wonder book 5

Vocabulary

1. Make sentences of your own by using the words given.
a. painful
b. computer
c. rage
d. type
e. technology

2. Find out opposite words of the following.
a. decreases b. love c. kill

d. gained e. comfortable

Comprehension Activities

1 Summary of the poem is written in jumbled sentences.

Arrange them in correct order.
a. When he is ready to type then he loses his feelings and

emotions from his mind.
b. He writes to save him from computer errors.
c. He can not recall his words so it is painful.
d. The technology increases his anger.
e. The poet does not want to type his work in the future.

2 Answer the following questions

a. What is the poem about?
b. What is the poet hatred for?
c. How helps to remove the errors from the computer?
d. What makes him lose his feelings?
e. What is painful according to the poet?

A course in English literature Book - 5 151

Write Long Answer

Write a short summary of the poem in good cursive handwriting.

Literary Terms

Refrain is a verse, a line, a set, or a group of lines that appears at the
end of stanza, or appears where a poem divides into different sections.
It originated in France, where it is popular as, refraindre, which means
“to repeat.” Refrain is a poetic device that repeats, at regular intervals, in
different stanzas. For example, the lines mentioned below are repeated
twice in the above poem.
Never again,
Never ever again,
Will I ever type my work up!

Think, Pair and Share

Does science help us in our daily activities? What would happen if
technologies were not developed till the date? Share your ideas in the class.

Project Activity

Ask each and every friend of your to write a page of best handwriting on
computer paper. Collect and prepare a handwriting album.

152 A course in English literature Book -5

Stopping by Woods 24
on a Snowy Evening

BYeofuorheayvoeuapnriomcepeodrtant exam tomorrow and your favourite
programme is being aired on TV today. Will you study for
your exam or watch TV? Will you focus on your duty or on
entertainment? Which one is more important?

Meet the poet

Robert Lee Frost (March 26, 1874 AD – January 29,
1963 AD) was an American poet. He was the win-
ner of four Pulitzer Prizes.

This poem tells a simple story, but as you read and
reread the poem, you will find that there is a deeper
meaning in it.

New words

queer - strange or unusual
harness - icasosnpetutrtoolaf rilteoautnhderabheoltrssea’ns dhemaedtaalnpdiebcoedsythtoat
sweep - swift movement
downy - very soft

flake - a small, very tiny layer or piece of snow

A course in English literature Book - 5 153

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

-Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

154 A course in English literature Book -5

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Vocabulary

Make a sentence using each of these words. promises
snow woods frozen evening wind

Comprehension Activities

1 Write T for true and F for false statements.

a. The horse didn’t find it unusual to stop without a farmhouse.


b. There wasn’t a farmhouse between the woods and
frozen lake.

c. That particular evening was the darkest evening of the
year.

2 Complete the missing parts in this stanza.

My little horse ……………………………………………
…………………………………………… a farmhouse near
Between the woods ……………………………………………
The darkest ……………………………………………

3 Answer the following questions.

a. Where does the rider stop?
b. Who will not see his stop there? Why?
c. Why do you think the horse is confused?

A course in English literature Book - 5 155

d. How does the horse respond to the strangeness of the place?
e. Why can the writer not remain longer in the lovely woods?

Write Long Answer

Write a short summary of the poem.

Creative Writing

How do you understand the following lines? Write in your own words.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Literary Terms

Narration is one of the many styles of writing. A narrative poem
is a poem which tells a story from the speaker’s point of view.
This poem is a narrative poem. Have you come across any other
narrative poems in this book?

Imagine you are the man in the poem. Narrate your own story.
Begin like this: Once I was travelling through woods on a snowy
evening... .

Think, Pair and Share

What attracts you when you are in a tour? Share your answer in
the class.

Project Activity

Draw a picture of woods on a snowy evening. Imagine the scene
from the point of view of the poet. Also colour it.

156 A course in English literature Book -5

Underground 25

Before you proceed
a. Have you ever thought about what it might be like under

the ground? Although it seems to be a dark and silent
place, it supports many lives.
b. Have you ever thought that a world might exist
underground?
c. What kinds of people do you think live there?

Meet the poet

James Reeves was the pen name of John Morris
(1909 AD– 1978 AD), a British writer known
for his poetry and contributions to children’s
literature. His published books include poetry
and stories for both adults and children.

New words
quarrying - igging

populous - full of people (ants are ‘people’ in the an world)

intrude - go somewhere you are not welcome

solitude - alone

gigantic - huge

marvellous - wonderful

toil - work hard

tread - step, walk

secure - safe

A course in English literature Book - 5 157

Underground -James Reeves

In the deep kingdom underground
There is no light and little sound.
Down below the earth’s green floor
The rabbit and the mole explore.

The quarrying ants run to and fro
To make their populous empires grow.
Do they, as I pass overhead,
Stop in their work to hear my tread?

158 A course in English literature Book -5

Some creatures sleep and do not toil,
Secure and warm beneath the soil.
Sometimes a fork or spade intrudes
Upon their earthly solitude.

Downward the branching tree-roots spread
Into the country of the dead.
Deep down, the buried rocks and stones
Are like the earth’s gigantic bones.
In the dark kingdom underground How many marvellous
things are found!

"Underground” is the only word in the
English language that begins and ends with
the letters “und”.

Vocabulary

1. Circle the antonym of the words given below.

a. gigantic ii. huge iii. furious
i. small
ii. scarce iii. full of
b. populous
i. famous ii. dangerous iii. safe

c. secure
i. wonderful

A course in English literature Book - 5 159

d. toil ii. work hard iii. sleep
i. enjoy working ii. noisy iii. silent

e. solitude
i. along

Comprehension Activities

1 State whether the following statements are ‘true’ or ‘false’

and correct the false statements.

a. The poet calls it the country of the dead because the dead
are buried in graves.

b. Ants run to and fro to destroy their empires.
c. Underground is a busy world with many lives.

d. Buried rocks and stones are earth’s huge bones.

2 Answer the following questions.

a. What are the marvellous things found underground?
b. Is the “kingdom underground” a quiet world or a noisy world?

Which word tells you this?
c. What does the poet mean by ‘populous empires’ in line six?
d. Whom do ‘the fork and spade’ disturb?
e. What is the poem about?

Literary Terms

In a poem, you can see lines grouped in different styles. Each
group of poetic lines is known as a stanza.

Stanzas are named differently according to the number of lines
they contain. If there are two poetic lines with end rhyme in a
group, that makes a couplet. Similarly, if there are four poetic
lines in a stanza, that makes a quatrain. Now, see James

160 A course in English literature Book -5

Reeves’ ‘Underground’ and note how many quatrains and
couplets there are.
Poets also follow certain pattern of rhyming words in a
stanza of a poem. Such pattern is called rhyming pattern.
We often use small letters to denote a rhyming pattern. We
use the same letter to denote the same sound at the end of
the lines. Now write the rhyming pattern of each stanza of the
poem.
Note: You may refer to the poem Mr. Nobody in Grade 4 Wonder
book to see an example of how a rhyming pattern is shown.

Creative Writing

Do human beings have the right to dig the ground and disturb the
animals living there? Write your views.

Think, Pair and Share

Why does the poet call the underground “the country of the
dead”? Have a class discussion.

Project Activity

Find some words that spell the same from the beginnign and the
end.
Example: madam

161 A course in English literature Book -5

Play

• Mr. Gautam

A play is a story that is meant to be performed for an audience,
a group of people. A play is told mainly through the words the char-
acters speak. It can be read aloud or acted out. When you take part in
a play, remember to read the character’s words the way you think the
character might say them.

The people who play the parts of the characters are called ac-
tors. Some plays have a narrator. The narrator tells the audience what
is happening in the play.

A play has a setting. It is where and when the play takes place.
Many plays have more than one setting.
The dialogue is the lines of text the characters speak in the
play. The characters’ names appear before the lines they speak.
Have you acted in a play before?

A course in English literature Book - 5 162

Mr. Gautam 26

Before you proceed

Meet the characters before you read the play.

Mr. Gautam Mr. Gautam 2 Mr. Gautam 3 a girl

A sincere citizen always pays tax.
Do you think it is wise to avoid paying tax to the government?

Mr. Gautam

Scene : An office, at four o’clock one afternoon
Characters: A girl
Mr. Suraj Gautam
A second ‘Mr. Gautam’
A third ‘Mr. Gautam’

A course in English literature Book - 5 163

Mr. Gautam goes into an office.

Mr. Gautam Good afternoon.

Girl Good afternoon.

Mr. Gautam My name is Gautam. Suraj Gautam. I come from

Baneshwor, Kathmandu. I saw an advertisement

in the newspaper. It said: ‘Suraj Gautam. Money.

Four o’ clock. Tuesday afternoon’. And it gave this

address.

Girl Ah yes. Wait in here please, Mr. Gautam.

She takes Mr. Gautam into another office.

Mr. Gautam Thank you.

Girl Please wait with these two gentlemen.

Mr. Gautam Oh, thank you.

The girl goes out.

Mr. Gautam Good afternoon.

Mr. Gautam 2 Good afternoon.

Mr. Gautam Good afternoon.

Mr. Gautam 3 Good afternoon.

Mr. Gautam Nice day,

isn’t it?

Mr. Gautam 2 Yes.

Mr. Gautam 3 Yes, it is.

The girl comes in.

Girl Now – Mr.

Gautam?

164 A course in English literature Book -5

Mr. Gautam

Mr. Gautam 2 Yes?

Mr. Gautam 3

Girl Mr. Gautam.

Mr. Gautam

Mr. Gautam 2 Yes?

Mr. Gautam 3

Girl Which one of you is Mr. Gautam?

Mr. Gautam I am.

Mr. Gautam 2 So am I.

Mr. Gautam 3 So am I.

Mr. Gautam No, my name’s Gautam.

Mr. Gautam 2 So’s mine.

Mr. Gautam 3 So’s mine.

Girl I want to speak to Mr. Suraj Gautam.

Mr. Gautam Suraj Gautam! That’s me!

Mr. Gautam 2 No, I’m Suraj Gautam.

Mr. Gautam 3 That’s my name, too!

Girl Suraj Prasad Gautam.

Mr. Gautam Yes! My name is Suraj Prasad Gautam.

Mr. Gautam 3 So is mine.

Mr. Gautam 2 Mine is, too!

Girl I want to speak to Mr. Suraj Prasad Gautam from

Baneshwor.

A course in English literature Book - 5 165

Mr. Gautam That’s right. I come from Baneshwor.

Mr. Gautam 2 So do I.

Mr. Gautam 3 So do I.

Girl The Mr. Gautam I want to see who has got three

children.

Mr. Gautam Yes, that’s me! I’ve got three children.

Mr. Gautam 3 So have I.

The other man hesitates.

Girl What about you?

Mr. Gautam 2 I’ve got three children.

Mr. Gautam You haven’t! What are they called?

Mr. Gautam 2 What are yours called?

Mr. Gautam Ram, Shyam and Hari.

Mr. Gautam 2 So are mine.

Mr. Gautam 3 What a coincidence! So are mine.

Girl So you all say you’re Mr. Gautam?

Mr. Gautam

Mr. Gautam 2 Yes!

Mr. Gautam 3

Girl And you all saw the advertisement in the

newspaper.

Mr. Gautam

Mr. Gautam 2 Yes!

Mr. Gautam 3

166 A course in English literature Book -5

Girl (Very seriously) Well, Mr. Suraj Prasad Gautam,

who lives in Baneshwor, and has three children,

hasn’t paid any tax for the last five years. He must

pay Rs. 5 lakh to the government.
What will the three men say now?

Mr. Gautam 2 Er. . . actually, my name isn’t Gautam.

Mr. Gautam 3 Nor is mine, and I don’t live in Baneshwor, either.

Mr. Gautam 2 Nor do I. I live in. . . Bhaktapur. I didn’t understand

the advertisement.

Mr. Gautam 3 Nor did I. I didn’t realize it meant Suraj Prasad

Gautam.

Mr. Gautam 2 Nor did I. My name isn’t Suraj Prasad Gautam.

Mr. Gautam 3 Nor is mine. He’s the man you’re looking for.

Mr. Gautam Oh dear.

Mr. Gautam 2 Yes, of

course

he is!

Sorry for

troubling

you.

Goodbye.

Mr. Gautam 3 Yes, I am really sorry. Goodbye.

The two men leave.

Girl So you’re Mr. Gautam.

Mr. Gautam Yes.

A course in English literature Book - 5 167

Girl Congratulations!

Mr. Gautam Er?

Girl You’re a rich man.

Mr. Gautam I’m not!

Girl Yes, you are. You’ve got a lot of money!

Mr. Gautam I haven’t. I can’t pay that tax.

Girl There isn’t any tax!

Mr. Gautam Really?

Girl No. That was just a story. I had to find the real Mr.

Gautam.

Mr. Gautam Why?

Girl Because the real Mr. Gautam is a very rich man.

Mr. Gautam I don’t understand.

Girl Mr. Gautam, your uncle Tanka Prasad died last

week.

Mr. Gautam Oh, no. . .

Girl And his money goes to you!

Mr. Gautam To me? But uncle Tanka Prasad was a millionaire!

Girl That’s right.

Mr. Gautam So now I’m a millionaire?

Girl Er. . . no.

Mr. Gautam Oh!

Girl You’re half a millionaire.

168 A course in English literature Book -5

Mr. Gautam Half a millionaire? Which half? The top half or the
bottom half?

Girl No, no, no. You share the money with one other
person.

Mr. Gautam Half a millionaire! Who do I share the money with?

Girl Me!

Mr. Gautam You?

Girl Yes, I’m your cousin Smriti.

Mr. Gautam Cousin Smriti? Really? You’ve grown up!

Girl So have you.

Mr. Gautam And now you’re half a millionaire.

Girl And so are you! Let’s go out and celebrate.

Mr. Gautam Good idea! Let’s go out and celebrate! Come on!

He opens the door.

Mr. Gautam Oh. . .er… Smriti?

Girl Yes?

Mr. Gautam Do you have money to buy bus ticket? I don’t
have
any.

A course in English literature Book - 5 169

Vocabulary

1. Write the antonyms of the words given below.

a. come ...........................
b. nice ............................
c. rich ..............................
d. top ..............................
e. half .............................

2. Look up the meaning of the following words in a dictionary. Then
use each word in a sentence of your own.

a. coincidence b. millionaire

Comprehension Activities
1 Write whether the following statements are ‘true’ or

‘false’.
a. Mr. Gautam came from Chitwan.
b. All three Mr. Gautams said that they had three children.
c. The girl said that Mr. Gautam had to pay Rs. 10 lakh to the

government.
d. Mr. Gautam got his uncle’s money.

e. Mr. Gautam became half a millionaire.

2 Answer the following questions.

a. How many Mr. Gautams were there?
b. What did they see in the newspaper?
c. What are the names of Suraj’s children?
d. What did the girl say to find out the real Mr. Gautam?
e. How did Mr. Gautam become rich?
170 A course in English literature Book -5

Literary Terms

Setting is the time and location in which a story takes place. For
some stories, the setting is very important, while for others it is not.
Describe the setting of the play ‘Mr. Gautam’.

Creative Writing

Suppose you are Mr. Gautam and you became a millionaire. Write
in about 100 words what you would do with the money.

Think, Pair and Share

Imagine you were the girl in the play. How would you find the real
Mr. Gautam? Discuss with your friends.

Project Activity

Did you like the play?
Now take turns and choose your roles. Act out the play in the class.
Have fun!
You may even perform this play on the Teacher’s Day or the Parents'
Day.

171 A course in English literature Book -5

Nepal Special

●● Jhamak Kumari Ghimire
●● Mahabir Pun
●● The Hunter and the Tiger
●● The Hill of the Flaming Lotus Swayambhunath Stupa
●● Teej

Welcome to the Nepal special section!
We will learn different things about Nepal in this section. We will learn
about Nepali people and culture. We will learn about places in Nepal.
We will learn about events that happen in Nepal.
We will also read a story from Nepal!

A course in English literature Book - 5 172

Jhamak Kumari 27
Ghimire

Before you proceed
Can you tell the names of some female writers who have
contributed to Nepali literature?

New words

impaired - damaged
wrecked - cause of destruction
crippled - needy
enfeebled - weaken
inoperative - not working
awarded - gave prize

Jhamak Kumari Ghimire

It is quite famous name in the field
of Nepali literature. Especially
she writes poems. She was born
in July 1980 in the village of
Kachide,Dhankuta. She is the first
child of mother Asa Devi Ghimire
and father Krishna Bahadur Ghimire

She is suffering from cerebral palsy
and physically impaired since her
birth. Jhamak is considered as Nepali
equivalent of Hellen Keller as both of
them suffered from the same disease.

A course in English literature Book - 5 173

Although her condition is miserable she writes with her left leg.
She even could not speak. Her both hands are inoperative. She could not
even sit comfortably. In the first sight, she looks like wrecked, crippled
and enfeebled girl.
Now she has become prominent writer of Nepal But she has not attended
any kind of school for formal education. She learnt everything by hearing
the words and sentences that her sister used to read.She has also written
articles in Kantipur daily being regular column writer.
Besides, she has given great contribution to different aspects of Nepali
literature. She had been awarded with the Madan Puraskar which is most
popular award given to the writer for her work ‘Jivan Kanda ki Ful’(Is life
a thorn or a flower?). She wrote her sorrowful life history in the book.
She wrote some books of poems like Sankalpa (vow),Aafnai Chita Agni
Shikhatira (Own's funeral pyre towards the fire apex), Manchhe Bhitraka
Yoddaharu (Warriors inside humans). She received many more awards in
her life for her works. She is the inspiring figure for all people who are
interested in literature.

174 A course in English literature Book -5

Vocabulary

1. Match the following words with their opposite words.
impaired different
prominent punished
regular perfect
awarded ordinary
same irregular

Comprehension Activities
1 Choose the correct option and fill in the blanks.

inspiring, miserable, informal, awarded, compared,
a. Her life can be …….. with Helen Keller.
b. She has become ……….. writer of Nepal.
c. She learned everything through ………education.
d. She was ……. with Madan Puraskar for her works.
e. Her physical condition is…….. .

2 Answer the following questions.

a. Where was Jhamak Kumari Ghimire born?
b. What is her main job?
c. How is the condition of Jhamak?
d. Why is she offered a great honour in Nepal?
e. What is described in the book ‘Jivan Kanda ki Ful’?

A course in English literature Book - 5 175

Creative Writing

Search a biography of Helen Keller, and compare it with Jhamak
Kumari Ghimire.

Think, Pair and Share

Can a differently abled person do the work that normal people can't
do?

Project Activity

Borrow the book ‘Jivan Kanda Ki Ful’ from school library. It contains
a sorrowful life story and of a female struggle in the life. Find out
how she learnt to read and write. Then write about her childhood
days.

176 A course in English literature Book -5

Mahabir Pun 28

Before you proceed
a. Do you use the mobile phone of your parents? Do you

use the Internet on it?
b. How has the Internet changed the world?
c. You are going to read about Mahabir Pun. Why do you

think he is famous?

New words

embrace - include

expand - to increase

improve - to get better

troubleshooting - finding out why it isn’t working properly

pasture - an area of land covered with grass or

similar plants suitable for animals

sibling - a brother or sister

dilemma - a situation in which a choice has to be

made between two different things

A course in English literature Book - 5 177

Mahabir Pun

Mahabir Pun was born in Nangi Village,
Myagdi District in the Himalayan foothills
of western Nepal in 1953 AD. Nangi is seven
hours hard climb from the nearest road.
Mostly the men from this village have been
serving as soldiers for generations across
the globe as Gurkhas. No telephone lines
have ever reached there. Despite this, these
days the people of Nangi are definitely
connected to the world outside. Wireless
Internet technology has made this possible. Mahabir Pun has made
it happen.
Pun passed his childhood grazing cattle and sheep in mountain
pastures and attending a village school that had no paper or
pencils or books. Wishing more education for his son, Pun’s father
moved the family to Nepal’s lowlands in Chitwan. Pun finished
high school and became a teacher, working for twelve years to help
his younger siblings through school. Finally, he got a scholarship
to study at a university in the United States. Then, in 1992 AD,
after more than twenty years away, Pun returned home to Nangi,
determined to make things easier for other youths. Nangi’s leaders
were busy establishing a village high school. Pun eagerly joined in.
Once a month, he made the two-day trip to the nearest major town
of Pokhara to check his e-mail and maintain his links with friends
abroad. In 1997 AD, his old Australian friends donated four used
computers to him. He used hydro generators in a nearby stream to
support the power supply of these computers. Pun began teaching
computer classes at the high school. But Pun was not totally satisfied.
There was no telephone connection and no Internet. So he wrote an
e-mail to BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) asking for ideas
on how to bring Internet to his village. The BBC asked other people

178 A course in English literature Book -5

for ideas. Then, in 2002 AD, volunteers from Europe and the United
States helped Mahabir Pun to set up wireless Internet connection in
his village and in the neighbouring village of Ramche. They used
TV dish antennas mounted on trees to get the Internet connection.
Telephone lines were not necessary. By the year 2003 AD, Pun’s
village was online.

In which year was Nangi online?
Pun expanded the Internet facility to include twelve villages. He
distributed a hundred computers to local schools, connecting them
to the Internet and training teachers how to use them.
Today, Internet
has changed
Myagdi
district.
Using the
district’s
“tele-teaching”
network, good
teachers in one
school now
teach students
in others. The
villagers use Wi-Fi to consult with doctors in Pokhara about their
illness. Village students surf the Net and are learning many new
skills. Pun himself is using the Web to sell local products such
as honey, tea and jam. Along with that, villagers in Nangi have
themselves added a library, a health clinic, and new classrooms for
the high school.
Even though Pun is so successful, he is not proud. “I’m not in
charge of anything,” he says. “I will always work hard and serve
my village and country.”

A course in English literature Book - 5 179

Vocabulary

1. Match the words with their meanings.

a. lowland take suggestions
b. donation plain land
c. unique related to water
d. hydro without the use of wires
e. wireless helping somebody by providing money,
goods, etc.
f. consult new and unusual

2. Make a sentence of your own using each of the following words.

expand improve

siblings successful

eagerly satisfied

Comprehension Activities
1 Are the following statements true or false? Write T for true

and F for false statements

a. Mahabir Pun was born in Nangi Village of Myagdi District.
b. Pun passed his childhood playing computer games.
c. Doctorless villagers use Wi-Fi to consult doctors in Pokhara.


d. Pun himself is using the Web to e-market local products such

as honey, tea and jam.

180 A course in English literature Book -5

2 Answer the following questions.

a. Who is Mahabir Pun?
b. Where did Mahabir Pun pursue his bachelor’s level studies?
c. What was Pun’s determination?
d. When was the donation of four computers received?
e. How did Pun bring Internet services in Nangi?
f. How is Wi-Fi being used in Nangi and neighbouring areas?

Creative Writing

Suppose you are an old resident of Nangi village. Write in about
150 words the changes that you have seen in the village since it got
connected with the Internet.

Think, Pair and Share

How would your parents talk to you if there were no mobile phones?
Share your answer in the class.

Project Activity

Make a pair and create your own questions related to the text.
Now, use them as quiz questions and play with other pairs. Make
sure to keep records of points you earned.

A course in English literature Book - 5 181

The Hunter

29 and the Tiger
– A story from Nepal

Before you proceed
a. Have you seen porcupines?
b. Where do they live?

New words

pounce - jump on suddenly

porcupine - a mammal with a coat of sharp spines or quills.

furious - angry

protested - express objections

tremble - shaking with fear

The Hunter and the Tiger

One day a man was out hunting birds in the forest when he came
upon a tiger. The tiger was about to pounce upon him when the
man proposed that they should not hurt each other but become
friends. The tiger liked the idea and said: "All right, but you must
kill my enemy the porcupine."

182 A course in English literature Book -5

"Agreed," said the man, "Where is it?"

"It lives in a hole," said the tiger, "I'll show you where it is."

The tiger led the man to the porcupine's hole. He waited until the
porcupine came out. Then, he shot it dead with his gun. But the
tiger didn't want anyone to know that a man had helped in getting
rid of its enemy. So, it said to the hunter, "Please don't tell anybody
that it was you who killed the porcupine."

What would happen to the lion if the hunter shared about the news of
hunting porcupine?
"That is fine with me," said the hunter. And he took the porcupine
home and his wife cooked it for supper.

The next morning the hunter's wife went to fetch water. As she
walked she picked her teeth with a splinter of bamboo. At the
spring, she met two of her neighbours and they asked her what she
had eaten.

"Oh, my husband brought home a porcupine," she said.

So, the woman talked about the porcupine until everyone in the
village knew about it. Before long the tiger itself heard the story
and when the hunter went to the forest again, it was waiting,
furious and willing to kill the man for spreading the report of the
porcupine's death.

"But I have said nothing," protested the hunter.

"I don't care whether you did or not, but I am going to kill you for
it,' said the tiger.

The man was now really frightened and the tiger saw him tremble.

A course in English literature Book - 5 183

"Why do you tremble?" asked the tiger.
"I am afraid," said the hunter, "the porcupine I ate the other day is
trying to come out of my body."
"What?" said the tiger, "But wait..."
"But it is coming," said the hunter.
In a moment the tiger was gone.

The body of porcupines is covered with upto 30,000
sharp quills,they can’t shoot out them but when
others get it touch then they will be easily released.
They sleep during the day and be active at night.
Young porcupine will leave its parents after couple of
months and begin solitary life.

Vocabulary

1. Fill in the blanks with suitable words.
report, away, the hunting, enemy, frightened

a. Porcupine was the ………. of the tiger.
b. The tiger requested the hunter not to inform about

……........….
c. The wife of hunter spread the ……… of porcupine’s

death.
d. The man was ……….. with the tiger.
e. At last the tiger was…….. from there.

184 A course in English literature Book -5

2. Make sentences of your own by using the words given.
a. hunting b. forest c. supper d. death e. tremble

Comprehension Activities

1 State whether the following statements are True or
False
a. The tiger liked the proposal of the hunter.
b. The tiger was killed there.
c. The hunter kept secret the news.
d. The tiger became furious with him.
e. The hunter fooled the tiger.

2 Who said the following statements,the hunter,the
hunter’s wife or the tiger?

"the porcupine I ate is trying to come out of my body." ……..

"Why do you tremble?" .........

“I am going to kill you for it'’ .........

"Oh, my husband brought home a porcupine." .........

"I'll show you where it is." .........

"Please don't tell anybody that it was you who killed the
porcupine." .........

3 Answer the following questions.

a. What did the hunter propose the tiger about?
b. Where did the tiger lead the hunter to?
c. Who informed to the people about the porcupine’s

hunting?

A course in English literature Book - 5 185

d. Why did the tiger want to kill the man?
e. How did the hunter fool the tiger at last?

Write Long Answer

How was the news of killing of porcupine spread? Write in short.

Creative Writing

Do you believe in the dead animals coming back to life? Discuss
your answer in the class.

Think, Pair and Share

The tiger warned the hunter not to share the report of porcupine’s
hunting to anyone. He has not mentioned the cause behind this.
What would be the real cause about this. Discuss with the friends,
note down the causes and share in class.

Project Activity

Complete the ideas what would you do if you were….?
If I were a tiger I would kill the porcupine myself.
If I were a hunter ………………………………………
If I were the story writer ………………………………..
If I were the wife of the hunter ………………………..
If I were a neighbour of the hunter ……………………….. .

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The Hill of the

flaming lotus- 30

Swayambhunath Stupa

Before you proceed
Look at these places and write their names.

Stupa is a dome-shaped structure erected as a Buddhist
shrine.
Have you ever been to a stupa?

New words - There are many shrines in the Kathman-
du Valley.
shrine
- The bravery of Hunuman is mentioned in
legends the legends.

drained - The flood water drained the top soil.
lush - Godavari is a lush green valley.

A course in English literature Book - 5 187

The Hill of the Flaming Lotus -
Swayambhunath Stupa

Swayambhunath Stupa is
one of the most popular
stupas in Kathmandu. It
is in the north west of the
Kathmandu city on the top
of a hill. It is very strange
for a wonderful shrine like
Swayambhunath to be on a
hilltop.
It is a very popular place in Kathmandu. It is also very much popular
among tourists. The view of the Kathmandu valley looks amazing

from here. It is also a very important
shrine for Buddhists. Besides, it also has
many mysteries attached to it.
According to the legends, many years
ago, the Kathmandu Valley was a big
lake. There was only one lotus in the
water. From that lotus rose a flame which
was as colourful as a rainbow. It was
called Swayambhu then, which meant
self-born. The great Mongolian saint
Manjushree heard about it and came to
visit. When he saw the lotus, he wanted
to touch it. So he cut the valley with his
flaming sword of wisdom. It drained
away all the water from the valley. But
the lotus remained on a low hill. He
worshipped the lotus and built a shrine there. Gradually, people
began to settle in the new valley and it was called Manjupatan.

188 A course in English literature Book -5

Why is Swayambhu called Manjupatan?
Even the
geologists,
nowadays,
believe that the
Kathmandu
Valley was once
under water.
Swayambhu hill
was probably a
little island many
years ago.
One has to climb
365 steps to reach the top of the hill. There is a colourful Tibetan
style gateway at the entrance to the stairs. The hill is surrounded by
a wall of prayers. At the foot of the stairs, there are three big statues
of Gautam Buddha in meditation form. There are lush forests on
both sides of the stairs. The forest has many monkeys in it. This is
the reason why many tourists also call it “Monkey Temple”.
There is a great white pearl-like stupa. It has a square golden tower.
It is painted on four sides with the all seeing eyes of Buddha. Above
the tower is a spire of thirteen gold rings. There are hundreds of
prayer wheels fixed onto a metal fence around the stupa. People
believe that the flame that once burnt at the heart of the lotus still
burns inside the stupa.
Many people come to visit this place. Maximum number of devotees
come here on the day of Buddha Jayanti that falls in Baishakh.
From the top, you can take a look at the Kathmandu Valley with
binoculars available there. There are also shops inside the stupa
area. The shops mostly sell Buddha statues and other gift items. If
you ever come to Kathmandu, do not forget to visit this beautiful
Monkey Temple that lies on a hilltop.

A course in English literature Book - 5 189

Vocabulary

1. Find any five adjectives from the text. (Adjectives are words
that describe a noun or pronoun.)
For example: big, boring, beautiful, wonderful, etc.

2. Now, make sentences using each of the words you found.

Comprehension Activities

1 Complete the sentences by matching two columns.

a. Swayambhunath stupa is the all seeing eyes of
one of the Buddha.

b. From the lotus rose a Swayambhunath on top of
flame which the hill.

c. There is a majestic was as colourful as a
temple of rainbow.

d. It is painted on four sides most popular stupas in
with Kathmandu.

2 Fill in the blanks.

a. Swayambhunath also has many …………… attached to it.

b. From the lotus rose a …………………… which was as
colourful as a rainbow.

c. Swayambhu hill was probably a little island in the ……………
fields.

d. The shops mostly sell Buddha’s …………………… and other
gift items.

190 A course in English literature Book -5

3 Answer the following questions.

a. What is the meaning of Swayambhu?
b. Why did Manjushree cut the valley?
c. When do devotees mostly visit Swayambhunath?
d. How many steps are to be climbed to reach Swayambhunath

stupa?
e. Describe the features of Swayambhunath Stupa.

Creative Writing

Write a short paragraph on Swayambhunath temple in your own words.

Think, Pair and Share

If you were a magician, how would you develop your village or city? Tell
your ideas in the class.

Project Activity

Visit a temple in your town or city. Find out more about the temple by
asking the priest or the local people there. Prepare a report of your visit
and submit it to your teacher. You can also give a presentation about your
visit to the whole class.

A course in English literature Book - 5 191

31 Teej

Before you proceed

You know what Teej is, don’t you? But do you know why it is
celebrated?
Discuss with your class and find out.

New words

devotion - loyalty and love
maternal - related to a mother’s side of the family
delicacies - delicious food items

Teej

Teej is a major festival for Nepali women. It is
also called Haritalika

Teej. It is celebrated in the month of
August or September. The festival
is celebrated for three days. But the
main puja is conducted on the
second day. It is the festival
of married women. But
unmarried girls also observe
this festival.

According to the holy
book, Parvati prayed to

192 A course in English literature Book -5

Lord Shiva to accept her as his wife. She kept this hard fast and
worshipped him. He was pleased with her devotion. He agreed to
take her as his wife. Then, Parvati sent her people to tell about the
puja to other women on earth.

On this festival, the women and girls do not eat or drink anything.
My mother takes the fast for the long life of my father. She says
keeping the fast will also bring happiness in the family. My sister
keeps the fast to get a good husband.

The first day of the festival is called Darr Khane Din. My mother
and sister go to our maternal home on this day. Various sweets and
delicious meals are prepared there. She enjoys the day with my
maternal aunts. They sing and dance songs of Teej. They eat all the
delicacies at night. They stay until midnight and eat sweets before
going to bed. This helps them to keep fast next day.

What do you think happens on the second day? Discuss
with your class.
On the second day, my mother, sister and aunts wake up before the
sun rises and they take a bath. Then they go to visit the Shiva temple.
Women and girls worship Lord Shiva on Teej. In the evening, a
priest comes to the house to conduct puja. They offer flowers, fruits
and sweets during the
puja. After completing
the puja, they offer Tika
and Dakshina to the
priest.

Everyone looks so
beautiful on this day.
Most of them are dressed

A course in English literature Book - 5 193

in red saris or kurtas. Only some of them wear other colours like
pink or green. They also wear red or green Tilhari. The long Tilhari
is worn sideways. The smaller one is worn like a necklace. Sindur
is an important item used by married women.

There is always a long line in front of the temple. The women sing
and dance on the Teej songs in groups. Some also dance while
others wait on the line. They enjoy very much. They don’t even feel
hungry. At home, they burn a cotton-wick lamp on sesame oil. The
lamp must be burning whole night. So they use a big diyo for that.
They also use lots of oil to keep the lamp burning. If the lamp goes
off, it is considered to bring bad luck.

In the evening, my mother and my sister conduct evening worship
at our home. After that, my mother also worships my father. She
does not eat or drink anything. The next morning, the priest is called
again to complete the puja. They also worship the Sun god. After
the puja is completed, my mother and sister put Tika on the priest’s
forehead. He is given his Dakshina. They also give him Sida.

After the priest leaves, my mother gives the holy offering to father.
She cleans my father’s feet with water from the Karuwa and drinks
few drops of it. After that, her fast is over. Then she and my sister
prepare meal and end their twenty-four hour fast. This marks the
end of the festival.

Sida consists of raw rice
grains, daal, turmeric
powder, salt, vegetables and
other such items.

194 A course in English literature Book -5

Vocabulary

1. Six words that you have read in the lesson are hidden below.
Find and underline them.

a. derfestivalwe b. agreedopew

c. betgood d. qbipriestme

e. berpreparewed f. qpworshipq

2. Now choose any four words from above and make meaningful
sentences of your own.

.....................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................

Comprehension Activities

1 Choose the correct answer.

a. Teej is a major festival of

married women.
married men.
both of above.
b. The first day of Teej is called

Panchami.
Darr Khane Din.
Ekadashi.
c. Which of the following is an important item worn by married
women?

ear ring

A course in English literature Book - 5 195

sindur
tika
d. Which god is worshipped at Teej?

Lord Shiva
Lord Vishnu
Lord Krishna

2 Match the following festivals with respective religious
people by writing correct numbers in the boxes below.

a. Eid Buddhists
b. Christmas Hindus
c. Buddha Jayanti Kirats
d. Teej Muslims
e. Sakela Ubhauli Christians

3 Answer the questions.

a. Who observes Teej?
b. What do women do at Teej?
c. Which god is worshipped at Teej?
d. Do all women stay without eating throughout the day?
e. Why do unmarried girls observe Teej?

4 List the names of some of the festivals celebrated in
Nepal. Compare your list with that of others.

..........................................................................................
.........................................................................................
...........................................................................................

196 A course in English literature Book -5

Creative Writing

Write a couple of paragraphs about a festival that is celebrated in
your locality. Include the following aspects:

a. When it falls?
b. Who celebrates it?
c. What activities are done?
d. How do they celebrate?

Think, Pair and Share

Have your mother, sister and grandmother stayed in fast in Teej?
Why do they do so? Share your answer in the class.

Project Activity

a. Find out the meanings of the following words:
darr, dakshina, tika, tilhari, sindur, diyo
b. Find a picture of Teej festival and paste it in the box given
below.

197 A course in English literature Book -5

Feature

• Exploring Our World

A feature is an interesting article to read. You get to read about
people, places or events.

A feature is usually long and has many sections. In each section

you learn something new about the topic. A course in English literature Book - 5 198
198
A course in English literature Book -5

32 Exploring Our
World

• Introduction • Rivers and rainforests
• Early explorers • The Arctic and the Antarctic
• Exploring the past • Mountains
• Deserts • Oceans

Introduction

Thousands of years ago, early people knew about only a very
small part of the world. Today we know a lot more, and some of
our information comes from explorers. Explorers have changed the
world.
Why do people explore?
Early people travelled around to find food and water. Most explorers
travel because they are curious and want to discover new places
and to learn new things. Some early explorers hoped to get rich
by discovering new plants, animals, or treasures, and by selling
them when they returned home. Today, explorers travel to have an
adventure, to learn more about remote places, to find something
new to help science, or maybe to be famous.

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Where do people explore?

Early explorers wanted to find new places or people. They crossed
land and explored deserts, forests, rivers, and mountains. Then
they started to explore the oceans. Today, many explorers want
to be the first to go somewhere in a new way. Some try to find a
different route, or look for new ways to travel. Others want to be
the youngest, the fastest, or the first to do something, for example,
climb a mountain.
How do people explore?
Early explorers used only stars to find their way. Explorers wanted

200 A course in English literature Book - 4