Read and Reflect – Questions and Answers
1. What is a ‘horegallu’? What is its purpose?
A horegallu is a stone bench used by travellers to sit and rest under the shade during their journey. It helps them regain strength before continuing.
2. What are the special memories the author associates with ‘horegallu’?
She remembers sitting with her grandfather under the banyan tree, listening to villagers share their worries and seeing how much it helped them feel refreshed.
3. How does the grandfather refresh the travellers?
By listening to their problems patiently, without offering solutions or judgment. His presence gave them emotional relief.
4. Is ‘horegallu’ essential in a journey? Why?
Yes, it gives travellers a moment to rest and regain strength, both physically and mentally, before continuing.
5. ‘Horegallu’ gives everyone the opportunity to regain their strength. What does the author try to indicate here?
It symbolises that everyone needs emotional breaks in life. Sharing worries helps people feel lighter and ready to continue their journey.
6. Bring out the symbolic significance of the word ‘burden’.
“Burden” symbolises emotional and mental stress in life. Just like physical burdens, emotional ones need to be put down for a while.
7. Comment on the expression ‘infectious cheerfulness’.
It describes Ratna’s positive attitude. Her smile and energy made others feel comfortable and joyful, even during difficult times.
8. What does Ratna do during lunch hours?
She listens to her colleagues as they share their personal problems. She doesn’t offer solutions, just provides a patient, sympathetic ear.
9. What is Ratna’s simplistic outlook?
She believes that just listening can ease a person’s stress. She sees listening as a powerful, yet simple, way to help others.
10. The author wishes there were many more ‘horegallus’ in the world. Comment.
The world needs more people like Ratna and her grandfather who offer unconditional emotional support to others without expecting anything in return.
Think and Write
1. Do you think the grandfather and Ratna were doing some tremendous social service? Explain.
Yes, they were helping others emotionally. They didn’t give money or advice, but they gave something more powerful—time, empathy, and attention. Listening eased people’s burdens and gave them strength to continue. That is a true form of social service.
2. Can we relate grandfather and Ratna to a ‘horegallu’? Why?
Yes, just like a horegallu provides physical rest, they provided emotional rest to people. They were silent supporters in others’ journeys.
Activity I – Narration
a) Do you think mere listening can solve a problem? Identify the qualities of a good listener.
Yes, sometimes just being listened to makes a person feel better. It gives them clarity and emotional relief.
Qualities of a good listener:
- Patience
- Sympathy
- No judgment
- Confidentiality
- Attentiveness
- Kindness
b) Imagine that Nomita gets a chance to talk to Ratna. How would she present her worries?
I am Nomita. Yesterday, I had a quarrel with my husband. I found a letter from my mother in his pocket. He had read it without telling me. This has happened before too. I feel like I have no privacy, no respect. I am hurt, not only by him, but also by the constant demands from my family. I don’t know how long I can pretend to be strong. I wish someone would understand my feelings.
Activity II – Language Practice
Pick out the adjectives from the passage:
- Large
- Flat
- Horizontal
- Vertical
- Stone
- Cool
- Earthen
- Similar
- Simple
Categorize:
| Physical Description | Temperature | Material | Opinion |
| large, flat, horizontal, vertical, stone | cool | earthen | simple, similar |
Rewritten Passage (with substituted adjectives):
It was a broad flat rock placed sideways over two upright ones, thus making a stone seat on which anyone could sit and rest a while, chat with a fellow traveller and exchange news of the road. Chilled water would be kept in clay pots near the bench and people could quench their thirst before starting their journeys again. I am sure comparable basic arrangements can be found in the villages all over the country.
Activity III – Comparison
Compare these women and their empowerment ideas:
| Character/Quote | Nature of Empowerment | Qualities |
| Ashapurna Debi: “Women are matchboxes.” | Suppressed power | Bold, critical of injustice |
| Tynan: “I am the heat that warms…” | Nurturing and strong | Warm, supportive, self-sacrificing |
| Ratna: “I don’t think there’s a greater sin…” | Silent emotional strength | Honest, trustworthy, empathetic |
Activity IV – Comprehension (Advertisement)
1. What is the theme of the advertisement?
→ Encouraging people to return to reading books in a digital age.
2. What is the threat faced by readers today?
→ Distraction from digital devices.
3. Advantages of reading:
→ Stimulates imagination, reduces stress, provides comfort, and deepens focus.
4. Complete the sentence:
→ With books, you feel more connected than with a computer.
5. Descriptive words/phrases/clauses from the advertisement:
- Wonderland of sparkling letters
- Books which take you to another world
- Escape daily problems
- Reliable companion
- Spacious and air-conditioned reading hall
Activity V – Language Practice (Similes & Brochure)
a) Similes practice
- As sweet as honey
- As fast as lightning
- As bright as the sun
- As quiet as a whisper
- As strong as steel
b) Brochure Completion: Female Film Festival
| Film Title | Simile / Phrase Added |
| Manjadikkuru | pure as a dewdrop; Anjali Menon is as sharp as a sculptor |
| Mitr, My Friend | as straight as an arrow; Lakshmi feels as hollow as a drum |
| English Vinglish | as sweet as a mango; Gauri Shinde is as wise as a judge |
| Makalkku | as heavy as lead; music is as soothing as a lullaby |
Activity VI – Review Writing
Film Review: English Vinglish
Title: English Vinglish
Language: Hindi
Director: Gauri Shinde
Main Cast: Sridevi, Mehdi Nebbou, Adil Hussain
Genre: Drama / Family
Theme:
English Vinglish is a beautiful and emotional film about self-worth, identity, and confidence. It tells the story of Shashi, a homemaker who is mocked by her own family for not knowing English. The film captures her quiet struggle and her journey to regain dignity and respect through learning a new language.
Screenplay and Direction:
The screenplay is simple yet powerful. Each scene feels real and relatable. The director, Gauri Shinde, shows small moments that many women face daily — being ignored, underestimated, or laughed at — and turns them into a strong narrative of inner transformation.
Acting:
Sridevi delivers a heart-touching performance. She plays Shashi with such grace and emotion that the viewer feels her pain and strength. Her expressions speak even when she has no dialogues. The supporting actors are also impressive and natural.
Music:
The music by Amit Trivedi is refreshing and perfectly blends with the film’s tone. Songs like “Gustakh Dil” and “Manhattan” add energy and emotion to the storyline.
Message:
The film teaches us that it’s never too late to learn, and no one should be judged by their language or appearance. Everyone deserves respect. English Vinglish gives a voice to the many silent women who sacrifice everything for their families but are often taken for granted.
Final Verdict:
English Vinglish is not just a film; it’s an inspiration. It changed the way I see everyday heroes like mothers and homemakers. It reminded me that small steps of courage can bring big changes in life.
Activity VII – Let’s Edit (Grammar Correction)
Corrected Version:
One of the classic films that define American cinema, Gone With the Wind is a rare example of a collaboration involving hundreds of talents that turned out great. For millions of people, Gone With the Wind has helped to define the myth and reality of the country’s most tragic period of history — the Civil War and Reconstruction. The popularity of Margaret Mitchell’s bestselling novel allowed the filmmaker to be confident of its success. Of course, requisite attention to costumes and sets was paid. The film’s visual effects — especially the burning of Atlanta — are indeed effective and memorable. Gone With the Wind deserves the label epic; it presents enough detail to be a facsimile of reality.