Answer:
The memories about Wanda haunt Maddie because she realised her mistake that she should not have kept quiet when Peggy was making fun of Wanda. Now she felt that it was very cruel of her to be a party to insulting an innocent girl who was like her.

Question 8.
How did Maddie decide to compensate for making fun of Wanda?
Answer:
Maddie decided to compensate for making fun of Wanda by becoming strong enough to oppose such harassment faced by a student. She decided not to be quiet when somebody was teased for his/her funny name or dress.

Question 9.
Why did Maddie write a letter to Wanda?
Answer:
Maddie wrote a letter to Wanda to congratulate her on her success telling her that she had won the contest. She also wanted to appreciate the designs of hundred dresses. In fact, Maddie and Peggy, in their letter wanted to convey that they were sorry for insulting her by making fun of her hundred dresses.

Question 10.
Why did Maddie and Peggy not get the reply to the letter written to Wanda?
Answer:
Maddie and Peggy did not get the reply to the letter written to Wanda because they did not know her address and they had written it at the address Boggins Heights from where it was to be forwarded to her new address, which took some time but they felt that she did not reply because she was angry.

We have decided to create the most comprehensive English Summary that will help students with learning and understanding.

The Accidental Tourist Summary in English by Bill Bryson

The Accidental Tourist by Bill Bryson About the Author

Bill Bryson (full name: William Maguire Bryson) is an Anglo-American author, based in the United Kingdom.

He is one of the most popular writers of non-fiction and has written books on travel, history and science, among others. Some of his most famous books include Notes from a Small Island, The Lost Continent and a Short History of Nearly Everything. Before becoming a full-fledged writer, Bryson worked as a journalist for The Times and The Independent. From 2005-2011 he served as Chancellor of Durham University. He was President of the Campaign to Protect Rural England for five years. He is also an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society. His clever crafting of witty, light-hearted sentences has made him a favourite with readers all over the world.

The Accidental Tourist Summary in English

At the outset, the author claims that he is not very good at living in the real world. He says that he finds it difficult to do the simplest things that other people seem to do with ease. For instance, whenever he stays at a hotel, he has to visit the hotel desk multiple times to remember what his room number is. He finds locating lavatories at cinema halls immensely difficult. He claims that he is easily confused.

The author narrates the story of his last family trip that took place during Easter. They were flying from Boston to England for a week. While at the Logan Airport in Boston, the author remembered that he had enrolled in the British Airways’ frequent flyer programme and that the card was in the bag he was carrying around his neck. This was the beginning of his troubles.

The zip of the bag was stuck; the author pulled at it harder and harder till suddenly the side of the bag flew open and its contents were strewn all over the floor. These included about a hundred pages of documents, his passport, English money, film and a 14-ounce tin of pipe tobacco. He was horrified at the thought of how expensive tobacco would be in England. He then noticed that he had cut his finger on the zip and it was now bleeding heavily. Being uncomfortable with bleeding in general, he felt it was justified to be hysterical since it was his blood that was shedding. He says that even his hair had become so confused and helpless that it went into panic mode. At this point, his wife looked at him with pure wonder: she found it hard to believe that he travelled to make a living.

The author says that mishaps of such kinds occur frequently when he travels. He recalls an incident on an aeroplane where he had bent to tie his shoelace at the exact moment that the person seated in front had reclined his seat—the author was stuck in the crash position and only managed to free himself by clawing at the leg of the passenger seated next to him.

He says that on another flight, he spilled a soft drink onto the lap of a lady seated next to him. When the flight attendant handed him another drink, he spilled that on the lady as well. He says that he still does not understand how it happened. All he remembers is that his arm had acted out of control—like a cheap prdp in a typical 1950s horror movie.

The author then narrates his worst travel experience. On one flight, the author was writing down important thoughts, and while doing so, he was absent-mindedly sucking on the end of his pen. He then spoke to an attractive young lady sitting beside him for about twenty minutes, after which he made his way to the restroom. There he saw that his pen had leaked and his mouth, chin, tongue, teeth and gums had been coloured navy blue and would remain so for several days.

The author confesses that it is his dream to be polished and sophisticated. Just for once, he wants to be able to rise up from a dinner table without upsetting everything on it; fold his coat properly while seating himself into a car and not close the door while half of it lies outside; and wear light-coloured trousers without staining it with things like ice cream, motor oil, etc. He says that now when he travels with his family on planes, his wife asks the children to remove the lids from boxes of food and warns them when he cuts pieces of meat. When he flies alone, he does not eat or drink at all. He simply sits still and quiet, sometimes on his hands to prevent them from going out of control and causing accidents. This method, according to him, is very effective in keeping his clothes clean.

Even though he flies 100,000 miles a year, the author never gets his frequent flyer miles. He finds this quite disheartening, especially when he sees people flying off to exotic places like Bali in first class, thanks to their flyer miles. This is because he mostly forgets to ask for it when he checks in; and even when he does, the airlines fail to record it. He has also frequently been told that he is not entitled to any flyer miles. For instance, on a flight to Australia, he had expected to gain a large number of frequent flyer miles. To his dismay, the clerk told him that since the card is in the name of a W. Bryson and the ticket was in the name of a B. Bryson, he was not entitled to gain any miles. He tried to explain that William and Bill have a very close relationship, as they are the same person, but the clerk dismissed him.

The author is resigned to the fact that perhaps he will not be flying off to Bali soon; but finds consolation in the thought that he could not survive such a long flight without food anyway.

The Accidental Tourist Title

The title suggests that the writer is a tourist, not by choice, but by accident. It is a pun on the word accident, as he has several accidents while travelling. In fact, this effectively captures the various misadventures that he has while travelling with his family. It also suggests that the anecdotes and events described are humorous and should be taken in a lighter vein.

The Accidental Tourist Setting

The story is set in modem times, and describes several places frequented by a modem traveller, such as airports, hotels and places of tourist interest.

The Accidental Tourist Theme

The story highlights the predicament of a modem traveller, the issues that he has to face in a bid to look smart and suave like the other people who travel along with him.

The Accidental Tourist Message

The message that we get from the anecdotes in this story, is to look at events in a lighthearted way. It suggests that we should not become too serious about any setbacks we may face. Throughout the chapter, the writer faces one disastrous situation after another, but none of it mins his trip, because he is able to view each situation with humour.

The Accidental Tourist Characters

The Writer: He appears to be a positive, funny, and self-deprecating man who does not mind highlighting his shortcomings. In fact, every instance that could have embarrassed other people has been shown in a humorous light. He has found humour in the most disastrous and frustrating situations. Even when he loses the chance to go to Bali when the airline refuses to give him air miles on a technical reason, he does not lose his temper. He does not take himself too seriously and readily accepts his clumsiness. He doesn’t try to hide any of the embarrassing accidents he has had, but honestly admits to them. His family also appears to have accepted him the way he is, and leamt to handle him along with his ‘accidents’.

The writer’s most endearing quality is how comfortable he is with his own self. Even though he talks about wanting to be suave and gentlemanly like other travellers, he is not too worried when he is unable to do so, in spite of his best efforts. He thus comes across as a clumsy, accident- prone, but good natured person.

The Accidental Tourist Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Bill Bryson says “I am, in short, easily confused.” What examples has he given to justify this?
Answer:
He gives the example of returning to his hotel desk two or three times a day, asking what his room number was. He also talks about looking for a lavatory and ending up standing in an alley on the wrong side of a self¬locking door.

Question 2.
What happens when the zip on his carry-on bag gives way?
Answer:
The side of the bag flew open and everything inside it, like newspaper cuttings, other loose papers, a 14-ounce tin of pipe tobacco, magazines, passport, English money, film, etc, were scattered all over the place. He also injured his finger, which bled profusely.

Question 3.
What causes his finger to bleed? How does his wife react?
Answer:
His finger was cut on the zip when he was trying to open it. His wife looked at him with an expression of wonder and commented that she couldn’t believe that he did that for a living.

Question 4.
How does Bill Bryson end up in a ‘crash position’ in the aeroplane?
Answer:
This happened when he bent down to tie his shoelaces while seated in the plane, and the person in the seat ahead of him threw back his seat back in a full recline. As a result, Bill Bryson found himsglf doubled over and pinned helplessly in the ‘crash position’.

Question 5.
Why do the writer’s teeth and gums turn navy blue?
Answer:
This happens when the writer was penning down important thoughts in his notebook during a flight. He had been sucking thoughtfully on the end of his pen while doing so. He had not realised that in the process, his teeth and gums had turned navy blue because of the ink.

Question 6.
Bill Bryson ‘ached to be suave’. Is he successful in his mission?
Answer:
No, he is not suave in spite of his best efforts, because he always looks as though he has been through an earthquake when he rises from a dinner table. He can never get inside a car without having at least 14 inches of his coat hanging outside the door. He can never wear light coloured trousers without having chewing gum, ice cream, cough syrup, or motor oil stains on them.

Question 7.
Why do you think Bill Bryson’s wife says to the children, ‘Take the lids off the food for Daddy’?
Answer:
She says this because her husband is so accident-prone that she expects the food to go all over the place or some such accident to happen if he is allowed to open the lid himself. This is because of his earlier accidental incidents that always happen whenever he tries to perform simple actions, especially during flights.

Question 8.
What is the significance of the title?
Answer:
The title suggests that the writer is a tourist, not by choice, but by accident. It is a pun on the word accident, as he has several accidents while travelling. In fact, this effectively captures the various misadventures that he has while travelling with his family. It also suggests that the anecdotes and events described are humorous and should be taken in a lighter vein.

Question 9.
Why does the writer say ‘living in the real world’ is challenging for him?
Answer:
He says this because he has had several experiences of doing something wrong in instances where normal people have no problems. For instance, things like remembering his room number in an hotel, or finding the lavatory at a movie theatre.

Question 10.
Why did the writer feel the need to open his carry-on bag at Logan Airport?
Answer:
He wanted to open the bag to take out his frequent flyer card, which he had kept inside it.

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Who Did Patrick’s Homework? Summary in English by Caroll Moore

Who Did Patrick’s Homework? by Caroll Moore About the Author

Author Name	Carroll Moore
Born	12 July 1871, Limerick, Maine, United States
Died	20 January 1961, New York, New York, United States
Awards	Regina Medal, John Newbery Medal
Nationality	American

Who Did Patrick’s Homework? Summary in English

Patrick was not a lazy boy. He played hockey and basketball with zeal. But he hated doing homework. He had little interest in studies. His teacher warned him to do homework. If he didn’t do so he wouldn’t learn anything.

One day Patrick found his cat playing with a little doll. It was, in fact, not a doll but a small-sized man, an elf. The elf wore a woollen shirt, a tall hat and breeches. He was in trouble. He needed help. Patrick saved his life from the cat. The elf promised to grant him a wish.

Patrick was glad. He called himself lucky. He asked the tiny man to do all his homework for 35 days. The little man showed dislike. But he agreed to keep his promise.

The tiny man, however, did not know much about maths and English. He needed help. Patrick consulted the dictionary. He had to sit beside the man to guide him. He brought many books from the library. He worked very hard to solve all problems.

The elf went away after 35 days. Patrick got good grades in all the subjects. He was a changed boy now. He became a gentle, ideal boy. He still thought he had made the tiny man do all his homework. But, truly speaking, he had done it himself.

Who Did Patrick’s Homework? Summary in Hindi

पैट्रिक कोई आलसी बालक न था। वह हॉकी और बास्केट बाल बड़े उत्साह के साथ खेलता था। पर वह गृहकार्य करने से नफरत करता था। उसकी पढ़ाई में कम रुचि थी। उसके शिक्षक ने उसे चेतावनी दी कि वह स्कूल का गृहकार्य अवश्य किया करे। यदि वह ऐसा नहीं करेगा, तो अनपढ़ रह जायेगा।

एक दिन पैट्रिक ने अपनी बिल्ली को एक छोटी सी गुड़िया (अथवा खिलौने) से खेलते देखा। वह वास्तव में खिलौना न होकर, बहुत छोटे आकार का एक जिन्न था। वह मायावी एक ऊनी कमीज़, लंबी टोपी और तंग पैजामा पहने हुए था। वह संकट में था। उसे मदद की ज़रूरत थी। पैट्रिक ने बिल्ली से उसकी जान बचाई। उस जिन्न ने उसकी एक मनोकामना पूरी कर देने का वचन दे दिया।

पैट्रिक खुश हो गया। उसने स्वयं को भाग्यशाली समझा। उसने उस बौने को 35 दिनों तक उसका सारा गृहकार्य करने के लिये कहा। बौने ने अनिच्छा दिखाई। फिर भी वह अपना वचन निभाने को राजी हो गया।

पर बौने को गणित और अंग्रेजी की जानकारी अधिक न थी। उसे मदद की ज़रूरत पड़ती थी। पैट्रिक शब्दकोश की मदद लेता। उसे बौने के पास बैठना पड़ता ताकि उसकी समस्या का समाधान कर सके। वह पुस्तकालय से अनेक पुस्तकें ले आया। उसने सभी समस्याओं का समाधान करने के लिये अत्यधिक कठोर परिश्रम किया।

35 दिन पश्चात् जिन्न चला गया। पैट्रिक ने हर विषय में अच्छे अंक पाए। वह अब बिल्कुल बदल गया था। वह नेक तथा आदर्श बालक बन गया था। वह अभी भी सोचता था कि उसने जिन्न से सारा होमवर्क करा लिया। पर दरअसल यह सब उसने स्वयं ही किया था।

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A Tale of Two Birds Summary Class 6 English A Pact With the Sun

A Tale of Two Birds Summary in English

Once there lived a mother bird in a forest. She had built her nest in a tall, shady tree. She had two new-born babies. She took great care of them.

One day, a storm came. There was thunder, lightning and rain. Many trees were uprooted. The tall tree with the nest also came down. The mother bird was killed. But the baby birds were saved. The strong wind blew them away to the different sides of the forest.

One bird came near a cave, in which robbers lived. He learnt their ways. The other came outside a rishi’s ashram. It learnt the gentle ways of the rishi. Both became big birds with the passing of time.

One day the king of the country came to that forest to hunt. He rode after a deer. He lost his way. He was tired. He stood near a cave. He heard the voice of a bird. It asked the robbers to come and loot the traveller. The king was afraid. He rode away at once.

Soon he reached the rishi’s ashram. He sat down in the shade of a tree. He heard a bird’s voice. It was sweet and gentle. It welcomed the king.

Soon the rishi returned to the ashram. The king told him the story of the two birds. The birds looked alike. But they spoke differently. One imitated the robbers. The other welcomed the king sweetly.

The rishi explained the reason why it was so. The two birds were brothers. But they behaved differently. It was the result of the company, they kept.

A Tale of Two Birds Summary in Hindi

एक समय एक मादा पक्षी एक जंगल में रहती थी। उसने अपना घोंसला एक ऊँचे घने छायादार वृक्ष पर बना रखा था। उसके दो नवजात बच्चे थे। वह उनका बहुत ध्यान रखती थी।

एक दिन एक तूफ़ान आया। बादल गरजे, बिजली कौंधी तथा वर्षा होने लगी। अनेक वृक्ष समूल उखड़ गये। ऊँचा लम्बा वृक्ष भी घोंसले के साथ नीचे गिर गया। मादा पक्षी मर गई। पर उसके बच्चों की जान बच गयी। तेज हवा उन्हें जंगल के अलग छोरों पर उड़ा ले गई।

एक पक्षी तो एक गुफा के निकट पहुँच गया जिसके अन्दर डाकू रहते थे। उसने उन्हीं के रंग-ढंग सीख लिये। दूसरा पक्षी एक ऋषि के आश्रम के बाहर आ गिरा। उसने ऋषि के नेक तरीके अपना लिये। समय बीतने पर दोनों पक्षी बड़े हो गए।

एक दिन उस देश का राजा उस जंगल में शिकार के लिये पहुँच गया। एक हिरन के पीछे उसने घोड़ा दौड़ाया। वह रास्ता भटक गया। वह थक गया था। वह एक गुफा के निकट खड़ा हो गया। उसने एक पक्षी की आवाज़ सुनी। पक्षी ने डाकुओं को बोला जल्दी आकर यात्री को लूट लो। राजा डर गया। वह तुरंत भाग चला।

शीघ्र ही वह ऋषि के आश्रम में पहुँच गया। वह एक वृक्ष की छाया में बैठ गया। उसने एक पक्षी की आवाज़ सुनी। आवाज़ मधुर तथा सौम्य थी। उस पक्षी ने राजा का स्वागत किया।

शीघ्र ही ऋषि आश्रम में लौट आये। राजा ने उन्हें दोनों पक्षियों की कहानी सुनाई। पक्षी एक जैसे दिख रहे थे पर उनकी भाषा भिन्न थी। एक डाकुओं का साथ दे रहा था। दूसरे ने राजा का गर्मजोशी से स्वागत किया।

ऋषि ने इसका कारण बताया। दोनों पक्षी भाई थे पर उनका आचरण विपरीत था। यह उनकी संगति का परिणाम था।

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A House is not a Home Summary in English by Zan Gaudioso

A House is not a Home by Zan Gaudioso About the Author

Zan Gaudioso is an author based in California. She has contributed stories to and edited the famous Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. These books consist of short stories that seek to comfort and inspire readers. Among these, her most notable contributions have been for the book, Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul III. Zan has also co-writered The Buddha Next Door: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories.

A House is not a Home Summary in English

This story relates the experiences of the writer after she joins a new high school. All her friends have gone to a different school and she feels very isolated among the new students and teachers. She often visits the teachers in her old school and they encourage her to participate in the activities at her new school. They assure her that in time she will grow to love her new school.

On a Sunday afternoon soon after, the writer is seated on the dining table, doing her homework. As it is a cold and windy day, there is a fire going in the fireplace. The writer’s red tabby cat is lying on top of her school papers. The reader is informed that the writer had rescued the cat when it was a kitten and since then they have had a close relationship. Suddenly, the writer smells something strange: she looks up to the ceiling sees that smoke is pouring in through its seams. It fills the room quickly and they run out of the house to find that the fire has engulfed the roof. While the writer runs to the neighbour’s house to call the fire department, her mother runs back into the house.

The writer’s mother returns with a metal box that has important documents and then runs back in. The writer knows she has gone to collect pictures of her father who had passed away when she was young. She knows that the pictures are all that her mother has left of him. The writer tries to run into the house after her mother but is restrained by a fireman—by this time, the street is full of fire trucks. She tells him that her mother is in the house and he assures her that the other firemen have gone into the house to rescue her. He wraps her in a blanket and makes her sit in a car.

Soon enough, a fireman emerges with the writer’s mother. The writer is relieved and runs to her mother and hugs her. She feels that the happiness of that moment has washed over all the times she had argued with her mother and hated her.

It takes five hours to douse the fire and the house appears almost completely destroyed. At this time, the writer remembers her cat and realises that it is nowhere to be found. She becomes overwhelmed by the feeling of loss: of her old school, her friends, her old teachers, her home and now, her cat. Although she does not want to leave without knowing what happened to her cat, the firemen announce that it is not safe to go into the house. Thus, with just the clothes they are wearing and the blankets given by the firemen, the writer and her mother make their way to her grandparents’ house to spend the night.

The next day, the writer’s mother forces her to go to school. The writer does not want to go because she is very embarrassed: she is still wearing the dress she wore the day before and has had to borrow tennis shoes from her aunt. She has lost her books, her homework and her backpack in the fire. She feels very self-conscious because she knows that instead of blending in, this incident will cause her to stick out like a sore thumb. At school, she feels lost and completely out of place.

She goes to her old house after school and is pained to see that only the pictures and documents rescued by her mother have survived the fire. Once again she longs for her cat. However, there is no time for grief, as they need to find a new house and buy new clothes for school. Eventually, they rent an apartment near their old house. The writer visits her old house in the hope of finding her cat. She misses her cat terribly and remembers the time they had spent together.

The writer realises that everyone in her school has come to know of the fire. She feels embarrassed by the attention people give her. The next day, people gather around the writer and ask her to hurry up and head to gym class. She finds this strange but upon reaching the gym, she sees that a table has been set up and piled with school supplies, notebooks and clothes—all of it is for her. Strangers introduce themselves to her and even invite her to their homes. This heartfelt gesture touches her heart and she finally feels hopeful about her situation. At last, she makes new friends.

A month later, the writer is at the site of her old house with two of her new friends, watching her house being rebuilt. She realises that because of the fire incident, she was able to break through her insecurities and embrace the wonderful things and people around her. She realises that just like the house, her life too is being rebuilt.

At that moment, a woman comes to the writer, holding her lost cat. The writer jumps up with joy and takes the cat into her arms. She learns that her cat had been so scared by the fire that she ran over a mile away. Although the cat’s collar had the owner’s phone number on it, the phone had been destroyed in the fire. This kind woman took the cat in and also made the effort to locate its original owners.

When the writer sits with her friends and reflects on everything that has happened, she realises that the feelings of loss and tragedy that she had been struggling with have begun to diminish. Instead, she feels an immense sense of gratitude for all the blessings she has received: her life, her new friends, a stranger’s kindness and the purr of her cat. She feels that just like her cat, she has also found her way back.

A House is not a Home Title

The title of the chapter talks about the difference between a house and a home. A house is a physical structure. A home is a shelter, a place where people live together sharing their ups and downs, supporting each other and spreading love and cheer. Therefore, a home is much more than a house made of brick and mortar.

A House is not a Home Setting

The story is set in a small town in America, where the writer lived with her mother.

A House is not a Home Theme

The story traces the problems that one faces when an older way of living comes crashing down, forcing one to rebuild life from scratch. It examines how a seemingly tough situation can be turned into an advantageous one, with the right attitude.

A House is not a Home Message

The story highlights the importance of keeping an open mind and not being depressed by the problems and challenges that are an important part of life. It reiterates that every dark cloud has a silver lining.

A House is not a Home Characters

The writer: The writer appears to be a teenager, who has just graduated from junior high. In the beginning of the story, she appears to have been a normal teenager, who was rude to her mother and sometimes even hated her. She also appears to be emotional and finds it difficult to handle the shift to high school, away from the environment and people that she was used to. All her friends had gone to different high schools, and she felt very isolated and alone. She is very close to her pet cat, whom she had rescued as a kitten.

After the fire, she is initially very lost and sad, as she and her mother had just lost all their possessions and didn’t even have any clothes or a place to stay. She is very shaken and insecure. However, she soon matures and grows closer to her mother. The shock of almost losing her mother in the fire makes her realise how much she loves her and she stops taking her for granted. The kindness of her new classmates and teachers, who donate all kinds of necessities to help her overcome her losses from the fire, touches her and makes her feel accepted and secure. She becomes less judgmental and more accommodating of the changes that take place in her life.

The mother: Her character emerges not through direct descriptions, but through her actions during the course of the story. She is very caring, responsible, and brave, bringing up her daughter as a single parent after her husband died several years ago. She faces each challenge and problem that arises without complaining. She never gives up, but always tries to find a solution to the problem. She is very concerned about her daughter, and even borrows clothes so that she can go to school the next day. She rebuilds her home from the debris.

Even though her cards and identification papers are burnt, she does not hesitate to borrow money from her parents to make sure she can create a normal living situation for her daughter as quickly as possible. She is a caring and sensitive person, who loved her husband dearly even after he died. This is clear from the way she ran into the burning house to rescue his letters and pictures. She seems to have been a very remarkable woman who did not let life’s challenges knock her down.

A House is not a Home Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Why did the writer feel awkward during her first year of high school?
Answer:
She felt awkward because it was a new school, much bigger than her previous junior high school. It was strange starting as a freshman after enjoying the benefits of being the senior-most class in junior high. She also felt isolated as all her close friends had gone to different high schools and she did not know anyone there.

Question 2.
Why did she continue to visit her old school?
Answer:
She missed her teachers so much that she continued to visit them at her old school. Moreover, it was a familiar place where she had spent many happy years. She felt isolated in her new school without her friends.

Question 3.
What advice did her junior high teachers give her?
Answer:
They encouraged her to get involved with activities in her new school so that she could meet new people. They were confident that she would adjust in time and start loving the new school as well.

Question 4.
What was the psychology behind the teachers’ advice?
Answer:
The teachers wanted her to adjust to her new environment and not keep thinking about the past. It was time for her to move on and face the reality of her situation.

Question 5.
How do we know that her cat was very playful?
Answer:
We know this from the fact that she would swat at the writer’s pen from time to time in a playful maimer while she tried to complete her homework.

Question 6.
Why was the cat so attached to the writer?
Answer:
The writer had saved the cat when it had been a kitten and somehow it knew that the writer was responsible for the good life that it was presently enjoying.

Question 7.
What happened one Sunday afternoon?
Answer:
The writer’s house caught fire one Sunday, and it burnt down completely.

Question 8.
Why did the writer’s mother run back into the burning house?
Answer:
The writer’s father had died when she had been very young. Her mother ran back into the burning house to try to save her husband’s pictures and letters, which were all she had to remember him by.

Question 9.
Why was the writer held back by the fireman?
Answer:
She was held back by the fireman to stop her from following her mother into the burning house, as she could have lost her life.

Question 10.
How was the writer’s mother rescued from the burning house?
Answer:
The fire-fighters ran into the house and rescued the writer’s mother. She was given an oxygen mask to help her breathe normally again.

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The Banyan Tree Summary in English by Ruskin Bond

The Banyan Tree Summary in English

Part I

The author was living in his grandparents’ house in Dehradun. There was a huge banyan tree in the yard. The tree was home to squirrels, snails and butterflies. The author also made a platform on it for hiding and reading.

His first friend was a small squirrel. He offered it pieces of cake and biscuit. It grew bold and began to take out food items even from his pocket. During the fig season, the tree was a very noisy place made by parrots, myna, nightingales and crows. From his banyan tree platform, the author used to look down at the world below.

Part II

One day he saw a big cobra coming out in search of prey. Just then a mongoose also came out from the bushes. The two came face to face under the tree. (They are sworn enemies.) Both were great fighters, swift and clever.

The cobra raised its body three feet off the ground. The mongoose kept its eyes fixed below the cobra’s hood. The fight between the champions began. There were three onlookers of the fight—the author, a myna and a wild crow.

The mongoose moved swifter than the snake. It bit the snake on the back. The two birds flew down to feed on the dead cobra. But they hit against each other. They made a second attempt but in vain. In the third attempt the crow was bitten by the snake and it fell dead. Myna kept sitting on the cactus plant.

The fight went on for quite some time. The cobra grew tired and weak. The mongoose caught the cobra by its mouth. The cobra coiled itself round its enemy. But it could struggle no more. The mongoose dragged it into the bushes. The myna flew down and looked into the bushes. But it had no success. It flew away.

The Banyan Tree Summary in Hindi

Part I

लेखक देहरादून में अपने दादा-दादी के घर पर रह रहा था। आंगन में एक विशाल बरगद का पेड़ था। वृक्ष पर गिलहरियों, घोंघों तथा तितलियों का बोलबाला था। लेखक ने भी उस पर एक छोटा-सा प्लेटफार्म बना लिया जहाँ वह विश्राम कर (छुप) सके अथवा पुस्तकें पढ़ सके।

उसका पहला मित्र बना एक छोटा गिलहरी। वह गिलहरी को केक तथा बिस्कुट खिलाता था। गिलहरी निर्भीक हो गया, वह उसकी जेब से भी खाने की वस्तुएं निकालने लगा। फल लगने वाली ऋतु में वृक्ष पर बहुत शोरगुल हो जाता था। शोर करने वालों में थे तोते, मैना, बुलबुल तथा जंगली कौवा। वट वृक्ष पर स्थित अपने प्लेटफार्म से लेखक नीचे की दुनिया का नजारा लेता रहता था।

Part II

एक दिन उसने एक बड़े कोबरा को अपने शिकार की तलाश में बाहर आते देखा। तभी एक नेवला भी झाड़ियों से बाहर आ गया। दोनों वृक्ष के नीचे आमने-सामने आ गये। (हमें विदित ही है कि ये दोनों कितने कट्टर शत्रु होते हैं।) दोनों ही कुशल योद्धा थे, तेज गति वाले और चतुर भी।

कोबरा ने अपना शरीर जमीन से तीन फुट ऊपर उठा लिया। नेवले ने अपनी दृष्टि उसके फन के नीचे केन्द्रित कर रखी थी। दो महान योद्धाओं के बीच लड़ाई शुरू हो गयी। इस घटना के तीन दर्शक थे – लेखक, एक मैना पक्षी और एक जंगली कौवा।

नेवला साँप से अधिक तेज गति वाला था। उसने साँप की पीठ पर काट लिया। दोनों पक्षी कोबरा को मृत मानकर उसे खाने के लिए नीचे उड़कर आये। पर वे आपस में टकरा गये। उन्होंने दूसरा प्रयास किया पर वह भी असफल रहा। तीसरे दौर में कौवे को साँप ने काट लिया और वह मर गया। मैना अपने नागफनी पौधे पर बैठी रही।

लड़ाई काफी समय तक चलती रही। कोबरा थक कर कमजोर पड़ गया। नेवले ने उसे उसके थूथन से पकड़ लिया। साँप ने अपने शत्रु के शरीर पर कुंडली मार ली। पर वह अब लड़ने की स्थिति में नहीं रहा। नेवला उसे घसीटकर झाड़ियों में खींच ले गया। मैना पौधे से नीचे उड़कर आयी तथा उसने झाड़ियों में झाँका। उसे निराश होना पड़ा। वह उड़ गयी।

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A Triumph of Surgery Summary in English by James Herriot

A Triumph of Surgery by James Herriot About the Author

Author Name	James Herriot
Born	3 October 1916, Sunderland, United Kingdom
Died	23 February 1995, Thirlby, United Kingdom
Spouse	Joan Catherine Anderson Danbury (m. 1941–1995)
Movies	All Creatures Great and Small, It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet

A Triumph of Surgery Summary in English

Mrs Pumphrey was a rich and emotional lady who had a cute pet dog called Tricki. She loved him so much that she overfed him. Tricki had put on a lot of weight which made him lethargic. When doctor Herriot saw the fat dog like a bloated sausage, he was shocked. He made a plan and told Mrs Pumphrey that Tricki needed treatment for his ailment, which was possible only in the hospital. The doctor knew that Mrs Pumphrey would not be able to keep the dog on a proper diet. When the greedy dog went to hospital, he had to remain hungry, if he was slow to approach for food. He was given food at fixed intervals. Soon, he shed off a lot of his body weight and became quite active.

When Tricki was at home, he was pampered by Mrs Pumphrey. He led a luxurious life, where he was served with cream cake, chocolate and Horlicks. But when he came to the doctor, he became all right. When Mrs Pumphrey saw her active dog, she thanked the doctor and felt that it was a triumph of surgery.

A Triumph of Surgery Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
How was TVicki treated in the first two days of his visit to the surgery?
Answer:
He was given a cozy bed in a warm loose box. He was kept under strict observation for first two days and given a plenty of water but no food was given to him. The cut down on his diet helped him improve a lot.

Question 2.
What made THcki get well so soon?
Answer:
Tricki was not suffering from any disease indeed. His main ailment was his greed for overeating. When Mr Herriot gave him a controlled diet, he recovered from his lethargy caused by overeating and excessive fat.

Question 3.
Why did Mrs Pumphrey suffer in the absence of Tricki?
Answer:
Mrs Pumphrey loved Tricki very much. She suffered thinking that Tricki was undergoing treatment and was to be operated on. She felt that he would not surive, if he did not see her daily.

Question 4.
What was the main cause of Tricki’s problem?
Answer:
Tricki was a greedy dog. He could never refuse to eat whatever and whenever it was given him. Only this was the main cause of Tricki’s problem.

Question 5.
Why could Tricki not be cured at home?
Answer:
Mrs Pumphrey loved Tricki very much and could not be strict with him regarding his diet and exercise. Therefore, he could not be cured at home.

Question 6.
How did lunch become ‘a ceremonial occasion’ for Mr Herriot and his partners?
Answer:
Mrs Pumphrey sent fresh eggs, two dozen at a time to build up Tricki’s strength.

Mr Herriot and his partners began to take two eggs each in breakfast. They enjoyed it a lot.

Then bottles of wine began to arrive to enrich Tricki’s blood. This way it became a ceremonial occasion for them, to have two glasses of wine before and during the meal.

Question 7.
‘You must harden your heart and help him on a strict diet.’ Why does Mr Herriot suggest this to Mrs Pumphrey?
Answer:
Mrs Pumphrey is very loving and caring mistress for Tricki. Her love and care do more harm than good to Tricki. She pampered him by giving him a luxurious life.

She overfed him. The result was that Tricki became fat and lethargic. Overpampering and overfeeding were leading into disaster by spoiling his health. Cutting down his meals was much required to improve his health. Therefore, Mr Herriot suggests Mrs Pumphrey so.

Question 8.
Why was Mr Herriot shocked at Tricki’s appearance?
Answer:
Mr Herriot was shocked at Tricki’s appearance as he had become very obese. His eyes were red and watery and his tongue was lolling. All these symptoms made Mr Herriot feel that he was not feeling well.

Question 9.
(i) What was Mrs Pumphrey’s reaction when THcki showed little enthusiasm for exertion?
(ii) What did Mrs Pumphrey do to bring Tricki back to normal health? Was she wise?
Answer:
(i) Mrs Pumphrey loved Tricki very much, naturally she was anxious after noticing that he was no more an active and energetic dog. She felt that he should be given more nutrients through his food.
(ii) She gave him malt and cod liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks to make him energetic. She gave him an extra diet of cream cakes and chocolates to make him feel better as he loved to eat all this. She was not giving him exercises as he was very weak and the gardener was not feeling well to take him for a long walk. She was not being wise in spoiling her greedy dog.

Question 10.
How was THcki greeted at the surgery by other dogs in the beginning?
Answer:
When the household dogs at the surgery came closer to Tricki and sniffed round him for a few seconds, they found him an uninteresting object. They got bored and left him alone thinking that he could not move. After a few days of strict diet, he recovered and enjoyed playing with them, being bowled over, tramped on and squashed every few minutes. Thus, he became an accepted member of the game.

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The Last Leaf Summary in English by O. Henry

The Last Leaf by O. Henry About the Author

O. Henry is the pen name of William Sydney Porter. He was an American short story writer, famous for his use of surprise endings. He worked in a number of professions in his lifetime: a pharmacist, a .draftsman, and a bank teller, among others. Throughout these phases, he contributed stories and articles to many newspapers and magazines. He founded The Rolling Stone—a humorous weekly. His stint as a columnist at the Houston Post led to a rise in his popularity. He spent three years in prison on charges of embezzlement.

After his release, he began the most prolific stage of his writing career: he wrote over 300 short stories and enjoyed great popularity among readers. Porter spent a lot of time talking to people and observing them. His stories are about the lives of ordinary people and are marked by his unique narrative style. Most of his stories are based in New York City and speak of his fascination with the place.

Author Name	O. Henry
Born	11 September 1862, Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
Died	5 June 1910, New York, New York, United States
Full Name	William Sydney Porter
Short Stories	The Gift of the Magi, The Last Leaf

The Last Leaf Summary in English

Autumn forms the background of this story about Sue and Johnsy, two young artists who share a flat on the third storey of an old house. It is the month of November and Johnsy is ill with pneumonia: she lies in bed all day, gazing out of the window. Sue is worried and calls a doctor for help. Even with medical treatment, there is no improvement in Johnsy’s condition.

One day, the doctor informs Sue that medicines can not help Johsny because the latter does not seem to want to live. Sue makes many attempts to divert Johnsy’s attention, but nothing works. Sue then brings her drawing board into Johnsy’s room and begins painting there.

She suddenly hears Johnsy whisper something. She rushes to Johnsy’s side and finds that Johnsy is counting backwards while gazing out of the window. Sue realises that Johnsy is observing an old ivy creeper outside her window that is shedding its leaves. Johnsy is counting its remaining leaves. Johnsy says that in just three days, the number of leaves have reduced from almost a hundred to just five. Johnsy is sure that when the tree sheds its last leaf, she will die.

Johnsy tells Sue that she wants to watch the last leaf fall. Sue says that she cannot draw the curtain because she needs the light to paint. But she asks Johnsy to not look out of the window. JoHnsy promises not to do so, but asks Sue to hurry so she can watch the last leaf fall and then die peacefully.

Sue goes to Behrman, a 60-year old artist who lives on the ground floor. His dream of painting a masterpiece is yet to be fulfilled. Sue shares her worries with him. She tells him that Johnsy has a high temperature and refuses to eat or drink anything. Behrman is puzzled at Johnsy’s behaviour and wants to see her. They go to Johsny’s room together and find her sleeping. Sue draws the curtains and they go to the next room. There is heavy rain and cold winds are blowing; they see that there is only a single leaf remaining on the ivy tree and it can fall at any moment. Behrman silently withdraws into his room.

The next day, Johnsy asks Sue to draw the curtains. Sue is happy to find that a single leaf remains on the tree, in spite of the wind and rain. Johnsy is surprised but is sure that the leaf will fall soon. She wakes up every hour or so to look out of the window, but finds the leaf clinging to the tree. It even withstands another storm that evening.

Johnsy gazes at the leaf for a long time. She calls Sue and tells her that the last leaf has made her realise that she has been a bad person: for all the love and care that Sue has given her, she has not responded or willed herself to get better. The leaf has shown her that it is a sin to want to die. The two friends share a hug and Johnsy accepts the hot soup that Sue gives her. Johnsy combs her hair and smiles brightly. That afternoon, the doctor visits and says that since Johsny has found the will to live, she will recover soon. He also informs Sue that Behrman has pneumonia and has no hope of survival.

The next morning, Sue informs Johnsy that Behrman has died of pneumonia. He had been ill for two days. On the first day, the janitor found him on his bed, shivering and dressed in wet clothes and shoes. It seems that he had been out in the stormy night. A ladder and a lit lantern were found near his bed, along with green and yellow paints. Sue tells Johnsy to look out of the window at the last leaf: the leaf that does not flutter in the wind. She tells Johnsy that on the night the last leaf fell, Behrman painted this leaf — his masterpiece.

The Last Leaf Title

As the title suggests, the story revolves around the importance of a single leaf on a tree. The leaf is particularly important in saving the life of a girl, who had convinced herself that she would die the moment the last leaf fell off the tree. However, the leaf miraculously stays on the tree, giving the girl hope to survive. The title also refers to the fact that the leaf is the last artwork made by an out of work painter, which also becomes his masterpiece.

The Last Leaf Setting

The story is set in Greenwich Village, a neighbourhood of New York City in America, and most of the events take place against the backdrop of a storm, during autumn when trees shed their leaves.

The Last Leaf Theme

The story explores the idea of the impact of true art, and what makes a painting a true masterpiece. It also highlights the themes of selflessness and the supreme sacrifice of self to save the life of another human being. It also explores the loyalties of a true friendship, and the levels to which we can go to help a friend.

The Last Leaf Message

The story shares a message of the power of love and friendship. It reminds us that selflessness is the highest virtue one can attain.

The Last Leaf Characters

Sue: She was a very loyal and caring friend. She did everything she could to take care of Johnsy when she fell ill with pneumonia. She not only took care of Johnsy physically, but also helped by earning money by selling her paintings. She cooked and ensured that Johnsy received the best medical treatment.

Johnsy: She appears to have been a depressed and gloomy person, who is very self-absorbed. She did not have the will to fight against her illness, and did not respond to the doctor or to Sue’s care and concern. She was highly imaginative and superstitious, as she came to believe that her life was linked to the number of leaves on the creeper outside her window. She believed that she would die the day the last leaf of the creeper fell. It was because of this stubborn belief that Behrman, an older artist, lost his life when he went out in the storm to paint a leaf onto the creeper so that Johnsy would not realise that the last leaf had actually fallen.

Behrman: Behrman was a sixty year old painter whose only ambition was to paint a masterpiece. He lived in the same building as Sue and Johnsy, and sometimes acted as a model for their paintings. He was a talented artist, which is evident from his painting of the leaf on the wall. The painting was so realistic that everyone thought it was a real leaf, which saved Johnsy’s life. Johnsy had made up her mind that she would die of her illness the day the last leaf fell off the creeper. However, Behrman decided to help Sue, her friend, who was worried about the effect the falling of the last leaf would have on Johnsy. This shows how caring, selfless and concerned he was. He went out in the stormy and cold night to paint the leaf, and came back soaked to the skin, in no condition to even remove his wet clothes and shoes. He made the supreme sacrifice of his life to save the life of another human being.

The Last Leaf Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Where did Sue and Johnsy stay? What was their profession?
Answer:
They lived in a small flat on the fourth storey of an old house. They were both artists.

Question 2.
Why was Sue worried when Johnsy fell ill?
Answer:
Sue was worried because Johnsy would lie on her bed without moving, and would just gaze out of her window all day. Even though the doctor came every day, there was no change in her condition.

Question 3.
What illness did Johnsy have? Who looked after her?
Answer:
Johnsy was suffering from pneumonia. Her friend Sue looked after her.

Question 4.
What worried the doctor?
Answer:
The doctor was worried because there was no improvement in Johnsy’s condition. He felt that Johnsy was not responding to treatment because she had made up her mind not to do so. He felt she had lost her will to live and hence the medicines were not going to be useful to her.

Question 5.
How did Sue try to revive Johnsy’s interest in life?
Answer:
Sue talked to her about clothes and fashions. Then she brought her drawing board into Johnsy’s room and started painting. She also whistled while painting, hoping to distracting Johnsy’s mind from her illness.

Question 6.
Why was Johnsy counting the leaves on the creeper outside her window?
Answer:
Johnsy had made up her mind that the day the last leaf fell off the creeper, she would die. So she was counting the leaves as they fell off the creeper.

Question 7.
Why did Sue go to Behrman?
Answer:
Sue went to Behrman because she had to paint an old miner and she wanted him as the model for the painting.

Question 8.
Who was Behrman?
Answer:
Behrman was a sixty year old painter whose only ambition was to paint a masterpiece. He lived in the same building as Sue and Johnsy, and sometimes acted as a model for their paintings.

Question 9.
What did Sue confide in Behrman?
Answer:
She told him about her worries about Johnsy, who refused to recover from her illness because of her belief that she was going to die the day the last leaf fell off the creeper outside her window.

Question 10.
What did Sue feel when she saw the last leaf on the creeper? Who was at the window with her?
Answer:
Sue felt extremely worried that the lead would fall off by the next morning, and if Johnsy saw that, she would not survive. Behrman, an old painter and her neighbour, was at the window with her.