Lesson -4
My Childhood

Do you know any stories from Mahatma Gandhi's life?

My father bought a book named "Shravana Pitrabhakti Natak". I read it with intense interest. I was shown the picture of Shravana carrying his blind parents in a 'Kanwar'. The book and the picture left a lasting impression on my mind.

"Here is an example for you to copy", I said to myself. The play "Harishchandra" also captured my heart. I was never tired of watching it. Still both Harishchandra and Shravana are living realities for me. I am always moved if I read those plays.

I was about seven when my father left Porbander for Rajkot. There I was put in a primary school. I do not remember having ever told a lie during my school days, either to my teachers or to my schoolmates. I was very shy and avoided all company. My books and my lessons were my only companions.

Once Mr. Giles came for inspection. He gave us five words to write as a spelling exercise. One of the words was 'kettle'. I misspelt it. The teacher tried to prompt me but I didn't want to be prompted. I didn't copy the spelling from my neighbour's slate. All students spelt every word correctly, only I was stupid. After the inspection was over, the teacher pointed out my stupidity. Why didn't I copy from my neighbour? This had no effect on me.

1.  Word power
Choose from the given words and fill in the blanks:
(impression, lie, reality, copied, power)
The life of Mahatma Gandhi left a lasting impression on my mind. Till today Gandhiji is a living reality for Indians. He is an example to be copied. He did not remember having told a lie during his school days. He taught us the power of non-violence and non-cooperation.

2.  Comprehension questions

Answer these questions:

Q.1.  What was the task that Mr. Giles set?
Ans. - Once Mr. Giles came for inspection. He gave five words to write as a spelling exercise.

Q.2.  Why didn't Gandhiji copy?
Ans. - Gandhiji always believed in truth, therefore he disliked to copy.

Q.3.  What left a lasting impression on Gandhiji's mind?
Ans. - The book "shravana Pitra Bhakti Natak" and picture of shravan carrying his blind parents in kanwar, left a lasting impression on his mind.

Q.4. Why were "Shravana" and "Harishchandra" important to Mahatma Gandhi?
Ans. - Mahatm Gandhi was very much impressed by the characters of shravana and harishchandra therefore they were important for him.

Q.5.  Are they important to you and why?
Ans. - Yes,they are equally important to us also, because of their, truthfulness and 'pitrabhakti' of Harishchandra and Shravana respective.

3.  Grammar in use

1)  Make sentences of your own, using the past tense of the verbs given:
cook, play, clean, think

1.       Example : I liked the book.
a.       I cooked food.
b.       I played cricket.
c.       She cleaned the office
d.       He thought about you.

make, write, ride, give
2.  Example : He ran home.
a.       He made his home.
b.       She wrote a letter.
c.       Shyam rode on a house.
d.       Ram gave me a pen.

try, fry, copy
3.  Example : The baby cried.
a.       I tried to learn English.
b.       She fried the onions.
c.       He never copied in his life

put, hit, read
4.  Example : I cut a mango.
a.       He put his book on the table.
b.       He hit the ball with a bat.
c.       He read the book.

2)  Here are a few sentences written in simple present tense. Read them and change into simple past tense:
[ Ramu says this about his grand father]
My grandfather wakes up early in the morning. He goes to market. He buys fruit, chocolates and vegetables. He comes home. Then he has lunch and rests for a while.
In the evening, he tells us stories from the Panchatantra. He relates to us several events from his life.
We like our grandfather.
Ans. –
[ Ramu says this about his grand father]
My grandfather woke up early in the morning. He went to market. He bought fruit, chocolates and vegetables. He Came home. Then he had lunch and rested for a while.
In the evening, he told us stories from the Panchatantra. He related to us several events from his life.
We like our grandfather.

3)  Complete the following chart:

Write the three forms of the verbs given below:


Verb - IVerb - IIVerb - III
RememberRememberedRemembered
AvoidAvoidedAvoided
PromptPromptedPrompted
PurchasePurchasedPurchased
CaptureCapturedCaptured
TireTiredTired
MoveMovedMoved

4.     Let's talk

[Work in pairs]
Discuss in pairs and find answers to the following questions:
1.  When was Mahatma Gandhi born?
Ans. – Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat.

2.  What was his father's name?
Ans. – His father’s name was Karamchand Gandhi.

3.  What was his mother's name?
Ans. – His mother’s name was putlibai.

4.  When did he go to London?
Ans. – He went to London for higher education after copleting his secondary education in 1881.

5.  Why did he go to South Africa?
Ans. – He went to South Africa to plead in a case.

5.  Let's write

Talk to your friend about Gandhiji and his life and write things that you would like to follow. Choose from the given words. (Self-help, simplicity, truthfulness, non-violence, vegetarianism)

Ans. -

YouYour Friend
1. Self help1. Simplicity
2. Truthfulness2. Vegetarianism
3. Non-violence3. Truthfulness
4. Simplicity4. Non-violence