The new NCERT Class 9 English textbook Kaveri marks a significant shift towards Indian literature and multilingual learning, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The opening chapter, “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read,” is an excerpt from Sudha Murty’s collection of the same name. This heartwarming story explores themes of lifelong learning, determination, and the transformative power of education. At Dhingra Classes Nashik, we believe such stories are invaluable for developing both language skills and essential life values.
📘 Full Lesson Summary
Setting and Background
The story is set in a village in North Karnataka where the transport system is poor, and the morning newspaper arrives only in the afternoon. The author, Sudha Murty, was only twelve years old when the events took place.
The Weekly Ritual
The villagers eagerly awaited the weekly magazine Karmaveera, especially for the popular serialized novel “Kashi Yatre” by the renowned Kannada writer Triveni. Triveni’s stories explored complex psychological problems in the lives of ordinary people and remained popular even forty years after her death.
“Kashi Yatre” revolved around an old woman’s deep desire to visit Kashi and worship Lord Vishweshwara. The protagonist ultimately sacrifices her savings to help a poor orphan girl get married, teaching a powerful lesson about selflessness.
The Grandmother’s Dependence
The author’s grandmother, Krishtakka (Avva) , was illiterate. She had never attended school because education for girls was not considered important during her time. She was married at a young age and spent her life managing household responsibilities.
Every Wednesday, the granddaughter would read the latest episode of “Kashi Yatre” to her grandmother. Krishtakka would listen with “greatest concentration” and later discuss the story with her friends in the temple courtyard.
The Turning Point
One day, the narrator went to a neighbouring village for a wedding and stayed for a week. When she returned, she found her grandmother in tears—an unusual sight since Krishtakka was a strong woman.
That night, the grandmother shared her feelings of helplessness and her dream to read independently. In the narrator’s absence, she had felt lost and dependent because no one could read “Kashi Yatre” to her. She expressed regret for not having received an education in her youth.
The Decision to Learn
At sixty-two years of age, Krishtakka decided to learn the Kannada alphabet and set the Dussehra festival as her deadline. She wanted to be able to read “Kashi Yatre” on her own by then.
Despite the narrator’s initial mockery, the grandmother remained firm. She dedicated herself to daily practice, learning the alphabet, repeating words, writing, reciting, and doing homework like any diligent student. She believed that with strong determination, one can overcome any obstacle, regardless of age.
The Triumph
On Dussehra, the granddaughter gifted the grandmother a book titled “Kashi Yatre”. The grandmother opened it and immediately read the title and the publisher’s name, proving she had “passed with flying colours”.
In a deeply moving gesture, Krishtakka touched her granddaughter’s feet—a sign of respect usually reserved for teachers and elders—saying, “I am touching the feet of a teacher, not my granddaughter”.
🧠 Key Themes and Message
📝 Solved MCQs with Answers
1. The story “Kashi Yatre” is about:
(a) A young boy’s adventure
(b) An old lady’s desire to go to Kashi
(c) A magician’s tricks
(d) A detective solving a mystery
Answer: (b) The story tells of an old lady’s strong desire to go to Kashi and worship Lord Vishweshwara.
2. The grandmother wanted to learn to read because:
(a) She wanted to become a writer
(b) She wanted to pass her time
(c) She wanted to be independent and read on her own
(d) She wanted to teach her granddaughter
Answer: (c) Krishtakka wanted to be independent and not depend on anyone to read stories.
3. What did the granddaughter give her grandmother as a gift on Dussehra?
(a) A new dress
(b) A book titled “Kashi Yatre”
(c) A necklace
(d) A cooking pot
Answer: (b) The granddaughter gifted the novel “Kashi Yatre” to her grandmother.
4. Why did the grandmother touch her granddaughter’s feet?
(a) It was a traditional dance
(b) It was a sign of respect for the teacher
(c) It was a game they played
(d) It was a religious ritual
Answer: (b) The grandmother touched her granddaughter’s feet as a sign of respect for her teacher.
5. The grandmother had never been to school because:
(a) She was not interested
(b) She was married at a young age
(c) Education for girls was not considered important then
(d) Her parents were poor
Answer: (c) During her time, educating girls was not viewed as essential.
6. What did the grandmother do when she could not read “Kashi Yatre” while her granddaughter was away?
(a) She ignored it
(b) She asked a neighbour to read it
(c) She cried and felt helpless
(d) She wrote a letter to the author
Answer: (c) The grandmother felt deep emptiness and helplessness, which made her cry.
7. The phrase “passed with flying colours” in the context of the story means:
(a) Risky
(b) Courageous
(c) Successful
(d) Profitable
Answer: (c) It means the grandmother achieved success in her goal of learning to read.
📝 Solved Questions and Answers
Short Answer Questions
Q1. Why did the grandmother depend on her granddaughter to know the story?
Answer: The grandmother was illiterate and did not know how to read the Kannada alphabet. She depended on her granddaughter to read the weekly episodes of “Kashi Yatre” from the magazine Karmaveera.
Q2. What did the grandmother mean when she said, “I am touching the feet of a teacher”?
Answer: When the grandmother said this, she was expressing her deep gratitude and respect for her granddaughter who taught her to read. In Indian culture, touching the feet is a traditional gesture of respect, especially for teachers. She distinguished between her granddaughter’s role as a teacher and their familial relationship.
Q3. Why was the grandmother determined to learn the Kannada alphabet?
Answer: The grandmother was determined to learn the Kannada alphabet because she was tired of being dependent on others to read stories. When her granddaughter was away for a week, she could not read the next episode of “Kashi Yatre” and felt helpless and empty. She wanted to be independent and able to read on her own.
Q4. What message does the story hold for the present generation?
Answer: The story teaches that education is a lifelong journey and that it is never too late to learn. It also shows that the younger generation can play a vital role in helping elders grow and learn. Mutual respect, patience, and the value of teaching across generations are important themes.
Long Answer Questions
Q5. How did “Kashi Yatre” become a catalyst in the transformation of the grandmother?
Answer: “Kashi Yatre” served as the catalyst in transforming the grandmother in two ways. First, it inspired her to overcome her illiteracy. Her longing to know the novel’s events, especially when her granddaughter was absent, led her to set a goal to learn how to read. Second, the novel gave her a sense of purpose, as she resonated with the protagonist’s desires and struggles. The novel awakened in her a new awareness and desire for education, which transformed her from a helpless old woman into a confident and independent reader.
Q6. Discuss the relationship between the narrator and her grandmother as depicted in the story.
Answer: The story reveals a deep, loving, and respectful relationship between the narrator and her grandmother. The granddaughter respects and admires her grandmother, shown by how she reads to her weekly and supports her decision to learn. She treats her grandmother as a student, teaching her the alphabet with patience. The grandmother shows trust by sharing her feelings and dreams with her granddaughter, and her gratitude is evident in the touching gesture of touching her granddaughter’s feet. This bond strengthens throughout the story, bridging the generational gap through the shared experience of learning.
🌟 How Dhingra Classes Helps Students Excel
At Dhingra Classes Nashik, we provide:
Conceptual understanding – Exploring the deeper meaning of texts.
Exam-focused preparation – Practice with MCQs, short and long answer questions, and other competency-based exercises.
Interactive learning – Group discussions, quizzes, and doubt-clearing sessions.
Personalized attention – Helping every student build confidence and excel.
📞 Contact Dhingra Classes Nashik
Phone: 98230 62106
Email: dhingraclassesnsk@gmail.com
Website: www.dhingraclassesnashik.com
Address: Plot No 3, XQ3G+H3M Deacon Homes, 301C, opp. Metro Zone, near Guru Govind Sing, Samarth Nagar, Dnyaneshwar Nagar, Pathardi Phata, Nashik, Maharashtra 422009
Call Us Now