Chapter 2
Going to the Mela
Preparing for the Mela
The mela has finally come to town. Nita
and Radha are getting ready to go to
the mela. There is a lot of excitement.
The mela is a little far from home; so
they need to take a bus.
“What’s happening? You all seem to be very
busy?” asked Dadiji.
“We are going to the mela, Dadiji. Please come
with us!” requested Nita and Radha.
“Mela! Oh yes, your mother asked me to come
along, too. I would have loved to. But you know my
legs hurt,” said Dadiji .
Nita’s father joined the conversation.
“We have a lot of people with us.
Our neighbours, Sneha and
Rohit, as well as Mohan
Chacha (Paternal uncle)
and his family. They are
arriving by train today.
Don’t worry! We will
take care of you.”
Dadiji smiled
and answered,
“Alright, I will
come. Have
you filled up
your water
bottles?”
“Oh yes, Dadiji! Our special
bag is ready too,” Nita replied.
The children jumped with joy.
Everybody was very happy that
Dadiji had agreed to come.
Nita’s father called out to
their neighbours asking them to
be ready on time.
In the meantime, Mohan
Chacha called them to say that they would meet
Nita and her family directly at the mela. They would
take a city bus and then an autorickshaw to reach
the mela ground.
“Wow! There are so many of us.
What fun we are going to have!” exclaimed Radha.
DISCUSS • What do you think was in the special bag that Nita
and Radha’s family carried?
• How do you prepare yourself for a trip?
On the way to the Mela
Sneha and Rohit are not just Nita’s neighbours; they are close friends too. They are also getting ready to go to the mela. “Sneha, get ready quickly. Nita’s family will be arriving soon,” said their mother.“I am almost ready, Ma. I am just making sure that I have taken everything I need with me,” Sneha added.“It’s time to leave. Nita’s family is here,” announced her father.Soon after, they all left for the mela. Nita held Dadiji’s hand and led her slowly to the bus stop.
They walked carefully on the road keeping an eye
on the vehicles moving in both directions.
Bus number 401 slowly came to a halt. The
conductor and Nita’s father helped Dadiji get on
the bus. There was a seat reserved for older people.
Dadiji sat comfortably in it.
Everyone boarded the bus and sat all around
Dadiji. Rohit’s father insisted on buying the tickets
for everyone. “Five full and four half tickets please,”
he said to the conductor. He told the children to
sit on their seats and not jump around. He also
asked them not to put their hands or head out of
the window for their safety. The bus went through
the city and finally reached the big ground where
the mela was being held.
Discuss • What transport do you take to travel within your city/town/village?
• Why should safety measures be followed when travelling by bus, car or while riding a bicycle?
Write Describe briefly any trip that you have taken with your friends, neighbours or family.
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At the Mela
Both the families reached the big parade ground
where the mela was being held. Mohan Chacha and
his family also got down from an autorickshaw.
At the entrance, there was a map of the mela
ground showing the various stalls and their
locations. An ambulance, police jeep and fire engine
were parked next to it. There was also a ‘Lost and
Found’ booth with volunteers. Mohan Chacha and
Rohit hurried to get a wheelchair for Dadiji.
As they entered, they saw stalls with games,
toys, sweets and many interesting things. The
children were overjoyed. They visited the toy stall
from where they bought spinning tops, puppets,
phirkis and dolls. The children then took a ride on
the merry-go-round and the giant wheel. Sneha
and Radha bought bangles and other trinkets.
“Let us go and see the magic
show now,” said Nita. They also
then enjoyed the magic show!
Mohan Chacha called out
to the children, “You have had
a lot of fun; now let’s have
something to eat. But before
you eat you need to wash
your hands properly.” The children went to the
water point and washed their hands. They all ate
gol gappas, chaat, chhole kulche, hot jalebis with
rabri, kulfi and many other delicious things. After
eating, they made sure they put all the waste
in the dustbin.
As they were leaving the mela,
Dadiji exclaimed, “Look children!
Who is accompanying the police
officer?”
All the children answered
together, “Dadiji, it is a police dog!
Do you know Kumbh Mela is the world’s biggest
festival. It is the largest gathering of
mankind and is held on the banks
of rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari
and Shipra. It is held once every
12 years in Haridwar, Prayagraj,
Nashik and Ujjain.
WRITE • What is the purpose of the ‘Lost and Found’ booth?
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• What is the role of the police dog?
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• Have you ever been to a mela? What are the things you
liked most in the mela?
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DISCUSS Sharing Experience
Imagine yourself in place of Nita, Radha, Sneha and Rohit. Share with the class the interesting things you would do in the mela.
• Talk to the elders in the family and find out how
melas were different when they were young.
Why are fire engines and ambulances present in a
mela?
ACTIVITY 1
Reading a Sketch
Study the sketch and answer.
• Find and circle Rohit and Sneha’s house on the
map.
• Find and circle Nita and Radha’s house on the map.
• Whose house is closer to the parade ground?
• If you have to go from the police station to the parade
ground, which places would you pass through?
DRAW In the given space, sketch the route from home to school that you follow everyday.
DRAW
Let us reflect
A. Discuss in the class
1. How can we care for our elders?
2. What kinds of vehicles do we see around us?
3. How can we ensure safety during travel?
B. Match the pictures with the words
Pick a suitable word from the list, match it with a picture, and write the word below the picture. One has been done for you
C. Draw in your notebook
Draw and label different vehicles that you see around your school and home.
D. Role play: Organise a mock mela
With the help of your teacher, organise a mock melain your classroom. Discuss and plan the different roles, stalls, and games that are part of a mela. Use learning-teaching materials available locally, e.g., toys, puppets, play money, miniatures, and clay models to set up your stalls and role-play buyers and sellers.
