2.English (Prose) - Lesson 2

Me and The Ecology Bit

Class 10 English (Prose) - Lesson 2

Author: Joan Lexau

📝 About the Lesson

Joan Lexau brings out the issue of preserving the environment. In "Me and The Ecology Bit," the author highlights the irony that everyone talks about saving the environment (ecology), but no one wants to do anything about it. Even the narrator, who preaches to others, fails to follow the rules himself.

📖 Summary (हिन्दी सारांश)

इस पाठ में एक युवा लड़का (Jim) है जो लोगों को पर्यावरण (Ecology) के प्रति जागरूक करने की कोशिश करता है। वह अपने पड़ोसियों के पास जाता है:

• Mr. Williams: वह पत्ते जला रहे थे। जिम ने उनसे कहा कि पत्तियों को जलाने से प्रदूषण होता है, उन्हें खाद (Compost) बनाना चाहिए। Mr. Williams ने उल्टा जिम को डांट दिया कि तुम्हारे खाद के ढेर से बदबू आती है।
• Ms. Greene: वह कूड़ा बाहर रख रही थीं। जिम ने उन्हें अखबार और एल्युमिनियम को अलग-अलग जमा करने (Recycling) की सलाह दी। Ms. Greene ने जिम पर आरोप लगाया कि वह खुद स्कूल में गम (Gum) के रैपर फेंकता है और गंदगी फैलाता है।
• Mr. Johnson: वह अपनी कार से पोस्ट ऑफिस जा रहे थे जो केवल दो ब्लॉक दूर था। जिम ने उन्हें पैदल जाने की सलाह दी ताकि पेट्रोल बचे और प्रदूषण कम हो। Mr. Johnson ने जिम को याद दिलाया कि वह खुद उनके बगीचे को शॉर्टकट मारकर खराब करता है और पेड़-पौधों को नुकसान पहुँचाता है।

अंत में, जिम घर आता है और देखता है कि उसकी माँ इलेक्ट्रिक मिक्सर का उपयोग कर रही हैं। वह उन्हें बिजली बचाने की सलाह देता है, तो माँ कहती हैं कि तुम भी तो दिन भर टीवी देखते हो। निष्कर्ष: हर कोई दूसरों को उपदेश देना चाहता है, लेकिन खुद पर्यावरण बचाने का कष्ट नहीं उठाना चाहता।

📚 Word Meanings (शब्दार्थ)

Word	Meaning (Hindi)	Meaning (English)
Ecology	पारिस्थितिकी / पर्यावरण विज्ञान	Relation of living things to environment
Compost	खाद	Manure made from decayed plants
Garbage	कूड़ा-कचरा	Waste material/Filth
Pollution	प्रदूषण	Contamination of air/water
Pretend	बहाना करना / नाटक करना	To act falsely

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

B.1.1. True or False

• 1. People easily get convinced by Jim. -> (False)
• 2. He uses paper route to convince the people. -> (True)
• 3. He gives suggestions on ecology free of cost. -> (True)
• 4. Mr. Williams was at his house. -> (True)
• 5. People listen to Jim gladly for his suggestions. -> (False)

B.1.2. Short Answer Questions

Q1. What happens when the narrator calls Ms. Greene 'Mrs. Greene'?

Ans: When the narrator calls her 'Mrs. Greene', she says she doesn't have change to pay him. She gets annoyed because she prefers to be called 'Ms. Greene'.

Q2. What does the narrator do on Saturdays and Sundays?

Ans: On Saturdays and Sundays, the narrator puts in a good work for ecology. He tries to get people to do something about preserving the environment.

Q3. Which animal messes up Ms. Greene's yard?

Ans: The narrator's dog digs up Ms. Greene's garden and messes up her yard.

Q4. Why does the narrator ask Ms. Greene to save paper and aluminium cans?

Ans: He asks her to save paper and aluminium cans so they can be picked up for recycling, which helps in saving the ecology.

C.1. Long Answer Questions

Q1. "Nobody's willing to do anything about ecology." Do you agree with this statement?

Ans: Yes, this statement is largely true in the context of the story. Everyone talks about the importance of ecology, but when it comes to action, they find excuses. Mr. Williams burns leaves, Ms. Greene doesn't recycle properly, and Mr. Johnson uses his car for short distances. Even the narrator, who preaches to everyone, destroys the lawn and wastes electricity. It shows that people find it hard to change their comfortable habits for the sake of the environment.

Q2. Did the narrator succeed in his mission? If not, why?

Ans: No, the narrator did not succeed in his mission. Instead of convincing people, he ended up annoying them. They pointed out his own faults—like his dog digging gardens, him taking shortcuts through lawns, and watching TV all the time. His mission failed because he was preaching without practicing. To succeed, one must first follow the rules oneself before telling others.

-- Class 10 English (Bihar Board) Notes --