8.English (Prose) - Lesson 8
Little Girl Wiser Than Men
Class 10 English (Prose) - Lesson 8
Author: Leo Tolstoy
👧 About the Story & Author
Leo Tolstoy was a great Russian novelist. In this moral story, he shows that sometimes children have more common sense than adults. The story teaches us that true happiness comes from helping others and sharing, not from being greedy.
📖 Summary (हिन्दी सारांश)
एक गरीब किसान के पास दो बेटे और एक छोटी बेटी थी। एक दिन किसान मर गया। बेटों को विरासत में एक खंडहर (ruined house) और एक छोटा सा खेत मिला। बेटे सोचते थे कि अगर वे खेत में मेहनत करेंगे तो अमीर बन जाएंगे।
वे मेहनत करने के बजाय नई चीजें खरीदने लगे:
- पहले एक घोड़ा (Horse) खरीदा। घोड़ा बीमार पड़ गया।
- फिर एक गाय (Cow) खरीदी। गाय को भेड़ियों ने खा लिया।
- फिर एक भैंस (Buffalo) खरीदी। भैंस भी मर गई।
सब कुछ बेचने के बाद उनके पास कुछ नहीं बचा। वे भूखे-प्यासे हो गए।
छोटी बहन ने सलाह दी: "भाइयों, तुम्हें मेहनत करनी चाहिए। जो मिले, उसे खाना और पहनना चाहिए। जो बच जाए, उसे बेचना चाहिए।" बेटे मान गए। उन्होंने खेत में मेहनत की, कपड़े सिलाए, और धीरे-धीरे उनका जीवन सुधर गया।
मोरल: सच्ची बुद्धि यह है कि छोटे-छोटे सुखों को पहचानें और मेहनत करें।
📚 Word Meanings (शब्दार्थ)
| Word | Meaning (Hindi) | Meaning (English) |
|---|---|---|
| Ruined | खंडहर/बर्बाद | Destroyed/Fallen into disrepair |
| Plough | हल | Tool for tilling land |
| Fodder | चारा | Food for cattle |
| Starvation | भूखमरी | Extreme hunger |
| Common sense | अक़्ल/बुद्धि | Practical wisdom |
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
B.1.1. True or False
- 1. The brothers were rich. -> (False)
- 2. The brothers bought a horse first. -> (True)
- 3. The little girl was wiser than her brothers. -> (True)
- 4. The brothers sold all their animals. -> (True)
B.1.2. Short Answer Questions
Q1. What did the brothers inherit from their father?
Ans: The brothers inherited a ruined house and a small field from their father.
Q2. What did the brothers buy first?
Ans: The brothers bought a horse first.
Q3. What happened to the cow?
Ans: The wolves killed the cow.
Q4. What advice did the little sister give?
Ans: The little sister advised them to work hard, eat what they earn, wear what they make, and sell what they save.
C.1. Long Answer Questions
Q1. What mistakes did the brothers make?
Ans: The brothers made several mistakes: (1) They thought they could become rich quickly without hard work. (2) They spent all their money buying animals instead of working their land. (3) They didn't take proper care of the animals, so they died one by one. (4) They ignored their little sister's practical advice. Their main mistake was greed and lack of common sense.
Q2. "The little girl was wiser than her brothers." Justify.
Ans: The little girl had practical wisdom (common sense). While her brothers dreamed of sudden riches, she understood that wealth comes slowly through hard work. She advised them to work, save, and live simply. When they followed her advice, their life improved. Thus, her simple wisdom was greater than her brothers' foolish ambitions.
Q3. What is the moral of the story?
Ans: The moral is: "Work hard, live simply, and save what you earn." True wisdom lies in practical thinking and hard work, not in dreaming of quick riches. Children can sometimes teach adults important life lessons through their common sense.
-- Class 10 English (Bihar Board) Notes --
Comments
Post a Comment