Chapter 8: Madam Rides the Bus

Oral Comprehension Check

1. What was Valli's favourite pastime?

Valli's favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house and watching what was happening in the street outside.

2. What was the most fascinating thing she saw?

The most fascinating thing for her was the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town. The sight of the bus, filled each time with a new set of passengers, was a source of unending joy for Valli.

3. What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details?

She found out that the town was six miles from her village, the fare was 30 paise one way, and the trip took about 45 minutes. She found these details by listening carefully to conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus, and by asking a few discreet questions.

4. Why does the conductor call Valli 'madam'?

The conductor was a jolly sort of person, fond of joking. Valli was behaving like a grown-up, refusing his help to get on the bus and answering him confidently. So, he jokingly addressed her as 'madam'.

5. Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?

She saw a young cow lying dead by the roadside, which was the same cow she had seen running in front of the bus on her way to town. The sight of the dead animal filled her with sadness, so she refused to look out.

Thinking about the Text

1. What was Valli's deepest desire? Find the words and phrases in the story that tell you this.

Valli's deepest desire was to ride on the bus. Words/phrases: "Day after day she watched the bus", "a tiny wish crept into her head", "it became an overwhelming desire".

2. How did Valli plan her bus ride?

She planned to take the one o'clock afternoon bus, reach the town at one forty-five, and be back home by about two forty-five. She saved up sixty paise by resisting temptations like peppermint, toys, etc.

Grammar Series - Part 8

Topic 1: Adjectives

Adjectives describe nouns. (A beautiful girl, A sunny day).

Degrees of Comparison

Positive: Big
Comparative: Bigger (Comparision between two)
Superlative: Biggest (Comparision more than two)

Exercise: Fill in correct degree

Valli was the _______ (young) girl on the bus. (youngest)
The town is _______ (far) than the village. (farther)
She is as _______ (smart) as her mother. (smart)

Topic 2: Direct/Indirect Speech (Imperatives & Exclamations)

Rules for Imperative & Exclamatory

Imperative: 'Said' → Requested/Ordered/Advised. Use 'to' + V1.
(He said, "Sit down." → He ordered him to sit down.)

Exclamatory: 'Said' → Exclaimed with joy/sorrow. Remove exclamation mark.
(He said, "Hurrah! We won." → He exclaimed with joy that they had won.)

Exercise: Convert to Indirect

The conductor said, "Please sit down." → The conductor requested her to sit down.
Valli said, "What a beautiful sight!" → Valli exclaimed with joy that it was a very beautiful sight.
Mother said to me, "Don't go out." → Mother forbade me to go out.

Writing Skills Series - Part 8

1. Diary Entry

Topic: Valli's Bus Ride Experience.

Tuesday, 20th May 20XX
8:00 PM

Dear Diary,

Today I finally fulfilled my dream of riding the bus! It was such an adventure. I felt so grown up buying my own ticket. The view outside was breathtaking - the green fields, the mountains, and the sky. The conductor was funny and called me 'Madam'.
But on the way back, I saw a dead cow. It made me realize how fragile life is. It was the same cow that ran in front of our bus earlier. I feel a mix of joy and sadness today. I will never forget this journey.

Valli

2. Dialogue Writing

Topic: Conversation between Valli and the Conductor.

Conductor: Come on, Miss. Let me help you up.

Valli: No thanks. I can get on by myself.

Conductor: Oh, please don't be angry, Madam! Here, take this seat right in front.

Valli: (Sitting down) Start the bus now.

Conductor: (Blowing whistle) Right away, Madam! Do you have your ticket money?

Valli: Yes, here is the thirty paise.