Chapter 9: Madam Rides the Bus - G10

Valli's Curiosity and Fascination:

Valli, an eight-year-old girl known as Valliammai or Valli, found joy in observing her village street.

Her favorite pastime was watching the daily activities from her front doorway, as she lacked playmates her age.

Desire to Ride the Bus:

Valli became enchanted by the bus that passed through her village on its way to the nearby town.

Over time, a strong desire grew in her to experience a ride on this bus, despite initially knowing little about the town or the journey itself.

Planning and Preparation for the Journey:

Valli meticulously saved coins over many months to accumulate the necessary fare of sixty paise for the round-trip bus ride.

She strategized how to slip away during her mother's afternoon nap to embark on her adventure.

The Journey and New Experiences:

On a spring day, Valli boldly boarded the afternoon bus, much to the amusement of the conductor and other passengers.

The bus ride was a revelation for Valli, filled with awe at the sights and sounds outside her village.

She marveled at the bus's luxurious interior, the scenic countryside, and the bustling town streets.

Reflections on the Journey:

Despite moments of amusement and wonder, such as encountering a playful cow and passing a noisy train, Valli also experienced moments of sadness, like seeing the same cow later killed by a vehicle.

Her journey concluded with her safe return home, leaving her with a mix of memories and reflections on her first independent adventure.

Reactions at Home:

Back home, Valli briefly engaged with her mother and aunt's conversation, showing a newfound sense of maturity and understanding.

Despite her young age, Valli's journey on the bus had sparked a sense of independence and a broader perspective on life beyond her village.

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Question 1. How did Valli react when she saw the dead cow by the roadside?

Answer: When Valli saw the dead cow by the roadside, she was overwhelmed with sadness. The memory of the dead cow haunted her, depressing her enthusiasm. She no longer wanted to look out of the window. 

Question 2. Who was Valliammai? What was her favourite pastime?

Answer: Valliammai was an eight-year-old girl. She was a mature girl but did not have any playmate of her age. Her favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house, watching what was happening in the street outside. 

Question 3. What was the most fascinating thing that Valli saw on the street?

Answer: Valli did not have any playmate of her age. She had a pastime of watching outside in the street. She used to watch the new passengers boarding the bus every day. The arrival of the bus was the most fascinating scene in the street for Valli. She watched the passengers boarding the bus and to listen to their conversation. The sight of the bus was a source of unending joy for Valli.  Question

4. What did Valli wish? How did this desire creep in her mind?

Answer: Valli wished to have a ride on the bus. She used to listen to the passenger’s conversation carefully. She heard about the city and many more things through them. A tiny wish crept into her mind and became a desire. 

Question 5. Why did Valli feel jealous of her friend?

Answer: Valli had a strong desire to ride the bus. One of her friends had already visited the city. She wanted to describe her experience to Valli. Valli was so jealous that she did not listen to her and shouted ‘Proud! Proud!’

Question 6. Why did Valli collect the information about the bus?

Answer: Valli had a strong desire to ride the bus. She had to plan her journey to the city by the bus. So, she started collecting information about the distance, time and fare of the journey. 

Question 7. What information did Valli collect about the bus journey?

Answer: Valli collected some details of the journey. The city was six miles from her village. The fare was thirty paisa one way. The trip takes forty-five minutes one way. Now she could plan her journey by the bus in an easy way. 

Question 8. How did Valli slip away from her house?

Answer: Valli had calculated that if she left her house at one o’clock, she would be back by two forty-five. This was the time she could be away without the knowledge of her mother. She slipped from her house and boarded the bus. 

Question 9. How did the conductor treat Valli? How did Valli feel when the conductor called her ‘My Fine Madam’?

Answer: When Valli got into the bus, the conductor treated her as a child. He asked her who was coming in the bus. Valli told him confidently that it was she only. She bought the ticket and the conductor called her ‘Madam’ jokingly. The conductor was a jolly fellow. Valli did not like him treating her as a child. Her temperament made the conductor call her ‘Madam’. Valli was overcome with shyness. 

Question 10. What did Valli see beyond the bank of a canal while on the bus ride?

Answer: While on the bus ride, Valli saw beyond the canal through the window. There were palm trees, grassland, distant mountains and the blue sky. It was a wonderful scene for Valli. 

Question 11. What did the conductor advise Valli while on the bus?

Answer: The conductor advised Valli to sit on her seat properly. She had taken a full ticket and need not stand on the seat. Moreover, she could have hurt herself while standing on the seat and watching outside.

Question 12. Why did Valli rebuke the elderly woman on the bus?

Answer: The elderly woman treated Valli as a child. She asked her many questions. She tried to make Valli feel that it was not proper for a child to travel alone. Valli did not like her appearance and unnecessary interference. She rebuked her saying that she was not a child and she could take care of herself. 

Question 13. Why did Valli not get down from the bus in the town?

Answer: Valli did not get off the bus at the bus station because she had to come back to her village by the same bus. When the conductor asked her to get down, she refused to do so. She was afraid of moving alone. Moreover, she did not have money to buy things from there. 

Question 14. How did Valli react on seeing the cow for the first time?

Answer: On her way to the city, Valli saw a small cow running in front of the bus. She was filled with joy. She laughed wholeheartedly until her eyes filled with tears. She saw life in the form of a cow. 

Question 15. Why did she become sad while returning from the town?

Answer: She became sad while coming back from the city. She saw a dead cow on the road. It was the same cow that filled her with joy only a while ago. The scene of dead cow haunted her and she could not enjoy her back journey. 

Question 16. What did Valli find her mother doing when she came back?

Answer: When Valli came back from the city, she found her mother standing and conversing with one of her aunts. They were discussing the things happening outside the world. 

Question 17. What was the topic of discussion between Valli’s mother and her aunt?

Answer: They were discussing the things happening outside the city and they were unable to understand them. 

Question 18. What did Valli remark when she heard the conversation between her mother and her aunt?

Answer: When Valli heard the conversation between her mother and her aunt, she remarked that she agreed with what they said about things happening outside without their knowledge.

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Question 1: What was Valli’s favourite pastime?

Answer: Valli’s world unfolded at her doorstep. From her front porch, she found endless fascination in the vibrant tapestry of life unfurling on the street below. A keen observer, she transformed the ordinary into extraordinary, finding joy in the simple act of watching the world go by. With each passing moment, the street became a stage for a captivating drama, and Valli, its most engrossed spectator.

Question 2: What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?

Answer: Valli’s eyes would light up with excitement every time she saw the bus that traversed between her village and the nearby town, carrying a fresh batch of passengers each time it rolled past her house. For her, the sight of the bus was a symbol of possibility and adventure, igniting a deep longing within her. Her heart’s greatest desire was to experience the thrill of riding on that bus, to embark on a journey beyond the confines of her village and explore the world beyond.

Question 3: What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details?

Answer: Valli was determined to gather as much information as she could about the bus journey from her village to the nearby town. She discovered that the distance covered by the bus was six miles, and the duration of the journey was approximately forty-five minutes. With keen ears, she listened intently to the conversations of her neighbors and the regular passengers of the bus, absorbing every detail they shared about the trip. Valli also took the initiative to ask a few questions, eager to fill in any gaps in her understanding of what the journey entailed.

Question 4: What do you think Valli was planning to do?

Answer: Valli planned to ride the bus to the town and back home on the same bus. She learned that the fare for one journey was thirty paise and that the trip took about forty-five minutes. So, she decided to catch the one o’clock afternoon bus, arriving in town by 1:45 p.m. and returning home by 2:45 p.m. This way, she could enjoy the bus ride and make sure she got back home safely and on time.

Oral Comprehension Check (Page 122)

Question 1: Why does the conductor call Valli ‘madam’?

Answer: The conductor affectionately called Valli ‘madam’ because she acted boldly and confidently, much like an adult woman. Despite his offers to help her board the bus, Valli declined and responded quickly to the conductor’s inquiries. Impressed and amused by her spirited behavior, the conductor playfully referred to her as ‘madam’.

Question 2: Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see now?

Answer: Valli was mesmerized by the stunning scenery outside the bus, but her view was hindered by the canvas blind at the window’s lower part. To get a better look, she stood on her seat and peeked over the blind. She beheld a narrow road alongside a canal, palm trees, lush grasslands, distant mountains, verdant fields, and the clear blue sky. On the other side, there was a deep ditch, and vast expanses of green fields stretched as far as her eyes could see.

Question 3: What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child?

Answer: Valli was mesmerized by the stunning scenery outside the bus, but her view was hindered by the canvas blind at the window’s lower part. To get a better look, she stood on her seat and peeked over the blind. She beheld a narrow road alongside a canal, palm trees, lush grasslands, distant mountains, verdant fields, and the clear blue sky. On the other side, there was a deep ditch, and vast expanses of green fields stretched as far as her eyes could see.

Question 4: Why didn’t Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?

Answer: Valli wasn’t keen on befriending the elderly woman because she found her appearance unappealing. The woman had large earlobes with big holes and wore unattractive earrings. She was chewing betel nut, and her mouth was filled with betel juice, which Valli thought might spill over her lips. Based on these observations, Valli concluded that the elderly woman wasn’t someone she wanted to be friends with.

Oral Comprehension Check (Page 125)

Question 1: How did Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?

Answer: Valli had diligently saved every stray coin that came her way. Despite temptations to buy peppermints, toys, balloons, and other treats, she resisted, determined to save enough money for the bus trip. It wasn’t easy, especially when she had to forego the fun of riding the merry-go-round at the village fair. Despite these challenges, Valli persevered and managed to save sixty paise for her first bus journey.

Question 2: What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?

 Answer: Valli was filled with joy when she saw a young cow running swiftly in the middle of the road, its tail held high. The driver honked loudly to scare the cow away from the path, but instead, it became even more frightened and ran faster. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Valli found the scene amusing and burst into laughter until tears streamed down her cheeks.

Question 3: Why didn’t she get off the bus at the bus station?

Answer: Valli had meticulously saved sixty paise for her bus journey, with no intention of exploring the town. She planned to spend thirty paise for the onward journey and return home before her mother woke up from her nap. With limited funds and time, she decided not to disembark at the bus station, as she neither had the money nor the time to explore the town.

Question 4: Why didn’t Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does this tell you about her?

Answer: Valli declined the conductor’s offer to get off at the stall and purchase a drink, as she had saved sixty paisa specifically for her bus journey. She was determined to return home on the same bus, without spending any extra money. Her refusal to accept the conductor’s offer, even when he offered to buy her a drink, highlights her independence and self-reliance.

Thinking about the Text (Page 127)

Question 1: What was Valli’s deepest desire? Find the words and phrases in the story that tell you this.

Answer: Valli’s deepest desire to ride on the bus that passed by her house daily. The story portrays her longing with phrases like “an overwhelming desire,” “source of unending joy,” “stare wistfully,” and “kindle in her longings, dreams, and hopes.” These expressions vividly depict Valli’s deep yearning to experience the bus journey she had observed from afar.

Question 2: How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and how did she save up the fare?

Answer: Valli had been eavesdropping on conversations for several days, keenly absorbing details about the bus journey from her village to the town. She learned that the town was six miles away, and the bus fare was thirty paise for a one-way trip, which took forty-five minutes. Determined to take the bus ride, she saved sixty paise meticulously by resisting various temptations, including buying peppermints and toys, and even skipping a ride on the merry-go-round at the village fair. Valli decided to stay on the bus for the entire trip, round-trip, as she didn’t have extra money to explore the town. This adventurous plan was Valli’s secret, unknown to her parents.

Question 3: What kind of a person is Valli? To answer this question, pick out the following sentences from the text and fill in the blanks. The words you fill in are the clues to your answer.

(i) “Stop the bus! Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised ______________________________.

(ii) “Yes, I __________________ go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus.

(iii) “There’s nobody here ______________________,” she said haughtily. “I’ve paid my thirty paise like everyone else.”

(iv) “Never mind,” she said, “I can ___________________. You don’t have to help me. ”I’m not a child, I tell you,” she said, ___________________________________.

(v) “You needn’t bother about me. I ___________________________,” Valli said, turning her face toward the window and staring out.

(vi) Then she turned to the conductor and said, “Well, sir, I hope _________________________.”

Answer: Valli was a confident eight-year-old girl who believed that her age was not a limiting factor for her to travel alone in the bus to the town. She considered herself to be a grown up person and also acted like one.

(i) “Stop the bus! Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised commandingly.

(ii) “Yes, I simply have to go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus.

(iii) “There’s nobody here who’s a child,” she said haughtily. “I’ve paid my thirty paise like everyone else.”

(iv) “Never mind,” she said, “I can get on by myself. You don’t have to help me. ”I’m not a child, I tell you,” she said irritably.

(v) “You needn’t bother about me. I can take care of myself,” Valli said, turning her face toward the window and staring out.

(vi) Then she turned to the conductor and said, “Well, sir, I hope to see you again.”

Speaking (Page 127)

Question 1: This story has a lot of people talking in it. The conductor jokes and laughs with Valli, some passengers try to show their concern for her, and her mother and her aunt spend time chatting.

Read the conversations carefully. Then think of similar people or similar situations that you have experienced. Mimic a person or persons who spoke to you, saying what they said, along with your replies.

Answer:  YOU can write this answer as per their personal experiences.

Writing (Page 128)

Write a page — about three paragraphs — on one of the following topics.

Question 1: Have you ever planned something entirely on your own, without taking grownups into your confidence? What did you plan, and how? Did you carry out your plan?

Answer: You can write this answer as per their personal experiences.

Question 2: Have you made a journey that was unforgettable in some way? What made it memorable?

Answer: You can write this answer as per their personal experiences.

Question 3: Are you concerned about traffic and road safety? What are your concerns? How would you make road travel safer and more enjoyable?

Answer: You can write this answer as per their personal experiences.