3.English (Prose) - Lesson 3

Gillu

Class 10 English (Prose) - Lesson 3

Author: Mahadevi Verma

📝 About the Lesson & Author

Mahadevi Verma was a leading poetess of the Chhayavaad school of poetry in Hindi. She was also a great prose writer. This story, "Gillu," is a touching memory of her pet squirrel. It beautifully depicts the bond of love and friendship between a human being and a tiny animal.

📖 Summary (हिन्दी सारांश)

यह कहानी 'गिल्लू' (Gillu) नामक एक छोटी गिलहरी के बारे में है। एक दिन लेखिका ने अपने बरामदे में एक घायल गिलहरी के बच्चे को देखा, जिसे दो कौवे चोंच मार रहे थे। लेखिका ने उसे बचाया, उसके घावों पर मरहम (Penicillin) लगाया और उसे दूध पिलाया।

धीरे-धीरे वह ठीक हो गया और लेखिका का प्रिय बन गया। लेखिका ने उसका नाम 'गिल्लू' रखा। वह लेखिका की थाली में बैठकर चावल का एक-एक दाना बड़ी सफाई से खाता था। उसे काजू (Cashew) बहुत पसंद था। गर्मियों में वह ठंडक पाने के लिए 'सुराही' (Earthen pot) के पास लेट जाता था।

जब लेखिका एक मोटर दुर्घटना (Motor accident) में घायल हो गईं और अस्पताल में थीं, तो गिल्लू ने खाना-पीना छोड़ दिया था। जब वे वापस आईं, तो वह उनकी सेवा करता रहा। अंत में, गिलहरियों का जीवनकाल (लगभग 2 वर्ष) पूरा होने पर गिल्लू की मृत्यु हो गई। उसे 'सोनजूही' (Sonjuhi) की बेल के नीचे समाधि दी गई, क्योंकि उसे वह लता बहुत पसंद थी। लेखिका को विश्वास है कि वह एक दिन उस बेल में पीले फूल के रूप में खिल उठेगा।

📚 Word Meanings (शब्दार्थ)

Word	Meaning (Hindi)	Meaning (English)
Unexpectedly	अचानक	Suddenly
Ointment	मरहम	Medicinal paste
Eternal	शाश्वत/अनंत	Everlasting
Prostrate	जमीन पर लेटना	Lying on the ground
Creeper	लता/बेल	Climbing plant
Surahi	सुराही (मिट्टी का घड़ा)	Earthen pot with narrow neck

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

B.1.1. True or False

• 1. The writer was fond of birds and animals. -> (True)
• 2. The writer did not like Gillu. -> (False)
• 3. Gillu was a tiny baby squirrel. -> (True)
• 4. Gillu lived for many years. -> (False) (Only 2 years)

B.1.2. Short Answer Questions

Q1. What did the writer see when she entered the veranda?

Ans: When the writer entered the veranda, she saw two crows playfully poking their beaks at a tiny baby squirrel near the flower pot.

Q2. What was Gillu's favorite food?

Ans: Kaju (Cashew) was Gillu's favorite food.

Q3. How did Gillu inform that he was hungry?

Ans: Gillu informed that he was hungry by making a "Chik-Chik" sound.

Q4. How did Gillu keep himself cool in summer?

Ans: In summer, Gillu kept himself cool by lying prostrate on the 'Surahi' (earthen water pot) kept near the writer.

C.1. Long Answer Questions

Q1. How did the writer nurse the tiny baby squirrel?

Ans: The writer nursed the baby squirrel with great care. She gently lifted him, wiped the blood from his wounds with cotton wool, and applied Penicillin ointment. She tried to feed him milk by putting a thin cotton wick dipped in milk into his mouth. After several hours of effort, she managed to drop one drop of water into his mouth. On the third day, he was much better.

Q2. Describe how Gillu showed his affection when the writer was in the hospital.

Ans: When the writer was in the hospital after a motor accident, Gillu was very sad. The room was locked. When it was opened, Gillu would come down from his swing but seeing someone else instead of the writer, he would go back. He ate very little kaju during those days. When the writer returned, he sat near her head and gently stroked her forehead and hair with his bushy tail, acting like a nurse.

Q3. Why was Gillu buried under the Sonjuhi creeper?

Ans: Gillu was buried under the Sonjuhi creeper because he loved that creeper the most. Also, the writer believed that one day, in the spring season, Gillu would blossom in the form of a small yellow Juhi flower on that creeper, giving her a sense of his presence.

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