‘रचना-प्रयोग’ का मुख्य उद्देश्य क्या है?

व्याकरण का व्यावहारिक प्रयोग सिखाना

‘द्वितीयः’ किस प्रकार की संख्या है?

क्रमवाचक (दूसरा)

What was Valli’s deepest desire, and how did she fulfil it?

She longed to ride the bus through her village; she saved coins, learned the fare and details, and secretly took the bus while her mother slept.

How did Valli prepare for her bus journey?

She saved every coin she got, refused treats to keep her money, and carefully listened to passengers to learn the fare, timing and route.

Why did Valli refuse the help offered by fellow passengers?

She wanted to prove that she was a grown-up, independent girl who could manage everything by herself.

How did the sight of the dead cow affect Valli?

It shocked and saddened her, dampening her earlier excitement and giving her a first glimpse of the sorrow of death.

What was Valli’s favourite pastime, and why?

Standing at the front doorway watching the street; having no playmates, she found the sights of the world outside — especially the passing bus — a great delight.

What details about the journey did Valli patiently gather?

By listening to neighbours and fellow passengers she learned the fare, the route, the timing and how long the round trip would take.

Describe Valli’s feelings during the bus ride.

She was thrilled and proud, delighting in the canal, green fields, distant mountains and the little towns, behaving like a confident grown-up.

Why did Valli refuse the cold drink and the offer of help?

She was determined to be independent and self-respecting; she did not want to waste her carefully saved money or be treated as a helpless child.

How did the conductor treat Valli, and how did she respond?

The conductor was friendly and teasing, calling her “madam”; Valli answered with dignity and insisted on being treated as a proper grown-up passenger.

What does Valli’s adventure reveal about her character?

It shows her curiosity, courage, careful planning, independence and self-respect, along with a child’s fresh sense of wonder at the world.

Madam Rides the Bus

Class 10 English · First Flight · Chapter 7

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First Flight: what 34 board papers asked

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The story in short

Written by Vallikkannan, this story is about an eight-year-old girl named Valli whose deepest wish is to ride the bus that passes through her village. With no playmates, Valli spends her time watching the world from her doorway, and her greatest joy is the daily journey of the bus. She carefully saves every coin, listens to fellow passengers to learn the fare and details of the trip, and one afternoon, while her mother sleeps, she secretly takes the bus on a sixty-paisa round trip. On the journey she delights in the sights of the countryside but proudly refuses help, insisting she is a grown-up. However, when she sees a dead cow on the road, the sight of death disturbs her and dampens her excitement. She returns home before her mother wakes, keeping her adventure a secret. The story celebrates a child’s curiosity, independence and sense of wonder, while gently introducing the realities of life and death.

The story in 6 beats

1Valli watches the bus from her doorway and develops a strong wish to ride in it.
2She learns the fare and route by listening carefully and saves money for a round trip.
3One afternoon, while her mother naps, Valli boards the bus alone and behaves like a grown-up.
4She enjoys the fields, canal, and town, but refuses snacks and does not get off the bus.
5On the return journey, she sees the same cow lying dead and feels shocked and sad.
6Valli reaches home before her mother wakes and quietly keeps her little adventure to herself.

Childhood curiosity and wonderIndependence and self-relianceValli’s secret adventureThe reality of life and deathA child’s view of the world

Characters & key ideas

ValliAn eight-year-old girl curious about the world outside her village.

The busThe object of Valli’s fascination and her secret adventure.

CuriosityValli’s eager desire to see and experience the world.

IndependenceValli’s insistence on doing things on her own.

The dead cowThe sight that introduces Valli to the reality of death.

Sixty paisaThe round-trip fare Valli saves to pay for her bus ride.

Word meanings · शब्दार्थ

fascinating

very interesting and attractive

devoted

gave full time and attention

wistfully

with quiet longing

canal

man-made water channel

haughtily

proudly and rudely

conductor

person who manages passengers on a bus

gleaming

shining brightly

drab

dull and unattractive

thriftily

in a careful money-saving way

gaped

stared with open mouth

Extra questions & answers (board-style)

Activity

Oral Comprehension Check

Thinking about the Text

Speaking

Writing

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Thinking about the Poem

Writing

Try one from this chapter

How old is Valli, the main character?

Flashcards & interactive practice

Madam Rides the Bus

Visual story

158 members in the CBSE community

The story in short

The story in 6 beats

Characters & key ideas

Word meanings · शब्दार्थ

Extra questions & answers (board-style)

Activity

Oral Comprehension Check

Oral Comprehension Check

Oral Comprehension Check

Thinking about the Text

Speaking

Writing

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Thinking about the Poem

Writing

Practice quiz · Madam Rides the Bus

Data & insights