Odisha State Board BSE Odisha 9th Class English Solutions Chapter 1 The Price Less Gift Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
BSE Odisha Class 9 English Solutions Chapter 1 The Price Less Gift
BSE Odisha 9th Class English The Price Less Gift Text Book Questions and Answers
D . Let’s Understand The Text
Question 1.
What did the writer experience in the restaurant?
(ଲେଖକ ଭୋଜନାଳୟରେ କ’ଣ ଉପଲବ୍ଧି କଲେ ?)
Answer:
The writer went to a vegetarian restaurant ( ଭୋଜନାଳୟ) during lunchtime. The restaurant was densely crowded as lots of people were eating and drinking there. He found that some of the chairs and tables had been pushed into a corner. He preferred a come table and sat there for lunch and started skimming through the newspaper.
Question 2.
What did he notice there?
(ସେ ସେଠାରେ କ’ଣ ଦେଖିଲେ ?)
Answer:
The writer noticed a very young girl looking at him. He observed that her eyes were large and there was a sad expression on her face. The girl while going out asked the cashier in a low voice something about the writer and wanted to know whether he was an Indian.
Question 3.
What was the writer’s first impression of the girl?
(ଝିଅଟିକୁ ନେଇ ଲେଖକଙ୍କ ପ୍ରଥମ ଭାବ କ’ଣ ଥିଲା)
Answer:
The way of looking at the girl at the writer repeatedly aroused his curiosity in her. Her large eyes with sad expression made him feel that she was facing some kind of trouble and was rather poor and unhappy.
Question 4.
What made the writer surprised?
(ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ କ’ଣ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରିଥିଲା ? )
Answer:
The girl’s inquiry about the writer with the cashier and her looking at him once more before leaving the restaurant made the writer was surprised.
Question 5.
Why did he enquire from the cashier ? (ସେ କାହିଁକି କ୍ୟାସିୟରଠାରୁ ଅନୁସନ୍ଧାନ କଲେ ?)
Answer:
The girl’s interest to know about the writer aroused his curiosity in her. So he enquired from the waiter about the girl.
Question 6.
What information did he get from the cashier?
(ସେ କ୍ୟାସିଅରଠାରୁ କି ଖବର/ସୂଚନା ପାଇଲେ ?)
Answer:
The writer got the information from the waiter that the girl had her lunch in that restaurant on Saturdays only. She came to the restaurant on payday only because she earned very little
Question 7.
Where did the writer go on the next Saturday?
( ଲେଖକ ପରବର୍ତୀ ଶନିବାରରେ କେଉଁଠାକୁ ଗଲେ ?)
Answer:
The writer went to the same restaurant the next Saturday where he found the girl sitting at the same table as before (ପୂର୍ବଭଳି).
Question 8.
Why did he arrange the chair opposite hers?
(ସେ କାହିଁକି ତା’ (ଝିଅଟି) ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ ଚଉକି ଯୋଗାଡ଼ କଲେ ?)
Answer:
The next Saturday, he went to the same restaurant. He found the girl sitting at the same table as before and was eating. Then the writer went up to her and took the chair opposite hers. He wished her a good afternoon and started talking with her.
Question 9.
What query did the girl make about the writer?
(ଲେଖକଙ୍କ ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ଝିଅଟି କ’ଣ ଅନୁସନ୍ଧାନ କଲା ?)
Answer:
The query that the girl made about the writer was whether he was an Indian.
Question 10.
What impression did the writer have about the family of the girl?
(ଝିଅଟିର ପରିବାର ଉପରେ ଲେଖକଙ୍କର କି ଧାରଣା ହେଲା ?)
Answer:
The writer came to know from the girl that she was living with her old widowed mother. Her only brother, who was her ony guardian, was serving as a soldier in India. They had not had a letter from him for a long time. Her mother was very worried and she was afraid something bad had happened to her son.
Question 11.
How was the writer treated at Maggie’s house? Who was there to welcome him?
(ମ୍ୟାଗିଙ୍କ ଘରେ ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ କିଭଳି ଚର୍ଚ୍ଚା କରାଗଲା ? କିଏ ସେଠାରେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ସ୍ଵାଗତ କଲେ ?)
Answer:
The writer reached Maggie’s house accompanying her. She took him to her mother who was in the kitchen. She introduced (ପରିଚିତ କରାଇଲେ) him to her mother. Her mother was very glad to meet an Indian. She welcomed (ସ୍ଵାଗତ କଲେ ) the writer eagerly. The writer was treated kindly at Maggie’s house.
Question 12.
What was Mrs. Bethy doing when the writer met her? Why was she unwilling to go for
a handshake?
(ଲେଖକ ଯେତେବେଳେ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟିଲେ ସେ କ’ଣ କରୁଥିଲେ ? ହାତ ମିଳାଇବାକୁ ସେ କାହିଁକି ଅନିଚ୍ଛୁକ ହେଲେ ?)
Answer:
When the writer met Mrs. Bethy, she was in the kitchen making cakes. She was unwilling ( ଅନିଚ୍ଛୁକ) to handshake (ହାତ ମିଳାଇବା) with the writer because her hands were covered with flour.
Question 13.
Why did the girl usually visit the restaurant on Saturdays?
(ଯୁବତୀ ଜଣକ ସାଧାରଣତଃ ଶନିବାର ରେଷ୍ଟୁରାଣ୍ଟକୁ କାହିଁକି ଯାଉଥିଲେ?)
Answer:
The girl was very poor. She did not earn much. Saturday was her payday. Therefore, she usually visited the restaurant on Saturdays to have her lunch there.
Question 14.
What did Mrs. Bethy believe about the ring?
(ମୁଦିଟି ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ କ’ଣ ବିଶ୍ଵାସ କରୁଥିଲେ ? )
Answer:
Mrs. Bethy had a ring that her son had sent from India. She believed that the ring was a miraculous thing and one could see and know about a distant person and his action through the ring by gazing at it and concentrating on him.
Question 15.
What made the author to tell a lie about the ring?
(ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ ମୁଦିଟି ବିଷୟରେ କ’ଣ ପାଇଁ ମିଛ କହିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିଲା ?)
Answer:
Maggie persistently (repeatedly) requested the author to look into the ring and tell her mother that Franky was all right and alive in India. As a result, her mother could recover from her serious illness. So keeping this in mind, the author had to tell a lie about the ring.
Question 16.
Did the telling of a lie benefit Mrs. Bethy?
(ମିଛଟିଏ କହିବା ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ଙ୍କର ଉପକାର କଲା କି ?)
Answer:
Yes, telling a lie on the part of the writer gave many benefits to Mrs. Bethy who was lying sick on the bed. After hearing about her son’s well-being, the old woman raised her head, and tears of happiness rolled down her eyes. Mrs. Bethy soon recovered from her illness
Question 17.
Why did the writer feel guilty about himself?
(ଲେଖକ କାହିଁକି ନିଜକୁ ଦୋଷୀ ମନେକଲେ ?)
Answer:
The writer felt guilty about himself because he calculated and found that Franky had been killed some days when he told Mrs. Bethy that her son was alive and all right in India.
Question 18.
What was Maggie’s gift to the writer?
(ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ ମାଗିର ଉପହାର କ’ଣ ଥିଲା ?)
Answer:
When Maggie was assured of the writer’s visit to her brother’s grave in India, her face was filled with gratitude. She thanked the writer and gave him a shilling to buy flowers and requested him to lay them on her brother’s grave for her. This was in fact Maggie’s gift to the writer. Maggie’s gift to the writer was only a shilling which she had earned with so much toil.
Question 19.
Why was it a priceless gift?
(ଏହା କାହିଁକି ଏକ ଅମୂଲ୍ୟ ଉପହାର ଥିଲା ?)
Answer:
The shilling that the girl gave to the writer to buy flowers for her dead brother was not an ordinary one. It was an embodiment of her love, sacrifice, joy, and emotion for her brother. Its cost was beyond all price. It was rare and of high value. Thus, it was a priceless gift.
Question 20.
Did Maggie love her brother dearly? Give reasons.
(ମାଗି ତା’ ଭାଇକୁ ଖୁବ୍ ଭଲ ପାଉଥିଲା କି ? କାରଣ ଦର୍ଶାଅ ।)
Answer:
Maggie’s love for her brother was sacred and profound. It is beyond description. Her offering of hard-earned shilling for the purchase of flowers to shower on her brother’s grave and a sense of joy as assured by the writer were enough to know about her love for her brother.
E. Let’s Understand The Text Better : (ଆସ ପାଠ୍ୟବିଷୟଟିକୁ ଭଲ ଭାବରେ ବୁଝିବା )
Question 1.
Why did the writer choose the corner table in the restaurant?
(ଭୋଜନାଳୟରେ ଲେଖକ କାହିଁକି କୋଣରେ ଥିବା ଟେବୁଲଟିକୁ ବାଛିଲେ ?)
Answer:
The writer chose the comer table because the restaurant was very crowded. He saw some of the chairs and tables had been pushed into a comer. He thought a comer place would be a suitable place for lunch and skimming through a newspaper.
Question 2.
How did the writer start a conversation with the young girl ?
ଲେଖକ କିପରି ଯୁବତୀ ଝିଅଟି ସହିତ କଥାବାର୍ତ୍ତା ଆରମ୍ଭ କଲେ ?)
Answer:
The writer saw the young girl in the restaurant the next Saturday. He went up to her and took the chair opposite hers. He wished her a good afternoon. Then he was able to start a conversation with her.
Question 3.
How could the writer guess the girl to be poverty-stricken?
(ଝିଅଟି ଦାରିଦ୍ର୍ୟ-ପ୍ରପୀଡ଼ିତା ବୋଲି ଲେଖକ କିପରି ଅନୁମାନ କରିପାରିଲେ ?)
Answer:
The writer on his first meeting with the girl had observed a sad expression in her eyes. The writer also came to know from the waiter of the restaurant that she only came for lunch on Saturdays being her payday. Perhaps she did not earn much. All these things made the writer guess the girl to be poverty-stricken.
Question 4.
Which of the following do you think the author will talk about after meeting the girl?
(ନିମ୍ନୋକ୍ତ କେଉଁଟିକୁ ଲେଖକ ଝିଅଟିକୁ ଭେଟିବା ପରେ କହିବେ ବୋଲି ତୁମେ ଭାବୁଛ ?)
(a) Meeting the girl again
(b) Enquiring about her nature of work
(c) about her family
(d) all of the above.
Answer:
(c) about her family
Question 5.
‘I was moved by what he said.’ What impression did the writer get about the girl?
(‘ସେ ଯାହା କହିଲେ ମୁଁ ସେଥୁରେ ପ୍ରଭାବିତ ହେଲି ।’’ ଝିଅଟି ବିଷୟରେ ଲେଖକ କି ଧାରଣା ପାଇଲେ ?)
Answer:
Being moved by the words of the waiter, the writer’s curiosity about the girl grew. He took pity of her poverty and wanted to help her in any way.
Question 6.
What impression did the girl have on India?
(ଝିଅଟିର ଭାରତ ଉପରେ କି ଧାରଣା ଥିଲା ?)
Answer:
The girl and her mother had good knowledge of India. That is why they wanted to know from the writer about the kind of country India was. Her mother also wanted to know about Punjab where her son was posted as a soldier. They thought that India was a land of too many snakes and tigers. People in India were often killed by them. They had a strange idea about Indians. They thought Indians were truthful and they could tell the past and the future of man gazing at a ring. It is a land of miraculous happenings.
Question 7.
‘Will it be too much of a lie ?’ Why did the girl say so?
(ଝିଅଟିର ଭାରତ ଉପରେ କି ଧାରଣା ଥିଲା ?)
Answer:
The girl was too much worried about the miserable condition of her mother. She wanted the writer to tell a lie before her mother that her son Franky was alive and all right. She wanted the writer to tell this lie looking into the crystal for the benefit of her mother. For a good cause if a lie is told, it could be no sin at all. That is why the girl said so.
Question 8.
Why did the writer feel ashamed to face Mrs. Bethy at the time of his return to India?
(ଲେଖକ ଭାରତ ଫେରି ଆସିବାବେଳେ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟିବାକୁ କାହିଁକି ଲଜ୍ଜାବୋଧ କଲେ ?)
Answer:
At the time of his return to India, the writer went to Maggie and her mother to say goodbye. But the family was in mourning. Franky had been killed in the fighting on the frontier. The writer calculated and found that Franky had been dead some days before when he told his mother he was alive and well. Therefore he felt ashamed to face Mrs. Bethy. Out of shame, Mr. Gupta wrote to them announcing his departure.
Question 9.
Why was the shilling Maggie presented to the writer an invaluable offering?
(ମାଗି ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ ଦେଇଥିବା ସିଲିଙ୍ଗ୍ଟି କାହିଁକି ଏକ ଅମୂଲ୍ୟ ଉପହାର ଥିଲା ?)
Answer:
The shilling that Maggie presented to the writer was not an ordinary gift. It was the symbol of her true love, sacrifice, and emotion for her brother as it was meant for the purchase of flowers to be showered on her brother’s grave. The cost of the shilling was beyond all prices. It was rare and of high value. Thus the shilling was an invaluable offering
F. Let’s learn some words : (ଆସ କିଛି ଶବ୍ଦ ଶିଖିବା)
Words that are not derived or developed from other words are called primary words.
(ମାଗି ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ ଦେଇଥିବା ସିଲିଙ୍ଗ୍ଟି କାହିଁକି ଏକ ଅମୂଲ୍ୟ ଉପହାର ଥିଲା ?)
In other words, words having no suffixes or prefixes are primary words.
Example – Orange, right, fast, slow.
Compound words are formed noun to noun (moonlight, village bridge) adjective + noun (sweetheart), verb + noun (breakfast) gerund + noun (drawing room), preposition + noun (overcoat) noun + adjective (lifelong).
Compound words (ଯୌଗିକ ଶବ୍ଦ)are formed,
(i) noun + noun (moonlight, village bridge) (ବିଶେଷ + ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ)
(ii) adjective + noun (sweetheart) (ବିଶେଷଣ + ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ)
(iii) verb + noun (breakfast) (କ୍ରିୟାପଦ + ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ )
(iv) gerund + noun (drawing room) ( ଜିରଣ୍ଡ + ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ)
(v) preposition + noun (overcoat) (ବିଭକ୍ତିସୂଚକ ଅବ୍ୟୟ + ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ)
(vi) noun + adjective (lifelong) (ବିଭକ୍ତିସୂଚକ ଅବ୍ୟୟ + ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ)
By adding prefixes like mis, un, in, dis, it, anti, de, make the word negative and by adding suffixes we change the words from noun to adjective, adjective to verb, adjective to an adverb, and verb to noun. This is called derivation. Thus we find a family of words.
Derivation (ବ୍ୟୁତ୍ପତ୍ତି) – It is the name given to the process of making a new word from an old one (word) by the addition of some prefixes or suffixes.
(ପୂର୍ବ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟୟା ବା ପର ପ୍ରତ୍ୟୟ ଯୋଗରେ ପୁରୁଣା ଶବ୍ଦରୁ ନୂତନ ଶବ୍ଦ ଗଠନ ପ୍ରକ୍ରିୟାକୁ ବ୍ୟୁତ୍ପରି ବା କୁହାଯାଏ ।)
(i) Noun + Noun
beauty – spot (ସୌନ୍ଦର୍ଯ୍ୟ ସ୍ଥାନ)
bullock – cart (ବଳଦଗାଡ଼ି)
tax – collector (କର/ଟିକସ ଆଦାୟକାରୀ)
wine – shop (ମଦ ଦୋକାନ)
hospital – bed (ଡାକ୍ତରଖାନା ଶଯ୍ୟା)
stone – work (ପ୍ରସ୍ତର କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ)
maid – servant (ଦାସୀ)
orange-juice (କମଳାରସ)
book – maker (ପୁସ୍ତକ ନିର୍ମାତା)
police – dog (ପୋଲିସ କୁକୁର)
ballot – papers ( ଭୋଟ କାଗଜ)
pocket – money (ପକେଟ ଖର୍ଚ୍ଚ)
work – shop (ଗାଡ଼ି ମରାମତି ସ୍ଥାନ/ଗ୍ୟାରେଜ୍)
tea – cup (ଚା’ ପିଆଲା)
needle – work (ଛୁଞ୍ଚିମ)
paper – money ( କାଗଜ ଟଙ୍କା)
horse – race (ଘୋଡ଼ାଦୌଡ଼)
brick – layer ଘୋଡ଼ାଦୌଡ଼)
oil – paint (ତୈଳଚିତ୍ର)
bank – rate (ବ୍ୟାଙ୍କ ସୁଧ ହାର)
(ii) Adjective + Noun
freelance (ସବୁ ବିଷୟରେ ଲେଖୁଥିବା) (ଲେଖକ)
short – cut ( ସଂକ୍ଷିପ୍ତ ପଦ୍ଧତି)
free – thinker (ମୁକ୍ତ ଚିନ୍ତାକାରୀ)
soft – ware ( କମ୍ପ୍ୟୁଟରର ପ୍ରୋଗ୍ରାମିଂ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ)
double – dealing (ଅସାଧୁ ସମ୍ପର୍କ)
(iil) Verb + Noun
make – shift (house) (ଅସ୍ଥାୟୀ ଗୃହ)
light – house ( ବତୀଘର)
turn – coat (ବାରମ୍ବାର ଦଳବଦଳକାରୀ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି)
cut – throat (competition) (ଗଳାକଟା|ତୀବ୍ର ପ୍ରତିଯୋଗିତା)
watch – dog (ପ୍ରହରୀ)
break – fast (ପ୍ରାତଃଭୋଜନ )
pick – pocket (ପକେଟକଟା ଚୋର)
(iv) Gerund + Noun
hearing – aid (ଶୁଣିବା ଯନ୍ତ୍ର)
moving – picture (ହୃଦୟସ୍ପର୍ଶୀ ଚଳଚ୍ଚିତ୍ର)
dancing – doll (ନାଚ କଣ୍ଢେଇ)
dressing – room (ପୋଷାକ ବଦଳାଇବା କୋଠରି)
brain – washing (ଚିନ୍ତା ଉଦ୍ରେକଧାରୀ) (ଆଲୋଚନା |ସମସ୍ୟା)
walking – stick (ଆଶାବାଡ଼ି)
washing – machine (ପୋଷାକ ଧୂଲେଇ ଯନ୍ତ୍ର)
(v) Preposition + Noun
indoor – game (ଘର ଭିତରର ଖେଳ)
uphill (ପାହାଡ଼ ଶୀର୍ଷ)
overload (ଅତିରିକ୍ତ ବୋଝ)
post – independence (ସ୍ଵାଧୀନତୋତ୍ତର)
outlaw (ସମାଜରୁ ବାସନ୍ଦ ଅପରାଧୀ)
outdoor – game (ବାହାର ଖେଳ)
post – graduate (ସ୍ନାତକୋତ୍ତର)
under – weight (କମ୍ ଓଜନର)
(vi) Noun + Adjective/Participle
blood – curdling (ରକ୍ତ ଶୀତଳେଇ ଦେଉଥିବା )
ice – cold (ବରଫ ଭଳି ଶୀତଳ)
chest – deep (ଛାତି ଗଭୀରର)
blood – thirsty (ରକ୍ତ ତୃଷାର୍ତ୍ତ)
moth – eaten (book) (ଉଇ ଖାଇଥିବା) (ପୁସ୍ତକ)
henpecked (ମାଇଚିଆ )
frost – bitten (କୁହୁଡ଼ିଘେରା)
By adding prefixes like (mis, un, in, dis, il, anti) we make the words negative.
(mis, un, in, dis, il, anti ଆଦି ପୁର୍ବପ୍ରତ୍ୟୟ ବ୍ୟବହାର କରି ଶବ୍ଦଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ନାସ୍ତିସୂଚକ ଅର୍ଥରେ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରାଯାଏ ।)
| inactive (ଅକର୍ମଣ୍ୟ) | inadequeate ( ଗଳ୍ପ ) | unhealthy (ଅସୁସ୍ଥ) |
| Mismanagement (କୁପରିଚାଳନା) | dishonest (ଅସାଧୁ) | disappear ( ଅଦୃଶ୍ୟ ହେବା) |
| illegal (ବେଆଇନ) | illegitimate (ଅବୈଧ ) | ill – timed(ଅସମୟରେ) |
| anti-govemment (ସରକାର ବିରୋଧୀ) | anti-people (ଜନବିରୋଧୀ ) | |
| anti-malarial (ମ୍ୟାଲେରିଆ ନିବାରକ) | de-throne ( ସିଂହାସନରୁ ବିତାଡ଼ିତ କରିବା) | |
| de-recognise (ସ୍ୱୀକୃତି ପ୍ରତ୍ୟାହାର କରିବା) | de-stabilize(ଅସ୍ଥିର କରିବା) | |
| de-grade (ପଦରୁ ସ୍ଖଳିତ କରିବା | ପଦବୀ ପ୍ରତି ଅପମାନ କରିବା) |
By adding suffixes we change the words from noun to adjective, adjective to the verb, adjective to adverb, and verb to noun. This is called ‘derivation’. Thus we find a family of words. Here is an exercise for you. Fill in the gaps using the appropriate form in each sentence. One has been done for you.
(ଏଠାରେ ତୁମ ପାଇଁ ଏକ ଅନୁଶୀଳନୀ ଅଛି । ବନ୍ଧନୀ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଥିବା ଶବ୍ଦର ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ରୂପ ବ୍ୟବହାର କରି ଶୂନ୍ୟସ୍ଥାନ ପୂରଣ କର । ଗୋଟିଏ ତୁମ ପାଇଁ କରି ଦିଆଯାଇଛି ।)
Example : (ଉଦାହରଣ)
1. There is an _____________ of anger on his face, (Express)
Answer:
There is an expression of anger on his face
2. He made his _____________ from the scene after a dialogue, (depart)
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ) :
Departure ( ପ୍ରସ୍ଥାନ),
3. She performed well at her first ____________ (opportune)
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ) :
opportunity (ସୁଯୋଗ ),
4. She showed a ____________ for my past life, (curious)
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ) :
curiosity (କୌତୁହଳ )
5. I had a _____________ with, my friend, (converse)
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ) :
conversation (ବାର୍ତ୍ତାଳାପ |),
6. You need a lot of ______________ on the subject to understand it perfectly, (concentrate)
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ) :
concentration ( ଏକାଗ୍ରତା )
(B) Look at the following dialogues carefully and write them in the correct sequence as
they occur in the story.
(ନିମ୍ନଲିଖ ସଂଳାପଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଯତ୍ନର ସହ ଦେଖ ଏବଂ ଗଳ୍ପରେ ଥିବା ଭଳି ଠିକ୍ କ୍ରମରେ ସଜାଇ ଲେଖ)
1. ‘How can I ever thank you ?’ she said.
2. ‘Are you leaving today ?’ she asked.
3. ‘When I go to that part of the country I shall visit your brother’s grave and write to you.’
4. ‘Excuse me, my hands are covered with flour ?’
5. ‘My son is in Punjab. He is a soldier.’
6. ‘May I know your name ?’
7. ‘Are you an Indian? My brother is in India.’
8. ‘What kind of country is India, Sir ?’
9. ‘Show Mr. Gupta the ring which your brother sent you.’
10. ‘Mrs. Bethy, your son is alive. He is well.’
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ) :
7. ‘Are you an Indian? My brother is in India.’
6. ‘May I know your name ?’
4. ‘Excuse me, my hands are covered with flour ?’
8. ‘What kind of country is India, Sir ?’
5. ‘My son is in Punjab. He is a soldier.’
9. ‘Show Mr. Gupta the ring which your brother sent you.’
10. ‘Mrs. Bethy, your son is alive. He is well.’
2. ‘Are you leaving today ?’ she asked.
3. ‘When I go to that part of the country I shall visit your brother’s grave and write to you.’
1. ‘How can I ever thank you ?’ she said.
(C) Study the following combination (collocation) of words. One is an adjective and the other is a noun.
(ନିମ୍ନଲିଖତ ଶବ୍ଦ ସଙ୍କଳନକୁ ଅନୁଧ୍ୟାନ କର । ଗୋଟିଏ ବିଶେଷଣ ଏବଂ ଅନ୍ୟଟି ବିଶେଷ ଅଟେ ।)
Example : (ଉଦାହରଣ)
| Adjective | Noun | Collocation |
| happy | man | happy man (ସୁଖୀ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି) (Adj. + Noun) |
| previous | day | previous day (ପୂର୍ବଦିନ) (Adj. + Noun) |
| wonderful | place | wonderful place (ଚମତ୍କାର ଜାଗା) (Adj. + Noun) |
| power | manner | power house (ବିଦ୍ୟୁଗୃହ) (Noun + Noun) |
| good | house | good manners (ଉତ୍ତମ ଆଚରଣ) (Adj. + Noun) |
| Japanese | girl | Japanese girl (ଜାପାନୀ ଝିଅ) (Adj. + Noun) |
There are a group of adjectives (descriptive words) chosen from the text. They are miraculous, mysterious, brief, only, weekly, virtuous, serious, healthy, and sad. Fill in the gaps choosing, the appropriate adjectives. One has been done for you.
(ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ବିଶେଷଣଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ବାଛି ଶୂନ୍ୟସ୍ଥାନ ପୂରଣ କର । ତୁମ ପାଇଁ ଗୋଟିଏ କରିଦିଆଯାଇଛି । )
Fill in the gaps choosing,the appropriate adjectives. One has been done for you.
(ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ବିଶେଷଣଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ବାଛି ଶୂନ୍ୟସ୍ଥାନ ପୂରଣ କର । ତୁମ ପାଇଁ ଗୋଟିଏ କରିଦିଆଯାଇଛି ।)
(i). I hope that some __________ change will occur.
Answer:
miraculous
(ii). The children have _____________ appetite.
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ):
Healthy ( ସୁସ୍ଥ)
(iii). There was some ____________ news for the child.
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ):
Sad(ଦୁଃଖଦ )
(iv). She suffered from a _____________ illness.
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ):
serious
(v). He leads a ______________ life all the time.
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ):
virtuous
(vi). He started with a _____________ description of the subject.
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ):
Brief (ସଂକ୍ଷିପ୍ତ)
(vii). He attends every ______________ meeting.
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ):
weekly
(viii). Ramesh is the _______________ child of his father.
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ):
Only.
(D) Compound adjectives are beautifully formed with the addition of nouns with participles. One a such compound adjective is used in the text
(ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ ସହ କ୍ରିୟାର ‘participle’ ରୂପ ଯୋଗ ହୋଇ ଯୌଗିକ ବିଶେଷଣଗୁଡ଼ିକ ସୁନ୍ଦରଭାବେ ଗଢ଼ାଯାଇଛି । ଏଭଳି ଏକ ଯୌଗିକ ବିଶେଷଣ ପାଠ୍ୟବିଷୟରେ ବ୍ୟବହୃତ ହୋଇଛି ।)
i.e., poverty-stricken
In column ‘A’ there are the nouns and in column ‘B’ there are participles kept in a disordered manner. You are to match them and make compound adjectives. (The first noun becomes the adjective).
(‘କ’ ସ୍ତମ୍ଭ ତଳେ ଦିଆଯାଇଥିବା ବିଶେଷ୍ୟ ପଦ ସହିତ ‘ଖ’ ସ୍ତମ୍ଭ ତଳେ ଥିବା ଅସମାପିକା କ୍ରିୟାଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଯୋଗକରି ଯୌଗିକ ବିଶେଷଣ ଗଠନ କର ।)
| ‘A’ | ‘B’ |
| Moth | Ridden |
| Heart | Made |
| Bed | Broken |
| Hand | Eaten |
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ):
| ‘A’ (Noun) | ‘B’(Participle) |
| Moth | Eaten (ଉଇଖ୍) (ବହି) |
| Heart | Broken(ହୃଦୟ ବିଦାରକ) (ଦୃଶ୍ୟ) |
| Bed | Ridden(ଶଯ୍ୟାଶାୟୀ) (ରୋଗୀ ) |
| Hand | Made(ହାତ ତିଆରି) (ଖେଳନା ) |
Words in the circles are not written in order. Put them in order and make sentences.
(ଗୋଲେଇ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଥିବା ଶବ୍ଦଗୁଡ଼ିକ ସଠିକ୍ କ୍ରମରେ ଲେଖାଯାଇନାହିଁ । ବାକ୍ୟ ଗଠନ ନିମନ୍ତେ ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ କ୍ରମରେ ସଜାଅ ।)
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ):
G. Let’S Learn Use Of Language (ଆସ ଆମେ ଭାଷାର ବ୍ୟବହାର କରି ଶିଖ୍) :
Active and Passive Voice (କର୍ତ୍ତବାଚ୍ୟ ଓ କର୍ମବାଚ୍ୟ ) :
Much objective writing is done in the passive voice. For the passive voice we may use any one of the tenses. With each one we have to use the relevant tense of ‘be’ along with the past participle of the main verb.
| Tense | Form | Examples in the passive | |
| (from the text) | |||
| Simple Present | is/am/are+past participle | Mv’s hands are covered with foam. | |
| Present Progressive | is/am/are+being+PP | It is being repaired at the moment. | |
| Present Perfect | has/have+been+PP | It has been kept verv neatly in that envelope. | |
| Present perfect Progressive | |||
| Simple past | was/were+PP | Maggie’s face was filled with gratitude. | |
| Past Progressive | was/were+being+PP | A letter was being written to her. | |
| Past Perfect
Past Perfect Progressive Future time |
had+been+PP | Some of the chairs and tables had been pushed into comers. | |
| shall/will+be+PP | All kinds of things will be sold in night. | ||
| Referring to | would+be+PP | The grief in her heart would be eased | |
| Future in the past | a little. |
Note: The present perfect progressive and past perfect progressive in the passive voice is very rarely used.
Question 1.
Supply the correct form of the verb to fill in the gaps in the following narration.
(ନିମ୍ନ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାରେ ଥିବା ଶୂନ୍ୟସ୍ଥାନଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ବନ୍ଧନୀରେ ଥିବା କ୍ରିୟାର ସଠିକ୍ ରୂପ ବସାଇ ପୂରଣ କର ।)
When the match was coming to an end I ___________ (tell) by my father to leave the stadium quickly to attend to my cousin at the hospital where he ____________ bring) by an ambulance. I ____________ (shock) to hear this. An auto rickshaw _____________ (arrange) and I reached the hospital and then to the ward in no time. I saw that my cousin ____________ (bandage) was lying on the bed with saline hanging on a stand beside the bed. The nurse told me he ___________ (inject) with antibiotics.
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ):
When the match was coming to an end I was told my father to leave the stadium quickly to attend to my cousin at the hospital where he had been brought by ambulance. I was shocked to hear this. An auto rickshaw was arranged and I reached the hospital and then the ward in no time. I saw that my cousin was bandaged and was lying on the bed with saline hanging on a stand beside the bed. The nurse told me he had been injected with antibiotics.
H. Let’s Write (ଆସ ଲେଖୁ ) :
There are a few dialogues between the teacher and Deepak. Some dialogues are omitted. Fill in the dialogues according to the sequence. A few hints are given in the bracket.
(ଶିକ୍ଷକ ଓ ଦୀପକ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ହୋଇଥିବା କେତେକ ସଂଳାପ ଏଠାରେ ଅଛି । କେତେକ ସଂଳାପ ଛାଡ଼ି ଦିଆଯାଇଛି । ଘଟଣାକ୍ରମ ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ସଂଳାପଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ପୂରଣ କର । ବନ୍ଧନୀ ମଧ୍ୟରେ କେତେକ ସୂଚନା ଦିଆଯାଇଛି ।)
Teacher: Deepak. Please come here if you have finished writing
Deepak: Sir, it is over.
Teacher: _________ (demand the copy)
Deepak: Here is my copy. Sir, the question was difficult
Teacher: ___________? (enquiring)
Deepak: Yes Sir, we were taught this subject twice. But I was confused.
Teacher : (Checking the note) Deepak, _________________?
Deepak: Sir, this sentence was actually told by you.
Teacher: It is just and ____________.
Deepak: Sir, I remember your words. Rome was not built in a day.
Teacher: _________? (Asks to know his response)
Deepak: Sir, I was greatly moved by it.
Teacher: ___________?
Deepak: Sir, I found this sentence in a book
Teacher: ____________?
Deepak: I bought the book at the exhibition. There was a great rush at the exhibition.
Teacher: _____________?
Deepak: I also bought one storybook.
Teacher: It is better to have the companionship of books.
Answer ( ଉତ୍ତର ):
Teacher: Deepak. Please come here if you have finished writing
Deepak: Sir, it is over.
Teacher: Show me your copy, (demand the copy)
Deepak: Here is my copy. Sir, the question was difficult
Teacher: Were you not taught this subject? (enquiring)
Deepak: Yes Sir, we were taught this subject twice. But I was confused.
Teacher : (Checking the note) Deepak, Well, you have written a good sentence. Who told this you?
Deepak: Sir, this sentence was actually told by you.
Teacher: It is just and beautiful.
Deepak: Sir, I remember your words. Rome was not built in a day.
Teacher: How do YOU like this? (Asks to know his response)
Deepak: Sir, I was greatly moved by it.
Teacher: Where have you found it?
Deepak: Sir, I found this sentence in a book
Teacher: Where did you buy this book?
Deepak: I bought the book at the exhibition. There was a great rush at the exhibition.
Teacher: What else did you buy there?
Deepak: I also bought one storybook.
Teacher: It is better to have the companionship of books.
After you have completed writing the dialogues, have to role-play with your peers inside the classroom.
(କଥୋପକଥନ ଲେଖୁସାରିବା ପରେ, ଶ୍ରେଣୀକକ୍ଷ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ତୁମ ସାଙ୍ଗମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଅଭିନୟ କର ।)
Let’s Know More (ଆସ ଅଧ୍ବକ ଜାଣିବା )
| Word | Related Word |
| vegetable (n) | vegetarian (n) |
| express (v) | expression (n) |
| curiosity (n) | curious (adj), curiously (adv) |
| poverty (n) | poor (adj) |
| enter (v) | entrance (n), entry/entrant (n) |
| company (n) | accompany (v) |
| know (v) | knowledge (n), knowledgeable (adj) |
| pleasant (adj) | pleasantly (adv) |
| usual (adj) | usually (adv) |
| eager (adj) | eagerness (n), eagerly (adv) |
| introduce (v) | introduction (n), introductory (adj) |
| concentrate (v) | concentration (n), concentrative (adj) |
| miracle (n) | miraculous (adj), miraculously (adv) |
| ill (adj) | illness (n) |
| anxiety (n) | anxious (adj) |
| recover(v) | recovery (n) |
| distant (adj) | distance (n) |
| emotion (n) | emotional (adj), emotionally (adv) |
| remember (v) | remembrance (n) |
| thank (v) | thankful (adj). |
| joy (n) | enjoy (v), joyful (adj), joyfully (adv) |
B. Opposite/Antonyms
| Word | Opposite Word |
| vegetarian | non-vegetarian |
| large | small |
| persist | discontinue |
| widow | widower |
| worried | composed/calm |
| neatly | poorly |
| question | answer |
| aggravated | lessened |
| serious | light |
| depart | enter |
| love (n) | hatred |
| distant | near |
| anxious | carefree |
| alive | dead |
| spend | save |
| repair | damage |
| Word | Opposite Word |
| crowded | deserted |
| moved | unmoved |
| same | different |
| usually | unusually |
| approach | recoil/withdraw |
| cover | uncover |
| bless | curse |
| virtuous | vicious |
| departure | entry |
| buried | burnt |
| love (v) | hate |
| profusion | scarcity |
| gentleman | ruffian |
| low | high |
| narrow | wide |
| brief | lengthy |
BSE Odisha 9th Class English The Priceless Gift Important Questions and Answers
Very Short & Objective Questions With Answers.
Answer The Followings In A Sentence.
Question 1.
When did the writer visit the restaurant?
Answer:
The writer visited the restaurant during lunchtime on a Saturday.
Question 2.
What did the writer see in a corner?
Answer:
The writer saw that some of the chairs and tables had been pushed into a corner.
Question 3.
What did the girl ask the cashier?
Answer:
The girl asked the cashier if the writer was an Indian.
Question 4.
What made the writer surprised?
Answer:
The girl’s repeated looking at him and her discussion with the cashier in a low voice made the writer surprised.
Question 5.
What did the writer want to know from the waiter?
Answer:
The writer wanted to know about the girl from the waiter
Question 6.
How did Maggie open the door?
Answer:
Maggie opened the door with a thin latch key.
Question 7.
Where was Maggie’s mother when Maggie entered the house?
Answer:
When Maggie entered the house, her mother was in the kitchen.
Question 8.
What was Maggie’s mother doing when the writer met her?
Answer:
Maggie’s mother was making cakes when the writer met her.
Question 9.
Why couldn’t Maggie’s mother go for a handshake?
Answer:
Maggie’s mother couldn’t go for a handshake because her hands were covered with flour.
Question 10.
What was the importance of Saturday night?
Answer:
Saturday night was a time of festivity.
Question 11.
Why was Mrs. Bethy sick?
Answer:
Mrs. Bethy was sick, aggravated by her anxiety for her son, Franky.
Question 12.
What did Maggie request from Mr. Gupta?
Answer:
Maggie requested Mr. Gupta to tell a lie to her mother about her brother looking into the crystal.
Question 13.
How did Mrs. Bethy recover?
Answer:
Mr. Gupta, the writer, told Mrs. Bethy that her son was alive and well. So she soon recovered.
Question 14.
Why did the writer wish to say ‘goodbye’ to Maggie and her mother?
Answer:
The writer wished to say goodbye to Maggie and her mother before his return to India as he had an acquaintanceship with them.
Question 15.
Why couldn’t the writer face Mrs. Bethy?
Answer:
The writer couldn’t face Mrs. Bethy before his departure as her family was in mourning due to the death of Franky.
Question 16.
What did Maggie offer the writer?
Answer:
Maggie offered a shilling to the writer.
Question 17.
What did Maggie request from the writer?
Answer:
Maggie requested the writer to buy some flowers and put them on her brother’s grave.
Question 18.
Why didn’t the writer want to accept that shilling from Maggie?
Answer:
The writer thought that Maggie would have earned the shilling with much toil.
Question 19.
Why did the writer pick up the shilling?
Answer:
The writer picked up the shilling thinking that the grief in Maggie’s heart would be eased a little by it.
Question 20.
Why was the shilling a priceless gift?
Answer:
The shilling was an embodiment of her love and sacrifice for her brother. Its cost was beyond all price. So it was a priceless gift.
Answer The Followings In A Word Or A Phrase
Question 1.
Why did the writer feel ashamed to face Mrs. Bethy?
Answer:
Because he had told a lie about Franky.
Question 2.
When did Maggie’s face fill with gratitude?
Answer:
when the author told her that he would visit her brother’s grave and would write to her
Question 3.
Why was Mrs. Bethy unwilling to go for a handshake?
Answer:
Because her hands were covered with flour;
Question 4.
What did the writer notice in the eyes of the young girl?
Answer:
Her eyes were large and they had sad expressions.
Question 5.
Why was Maggie’s mother worried?
Answer:
Because she hadn’t received any letter from her son.
Question 6.
Why did the writer wait for his lunch in the restaurant?
Answer:
Because the restaurant was crowded.
Question 7.
What was Maggie’s first question Maggie to the writer?
Answer:
Are you an Indian?
Question 8.
When were the people in poor neighborhoods able to spend a little?
Answer:
On Saturday night.
Question 9.
Who showed the ring to the writer?
Answer:
Maggie.
Question 10.
“Please come in.”- Who told this?
Answer:
Maggie
Question 11.
What was Mr. Gupta doing when Maggie knocked at his door?
Answer:
He was having his breakfast
Question 12.
What was Mrs. Bethy doing when the writer met her?
Answer:
Making cakes.
Question 13.
“What kind of country is India, Sir 7” Who is the speaker of this question?
Answer:
Mrs. Bethy
Question 14.
What did Mrs. Bethy show Mr. Gupta in her house?
Answer:
A photograph
Question 15.
Who prepared tea for Mr. Gupta?
Answer:
Mrs. Bethy
Question 16.
Who was Mrs. Bethy?
Answer:
The girl’s old and worried mother
Question 17.
“An Indian has come.”- Who said it to whom?
Answer:
Maggie said it to her mother.
Question 18.
How much did Maggie offer to the writer to buy flowers for her brother’s grave?
Answer:
A shilling
Question 19.
How was the girl who was looking at the writer?
Answer:
She was sorrowful.
Question 20.
What aroused the author’s curiosity about the girl in the restaurant?
Answer:
Her interest in him.
Fill In The Blanks.
1. I was in a fix. Here the underlined phrase means he was in _____________________.
Answer:
Dilemma.
2. The crystal is a __________________.
Answer:
Bright Mirror
3. “Who was the mysterious child ?” Here the word mysterious means _______________.
Answer:
Strange.
4. “her poverty-stricken sad anxious figure”. Here ‘figure’ means _______________.
Answer:
Appearance.
5. Franky was working in ________________.
Answer:
Punjab.
6. Franky was a ________________ .
Answer:
Soldier.
7. The writer told Mrs. Bethy that India is a _________________.
Answer:
Fine Country.
8. The writer told Maggie that he had entered ____________________.
Answer:
The Punjab service
9. When the writer told Maggie that he would visit her brother’s grave, her face filled with ___________.
Answer:
Gratitude
10. Mrs. Bethy was making them in the evening. _______________ to sell
Answer:
Cakes.
11. The writer went to the restaurant during _______________.
Answer:
Lunch.
12. In England, the writer went to a _____________.
Answer:
Vegetarian Restaurant.
13. In the restaurant, the writer started skimming through the newspaper sitting in the comer of the _____________.
Answer:
Restaurant.
14. The young girl came to the restaurant on __________________.
Answer:
Saturdays
Multiple Choice Questions With Answers
Question 1.
“I am glad to hear it.” was said by _____________?
(A) Mr. Gupta
(B) Maggie
(C) Mrs. Bethy
(D) Franky
Answer:
(C) Mrs. Bethy.
Question 2.
Mr. Gupta told Mrs. Bethy, “Punjab is a ___________ place to live in?
(A) healthy
(C) suitable
(B) fire
(D) beautiful
Answer:
(A) healthy.
Question 3.
“Please come in.”______________ Who told this?
(A) Mr. Gupta
(B) Mrs. Bethy
(C) Maggie
(D) the writer
Answer:
(C) Maggie.
Question 4.
Saturday night was a time of ____________ in a poor neighborhood?
(A) payment
(B) buying
(C) marketing
(D) festivity
Answer:
(D) festivity
Question 5.
“What kind of country is India, Sir ?” Who is the speaker of this question _______________?
(A) Maggie
(B) Mrs. Bethy
(C) cashier
(D) waiter
Answer:
(B) Mrs. Bethy
Question 6.
Franky was buried ________________?
(A) in Punjab
(B) in London.
(C) near Punjab
(D) near the frontier
Answer:
(D) near the frontier.
Question 7.
Maggie had come to say goodbye to the writer wearing _________________?
(A) black
(B) red
(C) a saree
(D) a new dress
Answer:
(A) black.
Question 8.
“her poverty-stricken sad anxious figure”. Here ‘figure’ means __________________?
(A) picture
(B) design
(C) drawing
(D) appearance
Answer:
(D) appearance.
Question 9.
Franky was working in __________________?
(A) London
(B.) Punjab
(C) America
(D) Delhi
Answer:
(B.) Punjab
Question 10.
Franky was a ______________?
(A) writer
(B) commander
(C) major
(D) soldier
Answer:
(D) soldier.
Question 11.
The writer told Mrs. Bethy that India is a ________________?
(A) fine country
(B) beautiful country
(C) healthy place
(D) peaceful country
Answer:
(A) fine country
Question 12.
How much did Maggie offer to the writer to buy flowers for her brother’s grave _________________?
(A) a shilling
(B) a dollar
(C) five shillings
(D) ten shillings
Answer:
(A) a shilling
Question 13.
Mrs. Bethy wanted to know about a particular place in India. Write the name of the place _________________?
(A) New Delhi
(B) Punjab
(C) Haryana
(D) Frontier
Answer:
(B) Punjab.
Question 14.
Where did the writer go to pack his bags?
(A) to the hotel
(B) to the room
(C) downstairs
(D) upstairs
Answer:
(D) upstairs.
Question 15.
The writer went to the restaurant during ________________?
(A) breakfast
(B) lunch
(C) supper
(D) dinner
Answer:
(B) Lunch.
Subjective Questions With Answers
Answer the following question in about 50 words.
Question 1.
Where did the writer go for his launch and what did he experience there?
Answer:
In England, once the writer went to a vegetarian restaurant to have his launch. He found that it was very crowded. People were eating and drinking and all the seats were occupied by them. He preferred a comer table to sit and wait for his launch and started skimming through a newspaper.
Question 2.
What was the writer’s first impression of the girl?
Answer:
While waiting for his launch at the restaurant, the writer noticed a young girl. She was looking at him with a very sad expression. At the time of her departure, she asked the cashier about the identity of the writer. It seemed as if she was very much interested to know about him.
Question 3.
What made the writer surprised?
Answer:
The writer was surprised at the behavior of the girl in the restaurant. She was repeatedly looking at him with her large eyes and they had a sad expression. She also asked the cashier about the writer when she was about to leave the restaurant. Her repeated looking with a sad expression made him surprised.
Question 4.
Why was the writer interested to know about the girl?
Answer:
The writer saw a young girl taking her launch in the restaurant. She looked at him time and again. As she was leaving the place she asked the cashier something in a very low voice That incident made him surprised and he was interested to know about the girl.
Question 5.
What did the writer know about the young girl?
Answer:
The young girl’s interest to know about the writer aroused his curiosity in her. So after his launch, he asked the waiter about the girl. The waiter didn’t know much about her, still, he told that she was visiting the restaurant only on Saturdays.
Question 6.
Where did the writer go on the next Saturday?
Answer:
After getting little information about the girl, the writer was anxious to meet her again. He was curious to know more about the poverty-stricken girl. So the very next Saturday he went to the same restaurant. He found her sitting at the same table as before.
Question 7.
Where did the writer meet the young girl again? Why did he sit opposite hers?
Answer:
The writer came to know that the girl used to visit the restaurant only on Saturdays. He was interested to meet her and know about her. The next Saturday he went to the restaurant and met her again. As she was eating, the writer arranged a chair and sat opposite hers in order to talk to her freely.
Question 8.
How did the writer start a conversation?
Answer:
The writer came to know about the girl’s visit to the restaurant on Saturdays. He went there on Saturday in order to meet her.
He saw her eating. So he went up to her and took the chair opposite hers. He wished her a good afternoon. After a brief remark, he started a conversation with her.
Question 9.
How could the writer guess the girl to be poverty-stricken?
Answer:
The writer saw a sad expression in the eyes of the girl. He came to know from the waiter that the girl used to come to the restaurant to have her launch only on Saturday as it was payday. Perhaps she didn’t earn much. All these made him guess that she was a poverty-stricken girl.
Question 10.
hat query had the girl made about the writer?
Answer:
The girl came across the writer in the restaurant on a Saturday. She was anxious to know if the writer was an Indian. She asked it the cashier but she was not confirmed it. The next Saturday once again she met him in the same restaurant and came to know
Question 11.
How was the writer treated at Maggie’s house?
Answer:
Maggie invited the writer to visit her house. Both walked to her house. She took him to her mother, Mrs. Bethy who was busy doing something in the kitchen. She introduced him to her mother. Her mother was very glad to meet an Indian She welcomed the writer.
Question 12.
what was Mrs. Bethy doing when the writer met her? Why was she unwilling to go for a handshake?
Answer:
Maggie took the writer to her mother, Mrs. Bethy. She was making some. cakes in the kitchen. Maggie introduced him to her mother. Soon the writer held out his hand for a handshake. But she was unwilling to go for a handshake as her hands were covered with flour.
Question 13.
What did Mrs. Bethy request from the writer?
Answer:
Mrs. Bethy told Maggie to show the ring to Mr. Gupta. It was sent by her son, Franky. She believed that an Indian could see and know about a distant person through the ring which was bought in India. So she requested the writer to try and tell her something about her son.
Question 14.
What made the author tell a lie about the ring?
Answer:
One day the writer had been to Maggie’s house. He found her mother, Mrs. Bethy was seriously ill due to her anxiety for her son Ma ie requested him to tell her mother that Franky was alive and alright. So he had to tell a lie looking at the ring. He did so only for the early recovery of Mrs. Bethy and goodbye to Maggie and her mother before leaving for India. But the family was in mourning as Franky’s death news had already been received by them. Franky had been killed in a fight on the frontier. Since the writer had told a lie about Franky, he felt ashamed to face Mrs. Bethy. He felt guilty about himself.
Question 15.
When and why did the writer feel guilty about himself?
Answer:
The writer wished to go and say goodbye to Maggie and her mother before leaving for India. But the family was in mourning as Franky’s death news had already been received by them. Franky had been killed in a fight on the frontier. Since the writer had told a lie about Franky, he felt ashamed to face Mrs. Bethy. He felt guilty about himself.
The Priceless Gift Summary in English.
Lead In:
Commonly a gift means a presentation or offering to somebody on special occasions such as marriage or birthday. Even a small gift is sometimes considered very valuable and rare. Hence it is called priceless. Here is an interesting story ‘The Priceless Gift’ which deals with a simple gift given by a sister for her brother as a token of pure love.
Notes:
Commonly – ସାଧାରଣତଃ,
gift – ଉପହାର,
offering – ଉପହାର/ଭେଟି,
special – ସ୍ବତନ୍ତ୍ର/ଗୁରୁତ୍ବପୂର୍ଣ,
occasion – ଉତ୍ସବ,
rare – କ୍ଵଚିତ୍/ଦୁର୍ଲଭ,
priceless -ଅମୂଲ୍ୟ
token of –
ଉପକ୍ରମ :
ସାଧାରଣତଃ ଗୋଟିଏ ଉପହାର ଜଣକୁ କେତେକ ସ୍ଵତନ୍ତ୍ର ଉତ୍ସବ, ଯଥା – ବିବାହ ଓ ଜନ୍ମଦିନ ଉପଲକ୍ଷେ ପ୍ରଦାନ ତେଣୁ ଏହାକୁ ‘ଅମୂଲ୍ୟ’ ବୋଲି କୁହାଯାଇଥାଏ । ଏଠାରେ ଏହିପରି ଏକ ହୃଦୟସ୍ପର୍ଶୀ କାହାଣୀ ‘The Priceless Gift” (ଅମୂଲ୍ୟ ଉପହାର) ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରାଯାଇଅଛି ଯେଉଁଥରେ ଜଣେ ଭାଇକୁ ଭଉଣୀଦ୍ଵାରା ପ୍ରଦତ୍ତ ଏକ ସାଧାରଣ ଉପହାର ଶାଶ୍ଵତ ସ୍ନେହର ନିଦର୍ଶନସ୍ଵରୂପ ହୋଇଛି ।
About The Writer And The Topic :
In the story ‘The Priceless Gift’ the writer is identified as Mr. Gupta. During his stay in London, he came in contact with a poor young girl named Maggie, who was living with her widowed mother Mrs. Bethy. Her only brother, Franky was serving in India as a soldier in the state of Punjab. She and her mother were worried because they had no contact with Franky for a long time and that had made her mother sick. Her mother Mrs. Bethy believed that the writer being an Indian could see the past and future.
On another occasion, Maggie requested the writer to tell a lie that her brother was alive and well in India so that her mother would recover soon. The writer had to tell a lie against his will. After a few days, her family received the death news of her brother who had died a little before the prediction of writer. It shocked the writer and he could not meet them before his return to India as he felt guilty.
The next day before his departure Maggie met the writer and gave a shilling to him. She requested him to buy some flowers with it and lay them on her brother’s grave on behalf of her. The shilling though a small amount of money was a symbol of her sacred love and affection. Hence the gift was priceless.
Note:
identified – ପରିଚିତ,
contact – ସଂସ୍ପର୍ଶ,
worried –
occasion –
recover – ଆରୋଗ୍ୟ ଲାଭ କରିବା,
will – ଇଚ୍ଛା,
prediction – ଗଣନା/ଭବିଷ୍ୟବାଣୀ,
departure – ପ୍ରସ୍ଥାନ,
shilling – ଏକବ୍ରିଟିଶ୍ ମୁଦ୍ରା (ପାଉଣ୍ଡର କୋଡ଼ିଏ ଭାଗରୁ ଭାଗେ)
ଲେଖକ ଏବଂ ବିଷୟବସ୍ତୁ ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ :
ଉକ୍ତ ଗଳ୍ପରେ ଲେଖକ ଶ୍ରୀଯୁକ୍ତ ଗୁପ୍ତା ନାମରେ ପରିଚିତ ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି । ଲଣ୍ଡନରେ ତାଙ୍କର ରହଣି କାଳରେ ସେ ‘ମାଗି’ ନାମକ ଏକ ଗରିବ ଯୁବତୀ ଝିଅ ସଂସ୍ପର୍ଶରେ ଆସିଥିଲେ ଯିଏକି ତାଙ୍କ ବିଧବା ମାଆ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥୁଙ୍କ ସହିତ ରହୁଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କର ଏକମାତ୍ର ଭାଇ ‘ପ୍ରାଙ୍ଗୀ’ ଭାରତର ପଞ୍ଜାବ ରାଜ୍ୟରେ ସୈନିକ ଭାବରେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରୁଥିଲେ । ସେ ଓ ତା’ର ମାଆ ବହୁତ ବିବ୍ରତ ଥିଲେ କାରଣ ତା’ର ଭାଇ ସହିତ ସେମାନଙ୍କର ଦୀର୍ଘଦିନ ଧରି କୌଣସି ଯୋଗାଯୋଗ ସମ୍ଭବପର ହୋଇନଥିଲା, ଯାହା ଫଳରେ ତା’ର ମାଆ ରୋଗାକ୍ରାନ୍ତ ହୋଇପଡ଼ିଥିଲେ । ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ ବିଶ୍ଵାସ କରୁଥିଲେ ଯେ ଲେଖକ ଜଣେ ଭାରତୀୟ ହୋଇଥିବାରୁ ଅତୀତ ଓ ଭବିଷ୍ୟତ ଘଟଣା ଜାଣିପାରନ୍ତି । ଅନ୍ୟ ଏକ ଘଟଣାକ୍ରମେ ମାଗି ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ ଅନୁରୋଧ କଲା ଯେ ସେ ମିଛରେ କୁହନ୍ତୁ ଯେ ତା’ର ଭାଇ ଭାରତରେ ଜୀବିତ ଓ ଭଲରେ ଅଛି, ଯାହାଫଳରେ ତା’ର ମାଆ ଶୀଘ୍ର ଆରୋଗ୍ୟ ଲାଭ କରିପାରିବେ । ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ ନିଜ ଇଚ୍ଛା ବିରୁଦ୍ଧରେ ଏପରି ମିଥ୍ୟା କହିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିଲା । କିନ୍ତୁ କେତେଦିନ ପରେ ତା’ର ପରିବାର ତା’ର ଭାଇର ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ଖବର ପାଇଲେ ଯିଏକି ଲେଖକଙ୍କ ଗଣନାର ଅଳ୍ପ କିଛିଦିନ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ମୃତ୍ୟୁବରଣ କରିଥିଲା । ଏହା ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ ଆଘାତ ଦେଇଥିଲା । ଫଳରେ ସେ ନିଜକୁ ଦୋଷୀ ମନେକରି ଭାରତ ଫେରିବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟି ପାରି ନ ଥିଲେ । ତା’ ପରଦିନ ଲେଖକଙ୍କ ପ୍ରସ୍ଥାନ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ମାଗି ତାଙ୍କୁ ସାକ୍ଷାତ କରି ଏକ ସିଲିଙ୍ଗ୍ (ଏକ ବ୍ରିଟିଶ୍ ମୁଦ୍ରା) ଦେଲା । ସେ (ଲେଖକ) ଏହି ସିଲିଙ୍ଗ୍ ବିନିମୟରେ କିଛି ଫୁଲ କିଣି ତା’ ଭାଇର କବର ଉପରେ ତା’ ତରଫରୁ ବିଛାଇବାକୁ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଅନୁରୋଧ କଲା । ସିଲିଙ୍ଗ୍ ଯଦିଓ ଏକ କ୍ଷୁଦ୍ର ପରିମାଣବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ମୁଦ୍ରା, ତାହା ଥିଲା ତା’ର ଶାଶ୍ଵତ ସ୍ନେହ ଓ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାର ନିଦର୍ଶନସ୍ଵରୂପ । ଅତଏବ
Summary:
‘The Priceless Gift’ is a story about a significant gift that is rare and extraordinary. It is a small gift but its cost is beyond all price. Why the gift has become, so valuable, would be clear to us from the following story. The writer, Mr. Gupta, has narrated it from his personal experience. During his stay in London, once he went to a vegetarian restaurant for lunch. It was very crowded and people were eating and drinking.
The writer chose a comer table and while waiting for lunch, he was overlooking a newspaper. Meanwhile, he saw a very young girl looking at him. Her eyes had a sad expression. Before she left the restaurant, she enquired about the writer and wanted to know from the cashier if he was an Indian. She also had another look at him. It surprised the writer and he wanted to know the matter. He asked the waiter about the girl. The waiter said that she used to come for the launch on Saturdays being her payday. Perhaps she did not earn much.
The writer was moved by the waiter’s words. He was thinking about the mysterious child who was enquiring about him. The girl seemed to be extremely poor. So he felt pity for her and wanted to help her. The writer waited for the girl till next Saturday. When it came he went to the restaurant and found the girl sitting at the same table as before. He went to her straight and sat in front of her. He wished her a good afternoon and started talking to her.
The girl named Maggie was happy to meet an Indian, the writer himself. She informed him about her brother Franky, who served in India as a soldier. But her brother had no contact with her family for a long time. Her mother, Mrs. Bethy was worried that something bad had happened to her son. The writer understood the problem of her family and accompanied her home as she wanted him to meet her mother.
When they reached home, her mother Mrs. Bethy was in the kitchen and making cakes. She welcomed him and was happy to meet an Indian. She asked the writer many questions about India. She wanted to know whether India was a safe country to live in. Was it a land of too many snakes and tigers? Did they kill people? Her son was in Punjab. He was a soldier. What kind of place was Punjab? Mr. Gupta the writer told that India was a beautiful country and a fine place to live in.
Then they took the writer upstairs where they discussed India and their Franky. Franky was in India and he had no contact with his family for a long time. Mrs. Bethy showed him a photograph of her son. She also showed a ring that her son Franky had sent from India. The ring had magical power and if anyone would gaze at it thinking about a distant person, he could see that person and know what he was doing.
They had tried it but were unable to see anything. They believed that an Indian could do this miraculous thing. Therefore, they requested the writer to do it. He did not believe in it. But he did not say anything to shatter their dream. After a few months when the writer visited Maggie and her mother, he saw Mrs. Bethy in a serious condition. She was bedridden and was thinking about her son. The condition of her mother compelled the writer to tell a lie.
He went near Mrs. Bethy’s bed where she was lying. Accordingly, watching the ring, he told Mrs. Bethy that her son was alive and well. The old woman, listening to this, raised her head, and tears of happiness rolled down her eyes. She soon recovered. After a few days, his time to return to India came.
He went to Maggie and her mother to wish them goodbye. But then the family was in mourning, The news of Franky’s death had reached them. The writer made a calculation and found that Franky had been killed some days before he told Mrs. Bethy that her son was alive and well. He felt ashamed for saying so and came back without meeting them. He just left a letter writing his departure and bidding them goodbye.
Afterward, on the very morning of his last day in London just before his leaving for India while taking his breakfast, he heard a knock at the door. He opened the door and saw Maggie standing wearing black. She asked the writer about his leaving. In reply, he told her about his leaving and service in India. He had entered the Punjab service. With tearful eyes, she told that her brother Franky was buried near the frontier.
The writer consoled her by saying that he would pay a visit to her brother’s grave after reaching India. Her face filled with gratitude and her voice got choked as she thanked him. She gave a shilling to him and requested him to buy flowers with this and lay them on her brother’s grave for her. For a moment, the writer is very much sympathetic wanted to return her hard-earned shilling on the plea that flowers were available free of cost in his country.
But he thought again and did not want to deprive the girl of the joy of her sacrifice. That shilling was not an ordinary one. It was a shilling of her love,m emotion, joy, and sacrifice. Its cost was beyond all price. Hence it was a priceless gift. The writer accepted the gift and assured Maggie to fulfill her wishes. Finally, he blessed her. While taking leave from her, his eyes were filled with tears.
Notes:
valuable – ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ
following story – ନିମ୍ନପ୍ରଦତ୍ତ ଗଳ୍ପ,
significant –
character –
vegetarian restaurant – ନିରାମିଷ ଭୋଜନାଳୟ,
crowded – ଜନଗହଳି,
chose – ବାଛିଲେ,
lunch –
overlooking – ଉପରଠାଉରିଆ ଭାବେ ଦେଖିବା,
meanwhile- ଠିକ୍ ସେହି ସମୟରେ,
sad expression – ବିଷଣ୍ଣ ଭାବ,
restaurant – ଭୋଜନାଳୟ,
enquired – ଅନୁସନ୍ଧାନ କଲେ,
cashier – ଟଙ୍କା ହିସାବ ରଖୁଥିବା କିରାଣି,
surprised’-
matter –
waiter – ପରିଚାରକ,
mysterious – ରହସ୍ୟଜନକ,
extremely – ଅତିଶୟ,
pity – ଦୟା/କରୁଣା,
straight – ସିଧାସଳଖ
in front of- ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ,
accompanied- ସାଙ୍ଗରେ ଗଲେ,
upstairs -ଉପର ମହଲା,
showed – ଦେଖାଇଲେ,
magical power- ଯାଦୁକରୀ ଶକ୍ତି,
miraculous- ବିସ୍ମୟକର,
shatter- ଭାଙ୍ଗିବା,
visited – ବୁଲିଗଲେ,
bed-ridden – ଶଯ୍ୟାଶାୟୀ
compelled – ବାଧ୍ୟ କଲା,
accordingly-ସେହି ଅନୁସାରେ,
raised- ଉଠାଇଲେ,
mourning – ଶୋକାକୁଳ,
calculation – ହୃସାବ|ଗଣନା,
ashamed –
departure – ପ୍ରସ୍ଥାନ,
breakfast – ସକାଳ ଜଳଖୁ,
tearful – ଲୋତକପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ,
consoled – ସାନ୍ତୁନା
gratitude- କୃତଜ୍ଞତା,
sympathetic – ସହାନୁଭୂତିସମ୍ପନ୍ନ,
hard earned -କଷ୍ଟ ଅର୍ଜିତ,
sacrifice – ତ୍ୟାଗ,
assured –
ସାରାଂଶ :
‘Priceless Gift’ ବା ‘ଅମୂଲ୍ୟ ଉପହାର’ ବିଷୟଟିରେ ଏଭଳି ଏକ ଅସାଧାରଣ ଉପହାର ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣିତ ହୋଇଛି ଯାହାର ମୂଲ୍ୟ କେହି କଳନା କରିପାରିବେ ନାହିଁ । ଏହା ସାଧାରଣତଃ ଜନ୍ମଦିନ, ବିବାହ ବା ବିଶେଷ ଉତ୍ସବରେ ଦିଆଯାଉଥିବା ଉପହାର ଭଳି ନୁହେଁ । ଏହା ଏକ କ୍ଷୁଦ୍ର ଉପହାର ହେଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଏହାକୁ ଯେକୌଣସି ପରିମାଣର ଅର୍ଥଦ୍ଵାରା କିଣାଯାଇ ପାରିବ ନାହିଁ । ଏହି ଉପହାରଟି କ’ଣ ଏବଂ ଏହା କାହିଁକି ଏତେ ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ୍ ଏ ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ନିମ୍ନପ୍ରଦତ୍ତ ଗଳ୍ପଟିକୁ ପଠନ କଲେ ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ ହେବ । ଲେଖକ, ମହାଶୟ ଗୁପ୍ତା ଏହାକୁ ନିଜ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଗତ ଜୀବନର ଏକ ଅନୁଭୂତିରୁ ବର୍ଣନା କରିଛନ୍ତି । ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ଲଣ୍ଡନରେ ରହଣି କାଳରେ ଥରେ ଏକ ନିରାମିଷ ଭୋଜନାଳୟକୁ ମଧ୍ୟାହ୍ନ ଭୋଜନ କରିବାପାଇଁ ଯାଇଥିଲେ । ଭୋଜନାଳୟଟି ଖୁବ୍ ଗହଳି ଥିଲା ଏବଂ ଲୋକମାନେ ଖୁଆପିଆ କରୁଥିଲେ । ଲେଖକ ଏକ କୋଣରେ ଟେବୁଲ ବାଛି ବସିଲେ ଏବଂ ଭୋଜନ ପାଇଁ ଅପେକ୍ଷା କଲା ସମୟରେ ଖବରକାଗଜ ଉପରେ ଆଖୁ ବୁଲାଉଥିଲେ ।
ଏହି ସମୟରେ ସେ ଦେଖିଲେ ଜଣେ ତରୁଣୀ ତାଙ୍କ ଆଡ଼କୁ ଅନାଇ ରହିଛି । ଆଖୁର ଚାହାଣିରୁ ତାଙ୍କ ବିଷଣ୍ଣ ଭାବନା ଜଣାପଡ଼ୁଥିଲା । ଭୋଜନାଳୟ ଛାଡ଼ିବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ସେ ଲେଖକଙ୍କ ଆଡ଼କୁ ଆଉଥରେ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିନିକ୍ଷେପ କଲେ ଏବଂ ପଇସା ଦେବାବେଳେ କ୍ୟାସିଅରଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କ ବିଷୟରେ କିଛି ପଚାରିଲେ, ‘ସେ ଭଦ୍ରଲୋକ ଜଣକ ଜଣେ ଭାରତୀୟ କି ?’’ ଏହି ଘଟଣା ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ ବିସ୍ମିତ କଲା ଏବଂ ସେ ଏହାର କାରଣ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ଚାହିଁଲେ । ସେ ଭୋଜନାଳୟର ଜଣେ ପରିଚାରକଙ୍କୁ ସେ ଝିଅ ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ପଚାରିଲେ । ପରିଚାରକ ଜଣକ କହିଲେ ଯେ ସେ ଝିଅଟିକୁ ସେ ଚିହ୍ନିନାହାନ୍ତି; କିନ୍ତୁ ଶୁଣି ଲେଖକଙ୍କ ମନରେ ସେ ଝିଅଟି ପାଇଁ ଏକ ଅହେତୁକ ଅନୁକମ୍ପା ସୃଷ୍ଟି ହେଲା । ସେ ଝିଅଟି କଥା ସେ ଚିନ୍ତା କରିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ । ସେ ତାଙ୍କ ଆଡ଼କୁ ବାରମ୍ବାର ଚାହିଁବାର ରହସ୍ୟ କ’ଣ ଥିଲା ଏସବୁ ସେ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ଚାହିଁଲେ । ସେହି ଝିଅଟିକୁ ଯାଇ ଦେଖୁଲେ ସେ ଝିଅଟି ପୂର୍ବଭଳି ସେହି ସ୍ଥାନରେ ବସି ମଧ୍ୟାହ୍ନ ଭୋଜନ କରୁଛି । ସେ ସିଧାସଳଖ ଝିଅଟିର ଟେବୁଲ ପାଖକୁ ଗଲେ ଏବଂ ତା’ ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ ଥିବା ଚଉକିରେ ବସିପଡ଼ିଲେ ।
ଝିଅଟିକୁ ଶୁଭ ଅପରାହ୍ନ ଜଣାଇବା ସହିତ ତା’ ସହିତ କଥାବାର୍ତ୍ତା ହେବାର ପ୍ରୟାସ କଲେ । ମାଗି ନାମକ ସେହି ଝିଅଟି ମଧ୍ୟ ଜଣେ ଭାରତୀୟଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟି ମନେ ମନେ ଖୁସି ହେଲା । କଥା ପ୍ରସଙ୍ଗରେ ଭାଇର ଘର ସହିତ କିଛି ସମ୍ପର୍କ ନାହିଁ ବୋଲି ସେ କହିଲା । ସେଥିପାଇଁ ତା’ର ମା’ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ ବଡ଼ ବ୍ୟସ୍ତ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ମନରେ ଧାରଣା ଯେ ନିଶ୍ଚିତ ଭାବରେ କିଛି ଅଘଟଣ ଘଟିଛି । ଲେଖକ ତା’ ସହିତ ଭୋଜନାଳୟରୁ ବାହାରିଗଲାବେଳେ ଝିଅଟିର ମନର ଭାବନାକୁ ବୁଝି ପାରୁଥିଲେ । ସେ ଜାଣିପାରିଲେ ଯେ, ଝିଅଟି ତାଙ୍କୁ ତା’ ନିଜ ଘରକୁ ନେବାପାଇଁ ଚାହୁଁଥିଲା । ଗପସପ ହୋଇ ବେଥ୍ ସେତେବେଳେ ରୋଷେଇଘରେ ଥିଲେ । ସେ ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖି ବହୁତ ଖୁସି ହେଲେ । ସେ ଲେଖକଙ୍କ ସହିତ କଥା ହେଲେ । ‘‘ଭାରତ କିଭଳି ଦେଶ ? ଭାରତରେ ଲୋକମାନେ ସର୍ପ ଓ ବ୍ୟାଘ୍ରର ଶିକାର ହୁଅନ୍ତି କି ? ଭାରତର ପଞ୍ଜାବ କିଭଳି ସ୍ଥାନ ? ସେଠି ତାଙ୍କ ପୁଅ ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ କି ନାହିଁ ?’’ ଇତ୍ୟାଦି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ ପଚାରିଲେ ।
ଉତ୍ତରରେ ଲେଖକ ଶ୍ରୀଯୁକ୍ତ ଗୁପ୍ତା ଭାରତ ଏକ ଭଲ ଦେଶ ଓ ପଞ୍ଜାବ ଏକ ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ ସ୍ଥାନ ବୋଲି କହିଲେ । ସେ (ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍) କହିଲେ, ତାଙ୍କ ପୁଅ ପ୍ରାଜ୍ଞୀ ସେଠି ସୈନିକ ଭାବରେ କାମ କରୁଛି କିନ୍ତୁ ଦୀର୍ଘଦିନ ହେଲା ତା’ର କୌଣସି ଖବର ନାହିଁ । ସେ ତାଙ୍କ ପୁଅର ଏକ ଫଟୋ ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖାଇଲେ । ଫ୍ରାଙ୍କୀ ଭାରତରୁ ପଠାଇଥିବା ଏକ ମୁଦି ମଧ୍ୟ ଦେଖାଇଲେ । ସେ ମୁଦି ଏକ ଯାଦୁକରୀ ଶକ୍ତିସମ୍ପନ୍ନ ମୁଦି ଏବଂ ଫ୍ରାଙ୍କା ଲେଖୁଲା ଯେ ଯଦି କେହି ସେ ମୁଦିକୁ ଅନାଇ ରହି କାହା ବିଷୟରେ ଭାବିବ, ସେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖାଯିବ । ସେ କେଉଁଠି ଅଛି ଏବଂ କ’ଣ କରୁଛି କଲେ । ଲେଖକ ସେଥିରେ ବିଶ୍ଵାସ କରୁନଥିଲେ । କିନ୍ତୁ ସେ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଏଭଳି ସ୍ଵପ୍ନକୁ ଭାଙ୍ଗିଦେବାକୁ ଚାହୁଁନଥିଲେ । ତେଣୁ ସେ ସବୁ ଶୁଣି ନୀରବ ରହିଲେ । ଥିଲା । ପୁତ୍ରର ଅନୁପସ୍ଥିତି ତାଙ୍କୁ ଶଯ୍ୟାଶାୟୀ କରିଥିଲା ।
ମାଗି ଏଭଳି ଅବସ୍ଥାରେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିବାକୁ ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ ଅନୁରୋଧ କଲେ । ସେ କହିଲେ ଯେ ତା’ ମା’ଙ୍କ ଭଲ ପାଇଁ ଲେଖକ ଟିକିଏ ମିଛ କୁହନ୍ତୁ । ଲେଖକ ଅବସ୍ଥାର ଗୁରୁତ୍ଵକୁ ଅନୁଭବ କଲେ ଏବଂ ସେହି ମୁଦିଟିକୁ ଅନାଇ ତାଙ୍କ ମା’ଙ୍କ ଶଯ୍ୟା ପାଖରେ କହିଲେ, ‘ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପୁଅ ଜୀବିତ ଏବଂ ସୁସ୍ଥ । ଆପଣଙ୍କର ଚିନ୍ତା କରିବାର କୌଣସି ପ୍ରୟୋଜନ ନାହିଁ ।’’ ଏକଥା ଶୁଣିବା ପରେ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ ଉଠି ବସିଲେ ଏବଂ ଆନନ୍ଦରେ କାନ୍ଦି ପକାଇଲେ । ସେ ସଙ୍ଗେ ସଙ୍ଗେ ସୁସ୍ଥ ହୋଇଗଲେ । ଯାଇ ଦେଖିଲେ, ମାଗି ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ମା’ କଳା ବସ୍ତ୍ର ପରିଧାନ କରିଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ଦୁଃଖରେ କାନ୍ଦୁଥିଲେ । ଫ୍ରାଙ୍ଗୀର ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ଖବର ସେମାନଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ପହଞ୍ଚି ସାରିଥିଲା । ଲେଖକ ହିସାବ କରି ଦେଖିଲେ ଯେ ସେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ବେଥୁଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କ ପୁଅ ଜୀବିତ ଓ ସୁସ୍ଥ ଥିବା କଥା କହିଥିଲେ ତା’ ଆଗରୁ ତାଙ୍କ ପୁଅ ମରିସାରିଥିଲା । ତାଙ୍କୁ ଲଜ୍ଜା ଲାଗିଲା । ତେଣୁ ସେ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ନ ଭେଟି ଏକ ପତ୍ର ଲେଖୁ ପଳାଇ ଆସିଲେ ।
ତାଙ୍କର ଭାରତ ଫେରିଆସିବା ଦିନ ସକାଳୁ ସେ ଜଳଖିଆ ଖାଉଥିବା ସମୟରେ କବାଟ ଠକ୍ଠକ୍ ଶବ୍ଦ ଶୁଣି ଖୋଲି ଦେଖିଲେ ମାଗି ଛିଡ଼ା ହୋଇଥିଲା । ସେ କଳା ବସ୍ତ୍ର ପରିଧାନ କରିଥିଲା ଓ ତା’ର ମୁଖମଣ୍ଡଳରେ ବିଷଣ୍ଣତା ଭରି ରହିଥିଲା । ସେ ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କ ଭାରତ ଫେରିବା କଥା ପଚାରିଲା । ଲେଖକ ହଁ କହିଲେ । ତା’ପରେ ସେ ଲୋତକଭରା ବଦନରେ କହିଲା ଯେ ତା’ ଭାଇଙ୍କୁ ଭାରତର ସୀମାନ୍ତ ନିକଟରେ ପଞ୍ଜାବଠୁ ଅଳ୍ପ ଦୂରରେ ସମାଧ୍ ଦିଆଯାଇଛି । ତା’ର ମନର ଭାବନାକୁ ବୁଝିପାରି ଲେଖକ କହିଲେ ଯେ ସେ ଭାରତରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିଲେ ତାଙ୍କ ଭାଇର ସମାଧ୍ଵସ୍ଥଳକୁ ବୁଲିଯିବେ । ଏକଥା ଶୁଣି ମାଗି କୃତଜ୍ଞତା ଜଣାଇବା ସଙ୍ଗେ ସଙ୍ଗେ ଖୁସି ହେଲା । ସେ ଲେଖକଙ୍କୁ ଏକ ଛୋଟ ଅନୁରୋଧ ରକ୍ଷା କରିବାପୂର୍ବକ କହିଲା, ‘ଆପଣ ଏହି ସିଲିଙ୍ଗ୍ଟିକୁ ନିଅନ୍ତୁ, ଏଥରେ କିଛି ଫୁଲ କିଣି ମୋ ଭାଇର ସମାଧ୍ ଉପରେ ବିଛାଇଦେବେ ।’’ ଲେଖକ ପ୍ରଥମେ ତା’ର ଏହି କଷ୍ଟ ଅର୍ଜିତ ଟଙ୍କାକୁ ନ ନେବାପାଇଁ ଭାବିଲେ; କିନ୍ତୁ ପରେ ସେ ଅନୁଭବ କଲେ ଏହି ସିଲିଙ୍ଗୁଟି ମଧ୍ୟରେ ମାଗିର ତା’ ଭାଇ ପ୍ରତି ଥିବା ସ୍ନେହ, ପ୍ରେମ, ତ୍ୟାଗ ଓ ଭାବନା ଭରି ରହିଛି ଯାହାକୁ କୌଣସି ମୂଲ୍ୟ ଦେଇ କିଣିହେବ ନାହିଁ । ଏହା ତା’ ଭାଇ ପାଇଁ ତା’ର ଏକ ଅମୂଲ୍ୟ ଉପହାର । ସେ ତାକୁ ଗ୍ରହଣ କଲେ ଏବଂ ଲୋତକଭରା ଆଖରେ ତା’ଠାରୁ ବିଦାୟ ନେଲେ ।
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I went to a vegetarian restaurant. It was lunchtime. There were people eating and drinking. The restaurant was very crowded. I saw that some of the chairs and tables had been pushed into a comer. I chose the comer table, seated myself, and started skimming through the newspaper. At that moment, I noticed a very young girl looking at me. Her eyes were large and they had a sad expression.
As she was going out she asked the cashier in a low voice, ‘Is that gentleman an Indian ?’ 7 think so’, the cashier replied. The girl looked at me once more and went out. It surprised me. Why? What was the matter ? Her interest in me aroused my curiosity in her. When I had finished my lunch I asked the waiter, ‘Do you know the girl who was sitting out there ?’ No, Sir, I notice she has lunch here on Saturdays. She comes on payday only. Perhaps she does not earn much. ‘ I was moved by what he said. The curiosity I felt about the girl persisted. Why had enquired about me? Who was the mysterious child? 1 kept thinking of her poverty-stricken sad anxious figure. Could I help her in any way?
ଅନୁବାଦ :
ମୁଁ (ଏଠାରେ ଲେଖକ) ଗୋଟିଏ ନିରାମିଷ ଭୋଜନାଳୟକୁ ଗଲି । ଏହା ମଧ୍ୟାହ୍ନ ଭୋଜନର ସମୟ ଥିଲା । ସେଠାରେ ଲୋକମାନେ ଖୁପିଆ କରୁଥିଲେ । ଭୋଜନାଳୟଟିରେ ଭାରି ଗହଳି ଥିଲା । ମୁଁ ଦେଖିଲି କେତେକ ଖାଇବା ଚଉକି ଏବଂ ଟେବୁଲ ଏକ କୋଣକୁ ପଡ଼ିଛି । ମୁଁ କୋଣ ଟେବୁଲଟି ବାଛିଲି, ନିଜେ ବସିଲି ଏବଂ ଏକ ଖବରକାଗଜ ଉପରେ ଆଖୁ ବୁଲାଇଲି । ସେହି ମୁହୂର୍ତ୍ତରେ ମୁଁ ଦେଖିଲି ଜଣେ ଯୁବତୀ ଝିଅ ମୋତେ ଅନାଉଛନ୍ତି । ତା’ ଆଖୁଗୁଡ଼ିକ ବଡ଼ ଥିଲା ଏବଂ ସେଥିରେ ବିଷଣ୍ଣତା ଭରି ରହିଥିଲା । ସେ ବାହାରି ଯାଉଥିଲାବେଳେ ଭୋଜନାଳୟର କ୍ୟାସିଅରଙ୍କୁ କ୍ଷୀଣସ୍ବରରେ ପଚାରିଲା, ‘ସେ ଭଦ୍ରଲୋକ ଜଣକ କ’ଣ ଜଣେ ଭାରତୀୟ ?’ଉତ୍ତରରେ କ୍ୟାସିଅର କହିଲେ ‘ମୁଁ ସେଇଆ ଭାବୁଛି ।’ ଝିଅଟି ଆଉ ଥରେ ମତେ ଅନାଇଲା ଏବଂ ବାହାରିଗଲା । ଏହା ମୋତେ ବିସ୍ମିତ କଲା । କାହିଁକି ? ଘଟଣାଟା କ’ଣ ଥିଲା ? ତା’ର ମୋ ପ୍ରତି ଆଗ୍ରହ ମୋ ମଧ୍ଯରେ ତା’ ବିଷୟରେ ଯେଉଁ ଝିଅଟି ବସିଥିଲା ତୁମେ ତାକୁ ଜାଣିଛ କି ?’ ‘ନା, ମହାଶୟ, ମୁଁ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଶନିବାରଗୁଡ଼ିକରେ ଏଠାରେ ମଧ୍ୟାହ୍ନ ଭୋଜନ କରୁଥିବାର ଦେଖୁଛି । ସେ କେବଳ ଦରମା ପାଇବା ଦିନ ଆସନ୍ତି । ସେ ବୋଧହୁଏ ଅଧିକ ରୋଜଗାର କରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ ।’ ସେ ଯାହା କହିଲେ ତାହା ଶୁଣି ମୁଁ ପ୍ରଭାବିତ ହୋଇଗଲି । ସେ ଝିଅ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣିବାର ପ୍ରବଳ ଇଚ୍ଛା ମୋ ମନରେ ଜାଗ୍ରତ ହେଲା । ସେ କାହିଁକି ମୋ ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ଅନୁସନ୍ଧାନ କରୁଥିଲା ? ସେ ରହସ୍ୟମୟୀ ଝିଅ କିଏ ଥିଲା ? ମୁଁ ତା’ର ସେହି ଦାରିଦ୍ର୍ୟ ପ୍ରପୀଡ଼ିତା ଦୁଃଖପୂର୍ଣ ଉତ୍କଣ୍ଠିତ ଚେହେରା କଥା ଭାବୁଥୁଲି । କୌଣସି ବାଟରେ ମୁଁ ତାକୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରି ପାରିଥା’ନ୍ତି କି ?
Text -2
The week passed. Saturday came again. I went to the same restaurant. As I entered I saw her sitting at the same table as before. She was eating. I went up to her and took the chair opposite hers. I wished her a good afternoon and then by making one brief remark after another, I was able to start a conversation. At last, she asked, Are you an Indian? My brother is in India. He is a soldier. We have not had a letter from him for a long time. My mother is very worried. She is afraid something has happened to him. ‘ I learned that her only guardian was her brother.
She lived with her old, widowed mother Mrs. Bethy. I understood how she felt. I think she wanted me to see her mother but she did not have the courage to ask me to accompany her home. We finished our lunch and got up together. As we walked I asked her, May I know your name ?’ My name is Maggie. ‘ We chatted pleasantly and soon reached the bus stand.
This gave me the opportunity of asking her where she worked. ‘Do you usually go this way ?’ I asked. ‘No’, she answered. 7 usually take the village bridge. It is being repaired at the moment. ‘ Soon we approached their neighborhood. We had reached a narrow doorway. Maggie took a thin latch-key out of her pocket and opened the door. She entered and said, ‘Please come in’.
Together we descended the stairs to the kitchen. ‘Mother’, said Maggie from the doorway, ‘an Indian gentleman has come to see you. ‘Where is he ?’ the old woman asked eagerly. With a smile, I stepped into the kitchen behind Maggie. She introduced us. ‘How do you do ?’ I said and held out a trip hand. ‘Excuse me. My hands are covered with flour. I am making cakes. People will come to buy them this evening. This is the way we make our living- lots of trouble.’
ଅନୁବାଦ :
ସପ୍ତାହଟି ଅତିବାହିତ ହୋଇଗଲା । ପୁନର୍ବାର ଶନିବାର ଆସିଲା । ମୁଁ ସେହି ଭୋଜନାଳୟକୁ ଗଲି । ପ୍ରବେଶ କଲାବେଳେ ମୁଁ ସେହି ଝିଅକୁ ସେହି ଏକା ଟେବୁଲରେ ପୂର୍ବଭଳି ବସିଥିବାର ଦେଖିଲି । ସେ ଖାଉଥିଲା । ମୁଁ ତା’ ନିକଟକୁ ଗଲି ଏବଂ ତା’ ସମ୍ମୁଖ ଚଉକିରେ ବସିଲି । ମୁଁ ତାକୁ ‘ଶୁଭ ଅପରାହ୍ନ’ କହି ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଜଣାଇଲି ଏବଂ ଗୋଟିଏ ବା ଦୁଇଟି ସଂକ୍ଷିପ୍ତ ମନ୍ତବ୍ୟ ଦେଇ ତା’ ସଙ୍ଗେ କଥାବାର୍ତ୍ତା ଆରମ୍ଭ କରିବାକୁ ସକ୍ଷମ ହେଲି । ଶେଷରେ ସେ ମତେ ପଚାରିଲା, ‘ଆପଣ ଜଣେ ଭାରତୀୟ କି ? ମୋ ଭାଇ ଭାରତରେ ଅଛି । ସେ ଜଣେ ସୈନିକ । ଦୀର୍ଘଦିନ ହେଲାଣି ଆମ୍ଭେ ତା’ଠାରୁ ପତ୍ରଟିଏ ବି ପାଇନାହୁଁ । ମୋ ମା’ ଖୁବ୍ ଚିନ୍ତାଗ୍ରସ୍ତ । ତା’ର କିଛି ଘଟିଛି ବୋଲି ସେ ଭୟ କରୁଛି ।’ ମୁଁ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ପାଇଲି ଯେ ତା’ର ଏକମାତ୍ର ଅଭିଭାବକ ହେଉଛନ୍ତି ତା’ର ଭାଇ ।
ସେ ତା’ର ବିଧବା ବୃଦ୍ଧା ମା’ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ ସହ ରହୁଥିଲା । ସେ କିଭଳି ଅନୁଭବ କରୁଥିଲା ମୁଁ ତାହା ବୁଝିପାରିଲି । ମୁଁ ଭାବିଲି ଯେ ମୁଁ ତା’ ମା’ଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖାକରିବା ପାଇଁ ତା’ ଘରକୁ ଯିବାକୁ ସେ ଚାହୁଁଥିଲା; କିନ୍ତୁ ସେ ଏକଥା କହିବାକୁ ସାହସ କରିପାରୁନଥିଲା । ଆମେ ମଧ୍ୟାହ୍ନ ଭୋଜନ ଶେଷ କରି ଏକାଠି ଉଠିଲୁ । ଚାଲିଚାଲି ଯାଉଥିଲାବେଳେ ମୁଁ ତାକୁ ପଚାରିଲି, ‘ମୁଁ ତୁମର ନାଁ ଜାଣିପାରେ କି ?’ ‘ମୋ ନାଁ ମାଗି ।’ ଆମେ ଖୁସିରେ ଗପସପ ହୋଇ ଗୋଟିଏ ବସ୍ଷ୍ଟାଣ୍ଡରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିଲୁ । ସେଠାରେ ସେ କେଉଁଠି କାମ କରୁଛି ବୋଲି ପଚାରିବାର ସୁଯୋଗ ମୁଁ ପାଇଲି । ‘ତୁମେ ସବୁଦିନ ଏହି ବାଟରେ ଯାଅ କି ?’ ମୁଁ ପଚାରିଲି । ସେ କହିଲା, ‘ନା, ମୁଁ ପ୍ରାୟତଃ ଗ୍ରାମ୍ୟ ପୋଲ ଦେଇ ଯାଏ । ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ସେଇଟି ମରାମତି ହେଉଛି ।’ ଆମେ ଖୁବ୍ ଶୀଘ୍ର ତା’ ରହୁଥିବା ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ ପ୍ରବେଶ କଲୁ । ଆମେ ଏକ ଅଣଓସାରିଆ ଦ୍ବାରଦେଶରେ ପହଞ୍ଚୁ । ମାଗି ତା’ ପକେଟରୁ ଏକ ପତଳା ଚାବି କାଢ଼ିଲା ଏବଂ ଦ୍ଵାର ଖୋଲିଦେଲା ।
ସେ ଗୃହ ମଧ୍ୟକୁ ପ୍ରବେଶ କଲା ଏବଂ କହିଲା, ‘ଦୟାକରି ଭିତରକୁ ଆସନ୍ତୁ ।’ ଏକତ୍ର ଆମେ ପାହାଚରେ ଓହ୍ଲାଇ ରୋଷେଇ ଗୃହରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିଲୁ । ମାଗି ଦ୍ବାରଦେଶରେ ଥାଇ କହିଲା, ‘ମା’, ଜଣେ ଭାରତୀୟ ଭଦ୍ରଲୋକ ତୁମକୁ ଦେଖା କରିବାକୁ ଆସିଛନ୍ତି ।’ ବୃଦ୍ଧା ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଲୋକଜଣକ ଆଗ୍ରହର ସହିତ ପଚାରିଲେ, ‘ସେ କେଉଁଠି ଅଛନ୍ତି ?’ ସ୍ମିତହାସ୍ୟ ଗୃହରେ ପ୍ରବେଶ କଲି | ହସି ମାଗି ପଛରେ ମୁଁ ରୋଷେଇ ସେ ଆମକୁ ପରିଚୟ କରାଇଦେଲା । ‘ଆପଣ କେମିତି ଅଛନ୍ତି ?’ ମୁଁ କହିଲି ଏବଂ ମୋ ହାତ ବଢ଼ାଇଲି । ‘କ୍ଷମା କରିବେ, ମୋ ହାତରେ ଅଟା ଲାଗିଛି । ମୁଁ ପିଠା ତିଆରି କରୁଥିଲି । ଲୋକମାନେ ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ କିଣିବାକୁ ଆଜି ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟାରେ ଆସିବେ । ଏହିଭଳି ଆମେ ଜୀବିକା ନିର୍ବାହ କରୁଛୁ – ଅନେକ ସମସ୍ୟା ।’ – ସେହି ବସ୍ତି ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ ଶନିବାର ରାତ୍ରି ଏକ ଉତ୍ସବର ସମୟ । ସବୁପ୍ରକାର ଦ୍ରବ୍ୟ ଏହି ରାତ୍ରିରେ ବିକ୍ରି କରାଯାଏ । ଅନ୍ୟଦିନ ଅପେକ୍ଷା ସେଦିନ ଗଳିଟି ଅଧ୍ବକ ଜନଗହଳି ହୁଏ । ଏହିଦିନ ସେମାନେ ତାଙ୍କ ସାପ୍ତାହିକ ରୋଜଗାରରୁ ଅଳ୍ପ କିଛି ଖର୍ଚ୍ଚ କରିଥା’ନ୍ତି ।
Text – 3
What kind of country is India, sir ?’ asked Mrs. Bethy as she resumed her cooking. ‘A beautiful country. ‘Safe to live in? Aren’t there too many snakes and tigers? Don’t they kill people ?’ This type of question has often been asked. Don’t believe that snakes and tigers are killed by the people if they come too close.’ ‘My son is in Punjab. He is a soldier. What kind of place is Punjab ?’
‘Punjab is a fine place. It is a very healthy place to live in. ‘I’m glad to hear it. Mrs. Bethy said. Her baking was finished. ‘Maggie’, she said, ‘take Mr. Gupta upstairs. I’ll wash my hands and bring tea’. As we drank tea I talked about India. Mrs. Bethy showed me a photograph of her son. It had been kept very neatly in an envelope by the mother. His name was Franky. ‘Maggie’, said Mrs. Bethy, ‘show Mr. Gupta the ring which your brother sent you. ‘ She brought it and asked, ‘Can you see the past and future in it ?’ I took it and examined it.
‘When Franky sent the ring’, Mrs. Bethy said, ‘he wrote that if you concentrate on a distant person as you gaze into it, you will be able to see him arid what he is doing. We have not had any news from Frankyfor for a long time. But we have not been able to see anything. Why don’t you try? You are an Indian, you may be able to do it ?” I did not have the heart to tell the mother and daughter that the ring was nothing much-not a miraculous thing from a distant land. How could shatter their dream?
ଅନୁବାଦ :
ରୋଷେଇ କରୁଥିବା ସମୟରେ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ ପଚାରିଲେ, ‘ମହାଶୟ, ଭାରତ ଏକ କିଭଳି ଦେଶ ?’ ‘ଏକ ସୁନ୍ଦର ଦେଶ ।’ ‘ରହିବା ପାଇଁ ନିରାପଦ କି ? ସେଠି ବହୁତ ସର୍ପ ଓ ବ୍ୟାଘ୍ର ନାହାନ୍ତି କି ? ସେମାନେ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ମାରନ୍ତିନି କି ?’ ‘ଏପ୍ରକାର ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ ବହୁବାର ପଚରାଯାଇଛି । ଆପଣମାନେ ବିଶ୍ଵାସ କରନ୍ତିନି କି ସର୍ପ ଓ ବ୍ୟାଘ୍ରମାନେ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ଆସିଲେ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ମାରିଦିଆଯାଏ ।’ ‘ମୋର ପୁଅ ପଞ୍ଜାବରେ ଅଛି । ସେ ଜଣେ ସୈନିକ । ପଞ୍ଜାବ ଏକ କିଭଳିଆ ସ୍ଥାନ ?’ ‘ପଞ୍ଜାବ ଏକ ସୁନ୍ଦର ସ୍ଥାନ । ଏହା ବସବାସ କରିବା ନିମନ୍ତେ ଏକ ସ୍ବାସ୍ଥ୍ୟକର ସ୍ଥାନ ।’ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ କହିଲେ, ‘ଏକଥା ଶୁଣି ମୁଁ ଖୁସି ।’ ତାଙ୍କର କେକ୍ ତିଆରି ସରିଗଲା । ସେ କହିଲେ, ‘‘ମାଗି, ତୁମେ ଶ୍ରୀଯୁକ୍ତ ଗୁପ୍ତାଙ୍କୁ ଉପର ମହଲାକୁ ନେଇ ବସାଅ । ମୁଁ ହାତ ଧୋଇ ଚା’ ନେଇ ଯାଉଛି ।’’ ଆମେ ଚା’ ପିଉଥିଲାବେଳେ ଭାରତ ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ମୁଁ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲି । ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ ତାଙ୍କ ପୁଅର ଗୋଟିଏ ଫଟୋ ମୋତେ ଦେଖାଇଲେ ।
ଏହା ମା’ଙ୍କଦ୍ବାରା ଏକ ଖୋଳ ଭିତରେ ଯତ୍ନର ସହିତ ରଖାଯାଇଥିଲା । ତା’ର ନାଁ ଥିଲା ଫ୍ରାଙ୍କୀ । ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ କହିଲେ, ‘ମାଗି, ଶ୍ରୀଯୁକ୍ତ ଗୁପ୍ତାଙ୍କୁ ତୋ ଭାଇତୋ ପାଖକୁ ପଠାଇଥିବା ମୁଦିଟି ଦେଖା ।’ ସେ ଏହାକୁ ଆଣିଲା ଏବଂ ପଚାରିଲା, ‘ଆପଣ ଏହି ମୁଦିରେ ଅତୀତ ଏବଂ ଭବିଷ୍ୟତ ଦେଖିପାରିବେ କି ?’’ ମୁଁ ସେଇଟିକୁ ନେଲି ଏବଂ ପରୀକ୍ଷା କରି ଦେଖିଲି । ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ କହିଲେ, ‘ଯେତେବେଳେ ଫ୍ରାଙ୍କୀ ଏହି ମୁଦି ପଠାଇଥିଲା, ସେ ଲେଖିଥିଲା ଯେ ଯଦି ତୁମେ ଦୂରରେ ରହିଥିବା କୌଣସି ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିକୁ ଧ୍ୟାନ କରି ଏହି ମୁଦ୍ରିକାକୁ ଅନାଇବ, ତୁମେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖିବା ସହିତ ସେ କ’ଣ କରୁଛନ୍ତି ଜାଣିପାରିବ । ଆମେ ଦୀର୍ଘଦିନ ହେଲା ଫ୍ରାଙ୍କଠାରୁ କୌଣସି ଖବର ପାଇନାହୁଁ । କିନ୍ତୁ ଆମେ କିଛି ଦେଖିବାରେ ସକ୍ଷମ ହୋଇନାହୁଁ । ଆପଣ କାହିଁକି ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରୁନାହାନ୍ତି । ଆପଣ ଜଣେ ଭାରତୀୟ, ଆପଣ ଏହା କରିବାରେ ହୁଏତ ସକ୍ଷମ ହେବେ ?’’ ସୁଦୂର ଭୂଖଣ୍ଡରୁ ଆସିଥିବା ଏ ମୁଦି ଯେ କିଛି ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟକର ଜିନିଷ ନୁହେଁ ଓ ଏହାର କିଛି ବିଶେଷତ୍ବ ନାହିଁ – ଏକଥା ମା’ ଓ ଝିଅଙ୍କୁ କହିବା ଅବସ୍ଥାରେ ମୁଁ ନ ଥିଲି । ମୁଁ କିପରି ସେମାନଙ୍କ ସ୍ଵପ୍ନକୁ ଭାଙ୍ଗି ଦେଇଥା’ନ୍ତି ?
Text – 4
Several months passed. I visited Maggie and Mrs. Bethy. But no news had come from Franky. Mrs. Bethy was sick, and in a serious condition, aggravated by her anxiety for Franky. 1 was in a fix. What could I say to console the mother? Only God knew whether Franky was still alive or dead. ‘Mr. Gupta’, the girl said, ‘Mr mother has not been ill like this before. I have read in books that Indians love the truth. If you could bring yourself to tell mother only once, after looking into the crystal, that Franky is all right, that he is alive- will it be too much of a lie? Will it be very wrong? I thought it over.
I am not a very virtuous man so I decided to do this, the least of my offenses. Maggie brought me the ring. I took it and approached her mother beside. Wishing her a good morning I said, ‘Mrs. Bethy, your son is alive. He is well. The old woman raised her head a little off the pillow. Tears of happiness welled up in her eyes. Mrs. Bethy soon recovered.
ଅନୁବାଦ :
କିଛି ମାସ ବିତିଗଲା । ମୁଁ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ ଓ ମାଗିକୁ ଦେଖା କରିବାକୁ ଗଲି । କିନ୍ତୁ ଫ୍ରାଙ୍କୀ ନିକଟରୁ କୌଣସି ଖବର ଆସିନଥିଲା । ଫ୍ରାଙ୍କା କଥା ଭାବି ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ ରୋଗଗ୍ରସ୍ତ ହୋଇଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କର ଅବସ୍ଥା ସଙ୍କଟାପନ୍ନ ଥିଲା । ମୁଁ ଏକ ଦୋଦୁଲ୍ୟମାନ ପରିସ୍ଥିତିରେ ଥୁଲି । କ’ଣ କହି ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥୁଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ସାର୍ଚ୍ଚନା ଦେଇଥା’ନ୍ତି ? କେବଳ ଭଗବାନ୍ ଜାଣନ୍ତି ଫ୍ରାଙ୍କୀ ଜୀବିତ କି ମୃତ । ଝିଅଟି କହିଲା, ‘ଗୁପ୍ତା ମହାଶୟ, ମୋର ମା’ ପୂର୍ବରୁ କେବେ ଏଭଳି ରୋଗଗ୍ରସ୍ତା ହୋଇ ନ ଥିଲେ । ମୁଁ ବହିରେ ପଢ଼ିଛି ଯେ ଭାରତୀୟମାନେ ସତ୍ୟକୁ ଭଲ ପାଆନ୍ତି । ତେଣୁ ଆପଣ ଯଦି ଥରେ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରି ଏହି ମୁଦ୍ରିକାର ପଥରକୁ ଚାହିଁ ଫ୍ରାଙ୍ଗୀ ଭଲ ଅଛି ଏବଂ ଜୀବିତ ବୋଲି କୁହନ୍ତି । ଏହା କ’ଣ ଏକ ଖୁବ୍ ବଡ଼ ମିଛ ହୋଇଯିବ କି ? ଏହା କ’ଣ ଏକ ମସ୍ତବଡ଼ ଭୁଲ୍ ହୋଇଯିବ କି ?’ ମୁଁ ଏହା ଉପରେ ଭାବିଲି, ମୁଁ ତ ଜଣେ ଅତି ଧାର୍ମିକ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ନୁହେଁ, ତେଣୁ ମୁଁ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି ନେଲି ଯେ ମୁଁ ଏହି ସାମାନ୍ୟତମ ଅପରାଧ କରିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥୁଙ୍କୁ ମିଛ କହିବି । ମାଗି ମୋତେ ମୁଦିଟି ଆଣି ଦେଲା । ସେଇଟିକୁ ଧରି ମୁଁ ତାଙ୍କ ମା’ଙ୍କ ଶଯ୍ୟା ନିକଟରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିଲି । ତାଙ୍କୁ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଜଣାଇ ମୁଦିଟିକୁ ଚାହିଁ କହିଲି, ‘ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ, ଆପଣଙ୍କର ପୁତ୍ର ଜୀବିତ ଏବଂ ସୁସ୍ଥ ଅଛି ।’ ବୃଦ୍ଧା ସ୍ତ୍ରୀଲୋକଟି ତକିଆ ଉପରୁ ମୁଣ୍ଡ ଅଳ୍ପ ଉପରକୁ ଉଠାଇଲେ । ଆନନ୍ଦର ଅଶୁ ତାଙ୍କ ଆଖିରୁ ବହିଯାଉଥାଏ । ସେ ଶୀଘ୍ର
Text – 5
It was almost time for me to return to India. I wished to go, to say goodbye to Maggie and her mother. But the family was in mourning. Franky had been killed in the fighting on the frontier. I calculated and found that Franky had been dead sortie days when I told his mother he was alive and well. I felt ashamed to face Mrs. Bethy so I wrote a letter to them, announcing my departure
and bidding them goodbye. The morning of my last day in London dawned. I was to leave that night. / was having my breakfast, there was a knock at the door. Maggie had come to say goodbye.
She was wearing black. ‘Are you leaving today ?’ she asked. ‘Yes’, I replied, ‘today’ is the day of my departure. ‘ ‘How long will it take to reach your country? In which part of the country do you live ?’She wanted to know. 7 have entered the Punjab service. I shall not know exactly where I am posted until I arrive there. ‘Is the frontier very far from there ?’ ‘No, not very’. ‘Franky is buried near the frontier.’ The girl’s eyes filled with tears as she spoke. ‘When I go to that part of the country I shall visit your brother’s grave and write to you.
ଅନୁବାଦ :
ମୋର ଭାରତ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟାବର୍ତ୍ତନର ସମୟ ପ୍ରାୟ ଉପଗତ ହେଲା । ମୁଁ ମାଗି ଏବଂ ତା’ ମା’ଙ୍କୁ ଅନ୍ତିମ ବିଦାୟ ଜଣାଇବାକୁ ଯିବାକୁ ଚାହିଁଲ । କିନ୍ତୁ ପରିବାରଟି ଶୋକାକୁଳ ଥିଲା । ଫ୍ରାଙ୍କୀ ସୀମାନ୍ତରେ ଯୁଦ୍ଧ କରୁଥିବାବେଳେ ମୃତ୍ୟୁବରଣ କରିଥିଲା । ମୁଁ ହିସାବ କଲି ଓ ଦେଖିଲି ଯେଉଁ ସମୟରେ ମୁଁ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କ ପୁଅ ଜୀବିତ ଓ ସୁସ୍ଥ ବୋଲି କହିଥିଲି ତା’ର କିଛିଦିନ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ସେ ମରିସାରିଥିଲା I ମୁଁ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ବେଥ୍ଙ୍କ ସମ୍ମୁଖକୁ ଯିବାକୁ ଲଜ୍ଜାବୋଧ କଲି, ତେଣୁ ଏକ ଚିଠି ଲେଖୁ ମୋର ପ୍ରତ୍ୟାବର୍ତ୍ତନ କଥା ଜଣାଇ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ବିଦାୟକାଳୀନ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଜଣାଇଲି । ମୋର ଲଣ୍ଡନରେ ରହଣିର ଶେଷଦିନର ସକାଳ ହେଲା । ସେଦିନ ରାତିରେ ବିଦାୟ ନେବାର ଥିଲା । ମୁଁ ମୋର ଜଳଖିଆ ମାଗି ଶେଷ ବିଦାୟ ଜଣାଇବାପାଇଁ ଆସିଥିଲା । ସେ କଳା ପୋଷାକ ପରିଧାନ କରିଥିଲା । ସେ ପଚାରିଲା, ‘ଆଜି ଆପଣ ଯାଉଛନ୍ତି କି ?’ ମୁଁ ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଲି, ‘ହଁ, ଆଜି ମୋର ବିଦାୟ ଦିନ ।’ ସେ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ଚାହିଁଲା, ‘ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଦେଶରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିବାକୁ କେତେ ଦିନ ଲାଗିବ ? ଆପଣ ଦେଶର କେଉଁ ଭାଗରେ ରୁହନ୍ତି ?’ ‘ମୁଁ ପଞ୍ଜାବରେ ଚାକିରିରେ ଯୋଗ ଦେଉଛି । ସେଠାରେ ନ ପହଞ୍ଚିବା ଯାଏ କେଉଁ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ମୋତେ ନିଯୁକ୍ତି ଦିଆଯାଇଛି ତାହା ଜାଣିପାରିବି ନାହିଁ ।’’ ‘ସେଠାରୁ ସୀମାନ୍ତ ଅର୍ଧ ଦୂର କି ?’ ‘ନା, ଅଧିକ ଦୂର ନୁହେଁ ?’ ହୋଇଯାଇଥିଲା । ‘ମୁଁ ଯେତେବେଳେ ଦେଶର ସେ ଅଞ୍ଚଳକୁ ଯିବି ତୁମ ଭାଇଙ୍କର ସମାଧ୍ଵସ୍ଥଳକୁ ବୁଲିଯିବି ଏବଂ ତୁମକୁ ଏ ବିଷୟରେ ଚିଠି ଲେଖୁ ।’
Text – 6
Maggie’sfacefilled with gratitude. As she thanked me her voice choked. She took a shilling out of her packet, saying, ‘Please buy flowers with this when you go, and lay them on my brother’s grave for me. ‘ In my emotion, I lowered my eyes. The child had earned the shilling with so much toil. I felt like returning it to her, explaining that in our country flowers grow in great profusion. But I considered, ‘Why should I deprive her of the joy this sacrifice would give her ?’ She was foregoing so much for the love of her brother.
The joy of doing it was beyond all price. The grief in her heart would be eased a little. I picked up the shilling. ‘Maggie’, I said, I shall use this shilling to buy flowers and put them on your brother’s grave.’ Maggie stood up. ‘How can I ever thank you, she said. ‘Goodbye. Remember to write. I got up and held her hand. ‘Goodbye, Maggie, God bless you, ’ I said. Maggie left. I wiped a tear from my eyes and went upstairs to pack my bags.
ଅନୁବାଦ :
ମାଗିର ମୁଖମଣ୍ଡଳ କୃତଜ୍ଞତାରେ ଭରିଗଲା । ସେ ମୋତେ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ ଦେଲାବେଳେ ତା’ କଣ୍ଠ ରୁଦ୍ଧ ହୋଇଆସିଲା । ସେ ତା’ ପକେଟରୁ ଗୋଟିଏ ସିଲିଂ ମୁଦ୍ରା କାଢ଼ି କହିଲା, ‘ଆପଣ ସେଠାକୁ ଯିବାବେଳେ ଏଥିରେ କିଛି ଫୁଲ କିଣି ମୋ ଭାଇର ସମାଧ୍ ଉପରେ ଦୟାକରି ମୋ’ ପାଇଁ ବିଛାଇ ଦେବେ ।’ ଭାବବିହ୍ଵଳ ଅବସ୍ଥାରେ ମୁଁ ଚକ୍ଷୁ ଅବନତ କଲି । ପିଲାଟି ବହୁତ ପରିଶ୍ରମ କରି ସିଲିଂଟି ଉପାର୍ଜନ କରିଥିଲା । ଆମ ଦେଶରେ ଫୁଲ ପ୍ରଚୁର ପରିମାଣରେ ମିଳେ ବୋଲି ବୁଝାଇ ମୁଁ ତାକୁ ଏହା ଫେରାଇ ଦେବାକୁ ଚାହୁଁଥୁଲି । କିନ୍ତୁ ମୁଁ ବିଚାର କଲି, ‘ଏହି ତ୍ୟାଗ ତାକୁ ଯେଉଁ ଆନନ୍ଦ ଦେବ ସେଥୁରୁ ମୁଁ କାହିଁକି ତାକୁ ସେଥୁରୁ ବଞ୍ଚିତ କରିବି ?’ ଭାଇ ପ୍ରତି ଥିବା ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧା ପାଇଁ ସେ ଅନେକ ତ୍ୟାଗ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ ଥିଲା । ଏହି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରିବାର ଆନନ୍ଦ ମହାର୍ଘ ଥିଲା । ତା’ ହୃଦୟର ବେଦନା ସାମାନ୍ଯ ଲାଘବ ହେବ । ମୁଁ ସିଲିଂଟି ଉଠାଇନେଲି । ମୁଁ କହିଲି, ‘ମାଗି, ମୁଁ ଏହି ସିଲିଂରେ ଫୁଲ କିଣିବି ଓ ତୁମ ଭାଇଙ୍କ କବର ଉପରେ ବିଛାଇଦେବି ।’ ମାଗି ଛିଡ଼ାହେଲା । ସେ କହିଲା, ‘ମୁଁ ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ କିପରି ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ ଜଣାଇବି । ମୋ ପାଖକୁ ମନେପକାଇ ଚିଠି ଲେଖିବେ ।’ ମୁଁ ଛିଡ଼ାହେଲି ଏବଂ ତା’ ହାତ ଧରିଲି । ମୁଁ କହିଲି ‘ଶୁଭ ବିଦାୟ ମାଗି, ଭଗବାନ୍ ତୋତେ ଆଶୀର୍ବାଦ କରନ୍ତୁ ।’ ମାଗି ଚାଲିଗଲା । ମୁଁ ମୋ ଆଖିରୁ ଝରି ଆସିଥିବା ଏକ ଲୁହବିନ୍ଦୁକୁ ପୋଛିଲି ଏବଂ ଜିନିଷପତ୍ର ବାନ୍ଧିବାକୁ ଉପର ମହଲାକୁ ଗଲି ।
Notes And GLOSSARY (ଟିପ୍ପଣୀ ଓ କଠିନ ଶବ୍ଦାର୍ଥ: )
Vegetarian Restaurant – an eating place where no animal food is served – ନିରାମିଷ ଭୋଜନାଳୟ, My uncle is running a vegetarian restaurant in Puri.
Pushed Into – taken into by force ଭିତରକୁ ଠେଲି ଦିଆଗଲା
Crowded – a lot of people ଜନବହୁଳ A daily market is a crowded place.
skimming through – reading something quickly ଖବରକାଗଜ ଉପରେ While waiting for the train, he was skimming through a newspaper.
priceless – extremely valuable or important
Gift – ଉପହାର a thing that we offer to somebody on a special occasion
waiter – a person who serves food in a hotel ଖାଦ୍ୟ ବିତରକ
cashier – a person who maintains cash in an organization ଭଲ ଭାବରେ
noticed – saw carefully He noticed me in a crowded street. ବିମର୍ଷ ଭାବ sad expression I am worried about my friend’s sad expression over the issue of his family feud.
Aroused – awakened, stirred ଜାଗ୍ରତ କଲା The story has aroused my interest.
curiosity – a strong desire to know something – Our curiosity in space research has brought success to us
What was the matter ?- What was the problem? – ସମସ୍ୟା କ’ଣ?
moved (v) – made someone have strong feelings of sadness
payday – the day on which one gets wages – ମଜୁରି ମିଳିବା ଦିବସ
persisted – the day on which one gets wages – ବଳବତ୍ତର ରହିଲା, ଅବିରତ ଲାଗି ରହିଲା The pain persisted into the morning.
enquired about – wanted to know in details about somebody – (ଟିକିନିଖ୍) ଚାହୁଁଥିଲେ
mysterious – very strange and difficult to explain – ଅଦ୍ଭୁତ|ବିସ୍ମୟକର Her behavior is often mysterious.
poverty-stricken- suffering extremely because of lack of money – ଦାରିଦ୍ର୍ୟ ପ୍ରପୀଡ଼ିତ Most of the people of our country are poverty-stricken.
anxious figure – very worried person – ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ବିବ୍ରତ/ବ୍ୟାକୁଳ ବା ଚିନ୍ତିତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି
conversation- talk / discussion – କଥାବାର୍ତ୍ତା
widowed – ବିଧବା a woman having no husband
courage – boldness, effrontery, fearlessness, temerity ସାହସକତା
accompany – to go with / to travel with ସାଥିରେ ଯବା
got up – rose stood on the feet
usually – generally, as usual, normally, commonly – ସାଧାରଣତଃ
approached – proceeded/moved towards, headed
opposite – ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ
opportunity – a situation that makes it possible for you to do something that you want to do – ସୁଯୋଗ | We should not misuse any opportunity whenever it comes to serving our nation.
a thin latch key – ଏକ ପତଳା ଚାବି a thin key for a latch (lock) He uses a thin latch key to lock his room
chat (v) – to talk in a friendly way
festivity – celebration – ଉତ୍ସବ ପାଳନ
neighborhood – people living in a nearby place or a village – ଏକ ଅଞ୍ଚଳର ଲୋକମାନେ
descend (v) – went down –
doorway – an opening where there is a door – ପବେଶପଥ
stare – look at something or someone with wide-open eyes – ଆଖିରେ ଚାହିଁବା
concentrate – to give all attention – ଏକାଗ୍ର ହେବା . My father advised me to concentrate on my studies
resume – start again – ପୁନବାର ଆରମ୍ଭ କରିବା
miraculous – amazing, unbelievable, surprising, and fortunate ବିସ୍ମୟକର India’s victory in the third world cup cricket was miraculous.
eagerly (adv.) – ଉତ୍ସାହର ସହିତ, ଆଗ୍ରହ ସହିତ,
aggravated – worsened – ଅତି ଖରାପ ଅବସ୍ଥା Our country’s economy in pack (v) – was aggravated.
bake (v) – make something using dry heat – ସେକାବା
in a fix – in a dilemma – ଅନଜ୍ୟୋପାୟ, He was in a fix over the matter of his support to political parties.
excuse me – ମୋତେ କ୍ଷମା କରିବେ
crystal – a mineral or a rock (clear and transparent) – ଏକ ପଥର ଖଣିଜ ଦ୍ରବ୍ୟ (ଉଜ୍ଜ୍ଵଳ ଏବଂ ସ୍ଵଚ୍ଛ) Her innocence is crystal clear.
choke (v) – ଚକ୍କର
offenses – crime, wrong-doing – ଅପରାଧ Travelling without a ticket is an offense.
welled up – appeared – ଦେଖାଗଲା | He welled up suddenly in the morning.
deprive (v) – ବଞ୍ଚିତ କରିବା | ଛଡ଼େଇ ନେବା
mourning – lamenting or grieving for a dead person – ମୃତ୍ୟୁରେ ଶୋକାଭିଭୂତ ହେବା The entire nation was mourning after the death of Mahatma Gandhi
accompany (v)- travel with someone – ସାଙ୍ଗରେ ଯିବା
gaze (v) – look fixedly – ସ୍ଥିର ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରେ ଚାହିଁବା
shatter (v) – destroy something completely – ନଷ୍ଟ ବା ଧ୍ବଂସ କରିବା
anxiety – a feeling of worries ଚିନ୍ତା,
console (v) – give comfort to someone during sadness
virtuous (adj) – good quality of a person ନୀତିବାନ୍ | ସାଧୁ
approach (v)- come nearer
ease (v) – ଆରାମ ଦେବା
wipe (v) – clean something using a piece of dry cloth – ପୋଛି ସଫା କରିବା
toil (n) – hard work
emotion – a strong feeling of love and hatred – ଉତ୍କଣ୍ଠା
recover (v) – become well after illness ଆରୋଗ୍ୟ ହେବା
announcing – ଘୋଷଣା declaring, revealing, reporting Gandhi gave a call announcing non-cooperation.
poverty – suffering extremely due to lack of food and money ଦାରିଦ୍ର୍ୟ
bury – ସମାଧି
grave – a grave is a place where a dead person is buried – ସମାଧ୍ଵସ୍ଥଳ Everybody will go to the grave after death
dawn – ସକାଳ ହେବା
gratitude – କୃତଜ୍ଞତା ଅନୁଭବ କରିବା the feeling of being grateful I must express my gratitude to the chief guest for accepting our invitation.
bid goodbye – ବିଦାୟ
shilling – a unit of money (20 shillings make an English pound)- (ଏହା ଏକ ବ୍ରିଟିଶ୍ ମୁଦ୍ରା) My father gave me a shilling on my birthday.
grief (n) – ଦୁଖ
departure – ପ୍ରସ୍ଥାନ
profusion – abundance, plenty – ପ୍ରଚୁର Roses grow in profusion in the garden
sacrifice (n) – ତ୍ୟାଗ
foregoing – sacrificing – ତ୍ୟାଗ କରିବା She was foregoing so much for the love of her brother.
pack (v) – ପ୍ୟାକ୍ କରନ୍ତୁ |
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