Odisha State Board BSE Odisha 8th Class English Solutions Lesson 2 Math-Magic Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
BSE Odisha Class 8 English Solutions Lesson 2 Math-Magic
Session – 1
I. Pre-Reading (ପ୍ରାକ୍-ପଠନ):
→ There are 35 chocolates. You have to divide them into three. The first one will get 1/2 of the total chocolates. The second will get l/3rd and the third one will get l/9th. Can you divide the chocolates among the three without breaking the chocolates according to the plan? If yes, you know math and you are intelligent.
୩୫ଟି ଚକୋଲେଟ୍ ଅଛି । ତିନିଜଣଙ୍କ ଭିତରେ ବାଣ୍ଟିବାକୁ ହେବ । ପ୍ରଥମ ଜଣକ ସମୁଦାୟ ଚକୋଲେଟ୍ର ଅର୍ଦ୍ଧେକ ପାଇବ । ଦ୍ବିତୀୟ ଜଣକ ସମୁଦାୟ ଚକୋଲେଟ୍ର ଏକ ତୃତୀୟାଂଶ ଏବଂ ତୃତୀୟ ଜଣକ ସମୁଦାୟର ଏକ ନବମାଂଶ ପାଇବ । କୌଣସି ଚକୋଲେଟ୍କୁ ନ ଭାଙ୍ଗି ଏହି ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ତୁମେ ତିନିଜଣଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଚକୋଲେଟ୍କୁ ବାଣ୍ଟି ପାରିବ କି ? ଯଦି ପାରିବ, ତାହାହେଲେ ତୁମେ ଗଣିତ ଜାଣ ଏବଂ ତୁମେ ବୁଦ୍ଧିମାନ ବୋଲି ପରିଗଣିତ ହେବ ।
→ Read this story to see how this is to be done.
ଗପଟି ପଢ଼ ଏବଂ ଏହା କିପରି ହୋଇପାରେ ଦେଖ ।
II. While Reading (ପଢ଼ିବା ସମୟରେ)
Text
- SGP – 1
- Read paragraphs 1-2 silently and answer the questions that follow.
1. Once upon ………………………………….. on sand.
ଏକଦା ଆରବ ଭୂମିରେ ଜଣେ ଯୁବକ ରହୁଥିଲେ । ଦିନେ ସେ ଗୋଟିଏ ବାଲୁକା-ପାହାଡ଼ ଉପରେ ବସି ଆକାଶରେ ଉଡୁଥିବା ପକ୍ଷୀଦଳଙ୍କୁ ଗଣନା କରୁଥିଲା ଏବଂ ତାକୁ ବାଲିରେ ଲେଖୁଥିଲା ।
2. A man riding ………………………………………….. man.
ଜଣେ ଲୋକ ଓଟରେ ଚଢ଼ି ସେଇବାଟ ଦେଇ ଅତିକ୍ରମ କରୁଥିଲା । ସେ ଯୁବକଟିର ସଠିକ୍ ଉଡ଼ନ୍ତା ପକ୍ଷୀ ଗଣନା ଦୃଶ୍ୟ ଦେଖ୍ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହୋଇଗଲେ । ସେ ମନେ ମନେ ଭାବିଲେ, ବାଳକଟି କିପରି ଆକାଶରେ ଉଡୁଥ୍ ଅଗଣିତ ପକ୍ଷୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ଠିକ୍ରୁପେ ଗଣନା କରିପାରୁଛି ? ସେ ଓଟ ପିଠିରୁ ଓହ୍ଲାଇ ସେ ବାଳକ ଆଡ଼େ ଆସିଲା ଏବଂ ସେ ଏହା କିପରି ଉପାୟରେ କରିପାରୁଛି ବୋଲି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ କଲେ । ଯୁବକଟି କହିଲା, ‘ମୁଁ ଗୋଟିଏ ଧନୀଲୋକର ମେଣ୍ଢା ପାଳକ ଭାବରେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରୁଥିଲି । ମୁଁ ସେଠାରେ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ଦିନ ମେଣ୍ଢାମାନଙ୍କୁ ଗଣନା କରୁଥୁଲି । ଆଗନ୍ତୁକ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଜଣକ କହିଲେ, ‘ତାହା ହେଲେ ତୁମେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଭଲ କାମ ପାଇପାରିବ । ମୋ ସାଙ୍ଗରେ ଆସ ।’’
Word Meaning
once upon a time : a time in the past (ଏକଦା)
sand-hill : hill of sand by the sea or in the desert (ବାଲି ସ୍ତୁପ, ବାଲିହୁଙ୍କା, ବାଲିର ପାହାଡ଼)
counting : the act of counting / reciting numbers in ascending order (ଗଣିବା)
flocks : a group of birds (ଦଳେ ପକ୍ଷୀ)
sky : the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth (ଆକାଶ)
passing by : moving fast (ଅତିକ୍ରମ କରିବା)
suprised : to be amazed (ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହେବା, ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟଚକିତ)
correctly : in a correct way / in an accurate way (ଠିକ୍ ଭାବରେ)
groups : any number of members considered as a unit (ଦଳ ଭାବରେ)
shepherd : one who takes care of sheep (ମେଷପାଳକ)
job : a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or for a specific fee (ଚାକିରି)
Comprehension Questions and Answers: (ସଂକ୍ଷିପ୍ତ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନୋତ୍ତର)
Question 1.
What was the young man doing?
(ଯୁବକଟି କ’ଣ କରୁଥିଲା ?)
Answer:
The young man was counting the flocks of birds flying in the sky.
Question 2.
Who saw him?
(ତାକୁ କିଏ ଦେଖିଲା ?)
Answer:
A man riding a camel saw him.
Question 3.
Why was he surprised?
(ସେ କାହିଁକି ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହେଲା ?)
Answer:
He was surprised to see the boy counting the flying birds correctly.
Question 4.
How did the young man learn counting?
(କିପରି ଯୁବକଟି ଗଣିବା ଶିଖ୍ ?)
Answer:
The young man learnt counting when he was working as a shepherd boy with a rich man.
Question 5.
What did the man say to praise the boy?
(ଲୋକଟି ବାଳକଟିକୁ ପ୍ରଶଂସା କରିବାକୁ ଯାଇ କ’ଣ କହିଲା ?)
Answer:
To praise the boy he said he could get a good job.
- SGP – 2
- Read paragraphs 3-4 silently and answer the questions that follow.
3. The man ……………………………………………… among themselves.
ଲୋକଟି ତାଙ୍କୁ ତା ଓଟରେ ବସାଇ ଚାଲିଲା । ସେ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ଉଆସରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଚାକିରି ଦେବାକୁ ତାକୁ ଆଶ୍ୱାସନା ଦେଲା । ବାଟରେ ତିନିଜଣ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି କଳି କରୁଥିବା ଏବଂ ନିକଟରେ ୩୫ଟି ଓଟ ଛିଡ଼ା ହେବା ସେମାନେ ଦେଖିଲେ । ସେମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ୩୫ଟି ଓଟ କିପରି ବଣ୍ଟା ହେବ ସେଥିପାଇଁ କଳି ହେଉଥିଲା । ସେମାନଙ୍କର ପିତା ମୃତ୍ୟୁବରଣ କରିଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କ ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ସେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଇଚ୍ଛାପତ୍ର ଲେଖୁଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କ ଇଚ୍ଛାପତ୍ର ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ୩୫ଟି ଓଟ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ବଡ଼ପୁଅ ସମୁଦାୟ ଓଟ ସଂଖ୍ୟାର ଅର୍ଦ୍ଧେକ, ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟ ପୁତ୍ର ଏକ ତୃତୀୟାଂଶ ଏବଂ ସାନପୁଅ ଏକ ନବମାଂଶ ପାଇବ ।
4. This was ……………………………………. 4 camels.
ଏହା ବଡ଼ କଠିନ ବ୍ୟାପାର ଥିଲା । ପିତାଙ୍କ ଇଚ୍ଛାପତ୍ର ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ବଡ଼ପୁଅ ୧୭ଟି, ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟ ପୁତ୍ର ୧୨ଟିରୁ ସାମାନ୍ୟ କିଛି କମ ଏବଂ ସାନପୁଅ ୪ଟିରୁ କିଛି କମ୍ ପାଇବେ ।
Word Meaning
promised : to make a commitment to do something in future (ପ୍ରତିଜ୍ଞା କରିବା)
quarrel : to make an argument / an angry dispute (କଳି କରିବା /ଯୁକ୍ତି କରିବା)
nearby : very near / close to (ଖୁବ୍ ନିକଟରେ)
divide : to separate / divide (ବାଣ୍ଟି ଦେବା | ଭାଗ କରିବା)
will : legal document about what will happen to
somebody’ s money and property after he dies (ଆଇନଗତ କାଗଜ ଯାହା ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ପରେ ଜଣକର ଟଙ୍କା ଓ ସମ୍ପତ୍ତି ପାଇବାର ଲୋକଙ୍କ ବିଷୟରେ ସୂଚନା ଥାଏ)
according to : a stated / reported by somebody (ଅନୁସାରେ)
one third : one out of three equal parts (ଏକ-ତୃତୀୟାଂଶ)
one ninth : one out of nine equal parts
less : not as much (କମ୍)
Comprehension Questions and Answers: (ସଂକ୍ଷିପ୍ତ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନୋତ୍ତର)
Question 1.
What did the man promise the boy?
(ଲୋକଟି ବାଳକ ପାଖରେ କ’ଣ ପ୍ରତିଜ୍ଞା କଲା ?)
Answer:
The man promised the boy to give a good job.
Question 2.
What did they see on their way?
(ବାଟରେ ସେମାନେ କ’ଣ ଦେଖିଲେ ?)
Answer:
They saw three persons quarreling and thirty-five camels standing nearby.
Question 3.
What was the father’s wish?
(ବାପାଙ୍କର ଇଚ୍ଛା କ’ଣ ଥିଲା ?)
Answer:
The father’s wish was to give half of the whole camel to the eldest son, one-third to the second son, and one-ninth to the third son.
Question 4.
‘This was difficult’. What was difficult ? (para – 4)
(‘ଏହା କଷ୍ଟକର ଥିଲା ।’ ଏଠାରେ କ’ଣ କଷ୍ଟକର ଥିଲା ?)
Answer:
This was difficult because according to the father’s will the eldest son would get 17 1/2 camels. The second son would get one-third or a little less than 12 and the third son would get a little less than 4 camels.
Session – 2
- SGP – 3
- Read paragraphs 5-7 silently and answer the questions that follow.
5. The young ………………………………………… happy too.
ସେମାନଙ୍କ କଥା ଶୁଣି ଯୁବକଟି କହିଲା, ‘‘ଏହା ଖୁବ୍ ସହଜ ।’’ ଏହା କହି ୩୫ଟି ଓଟ ସହିତ ସେମାନେ ଆସିଥିବା ଓଟଟିକୁ ସେଥ୍ରେ ଯୋଗ କରିଦେଲା । ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ସମୁଦାୟ ଓଟଙ୍କ ସଂଖ୍ୟା ୩୬ ହୋଇଗଲା । ବଡ଼ପୁଅଟି ଯିଏ ୧୭– ଓଟ ପାଇବା କଥା ସେ ୧୮ଟି ଓଟ ପାଇଲା । ସେ ଖୁସି ହୋଇଗଲା । ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟ ପୁଅଟି ଯେ ୧୨ଟିରୁ କମ୍ ପାଇବାର ଥିଲା ସେ ୧୨ଟି ଓଟ ପାଇଲା । ସେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଖୁସି ହୋଇଗଲା । ସବା ସାନପୁଅ ଯେ ୪ଟିରୁ କମ୍ ପାଇବାର ଥିଲା, ସେ ୪ଟି ଓଟ ପାଇଲା । ସେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଖୁସି ହେଲା ।
6. But the ………………………………………………. Think how?
କିନ୍ତୁ ସବୁଠାରୁ ଅଧିକ ଖୁସି ଥିଲା ଗଣିତ ଦକ୍ଷ ବାଳକଟି । ସେମାନଙ୍କ ସମସ୍ୟା ସମାଧାନ ହୋଇଥିବାରୁ ତାକୁ ଗୋଟିଏ ଓଟ ମିଳିଗଲା । ତିନି ଭାଇଙ୍କର ୩୫ଟି ଓଟ ଥିଲା । କିନ୍ତୁ ସେମାନେ (୧୮ + ୧୨ + ୪) ହିସାବରେ ଓଟ ପାଇଲେ । ସବୁ ଭାଇ ଗୋଟିଏ ଲେଖାଏଁ ଓଟ ଅଧ୍ଵ ପାଇଲେ । ଗଣିତ ଦକ୍ଷ ଯୁବକଟିର କୌଣସି ଓଟ ନଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସେ ଗୋଟିଏ ପାଇଲା କିପରି ଏହା ହେଲା ଭାବ ।
7. This ……………………………………… a job.
ଏହା ହିଁ ଗଣିତ ଜ୍ଞାନର କୁହୁକ ଏବଂ ଦୁଇ ଆରବୀୟ ଏହାପରେ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରାସାଦ ଆଡେ ଚାକିରି ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟରେ ଚାଲିଲେ ।
Word Meaning
listen : to hear I pay attention (ଶୁଣିବା)
add : to join (ଯୋଗ କରିବା)
herd : a group of animals of the same type
eldest : first in order of birth (ବୟସରେ ସବୁଠାରୁ ବଡ଼)
solving : finding a solution to a problem (ସମାଧାନ କରିବା)
gain : to get some profit / to benefit (ଲାଭ କରିବା | ପାଇବା )
magic : tricks (ଯାଦୁ । କୌଶଳ)
seek : to search / want to get (ଖୋଜିବା | ପାଇବାକୁ ଚାହିଁବା)
Comprehension Questions and Answers: (ସଂକ୍ଷିପ୍ତ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନୋତ୍ତର)
Question 1.
“It’s very easy.” What was very easy?
(‘ଏହା ଭାରି ସହଜ ।’ କେଉଁଟି ଭାରି ସହଜ ?)
Answer:
“It is very easy”. This “very easy” was to distribute 35 camels among three brothers according to the will of their father.
Question 2.
What did the young Arab do to divide the camel?
(ଯୁବ ଆରବୀୟ ଲୋକଟି ଓଟପଲକୁ ଭାଗ ଭାଗ କରିବା ପାଇଁ କ’ଣ କଲା ?)
Answer:
The young Arab added the camel they were riding to divide the camels.
Question 3.
How many camels did each brother get?
(ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ଭାଇ କେତେକ ଓଟ ପାଇଲେ ?)
Answer:
The eldest brother got 18 camels which were half of the total camels, the camels, the second brother got 12 which was 1/3 of the total camels and the youngest brother got 4. which was 1/9 of the total camels.
Question 4.
Why were they happy?
(ସେମାନେ କାହିଁକି ଖୁସି ହେଲେ ?)
Answer:
They all were happy because they got one more camel than they expected.
Question 5.
Who was the happiest of all the persons present? Why?
(ଉପସ୍ଥିତ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ କିଏ ଅଧିକ ଖୁସି ହେଲା ? କାହିଁକି ?)
Answer:
The young math man was the happiest of all persons present. Because he gained one though he had no camel of his own.
Question 6.
Every brother thought he had gained. But did they really gain or lose?
(ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ଭାଇ ଅଧିକ ପାଇଲେ ବୋଲି ଭାବିଲେ । କିନ୍ତୁ ସେମାନେ ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ଲାଭ ବା କ୍ଷତିରେ ରହିଲେ କି ?)
Answer:
Every brother thought he had gained. But really they did not gain. Out of the total channels they lost one.
Question 7.
Do you think the young man will get a job in the king’s court?
(ଯୁବକଟି ରାଜାଙ୍କ ଦରବାରରେ ଚାକିରି ପାଇଲା ବୋଲି ତୁମେ ଭାବୁଛ କି ?)
Answer:
Yes, we think the young man will get a job in the king’s court.
Session – 3
III. Post-Reading (ପଢ଼ିବା ପରେ)
(The math man solved the problem with the camels. Try to solve your chocolate problem. See, whether this is possible or not. One who solves the problem gets one chocolate as a reward).
1. Visual Memory Development Technique (VMDT)
Whole Text: The young man was sitting on a sand hill and counting the birds. three brothers quarreling, The young man got a horse by solving their problem.
Part: Paragraph 5 – got 18, thirty-five, It’s very easy.
2. Comprehension Activities : (ବୁଦ୍ଧିପରିମାପକ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାବଳୀ)
MCQs:
Choose the correct alternatives and fill in the blanks.
Question 1.
The young man counted the ___________birds.
(A) swimming
(B) sleeping
(C) sitting
(D) flying
Answer:
(D) flying
Question 2.
The three persons were quarreling because they could not divide ___________.
(A) their cows
(B) their goats
(C) their buffaloes
(D) their camels
Answer:
(D) their camels
Question 3.
The young man was good at ___________.
(A) Mathematics
(B) Language
(C) Science
(D) Geography
Answer:
(A) Mathematics
Question 4.
In the end, ___________ lost a camel.
(A) the eldest brother
(B) the second brother
(C) the youngest brother
(D) all the brothers
Answer:
(D) all the brothers
Session – 4
3. Listening : (ଶ୍ରବଣ)
(a) Your teacher read out the following lines from paragraph 3. Listen to him/her carefully and fill in the blanks with the words missing.
On their way they saw three persons ___________ and thirty-five ___________ standing ___________. Their ___________ was on how to ___________ the ___________ among them.
Answer:
On their way, they saw three persons quarreling and thirty-five camels standing nearby. Their quarrel was on how to divide the camels among them.
4. Speaking : (କଥନ)
→ Practise these dialogues.
→ Steps:
1. Rehearsal-teacher reads aloud, and Students listen. The teacher reads aloud and students repeat after him/her dialogue by dialogue.
2. Teacher vs Students
3. Students vs Students (in two groups)
(They do this reading from the text).
Man: Hey young man, what are you doing here?
Young man: Counting the birds.
Man: Counting the flying birds?
Young man: Yes.
Man: Such a large number?
Young man: I can count them correctly.
Man: How did you learn to count?
Young man: I worked as a shepherd boy. Every day I counted the herd of my sheep.
Man: You are very good at counting. You’ll get a good job.
Young man: Shall I ? Where? When?
Man: Come with me. I’ll take you to the king.
Session – 5
5. Vocabulary : (ଶବ୍ଦଜ୍ଞାନ)
Put the letters in the right order and make words. Clues/hints will help you.
- ands: — — — —
(You can see it on deserts, seashores,s or river banks) - imeca: — — — — —
(This animal is called the ship of the desert) - aing: — — — —
(The opposite word of ‘loss’) - scimatheMta: — — — — — — — — — — —
(a subject of study) - herdshep: — — — — — — — —
(a person whose job is to take care of sheep) - barA: — — — —
(a man born in Arab)
Answer:
sand
camel
gain
Mathematics
shepherd
Arab
6. Writing : (ଲିଖନ)
(a). Put the following sentences in the right order and get the story. Put the serial number in the box given against each sentence.
(i) Everybody was happy. [ ]
(ii) The man took him on his camel and went away. [ ]
(iii) He was surprised to see the boy good at counting. [ ]
(iv) Once a young man was sitting on a sand hill. [ ]
(v) The boy divided the camels among them. [ ]
(vi) A man sitting on a camel was passing by. [ ]
(vii) On the way they saw three men quarreling over dividing thirty-five camels among themselves. [ ]
(viii)He promised him a job with the king. [ ]
(ix) The men got thirty-four camels and the boy got one. [ ]
(x) He was counting a large number of flying birds. [ ]
Answer:
Answer:
(i) Everybody was happy. [ 10 ]
(ii) The man took him on his camel and went away. [ 5 ]
(iii) He was surprised to see the boy good at counting. [ 4 ]
(iv) Once a young man was sitting on a sand hill. [ 1 ]
(v) The boy divided the camels among them. [ 8 ]
(vi) A man sitting on a camel was passing by. [ 3 ]
(vii) On the way they saw three men quarreling over dividing thirty-five camels among themselves. [ 7 ]
(viii)He promised him a job with the king. [ 6 ]
(ix) The men got thirty-four camels and the boy got one. [ 9 ]
(x) He was counting a large number of flying birds. [ 2 ]
Session – 6
(b). Use the sentences you have arranged and rewrite the story in the space below.
Math Magic
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Answer:
Once a young man was sitting on a sand hill. He was counting a large number of flying birds. A man sitting on a camel was passing by. He was surprised to see the boy good at counting. The man took him on his camel and Went away. He promised him a job with the Icing. On the way, they saw three men quarreling over dividing thirty-five camels among themselves. The boy divided the camels among them. The men got thirty-four camels and the boy got one. Everybody was happy.
(c). Write answers to the following questions.
Question (i)
Where was the young man sitting? What was he doing there?
Answer:
The young man was sitting on a sand hill. He was counting a large number of flying birds in the sky.
Question (ii)
How did he learn counting?
Answer:
He learnt counting when he was working as a shepherd boy with a rich man.
Question (iii)
Who was quarreling?
Answer:
The three brothers were quarreling.
Question (iv)
Who decided their quarrel?
Answer:
The young math man decided their quarrel.
Question (v)
The three brothers and the young men were happy. What made them happy?
Answer:
The three brothers and the young men were happy because the three brothers got one more camel each they expected. The young man gained a camel though he had no camel of his own.
Session – 7
7. Mental Talk : (ମାନସିକ ଆଳାପ)
One who knows math can solve many problems.
8. Let’s think : (ଆସ ଚିନ୍ତା କରିବା)
Our brain is powerful. We should make good use of it.
Tail-Piece
Wise men solve other’s problems. But who will help them when they are in a fix (in trouble) ? Here follows a story for you to read and get the answer.
SIX WISE MEN (ଛଅଜଣ ବିଜ୍ଞ ଲୋକ)
Once ……………………………………………………….. on our journey.
ଥରେ ଛ’ଜଣ ବୁଦ୍ଧିମାନ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଏକତ୍ର ଏକ ଯାତ୍ରା ଆରମ୍ଭ କଲେ । ବାଟରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଗଭୀର ନଦୀ ପଡ଼ିଲା । ସେଠାରେ କୌଣସି ଡଙ୍ଗା ନଥିଲା । ତେଣୁ ସେମାନେ ନଦୀକୁ ପହଁରି ଅତିକ୍ରମ କଲେ ଏବଂ ନଦୀ ଆରପଟେ ନିରାପଦରେ
ପହଞ୍ଚିଲେ ।
‘‘ଆମେ ସମସ୍ତେ ନିରାପଦ କି ?’’ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଜଣେ ବିଜ୍ଞ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ କଲେ ।
“ ଆସ ଏ ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ନିଶ୍ଚିତ ହେବା ।’’ ଅନ୍ୟ ସମସ୍ତ ବିଜ୍ଞ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି କହିଲେ ।
ପ୍ରଥମ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଟି ଅନ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କୁ ଗଣିଲା ।
ଏକ, ଦୁଇ, ତିନି, ଚାରି, ପାଞ୍ଚ ଏବଂ କହିଲା,
‘‘ଦେଖ ଆମ ଭିତରୁ ଜଣେ କେହି ନାହିଁ । ଆମେ
ମାତ୍ର୫ ଜଣ ଅଛୁ ।’’
‘ତୁମେ ଗୋଟିଏ ବାଉଳା ଲୋକ ।’’
ଦେଖ, ମୁଁ ଗଣୁଛି । ଏକ, ଦୁଇ, ତିନି, ଚାରି,
ପାଞ୍ଚ…….. ‘ ଆରେ ! ସତେତ ଆମେ ପାଞ୍ଚ
ଅଛୁ । ହେ ଭଗବାନ ! ଆମ ଭିତରୁ ଜଣେ
ହଜିଛି ।’’
ତୃତୀୟ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଟି ଗଣିଲା ଏବଂ ଚତୁର୍ଥ
ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଟି ମଧ୍ୟ । ହଁ, ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ସେମାନେ ପାଞ୍ଚଜଣ ?
ସେମାନେ ସମସ୍ତେ ବସି ପଡ଼ିଲେ ଏବଂ କ୍ରନ୍ଦନ କଲେ, ‘ଆମ ଭିତରୁ ଜଣେ ବୁଡ଼ିଯାଇଛି । କି ଦୁଃସମ୍ବାଦ ! ଆମର ପ୍ରିୟ ବନ୍ଧୁ ଜଣେ ବୁଡ଼ିଯାଇଛି । ଆମେ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ କ’ଣ କରିବା ?
କିଛି ସମୟ ପରେ ଦଳର ମୁଖ୍ୟା କହିଲେ, ‘ଆମର ଯାତ୍ରାର ଅନୁକୂଳ ଖରାପ ଥିଲା । ଏଣୁ ଆମେ ଜଣକୁ ହରେଇଲେ । ଆମେ ଆଉ ଯିବା ନାହିଁ । ଆସ ଘରକୁ ଫେରିଯିବା । ସମସ୍ତେ ରାଜି ହେଲେ ।
ବୁଦ୍ଧିମାନ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିମାନେ ନଦୀକୁ ଅତିକ୍ରମ କରି ଆରପାରିରେ ପହଞ୍ଚଲେ । ତାଙ୍କ ଗାଁର ଜଣେ ଗରିବ ଅପାଠୁଆ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଗାଁର ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖୁଲା ଏବଂ କହିଲା, ‘ଆପଣମାନେ ଆଉ ଭ୍ରମଣରେ ଗଲେ ନାହିଁକି ?’’
ନା ଆମେ ଯାଉନାହୁଁ । ‘ଦଳର ମୁଖ୍ୟା କହିଲେ, ‘ଆମେ ଆମ ଭିତରୁ ଜଣକୁ ହରାଇଲୁ । ଏଣୁ ଘରକୁ ଫେରି ଯାଉଛୁ ।’’
ଅପାଠୁଆ ଲୋକଟି ପଚାରିଲା, ‘‘ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଭିତରୁ କିଏ ହଜିଲା ?’’
‘‘ଆମେ ଜାଣୁନା । ଆମେ ଛ’ଜଣ ଥିଲୁ । ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ପାଞ୍ଚ ଅଛୁ ।’’ ଅପାଠୁଆ ଗାଁ ବାଲାଟି ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ଗଣିଲା । ଦେଖିଲା, ସେମାନେ ଛ’ଜଣ ଅଛନ୍ତି । ପାଞ୍ଚଜଣ ନୁହଁନ୍ତି । ସେ ଚିନ୍ତାକଲା । ‘ଏ ଲୋକଗୁଡ଼ା ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ବୋକା । ସେମାନେ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ଅନ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କୁ ଗଣି ନିଜକୁ ଛାଡ଼ି ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି । ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ କେମିତି ଗଣନା ହୁଏ, ତାଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ଶିଖେଇବି ।’’
‘‘ତୁମେମାନେ ଧାଡ଼ିକରି ଛିଡ଼ା ହୁଅ । ମୁଁ ଗଣିବି ।’’ ଗାଉଁଲି ଲୋକଟି ପ୍ରଥମ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ପାଖକୁ ଗଲା ତା’ମୁଣ୍ଡରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଦାଗ ଦେଇ ଗଣିଲା ‘ଏକ’। ସେ ତା’ପରେ ଦ୍ବିତୀୟ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିର ମୁଣ୍ଡରେ ଦାଗ ଦେଇ କହିଲା ‘ଦୁଇ’ । ଏହିପରି ଗଣି ଗଣି ଗଲା । ଷଷ୍ଠ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ମୁଣ୍ଡରେ ଦାଗ ଦେଇ ଗଣିଲା ‘ଛଅ’ । ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ତୁମେ ଦେଖ । ତୁମେମାନେ ‘ଛଅ’, ପାଞ୍ଚ ନୁହଁ । ‘ହେ, ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ତୁମେ ଠିକ୍ । ଆମେ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ଛଅଜଣ ଅଛୁ ।’’ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଜଣେ ବୁଦ୍ଧିମାନ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି କହିଲା । ବୁଦ୍ଧିମାନ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କ ମୁଖୁଆ କହିଲେ,’’ ଯାହାହେଉ, ଭଲହେଲା । ହଜିଥିବା ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଟି ଫେରିଆସିଲା । ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ଆସ ଯାତ୍ରା ଆରମ୍ଭ କରିବା ।’’