Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 11 Invitation to English 2 Solutions Non-Detailed Chapter 2 After Twenty Years Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
CHSE Odisha 11th Class English Solutions Non-Detailed Chapter 2 After Twenty Years
CHSE Odisha Class 11 English After Twenty Years Text Book Questions and Answers
Unit – I
Gist:
One day, in a locality of New York a smart policeman was on the route doing patrol duty. The time was only 10 o’ clock at night. People in the streets had gone home early because of a drizzle and chilly weather. The majority of the houses in the locality were business places that were also closed early. The entire place was dark but a few lights were coming from a cigar store, an all-night hotel and one or two tailoring shops completing the day’s work. The policeman with his stalwart figure and smart movements was inspecting the closed doors as he went in the street.
Every now and then he was casting his watchful eyes here and there and was searching a man seriously. His boss had said him in the morning while giving the description of the man wanted : “Pale face, square jaws, deep and dark eyes and a little white scar near the right eyebrow.” He was ashamed that the name of the notorious criminal who Was printing counterfeit notes was not known to the Police Department. The criminal had fled away from Chicago and was moving in New York. The policeman had much confidence on himself and he felt pride of being a dutiful officer for the last eighteen years.
He had a feeling of luck with him as a debt. He had kept the reconstructed photograph of the criminal and a five-dollar note in his pocket which he looked at under a lamp-post. The policeman was in the habit of talking to himself when nobody was nearby. He suddenly looked at his watch and it was a quarter past ten. There was another thing in his mind. He hurried up to finish his duty. After a minute he saw a man standing near the doorway of a hardware store. He walked speedily to the man. He could not see the face of the man clearly as it was dark.
He was just going to address the man but suddenly changed his mind and waited the man to begin. The man, on the other hand, who thought to be looked suspicious in the eyes of the police started talking from his side. He said to the policeman that he was waiting for a friend with whom an appointment was made twenty years ago. Though it appears a little funny, he said to the policeman, it was the truth. About twenty years ago there was a restaurant where this store stands. Its name was ‘Brady’s Restaurant’. The policeman agreed to this and said it was changed into a store only in five years ago. The policeman had a chance to see the face of the man when he struck a match and lit a cigar.
ସାରାଂଶ :
ନିଉୟର୍କ ସହରର ଏକ ଗଳିରେ ସବୁଦିନ ଭଳି ଦିନେ ଜଣେ ପୋଲିସ୍ ପହରା ଦେଉଥିଲେ । ସମୟ ରାତ୍ରି ୧୦ଟା ହୋଇଥାଏ । ଲୋକମାନେ ସେଦିନ ଝିପିଝିପି ବର୍ଷା ଓ ଥଣ୍ଡା ଫେରି ଯାଇଥିଲେ । ପାଗ ଯୋଗୁଁ ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟା ସମୟରେ ବେଳାବେଳି ଗୃହକୁ ଦୋକାନ ଗୃହଗୁଡ଼ିକ ବନ୍ଦ ଥିଲା । ସ୍ଥାନଟି ପ୍ରାୟ ସେହ ଗଳିରେ ସେଦିନ ରାସ୍ତାକୁ ଲାଗିଥିବା ଅନ୍ଧକାରମୟ ଦିଶୁଥିଲା; କିନ୍ତୁ ଗୋଟିଏ ସିଗାରେଟ୍ ଷ୍ଟୋର, ଅହୋରାତ୍ର ଖୋଲାଥିବା ଏକ ହୋଟେଲ ଏବଂ ଗୋଟିଏ କିମ୍ବା ଦୁଇଟି ଦରଜି ଦୋକାନରୁ ଆଲୋକ ଆସୁଥୁଲୀ । ପୋଲିସ୍ ବାବୁଜଣକ ତାଙ୍କ ବଳିଷ୍ଠ ଚେହେରା ଓ କ୍ଷିପ୍ର ଗତି ବଳରେ ସେହି ଗଳିର ବନ୍ଦ ଦ୍ଵାରଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଅନୁସନ୍ଧାନ କରୁଥିଲେ ।
ବହୁ ସମୟରେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ତୀକ୍ଷ୍ଣଣ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିକୁ ଏଠି ସେଠି ନିକ୍ଷେପ କରୁଥିଲେ । ସେ ଜଣେ ଲୋକକୁ ଜରୁରୀ ଭାବରେ ଖୋଜୁଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କ ଉଚ୍ଚପଦସ୍ଥ ଅଫିସର ଆଜି ସକାଳେ ସେହି ଲୋକର ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାରେ କହିଥିଲେ ‘ଲୋକଟିର ଶେତା ମୁଖମଣ୍ଡଳ, ବର୍ଗାକାର ମାଢ଼ି, ଗଭୀର ଓ କଳା ଆଖ୍ ଏବଂ ଡାହାଣ ଆସ୍ପତା ପାଖରେ ଏକ ଛୋଟ ଧଳା ଦାଗ ।’’ ଲୋକଟି ଜଣେ ବଡ଼ଧରଣର ଅପରାଧୀ ଥିଲା ଏବଂ ସେ ଚିକାଗୋରେ ଜାଲନୋଟ୍ ଛାପୁଥୁଲା । କିନ୍ତୁ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଲଜ୍ଜା ଲାଗୁଥିଲା କାରଣ ପୋଲିସ୍ ବିଭାଗକୁ ଏଭଳି ଏକ ଅପରାଧୀର ନାମ ଜଣା ନ ଥିଲା । ଏହି ଅପରାଧୀ ଜଣକ ଚିକାଗୋରୁ ଆସି ନିଉୟର୍କରେ ଥବର ସୂଚନା ମିଳିଥିଲା । ପୋଲିସ୍ ବାବୁଜଣଙ୍କର ନିଜ ଉପରେ ବହୁତ ବିଶ୍ୱାସ ଥିଲା ଏବଂ ସେ ଅଠର ବର୍ଷ ହେଲା ଜଣେ କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟନିଷ୍ଠ ଅଫିସରଭାବେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରି ଆସିଥିବାରୁ ବହତୁ ଗର୍ବିତ ଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କ ସାଙ୍ଗରେ ଭାଗ୍ୟ ଏକ ଋଣ ଆକାରରେ ଅଛି ବୋଲି ସେ ଅନୁଭବ କରୁଥିଲେ ।
ସେ ତାଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ଏକ ପାଞ୍ଚ ଡଲାର ନୋଟ୍ ଏବଂ ସେ ଅପରାଧୀର ଅଙ୍କା ଫଟୋ ରଖୁଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ସମୟ ସମୟରେ ତାକୁ ଦେଖୁଥିଲେ । ପୋଲିସ୍ ବାବୁଜଣକ କେହି ନ ଥିଲାବେଳେ ନିଜ ସହିତ କଥା ହେଉଥିଲେ । ହଠାତ୍ ହାତଘଣ୍ଟା ଉପରେ ନଜର ହେଉଥିଲେ । ହଠାତ୍ ହାତଘଣ୍ଟା ଉପରେ ନଜର ଗୋଟିଏ କଥା ମଧ୍ୟ ତାଙ୍କ ମନରେ ଥିଲା । ସେ ଶେଷ କରିବାପାଇଁ ତତ୍ପର ହୋଇଉଠିଲେ । କିଛି ସମୟ ପରେ ସେ ଦେଖିଲେ ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି hardware ପୋଲିସ୍ ବାବୁଜଣକ କେହି ନ ଥିଲାବେଳେ ନିଜ ସହିତ କଥା ପକାଇ ଦେଖିଲେ ସମୟ ଦଶଟା ବାଜି ୧୫ ମିନିଟ୍ ହେଲାଣି । ଅନ୍ୟ ନିଜର କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକୁ ଶେଷ କରିବାପାଇଁ ତତ୍ପର ହୋଇଉଠିଲେ ।
କିଛି ସମୟ ପରେ ସେ ଦେଖିଲେ ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି hardware ଦୋକାନ ଆଗରେ ଠିଆ ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି । ସେ ତାଙ୍କ ପାଖକୁ ଶୀଘ୍ର ଗଲେ, କିନ୍ତୁ ଅନ୍ଧାର ହେତୁ ସେ ତାଙ୍କ ମୁହଁ ଦେଖିପାରୁ ନ ଥିଲେ । ସେ ଲୋକଜଣକୁ କିଛି କହିବାକୁ ଚାହୁଁଥିଲେ; କିନ୍ତୁ ସଙ୍ଗେ ସଙ୍ଗେ ମନ ବଦଳାଇ ରହିଗଲେ । ଲୋକଜଣକ ନିଜକୁ ପୋଲିସ୍ ସନ୍ଦେହରୁ ମୁକ୍ତ କରିବାପାଇଁ ନିଜଆଡ଼ୁ କଥା ଆରମ୍ଭ କଲେ । ସେ ପୋଲିସ୍ବାବୁଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ ସେ ଏଠି ଜଣେ ସାଙ୍ଗକୁ ଅପେକ୍ଷା କରିଛନ୍ତି ଯାହା ସହିତ ଆଜି ଦିନରେ ଭେଟ ହେବାପାଇଁ ୨୦ ବର୍ଷ ତଳେ ସେମାନେ କଥା ହୋଇଥିଲେ । କଥାଟା ବଡ଼ ମଜାଳିଆ ହେଲେ ବି ସତ୍ୟ ଥିଲା । ୨୦ ବର୍ଷ ତଳେ ଏହି ସ୍ଥାନରେ ଏକ ଭୋଜନାଳୟ ଥିଲା ଯାହାର ନାମ ଥିଲା Brady’s Restaurant । ପୋଲିସ୍ ବାବୁଜଣକ ତାଙ୍କ କଥାରେ ସମ୍ମତ ହେଲେ ଓ କହିଲେ ଏହି ପାଞ୍ଚ ବର୍ଷ ତଳେ ଏହାକୁ ଏକ ଷ୍ଟୋରରେ ପରିଣତ କରାଯାଇଛି । ଲୋକଟି ଠିକ୍ ଏହି ସମୟରେ ଦିଆସିଲି କାଠି ମାରି ସିଗାରେଟ୍ ଲଗାଇବାବେଳେ ପୋଲିସ୍ ଜଣଙ୍କ ତାଙ୍କ ମୁହଁ ସାମାନ୍ୟ ଦେଖୁ ପାରିଥିଲେ ।
Glossary:
wit (n): the ability to say or write things that are both clever and amusing She is a women of wit and intelligence.
wordplay: use of words (ଶବ୍ଦର ବ୍ୟବହାର) He makes better wordplay in his writings.
characterization: characters in a book or play seem real (ଖେଳ ବାସ୍ତବ ମନେହୁଏ). The success of the play depends much on its characterization.
surprise: unexpected event or happenings, a feeling of astonishment (ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ) Her position in the top ten was a surprise in the last H.S.C. examination.
value: worth (ମୂଲ୍ୟ) We should better understand the value of life.
relationship: relation among people, friendship (ଲୋକମାନେ, ବନ୍ଧୁତା) He should regard our relationship.
triumph: victory, win (ଜିତନ୍ତୁ) Indians are happy with our World-Cup triumph.
on the beat: on the route doing patrol duty (ପାଟ୍ରୋଲିଂ କରୁଥିବା ମାର୍ଗରେ | କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟ)
quiet road: road free from noise (ଶବ୍ଦରୁ ମୁକ୍ତ ରାସ୍ତା) He was walking freely on a quiet road.
habitual: doing something continuously (କ୍ରମାଗତ ଭାବରେ କିଛି କରିବା)
spectators: unlookers, viewers (ଦର୍ଶକ) Spectators sit in the gallery to watch the match.
kept early hours : went back home early in the night (ଶୀଘ୍ର ଘରକୁ ଫେରିଗଲେ ରାତିରେ)
chilly winds: too cold winds (ଅତ୍ୟଧିକ ଥଣ୍ଡା ପବନ) We could not go out because of chilly winds blowing outside.
drizzle: dribble, raining lightly (ହାଲୁକା ବର୍ଷା) There was a drizzle in the morning.
depeopled: emptied of people (ଲୋକମାନେ) The streets of the city were depeopled by the evening as curfew was declared.
examining : inspecting, searching, checking (ଯାଞ୍ଚ, ଖୋଜିବା, ଯାଞ୍ଚ କରୁଛି )
playful : full of fun (ମଜା ରେ ପରିପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ) His activities were mostly playful.
movements: moving (ଗତିଶୀଳ) We cannot feel the movements of earth.
small stick : (here) lathi (ଏଠାରେ) ଲାଥୀThe policeman always moves with a small stick or lathi.
stalwart: sturdy, well-built (ବଳିଷ୍ଠ, ସୁଗଠିତ) He is a man of stalwart figure.
guardian of the law: protector of law (ଆଇନର ରକ୍ଷକ) The policeman is a guardian of the law.
tailoring shop : dressmaker’s shop (ଡ୍ରେସମେକରଙ୍କ ଦୋକାନ)
watchful eyes: vigilant eyes (ସଜାଗ ଆଖି) Nobody can escape from his watchful eye.
pale face : whitish face (ଧଳା ଚେହେରା)
square jaws : jaws having equal sides (ସମାନ ପାର୍ଶ୍ୱ ଥିବା ଜହ୍ନଗୁଡିକ)
white scar: a white mark left on the skin (ଧଳା ଦାଗ)
ashamed: felt shame (ଲଜ୍ଜା ଅନୁଭବ କଲା) He is ashamed of his bad manner.
notorious: famous for bad quality (କୁଖ୍ୟାତ) Terrorists are notorious criminals.
counterfeit: illegal (ନକଲି)
serious affair: grave matter (ଗୁରୁତର ବିଷୟ) Terrorism is a serious affair of our country.
lamp-post: a post giving light (ଆଲୋକ ପ୍ରଦାନ କରୁଥିବା ଏକ ପୋଷ୍ଟ) He was standing under a lamp-post and waiting for a friend.
five-dollar note : ପାଞ୍ଚ ଡଲାରର ନୋଟ୍
reconstructed photograph: picture of a person drawn by experts basing on the reports about his or her face (ଚିତ୍ରିତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କ ଚିତ୍ର | ବିଶେଷଜ୍ଞଙ୍କ ଦ୍ ରା)The reconstructed photograph of the leader of the terrorist was broadcasted in T.V
described: saw (from a distance) ଦେଖ (ଦୂରରୁ)
suspicious: doubtful (ସନ୍ଦେହଜନକ) Police can detain suspicious people for investivation.
Think it out:
Question 1.
How does the writer describe the atmosphere of the story?
Answer:
The story begins with a policeman doing the patroling duty in a street of New York. The time was 10 o’ clock at night. The strict was almost calm and quiet and people had gone home in the early hours of the evening because of bad weather. The business houses were mostly closed and darkness has covered the major part of the street. It was all due to chilly winds and light raining. Few lights were coming from a cigar store, an whole-night hotel and one or two tailoring shops completing the day’s work. The area coming under the lamp-posts were little lighted. Thus, the atmosphere was somewhat unsuitable and unfavourable.
Question 2.
How did the policeman perform his duties?
Answer:
The polieman was on the route doing patrol duty. He was moving smartly. His smartness was real and not for the show. It was night and most of the business houses in the street were closed early due to bad weather. There was darkness everywhere except light coming from few shops and lamp-posts. In spite of this, the policeman was inspecting every closed doors. He was holding a lathi and making some funny movements. The policeman, with his well-built figure and smart movements was proving himself as the guardian of law. He was very watchful and cast his eyes on the entire peaceful road. He was seriously searching a notorious criminal from Chicago. This duty was assigned to him by his boss and he was very confident as a dutiful officer for the last eighteen years to do the job perfectly.
Question 3.
What picture of the wanted criminal do you get from the text?
Answer:
The picture of the wanted criminal given to the polcieman in the morning of the said day was as follows. The criminal had a pale face, square jaws, deep and dark eyes, and a little white scar near the right eyebrow. The criminal’s name was not known and he was involved in a serious affair of printing counterfeit notes. The criminal was from Chicago. The policeman had a five dollar note and a reconstructed photograph of the criminal in his pocket.
Question 4.
How did the stranger try to interact with the policeman?
Answer:
The stranger, who was standing in front of a darkened hardware store, saw a policeman coming towards him. He thought that the policeman would suspect him as he did not know his story. So when the policeman walked upto him, he said to him that he was just waiting for a friend. It was an appointment made twenty years ago. It was a truth, though it seemed funny. To remove the doubts of the policeman, he narrated that about twenty years ago there was a restaurant where this store stands. Its name was “Brady’s Restaurant”. Then the policeman said that it was changed into a store just five years ago. In this way the stranger interacted with the policeman.
Question 5.
How did the policeman see the stranger’s face?
Answer:
The stranger standing at the doorway of the hardware store, was interacting with the policeman. As the place was dark the face of the stranger could not be seen. In the meanwhile, he wanted to smoke and thus struck a match and lit his cigar. This provided a chance to the policeman to see the face of the man.
Unit – II
Gist :
The man narrating about his friend said that he had last dined with his friend Jimmy Wells at Brady’s Restaurant twenty years ago tonight. Jimmy was his best friend and the finest man in the world. He said that they were bom and brought up in New York just like two brothers. When they left each other he was eighteen and Jimmy was twenty. He went to Chicago in the West to make my fortune. But Jimmy, as liked to stay at home, was unwilling to go the West with him. For Jimmy New York was the best place to live in on the earth.
Accordingly they took our last parting dinner at Brady’s Restaurant that night and agreed that they would meet here again exactly twenty years from that date and time in spite of their distant living or whatever conditions of life of theirs. They also felt that in twenty years each of them have made his career and met the destiny of life. The policeman listening to it said that it was very interesting. He asked the man about their contacts between this long gap. The man said that they were in touch for a year or two. But after that they lost contact of each other and remained busy in their own affairs. The man said that though Chicago was his headquarter, he kept on moving here and there.
That time he had come to meet his friend after a long interval and he had deep faith to meet his friend there. He said that his friend was very sincere and true to his words. He would never forget it. His coming to that place from a distance of thousand miles would be fruitful if he could meet his old friend there. His friend would come difinitely. Saying so, he looked at his diamond watch and it was ten twenty-five. He remembered the time that was exactly half past ten when they parted here at the restaumt door. Then the policeman wanted to know whether he had earned lots of money in the West.
He admitted of his good earnings and expressed his hope that his friend Jimmy also had earned the half of his income. He said that his friend, though a nice man, was very slow in his earnings. But he had to compete with the most cunning people of the world to earn his dollars. A man in the New York becomes very ordinary but the West makes a man to face much competition. The policeman while leaving asked the man whether he would wait his friend or not, if he would not come at the appointed time. He said that he would give his friend half an hour to come. If he was alive on earth he would be there by that time. After that, the policeman took leave of this man by wishing ‘Good-night’.
ସାରାଂଶ :
ଲୋକଟି ତାଙ୍କ ସାଙ୍ଗ ବିଷୟରେ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରି କହିଲେ, ସେ ଆଜକୁ କୋଡ଼ିଏ ବର୍ଷତଳେ ଏହି ବ୍ରାଡ଼ି ଭୋଜନାଳୟରେ ଆଜି ରାତିରେ ଶେଷଥର ପାଇଁ ମିଶି ଖାଇଥିଲେ । ଜିମି ତାଙ୍କର ସବୁଠାରୁ ଉତ୍ତମ ବନ୍ଧୁ ଥିଲା ଏବଂ ପୃଥିବୀରେ ଅତି ଭଲ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ସେ ଜଣେ । ସେ କହିଲେ, ଆମେ ଦୁଇଜଣ ନିଉୟର୍କରେ ଦୁଇ ଭାଇ ଭଳି ଜନ୍ମ ହୋଇ ବଢ଼ିଥିଲୁ । ଆମେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ପରସ୍ପରଠାରୁ ଅଲଗା ହେଲୁ ମୋତେ ଅଠର ବର୍ଷ ଏବଂ ଜିହ୍ନିକୁ କୋଡ଼ିଏ ବର୍ଷ ହୋଇଥିଲା ।
ମୁଁ ମୋର ଭବିଷ୍ୟତ ଗଢ଼ିବାକୁ ଚିକାଗୋ ଗଲି । ଜିଛି କିନ୍ତୁ ଘର ଛାଡ଼ି କୁଆଡ଼େ ଯିବ ନାହିଁ ବୋଲି କହିଲା । ନିଉୟର୍କ ତା’ପାଇଁ ପୃଥିବୀର ସବୁଠାରୁ ଭଲ ସ୍ଥାନ ଥିଲା । ସେହି ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ଆମେ ଶେଷଥର ପାଇଁ ବ୍ରାଡ଼ି ଭୋଜନାଳୟରେ ରାତ୍ରିଭୋଜନ ଖାଇଲୁ ଏବଂ ରାଜି ହେଲୁ ଆଜକୁ ୨୦ ବର୍ଷ ପରେ ଏହି ଦିନ ଏହି ତାରିଖ ଏହି ସମୟ ଏବଂ ଏହି ସ୍ଥାନରେ ଆମେ ଯେକୌଣସି ପରିସ୍ଥିତିରେ ଥିଲେ ବି ଆସି ଭେଟ ହେବା । ସେଦିନ ପରସ୍ପରଠାରୁ ଅଲଗା ହେଲାବେଳକୁ ସମୟ ଥିଲା ରାତ୍ର ୧୦ ଟା ୩୦ ମିନିଟ୍ ।
ଆମେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଭାବିଲୁ ୨୦ ବର୍ଷ ପରେ ଆମେ ନିଜର ଭବିଷ୍ୟତ ଗଢ଼ି ସାରି । ଲୋକଟିର କଥାକୁ ପୋଲିସ୍ ବାବୁଜଣକ ଶୁଣୁଥିଲେ ଏବଂ କହିଲେ ଏହା ତ ବଡ଼ କୌତୁହଳପ୍ରଦ କଥା ! ସେ ପଚାରିଲେ, ଆଚ୍ଛା ଏହି କୋଡ଼ିଏ ବର୍ଷ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଭିତରେ କୌଣସି ସମ୍ପର୍କ ନ ଥିଲା କି ? ଲୋକଜଣକ କହିଲେ, ହଁ ଥିଲା, ତାହା କେବଳ ପ୍ରଥମ ବର୍ଷେ କିମ୍ବା ୨ ବର୍ଷ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଏବଂ ପରେ ପରେ ଆମେ ନିଜ ନିଜ କାମରେ ବ୍ୟସ୍ତ ରହିଗଲୁ ।
ଲୋକଟି କହିଲା, ଚିକାଗୋ ମୋର ମୁଖ୍ୟ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାଳୟ ହେଲେ ବି ମୁଁ ଚାରିଆଡ଼େ ଘୂରି ବୁଲୁଥୁଲି । ଆଜି ସେ ଆସିଛି ତା’ର ସାଙ୍ଗକୁ ଭେଟିବାପାଇଁ ସୁଦୂର ଚିକାଗୋରୁ ହଜାର ମାଇଲ ଅତିକ୍ରମ କରି ଏବଂ ସେ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ଭେଟିବ । ସେ କହିଲେ ମୋର ସାଙ୍ଗ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ସତ୍ୟବାନ୍ ଏବଂ ସଚ୍ଚା ଏବଂ ସେ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ମୋତେ ଭେଟିବାକୁ ଆସିବ । ଏହା କହି ଲୋକଟି ତାଙ୍କ ହାତରେ ଥିବା ହୀରା ଘଣ୍ଟାଟିକୁ ଚାହିଁଲେ । ସେତେବେଳକୁ ୧୦ଟା ୨୫ ମିନିଟ୍ ହୋଇଥିଲା । ସେ ମନେ ପକାଇଲେ ସେ ସେଦିନ ରାତ୍ର ୧୦ଟା ୩୦ ମିନିଟ୍ରେ ସେମାନେ ପରସ୍ପରଠାରୁ ଅଲଗା ହୋଇଥିଲେ । ତା’ପରେ ପୋଲିସ୍ ବାବୁଜଣଙ୍କ ଚିକାଗୋରେ ତାଙ୍କ ରୋଜଗାର ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ଚାହିଁଲେ । ସେ ସେଠାରେ ତାଙ୍କ ଭଲ ରୋଜଗାର କଥା ମାନିଲେ ଏବଂ ଆଶା କଲେ ତାଙ୍କ ସାଙ୍ଗ ମଧ୍ଯ ଅତି କମ୍ରେ ତାଙ୍କ ରୋଜଗାରର।
Think it out
Question 1.
What was the appointment made between two friends twenty years before?
Answer:
The two friends in the story are Bob and Jimmy Wells. Both were born and brought up in New York and bred like two brothers. When they come of age, Bob went to the West to make his fortune but Jimmy stayed in New York. On the day of parting, they had dined together in a restaurant and agreed that night that they would meet here again exactly twenty years from that date and time in spite of their distant living and conditions. This appointment was made between two friends twenty years ago.
Question 2.
What information about the friends do you gather from their conversation?
Answer:
After listening to the man about their appointment that was made twenty years ago, the policeman expressed his curiosity to know more about them. He asked the man about their correspondence, if any, during this long gap. The man said that they were in touch for a year or two but after that they lost contact of each other. It was perhaps due to increase of work and personal involvement. He said that though Chicago was his main place of living, he moved extensively in and outside of it. Then shifting his mind to his friend the man said that his friend Jimmy was always very sincere and true to his words.
He would never forget their appointment. He would meet him definitely. He had come from a distance of thousand miles to meet him and it would be worthwhile if his old friend comes back. Saying so he looked at his diamond watch and the time was ten twenty-five. He said that it was exactly half past ten when they parted there at the restaurant door twenty years ago. This Brady’s Restaurant had been changed into a hardware store. The policeman asked about his good income in the West which he admitted. He also expressed that his friend Jimmy would be earning at least half of his income.
Though a good human being, Jimmy was very slow in brain. He had to compete with the cleverest people of the world in Chicago for his livelihood. He said that life in the West was very fast and one had to struggle hard for earning and living. But in New York one became very ordinary. The policeman listened to all these and said him that his friend would be coming around. Before leaving him, he asked him whether he would wait for his friend or not. The man said that he would wait for his friend for an hour only. He would definitely come by that time. In short, two friends naturally exchanged pleasant words and talked old times without recognizing each other.
Unit – III
Introduction:
In this part of the story “After Twenty Years” the readers get surprised by coming across an unexpected situation. It gives a kind of displeasure as well as pleasure to the readers when they read about the arrest of a friend by another friend who has done it for the sake of his duty at the cost of personal relationship. Readers express sympathy on the friend who had come to meet his friend from a long distance after twenty years and got arrested by his friend. They also admire the another friend who out of his devotion to duty got his friend arrested by keeping personal relationship away from duty. Let us read the story to know the interesting happenings.
Gist:
The cold wind was blowing severely with the rain continuing all over the street. The few people who were out had hurried home. The man, who had come from thousand miles to meet an appointment at the doorway of the hardware store, was smoking and waiting his friend Jimmy Wells. About twenty minutes of his waiting a tall man wearing a long overcoat with collar turned upto his ears appeared before the man. “Is that you, Bob ? ” he asked doubtfully. “Is that you, Jimmy Wells ?” asked the man.
They shook their hands. Bob said that he was sure to find him there if he was alive. Jimmy said that they would have dined again if that old restaurant had existed. Then, he asked his friend about his days in the West. He said that the West had given him every thing. The man also enquired about Jimmy. Jimmy said that he was well and working in a departmental store as assitant manager. He was getting good salary and other benefits. Then he told Bob to go round to a place and talk about their old days. The two friends walked on the street holding arm in arm. Bob was talking of his possessions and of his important friend’s in Chicago elsewhere. The other friend wearing a overcoat was listening with deep attention.
They could not see each other’s face in the darkness. They came near a medicine store located in a lighted area. There they could see each other’s face. Bob stopped suddenly and freed his arm from his friend’s arm. He said to tha man that he was not Jimmy. Twenty years is a long time but not long enough to change a man’s sharp nose to a flat one. The tall man said that it sometimes changes a good man into a bad one. Then he arrested Bob and told that the Commissioner of Police, Chicago wanted to talk with Bob in connection with some bundles of five dollar counterfeit notes. He took Bob to the police station.
While going to the police station, the tall man handed over a letter to Bob by saying that it was from Assistant Sub-Inspector Jimmy Wells. The friend from Chicago opened the letter and it was a short note. “Bob: I was at the apointed place on time. When you struck the match to light your cigar I saw it was the face of the man wanted in Chicago. Somehow I could not do it myself, so I went around and got a plain-clothes policeman to do the job.” It was revealed from the story that though Jimmy knew his friend, the wanted criminal he made him arrested. He ignored his personal relationship when it came in the way of his duty. His devotion to duty was so much that it undermined his personal relationship. Only a few people could do it and Jimmy Wells was one of them.
ସାରାଂଶ :
ନିଉୟର୍କ ସହରର ସେହି ଗଳିରେ ସେଦିନ ଥଣ୍ଡା ବଢ଼ି ବଢ଼ି ଯାଉଥିଲା ଏବଂ ତା’ ସାଙ୍ଗକୁ ବର୍ଷା ମଧ୍ଯ । ଯେଉଁ କେତେକ ଅଳ୍ପ ଲୋକ ବାହାରେ ରହିଥିଲେ ସେମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଘରକୁ ଶୀଘ୍ର ଫେରି ଗଲେଣି । କିନ୍ତୁ ହଜାର ମାଇଲ ଅତିକ୍ରମ କରି ସୁଦୂର ଚିକାଗୋରୁ ନିଜ ବନ୍ଧୁଙ୍କୁ ୨୦ ବର୍ଷ ପରେ ଦେଖା କରିବାକୁ ଆସିଥିବା ଲୋକଟି ସେହି hardware ଷ୍ଟୋର ଆଗରେ ଛିଡ଼ା ହୋଇଥିଲା । ସେ ସିଗାରେଟ୍ ଟାଣୁଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ସାଙ୍ଗ ଜିୱି ୱେଲସ୍ ଆସିବା ବାଟକୁ ଅନାଇ ବସିଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କ ଅପେକ୍ଷା କରିବାର ପ୍ରାୟ ୨୦ ମିନିଟ୍ ପରେ ଜଣେ ଡେଙ୍ଗା ଲୋକ ସାଧା ପୋଷାକରେ ଏକ ଲମ୍ବାକୋର୍ଟ ପିନ୍ଧି ତାଙ୍କ ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିଲେ।
‘ତୁମେ ବବ୍ କି ?”’ ସେ ସହେନ୍ଦରେ ପଚାରିଲେ । ‘ତୁମେ କ’ଣ ଜିହ୍ନି ୱେଲସ୍ ?”’ ଲୋକଟି ପଚାରିଲା । ପରିଚୟ ମିଳିଥିବାରୁ ସେମାନେ ହାତ ମିଳାଇଲେ । ବବ୍ କହିଲେ, ‘ମୁଁ ନିଶ୍ଚିନ୍ତ ଥୁଲି, ତୁମେ ଯଦି ବଞ୍ଚାଅ ଆସିବ ।’’ ଜିହ୍ନି କହିଲେ, ‘ଆଜି ଯଦି ସେ ପୁରୁଣା ଭୋଜନାଳୟଟି ଥାଆନ୍ତା ଆମେ ପୁଣିଥରେ ସେଠି ଭୋଜନ କରିଥା’ନ୍ତେ । ଆଚ୍ଛା ହେଉ, ତୁମେ ପଶ୍ଚିମରେ କେମିତି ଅଛ କୁହ।’’ ଉତ୍ତରରେ ବବ୍ କହିଲେ, ‘ପଶ୍ଚିମାଞ୍ଚଳ ମତେ ସବୁକିଛି ଦେଇଛି । ତୁମେ ନିଉୟର୍କରେ କେମିତି ଅଛ ?’’ ସେ କହିଲେ ‘ମୁଁ ଭଲରେ ଅଛି ଏବଂ ଏକ ଡିପାର୍ଟମେଣ୍ଟାଲ ଷ୍ଟୋରରେ ଉପମ୍ୟାନେଜର ଭାବରେ କାମ କରୁଛି । ମୁଁ ଭଲ ଦରମା ସହ ଅନ୍ୟାନ୍ୟ ସୁବିଧା ମଧ୍ଯ ପାଉଛି ।’’ ତା’ପରେ ସେ କହିଲେ ‘ବବ୍, ଆସ ଆଗକୁ ଟିକେ ବୁଲିଯିବା ଏବଂ ଆମର ସେହି ପୁରୁଣା ଦିନଗୁଡ଼ିକ ବିଷୟରେ କଥା ହେବା ।’’ ଦୁଇ ଜଣଯାକ ସାଙ୍ଗ ହାତ ଧରାଧରି ହୋଇ ଗଳି ରାସ୍ତାରେ ଆଗେଇ ଚାଲିଲେ ।
ବବ୍ ଚିକାଗୋରେ ଥିବା ତାଙ୍କର ଧନ ସମ୍ପତ୍ତି, କୋଠାବାଡ଼ି ଏବଂ ଧନୀ ଓ ପ୍ରତିପତ୍ତିଶାଳୀ ସାଙ୍ଗମାନଙ୍କ ବିଷୟରେ କହି ଚାଲିଲେ । ଅନ୍ୟ ସାଙ୍ଗଟି ସାଧା ପୋଷାକ ଉପରେ ଏକ ଓଭରକୋର୍ଟ ପିନ୍ଧି ବାଟ ଚାଲୁଥିଲାବେଳେ ତାଙ୍କ କଥା ମନଦେଇ ଶୁଣୁଥା’ନ୍ତି । ସେମାନେ ପରସ୍ପରର ମୁହଁକୁ ଅନ୍ଧାରରେ ଦେଖ୍ ପାରୁନଥିଲେ । ସେମାନେ ଆସ୍ତେ ଆସ୍ତେ ଆଲୋକିତ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ଥିବା ଏକ ଔଷଧ ଦୋକାନ ପାଖରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିଲେ । ସେଠାରେ ସେମାନେ ପରସ୍ପରର ମୁହଁକୁ ଦେଖିପାରିଲେ । ବବ୍ ହଠାତ୍ ରହିଗଲେ ଏବଂ ସାଙ୍ଗ ହାତରୁ ହାତ କାଢ଼ିନେଲେ ଏବଂ କହିଲେ ‘ଆପଣ ତ ଜିଛି ୱେଲସ୍ ନୁହଁନ୍ତି । କୋଡ଼ିଏ ବର୍ଷ ଏକ ଲମ୍ବା ସମୟ ହୋଇପାରେ, କିନ୍ତୁ ଏତେ ଲମ୍ବା ନୁହେଁ ଯେ ଏକ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିର ଗୋଜିଆ ନାକକୁ ଚେପ୍ଟା ବବ୍ ହଠାତ୍ ରହିଗଲେ ଏବଂ ସାଙ୍ଗ ହାତରୁ ହାତ କାଢ଼ିନେଲେ ଏବଂ କହିଲେ ‘ଆପଣ ତ ଜିଛି ୱେଲସ୍ ନୁହଁନ୍ତି । କୋଡ଼ିଏ ବର୍ଷ ଏକ ଲମ୍ବା ସମୟ ହୋଇପାରେ, କିନ୍ତୁ ଏତେ ଲମ୍ବା ନୁହେଁ ଯେ ଏକ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିର ଗୋଜିଆ ନାକକୁ ଚେପ୍ଟା ନାକରେ ବଦଳାଇ ଦେବ ।’’
ଡେଙ୍ଗା ଲୋକଟି କହିଲେ, ‘ଏହି ଲମ୍ବା ସମୟ ବେଳେବେଳେ ଜଣେ ଭଲ ଲୋକକୁ ଖରାପ ଲୋକ କରିଦିଏ । ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ତୁମକୁ ଆରେଷ୍ଟ କରାଗଲା। ଚିକାଗୋର ପୋଲିସ୍ କମିଶନର ତୁମ ସାଙ୍ଗରେ କଥା ହେବାପାଇଁ ଅପେକ୍ଷା କରିଛନ୍ତି । ସେ ତୁମ ସହିତ କିଛି ଜାଲନୋଟ୍ ବିଷୟରେ କଥା ହେବେ । ତୁମେ କୌଣସି ଚାଲବାଜି ନ କରି ମୋ ସାଙ୍ଗରେ ଆସ ।’’ ପୋଲିସ୍ ଷ୍ଟେସନ୍କୁ ଗଲାବାଟରେ ସାଧା ପୋଷାକଧାରୀ ପୋଲିସ୍ ତାଙ୍କ “‘ବବ୍, ମୁଁ ଠିକ୍ ସମୟରେ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଧାରିତ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ଥୁଲି । ତୁମେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ସିଗାରେଟ୍ ଲଗାଇବା ପାଇଁ ଦିଆସିଲି କାଠି ଲଗାଇଲ ମୁଁ ସେହି ଆଲୋକରେ ତୁମ ମୁହଁକୁ ଦେଖୁଲି ଓ ଜାଣିଲି ଏ ହେଉଛି ସେହି ମୁହଁ ଯାହାକୁ ଚିକାଗୋରେ ମୋଷ୍ଟ ୱାଣ୍ଟେଡ୍ ତାଲିକାରେ ରଖାଯାଇଛି ।ଯାହାହେଉ ମୁଁ ସେ କାମ କରିପାରିଲିନି । ତେଣୁ ମୁଁ ଚାଲିଗଲି ଏବଂ ଏକ ସାଧାପୋଷାକଧାରୀ ପୋଲିସ୍ ଜରିଆରେ ତୁମକୁ ବନ୍ଦୀ କଲି ।’’ ଏହି ଗଳ୍ପରୁ ପ୍ରତୀୟମାନ ହେଉଛି ଯେ ଜିୱି ଏକ ପୋଲିସ୍ ଭାବରେ ନିଜର କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟ ସମ୍ପାଦନ କରିବାକୁ ଯାଇ ତାଙ୍କର ଜଣେ ଅପରାଧୀ ବନ୍ଧୁଙ୍କୁ ବନ୍ଦୀ କଲେ । କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟ ଆଗରେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଗତ ସମ୍ପର୍କ ଆସିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସେ ପ୍ରଥମଟିକୁ ଗୁରୁତ୍ଵ ଦେଲେ । ଏହା କେବଳ ଖୁବ୍ କମ୍ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ପକ୍ଷରେ ସମ୍ଭବ ହୋଇଥାଏ ଏବଂ ଜିମି ୱେଲସ୍ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଥିଲେ ଜଣେ ।
Glossary:
unexpected: not expected An unexpected (ଅପ୍ରତ୍ୟାଶିତ) danger puzzled him.
twist: put into confusion (ଦ୍ୱନ୍ଦ୍ୱରେ ପକାନ୍ତୁ) He is twist and is unable to take a decision about his future.
hardware store: deals with hardware (ହାର୍ଡୱେର୍) He is a manager of a hardware store.
puffed up: feeling proud (ଗର୍ବିତ ଅନୁଭବ କରୁଛି )He was puffed up by the his success in the civil examination.
sure as fate: very certain (ବହୁତ ନିଶ୍ଚିତ) His achievement was sure as fate.
rapt: deep (ଗଭୀର) He listened to the discussion with rapt attention.
Think it out:
Question 1.
How long did the man from the West wait? What was weather then?
Answer:
The man from the West waited about twenty minutes and then a tallman in a long overcoat came from the opposite side of the street to meet him. The weather then was very bad. The wind was too cold and the rain was continuing. People who were out hurried up home.
Question 2.
How did the man from the West and the man in a long overcoat greet each other?
Answer:
When the man from the West was waiting at the doorway of the hardware store, the man in a long overcoat appeared. Looking at the man at the hardware store he doubtfully asked, “Is that you, Bob ?” “Is that you, Jimmy Wells V asked Bob. Then they could know each other and shook hands. “Bless my heart !” exclaimed the new arrival. In this way they greeted each other.
Question 3.
When did Bob realise that the tall man he had met was not Jimmy Wells?
Answer:
When Bob and the tall man reached at the medicine store walking arm in arm, they could see each other’s face in the electric lights. Bob suddenly stopped by leaving his arm. He thought that how this tall man with flat nose would be Jimmy Wells who had a sharp nose. One could be 6 to 8 inch long in twenty years time but it is not long enough to convert a sharp nose to a flat nose. Thus Bob realised that the tall man he had met was not Jimmy Wells.
Question 4.
Why did Jimmy get Bob arrested?
Answer:
Jimmy, who was a policeman, was a man of principle, honest and dutiful. Bob, on the other hand, was a professional criminal who printed counterfeit notes and earned easy money. Once upon a time in twenty years ago they were good friends. Before they got separated, they had promised to meet each other at the Brady’s Restaurant where they had taken their last dinner. But when they meet, Jimmy saw the
face of the man who was wanted in Chicago. The responsibility and devotion of his duty made him to ignore his personal relationship. Therefore he got him arrested.
Question 5.
Did Jimmy keep his appointment with Bob after twenty years? What consideration did he show for his old friend?
Answer:
Yes, Jimmy did so because he was exactly on time at the hardware store where they decided to meet after twenty years. He kept his appointment. At the same time he was assigned the duty to catch a notorious criminal from Chicago. He had the reconstructed photograph of the criminal with him which matched the face of his friend. So he did not disclose his identity. As a policeman he considered his duty more than his friendship. Thus instead of enjoying with his old friend Bob after twenty years, he made him arrested by another policeman’ who played the role of Jimmy Wells. Though he did not arrest his friend directly he did it by another policeman. This could be his only
CHSE Odisha Class 11 English After Twenty Years Important Questions and Answers
Question 1.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Examining closed doors as he went, making various interesting and playful movements with his small stick, the officer, with his stalwart figure and smart movements made a fine picture of the guardian of the law. He could see a few lights coming from a cigar store, an all-night hotel, and one or two tailoring shops completing the day’s work. The majority of the houses were business places that had long since been closed. Now and then he would suddenly turn about, and cast his watchful eye along the peaceful road. He was thinking of what his boss had said in the morning: “Pale face, square jaws, deep and dark eyes, and a little white scar near the right eyebrow.” As a part of the police organization, he felt a little ashamed that the name of this notorious criminal was still unknown, and that he was still at large. Printing counterfeit notes was a serious affair, he knew, and the criminal must be caught. He took out his pocket-book under a lamp-post and looked at the five-dollar note and the reconstructed photograph. He became thoughtful: Chicago – a thousand miles away. What chance ?” Then he said to himself aloud, ‘Never mind, my boy, you have been a dutiful one these last eighteen years, and luck owes you a debt.’ He was in the habit of talking to himself, sometimes,- when nobody was by. And he liked to refer to himself as a boy, though he was forty. There was another thing in his mind. He looked at his watch, – a quarter past ten; fifteen minutes more. It was a long road; but there was enough time. After a minute he descried about five hundred metres ahead the outline of a man near the doorway of a darkened hardware store. He quickened his steps. The place was slightly dark, lying exactly midway between two lamp-posts. He was about to address the man, but changed his mind and allowed the man to begin. The man realised that the way he was standing there must look suspicious to one who didn’t know his story. So he said, as the policeman walked up to him: ‘It’s all right, officer; I’am just waiting for a friend. It is an appointment made twenty years ago. It sounds a little funny to you, doesn’t it? Well, I’ll explain so as to remove all suspicion from your mind: About twenty years ago there used to be a restaurant where this store stands, “Brady’s Restaurant.”
Questions :
(i) Describe the policeman’s feelings while doing patrol duty?
(ii) ‘There was another thing in his mind.’ What was that?
Answers :
(i) The policeman was assigned a duty to catch a die-hard criminal. He was in search of that notorious criminal. He was quite sure to be successful in performing his duty. He thought that he had been a sincere and dutiful policeman since last eighteen years and luck always remained with him. At the same time he felt a little ashamed that the name of such a notorious criminal was still unknown to the police department. Thus, the policeman had serious feelings while doing patrol duty.
(ii) Though police man was assigned a duty to catch a notorious criminal, still there was another thing in his mind. Perhaps he had to meet someone or to do something on a particular time. Therefore, he looked at his watch and said that there was more fifteen minutes in his hand.
Question 2.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
The two men started up the streets, arm in arm. The man from the West, somewhat puffed up by success, was talking of his possessions and of his important friends in Chicago and elsewhere. The other, covered with his overcoat, was listening with rapt attention. They had not yet taken a good look at each other’s face. They neared a medicine store lit brilliantly, with electric lights. There each of them turned simultaneously to gaze at the other’s face. The man from the West stopped suddenly and let go the other’s arm.
‘You’re not Jimmy Wells’, he faltered. ‘Twenty year is a long time, but not long enough to change a man’s sharp nose to a flat one?’
‘It sometimes changes a good man into a bad one’, said the tall man.
‘You’ve been under arrest for ten minutes, Bob, or whatever your name is. The Commissioner of police, Chicago, longs to have a chat with you in connection with some bundles of five-dollar notes, which have come his way. Come quietly, please, and no tricks. Before we gQ to the station, here’s a note I was asked to give you. It’s from Assistant Sub-Inspector Jimmy Wells.’ The man from the West unfolded the little piece of paper handed to him. His hand was steady when he began to read, but it trembled a little by the time he had finished. The note was rather short.
‘Bob: I was at the appointed place on time. When you struck the match to light your cigar I saw it was theface of the man wanted in Chicago. Somehow I couldn ’t do it myself, so I went around and got a plain-clothes policeman to do the job.’
Questions :
(i) Give a picture of Bob and Jimmy when they were in the streets?
(ii) Comment on the ending of the story.
Answers :
(i) We find the two friends, Bob and Jimmy, in the streets walking arm in arm. Bob who had now come from the West was in high spirits. Unprecedented success had made him as if he were over the moon. He kept on talking of his wealth and of his great friends in Chicago. Jimmy, covered with his overcoat, was listening with deep attention. In spite of being with each other for some time, they had not looked distinctly at each other. The inevitable happened. They gazed at each other’s face at the same time.
(ii) The two friends, Bob and Jimmy, have kept their appointment after twenty years, but there is a turning point in the end. Bob is shocked in disbelief when the man tells him that he has been under arrest. The man talking to him is asked to hand over him a note which outlines Jimmy’s arrival at the appointed place on time and recognition of his face wanted in Chicago while lighting his cigar and his inability to arrest his friend and hence through a plain-clothes policeman. This is the consideration Jimmy Wells showed for his old friend Bob. Honest and dutiful as he is, Jimmy Wells has done his job perfectly. The ending is superb for its ‘O’ Henry Twist’ or suprising ending.
Introducing the Author:
William Sydney Porter was an American writer. He was known by his pen name O’ Henry. He lived for a successful period of forty-eight years. Before his death, he had written a good number of short stories. All his short stories are known for their wit, wordplay, warm characterization and surprise.
About the Story:
Now-a-days people mostly value their personal relationship. They even undermine their duty when it clashes with their personal relationship. But there are still people who prefer duty to their relationship. Duty is god to them. O’ Henry describes this story to show – ‘Devotion to duty triumps over personal relationship’. In the story, there are two friends who gets separated at a point of time and meet again after a period of twenty years. But the duty of a friend compels him to undermine his relationship. A friend in the way of his duty has been forced to arrest his friend. The story is narrated in three units which depicts the irony and pathos of life in a subtle and dramatic manner.