“Value” by Kendel Hippolyte,
The poem “Value” is a childhood memory of the poet visiting a small shop
called Ma Branch, sent by his mother to buy everyday items like salt fish and
cough drops. He walks there playfully, chanting the list so he won’t forget it.
The shop is run by two women, but the poet is especially fascinated by one who
reminds him of African sculptures—he sees beauty and magic in her actions.
When she gives him the goods, they seem like pirate treasure, showing how
special and rich the moment feels. Ma Branch, the owner, sits calmly like a
queen, giving credit to people who need it and listening with quiet wisdom.
Later, the poet returns as an adult and finds the shop replaced by a
supermarket. Though it’s bigger, it lacks the warmth, trust, and human
connection Ma Branch gave. The poem teaches us that real value isn’t in things
—it’s in people, memories, and kindness.
“The Kitemaker” by Ruskin Bond
The story “The Kitemaker” is about an old man named Mehmood who used to
be famous for making beautiful, creative kites in his younger days. He
remembers a time when kite-flying was a popular and joyful activity, even
enjoyed by kings like the Nawab. But now, the world has changed—people are
too busy, the open spaces are gone, and no one buys kites anymore. Mehmood
lives quietly with his grandson Ali, who still loves kites. The story shows the
bond between the old man and the boy, and how memories of the past live on
through love and imagination. In the end, Mehmood quietly passes away while
dreaming of making one last magical kite for Ali, and the torn kite flies away
into the sky—symbolizing freedom, memory, and the end of an era.
“The Shopping List Mystery” by Asha Nehemiah
The story is about a boy named Sandip who loves playing the violin so much
that he forgets everything else—even burning cakes and flooding rooms! His
parents want him to focus on maths, but Sandip believes in his musical talent.
One day, his uncle takes him to a criminology conference, where a Belgian
policeman talks about a mystery involving a jewellery store and coded
shopping lists. Sandip realizes that the secret code isn’t in the list—it’s hidden
in a sheet of music! With help from a famous violinist, he proves that the
musical notes spell out the name and address of a robbery victim. His discovery
helps the police solve the case and arrest the criminals. Sandip becomes a hero,
gets a diamond violin-shaped tie-pin, and even a world-class violin as a gift. His
name appears on the front page of the newspaper—right next to his sister’s
maths achievement—proving that music can be just as powerful as maths.
“Blind Louise” by George Washington Dewey
The poem “Blind Louise” is about a brave woman who knows she is slowly
going blind, but instead of complaining, she prays to see beauty each day
before her sight fades completely. She fears the darkness that will come, but
hopes that the memory of nature—like spring flowers and green trees—will
stay alive in her heart. Even when she loses her vision, she remains calm and
graceful, sitting in her usual place with a peaceful smile. The poet describes her
inner strength and courage, showing that true bravery is not loud or dramatic
—it’s quiet, gentle, and full of dignity. Louise teaches us that even in the face of
sadness, we can choose to hold on to hope and beauty.
“The Letter A” by Christy Brown
This chapter is a real-life story from Christy Brown’s childhood, who was born
with cerebral palsy and couldn’t control his body movements. Everyone thought
he was mentally disabled, but his mother never gave up on him. She believed
he had a sharp mind trapped inside a broken body. One winter afternoon, while
watching his siblings write with chalk, Christy suddenly picked up a piece of
yellow chalk with his left foot and tried to copy the letter ‘A’. After many shaky
attempts, he finally drew it—and that moment changed everything. It proved
he could learn and express himself through writing. His family was overjoyed,
and Christy felt like he had unlocked a new world. That one crooked ‘A’ became
the first step toward his future as a writer and artist.
“Entertainment” by Nissim Ezekiel
The poem “Entertainment” describes a street monkey show in India, where a
young girl sits patiently with a baby in her arms while two monkeys dressed in
red and purple pantaloons prepare to dance. A crowd gathers as the Master of
Ceremonies—bare-chested and energetic—drums wildly, cracks a whip, and
calls out tricks to impress the audience and earn coins. People laugh, smile, and
enjoy the show, but ironically, the monkeys themselves look sad. Suddenly, the
baby starts crying, and the crowd begins to disappear, ashamed to give only
the smallest coins they have. The show moves on to the next street, leaving
behind a mix of excitement, pity, and quiet reflection. The poem shows how
entertainment can be both joyful and heartbreaking, especially when it involves
helpless animals.
“new beginning” by Bibhuti Bhushan Bandopadhyay
This chapter tells the emotional story of Apu, a bright village boy who wins a
scholarship after topping his district in the board exams. His mother, Sarbajaya,
is proud but heartbroken, because it means Apu must leave home and go to a
boarding school in the city. She tries to hold on to him by asking him to perform
pujas for neighbours, but Apu refuses—he wants to study and chase his
dreams. When he tells her about the scholarship, she realizes she can’t stop
him, even though it hurts deeply. She quietly prepares his things, packing food
and small comforts with love. On the day of his departure, she hides her tears,
knowing that letting him go is part of being a good mother. The chapter ends
with Apu walking into a golden morning, full of hope, while Sarbajaya watches
her dreams fade like mist. It’s a story about growing up, sacrifice, and the
bittersweet bond between a mother and her child.
