6.English (Prose) - Lesson 6

Once Upon A Time

Class 10 English (Prose) - Lesson 6

Author: Toni Morrison

✍️ About the Author & Lesson

Toni Morrison was the first black woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature (1993). In this speech (her Nobel Lecture), she emphasizes the importance of language. She uses a fable (story) about an old blind woman and some young visitors to show how language can be used to oppress or to liberate.

📖 Summary (हिन्दी सारांश)

टोनी मॉरिसन एक कहानी सुनाती हैं। एक बूढ़ी औरत है जो अंधी है लेकिन बहुत बुद्धिमान है। वह गांव के बाहर अकेली रहती है। एक दिन कुछ युवा लोग (लड़के) उसके पास आते हैं। वे उसकी बुद्धिमानी की परीक्षा लेना चाहते हैं या शायद उसका मजाक उड़ाना चाहते हैं।

उनमें से एक लड़का पूछता है: "बूढ़ी माँ, मेरे हाथ में एक पक्षी है। बताओ वह जीवित है या मृत?"

यह एक जाल (trick) था। अगर वह कहती "जीवित," तो लड़का उसे मार देता। अगर वह कहती "मृत," तो लड़का उसे उड़ने देता। दोनों ही सूरत में बूढ़ी औरत गलत साबित होती।

काफी देर चुप रहने के बाद, बूढ़ी औरत ने जवाब दिया: "मुझे नहीं पता कि वह जीवित है या मृत, लेकिन मुझे यह पता है कि वह तुम्हारे हाथों में है (It is in your hands)।"

इसका अर्थ:

• यहाँ 'पक्षी' भाषा (Language) का प्रतीक है।
• बूढ़ी औरत का मतलब है कि भाषा को जीवित रखना या मार देना (बर्बाद करना) नई पीढ़ी के हाथ में है।
• लेखिका कहती हैं कि भाषा का प्रयोग हमें सावधानी से करना चाहिए। यह हिंसा का हथियार भी बन सकती है और शांति का साधन भी।

📚 Word Meanings (शब्दार्थ)

Word	Meaning (Hindi)	Meaning (English)
Clairvoyance	अतीन्द्रिय दृष्टि (भविष्य देखने की क्षमता)	Ability to see future
Lore	लोक-कथाएँ/ज्ञान	Traditional knowledge/stories
Reputation	प्रतिष्ठा/इज्जत	Social standing/Fame
Instrument	साधन/यंत्र	Tool/Device
Oppressive	दमनकारी	Unjustly harsh

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

B.1.1. True or False

• 1. The old woman was blind but wise. -> (True)
• 2. The young people came to visit her to learn wisdom. -> (False) (They came to test/mock her)
• 3. The bird in the hand represents language. -> (True)
• 4. The old woman answered the question immediately. -> (False) (She took a long time)

B.1.2. Short Answer Questions

Q1. Who is the first black woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature?

Ans: Toni Morrison is the first black woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Q2. Where does the old woman live?

Ans: The old woman lives alone in a small house outside of town.

Q3. What is the disability of the old woman?

Ans: The disability of the old woman is that she is blind.

Q4. What question did the young boy ask the old woman?

Ans: The young boy asked, "Old woman, I hold in my hand a bird. Tell me whether it is living or dead."

C.1. Long Answer Questions

Q1. Explain the meaning of the old woman's answer: "It is in your hands."

Ans: By saying "It is in your hands," the old woman shifts the responsibility back to the young boy. Literally, it means the bird's life depends on him—he can crush it or let it fly. Metaphorically, 'the bird' represents 'language'. The old woman is telling the younger generation that the future of language is in their hands. They can use language to destroy/oppress or to nurture/liberate.

Q2. How does Toni Morrison describe "oppressive language"?

Ans: Toni Morrison describes oppressive language as violence. She says it does more than represent violence; it is violence. It limits knowledge and kills the soul. Sexist language, racist language, and theistic language are all forms of oppressive language because they do not allow new ideas to breathe. They are like a "dead bird"—static and destructive.

Q3. Why did the young people visit the old woman?

Ans: The motive of the young people is ambiguous. Initially, it seems they visited her to expose her "fraudulence" or to mock her wisdom because they were skeptical of her reputation. They wanted to trick her with the bird question. However, as the story progresses, it appears they might have been seeking true wisdom and attention from her, using their aggressive questions as a way to engage with her.

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