Solution of Chapter 9. Madam Rides the Bus (First Flight - English Book)

What was Valli's favourite pastime?

What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?

What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details?

What do you think Valli was planning to do?

Why does the conductor call Valli 'madam'?

Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see now?

What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child?

Why didn't Valli want to make friendship with the elderly woman?

How did Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?

What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?

Why didn't she get off the bus at the bus station?

Why didn't Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does this tell you about her?

What was Valli's deepest desire? Find words and phrases in the story that tell you this.

How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and how did she save up the fare?

What kind of a person is Valli? To answer this question, pick out the following sentences from the text and ftl1 in the blanks. The words you ftl1 in are the clues to your answer.

(i) "Stop the bus! Stop the bus!" And a tiny hand was raised.......

(ii) "Yes, I ...... go to town,"said Valli, still standing outside the bus.

(iii) "There's nobody here ......," she said haughtily. "I have paid my thirty-paise like everyone else."

(iv) "Never mind," she said, "I can .......

You don't have to help me. I'm not a child, I tell you," she said .......

(v) "You needn't bother about me. I .....," Valli said, turning her face toward the window and staring out.

(vi) Then she turned to the conductor and said, "Well, sir, I hope ......."

Why does the conductor refer to Valli as a 'madam'?

Find the lines in the text which tell you that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus.

Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?

What does Valli mean when she says, "I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge."

The author describes the things that Valli sees from an eight-year old's point of view. Can you find evidence from the text for this statement?

Write a page about three paragraphs-on one of the following topics

1. Have you ever planned something entirely on your own, without taking grown-ups into your confidence? What did you plan, and how? Did you carry out your plan?

2. Have you made a journey that was unforgettable in some way? What made it memorable?

3. Are you concerned about traffic and road safety? What are your concerns? How would you make road travel safer and more enjoyable?

Who are the characters in the poem? List them with their pet names.

Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called the 'cowardly dragon'?

"Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful..," Why?

The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example, "Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon"-the poetic device here is a simile. Can you, with your partner, list some more poetic devices used in the poem?

Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.

Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?

Writers use words to give us a picture or image without actually saying what they mean. Can you trace some images used in the poem?

Do you find 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons for your answer.

This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any such modem songs or lyric that tells a story? If you know one, tell it to the class. Collect such songs as a project.