GSEB Solutions Class 9 English Chapter 9 Friend from the Sky

Gujarat Board GSEB Solutions Class 9 English Second Language Chapter 9 Friend from the Sky Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

GSEB Class 9 English Textbook Solutions Chapter 9 Friend from the Sky (Second Language)

GSEB Class 9 English Friend from the Sky Text Book Questions and Answers

(A) Recite the poem.

Oh! What joy it is
To have friends like you
For giving me strength
For lifting me up (cheering me)
When I’m feeling down (sad)
And putting a smile on my face
When I’m wearing a frown (anger).
Thanks for being there
And helping me grow,
Your friendship means a lot
This I’d like you to know. – Mary E. Carpio

Mark True or False.

When we are down, what does a friend do?

(1) wears a smile. – False
(2) gives strength. – True
(3) helps to develop us. – True
(4) plays with us. – False

(B) Read these sentences carefully. They describe your possible behaviour with your friends. The columns against each statement show the frequency of that behaviour. Put tick mark (✓) to show YOUR OWN frequency. Count the tick marks and put the total in each column.

Now multiply the total number of tick marks as under:
‘Always’ by 1,
‘Often’ by 2,
‘Sometimes’ by 3,
‘Never’ by 4.
Add up all the figures. It is your Friendship Score.
Now evaluate your score as per the given scoreboard.
The score 26 and above is EXCELLENT,
From 21 to 25 is GOOD,
From 15 to 20 is AVERAGE and
Below 15 means YOU NEED TO IMPROVE
YOUR BEHAVIOUR WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

Vocabulary

1. Replace the underlined words with the words from the lesson. The first one or two letters of that word are given in the brackets to make your search easy.

Answer:
Last Sunday I had nothing special to do. So I was sitting under a tree in s a park. My thoughts were running free. Some children were screaming (sc…). Some were playing. An old man was sleeping under a tree while the breeze (br…) was pleasing me. Suddenly, a little bird landed (la…) on s my shoulder. At first I was frighteend ? (fr…). Then my eyes brightened up (br…). This incident brought a broad (br…) smile on my exhausted (ex…) face.

2. Underline the sentence with almost similar meaning to the main sentence.

(1) Before Reshma could understand / anything, the new ball landed in her lap.

• The new ball was on the land.
• The new ball came in her lap.
• The new ball was in her lap.
• Reshma had got a new ball in her lap.

(2) Reshma was puzzled.

• Reshma had a problem.
• Reshma was confused.
• Reshma was very happy.
• Reshma was scared.

(3) At the moment the duck looked exhausted.

• The duck looked dreadful.
• The duck was looking for a place to hide.
• The duck looked very tired.
• The duck seemed unhappy.

(4) They were thrilled to see the bird in Reshma’s lap.

• They were very much excited to see the bird.
• They felt astonished to see the bird.
• They were afraid to see the bird.
• They were sad to see the bird.

(5) The children marched into the room.

• The children walked away from the room.
• The children ran into the room.
• The children entered the room.
• The children walked into the room.

(6) They all caressed and played with the duck.

• Some children touched the duck with love.
• All the children became friends of the bird.
• Children liked the company of the bird.
• Children showed their liking by moving their hands on the duck and playing with it.

3. Complete the dialogue using the key words from the brackets. Then read out in pairs.

(spastic, dim, flap, windy, frightened)

A : Munna, how would you feel if you see a fierce dog approaching / coming to you ?
B : I’ll be frightened.
A : What would you call the person who has no control over his legs and hands ?
B : I would call him / her a spastic.
A : Can you see the duck ?
B : No, I can’t.
A : Why can’t you see the duck?
B : Because the light is dim here.
A : It’s monsoon time. It is raining heavily now.
B : Yeah. It is windy too.

Comprehension

1. Read these sentences and write your responses to the sentences.

(Responses: Oh ! It’s so sad!, Wow!, Bravo !, Awesome !, Ouch !, That’s great!)

(1) Reshma could neither play nor move about herself. — Oh ! It’s so sad !
(2) Reshma was a spastic, yet she could use a spoon to eat. — Bravo !
(3) Reshma had no friends and so she felt lonely. — Oh ! It’s so sad !
(4) The bird bit Reshma’s mother on her hand so she cried. — Ouch !
(5) The eyes of the bird brightened and he started fluttering his wings. — That’s great!
(6) Reshma and her friends treated the bird like a royal guest. — Wow!
(7) Yee ! He has learnt to fly again. — Awesome !
(8) Reshma never had reason to feel lonely again. — That’s great!

2. Here is a dialogue between Reshma and her mother. But it is jumbled up. Arrange the whole dialogue in a proper (logical) order and read it out in the class. First, middle and last lines are given as answers. Work in pairs.

Mother: Reshma, come inside, please. It’s quite cold outside.
Reshma :Yes, mummy. What shall we do now ?
Mother: Now, see. How happy he looks !
Reshma : Five minutes more, mummy !
Mother: But, where will you keep him, dear ?
Reshma : I don’t know, mummy. He has just arrived.
Mother: Let’s feed him with care. But what should we feed him ?
Reshma: Let’s give him some rice and milk.
Mother: OK. But, take good care of the bird and feed him regularly.
Reshma :Yes, mom ! I will call him ‘Mitra’. I will play with him.
Mother: Oh! What’s this in your lap, Reshma ?
Reshma: I will keep him in a basket in my room, mummy.
Mother: It looks scared and hungry.
Reshma : Oh ! Yes mummy. Thank you very much.
Answer:
Mother : Reshma, come inside, please. It’s quite cold outside.
Reshma : Five minutes more, mummy !
Mother: Oh ! What’s this in your lap, Reshma ?
Reshma : I don’t know, mummy. He has just arrived.
Mother : It looks scared and hungry.
Reshma : Yes, mummy. What shall we do now ?

Mother : Let’s feed him with care. But what should we feed him ?

Reshma: Let’s give him some rice and milk.
Mother : Now, see. How happy he looks !
Reshma : Yes, mom! I will call him ‘Mitra’.
I will play with him.
Mother : But, where will you keep him, dear ?
Reshma : I will keep him in a basket in my room, mummy.
Mother : OK. But, take good care of the bird and feed him regularly.
Reshma : Oh ! Yes mummy. Thank you very much.

3. Read the lesson and find out who says to whom and what. Complete the table.

4. Make a list of the sentences from the lesson describing what Reshma can do and what Reshma can’t do.

5. Read the sentences and then find out the sentences of the same meaning from the lesson.

(1) Reshma was unable to move around.
She could just sit in her wheelchair and watch the life outside from her balcony. She was fourteen years old and a spastic.

(2) The children continued playing even though it grew dark.
Now the wind became stronger and the light became dim. But the children went on with their game.

(3) The bird looked completely tired.
At the moment it looked exhausted.

(4) ‘Mitra’ – the bird looked very happy and started flapping his wings.
His eyes brightened and he started fluttering his wings.

(5) Reshma’s parents looked for the bird in the house.
Her mummy and papa searched in the house.

(6) All the children entered the room.
All the children marched into the room.

6. Number the sentences in proper order of the story.

[7] Mother felt very happy when she saw Reshma’s smiling face.
[2] Reshma suggested her mummy to feed the bird with some rice and milk.
[3] Reshma very happily decided to keep the bird with her in her room.
[4] Reshma looked worried when she didn’t find the bird in the basket.
[5] Reshma fed the bird with an ink- filler.
[1] Reshma was a bit scared to see the bird in her lap.
[9] Mitra caught a fish.
[6] Children played with the bird.
[8] Reshma’s father took the bird to the lake.

7. Answer the questions in one sentence each.

Question 1.
What was Reshma doing ?
Answer:
Reshma was sitting in the balcony and watching the children playing in the park.

Question 2.
Who is called a spastic ?
Answer:
A spastic is a person who has no control over his / her hands and legs from birth.

Question 3.
What was Reshma’s favourite pastime ?
Answer:
Reshma’s favourite pastime was to watch the children playing in the street or the park.

Question 4.
What landed in Reshma’s lap ?
Answer:
A shelter duck landed in Reshma’s lap.

Question 5.
Name the things Reshma and her mother put before the bird to feed it.
Answer:
Reshma and her mother put breadcrumbs, nuts, fruits and grains before the bird to feed it.

Question 6.
Name the book written by Salim Ali.
Answer:
The book written by Salim Ali is ‘Indian Birds’.

Question 7.
From where does the shoveller migrate ?
Answer:
The shoveller migrates from the cold regions of Russia.

Question 8.
With what did Reshma prepare ‘Mitra’s’ bed ?
Answer:
Reshma prepared Mitra’s bed with grass.

Question 9.
Why according to Anita, is it difficult for Mitra to make new friends ?
Answer:
It is difficult for Mitra to make new friends because he is lame.

Question 10.
What could the children realize after they became friendly with Mitra ?
Answer:
After the children became friendly with Mitra, they realized that Reshma must have felt bad because they did not play with her.

Question 11.
What did Mitra learn again ?
Answer:
Mitra learnt to catch fish again.

Question 12.
What did the children promise Reshma’s mother ?
Answer:
The children promised Reshma’s mother that they would take her and bring her back safely in her wheelchair.

8. Answer the questions in two or three sentences.

Question 1.
How old was Reshma ? What could she not do ?
Answer:
Reshma was fourteen years old. She could not walk or button her shirt up.

Question 2.
Why did Reshma feel lonely ? What was her favourite pastime ?
Answer:
Reshma felt lonely because she had no friends. All the neighbourhood children were busy with their school and games. Her favourite pastime was to watch the children playing in the street or the park.

Question 3.
Describe the bird in your words.
Answer:
The bird was a duck. Its beak was broad like a shovel. It had bright blue, white and brown feathers.

Question 4.
What efforts did Reshma and her mother make to feed the bird ?
Answer:
Reshma and her mother put breadcrumbs, nuts, fruits and grains before the bird to feed it. Then her mother mixed boiled rice, milk and sugar and fed it with an ink-filler.

Question 5.
What name did Reshma give to the bird ? Where did she keep it at night ?
Answer:
Reshma named the bird ‘Mitra’. She took a basket and put some grass into it. It was Mitra’s bed. She kept the basket with her at night.

Question 6.
How was ‘Mitra1 treated for the next ten days ?
Answer:
For the next ten days, Mitra was treated like a royal guest. Everyone brought something for him. They all caressed and played with him.

Question 7.
Reshma never had reason to feel lonely again. How ?
Answer:
The incident of the duck, the children realized how lonely Reshma must have felt because no one played with her. But now they took Reshma with them every day to the park. They would bring her back safely. So Reshma never had a reason to feel lonely again.

Discuss with your friends and present your ideas in the class.
Have you ever come across an injured bird / animal ? How did you help it then ?
Answer:
Last Uttarayan, a bird was injured because of the string of a kite. It could not fly. It lay motionless in our garden. I made the bird drink some water with cotton. Then I called the emergency helpline for birds. They came and took the bird away. I was then told that the bird was alright within a week and flew away.

Language Practice

1. Read the conversation and observe the underlined words.

Doctor : How are you now ? You look quite well yet much worried! Why ?

Patient: Oh! No. I am well but there is a problem, sir!
Doctor: I see. Tell me the problem.
Patient: Although I can walk steadily sometimes I feel weak.
Doctor : You should take special diet so that you can be healthy again.
Patient : What kind of diet, sir?
Doctor :You may take either fruits or fruit juice daily. Start from today.
Patient : Sir, I like fruit juice but I never like eating fruits.
Doctor : It’s up to you now. You can take either fruits or vitamin pills.
Patient : No sir, not at all. I will start taking fruits from today so that I can recover my health soon.
Doctor: Although it seems everything is normal, you should not take it lightly.
Patient : You are right, sir. I usually take care yet sometimes I am careless about my food. But I will take much care. Thank you.

2. Study the underlined words from the above conversation. Classify them into three given categories understanding the meanings of the sentences.

3. Work in pairs. Read the table. Column A shows the reasons for some actions and Column B has the results of the actions. Match them properly.

(1) This sum is rather difficult so all the students can’t do it.
(2) It is raining therefore, you should take an umbrella with you.
(3) It was a severe earthquake so tall buildings collapsed.
(4) He was a lazy boy therefore, everyone hated him.
(5) He belonged to a poor family so he couldn’t buy new clothes.
(6) We started early so that we might not miss the train.

4. (A) Join the pairs of sentences choosing the proper conjunctions from the brackets.

Question 1.
She fell down from the fifth step. She did not hurt herself, (yet, so)
Answer:
She fell down from the fifth step yet she did not hurt herself.

Question 2.
The doctor tried his best. He could not save the patient, (or, but)
Answer:
The doctor tried his best but he could not save the patient.

Question 3.
They wanted good governance in the state. They elected an honest candidate in the election. (although, therefore)
Answer:
They wanted good governance in the state therefore, they elected an honest candidate in the election.

Question 4.
You can select a red pen. You can select a blue pen. (so that, either… or)
Answer:
You can select either a red pen or a blue pen.

Question 5.
Turn the lights off. We can sleep. (so, or)
Answer:
Turn the lights off so we can sleep.

Write some more sentences using the words ‘so that’, ‘either … or’, ‘neither … nor’, ‘but’, ‘though’, ‘although’.

(1) Please get up early so that you do not miss the bus.
(2) Study hard so that you get good marks.
(3) You can have either tea or coffee.
(4) You can either go out of the class or sit here quietly.
(5) Anil will neither help nor let the others help you.
(6) Sachin will neither bat nor bowl.
(7) Ami won the match but she did not look happy.
(8) I want to come for the party but I don’t think my mother will give me permission.
(9) Though it was raining, we continued to play.
(10) Though he is poor, he is honest.
(11) Although there are dark clouds, it will not rain.
(12) Although reports are normal, we should take care.

(B) Narrate the condition of the rural area, where a terrible flood has just washed away everything. Make sentences using ‘so’, ‘so that’ and ‘therefore’.

Last week, there was a terrible flood in Rampur, a small village near Surat. It rained very heavily, so the whole village was washed off in the flood. There was no electricity and all phone lines were cut. Therefore, the village was cut off from the rest of the world.

The government immediately sent the military so that they could provide relief and rescue work. So many lives were saved. Many volunteers also came forward so that they could help in supplying food and water to the people.

Doctors were also rushed to the village so that they could provide medical help. The government has asked everyone to send food, clothes, medicines and other things. Therefore, the people are getting enough help.

5. Say whether the statements are True or False. If you find it false, rewrite it correctly.

(1) He is so clever that he does not know anything. – False
He is so clever that he knows everything.

(2) Although Ramesh played
well, the team lost the match. – True

(3) Would you take ice-cream but cold drinks ? – False
Would you take ice-cream or cold drinks ?

(4) The birds flew away therefore the gun was fired. – False
The gun was fired, therefore the birds flew away.

(5) Sushant is younger but he can climb the tree quickly. – True

6. Select the table and try to make sentences using relevant conjunctions. Write down your sentences and ask your teacher to correct them if incorrect. Then read them aloud in the class.

Examples :
(1) Would you like tea or coffee ?
(2) Although he is poor, he is very honest.
(3) I like neither tea nor coffee.
Answer:
(1) Mrs Pandya drinks neither tea nor coffee.
(2) You can have either chocolates or biscuits.
(3) Will you go by bus or train ?
(4) There are neither mobiles nor computers in this village.
(5) The children can have either apples or bananas.
(6) Ramu is poor but honest.
(7) Devjibhai is old yet he is a hard working man.
(8) Although we were tired, we walked fast.
(9) He is ill yet cheerful.
(10) Although he is wealthy, he is unhappy.

Writing 

1. Write about your visit to a school for the blind. Work in pairs.

• Which school did you visit ?
• When did you visit it ?
• With whom did you go ? How ?
• What did you see there ?
• What activities were the blind students doing ?
• How were they given training ?

Last week, our class visited the Bind People’s Association, a school for the blind, in Ahmadabad. Our class teacher also came with us. We went there in our school bus. When we entered the school, we saw many blind girls and boys moving around freely and enjoying themselves, just like we do. Our teacher met the principal of the school. He sent one of his staff to show us around the school.

We first went to the workshop, where the blind students were taught carpentry. They made beautiful pieces of furniture. It was amazing to see them work with wood. Girls are given special training in tailoring, painting, embroidery, pottery, etc. We were surprised to see how these blind girls could do all this work so efficiently !

We also saw how the blind students were given training in learning musical instruments. Some of them could sing so beautifully! The most interesting part of the visit was the library and the computer room. We saw the books written in Braille. It was amazing to see some students using computers so easily. It was an inspiring visit. We thought that though these young boys and girls could not see, they were far more talented than us. They love life. They live life.

2. Suppose you are Mitra – the bird that had fallen into Reshma’s lap. Narrate the story in your words.

You can start like this … I was migrating towards the south and was flying over the beautiful land of Gujarat. Suddenly, there was a storm and I lost my way. I did not know where I was flying. Suddenly, I fell down on the ground. I did not know where I was. A small boy touched me. I was scared. With all my strength, I flew up. And then I landed in a small girl’s lap.

The girl’s name was Reshma. She was sitting in a wheelchair in her balcony. She was frightened and puzzled on seeing me in her lap.Her mother took her inside. I was very tired. Reshma’s mother tried to pick me up, but I bit her hand. She dropped me.

I huddled in a corner. They tried to feed me breadcrumbs, nuts, fruits and grains. But I did not eat that. Finally, Reshma’s mother mixed boiled rice, milk and sugar and fed with me an ink-filler. I was happy. But I still could not fly.

Reshma named me ‘Mitra’ – a friend. They put me in a basket filled with grass. It was my bed. Mitra took me with her. In the morning, some children came to see me. Reshma was feeding me. They helped her. They were thrilled to see me.

For the next ten days, I was treated like a royal guest. The children read a lot about me in books. They caressed me and played with me. They made me strong again. Finally, I had to leave them. Reshma’s father took me to a nearby lake. The children put me in water. Slowly I started swimming. I also learnt to catch fish again! The children were very happy. Because of this incident, Reshma got many friends. She was not lonely anymore.

3. Tie a blindfold over your eyes. Keep it for about an hour. Try to do all your routine work in that condition. Don’t try to peep or cheat. Now write a paragraph about what you felt and experienced.

Yesterday, I tried to feel what it was like when you cannot see. I blindfolded my eyes for one hour and tried to do my routine work. What a terrible one hour that was !
I just could not find my way in my own room and my own house. I kept on banging against doors and furniture. I even hurt my toe !

I tried to open my cupboard and take out my books. But I reached the window instead! I tried to feel the things and try to recognize them, but I failed. I also tried to fold my clothes and put them in the cupboard. But I failed again.

Just then the phone rang. Where was I ? In which direction should I go ? I did not know what to do. At last, I was so tired of all this, that I removed the blindfold. I now realized how the blind feel. But they are so clever. They can do all their work on their own. Not me !

4. Frame a story from the given points. Write a moral of the story.

Two friends – one fat and the other thin – went into jungle – saw a bear coming there – both ran – the thin climbed a tree – the fat couldn’t – slept on ground pretending to be dead-bear came near – sniffed him – the bear went away-second friend came down – asked: ‘what did the bear say ?’- the fat one said: “never trust a friend who runs away in difficulty.

There were two friends. One was fat. He was called Motu. The other was thin. He was called Chotu. One day, the two friends went into a jungle to cut wood. Suddenly they saw a bear coming towards them. Both were very frightened.

They ran fast to save their lives. Chotu was thin, so he could run fast. He ran and climbed up a tree. But Motu was fat, so he could not run fast. He did not know what to do. The bear was coming towards him. Just then he had an idea. He slept on the ground and pretended to be dead.

The bear came near Motu. It smelt him. It sniffed his face. After some time, the bear went away without even touching Motu. After the bear was out of sight, Chotu climbed down from the tree. He ran to Motu and woke him up. Motu opened his eyes and said, “Has the bear gone away ?” “Yes,” replied Chotu.

“Thank God ! I am saved,” said Motu with a sigh of relief. “Yes. But what did the bear tell you ?” asked Chotu. “I saw him saying something in your ear.” Motu was angry with Chotu for leaving him in danger. So he said, “The bear told me not to trust a friend who runs away and leaves you alone in difficulty.” Moral: A true friend will never leave you in your difficult time.

Comprehension 

A. Read the extracts and answer the questions.

(1) It was a cool windy evening. There were sudden creaks as little branches of tree broke in the strong breeze and fell. Reshma was sitting in the balcony of their first floor flat. She was watching children playing in the park. The children did not mind the strong breeze or the yellow leaves of neem tree falling on their heads. They were all enjoying their ball game.

Question 1.
What was Reshma doing ?
Answer:
Reshma was sitting in the balcony and watching the children playing in the park.

Question 2.
What did the children not mind ?
Answer:
The children did not mind the strong breeze or the yellow leaves of the neem tree falling on their heads.

Question 3.
What were the children enjoying?
Answer:
The children were enjoying their ball game.

(3) “Reshma, come inside,” called her mother s from inside the house. “It is too cool and windy. You might catch a cold.” “Five minutes more, mummy.” Reshma ‘ was also enjoying the game from a distance. Reshma loved to watch children shouting in excitement.

Question 1.
Why was Reshma’s mother worried ?
Answer:
Reshma’s mother was worried  because it was cool and windy and she might catch a cold.

Question 2.
What did Reshma love?
Answer:
Reshma loved to watch children shouting in excitement.

(3) Reshma could not play. She could just sit in her wheelchair and watch the life outside from her balcony. She was fourteen years old and a spastic. ?(A spastic is a person who has no control over his / her hands and legs from birth.)

Question 1.
Who is called a spastic ?
Answer:
A spastic is a person who has no  control over his/her hands and legs from birth

Question 2.
How old was Reshma ?
Answer:
Reshma was fourteen years old.

Question 3.
What could Reshma do ?
Answer:
Reshma could sit in her wheelchair and watch the life outside from her s balcony.

(4) Reshma could not walk, or even button up her shirt. But she could crawl and had learnt to use a spoon to eat and to handle her wheelchair. She went to a special learning centre. She was given speech therapy there. She also learnt some subjects and some exercises.

Question 1.
What could Reshma not do ?
Answer:
Reshma could not walk or button her shirt up.

Question 2.
What could Reshma do ?
Answer:
Reshma could crawl, use a spoon to eat and handle her wheelchair.

Question 3.
What did Reshma do in the special learning centre ?
Answer:
Reshma learnt to speak, do some exercises and she also learnt some subjects.

(5) Reshma felt very lonely. She had no friends. All the neighbourhood children were busy with their own schools and games. Reshma’s favourite pastime was to watch the children playing in the street or the park.

Question 1.
What was Reshma’s favourite pastime ?
Answer:
Reshma’s favourite pastime was to watch the children playing in the street or the park.

Question 2.
Why did Reshma feel lonely ?
Answer:
Reshma felt lonely because she had no friends as all the children were busy with their own schools and games.

(6) Now the wind became stronger and the light became dim. But the children went on with their game. They were kicking a big red ball and jumping with the movement of the ball. Suddenly there was another ball among the players. A brown one. The girls started screaming and the boys shouted at the top of their voices.

Question 1.
What were the children doing ?
Answer:
The children were kicking a big red ball and jumping with its movement.

Question 2.
What did the girls do on seeing the brown ball ?
Answer:
The girls started screaming on seeing the brown ball.

Question 3.
What did the boys do on seeing the brown ball ?
Answer:
The boys started shouting at the top of their voices on seeing the brown ball.

(7) A brave boy bent down and touched the new ball. It suddenly flapped its wings and flew up. Before Reshma could understand anything, the new ball landed in her lap. Children waved at Reshma and continued with the game.

Question 1.
What landed in Reshma’s lap?
Answer:
The new ball landed in Reshma’s lap.

Question 2.
What happened when a boy touched the new ball ?
Answer:
When a boy touched the new ball, it flapped its wings and flew up.

Question 3.
What did the children do ?
Answer:
The children waved at Reshma and continued with the game.

(8) “Reshma, it’s too much ! Now come inside,” shouted her mother and came out in the balcony to take her daughter in the room. But she saw some movement in Reshma’s lap and heard faint creaks. “What is this ?” she cried. “I don’t know, mummy. It has just arrived.” Reshma was puzzled. “It came from the sky,” she showed the route of the ball with her frightened eyes.

Question 1.
What happened when Reshma’s mother came to take her ?
Answer:
When Reshma’s mother came to take her, she saw some movement in Reshma’s lap and heard faint creaks.

Question 2.
What was Reshma’s reaction ?
Answer:
Reshma was puzzled and frightened.

(9) Mummy pushed the wheelchair into the room. Now they saw a scared bird with a big bill. From Salim Ali’s book ‘Indian Birds’ they found out that it was a duck, a shelter duck. Its beak was broad like a shovel. It had bright blue, white and brown feathers. At the moment it looked exhausted.

Question 1.
Name the book written by Salim Ali.
Answer:
The books written by Salim Ali is ‘Indian Birds’.

Question 2.
What was the name of the bird ?
Answer:
It was a shelter duck.

Question 3.
Describe the bird.
Answer:
The bird had a broad beak and bright, blue, white and brown feathers.

(10) A shoveller is not a native Indian bird. But it migrates from the cold regions of Russia. This bird must have lost its way due to strong wind. In its efforts to join the flock, it got exhausted and fell in the park like a ball.

Question 1.
From where does the shoveller migrate ?
Answer:
The shoveller migrates from the cold regions of Russia.

Question 2.
How did the bird fall in the park?
Answer:
The bird must have lost its way due to the strong wind, got exhausted and fell in the park.

(11) Reshma’s mother tried to pick it up but it suddenly bit her hand. “Ouch!” She cried. The duck fluttered to the floor. It huddled in a corner of the room. All through the evening Reshma and her mother tried to feed the duck. They put breadcrumbs, nuts, fruits and grains in front of it. But it did not touch any of them.

Question 1.
Name the things Reshma and her mother put before the bird to feed it.
Answer:
Reshma and her mother put breadcrumbs, nuts, fruits and grains before the bird to feed it.

Question 2.
What happened when Reshma’s mother tried to pick up the bird?
Answer:
When Reshma’s mother tried to pick up the bird, it bit her hand.

(12) “Mummy, let’s give him some rice and milk,” suggested Reshma. Her mother mixed boiled rice, milk and sugar. She fed the bird with an ink-filler. The shoveller liked it. His eyes brightened and he started fluttering his wings. But he could not fly.

Question 1.
What did Reshma’s mother make for the duck ?
Answer:
Reshma’s mother mixed boiled rice, milk and sugar and fed the duck.

Question 2.
What happened when the bird ate the food ?
Answer:
When the bird ate the food, his eyes brightened and he started fluttering his wings.

(13) “I know what his name is. It is Mitra, a friend.” Reshma said. They took a basket and put some grass into it. It was Mitra’s bed. Reshma kept the basket with her and slept peacefully. When she woke up, she looked at the basket. It was empty. Reshma cried loudly, “Mitra … Mitra where are you ?” Her mummy and papa searched in the house and at last found him near the water tub in the bathroom.

Question 1.
With what did Reshma prepare Mitra’s bed ?
Answer:
Reshma prepared Mitra’s bed with grass.

Question 2.
What happened when Reshma woke up ?
Answer:
When Reshma woke up, she found the basket empty.

Question 3.
Where was Mitra?
Answer:
Mitra was near the water tub in the bathroom.

(14) At around 7.30, the doorbell rang. Reshma was feeding breakfast to the duck. Mummy opened the door. Reshma was happily surprised to see a group of children in uniform. “Aunty, can we see the bird?” they said. Mummy took them to Reshma’s wheelchair. The children greeted Reshma with fresh smiles. They were thrilled to see the bird in Reshma’s lap

Question 1.
What was Reshma doing when the children came ?
Answer:
When the children came, Reshma was feeding breakfast to the duck.

Question 2.
Why had the children come to Reshma’s house ?
Answer:
The children had come to Reshma’s house to see the bird.

Question 3.
How did the children greet Reshma?
Answer:
The children greeted Reshma with fresh smiles.

(15) “He is Mitra,” Reshma introduced the new friend. “How lovely !” they said. They helped Reshma to hold the bird while Reshma fed him with an ink-filler. They had to leave soon to catch the school bus. “We will be back in the afternoon, Reshma.” “Oh, sure. Do come.” “We’ll play with Mitra, he is so loving,” said Bansi. “We will make him strong,” said Kanu. “It is difficult to make new friends for Mitra because he is lame,” said Anita.

Question 1.
Why, according to Anita, is it difficult for Mitra to make new friends ?
Answer:
According to Anita, It is difficult for Mitra to make new friends because he is lame.

Question 2.
How did the children help Reshma?
Answer:
The children helped Reshma to hold the bird while she fed him with an ink-filler.

(16) After this incident, the neighbouring children became very friendly with Reshma. They could realize that Reshma must have felt bad because they did not play with Reshma. Next day, the children came in the evening. Anju had a thick book with her. “See, we can read all about ducks in this book. We want to make Mitra very strong. He should be able to fly.”

Question 1.
What did the children realize after they became friendly with Reshma?
Answer:
After the children became friendly with Reshma, they realized that she must have felt bad because they did not play with her.

Question 2.
Why did the children want to make Mitra strong ?
Answer:
The children wanted to make Mitra strong so that he should be able to fly.

(17) “Mitra must have come here from a hundred kilometres.” Reshma said.
“Not hundreds, thousands,” corrected Anju.
“And he must fly back thousands of kilometres to his home again.”
“Yes, we will make him very strong.” Reshma was delighted.

Why was Reshma delighted?
Answer:
Reshma was delighted because they were going to make Mitra strong again.

(18) For next ten days Mitra was treated like a royal guest. Everyone brought something for him. The book was their kitchen guide for Mitra. They all caressed and played with him. Mummy had never seen Reshma so happy and hopeful.

Question 1.
How was Mitra treated?
Answer:
Mitra was treated like a royal guest.

Question 2.
How did the children enjoy with Mitra ?
Answer:
The children caressed and played with Mitra.

(19) Finally, the day of departure for their dearest friend arrived. Reshma’s father took all the children and the duck to a nearby lake. The children lifted Mitra from Reshma’s lap and gently put him in the water. It slowly started swimming. He shovelled the water with his broad beak. Children were happy to see the happiness of their friend.

Question 1.
What did the children do at the lake ?
Answer:
The children lifted Mitra from Reshma’s lap and put him in the water.

Question 2.
What did the bird do in the lake ?
Answer:
The bird slowly started swimming in the lake.

Question 3.
Why were the children happy ?
Answer:
The children were happy to see their friend’s happiness.

(20) Suddenly Mitra disappeared. All stood worried, looking for him with wide eyes. And Mitra popped up from water with a small fish in his beak. “Yeee …!” All cried and jumped with joy. “He has learnt it again.” The children stood there for a long time, watching Mitra.

Question 1.
What did Mitra learn again ?
Answer:
Mitra learnt to catch fish again.

Question 2.
Why were the children worried?
Answer:
The children were worried because Mitra disappeared suddenly.

(21) The next day, Reshma went into the balcony to watch the children playing in the park. But there was no one! Suddenly the doorbell rang, all the children marched into the room.“Aunty, please send Reshma to play with us in the park,” they said. “We’ll take her and bring her back safely in her wheelchair.”

What did the children promise Reshma’s mother ?
Answer:
The children promised Reshma’s mother that they would take her and bring her back safely in her wheelchair.

(22) With the help of friendly hands Reshma was taken down the stairs to the park. From the balcony, Mummy looked at the broad smile on her daughter’s face, brightened by the setting sun. Reshma never had a reason to feel lonely again.

Question 1.
Why was Reshma’s mother happy?
Answer:
Reshma’s mother was happy to see the broad smile on Reshma’s face.

Question 2.
Reshma would never be lonely again because ….
Answer:
Reshma would never be lonely again because the children had become her friends now.

B. Use the set of words in your own sentences.

Question 1.
to brighten – to arrive
Answer:
The little boy’s eyes brightened when his saw that his grandfather had arrived home.

Question 2.
to mind – suggest
Answer:
The teacher does not mind if we suggest some good points to her.

Question 3.
from a distance – thrilled
Answer:
Mohan was thrilled when he saw a lion from a distance.

Question 4.
busy with – guest
Answer:
Mother is busy with her kitchen work because we have some guests for dinner tonight.

Question 5.
at last – to handle
Answer:
After trying very hard, at last, Mita was able to handle the bicycle.

Question 6.
looking for – neighbourhood
Answer:
Mr Dave is looking for a bigger house in the neighbourhood.

Question 7.
marched into – peacefully
Answer:
A group of students marched into the principal’s office and stood there peacefully.

Question 8.
excitement – departure
Answer:
There was a lot of excitement at the time of the cricket team’s departure for the World Cup.

Question 9.
went on – dim
Answer:
Though the light was dim, the old man went on walking on the road.

Question 10.
migrate – region
Answer:
In winter, many birds migrate from the cold regions.

Question 11.
control – to bite
Answer:
Dev could not control his pet dog and it bit a boy playing in the garden.

Question 12.
effort – realize
Answer:
The teacher realized that the children were making an effort to complete the project on time.

Question 13.
crawl-to lift
Answer:
The baby crawled up to his mother and wanted her to lift him up.

Question 14.
special – delighted
Answer:
The village boys were delighted with the special treatment that they received at the function.

Question 15.
to introduce-to wave
Answer:
When the host introduced a new singer, he waved at everyone present in the hall.

Question 16.
incident – disappear
Answer:
The guard has disappeared after the incident of theft in our neighbourhood.

Question 17.
to treat – exhausted
Answer:
The exhausted players were treated like royal guests as they had won the match.

Question 18.
caress – lap
Answer:
The little puppy sat on Govind’s lap and he caressed it lovingly.

Question 19.
hopeful – faint
Answer:
When Nitin heard a faint sound in the bushes, he was hopeful of finding his lost pet dog.

Question 20.
route – to arrive
Answer:
The school bus arrived late because it had to take a longer route instead of the usual one.

Question 21.
puzzled – subject
Answer:
When Jay read a poem, he was puzzled because English was not his favourite subject.

Question 22.
to bend down – to lift
Answer:
Amit bent down to lift the little boy who was standing next to him.

Question 23.
pastime – lonely
Answer:
Shreya was feeling lonely and so she decided to watch TV for pastime.

Question 24.
boiled – reason
Answer:
Can you tell me the reason why we should drink boiled water

C. Write who said to whom the following sentences.

Question 1.
It is too cool and windy. You might catch a cold.
Answer:
This sentence was said by Reshma’s mother to Reshma.

Question 2.
Five minutes more, mummy.
Answer:
This sentence was said by Reshma to her mother.

Question 3.
Reshma, it’s too much ! Now come inside.
Answer:
This sentence was said by Reshma’s mother to Reshma.

Question 4.
It came from the sky. :
Answer:
This sentence was said by Reshma to \ her mother.

Question 5.
Mummy, let’s give him some rice and milk.
Answer:
This sentence was said by Reshma to s her mother.

Question 6.
I know what his name is. It is Mitra, a friend.
Answer:
This sentence was said by Reshma to her mother.

Question 7.
Aunty, can we see the bird ?
Answer:
This was said by the children to Reshma’s mother.

Question 8.
We will be back in the afternoon, Reshma.
Answer:
This sentence was said by the children to Reshma.

Question 9.
See, we can read all about ducks in this s book.
Answer:
This sentence was said by Anju to her \ friends.

Question 10.
We want to make Mitra very strong. He should be able to fly.
Answer:
This sentence was said by Anju to her friends.

Question 11.
Mitra must have come here from a hundred kilometres.
Answer:
This sentence was said by Reshma to Anju.

Question 12.
And he must fly back thousands of kilometres to his home again.
Answer:
This sentence was said by Anju to Reshma.

Question 13.
Yes, we will make him very strong.
Answer:
This sentence was said by Reshma to Anju.

Question 14.
Aunty, please send Reshma to play with us in the park.
Answer:
This sentence was said by the children to Reshma’s mother.

Question 15.
We’ll take her and bring her back safely in her wheelchair.
Answer:
This sentence was said by the children to Reshma’s mother.

D. Fill in the blanks choosing the correct words from the brackets.

(1) (breeze, creaks, windy)
It was a cool windy evening. There were sudden creaks as little branches of tree broke in the strong breeze and fell.

(2) (strong, balcony, enjoying)
Reshma was sitting in the balcony of their first floor flat. She was watching children playing in the park. The children did not mind the strong breeze or the yellow leaves of the neem tree falling on their heads. They were all enjoying their ball game.

(3) (distance, excitement, cool)
“Reshma, come inside,” called her mother from inside the house. “It is too cool and windy. You might catch a cold.” “Five minutes more, mummy.” Reshma was also enjoying the game from a distance. Reshma loved to watch children shouting in excitement.

(4) (wheelchair, spastic, balcony)
Reshma could not play. She could just sit in her wheelchair and watch the life outside from her balcony. She was fourteen years old and a spastic.

(5) (crawl, handle, button up)
Reshma could not walk, or even button up her shirt. But she could crawl and had learnt to use a spoon to eat and to handle her wheelchair.

(6) (exercises, therapy, special)
She went to a special learning centre. She was given speech therapy there. She also learnt some subjects and some exercises.

(7) (lonely, pastime, neighbourhood)
Reshma felt very lonely. She had no friends. All the neighbourhood children were busy with their own schools and games. Reshma’s favourite pastime was to watch the children playing in the street or the park.

(8) (movement, stronger, went on)
Now the wind became stronger and the light became dim. But the children went on with their game. They were kicking a big red ball and jumping with the movement of the ball.

(9) (voices, players, screaming)
Suddenly there was another ball among the players. A brown one. The girls started screaming and the boys shouted at the top of their voices.

(10) (landed, flapped, continued)
A brave boy bent down and touched the new ball. It suddenly flapped its wings and flew up. Before Reshma could understand anything, the new ball landed in her lap. Children waved at Reshma and continued with the game.

(11) (daughter, faint, movement)
“Reshma, it’s too much! Now come inside,” shouted her mother and came out in the balcony to take her daughter in the room. But she saw some movement in Reshma’s lap and heard faint creaks.” What is this?” she cried.

(12) (frightened, arrived, puzzled)
“I don’t know, mummy. It has just arrived.” Reshma was puzzled. “It came from the sky,” she showed the route of the ball with her frightened eyes.

(13) (exhausted, feathers, shovel)
From Salim Ali’s book ‘Indian Birds’ they found out that it was a duck, a shelter duck. Its beak was broad like a shovel. It had bright blue, white and brown feathers. At the moment it looked exhausted.

(14) (native, efforts, migrates)
A shoveller is not a native Indian bird. But it migrates from the cold regions of Russia. This bird must have lost its way due to strong wind. In its efforts to join the flock, it got exhausted and fell in the park like a ball.

(15) (fluttered, bit, huddled)
Reshma’s mother tried to pick it up but it suddenly bit her hand. “Ouch !” she cried. The duck fluttered to the floor. It huddled in a corner of the room.

(16) (touch, feed, grains)
All through the evening Reshma and her mother tried to feed the duck. They put bread crumbs, nuts, fruits and grains in front of it. But it did not touch any of them.

(17) (ink-filler, suggested, brightened)
“Mummy, let’s give him some rice and milk,” suggested Reshma. Her mother mixed boiled rice, milk and sugar. She fed the bird with an ink-filler. The shoveller liked it. His eyes brightened and he started fluttering his wings.

(18) (empty, peacefully, grass)
They took a basket and put some grass into it. It was Mitra’s bed. Reshma kept the basket with her and slept peacefully. When she woke up she looked at the basket. It was empty.

(19) (surprised, breakfast, uniform)
Reshma was feeding breakfast to the duck. Mummy opened the door. Reshma was happily surprised to see a group of children in uniform.

(20) (greeted, smiles, thrilled)
“Aunty, can we see the bird?” they said. Mummy took them to Reshma’s wheelchair. The children greeted Reshma with fresh smiles. They were thrilled to see the bird in Reshma’s lap.

(21) (to hold, leave, introduced)
“He is Mitra,” Reshma introduced l the new friend. “How lovely !” they said. They helped Reshma to hold the bird while Reshma fed him with an-ink filler. They had to leave soon to catch the school bus.

(22) (lame, strong, loving)
“We will be back in the afternoon, Reshma.” “Oh, sure. Do come.” “We’ll play with Mitra, he is so loving,” said Bansi. “We will make him strong,” said Kanu. “It is difficult to make new friends for Mitra because he is lame,” said Anita.

(23) (neighbouring, incident, realize)
After this incident, the neighbouring children became very friendly with Reshma. They could realize that Reshma must have felt bad because they did not play with Reshma.

(24) (fly, evening, strong)
Next day, the children came in the evening. Anju had a thick book with her. “See, we can read all about ducks in this book. We want to make Mitra very strong. He should be able to fly.”

(25) (delighted, thousands, corrected)
“Mitra must have come here from a ‘hundred kilometres.” Reshma said. “Not hundreds, thousands,” corrected Anju. “And he must fly back thousands of kilometres to his home again.” “Yes, we will make him very strong.” Reshma was delighted.

(26) (guide, royal, caressed)
For next ten days Mitra was treated like a royal guest. Everyone brought something for him. The book was their kitchen guide for Mitra. They all caressed and played with him. Mummy had never seen Reshma so happy and hopeful.

(27) (lifted, departure, gently)
Finally, the day of departure for their dearest friend arrived. Reshma’s father took all the children and the duck to a nearby lake. The children lifted Mitra from Reshma’s lap and gently put him in the water.

(28) (swimming, happiness, shovelled)
It slowly started swimming. It shovelled the water with his broad beak. Children were happy to see the happiness of their friend.

(29) (popped up, disappeared, learnt)
Suddenly Mitra disappeared. All stood worried, looking for him with wide eyes. And Mitra popped up from water with a small fish in his beak. “Yeee ….!” All cried and jumped with joy. “He has learnt it again.” The children stood there for a long time, watching Mitra.

(30) (marched into, park, doorbell)
The next day, Reshma went into the balcony to watch the children playing in the park. But there was no one ! Suddenly the doorbell rang, all the children marched into the room.

(31) (reason, brightened, friendly)
With the help of friendly hands Reshma was taken down the stairs to the park. From the balcony, Mummy looked at the broad smile on her daughter’s face, brightened by the setting sun. Reshma never had a reason to feel lonely again.

Friend from the Sky Summary in Gujarati

ઠંડા પવનવાળી સાંજ હતી. સખત ફૂંકાતા પવનથી ઝાડની નાની ડાળીઓ તૂટીને નીચે પડવાનો અવાજ આવતો હતો. રેશ્મા તેમના પહેલા માળના ફ્લેટની બૅલ્કનિમાં બેઠી હતી. તે બાગમાં રમતાં બાળકોને જોઈ રહી હતી. બાળકોને સખત ફૂંકાતા પવન કે તેમના માથા પર પડતાં લીમડાનાં પીળાં પડી ગયેલાં પાંદડાંની પરવા નહોતી. તેઓને તેમની દડાની રમતમાં મજા પડતી હતી.

રેશ્મા, અંદર ચાલ,” ઘરમાંથી તેની માતાએ તેને બોલાવી. ખૂબ જ ઠંડી અને પવન છે. તને શરદી થઈ જશે.”
“મમી, પાંચ મિનિટ.” રેશ્મા પણ દૂરથી રમતની મજા લઈ રહી હતી. ઉત્તેજનામાં દેકારો કરતાં બાળકોને જોવાનું રેશ્માને બહુ ગમતું. રેશ્મા રમી શકતી નહોતી. તે માત્ર તેની વીલચેઅરમાં બેસી, તેની બૅલ્કનિમાંથી બહારનું જીવન જોઈ શકતી. તે ચૌદ

વર્ષની હતી, ઑસ્ટિક હતી. [ઑસ્ટિક : એક એવી વ્યક્તિ જેને જન્મથી જ તેના હાથ-પગ પર કાબૂ નથી.] રેશ્મા ચાલી શકતી નહોતી, કે તેના શર્ટના બટન પણ બીડી શકતી નહોતી. પણ તે ભાંખડીએ ચાલી શકતી અને (તેણે) જમવા માટે ચમચીનો ઉપયોગ કરવાનું અને પોતાની વીલચેઅર ચલાવવાનું શીખી લીધું હતું. તે એક વિશેષ શિક્ષણકેન્દ્રમાં જતી. ત્યાં તેને બોલવાની તાલીમ (ઉપચાર) આપવામાં આવતી. તે કેટલાક વિષયો અને કેટલીક કસરતો પણ શીખતી.

રેશ્માને ખૂબ એકલવાયું લાગતું. તેને મિત્રો નહોતાં. પડોશનાં બધાં જ બાળકો તેમની શાળા અને રમતોમાં વ્યસ્ત હતાં. શેરીમાં કે બાગમાં બાળકોને રમતાં જોવાં એ તેનું ગમતું મનોરંજન હતું. હવે પવનનું જોર વધ્યું અને પ્રકાશ પણ ઝાંખો થઈ ગયો. પણ બાળકોએ રમવાનું ચાલુ રાખ્યું. તેઓ એક મોટા લાલ દડાને | લાત મારીને તેની ગતિ સાથે કૂદાકૂદ કરતા હતા. એકાએક રમનાર

બાળકો વચ્ચે એક બીજો દડો આવી પડ્યો. ભુખરો. છોકરીઓ ચીસો પાડવા લાગી અને છોકરાઓ ખૂબ મોટેથી બૂમો પાડવા લાગ્યા. એક બહાદુર છોકરાએ નીચે નમીને તે નવા દડાને સ્પર્શ ક્ય. અચાનક જ તેણે (વ્રએ) તેની પાંખો ફફડાવી અને ઊંડી ગયું. રેશ્મા કંઈ સમજી શકે તે પહેલાં તો તે નવો દડો તેના ખોળામાં આવી પડ્યો. બાળકોએ રેશ્મા સામે હાથ હલાવીને તેમની રમત ચાલુ રાખી.

રેશ્મા, બહુ થયું! હવે અંદર આવી જા,” તેની મમીએ બૂમ પાડી અને તેમની દીકરીને રૂમમાં લઈ જવા માટે બહાર
બૅકનિમાં આવ્યા. પણ તેમણે રેશમાના ખોળામાં કંઈક હલચલ -, જોઈ અને ઝીણો અવાજ સાંભળ્યો. ‘‘આ શું છે?” તેમણે પૂછ્યું.

મને ખબર નથી, મમી, તે હમણાં જ આવી પડ્યું.” રેમાં મૂંઝાઈ ગઈ હતી. તે આકાશમાંથી આવ્યું,” ભયભીત આંખોથી તેણે તે દડાનો માર્ગ દેખાડવો. મમીએ વીલચેઅર રૂમમાં લઈ લીધી. હવે તેઓને મોટી ચાંચવાળું એક ભયભીત પક્ષી જોયું.

સલીમ અલીના પુસ્તક ‘ભારતીય પક્ષીઓ માંથી તેમણે શોધી કાઢયું કે, તે પક્ષી એક બતક હતું. એક ‘શેલ્ટર બતક’. તેની ચાંચ પાવડા જેવી પહોળી હતી. તેનો પીછો ભૂરો, સફેદ અને ભૂખરાં હતાં. અત્યારે તો તે ખૂબ થાકેલું લાગતું હતું, શવલર (બતક) એ ભારતીય મૂળનું પક્ષી નથી. તે રશિયાના ઠંડા પ્રદેશોમાંથી સ્થળાંતર કરીને આવે છે. જોરથી ફૂંકાતા પવનને કારણે તે પક્ષી તેનો માર્ગ ભૂલી ગયું હશે. તેના (પલીઓના) સમૂહમાં જોડાવાના પ્રયત્નમાં તે ખૂબ જ થાકી ગયું અને બાગમાં એક દડાની જેમ આવી પડવું.

રેમાની મમીએ તેને ઊંચકવાનો પ્રયત્ન કર્યો પણ અચાનક તેણે તેમના હાથ પર બચકું ભર્યું. “આઉચ !” તેઓ બોલી ઊઠ્યા. બતક પાંખો ફફડાવતું ભોંય પર આવી ગયું. તે રૂમના એક ખૂણાની હૂંફમાં જઈ બેસી ગયું. આખીયે સાંજ રેશ્મા અને તેની મમીએ તે બતકને ખવડાવવાનો પ્રયત્ન કર્યો. તેમણે તેની સામે છેડનો ભૂકો, ઈંગદાણા, ફળ અને અનાજના દાણા મૂક્યાં. પણ તેમાંનું કશુંય તેણે ખાધું નઈ.

મમી, આપણે તેને થોડા દૂધ-ભાત આપીએ,” રેશમાએ સૂચવ્યું. તેની મમીએ ભાત, દૂધ અને ખાંડ મેળવ્યાં. તેમણે શાહી ભરવાની નળીથી પક્ષીને ખવરાવ્યું. શવલરને તે ભાવ્યું. તેની આંખોમાં ચમક આવી અને તે પાંખો ફફડાવવા લાગ્યું. પણ તે ઊડી શકતું નહોતું.

મને તેનું નામ ખબર છે. તેનું નામ) ‘મિત્ર’ છે,” રેશમાએ કહ્યું. તેમણે એક ટોપલી લઈ તેમાં થોડું ઘાસ મૂક્યું. તે મિત્રની પથારી હતી. રેશમાએ ટોપલી પોતાની પાસે રાખી અને શાંતિથી ઊંઘી ગઈ. સવારે જાગીને તેણે ટોપલી જોઈ. તે ખાલી હતી. રેશ્માએ મોટેથી બૂમ પાડી, “મિત્ર … મિત્ર … તું ક્યાં છે?” તેના મમી અને પપ્પાએ આખાય ઘરમાં તપાસ કરી અને અંતે બાથરૂમમાં પાણીના ટબ પાસે તે મળ્યું.

સવારે લગભગ 1:30 વાગે ડૉરબેલ વાગી. રેશ્મા બતકને નાસ્તો ખવડાવી રહી હતી. મમીએ બારણું ખોલ્યું. ગણવેશમાં બાળકોની ટોળી જોઈને રેશમાને સુખદ આશ્ચર્ય થયું. “આન્ટિ, શું અમે પક્ષી જોઈ શકીએ?” તેમણે પૂછવું. મમી તેમને રેશ્માની વીલચેઅર પાસે લઈ ગયા. બાળકોએ તાજગીભર્યું સ્મિત સાથે રશ્માનું અભિવાદન કર્યું. રેશ્માના ખોળામાં પક્ષી જોઈને તેઓ રોમાંચિત થઈ ગયા. “તે મિત્ર છે,” રેશમાએ નવા મિત્રની ઓળખાણ કરાવી.

“કેટલું સુંદર !” તેઓ બોલ્યાં, રેશ્મા શાહી ભરવાની નળીથી તેને ખવડાવી રહી હતી ત્યારે તેઓએ રેશ્માને પક્ષી પકડી રાખવામાં મદદ કરી. શાળાએ જવાની બસમાં સમયસર) પહોંચવા માટે તેઓને વહેલા જવું પડયું. “રેશ્મા, અમે બપોરે ફરી આવીશું.” “ચોક્કસ આવજો.” “આપણે મિત્ર સાથે રમીશું. તે કેટલું પ્રેમાળ છે,” બંસીએ કહ્યું. “આપણે તેને સશક્ત કરીશું,કનુએ કહ્યું. “મિત્ર માટે નવા મિત્રો બનાવવા કઠિન છે કારણ કે તે લંગડું છે,” અનિતાએ કહ્યું.

આ પ્રસંગ પછી, પડોશનાં બાળકો રેશ્માનાં ખૂબ સારા મિત્રો બની ગયા. તેઓને સમજાયું કે તેઓ રેશ્મા સાથે રમતા નહોતા એટલે રેશ્માને ખૂબ ખરાબ લાગ્યું હશે. બીજે દિવસે સાંજે બાળકો આવ્યાં. અંજુ પાસે એક જાડું પુસ્તક હતું. “જુઓ, આપણે આ પુસ્તકમાં બતકો વિશે બધું જ વાંચી શકીશું. આપણે મિત્રને ખૂબ સશક્ત કરવા માગીએ છીએ, તે ઊડી (જ) શકવું જોઈએ.”

‘મિત્ર સેંકડો કિલોમીટર દૂરથી અહીં આવ્યું હશે,” રેશમાએ “સેંકડો નહીં, હજારો,” અંજુએ ભૂલ સુધારી. “અને તેણે તેના ઘરે પહોંચવા માટે પાછું હજારો કિલોમીટર ઊડવું પડશે.”

“હા, આપણે તેને ખૂબ સશક્ત બનાવીશું,” રેશમા ખૂબ ખુશ થઈ. પછીના દસ દિવસ મિત્રની સરભરા એક બાદશાહી મહેમાન જેવી કરવામાં આવી. દરેક જણ તેના માટે કંઈને કંઈ લઈ આવતા. તે પુસ્તક મિત્ર માટેનું તેમનું માર્ગદર્શક હતું. તેઓ બધા જ તેને પંપાળતાં અને તેની સાથે રમતાં. મમીએ રેશમાને આટલી ખુશ અને આશાવાદી કદી જોઈ ન હતી.

છેવટે, તેમના સૌથી પ્રિય મિત્રના વિદાયનો દિવસ આવ્યો. રેશ્માના પિતા બધાં બાળકોને અને બતકને એક નજીકના તળાવ પર લઈ ગયા. બાળકોએ રેશ્માના ખોળામાંથી મિત્રને ઊંચક્યું અને હળવેથી તેને પાણીમાં છોડી મૂક્યું. ધીમે ધીમે તે તરવા લાગ્યું. તે તેની પહોળી ચાંચથી પાણીમાં હલેસાં મારવા લાગ્યું. બાળકો તેમના મિત્રની ખુશી જોઈને ખુશ હતા.

અચાનક જ મિત્ર અદશ્ય થઈ ગયું. સૌ તેમની આંખો પહોળી કરી તેને શોધતાં, ચિંતાતુર ઊભા રહ્યાં અને મિત્ર તેની ચાંચમાં એક નાની માછલી લઈને પાણીમાંથી ઉપર આવ્યું. “હેઅઅઅ … !” સૌ બોલી ઊઠ્યાં અને આનંદથી કૂદવા લાગ્યા. “તેણે ફરીથી શીખી લીધું.” મિત્રને નિહાળતાં, બાળકો ઘણી વાર સુધી ત્યાં ઊભા રહ્યાં. બીજે દિવસે, બાગમાં રમતાં બાળકોને જોવા માટે રેશમા બૅલ્કનમાં ગઈ. પણ ત્યાં કોઈ જ નહોતું! અચાનક ડૉરબેલ વાગી અને બધાં જ બાળકો રૂમમાં આવી પહોંચ્યા.

“આન્ટિ, રેશ્માને અમારી સાથે બાગમાં રમવા મોકલો, પ્લીઝ,” તેઓએ કહ્યું. “અમે તેને તેની વીલચેઅરમાં સલામત (રીતે) લઈ જઈશું અને પાછી લાવીશું.” મિત્રોની મદદથી રેશ્માને દાદર ઉતારી બાગમાં લઈ જવામાં આવી. બૅલ્કનિમાંથી મમીએ સૂર્યાસ્તના ઉજાસમાં ચમકતા તેમની દીકરીના ચહેરા પર એક સુંદર હાસ્ય જોયું. હવે, રેશ્માને એકલવાયું લાગવાનું કોઈ કારણ નહોતું.

Word Meanings

Idioms and Phrases

(1) to mind
The teacher did not mind the children playing during the free period.

(2) from a distance
The mother was watching her children playing from a distance.

(3) busy with
On Sunday, father was busy with his office work.

(4) to go on
Though it was dark, the children went on playing.

(5) at the top of one’s voice
The monitor was speaking at the top of his voice.

(6) to continue with
Though the children were talking, the teacher continued with her lesson.

(7) at the moment
I am not in a mood to play at the moment.

(8) to lose one’s way
The child lost his way in the market.

(9) at last
The rain stopped and at last, the match started.

(10) to be friendly with
Mohan is very friendly with my cousin Nitin.

(11) to feel bad
Sheetal felt bad because her friend could not come for the picnic.

(12) to look for
The policemen are looking for the thief.

(13) with wide eyes
The little boy looked at the elephant with wide eyes.

(14) to pop up from
The swimmer popped up from the water and waved at his friends.

(15) to jump with joy
The little girl jumped with joy when she saw her mother.

(16) to march into
The students marched into the classroom.