ENGLISH CLASS- 10
CHAPTER-7
(Madam Rides the Bus)
Madam Rides the Bus
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 a bus. She was fascinated by the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town. She watched it regularly and longed to experience the journey herself.
The following words and phrases reveal her desire: “The sight of the bus filled each time with a new set of passengers was a source of unending joy for Valli.” Also, “Her strongest desire was to ride on that bus.” These lines clearly show how eager she was to take the bus ride.
2. How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and how did she save up the fare?
Valli carefully planned her bus ride by gathering information from people who travelled on the bus. She listened to their conversations and learned all the details she needed.
She found out that the distance between her village and the town was six miles and that the journey took about forty-five minutes. The one-way fare was thirty paise, so a round trip would cost sixty paise.
To save the fare, Valli resisted spending money on things she enjoyed, such as peppermints, toys, balloons, and rides at fairs. Through patience and self-control, she managed to save the required sixty paise.
3. What kind of a person is Valli? Fill in the blanks.
(i) “Stop the bus! Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised __________.
“from among the passengers”
(ii) “Yes, I __________ go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus.
“simply have to”
(iii) “There's nobody here __________,” she said haughtily. “I've paid my thirty paise like everyone else.”
“who's a child”
(iv) “Never mind,” she said, “I can __________. You don't have to help me. I'm not a child, I tell you,” she said, __________.
“get on by myself”, “angrily”
(v) “You needn't bother about me. I __________,” Valli said, turning her face toward the window and staring out.
“can take care of myself”
(vi) Then she turned to the conductor and said, “Well, sir, I hope __________.”
“to see you again”
4. Why does the conductor refer to Valli as 'madam'?
The conductor refers to Valli as “madam” in a playful and affectionate manner. He is amused by her serious behaviour and the way she insists on being treated like an adult.
By calling her “madam,” he acknowledges her confidence and independence while also gently teasing her. His attitude towards her is friendly and caring throughout the journey.
5. Find the lines in the text which tell you that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus.
The following lines show that Valli was enjoying the ride:
“Valli devoured everything she saw with her eyes.”
“She laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes.”
These lines indicate her excitement, curiosity, and happiness during the journey.
6. Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?
On her return journey, Valli refuses to look out of the window because she feels sad after seeing the dead cow lying by the roadside. Earlier, she had enjoyed watching the same cow running playfully in the fields.
The sight of the dead animal shocks and upsets her. As a result, she loses interest in the beautiful scenery and turns away from the window.
7. What does Valli mean when she says, “I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge”?
Valli says this after her mother remarks that many things happen in the world without our knowledge. Valli agrees because she herself has secretly undertaken an important adventure without her mother's knowledge.
She had planned and completed the bus journey entirely on her own while her mother remained unaware of it. Therefore, Valli finds her mother's statement amusing and silently relates it to her own experience.
8. The author describes the things Valli sees from an eight-year-old's point of view. Can you find evidence from the text for this statement?
Yes, the story presents events from the perspective of an eight-year-old child. Valli is fascinated by simple things that adults might ignore. She watches the bus regularly, counts the fare carefully, and becomes excited by the sights outside the window.
Her delight in seeing a young cow running beside the bus and her laughter at the amusing scene reveal a child's sense of wonder. Similarly, her sadness at seeing the same cow dead later shows the sensitivity and innocence of a young child. These details clearly demonstrate that the story is narrated from an eight-year-old's point of view.
The Tale of Custard the Dragon
1. Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.
The characters in the poem are:
• Belinda – the little girl
• Ink – Belinda's black kitten
• Blink – Belinda's grey mouse
• Mustard – Belinda's yellow dog
• Custard – Belinda's pet dragon
• The Pirate – the intruder who enters Belinda's house
2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly dragon”?
Custard cried for a nice safe cage because he always wanted to feel secure and protected from danger. Unlike the other pets, he openly admitted his fears and preferred safety to adventure.
The dragon is called the “cowardly dragon” because everyone believed that he was timid. Belinda, Ink, Blink, and Mustard constantly mocked him for wanting a safe cage and for talking about his fears. However, when real danger arrived in the form of a pirate, Custard proved to be the bravest of them all.
3. “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful...” Why?
Belinda tickled Custard unmercifully because she considered him a coward. She found it amusing that such a large dragon was afraid and always wanted the safety of a cage.
Along with the other pets, she often teased and laughed at Custard. They did not realize that true courage is shown during real danger and not through boasting.
4. The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example: “Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon” – the poetic device here is a simile. List some more such poetic devices used in the poem.
Simile:
• “Mouth like a fireplace”
• “Nose like a chimney”
• “Sharp as mustard”
• “Brave as a barrel full of bears”
Repetition:
• “Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears.”
• “Custard cried for a nice safe cage.”
Alliteration:
• “Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears.”
• “Gulped some grog.”
Imagery:
• The vivid description of Custard's appearance creates a clear mental picture for the reader.
5. Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.
The poet describes Custard as a large and fearsome dragon. He had big sharp teeth, spikes on top of him and underneath, a mouth like a fireplace, a nose like a chimney, and daggers on his toes.
Although his appearance was frightening and powerful, he behaved timidly and constantly asked for a safe cage.
6. Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?
The poem generally follows the rhyme scheme: AABB
For example:
Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears (A)
And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs (A)
Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage (B)
But Custard cried for a nice safe cage (B)
Many stanzas in the poem follow this same AABB pattern, which gives the poem a musical and ballad-like quality.
7. Writers use words to give us a picture or image without actually saying what they mean. Can you trace some images used in the poem?
Yes, the poet uses many vivid images, such as:
• “Mouth like a fireplace” – creates an image of a fiery dragon.
• “Nose like a chimney” – suggests smoke coming out of the dragon's nose.
• “Daggers on his toes” – helps us imagine his sharp claws.
• “Brave as a barrel full of bears” – creates a powerful image of courage.
• The pirate with pistols in both hands and a cutlass in his teeth – presents a vivid picture of a dangerous intruder.
8. Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.
The poem is mainly a light-hearted and humorous poem. The poet uses funny descriptions, playful language, exaggerated characters, and amusing situations throughout the story.
The contrast between Custard's fearful behaviour and his actual bravery creates humour. The poem also gently mocks those who boast about their courage but fail to act bravely in real situations. Its cheerful tone, lively rhythm, and comic elements make it an entertaining read.
9. This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any such modern song or lyric that tells a story? If you know one, tell it to the class. Collect such songs as a project.
Yes, many modern songs tell stories just like ballads. One example is “The Last Ride Together” in poetic form, while in popular music many folk and narrative songs tell complete stories through their lyrics.
In Indian music, several folk songs and regional ballads narrate stories of bravery, love, sacrifice, and historical events. Such songs are interesting because they combine storytelling with rhythm and music, making the story memorable and enjoyable.