For effective revision, students can use BSE Odisha Class 8 English Solutions Chapter 10 The Cherry Tree Question Answer to practice textbook exercises.
Class 8 English The Cherry Tree Question Answer
Class 8 English Chapter 10 Question Answer Odia Medium
Let us do these activities before we read
(ଚାଲ ପଢ଼ିବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଏହି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ କରିବା ।)
Work in pairs and answer the questions that follow. Share your answers with your classmate and teacher
(ଦୁଇଜଣିଆ ଦଳରେ କାମ କର ଓ ପରବର୍ତୀ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନଗୁଡ଼ିକର ଉତ୍ତର ଦିଅ । ତୁମର ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ସହପାଠୀ ଓ ଶିକ୍ଷକଙ୍କ ସହ ବିନିମୟ କର ।)
Question 1.
Have you ever used a seed or a sapling to grow a plant?
(ତୁମେ କେବେ ଏକ ଗଛ ବଢ଼ାଇବା ପାଇଁ ବୀଜ (ମଞ୍ଜି) କିମ୍ବା ଚାରାଗଛ ବ୍ୟବହାର କରିଛ କି ?)
Answer:
Yes, once I have used a mango sapling (ଆମ୍ବ ଚାରା) to grow a plant.
Question 2.
What kind of care did the plant need?
(ଗଛଟି କେଉଁ ପ୍ରକାର ଯନ୍ ଆବଶ୍ୟକ କରିଥିଲା ?)
Answer:
The plant needed water, sunlight, manure and care to grow.
Question 3.
Who helped with it ?
(କିଏ ଏଥରେ ତୁମକୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିଥିଲା ?)
Answer:
My little brother helped me with it.
Question 4.
How did you feel when you saw the plant grow?
(ତୁମେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ଗଛଟିକୁ ବଢ଼ିବାର ଦେଖୁଲ ତୁମେ କିପରି ଅନୁଭବ କଲ ?)
Answer:
When I saw the plant grow (ବଢ଼ୁଥିବାର), I felt hugely (ବହୁତ) happy.
II. What kind of trees do people plant in their homes? Why is it important to plant trees ?
(ଲୋକମାନେ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ବାଡ଼ିରେ|ଘରେ କେଉଁ ପ୍ରକାର ଚାରା ରୋପଣ କରନ୍ତି ? ଚାରା ରୋପଣ କରିବା କାହିଁକି ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଅଟେ ?)
Answer:
Usually (ସାଧାରଣତଃ) people plant mango, guava (ପିଜୁଳି), jackfruit (ପଣସ), coconuts, betel nuts, etc. in their homes. It is important to plant trees because they provide (ଯୋଗାଇଥାଏ) us with fruits, leaves (ପତ୍ର), twigs (ମୁଡୁଡାଳ), shade (ଛାଇ), etc. fil. Name some fruit trees that grow in your region.
III. What type of conditions help these fruit trees to grow?
(ତୁମ ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ ବଢ଼ୁଥିବା କେତୋଟି ଫଳଗଛର ନାମ ଲେଖ । କେଉଁ ପ୍ରକାର ଅବସ୍ଥା ଏସବୁ ଫଳଗଛଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ବଢ଼ିବାରେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିଥାଏ ?
Answer:
Some fruit trees that grow in our region are mango, banana, pineapple (ସେଓ), guava, tamarind. Condition that help these trees to grow are air, sunlight, water, manure (ସାର), and proper care.
Let us discuss (ଆସ ଆଲୋଚନା କରିବା):
Arrange the events in order of occurrence in the story. Two have been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.
1. Rakesh discovered that the small, well-rooted twig had grown into a cherry tree.
2. Rakesh was sent to live with his grandfather in Mussoorie.
3. Rakesh pressed the cherry seed into the soft soil with his thumb.
4. The cherry tree grew quickly after the rains arrived early.
5. Rakesh bought a bunch of cherries and ate most of them.
6. A goat entered the garden and ate all the leaves of the young cherry tree.
7. Rakesh’s parents grew maize, rice, and barley in a village. (1)
8. Rakesh sprinkled water on the cherry tree and surrounded it with pebbles.
9. Grandfather told Rakesh that cherry trees were tough.
10. Rakesh kept rolling the last cherry seed in his mouth.
Answer:
7. Rakesh’s parents grew maize, rice, and barley in a village. (1)
2. Rakesh was sent to live with his grandfather in Mussoorie.
5. Rakesh bought a bunch of cherries and ate most of them.
10. Rakesh kept rolling the last cherry seed in his mouth.
9. Grandfather told Rakesh that cherry trees were tough.
3. Rakesh pressed the cherry seed into the soft soil with his thumb.
4. The cherry tree grew quickly after the rains arrived early.
6. A goat entered the garden and ate all the leaves of the young cherry tree.
8. Rakesh sprinkled water on the cherry tree and surrounded it with pebbles.
1. Rakesh discovered that the small, well-rooted twig, had grown into a cherry tree.
Let us discuss ( થાવ થાલજાેશ્વિ વ્રહીરણ)
1. Complete the table given below based on your understanding of Part II of the story. One example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Answer:
| Cause | Effect |
| 1. A woman cut the cherry tree while cutting | Grandfather scolded the woman. |
| 2. Rakesh was eight now a sturdy boy with curly black hair and deep black eyes. | Rakesh was thinner but stronger when he came back. |
| 3. A hairy caterpillar started eating the leaves of the cherry tree. | Rakesh removed it quickly and dropped it on a heap of dry leaves. |
| 4. There was a pale pink blossom at the end of a branch. | Rakesh and grandfather gazed at the tree as though it was a miracle. |
| 5. Rakesh tasted one of the small cherries during summer. | He spat it out. |
Let us think and reflect (ଆସ ଚିନ୍ତା କରିବା ଓ ବିଚାର କରିବା) :
I. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
(ନିମ୍ନସ୍ଥ ଉଦ୍ଧୃତାଂଶକୁ ପଢ଼ ଓ ଏହାପରେ ଦିଆଯାଇଥିବା ପ୍ରଶ୍ନଗୁଡ଼ିକର ଉତ୍ତର ଦିଅ ।)
1. “Have a cherry, Grandfather;” he said, as soon as he saw his grandfather in the garden.
Grandfather took one cherry and Rakesh promptly ate the other two. He kept the last seed in his mouth for some time, rolling it round and round on his tongue until all the tang had gone. Then he placed the seed on the palm of his hand and studied it.
“Are cherry seeds lucky?” asked Rakesh.
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll keep it.
“Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck, you must put it to some use.”
(i) Substitute the underlined phrase with a correct word from the extract.
(ଉଦ୍ଧୃତାଂଶରୁ ସଠିକ୍/ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ଶବ୍ଦ ନେଇ ରେଖାଙ୍କିତ ବାକ୍ୟାଶ ବଦଳରେ ବ୍ୟବହାର କର ।)
The Kho-kho captain changed her strategy quickly and without delay when a new player came in from the opening team.
Answer:
The Kho-kho captain changed her strategy promptly when a new player came in from the opposing team.
(ii) What does Rakesh’s action of rolling the cherry seed in his mouth most likely suggest about his mood at that moment?
(ରାକେଶର ନିଜ ମୁହଁ ଭିତରେ ଚେରି ମଞ୍ଜିକୁ ବୁଲାଇବାର କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ସେହି ମୁହୂର୍ତ୍ତରେ ତା’ର କେଉଁ ମନୋଭାବକୁ ସୂଚାଉଛି ?)
A. He is feeling impatient and restless.
B. He is enjoying the taste and the moment.
C. He is bored and has nothing better to do.
D. He is thoughtful and feeling playful.
Answer:
B. He is enjoying the taste and the moment.
(iii) Complete the following sentence suitably with reference to Rakesh and his grandfather.
(ରାକେଶ ଓ ତାହାର ଜେଜେବାପାଙ୍କୁ ଭିଡ଼ିକରି ନିମ୍ନଲିଖତ ବାକ୍ୟକୁ ପୂରଣ କର ।)
Answer:
Rakesh’s decision to plant the seed shows that he respects and values his grandfather’s advice. (he respects and values his grandfather’s advice/he has a close bond with his grandfather and a willingness to learn from him)
(iv) What is grandfather’s view about luck ?
(ଭାଗ୍ୟ ବିଷୟରେ ଜେଜେବାପାଙ୍କର ମତ କ’ଣ ଅଟେ ?)
Answer:
According to grandfather if Rakesh wants luck, he must put it to some use. (ସେ ଏହାକୁ କୌଣସି ଭଲ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରେ ଲଗାଇବା ଦରକାର ।)
2. Winter came early. The cherry tree bent low with the weight of snow. Field- mice sought shelter in the roof of the cottage. The road from the valley was blocked, and for several days there was no newspaper; and this made Grandfather quite grumpy. His stories began to have unhappy endings. In February it was Rakesh’s birthday. He was nine-and the tree was four; but almost as tall as Rakesh.
(i) Complete the following sentence suitably.
(ନିମ୍ନଲିଖୂତ ବାକ୍ୟକୁ ସଠିକ୍ ଭାବରେ ପୂରଣ କର ।)
(Questions with Answer)
The phrase “field mice sought shelter in the roof of the cottage” suggests that the field mice badly needed warmth (ନିହାତି ଉଷ୍ଣତା ଦରକାର କରୁଥିଲା) by avoiding the cold snow. (ଥଣ୍ଡା/ଶୀତଳ ବରଫରୁ ଦୂରେଇ ରହି). The snow was too cold for them to bear.
(ii) What can be inferred about the cherry tree’s toughness from the line, “The cherry tree bent low with the weight of snow?’
(“The cherry tree bent low (ନଇଁ ପଡ଼ିଥିଲା) with the weight of snow (ବରଫର ଓଜନରେ) ଏହି ବାକ୍ୟ / ଧାଡ଼ିରୁ ଚେରି ଗଛ ବିଷୟରେ କ’ଣ ଅନୁମାନ କରାଯାଇପାରେ ?)
Answer:
(B) The tree could withstand harsh weather (କଠୋର ପାଗ )
(iii) How did the early winter affect grandfather’s mood and story telling?
(ସହଳ ଶୀତ କିପରି ଜେଜେବାପାଙ୍କର ମନୋଭାବ ଓ ଗପ କଥନକୁ ପ୍ରଭାବିତ କରୁଥିଲା ?)
Answer:
The early winter made grandfather quite grumpy (ଅଧ୍ବକ ଚିଡ଼ିଚିଡ଼ା) as (ଯେହେତୁ) newspaper didn’t come for several (many) days and also his stories showed endings with sadness of bes
(iv) Complete the sentence by choosing the correct option.
The comparison of Rakesh’s age to the cherry tree’s age symbolises ……………… (the tree’s growth paralleling Rakesh’s own development/the tree standing as a dear one on Rakesh’s birthday
Answer:
The comparison of Rakesh’s age to the age of cherry trees symbolise. (କରୁଛି) the tree’s growth (ବୃଦ୍ଧି/ବିକାଶ) paralleling ( ସମାନ୍ତରାଳ ଭାବରେ) Rakesh’s own development.
Answer the following questions.
Question 1.
Why did Rakesh’s parents send him to Mussoorie?
(ରକେଶର ବାପାମା’ କାହିଁକି ତାଙ୍କୁ ମସୁରୀ ପଠାଇଲେ ?)
Answer:
Rakesh’s parents sent him (Rakesh) to Mussoorie because/as there were no schools in their village. Besides they thought that he (Rakesh) should go to school.
Question 2.
Why did Rakesh let the praying-mantis remain on the branch of the cherry tree?
(ରାକେଶ କାହିଁକି ଶିକାରୀ ଝିଣ୍ଟିକାଟିକୁ ଚେରିଡାଳରେ ବସିବାକୁ/ରହିବାକୁ ଦେଲା ?)
Answer:
Rakesh let the praying-mantis remain on the branch of the cherry tree because it was the tree’s first visitor.
Question 3.
How is life in the Himalayan foothills described in the story?
(ଗଳ୍ପରେ ହିମାଳୟ ପାଦଦେଶରେ ଜୀବନକୁ କିଭଳି ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରାଯାଇଛି ?)
Answer:
In the Himalaya foothills Rakesh lived with his parents. There were a few fruit trees as the stony soil and the dry cold winds had impeded the growth of most plants. But forests of oak and deodar grew on the more sheltered slops in the mountains.
Question 4.
What might Rakesh mean when he says, “Is this what is feels to be God?” at the end of the story?
(ଗପର ଶେଷରେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ରାକେଶ କହିଛି, “‘ଏହା କ’ଣ ଈଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ଭଳି ଅନୁଭୂତ ହେଉଛି ?” ଏହାର ଅର୍ଥ ସେ କ’ଣ ବୁଝିଥାଇପାରେ ?
Answer:
At the end of the story when Rakesh says, “Is this what it feels to be God?”
Question 5.
here he might mean the miracles in the cherry tree with smooth bark, trunk and leaves produced from just a seed as it is God who is the other name of miracle. How does the writer describe the relationship between Rakesh and his grandfather?
(ଲେଖକ କିଭଳି ରାକେଶ ଓ ତାହାର ଜେଜେବାପା ଭିତରେ ଥିବା ସମ୍ପର୍କ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରିଛନ୍ତି ?)
Answer:
As the writer describes, Rakesh and his grandfather were intimately (deeply – 1860) related to each other. Grandfather was very affectionately and loving to Rakesh. Rakesh on the other hand looked upon 292ilodri him (ତାଙ୍କୁ ବିବେଚନା କରୁଥିଲା) as his adviser (ପରାମର୍ଶଦାତା), guide or mentor (ସଠିକ୍ ମାର୍ଗଦର୍ଶନକାରୀ).
Question 6.
What can you infer about the connection between humans and nature based on the story ?
(ଗଳ୍ପ ଉପରେ ଭିଭିକରି ମାନବ ଓ ପ୍ରକୃତି ମଧ୍ୟରେ ସଂପର୍କିତ ତୁମେ କ’ଣ ଅନୁମାନ କରୁଛ ?)
Answer:
So far as the connection between humans and nature based on the story is concerned (ଜଡ଼ିତ) I can guess the cherry tree grows luxuriantly (ଛନଛନିଆ ଭାବେ) adding to the beauty of nature as Rakesh does (grows) both (tree and Rakesh) fostering (ବୃଦ୍ଧିଲାଭ କରି) on care (ଯନ୍ତ୍ର), patience (ସହନଶୀଳତା) and fortitude (ସାହସିକତା),
Question 7.
Imagine Rakesh reflects on his wonderful experience of watching a seed being transformed into a full-grown cherry tree. Write how he must have felt.
(କଳ୍ପନା କର ଗୋଟିଏ ମଞ୍ଜି ଏକ ପୂର୍ବ-ବର୍ଦ୍ଧିଷ୍ଠ ଚେରି ଗଛରେ ପରିଣତ ହେବାର ଦେଖୁ ରାକେଶ ନିଜର ଚମତ୍କାର ଅନୁଭୂତି ବିଷୟରେ ଗଭୀର ଭାବେ ଚିନ୍ତା କରୁଛି ।)
Answer:
Rakesh has the wonderful experience of watching a seed being transformed into a full grown cherry tree. As he (Rakesh) himself was involved (ଜଡ଼ିତ ଥୁଲା ) right from planting the seed and till it assumed (took) the form of a tree, he must have been excited and thrilled (ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ଉତ୍ସାହିତ ଓ ରୋମାଞ୍ଚିତ ହୋଇଥୁବ).
Let us Learn (ଆସ ଶିଖୁବା):
I. Each word list has one word that doesn’t match with the other words. Identify the odd word. One example has been done for you. (ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ଶବ୍ଦ ତାଲିକାରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଶବ୍ଦ ଅନ୍ୟ ଶବ୍ଦଗୁଡ଼ିକ ସହିତ ମେଳ ଖାଉନାହିଁ ବା ସମ୍ପର୍କିତ ନୁହେଁ । ଭିନ୍ନ ଶବ୍ଦଟିକୁ ଚିହ୍ନଟ କର । ତୁମ ପାଇଁ ଗୋଟିଏ ଉଦାହରଣ କରି ଦିଆଯାଇଛି ।)
Example: Chop, trim, slice, mince
(‘chop’, ‘slice’ and ‘mince’ are words used for cutting with knife; whereas ‘trim’ is to cut a part with a pair of scissors)
(‘trim’ କଇଁଚିରେ କାଟିବାକୁ ବୁଝାଉଥବା ବେଳେ ‘chop’, ‘slice’, ‘mince’ ଛୁରୀରେ କାଟିକାକୁ ବୁଝାଏ ।)
1. plodded, galloped, scrambled, trudged
Answer:
[galloped – ran quickly (ତୀବ୍ରଭାବରେ ଦୌଡ଼ିଲା)
plodded – walked slowly, tiredly (କ୍ଳାନ୍ତ ହୋଇ ଧୀରେ ଧୀରେ ଚାଲିଲା)
scrambled – walked quickly with difficulty
trudged – walked slowly due to hard work (ପରିଶ୍ରମ ହେତୁ ଧୀରେ ଧୀରେ ଚାଲିଲା)]
2. tender, delicate, soft, smooth
Answer:
delicate – ସୂକ୍ଷ୍ମ ବା ଭଙ୍ଗୁର
[tender, soft, smooth – ନରମ ବା ମସୃଣ]
3. stared, peered, pecked, gazed
Answer:
[pecked – heat with beak
peered, stared, gazed – ନିରିଖେଇ ଚାହିଁଲା |ଏକ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରେ ଦେଖୁଲା]
4. growing, blossoming, progressing, planting
Answer:
planting, growing, blossoming, progressing ( ବା ବୃଦ୍ଧି କରିବା)
II. Choose the most suitable taste words given in the box below and write against the food items that follow.
(ନିମ୍ନ ପ୍ରଦତ୍ତ ସବୁଠାରୁ ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ସ୍ୱାଦଯୁକ୍ତ ଶବ୍ଦକୁ ବାଛି ପରବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ଖାଦ୍ୟପଦାର୍ଥ ପାଖରେ ଲେଖ ।)
1. tamarind
2. jaggery
3. neem leaves
4. paneer (cottage cheese)
5. lemon
6. pickle
7. a dish of vegetables
Now, use any five taste words and make sentences of your own.
(ଏବେ ଯେ କୌଣସି ପାଞ୍ଚଟି ସ୍ଵାଦଯୁକ୍ତ ଶବ୍ଦ ବ୍ୟବହାର କରି ତୁମର ନିଜ ବାକ୍ୟ ଲେଖ ।)
Answer:
1. tamarind (ତେନ୍ତୁଳି) – sour (ଖଟା)
Tamarind tastes sour. (ତେନ୍ତୁଳି ଖଟା ଲାଗେ)
2. jaggery – sweet
Jaggery tastes sweet.
3. neem leaves – bitter
4. paneer (cottage cheese) – bland (tasteless)
Paneer tastes bland.
5. lemon – tangy
Lemon tastes tangy.
6. pickle – salty
7. a dish of vegetables – spicy
A dish of cooked vegetables tastes spicy.
III. Choose the correct antonyms for the textual words given below from the box. There are two extra words that you will not need.
(ତଳେ ବାକ୍ସ ଭିତରେ ଦିଆଯାଇଥିବା ପାଠ୍ୟ ବିଷୟଗତ ଶବ୍ଦଗୁଡ଼ିକର ସଠିକ୍ ବିପରୀତ ଶବ୍ଦ ବାଛ । ଦୁଇଟି ଅତିରିକ୍ତ ଶବ୍ଦ ଅଛି ଯାହା ତୁମର ଦରକାର ନାହିଁ ।)
Answer:
IV. Read the following lines from the text and underline the verbs in the forms of tense.
(ପାଠ୍ୟ ବିଷୟରୁ ନିମ୍ନଲିଖିତ ଧାଡ଼ିଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଓ ରେଖାଙ୍କିତ ଶବ୍ଦଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ କାଳ (Tense) ରୂପକୁ ପଢ଼ ।)
Answer:
1. Rakesh was on his way home from school when bought the cherries.
2. Rakesh was looking for Grandfather without finding him in any of his favourite places around the house.
3. Rakesh and Grandfather gazed (ଅପଲକ ଚାହିଁ ରହିଲେ) at the tree as though (ସତେଯେପରି) it had performed (କରିଥିଲା) a miracle.
Now, fill in the blanks with the correct form of Simple Past, Past Progressive, or Past Perfect Tenses of the verbs given in brackets. One example has been done for you. (ଏବେ | ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ବନ୍ଧନୀ ମଧ୍ଯରେ ଦିଆଯାଇଥିବା କ୍ରିୟାଗୁଡ଼ିକର Simple Past, Past Progressive କିମ୍ବା Past perfect Tense ଦ୍ଵାରା ଶୂନ୍ୟସ୍ଥାନ ପୂରଣ କର । ତୁମପାଇଁ ଗୋଟିଏ ଉଦାହରଣ କରି ଦିଆଯାଇଛି ।)
(i) I was sitting (sit) with my grandparents in the garden, sharing the wonderful memories from my childhood. As we (ii) ………… (talk), I (iii) ………… (realise) how much wisdom they (iv) ………… (impart) to me over the years. While I (v) ………… (listen) to their stories for hours together, I (vi) ………… (remember) the times we (vii) ………… (spend) together planting flowers and learning about life. By the time I left, the sun (viii) ………… (set), and I (ix) ………… (feel) a deep sense of gratitude for the bond we (x) ………… (nurture) through love, care, and countless memories.
Answer:
(ii) were talking (past progressive,
(iii) realised (simple past
(iv) had imparted (past perfect)
(v) was listening (ଶୁଣୁଥିଲି – past progressive),
(vi) remembered (ମନେ ପକାଇଥୁଲି – simple past),
(vii) spent (simple past)
(viii) has set (past perfect),
(ix) felt (ଅନୁଭବ କଲି – simple pasat)
(x) had nurtured (ପ୍ରତିପୋଷଣ କରିଥିଲୁ – past perfect)
V. Study the punctuation marks in the following sentences from the text.
(ପାଠ୍ୟ ବିଷୟରୁ ନିମ୍ନଲିଖତ ବାକ୍ୟଗୁଡ଼ିକରେ ବ୍ୟବହୃତ ବିରାମ ଚିହ୍ନ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ କର ।)
(a) “Hey, not there,” said Grandfather; “I’ve sown mustard in that bed. Plant it in that shady corner; where it won’t be disturbed.”
(b) When Grandfather saw what had happened, he went after the woman and scolded her; but the damage could not be repaired.
(c) She did not try to avoid the tree: one sweep, and the cherry tree was cut in two. Punctuation (ବିରାମ ଚିହ୍ନ) refers to (ସୂଚିତ କରେ) the symbols used in writing to clarify (ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ କରିବାପାଇଁ) meaning and separate sentences and their components (ଅଂଶବିଶେଷ). Proper punctuation ensures (ନିଶ୍ଚିତ କରିଥାଏ) the clarity (ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟତା) and flow of a text, guiding readers through its structure (ଏହାର ଗଠନ ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ).
Here are some of the most common punctuation marks :
(ଏଠାରେ କେତେକ ବହୁଳ ବ୍ୟବହୃତ ବିରାମ ଚିହ୍ନ ଦିଆଯାଇଛି ।)
- Full stop (.) (ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣଛେଦ) – ends a declarative sentence. (ଏକ ବିବୃତିମୂଳକ ବାକ୍ୟର ଶେଷକରେ)
For example: She went to the store. - Comma (,) – separates components in a list, clauses, or phrases within a sentence. (ଗୋଟିଏ ବାକ୍ୟରେ ଥିବା ଅଂଶବିଶେଷ, ବାକ୍ୟାଶ ବା ଖଣ୍ଡବାକ୍ୟଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଅଲଗା କରିଥାଏ ।) For example: We bought apples, oranges and bananas.
- Question Mark (ପ୍ରଶ୍ନସୂଚକ ଚିହ୍ନ) (?) – ends a direct question. (ଏକ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟକ୍ଷ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନକୁ ସମାପ୍ତ କରିଥାଏ ।)
For example: Where are you going?
Exclamation Mark (ବିସ୍ମୟସୂଚକ ଚିହ୍ନ) (!) — indicates strong emotion or emphasis. (ଦୃଢ଼ ଆବେଗ (ଖୁସି, ଈର୍ଷା, ଦୁଃଖ ଇତ୍ୟାଦି)କୁ ସୂଚିତ କରିଥାଏ ।) - For example : Watch out ! (ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ କର !)
Colon (:) — introduces a list, explanation or elaboration. (ଏକ ତାଲିକା, ବ୍ୟାଖ୍ୟା ଓ ବିସ୍ତାରଣକୁ ସୂଚିତ କରିଥାଏ ।) - For example: He had one goal (ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ) : win the race.
(ତା’ର ଏକମାତ୍ର ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ ଥିଲା : ଦୌଡ଼ ଜିତିବା ।) - Semicolon (;) (ଅର୍ଦ୍ଧଚ୍ଛେଦ) connects closely related independent clauses or separates complex list items. (ପରସ୍ପର ସଂବନ୍ଧିତ ପ୍ରଧାନ ଖଣ୍ଡବାକ୍ୟ ବା ଭିନ୍ନ ଜଟିଳ ଖଣ୍ଡ ବାକ୍ୟଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଅଲଗା କରିଥାଏ ।)
For example: She likes reading; he prefers writing. - Apostrophe (‘)
✓ In contractions – He’s (He is), they’ll (they will), I’m (I am)
✓ To show possession – Jagan’s book , the girl’s toys (ବାଳିକାଟିର ଖେଳନାଗୁଡ଼ିକ)
✓ If the noun ends in -s, add only the apostrophe – Manas’s car. - Quotation Marks (“ ”) – enclose direct speech or quotations (direct speech ବା ପ୍ରତ୍ୟକ୍ଷ ଉକ୍ତିକୁ ଉଦ୍ଧାର କରିବାରେ)
For example: She said, “I’m happy.” - Dash (-or-) – adds emphasis or separates related thoughts (ସମ୍ପର୍କିତ ଭାବନାକୁ ଅଲଗା କରିବାରେ)
For example: He was late – again.
Capitalisation Rules (ବଡ଼ ଅକ୍ଷର କରିବାର ନିୟମ) :
✓ Names of people and places – Priya, India
✓ With Names – Sneha, Dipu, Purbi…
✓ Deities and holy books – God, the Quran, the Bhagawad Gita
✓ First person pronoun – I
✓ Titles of books, poems or plays – Malgudi Days, The Road Not Taken, Good Heavens, etc.
✓ Adjectives from proper nouns – Indian, American.
✓ Geographical features, races, religions, languages – the Himalayas, Hindu, French.
✓ Languages Odia, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, Persian, Malayalam.
✓ Rivers, lakes, seas – Mahanadi, Quavery, Ganga, Nile (1991), Chilika, Sambar, Arabian sea.
✓ States, blocks, tahasils, towns – Odisha, Gujurat, Salipur, Mahanga, Puri.
Now, punctuate the following paragraph appropriately.
(ଏବେ ନିମ୍ନଲିଖତ ଅନୁଚ୍ଛେଦକୁ ବିରାମ ଚିହ୍ନ ଦେଇ ଲେଖ ।)
every sunday roshni would visit her grandparents house on their farm come sit grandpa would say patting the bench on their porch roshni loved these moments where the world slowed down and stories flowed like magic grandma would bring tea her eyes twinkling with joy.
I’m excited to hear about your younger days the adventures the lessons and the memories roshni said eagerly grandpa smiled softly his wrinkled hands resting on the cane ah the old days… when everything was simple and happiness was all we had roshni could feel the warmth of those memories he sat in silence bound not bywords but by a timeless bond
Answer:
Every Sunday, Roshni would visit her grandparents’ house on their farm. “Come, sit,”, Grandpa would say, patting the bench on their porch. Roshni loved these moments, where the world slowed down and stories flowed like magic. Grandma would bring tea, her eyes twinkling with joy.
“I’m excited to hear about your younger days – the adventures the lessons and the memories (ସ୍କ ତିସବୁ),” Roshni said eagerly (ଉତ୍ସୁକତାର ସହିତ). Grandpa smiled softly, his wrinkled hands resting on the cane. “Ah! The old days… when everything was simple and happiness was all we had.” Roshni could feel the warmth of those memories. He sat in silence bound not by words but by a timeless bond.
Let us Listen:
I. You will listen to a conversation between a son and his mother. As you listen, select four true statements from 1-7 given below. (Transcript for teacher on page 201)
(ତୁମେ ଜଣେ ପୁଅ ଓ ତା’ ମା ଭିତରେ ଚାଲିଥିବା ଏକ କଥୋପକଥନ ତୁମେ ଶୁଣିବ । ଶୁଣୁଥିବା ବେଳେ ନିମ୍ନପ୍ରଦତ୍ତ ୧–୭ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଚାରୋଟି ସତ୍ୟ ଅଭିବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଚୟନ କର । ଶିକ୍ଷକଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ Transcript ପୃଷ୍ଠା 201 ରେ ଅଛି ।)
1. The mother encouraged her son to deliver a presentation on the Chipko Movement.
2. The son was surprised to know about the Appiko Movement.
3. The son agreed that the Chipko Movement was about people uniting to make an impact.
4. The mother expressed a desire to share more details about Saalumarada Thimakka.
5. The mother was curious to hear about Saalumarada Thimakka.
6. The mother and son were in disagreement about the work of Jadav Payeng.
7. The son found the information on Jadav Payeng wonderful.
Answer:
The four true statements are:
1. The mother encouraged her son to deliver a presentation on the Chipko Movement.
2. The son was surprised to know about the Appiko Movement.
5. The mother was curious to hear about Saalumarada Thimakka.
7. The son found the information on Jadav Payeng wonderful
Let us speak (ଆସ । କହିବା) :
A syllable is a single, unbroken vowel sound in a word. Some words have only one syllable. Some have two and some more than two. For example, the word ‘tree’ has one syllable. The word ‘cherry’ has two syllables-che-rry. (Here the hyphen is used to mark the gap between the two syllables.)
A syllable can also be called a ‘beat’ because you can clap out the ‘beats’ in the word. A syllable is a single, unbroken vowel sound in a word.
(ଗୋଟିଏ ପଦାଶ ହେଉଛି ଏକ ଶବ୍ଦରେ ଥିବା ଏକ ଓ ଅଭଙ୍ଗ ସ୍ଵରଧ୍ଵନି)
Tree -(One syllable)
Che-rry-two syllable
Hyphen (-) is used to mark the gap between two syllables.
Beat – In speech, a “beat” refers to a single syllable. (দ্বেপাতার্থাচে 6০াবিণ beat ଏକ syllable ବା ପ୍ରଦଂଶ)
I. Work in pairs. Read aloud the following words from the text. Write the number of syllables in each word. Check your answers with your classmates and teacher.
(ଦୁଇଜଣିଆ ଦଳରେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କର । ପାଠ୍ୟ ବିଷୟରେ ଥିବା ନିମ୍ନଲିଖୁତ ଶବ୍ଦଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ବଡ଼ପାଟିରେ ପଢ଼ । ତୁମର ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ଶବ୍ଦରେ ଥିବା syllable ସଂଖ୍ୟା ଲେଖ । ଶ୍ରେଣୀ ସହପାଠୀ ଓ ଶିକ୍ଷକଙ୍କ ସହିତ ନିଜର ଉତ୍ତରଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଠିକ୍ ଅଛି କି ନାହିଁ ପରୀକ୍ଷା କର ।)
mountains-ma-oun-tains (three syllables or beats)
caterpillar-ca-ter-pi-llar (four syllables or beats)
slope – (one syllable or beat).
grandfather-grandfa-ther (two syllables or beats)
Himalayan – Hi-ma-layan (three syllables or beats)
newspaper – neo-ws-pa-pers (four syllables or beats)
tender -te-nder (two syllables or beats)
performed – (one syllable or beat)
favourite-fa-vo-rite (three syllables or beats)
disturbed-dis-turbed (two syllables or beats)
intention–in-ten-tion (three syllables or beats)
Now, read the words aloud again with the beats. Check if the number ofsyllables matches with the number of beats.
(ଏବେ ଉପରୋକ୍ତ ଶବ୍ଦଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ beats (ଏକ ପଦଂଶ) ସହ ବଡ଼ପାଟିରେ ପଢ଼ି । ପଦଂଶ’ ଓ beat ସଂଖ୍ୟା ସମାନ ହେଉଛି କି ନାହିଁ ପରୀକ୍ଷା କର ।)
II. Speak about Van Mahotsav Diwas and its significance. Before you speak in the class or assembly, prepare yourself on the following points :
(‘‘ବନ ମହୋତ୍ସବ ଦିବସ’’ ଓ ଏହାର ଗୁରୁତ୍ଵ ବିଷୟରେ କୁହ । ତୁମେ ଶ୍ରେଣୀରେ ବା ସଭାରେ କହିବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ନିମ୍ନୋକ୍ତ ନିମ୍ନୋକ୍ତ ବିନ୍ଦୁଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଉପରେ ନିଜକୁ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କର ।
- When is it celebrated?
- Who celebrates it?
- Why is it celebrated?
- How is it celebrated?
- What is the message it conveys ?
Answer:
It (Van Mahotsav) is celebrated from 1-7 July every year.
- Everyone in India including citizens, students, schools, NGOs (Non-Govt organisation) and government bodies celebrates it.
- Van Mahotsav is celebrated to raise awareness (ସଚେତନତା ବୃଦ୍ଧି କରିବା ପାଇଁ) about forest conservation (ଜଙ୍ଗଲ ସଂରକ୍ଷଣ) and promote afforestation (ବନୀକରଣର ବୃଦ୍ଧି କରିବା ପାଇଁ) emphasizing (ଗୁରୁତ୍ଵ ଦେଇ) vital roles (ଗୁରୁତ୍ଵପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଭୂମିକା) of trees for clean air, biodiversity mitigating climate changer and creating a greener sustainable India.
- The core activity behind the celebration of Van Mahotsav is planting saplings of native (trees in homes, schools, public places and forests, often with government support for distribution.
- The message Van Mahotsav conveys is the urge call (ଆହ୍ବାନ) of talking utmost care (ସର୍ବାଧ୍ଯକ ଯନ୍ତ୍ର ନେବା) of saplings (ଚାରା) or trees to help them grow as our safety and happy life (ନିରାପଦ ଓ ସୁଖୀ ଜୀବନ) lies (ନିହିତ ଅଟେ) in the preservation of nature (ପ୍ରକୃତିର ସଂରକ୍ଷଣରେ).
Let us write (ଆସ ଲେଖିବା)
An article is a piece of writing on a specific topic. It show cases independent opinions expressed by a writer. Articles are published in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, journals, and online portals.
(‘Article’ ହେଉଛି ଏକ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ବିଷୟବସ୍ତୁ ଉପରେ ଆଧାରିତ ଗୋଟିଏ ଲେଖା । ଏହା ଜଣେ ଲେଖକଙ୍କର ସ୍ଵାଧୀନମତ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶିତ କରିଥାଏ । ସାଧାରଣତଃ articles ସମ୍ବାଦପତ୍ର, ମୁଦ୍ରିତ ବିବରଣୀ, ପତ୍ରପତ୍ରିକା ବା online portals ରେ ପ୍ରକାଶିତ ହୋଇଥାଏ ।)
Let us understand how to draft an article for a school magazine.
(ଆସ ଏବେ ବୁଝିବା ଗୋଟିଏ ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟ ପତ୍ରିକା ପାଇଁ କିଭଳି ଗୋଟିଏ article ଲେଖୁବାକୁ ହୁଏ ।)
Remember to
- write the heading or title at the top, (ଲେଖାର ଶୀର୍ଷରେ ବିଷୟର ଶୀର୍ଷକ (ନାମ) ଲେଖ ।)
- write the name of the writer below it as a byline, and (ଶୀର୍ଷକ (ତଳ/ପ୍ରାୟ ମଝିରେ। ଲେଖଙ୍କର ନାମ ଲେଖ ।)
- follow the correct layout. (ସଠିକ୍ ନମୂନା ଅନୁସରଣ କର ।)
✓ Paragraph 1: Give a brief introduction of the topic or issue. Focus on the main idea of the paragraph. (ନିଜର ବସ୍ତୁ ବା ଶୀର୍ଷକ ସମ୍ବନ୍ଧରେ ଏକ ସଂକ୍ଷିପ୍ତ ଉପକ୍ରମ ଦିଅ । Paragraph ର ମୁଖ୍ୟ ପ୍ରସଙ୍ଗ ଉପରେ ଧ୍ୟାନକେନ୍ଦ୍ରିତ କର ।)
✓ Paragraph 2: Elaborate by giving facts and advantages.
✓ Paragraph 3: Include consquences and disadvantages.
✓ Paragraph 4: Provide suggestions. End with a word of hope, a word of caution or a call for action. (ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ ଉପସ୍ଥାପନ କର । ଆଶାବ୍ୟକ୍ତ କରି ଏକ ଶବ୍ଦ କିମ୍ବା ଏକ ଚେତାବନୀସୂଚକ ଏକ ଶବ୍ଦ କିମ୍ବା ଏକ ଆହ୍ଵାନ ଦେଇ ଅନୁଚ୍ଛେଦ ସଂପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କର ।)
Now, complete the article for a magazine on ‘Trees-Our Lifeline’. Use the words and phrases given in the box below.
(ଏବେ ଏକ ପତ୍ରିକା ପାଇଁ ‘Trees our Lifeline’ ବିଷୟ ଉପରେ ଏକ ପ୍ରବନ୍ଧ ଲେଖ । ନିମ୍ନ ପ୍ରଦତ୍ତ କୋଠାରିରେ ଦିଆଯାଇଥିବା ଶବ୍ଦ ଓ ବାକ୍ୟାଶଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ବ୍ୟବହାର କର ।)
(i) …………by (write your name and class) Trees are essential for life on Earth. Without them, life as we know (ii) …………. This is the reason why trees are our lifeline. Trees provide us with food, shelter, and even medicine. Trees (iii) ………… and release oxygen, helping us breathe. This process also (iv) ………… and keeps the environment clean. (v) ………… trees give us fruits, nuts, and other foods. Trees also help in (vi) ………… and prevention of soil erosion. (vii) …………, the air would be would (viii) ………… would be barren, lacking food, shelter, and life-giving greenery. (ix) ………… trees are true friends. Protecting and planting trees (x) ………. for everyone on Earth. Therefore, we must act now to protect and plant more trees, preserving Earth’s green lifeline for future generations.
Trees-Our Lifeline — By Jyoti Biswal, Class – VIII
Trees are essential (very necessary) for life on earth. Without them, life as well know, would stop existing. This is reason (ଏଇଥପାଇଁ) why trees are our lifeline (ଜୀବନରେଖା ) Trees provide (ଯୋଗାଇଥାଏ) us with food, shelter (ଆଶ୍ରୟ/ବାସସ୍ଥଳ) and even (ଏପରିକି) medicine. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping us breath. This process also reduces pollution and keeps the environment clean. Additionally trees give us fruits, nuts and other foods.
Trees also help in climate control ( ନିୟନ୍ତ୍ରଣ) and prevention of soil erosion (ମୃଭିକା କ୍ଷୟରୋଧ). If trees weren’t there the air would be hot. The earth would be barren, lacking foud, shelter and life-giving greenery. To conclude trues are our tree friend. Protecting and planting trees ensures a better life (ଏକ ଉତ୍ତମ ଜୀବନ ସୁନିଶ୍ଚିତ କରିଥାଏ) for everyone on Earth. Therefore, we must act now to protect and plant more trees, preserving Earth’s green lifeline for future generations (ଭବିଷ୍ୟତ ପୀଢ଼ି ପାଇଁ ).
Let us explore (ଆସ ଅନ୍ଵେଷଣ କରିବା)
I. Did you know that the banyan tree is the National Tree of India?
(ତୁମେ ଜାଣିଥୁଲ କି ବରଗଛ ହେଉଛି ଭାରତର ଜାତୀୟ ବୃକ୍ଷ ?)
Our country has age-old banyan trees. Some of them are:
(ଆମ ଦେଶରେ ଅନେକ ପ୍ରାଚୀନ ବରଗଛ ଅଛି । ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ କେତେକ ହେଲା
1. The Great Banyan, located in Shibpur, Howrah, near Kolkata.
2. Dodda Aalada Mara, located in Kethohalli village, near Bengaluru.
3. Thimmamma Marrimanu, in Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh. It was recorded as the largest tree specimen in the world in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989.
II. The Chilika Lake in Odisha is a vital echosystem particularly for migratory birds and the Odisha Government has implemented various mesures to protect it. This lake is designed as a wet land of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1981 highlighting its global significance (ଏହାର ବୈଶିକ ଗୁରୁତ୍ଵକୁ ଆଲୋକପାତ କରି).. The core area of Chilika lake Nalabana Island is designated as a Bird sancturary protecting significant wintering ground for migrating birds. The Chilika Development Authority monitors and manages the lake’s echosystem including it’s water quality. It prevents all illegal actions like Prawn and encroachment (ଜବରଦଖଲ).
The Cherry Tree Class 8 Summary
Let us read (ଆସ ପଢ଼ିବା) :
One day, when Rakesh was six, he walked home from the Mussoorie bazaar eating cherries. They were a little sweet, a little sour; small, bright red cherries, which had come all the way from the Kashmir Valley. Here in the Himalayan foothills where Rakesh lived, there were not many fruit trees. The soil was stony, and the dry cold winds stunted the growth of most plants. But on the more sheltered slopes there were forests of oak and deodar.
Rakesh lived with his grandfather on the outskirts of Mussoorie, just where the forest began. His father and mother lived in a small village fifty miles away, where they grew maize and rice and barley in narrow terraced fields on the lower slopes of the mountain. But there were no schools in the village, and Rakesh’s parents were keen that he should go to school. As soon as he was of school-going age, they sent him to stay with his grandfather in Mussoorie.
ଆସୁ ଏବେ ରାକେଶ ଛ’ ବର୍ଷର ଥିଲା ଦିନେ ସେ ମସୌରୀ ବଜାରରୁ ଚେରି ଖାଇ ଖାଇ ଘରକୁ ଚାଲି ଚାଲି ଚେରିଗୁଡ଼ିକ ସାମାନ୍ୟ ମିଠା, ଟିକେ ଖଟା, କ୍ଷୁଦ୍ର ଈଷତ୍ ଲାଲ ରଙ୍ଗର ଥିଲା, ଯେଉଁଗୁଡ଼ିକ କାଶ୍ମୀର ଉପତ୍ୟକାରୁ ଦୀର୍ଘପଥ ଦେଇ ମସୌରୀ ବଜାରକୁ ଆସିଥିଲା ।
ହିମାଳୟ ପାଦଦେଶରେ ଯେଉଁଠାରେ ରାକେଶ ବାସ କରୁଥିଲେ ସେଠାରେ ଅଧିକ ଫଳଗଛ ନଥିଲା । ମାଟି ପଥୁରିଆ ଥୁଲା ଓ ଶୁଷ୍କ ଶୀତୁଆ ପବନ ଅଧିକାଂଶ ଚାରାର ବୃଦ୍ଧିକୁ ବାଧା ଦେଉଥିଲା । କିନ୍ତୁ ଅଧିକ ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ ନିମ୍ନ ବା ଢାଲୁ ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ ଓକ୍ ଓ ଦେବଦାରୁ ଗଛର ଜଙ୍ଗଲ ଥିଲା ।
ମସୌରୀର ଉପାନ୍ତରେ ରାକେଶ ତାହାର ଜେଜେବାପା ସହିତ ରହୁଥିଲା, ଠିକ୍ ଯେଉଁଠାରେ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୋଇଥିଲା । ପଚାଶ ମାଇଲ୍ ଦୂରରେ ତାହାର ବାପାମା’ ଏକ ଛୋଟ ଗ୍ରାମରେ ରହୁଥିଲେ ସେମାନେ ପର୍ବତର ନିମ୍ନ ଢାଲୁର ଉପରିସ୍ଥ ସଂକୀର୍ଣ୍ଣ ସୋପାନରେ ମକା, ଧାନ ଓ ଯଅ ଚାଷ କରୁଥିଲେ ।କିନ୍ତୁ ଗାଁରେ କୌଣସି ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟ ନଥିଲା ଓ ରାକେଶର ବାପାମା’ ଚାହୁଁଥିଲେ ଯେ ସେମାନଙ୍କର ପୁଅ ରାକେଶ ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟକୁ ଯିବା ଉଚିତ । ସେ (ରାକେଶ) ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟ ଯିବାର ବୟସ ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ ହେବାମାତ୍ରେ ସେମାନେ ତାକୁ ମସୌରୀରେ ରହୁଥିବା ତାହାର ଅଜାଙ୍କ ବାପାଙ୍କ ପାଖକୁ ପଠାଇଦେଲେ ।
He had a little cottage outside the town.
Rakesh was on his way home from school when he bought the cherries. He paid fifty paise for the bunch. It took him about half-an-hour to walk home, and by the time he reached the cottage there were only three cherries left. ‘Have a cherry, Grandfather,’ he said, as soon as he saw his grandfather in the garden. Grandfather took one cherry and Rakesh promptly ate the other two. He kept the last seed in his mouth for some time, rolling it round and round on his tongue until all the tang had gone. Then he placed the seed on the palm of his hand and studied it.
ସହର ବାହାରେ ତାଙ୍କର ଗୋଟିଏ ଛୋଟ କୁଡ଼ିଆ ଥିଲା ।
ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟରୁ ଘରକୁ ଫେରୁଥିଲାବେଳେ ରାକେଶ ଚେରି କିଣିଥିଲା । ପେନ୍ଥାଏ ଚେରି ପାଇଁ ସେ ପଚାଶ ପଇସା ଦେଇଥିଲା । ଚାଲିଚାଲି ଘରକୁ ଆସିବାପାଇଁ ତାକୁ ପ୍ରାୟ ଅଧଘଣ୍ଟା ଲାଗୁଥିଲା ଓ ଯେତେବେଳେ ସେ କୁଡ଼ିଆ ପାଖରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିଲା ସେଥିରେ କେବଳ ତିନୋଟି ଚେରି ଥିଲା । ଅଜାଙ୍କୁ ବଗିଚାରେ ଦେଖିବାମାତ୍ରେ ସେ ଚେରି ନେଲେ ଓ ରାକେଶ ସଙ୍ଗେ ସଙ୍ଗେ ଅନ୍ୟ ତାଙ୍କୁ କହିଲା, ‘ଅଜା, ଗୋଟିଏ ଚେରି ଖାଅ ।’’ ଅଜା ଗୋଟିଏ ଦୁଇଟି ଚେରି ଖାଇ ପକାଇଲା । ଜିଭରେ ଶେଷ ଚେରି ମଞ୍ଜିକୁ ଘୂରାଇ ଘୂରାଇ ସେ ପାଟିରେ ଏହାକୁ ରଖୁଲା ଯେ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଏହାର କଟୁସ୍ଵାଦ ଶେଷ ନ ହୋଇଛି । ତା’ପରେ ସେ ହାତର ପାପୁଲି ବା ଚକିରେ ମଞ୍ଜିଟିକୁ ରଖୁଲା ଓ ଏହାକୁ ତନ୍ନ ତନ୍ନ କରି ପରୀକ୍ଷଣ କଲା ।
‘Are cherry seeds lucky?’ asked Rakesh.
‘Of course.’
“Then I’ll keep it.’
‘Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want
luck, you must put it to some use.’ up
What can I do with a seed? ‘Plant it.’
So Rakesh found a small space and began to dig Up a flowerbed.
‘Hey, not there,’ said Grandfather. ‘I’ve sown mustard in that bed. Plant it in that shady corner, where it won’t be disturbed.’ Rakesh went to a corner of the garden where the earth was soft and yielding. He did not have to dig.
He pressed the seed into the soil with his thumb and it went right in.
Then he had his lunch, and ran off to play cricket with his friends, and forgot all about the cherry seed.
When it was winter in the hills, a cold wind blew down from the snows and went whoo-whoo-whoo in the deodar trees, and the garden was dry and bare.
‘‘ଚେରି ମଞ୍ଜିଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଶୁଭପ୍ରଦ କି ?’’ ରାକେଶ ପଚାରିଲା ।
‘ଅବଶ୍ୟ/ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ।’’
‘ତା’ ହେଲେ ମୁଁ ଏହାକୁ ରଖୁଛି ।’’
‘‘ତୁ ଯଦି ଏହାକୁ କେବଳ ରଖୁଦେବୁ ତା’ହେଲେ ତୋ’ପାଇଁ କିଛି ଶୁଭପ୍ରଦ ହେବନାହିଁ । ତୁ’ ଯଦି ଶୁଭଫଳ ଚାହୁଁଛୁ, ତୁ ଏହାକୁ କିଛି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରେ ଲଗାଇଦେ ।’’
‘ମୁଁ ଗୋଟିଏ ମଞ୍ଜିକୁ କ’ଣ କରିପାରିବି ???
‘‘ଏହାକୁ ମାଟିରେ ପୋତି ପକା ।’’
ଏବେ ରାକେଶ ଗୋଟିଏ ଛୋଟ ଖାଲି ଜାଗା ପାଇଗଲା ଓ ଗୋଟିଏ ଫୁଲ ପଟାଳିକୁ ଖୋଳିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲା ।
“ ‘ଆରେ, ସେଠାର ନୁହେଁ,’’ ଅଜା କହିଲେ । ‘ମୁଁ ସେଠାରେ ସୋରିଷ ବୁଣିଛି, ତୁ ମଞ୍ଜିଟିକୁ ସେଇ ଛାଇଥିବା କୋଣରେ ପୋତିଦେ ଯେଉଁଠାରେ ଏହାର ଅସୁବିଧା ହେବନି ।’’
ରାକେଶ ବଗିଚାର ଗୋଟିଏ କୋଣକୁ ଗଲା, ଯେଉଁଠାରେ ମାଟି ନରମ ଓ ସନ୍ତସନ୍ତିଆ ଥିଲା । ତେଣୁ ରାକେଶକୁ ମାଟି ଖୋଳିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିଲା ନାହିଁ ।
ବୁଢ଼ା ଅଙ୍ଗୁଳିରେ ସେ ମାଟି ଭିତରେ ମଞ୍ଜିଟିକୁ ଚାପି ଦେଲା ଓ ମଞ୍ଜିଟି ଠିକ୍ ଭାବରେ ଭିତରେ ରହିଗଲା । ତା’ପରେ ସେ ନିଜର ମଧ୍ୟାହ୍ନ ଭୋଜନ କଲା ଓ ସାଙ୍ଗମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ କ୍ରିକେଟ ଖେଳିବାକୁ ଦୌଡ଼ି ପକାଇଲା ଏବଂ ଚେରି ମଞ୍ଜି ବିଷୟରେ ସବୁକିଛି ଭୁଲିଗଲା ।
ଯେତେବେଳେ ପାହାଡ଼ଗୁଡ଼ିକରେ ଶୀତ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହେଲା, ବରଫରୁ ଏକ ଶୀତଳ ପବନ ତଳକୁ ପ୍ରବାହିତ ହେଲା ଓ ଦେବଦାରୁ ଗଛରେ ସୁ ସୁ କରି ବହିଲା ଏବଂ ବଗିଚାଟି ଶୁଷ୍କ (ଶୁଖୁଲା) ଓ ଥୁଣ୍ଟା ହୋଇଗଲା ।
They knew it was spring when the wild duck flew north again, to Siberia. Early in the morning, when he got up to chop wood and light a fire, Rakesh saw the V-shaped formation streaming northward, the calls of the birds carrying clearly through the thin mountain air. One morning in the garden he bent to pick up what he thought was a small twig and found to his surprise that it was well rooted. He stared at it for a moment, then ran to fetch Grandfather, calling, ‘Dada, come and look, the cherry tree has come up!’
ସେମାନେ ଜାଣିଥିଲେ ଏବେ ବସନ୍ତ ଋତୁ, ଯେତେବେଳେ ଜଙ୍ଗଲୀ ବତକ ପୁନଶ୍ଚ ଉତ୍ତର ଦିଗଦେଇ ସାଇବେରିଆକୁ ଉଡ଼ିଗଲେ । ବଡ଼ି ସକାଳେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ସେ କାଠଚିରି ଏଥୁରେ ନିଆଁ ଲଗାଇବାକୁ ଉଠିପଡ଼ିଲା, ରାକେଶ ପତଳା ପାର୍ବତୀୟ ବାୟୁ ଦେଇ ଉତ୍ତର ଆଡ଼କୁ ଉଡୁଥିବା ପକ୍ଷୀମାନଙ୍କର V ଆକୃତିରେ ଏକ ରୂପରେଖ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ କଲା ।
ବଗିଚାରେ ଦିନେ ସକାଳେ ଏକ ଛୋଟ ଡାଳକୁ ଉଠାଇବା ପାଇଁ ରାକେଶ ନଇଁ ପଡ଼ିଲା ଏବଂ ତା’ର ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟର ସୀମା ରହିଲା ନାହିଁ, ଯେତେବେଳେ ସେ ଏହି ଡାଳକୁ ଭଲ ଭାବରେ ଚେରରେ ଦୃଢ଼ ଭାବରେ ବାନ୍ଧି ହୋଇଥିବାର ଦେଖୁଲା । ଗୋଟିଏ ମୁହୂର୍ତ୍ତ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ସେ ଏହି ଡାଳକୁ ଏକ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରେ ଦେଖୁଲା ଓ ଉତ୍ସୁକତାର ସହିତ ଜେଜେବାପାଙ୍କୁ ଡାକିବାପାଇଁ ଦୌଡ଼ିଯାଇ କହିଲା, ‘ଜେଜେ ! ଆସି ଦେଖ ଚେରି ଗଛ ଉଠିଛି ।’
‘What cherry tree?? asked Grandfather, who had forgotten about it. “The seed we planted last year look, it’s come up!’
Rakesh went down on his haunches, while Grandfather bent almost double and peered down at the tiny tree. It was about four inches high.
‘Yes, it’s a cherry tree,’ said Grandfather. You should water it now and then.’ water.
Rakesh ran indoors and came back with a bucket of
‘Don’t drown it!’ said Grandfather.
Rakesh gave it a sprinkling and circled it with pebbles.
‘Yes, it’s a cherry tree,’ said Grandfather. You should water it now and then.’
Rakesh ran indoors and came back with a bucket of water.
‘Don’t drown it!’ said Grandfather.
Rakesh gave it a sprinkling and circled it with pebbles.
‘What are the pebbles for?’ asked Grandfather. Tor privacy,’ said Rakesh.
‘‘କେଉଁ ଚେରି ଗଛ ?’’ ଅଜା ପଚାରିଲେ, ଯିଏକି ସେ ବିଷୟରେ ଭୁଲି ଯାଇଥିଲେ । ‘‘ଆମେ ଗତବର୍ଷ ଯେଉଁ ମଞ୍ଜି ପୋତିଥିଲୁ – ଦେଖ, ଏହା ବାହରି ଆସିଛି ।’’
ରାକେଶ ନଇଁ ପଡ଼ିଲା ଯେତେବେଳେ କି ତା’ର ଅଜା ଦୁଇଗୁଣ ନଇଁପଡ଼ି ଛୋଟ ଗଛଟିକୁ ନିରିଖେଇ ଚାହିଁଲେ । ଗଛଟି ପ୍ରାୟ ୪ ଇଞ୍ଚର ଉଚ୍ଚ ଥିଲା ।
“ ‘ହଁ ଏ ହେଉଛି ଗୋଟିଏ ଚେରି ଗଛ,’’ ଅଜା କହିଲେ । ‘‘ତୁ ଏବେ ଏହାକୁ ନିୟମିତ ଜଳ ଦେ ।’’ ରାକେଶ ଘର ଭିତରକୁ ଦୌଡ଼ିଲା ଓ ଏକ ବାଲ୍ଟି ଭର୍ତ୍ତି ଜଳ ଧରି ଫେରି ଆସିଲା । ‘‘ଏହାକୁ ବୁଡ଼ାନା ।’’ ଅଜା କହିଲା ।
ରାକେଶ ଗଛରେ ଜଳ ସିଞ୍ଚନ କଲା ଓ ଏହା ଚାରିପଟକୁ ଗୋଡ଼ିସବୁ ପୋତିଦେଲା । ‘ଗୋଡ଼ିସବୁ କେଉଁଥିପାଇଁ ?’’ ଅଜା ପଚାରିଲେ ।
‘ଗୋପନୀୟତା ପାଇଁ,’’ ରାକେଶ କହିଲା ।
He looked at the tree every morning but it did not seem to be growing very fast, so he stopped looking at it except quickly, out of the corner of his eye. And, after a week or two, when he allowed himself to look at it properly, he found that it had grown—at least an inch !
That year the monsoon rains came early and Rakesh plodded to and from school in raincoat and chappals. Even if sprang from the trunks of trees, strange-looking lilies came up in the long grass. Even If it wasn’t raining the trees dripped and mist came curling up the valley. The cherry tree grew quickly in this season.
It was about two feet high when a goat entered the garden and ate all the leaves. Only the main stem and two thin branches remained.
‘Never mind,’ said Grandfather, seeing that Rakesh was upset. “It will grow again, cherry trees are tough.’
ରାକେଶ ସବୁଦିନ ସକାଳେ ଗଛଟିକୁ ଦେଖୁଥିଲା କିନ୍ତୁ ଏହା ଅତି ଶୀଘ୍ର କ୍ଷିପ୍ର ଭାବରେ ବଢୁଥିବାର ଜଣାପଡୁ ନଥିଲା । କେବଳ କଣେଇକରି ଚାହିଁବା ଛଡ଼ା ସେ ଗଛଟିକୁ ଦେଖୁବା ବନ୍ଦ କରିଦେଲା । ଏବଂ ଗୋଟିଏ ବା ଦୁଇ ସପ୍ତାହ ପରେ ସେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ନିଜେ ଗଛଟିକୁ ଭଲଭାବରେ ଦେଖିବାକୁ ଚାହିଁଲା, ସେ ଦେଖୁଲା ଯେ ଗଛଟି ଅତିକମ୍ରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଇଞ୍ଚ ବଢ଼ିଛି ।
ସେହି ବର୍ଷ ମୌସୁମୀ ବର୍ଷା ଶୀଘ୍ର ଆସିଗଲା ଏବଂ ରାକେଶ ବର୍ଷାତି ପିନ୍ଧି ଓ ଚପଲ ପିନ୍ଧି ଧୀରେ ଧୀରେ ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟକୁ ଯିବା ଆସିବା କଲା । ସତେ ଯେପରି ଗଛର ଗଣ୍ଡିରୁ ହଠାତ୍ ବାହାରି ଆସିବାପରି ଲମ୍ବା ଘାସ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ବିଚିତ୍ର ଦେଖାଯାଉଥିବା କଇଁଫୁଲଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଖେଳିଗଲା । ଯଦିଓ ବର୍ଷା ହେଉ ନଥୁଲା, ଗଛଗୁଡ଼ିକରୁ ବିନ୍ଦୁବିନ୍ଦୁ ଜଳ ପଢୁଥିଲା ଓ କୁହୁଡ଼ି ଉପତ୍ୟକା ଉପର ଦେଇ ମୋଡ଼ି ମୋଡ଼ି ହୋଇ ଆସୁଥିଲା । ଏହି ଋତୁରେ ଚେରି ଗଛ ଶୀଘ୍ର ବଢ଼ିବାରେ ଲାଗିଥିଲା ।
ଗଛଟି ପ୍ରାୟ ଦୁଇ ଫୁଟ ବଢ଼ିଯାଇଥିଲା, ଯେତେବେଳେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଛେଳି ବଗିଚାରେ ପଶିଗଲା ଓ ଗଛର ପତ୍ରସବୁ ଖାଇପକାଇଲା । କେବଳ ମୁଖ୍ୟ ଡେମ୍ଫ ଓ ଦୁଇଟି ପତଳା ଡାଳ ରହିଥିଲା । ରାକେଶକୁ ଚିନ୍ତାଶୀଳ ଦେଖୁ ଅଜା ଅଟେ ।’’
II. Do you think the cherry tree would survive? Why do you think so?
Answer:
I think so (ଏଭଳି) because it has a strong will (ଦୃଢ଼ ଇଚ୍ଛା) to live, strength (ଶକ୍ତି) patience (ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟ) and the power of growth.
II. Towards the end of the rainy season new leaves appeared on the tree. Then a woman cutting grass scrambled down the hillside, her scythe swishing through the heavy monsoon foliage. She did not try to avoid the tree: one sweep, and the cherry tree was cut in two. When Grandfather saw what had happened, he went after the woman and scolded her; but the damage could not be repaired.
‘May be it will die now,’ said Rakesh.
‘May be,’ said Grandfather.
But the cherry tree had no intention of dying.
By the time summer came round again, it had sent out several new shoots with tender green leaves.
ବର୍ଷାଋତୁ ଶେଷବେଳକୁ ଗଛରେ ନୂଆ ପତ୍ର ଆସିଲା । ଏହାପରେ ବର୍ଷାକାଳୀନ ଗହଳ ଘନ ସବୁଜ ପତ୍ର ଦେଇ ଲମ୍ବା ବେଣ୍ଟ ଥିବା ଦାଆ ଧରି ଘାସ କାଟୁଥିବା ଜଣେ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଲୋକ ଲୋକ ପାହାଡ଼ ପାର୍ଶ୍ଵ ବା ଜାଗା ତଳକୁ ସୁ ସୁ କରି ଚଞ୍ଚଳ ଓହ୍ଲାଇ ଆସିଲା । ସେ ଗଛକୁ ଏଡ଼େଇ ଯିବାକୁ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରୁ ନଥିଲା । ଗୋଟିଏ କଟାରେ ଚେରି ଗଛଟି ଦୁଇଖଣ୍ଡ ହୋଇଗଲା । ଯେତେବେଳେ ଗଛର କ’ଣ ଘଟିଲା ବୋଲି ଜେଜେବାପା ଦେଖିଲେ ସେ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଲୋକର ପଛରେ ଗୋଡ଼ାଇଲେ ଓ ତାକୁ ଗାଳିଦେଲେ, ହେଲେ ଗଛର କ୍ଷତିକୁ ଭରଣା କରାଯାଇ ପାରିଲା ନାହିଁ ।
“‘ଏବେ ଏହା ମରିଯିବ,’’ ରାକେଶ ପଚାରିଲା ‘ବୋଧହୁଏ, ’’ ଅଜା ଉତ୍ତର ହେଲେ ।
କିନ୍ତୁ ଚେରି ଗଛର ମରିବାର ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ ନଥିଲା ।
ଯେତେବେଳେ ଗ୍ରୀଷ୍ମ ପୁଣି ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାୟକ୍ରମେ ଆସିଲା, ଅନେକ ନୂଆ କ୍ଷୁଦ୍ର ଡାଳ ଓ କୋମଳ ସବୁଜ ପତ୍ର ଚେରି ଗଛରେ ପଲ୍ଲବିତ ହେଲା ।
Rakesh had grown taller too. He was eight now, a sturdy boy with curly black hair and deep black eyes. Blackberry eyes, Grandfather ‘called them. That monsoon Rakesh went home to his village, to help his father and mother the planting and ploughing and sowing. He was thinner but stronger when he came back to Grandfather’s house at the end of the rains to find that the cherry tree had grown another foot. It was now up to his chest. Even when there was rain, Rakesh would sometimes water the tree. He wanted it to know that he was there.
ଏହା ଭିତରେ ରାକେଶ ମଧ୍ଯ ଡେଙ୍ଗା ହୋଇଯାଇଥିଲା । ସେ ଏବେ କୁଞ୍ଚକୁଞ୍ଚିଆ କେଶ ଓ ଈଷତ୍ କଳା ଆଖୁ ଧାରଣ କରିଥିବା ଆଠ ବର୍ଷର ଏକ ମଜବୁତ ବାଳକ/ଯୁବକ ଥିଲା । ଅଜା ତା’ ଆଖୁକୁ ଜାମୁକୋଳିଆ ଆଖ୍ ବୋଲି କହୁଥିଲେ ।
ସେହି ବର୍ଷା / ମୌସୁମୀ ଋତୁରେ ନିଜ ବାପାମା’ଙ୍କୁ ରୋପଣ, ଚାଷ ଓ ବୁଣା କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିବାପାଇଁ ରାକେଶ ଗାଁରେ ଥିବା ନିଜ ଘରକୁ ଗଲା । ସେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ବର୍ଷା ଶେଷରେ ତା’ ଜେଜେବାପା ଘରକୁ ଆସିଲା, ରାକେଶ ପତଳା ଦେଖାଯାଉଥିଲେ ବି ଅଧିକ ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ ଥିଲା । ସେ ଦେଖିବାକୁ ପାଇଲା ଯେ ଚେରି ଗଛରେ ଆଜି ଗୋଟିଏ ଫଳ ଫଳିଛି । ଫଳଟି ତା’ ଛାତି ଉଚ୍ଚତାର ଥିଲା
ଯଦିଓ ବର୍ଷା ଥିଲା ରାକେଶ ବେଳେବେଳେ ଚେରି ଗଛରେ ଜଳ ଦେଉଥିଲା । ସେ ଗଛକୁ ଜଣାଇବାକୁ ଚାହୁଁଥିଲା ଯେ ସେ (ରାକେଶ) ସେଠାରେ ଅଛି ।
One day he found a bright green praying-mantis perched on a branch, peering at him with bulging eyes. Rakesh let it remain there; it was the cherry tree’s first visitor. The next visitor was a hairy caterpillar, who started making a meal of the leaves. Rakesh removed it quickly and dropped it on a heap of dry leaves.
“Come back when you’re a butterfly,’ he said.
ଦିନେ ସେ (ରାକେଶ) ଗୋଟିଏ ଡାଳ ଉପରେ ବସିଥିବା ଏକ ଶିକାରୀ ଝିଣ୍ଟିକାଟି ତାକୁ ଏକ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟରେ ଚାହିଁଥିବାର ଦେଖୁଲା । ରାକେଶ ଝିଣ୍ଟିକାଟିକୁ ସେଭଳି ବସିବାକୁ ଦେଲା । ଏହା ଚେରି ଗଛର ପ୍ରଥମ ଦର୍ଶନକାରୀ ଥିଲା ।
ଚେରି ଗଛରେ ଦ୍ଵିତୀୟ ଦର୍ଶନକାରୀ ଥିଲା ଏକ ଲୋମଶ ସଁବାଳୁଆ ଯିଏକି ଗଛରେ ପତ୍ରଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଆରାମରେ ଭୋଜନ କରୁଥିଲା । ରାକେଶ ଏହାକୁ ଶୀଘ୍ର ବାହାର କରି ଆଣିଲା ଓ ଗୋଟିଏ ଶୁଖୁଲା ପତ୍ର ଗଦା ଉପରେ ପକାଇଦେଲା । ସତେଯେପରି ସେ (ରାକେଶ) ସଁବାଳୁଆକୁ କହିଲା, ‘ତୁ ଯେତେବେଳେ ପ୍ରଜାପତି ହୋଇଯିବୁ, ଏଠିକି ଆସିବୁ ।’’
Winter came early. The cherry tree bent low with the weight of snow. Field-mice sought shelter in the roof of the cottage. The road from the valley was blocked, and for several days there was no newspaper, and this made Grandfather quite grumpy. His stories began to have unhappy endings. In February it was Rakesh’s birthday. He was nine—and the tree was four, but almost as tall as Rakesh.
One morning, when the sun came out, Grandfather came into the garden to let some warmth ‘get into my bones,’ as he put it. He stopped in front of the cherry tree, stared at it for a few moments, and then called out, Rakesh! Come and look ! Come quickly before it falls !’
ଶୀଘ୍ର ଶୀତ ଆସିଗଲା । ବରଫର ଓଜନ ଭାରରେ ଚେରି ଗଛଟି ନଇଁ ପଡ଼ିଲା । କ୍ଷେତର ମୂଷା କୁଡ଼ିଆର ଛାତରେ ବିଶ୍ରାମ ନେଉଥିଲା । ଉପତ୍ୟକରୁ ବାହାରିଥିବା ରାସ୍ତା ବନ୍ଦ ହୋଇଯାଇଥିଲା ଏବଂ ବହୁତ ଦିନ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଖବରକାଗଜ ଆସିଲା ନାହିଁ ଓ ଏହା ଅଜାଙ୍କୁ ରଗାଇ ଦେଲା । ତାଙ୍କ ଗପଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଶେଷରେ ଦୁଃଖଦ ହେବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲା ।
ଫେବୃଆରୀରେ ରାକେଶର ଜନ୍ମଦିନ ପଡ଼ିଲା । ତାକୁ ନ’ ବର୍ଷ ହୋଇଥିବାବେଳେ ଗଛର ବୟସ ଥିଲା ଚାରି, କିନ୍ତୁ ଗଛଟି ରାକେଶ ଭଳି ପ୍ରାୟ ଡେଙ୍ଗା ହୋଇଯାଇଥିଲା ।
ଦିନେ ସକାଳେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଆକାଶରୁ ବାହାରି ଆସିଲା, ତାଙ୍କ ଶରୀରକୁ କିଛି ଉତ୍ତାପ ଦେବାପାଇଁ ଅଜା ବଗିଚା ଭିତରକୁ ଆସିଲେ । ସେ ଚେରିଗଛ ଆଗରେ ଅଟକିଗଲେ, କିଛି ମୁହୂର୍ତ୍ତ ଏହାକୁ ନିରେଖୁ ଚାହିଁଲେ ଓ ତା’ ପରେ ରାକେଶକୁ ଡାକିଲେ, ‘ରାକେଶ ! ଆ’ ଦେଖ । ଶୀଘ୍ର ଆସ, ନଚେତ୍ ଏହା ଝଡ଼ିପଡ଼ିବ ।’’
Rakesh and Grandfather gazed at the tree as though it had performed a miracle. There was a pale pink blossom at the end of a branch.
The following year there were more blossoms.
And suddenly the tree was taller than Rakesh, even though it was less than half his age. And then it was taller than Grandfather, who was older than some of the oak trees. But Rakesh had grown too. He could run and jump and climb trees as well as most boys, and he read a lot of books, although he still liked listening to Grandfather’s tales.
In the cherry tree, bees came to feed on the nectar in the blossoms, and tiny birds pecked at the blossoms and broke them off. But the tree kept blossoming right through the spring, and there were always more blossoms than birds.
ରାକେଶ ଓ ଜେଜେବାପା ଚେରି ଗଛଟିକୁ ବହୁତ ସମୟ ଏକ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରେ ଚାହିଁଲେ ସତେ ଯେପରି ଏହା ଏକ ଅଲୌକିକ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରିଥିଲା । ଗୋଟିଏ ଡାଳର ଶେଷରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ମଳିନ ଗୋଲାପୀ ବଉଳ ଥିଲା । ଆଗମୀ ବର୍ଷରେ ଚେରି ଗଛରେ ଅଧୂକ ବଉଳ ଆସିଯାଇଥିଲା ।
ଯଦିଓ ଚେରି ଗଛଟି ରାକେଶ ବୟସର ଅଧାରୁ କମ୍ ଥିଲା, ତା’ଠାରୁ (ରାକେଶ) ଅଧିକ ଡେଙ୍ଗା ଥିଲା । ଏବଂ ପରେ ପରେ ଗଛଟି ଅଜାଙ୍କଠାରୁ ଅଧିକ ଡେଙ୍ଗା ହୋଇଗଲା ‘ଯିଏକି ଅଧିକ ବୟସ୍କ ଥିଲେ । କେତେକ ଓକ୍ ଗଛଠାରୁ
କିନ୍ତୁ ରାକେଶ ବି ବଢ଼ିଯାଇଥିଲା । ଅଧିକାଂଶ ବାଳକମାନଙ୍କ ଭଳି ସେ ଦୌଡ଼ିପାରୁଥିଲା, ଡେଇଁ ପାରୁଥିଲା ଓ ଗଛ ଚଢ଼ିପାରୁଥିଲା ଓ ଅଧିକ ବହି ପଢ଼ିଥିଲା ଯଦିଓ ସେ ଏବେବି ଅଜାଙ୍କଠାରୁ ଗପ ଶୁଣି ଉପଭୋଗ କରୁଥିଲା ।
ଏକ ଆରାମଦାୟକ ଉଷ୍ଣ ବା ଖରାଟିଆ ଅପରାହ୍ନରେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ମହୁମାଛି ବି ନିଦ୍ରାଳୁ ଦେଖାଯାଇଥିଲେ, ଘର ଚାରିପଟେ ନିଜର ପ୍ରିୟ ଜାଗାମାନଙ୍କରେ ନପାଇ ଅଜାଙ୍କୁ ରାକେଶ ଖୋଜୁଥିଲା । ତା’ପରେ ସେ ଶୋଇବାଘର ଝରକାରୁ ବାହାରକୁ ଚାହିଁଲା ଓ ଚେରିଗଛ ତଳେ ଅଜା ଗୋଟିଏ ବେତ ଚେୟାର୍ରେ ପଛକୁ ଆଉଜିହୋଇ ବସିଥିବାର ଦେଖୁଲା ।
‘‘ଏଠାରେ ଠିକ୍ ପରିମାଣର ଛାଇ ଅଛି,’’ ଜେଜେବାପା କହିଲେ । ଏବଂ ମୁଁ ପତ୍ରଆଡ଼କୁ ଚାହିଁବାକୁ ଉପଭୋଗ କରୁଛି ।’
‘‘ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକ ସୁନ୍ଦର ପତ୍ର’’, ରାକେଶ କହିଲା । ‘ଯଦି ଧୀର ପବନ ବହିବ, ପତ୍ରସବୁ ନାଚିବାକୁ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ ଅଛନ୍ତି ।’’
After Grandfather had come indoors, Rakesh went into the garden and lay down on the grass beneath the tree. He gazed up through the leaves at the great blue sky; and turning on his side, he could see the mountains striding away into the clouds. He was still lying beneath the tree when the evening shadows crept across the garden. Grandfather came back and sat down beside Rakesh, and they waited in silence until the stars came out and the nightjar began to call. In the forest below, the crickets and cicadas began tuning up; and suddenly the trees were full of the sound of insects.
ଅଜା ଘର ଭିତରକୁ ଆସିବାପରେ ରାକେଶ ବଗିଚା ଭିତରକୁ ଗଲା ଓ ଏକ ଗଛତଳ ଘାସରେ ଶୋଇ ପଡ଼ିଲା । ପତ୍ରଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଦେଇ ନୀଳ ଆକାଶକୁ ଏକ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରେ ଚାହିଁଲା ଓ ପର୍ବତଶ୍ରେଣୀ ସତେ ଯେପରି ବଡ଼ ବଡ଼ ପାଦରେ ମେଘଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଭିତରେ ପ୍ରବେଶ କରୁଥିବାର ରାକେଶ ବୁଲିପଡ଼ି ଦେଖିପାରୁଥିଲା । ସେ ଏବେବି ଗଛତଳେ ପଡ଼ିରହିଥିଲା ଯେତେବେଳେ ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟା ଛାଇ ଧୀରେ ଧୀରେ ବଗିଚାର ଚାରିଆଡ଼େ ଖେଳିଗଲା । ଅଜା ଫେରି ଆସିଲେ ଓ ରାକେଶ ପାଖରେ ବସି ପଡ଼ିଲେ ଏବଂ ତାରା ନ ଦେଖାଯିବା ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଓ ବଣଚକୁଆ ବା ଛଞ୍ଚାଣୀ (ଏକ ରାତ୍ରିଚର ପକ୍ଷୀ) ରାବ ନ ଦେବା ପୂର୍ବ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ସେମାନେ ଅପେକ୍ଷାକରି ରହିଲେ । ତଳ ଜଙ୍ଗଲରେ ଝିଙ୍କାରୀ ଓ ସିକାଡ଼ା ସଙ୍ଗୀତ ଗାନ କଲେ ଓ ହଠାତ ଗଛଗୁଡ଼ିକରେ କୀଟମାନଙ୍କର କାକଳି ଭରିଗଲା । ନ ନୀରବରେ
“There are so many trees in the forest,’ said Rakesh. ‘What’s so special about this tree? Why do we like it so much ?’
“We planted it ourselves,’ said Grandfather. ‘That’s why it’s special.’
‘Just one small seed,’ said Rakesh, and he touched the smooth bark of the tree that he had grown. He ran his hand along the trunk of the tree and put his finger to the tip of a leaf. ‘I wonder,’ he whispered. ‘Is this what it feels to be God?’ — Ruskin Bond
‘ଜଙ୍ଗଲରେ ବହୁତ ଗଛ ଅଛି,’’ ରାକେଶ କହିଲା । ‘‘ଏହାର ଏମିତି କ’ଣ ବିଶେଷତା ଅଛି ? “ ଆମ୍ଭେ ଏହି ଗଛକୁ ଏତେ ଭଲପାଉଛୁ କାହିଁକି ???
“ ‘ ଆମେ ନିଜେ ଏହାକୁ ପୋତିଥୁଲୁ’’, ଜେଜେ କହିଲେ । ‘ସେଥିପାଇଁ ଏହା ବିଶେଷ/ସୂତନ୍ତ୍ର ଅଟେ ।’’ “‘କେବଳ ଗୋଟିଏ ଛୋଟ ମଂଜି,’’ ରାକେଶ କହିଲା ଓ ସେ ବଢ଼ାଇଥିବା ଗଛର ଚିକ୍ଣ ଛେଲି/ ବଳ୍କଳକୁ ସ୍ପର୍ଶ କଲା । ସେ ଗଛର ଗଣ୍ଡିର ଏପଟ ସେପଟ ହାତ ବୁଲାଇଲା ଓ ଗୋଟିଏ ପତ୍ରର ଆଗରେ ନିଜର ଆଙ୍ଗୁଠି ରଖୁଲା । ମୋତେ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଲାଗୁଛି, ଇଏ କ’ଣ (ଈଶ୍ଵର) ଭଗବାନଙ୍କ ଭଳି ମନେ ହେଉଛି, ରାକେଶ ଫୁସ୍ଫୁସ୍ ହୋଇ କହିଲା ।’’
Summary (ସାରକଥା) :
‘The Cherry Tree’ written by (ଲେଖାଯାଇଥିଲା) Ruskin Bond highlights (ଆଲୋକପାତ କରୁଛି) various efforts (ଚେଷ୍ଟା) put in (ପ୍ରୟୋଗ କରାଯାଇଥିବା) by a boy named Rakesh to grow a cherry tree right from planting a cherry seed (ଚେରି ମଞ୍ଜି ପୋତିବାରୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରି). As a child needs constant help, support and guidance of others to grow, a cherry sapling (ଚାରା) has grown into a complete tree with air, sunlight and water and most importantly due care (ସଠିକ୍ ଯନ୍) besides his grandfather’s guidance.
The poet is about a boy who plants a cherry seed, nurturing (taking care of) it through struggles with goats, grass cutters and harsh weather (goals) over several days, symbolizing perseverance (ଅଧ୍ୟବସାୟ), joys of nature and the reward of patience (ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟର ଫଳ) exhibited by him (ତା ଧାରା ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶିତ ହୋଇଥିଲା), when the sapling grows a beautiful fruit-bearing (ଫଳପ୍ରସୂ) tree.
Notes & Glossary (ଶବ୍ଦାର୍ଥ) :
The Cherry Tree Class 8 MCQ
Question 1.
How old was Rakesh when he planted the cherry seed ?
(a) four years
(b) five years
(c) six years
(d) seven years
Answer:
(c) six years
Question 2.
Where did Rakesh plant the cherry seed ?
(a) in a flowerbed
(b) in a corner of the garden
(c) under a big tree
(d) between two trees
Answer:
(b) in a corner of the garden
Question 3.
In which trees did the cold wind go whoo-whoo-whoo ?
(a) the deodar trees
(b) the pine trees
(c) the oak trees
(d) the cherry trees
Answer:
(a) the deodar trees
Question 4.
To which region did the wild duck fly in spring ?
(a) Ethiopia
(b) Siberia
(c) Indonesia
(c) Malayesia
Answer:
(b) Siberia
Question 5.
Who had forgotten about the cherry seed being planted ?
(a) Rakesh
(b) Grandfather
(c) both of them
(d) neither of them
Answer:
(c) both of them
Question 6.
What for did Rakesh circle the little cherry plant with pebbles ?
(a) for security
(b) for safety
(c) for privacy
(d) for supremacy
Answer:
(c) for privacy
Question 7.
Who was the cherry tree’s first visitor ?
(a) a goat
(b) a praying-mantis
(c) a woman
(d) a caterpillar
Answer:
(b) a praying-mantis
Question 8.
What made the grandfather quite grumpy ?
(a) having no newspaper for several days
(b) the cherry tree being cut in two
(c) the goat entering the garden
(d) the cherry tree not growing well.
Answer:
(a) having no newspaper for several days
Question 9.
At what time were the trees of the garden full of the sounds of insects ?
(a) morning
(b) evening
(c) noon
(d) midnight
Answer:
(b) evening
Question 10.
What did Rakesh whisper after touching the bark, trunk and leaves of the cherry tree ?
(a) Is this what it feels to be God ?
(b) What is so special about this tree ?
(c) Why do we like it so much ?
(d) Are cherry seeds lucky ?
Answer:
(a) Is this what it feels to be God ?
The Cherry Tree Class 8 Fill in the Blanks
1. There were forests of oak and deodar trees on the more ………….
Answer: sheltered slopes
2. Rakesh’s parents grew maize, rice and barley in narrow ………….
Answer: terraced fields
3. It took Rakesh about ………… to walk home from the Mussoorie bazar.
Answer: half-an-hour
4. The seed went right into the soil because the earth was soft and ………….
Answer: yielding
5. Rakesh and his grandfather knew it was spring when the ………… flew north again to Siberia.
Answer: wild duck
6. Rakesh circled the cherry plant with pebbles for its ………….
Answer: privacy
7. A woman cutting grass ………… the hillside.
Answer: scrambled down
8. Seeing Rakesh’s deep black eyes, his grandfather called them ………….
Answer: blackberry eyes
9. When grandfather was quite grumpy, his stories began to have ………….
Answer: unhappy ending
10. Lying down on the grass beneath the cherry tree, Rakesh could see mountains ………… into the clouds.
Answer: striding away
The Cherry Tree Class 8 Short Question Answer
Question 1.
Where did Rakesh live during his childhood ?
Answer:
During his childhood Rakesh lived with his grandfather on the outskirts of Mussoorie, a hill town situated in the Himalayan foothills. The forests began just from the place they lived.
Question 2.
When did Rakesh find the young cherry tree ?
Answer:
One morning Rakesh went to the garden. There he saw something like a small twig. But he was surprised to find that it was not a twig, but the well rooted young plant of cherry.
Question 3.
Why did Rakesh’s grandfather scold the woman?
Answer:
While cutting grass, a woman came down the hillside and entered the garden. Without being careful about the cherry tree, she cut it along with the grass. So the grandfather scolded her.
Question 4.
What did Rakesh do with the last seed of the cherry that he had bought ?
Answer:
Rakesh kept the last seed in his mouth for some time. He rolled it round and round on his tongue until there was no strong, sharp taste in it. Finally, he planted it in the garden.
Question 5.
When and why was Rakesh’s grandfather reclining on a cane chair under the cherry tree ?
Answer:
On a warm sunny afternoon Rakesh saw his grandfather reclining on a cane chair under the cherry tree. He was doing so because the place was shady and he liked looking at leaves of the cherry tree.
Question 6.
How is the winter in the Himalayan foothills described in the story ?
Answer:
The winter is painful in the Himalayan foothills. During this time cold wind blows down from the snows in the vally and it goes in the deodar trees with a whoo-whoo-whoo sound. The gardens become dry and bare. People make fire with twigs or charcoal to keep their homes warm.
Question 7.
‘Just one small seed’ – What truth does this statement of Rakesh reveal ?
Answer:
It is well-known that the possibility of a grand and flourishing tree always lies in its small seed. So the great role of a small seed in making a huge tree cannot be ruled out. Rakesh planted the cherry seed and took care of it for several years. In the end he was proud of what he did and after realising the truth he emotionally said, ‘Just one small seed.’
Question 8.
‘But the cherry tree had no intention of dying’. In which context has it been said in the story.
Answer:
The cherry tree survived despite several odds and obstacles in the way of its growth. Especially, after a woman had cut it along with grass there was no hope of its surviral. Both Rakesh and his grandfather thought that it would die. But that didn’t happen. During the summer it grew with new shoots and leaves. ‘But he cherry tree had no intention of dying’ has been said in this context.