Incorporating DAV Class 5 English Reader Book Solutions Pdf Chapter 2 Books into study routines can lead to better overall language proficiency.
My English Reader Class 5 DAV Solutions Unit 2 Books
DAV Class 5 English Reader Book Solutions Unit 2 Books
Introduction:
Can you guess the answer of this riddle?
My leaves are white
They never grow
And everything
You want to know
Is stored in those
Black marks you see
On every leaf
You find in me.
Answer:
A book.
Books can be of a wide variety. Let us see if you can match the types of books with their description.
Answer:
| 1. Fairy Tales | (g) Stories of fairies, magical people and events. |
| 2. Epic | (a) Long poem or story about heroic deeds. |
| 3. Autobiography | (d) Story of a person’s life written by that person. |
| 4. Detective stories | (f) Collection of mystery stories. |
| 5. Cartoon book | (e) Book containing sequence of drawings. |
| 6. Novel/Fiction | (h) Long story divided into chapters. |
| 7. Poetry Book | (c) Collection of poems |
| 8. Fable | (i) Old stories that teach a lesson. |
| 9. Folk Tales | (b) Stories about ordinary folks. |
A
A.1. Great men and thinkers have used different names for books. Use the given words in sentences to explain each name. One is done for you.
(i) Companion (best friend)
Answer:
Books are our companions in all circumstances.
(ii) Window (show world)
Answer:
Books are windows through which we can see the whole world.
(iii) Light house (show direction)
Answer:
Books are like lighthouses that show us the right direction.
(iv) Teacher (teach good things)
Answer:
Books are our teachers to teach us good things.
(v) Treasure (store house of knowledge)
Answer:
Books are treasure of knowledge.
A.2. Read the following poem.
Adventures with Books [Textbook Pages 30 – 37]
Summary of the Poem
This poem is all about the features of books. Books contain a lot of adventures and tales Reading a book gives one a lot of varied experiences. We travel in ships sailing in the seas. We cross the lands of snow. We see jungle trees. The poet feels to be the captain of the ship who can choose what to see and what to avoid. The poet invites us to sail the magic ship. Further the poet says that books are like trains travelling through many lands crossing hills and deserts.
Here the poet feels like being an engineer guiding the train to make it more adventurous. Books are full of the stories of birds and beasts. Here books are like zoos and the poet becomes the keeper of the zoo. Books give us experiences of fairies, elves, comboys and people like us. Here books appear to be beautiful gardens. We feel excited and have a lot of mixed reactions. All the way reading is a fun.
Summary in Hindi
प्रस्तुत कविता में किताबों की विशेषताओं का वर्णन किया गया है। किताबों में बहुत सी साहसिक कहानियाँ होती हैं। किताबें पढ़ने से हम तरह-तरह के अनुभवों से वाकिफ होते हैं। हम जहाज में बैठकर समुद्र की यात्रा करते हैं। हम बर्फीली भूमि को पार करते हैं। जंगली पेड़-पौधों को देखते हैं । कवि को ऐसा आभास होता है कि वह इस जहाज का कैप्टन है जो यह निर्णय ले सकता है कि उसे क्या देखना है और क्या नहीं देखना है। कवि हमें जादुई जहाज में समुद्री यात्रा करने के लिए आमंत्रित करता है। आगे कवि कहता है कि किताबें रेलगाड़ियों की तरह हैं जो यात्रा के दौरान पहाड़ियों और मरुस्थलों को पार करती हुई गुजरती हैं।
यहाँ कवि को लगता है कि वह एक इंजीनियर है जो रेलगाड़ी को और अधिक साहसिक यात्रा करने के लिए मार्गदर्शन करता है। किताबों में पक्षियों और राक्षसों की कहानियाँ भरी पड़ी हैं। यहाँ पर कवि किताबों को चिड़ियाघर से तुलना करते हुए कहता है कि वह इसका ( चिड़ियाघर ) रखवाला है। किताबें पढ़कर हमें परियों, चरवाहों और अपने जैसे लोगों के बारे में जानकारी मिलती हैं। यहाँ पर किताबों की तुलना सुंदर-सुंदर उद्यानों से की गई है। हम बहुत उत्तेजित होते हैं और हमारे अंदर मिश्रित प्रतिक्रियाएँ उभरती हैं। जो भी हो, किताबें पढ़ना आनंददायक होता है।
Word – Meanings:
Bold = brave – साहसी, निडर,
Magic = charm – जादू,
Hill = a small mountain – पहाड़ी,
Desert = sandy land- मरुस्थल,
Guide = show by leading – मार्गदर्शन करना,
Exciting – उत्तेजक,
Ride = journey (on a vehicle)-सैर,
Beast = giant – राक्षस,
Roam = wander here and there – घूमना,
Keeper = one who looks after something – रखवाला,
Elffairy = like – परी जैसी,
Cowboy = one who tends animals like cows – चरवाहा,
Fun = amusement – आमोद-प्रमोद ।
A.3. On the basis of reading of the poem, complete the following sentences.
(i) Books take the speaker to ________.
Answer:
new places
(ii) The speaker is the ________ of the ship in which he will travel.
Answer:
captain
(iii) He is a ________ person. It is he who will decide what places to visit.
Answer:
bold and free
(iv) The speaker invites everyone to sail ________.
Answer:
the magic ship
(v) Books can easily cross ________.
Answer:
hills or desert sands
(vi) Books take its passengers on ________.
Answer:
the magic train
(vii) A zoo is a ________.
Answer:
place where wild animals are kept
(viii) The birds and animals are not ________ to roam in a zoo.
Answer:
allowed
(ix) The speaker decides the ________.
Answer:
things to show to us
(x) One can easily find in a book what ________.
Answer:
one wants inside it.
A.4. Mark whether the following state-ments about the speaker are true (T) of false (F). Find lines in the poem to support your answer.
(i) The speaker loves reading books.
Answer:
True
(ii) He reads all kinds of books.
Answer:
True
(iii) He is by nature a dull and boring person.
Answer:
False
(iv) He is bold, independent and adventurous.
Answer:
True
(v) He does not wish to share his joy with others.
Answer:
False
(vi) He is creative and imaginative.
Answer:
True
(vii) He understands the power of books.
Answer:
True
(viii) He does not recommend reading books to others.
Answer:
False
A.5. Pick out words from the box to complete the following web charts.
Answer:
A.6. Compete the stanza taking words from the box given below.
Books are ________ that fly ________
Above the ________ and in the sky
I’m the ________, smart and ________
Taking you to new ________ forever
Come, let us ________ in the ________ plane.
Answer:
Books are planes that fly high.
Above the clouds and in the sky.
I’m the pilot, smart and clever.
Taking you to new places forever.
Come, let us fly in the wonderful plane.
A.7. Your class wishes to start a class library. As monitor of the class, draft a notice to be put on class notice board giving the following information.
planto start the class library — deposit one story book each within a week — books to be read in the zero period — the student who reads maximum books in a month to be rewarded.
Answer:
NOTICE
DAV School, Vadodara
10 April, 20….
To start a class library
This is to inform you that we have planned to start a class library. All the students of class V are requested to deposit one story book within a week. Books collected in this way would be kept in the class library and could be read in the zero period. The student who reads maximum books in a month will be rewarded.
Ashish Shankar
Monitor
Class V
Additional Questions:
Question 1.
How are books like an adventure?
Answer:
Adventure is a journey towards unknown. It is always exciting. As we face a lot of new things suddenly. In the same way when we read a book we don’t know what will happen the next moment. We feel excited and have always new experiences. Hence, books are also adventures.
Question 2.
What do you see in the zoos?
Answer:
Zoos are the protected places where different kinds of birds and animals are kept. They are provided natural surroundings. People enjoy visiting it.
B
B.1. Writers have not ruled countries, invented things, won battles or had amazing adventures. Yet they are famous and important because they create tales that entertain people. After all, it is well-known that-
Match the writers with their creations. [Textbook Page 35]
| Rabindranath Tagore | Rudyard Kipling |
| Enid Blyton | Ruskin Bond |
| Arthur Conan Doyle | Charles Dickens |
| R.K. Narayan Lewis | Carroll |
Answer:
| Alice in Wonderland | Lewis Carroll |
| The Adventures of Rusty | Ruskin Bond |
| The Jungle Book | Rudyard Kipling |
| Swami and Friends | R.K. Narayan |
| The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes | Arthur Conan Doyle |
| Oliver Twist | Charles Dickens |
| Gitanjali | Rabindranath Tagore |
| Five on a Treasure Island | Enid Blyton |
B.2. Reading is a hobby. Find out how many students enjoy reading in your class. Also complete the sentences given below to assess your reading habits.
Answer:
My favourite book is The Jungle Book.
The character(s) I like most in the book is/are Mowgli, Baloo and Bagheera.
Other books/stories that I have liked are Alice in Wonderland, Gulliver’s Travels, The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes, The Folk of the Faraway Tree, etc.
When I go to the library, I like to take out books about historical facts.
My Favourite author is Enid Blyton.
My Favourite fairy tale is Cindrella.
If I could write a book, I would call it The Land of Fairies.
B.3. Read the story ‘The Boy Who Borrowed’
The Boy Who Borrowed [Textbook Pages 36-40]
Summary of the Story
Benny’s favourite hobby was reading. But he hadn’t enough money to buy a lot of books. So he borrowed them from his friends and from the library. The books that he borrowed included The Island of Adventure, The Secret Seven, Treasure Island, etc. Benny had a bad habit. He always forgot to return them and in this way he collected a lot of books.When children asked for their books, back, Benny pretended that he had not got them.
Benny did not only borrow books. He borrowed several other things such as ball, pen, jigsaw, rubber, etc. Since he did not give any of them back, the children were angry with him. One night Benny heard voices of books in his dream. The books were talking. They wanted to return to their owners. Suddenly they started walking downstairs and running away. Benny got panicked. He awoke all of a sudden and went to his bookshelves to find them empty except for his own books. Now he was sure that it hadn’t been a dream. It was real. Books made Benny feel ashamed and so he returned all borrowed things. He promised to borrow books only if he returned them quickly.
Summary in Hindi
बेनी को किताबें पढ़ने में बहुत रुचि थी। लेकिन उसके पास इतने पैसे नहीं होते थे कि ढेर सारी किताबें खरीद सके। इसलिए वह अपने दोस्तों और पुस्तकालय से किताबें उधार माँग लेता था। उधार ली गई किताबों के नाम थे— The Island of Adventure, The Secret Seven, Treasure Island, आदि । बेनी की एक बुरी आदत थी। वह किताबें लौटाना हमेशा भूल जाता था । इस तरह से उसने बहुत सारी किताबें इकट्ठी कर ली थीं। जब बच्चे उससे अपनी किताबें लौटाने को कहते तब वह ऐसा अभिनय करता था जैसे कि किताबें उसे मिली ही नहीं ।
बेनी केवल किताबें ही उधार नहीं लेता था। वह गेंद, कलम, चित्रखंड प्रहेलिका (Jigsaw), रबड़ जैसी चीजें भी उधार माँग लेता था। चूँकि वह किसी की चीजें लौटाता नहीं था, इसलिए बच्चे उससे नाराज रहते थे। एक रात उसने सपने में किताबों को बातचीत करते हुए सुना । किताबें अपने-अपने मालिकों के पास जाना चाहती थीं। अचानक वे सीढ़ियों से उतरने लगीं और भागने लगीं। बेनी डर गया। वह अचानक जग गया और किताबों की ताक ( आला) की ओर बढ़ा। ताकों को खाली देखकर वह हैरान रह गया। उन पर उसकी अपनी किताबों को छोड़कर और कोई किताबें नहीं थीं। अब उसे विश्वास हो गया कि उसने जो सपने में देखा, वह सपना नहीं था बल्कि यथार्थ था।
किताबों ने बेनी को शर्मिंदा महसूस करवाया। उसने फौरन उधार ली गई चीजों को लौटा दिया। उसने प्रतिज्ञा ली कि वह चीजें उधार तभी लेगा जब उन्हें जल्दी लौटा देगा।
Word – Meanings:
Borrowed = got temporary use of a thing or money – उद्दार माँगना,
Dictionary = a book that lists and explains the words of a language – शब्दकोष,
Gradually = slowly – क्रमश:, धीरे-धीरे,
Pretented = claim faslely – गलत बोलना, अभिनय करना,
Cross = ( here ) angry – नाराज,
Slopped = escaped – भाग निकला,
Horrid = horrible – भयानक,
Gracious = kind and pleasant towards inferiors – दयालु,
Alarm = fear – डर, भय
Jostling = pushing roughly – धकेलते हुए,
Frightened = afraid – भयभीत,
Trembling = quivering – काँपते हुए ( डर से ),
Empty = vacant – खाली,
Broad daylight = in day time – दिन-दहाड़े,
Ashamed = felt shame – शर्मिंदा महसूस किया,
Stealing = talking dishonestly – चुराना,
Stared = looked – देखा ।
B.4. Tick (✓) the correct option to complete the sentences.
(i) Benny completed reading a book in—
(a) three days
(b) half a day
(c) two hours.
Answer:
(b) half a day
(ii) Benny got books only—
(a) at Christmas time
(b) on his birthday
(c) when he demanded them.
Answer:
(a) at Christmas time
(iii) Benny had the habit of—
(a) stealing things
(b) lending things
(c) borrowing things.
Answer:
(c) borrowing things.
(iv) When children asked for their books back, Benny—
(a) returned them
(b) avoided them
(c) pretended that he had not got them.
Answer:
(c) pretended that he had not got them.
(v) All the borrowed books wanted to—
(a) return to their owners
(b) stay with Benny
(c) praise Benny’s passion for reading books.
Answer:
(a) return to their owners
(vi) The funny dream that Benny narrated to his mother was about—
(a) his reading a funny book
(b) his writing a book
(c) books walking downstairs and running away.
Answer:
(c) books walking downstairs and running away.
(vii) Books made Benny feel ashamed and so he—
(a) did not talk to his friends
(b) returned all borrowed things.
(c) cried loudly.
Answer:
(b) returned all borrowed things.
(viii) Benny promised to borrow books—
(a) again and again
(b) only if he returned them quickly
(c) only from relatives.
Answer:
(b) only if he returned them quickly
B.5. Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) What was Benny’s favourite hobby?
Answer:
His favourite hobby was reading books.
(ii) What kind of book did Benny want?
Answer:
He wanted adventure and nature books.
(iii) How many books did he have?
Answer:
He had about eight books.
(iv) Why could Benny not bear to return books?
Answer:
He could not bear to return books because they looked beautiful in his book case.
(v) Whose voices did Benny hear one night?
Answer:
One night he heard books’ voices.
(vi) What horrid thing had Benny done with one of the books?
Answer:
Benny had truned down some of the pages of one of the books to mark his place.
(vii) How did the books leave the house?
Answer:
They left the house walking downstairs and running away.
(viii) Why were the children surprised when Benny returned them their things?
Answer:
The children were surprised because they had never thought that Benny would return their things.
B.6. Life Skills
Imagine Benny had borrowed a book from you and has not returned it back. How would you convince him to return your book and all the other things that he has borrowed from other people?
Answer:
I would tell him that the habit of borrowing things is not good in itself. If for any reason you borrow any thing. For example, a book you should try to return it as soon as possible. You should read the borrowed book within the given time frame and return it without reminder. In this way there will be no problem for the lender and a very cordial relationship between the two will develop.
B. 7. Value Based Question
‘Books are our best friends. The values that we get from them are timeless and priceless.’ Do you agree with this statement? Discuss in class what values do we get from books.
Answer:
- Books brighten our ideas and ennoble our soul.
- They broaden our outlook and refine our taste.
- They not only enhance our knowledge but also make us thoughtful and rationale.
- They teach us basic human values like kindness, love, gratitude, compassion, tolerance, and so on.
- They enhance our far sightedness. They enable us to stand in the time of difficult situations.
- If we are well-read, no one can move us from our beliefs.
B.8. Find words from the story which mean the same as the following:
(i) created a false impression – p _ _ t _ _ _ _ _
Answer:
pretended
(ii) angry – c _ _ _ _
Answer:
cross
(iii) strange – p _ _ u _ _ _ _
Answer:
peculiar
(iv) horrible – h _ _ _ _ _
Answer:
horror
(v) hurry in a disorderly manner – h _ _ _ _ _ s _ _ _ _ _ _
Answer:
helterskelter
(vi) strange, odd – q _ _ _ _
Answer:
queer.
B.9. Imagine you are Benny. Write a diary entry describing your unbelievable experience of hearing the books talk, leave the house and reach their owners’ houses.
Answer:
10 p.m.
Monday
It is really unbelievable to hear book’s voices. It is yet another unbelievable experience to see books leaving my house and reaching their owner’s houses. I was stunned. I never had such an experience before. I always thought books to be non-living objects. I never cared for them. I made all the borrowed books dirty. But to my surprise I saw those books leaving my house. They reached their previous owners. Then I realised that books also have feelings. We should not ignore even non-living objects and take good care of them.
B.10. Benny’s friend decides to become a member of a Public Library to satisfy her passion of reading books. Given below are the steps of joining the library, selecting a book and getting it issued. Arrange them in the correct order by writing the number in the boxes provided.
Submit form and membership fee.
Hand over book and library card to librarian.
Refer to catalogue.
Get due return date stamped in the book.
Secure membership form.
Select book.
Fill details.
Collect library card.
Answer:
1 Secure membership form.
2 Submit form and membership fee.
3 Collect library card.
4 Fill details.
5 Refer to catalogue.
6 Select book.
7 Hand over book and library card to librarian.
8 Get due return date stamped in the book.
Additional Questions:
Question 1.
Why did Benny borrow books?
Answer:
Benny borrowed books because he had not enough money to buy them.
Question 2.
What other things did Benny borrow?
Answer:
Benny didn’t only borrow books. He borrowed a ball from Eric, a pen from Lucy, a jigsaw from Kenneth and a new rubber from Eileen.
Question 3.
Why were children angry with Benny?
Answer:
Children were angry with Benny because he (Benny) used to borrow books and other things from them but never gave any of them back.
Question 4.
What did the third voice say?
Answer:
The third voice said that it (book) belonged to Bill who loved it very much and read it six times. Then it got stuck there in Benny’s shelf and it didn’t like him because he didn’t treat it properly either. He had turned some of its pages down to mark his place.
Question 5.
What did Benny find when he went to get his school books that morning?
Answer:
He found his bookshelves quite empty except for his own books. All the others had gone.
Question 6.
What message does the lesson ‘The Boy Who Borrowed’ convey to its readers?
Answer:
This lesson convey two clear-cut messages. Firstly, if we borrow anything from any one, we must return it in time. Secondly, we should keep the books properly. We should not turn any of their pages down to mark our place.
C
C.1. Here are two pages of annotated bibliography of children’s books. Read it carefully. [Textbook Pages 44 – 45]
1. The Jungle Book
Mowgli lives in the jungle and spends his days climbing trees, eating honey. and swimming in forest pools. But not everyone wants him in the jungle. Can Mowgli overcome the ferocious tiger Sher Khan?
128 pages; Ages 6 and up; Paperback; 80
2. The Fried Frog
and Other Funny Freaky Food je Feisty Poems
Have you ever heard of fabulous beasts that are garbage trucks? Have you ever met a person called Shampoo who talks in frothy bubbles? Have you ever ridden a word-balloon? A book filled with all kinds of strangeness and hilariousness, it promises an absolute laugh-riot.
112 pages; Ages 8 – 14; Paperback; 90
3. Amazing India
A Slate-by-State Guide
Illustrated by: Amit Vachharajani
Did you know that twenty-two of the twenty-nine states in India have their Own language, and all of them their Own different, magnificently unique culture and arts and crafts? A fabulousiy illustrated book takes OU through all the different states and Uflion tcrrilorics in all their different regions, treating you to the rich kaleidoscope1 that is India.
72 colour pages; All ages; Paperback; 230
4. It’s All Relative!
Disney: Wizards of Waverly Place
When Alex Russo discovers that her dad has already taught her brother Justin how to fly the family’s magic carpet, she insists on getting her own flying lessons. The problem is her father doesn’t want his little girl to fly. So Justin secretly teaches her to take to the skies. But when Dad finds out, will Alex be grounded?
128 pages; Ages 8 – 11; Paperback; 100
5. Get Organized Without Losing It
Is your desk at school a disaster? Do you spend tons of time looking for things you need for homework? If you do, this book is for you. Packed with helpful tips, memory tricks and useful tools to make life that much easier.
110 pages; Ages 9 – 14; Paperback; 80
6. Fractions e Decimals
5-Minute Daily Practice
A great book which adopts an easy-to-understand approach for learning maths. The tests and solutions included will help you practice reinforce your learning and build confidence.
64 pages; Ages 8 – 11; Paperback; 100
C.2. On the basis of the book reviews you have read, write the titles of the books that you would read for the following.
(i) To learn about the customs, festivals and cultural events of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Answer:
Amazing India: A state-by-state Guide.
(ii) To solve simple exercises of arithmetic.
Answer:
Fractions and Decimals: 5-Minute Daily Practice.
(iii) To read the story of Mowgli, who has always lived in the jungle but whose life is now threatened by the tiger Sher Khan.
Answer:
The Jungle Book.
(iv) To enjoy funny compositions in verse.
Answer:
The Fried Frog and Other Funny Freaky Foodie Feisty Poems
(v) To read about a girl whose father does not want her to fly using the family’s magic carpet.
Answer:
Disney: Wizards of Waverly Place.
C.3. Select any two books which you would like to order. Discuss with your partner why you wish to purchase those books.
Answer:
Do it yourself.
C.4. You propose to form a ‘Literary Club’ in your society. To become a member of the club, one must read one book at least. The club will enable book lovers to meet at regular intervals and exchange information about interesting books.
Note the following points about a book you have read to tell others in the next meeting.
- title of the book.
- the writer’s name.
- the publisher’s name (you’ll find it on the front or back page, or somewhere inside).
- the type of book — puzzle, nature, science, humour, encyclopedia etc.
- any other thing that you may find worth noting.
- a small paragraph on the characters, the theme, important incidents and why you have liked the book.
A Book Review is a critical report of a book.
Here is a book review given by Sanchari at a Literary Club Meeting. [Textbook Page 47]
C.5. As members of the Club, make an attractive bookmark to gift to one another.
Answer:
Do it yourself.
C.6. Listen to the tape script about how to take care of books and complete the given ‘Do’s and DontV to be displayed in the library.
Listen to the audio CD, titled Listen & Comprehend (Class-V). After listening, answer the questions verbally. Thereafter, complete the given exercise. The tape script is also given on Textbook Page 51
Answer:
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| (i) Handle books carefully. | (i) Do not drop a book. |
| (ii) Keep the dust jacket on the book. | (ii) Do not fold the covers back against each other. |
| (iii) Protect the book from stains, dirt and scrapes. | (iii) Do not drop water on the book. |
| (iv) Protect the book from heat, light and moisture. | (iv) Do not put a pencil or any other thick object in a book. |
| (v) Use a book mark to keep your place in the book. | (v) Do not fold the corners of the book. |
| (vi) Place the book upright on a shelf when not in use. | (vi) Do not underline or write in a library book. |
| (vii) Make a space for the book in the shelf. | (vii) Do not pull a book by the top of the spine when taking it out from the shelf. |
| (viii) Tum the pages gently to avoid wrinkles. | (viii) While replacing the book in the shelf, do not force it in. |
C.7. Your School is celebrating a ‘Book Week’. Prepare a speech to be delivered in the school assembly on the need to take care of books and tips on how to do it. Suggest the students to make maximum use of the school library.
Answer:
Do it yourself.
C.8. Discuss with your partner and write down a few tips on how to make a good use of the school library.
Answer:
Do it yourself..
D
D.1. Read it Yourself.
Thank you, Rinku [Textbook Pages 49-50]
Summary of the Poem
The writer, now a grown-up lady, remembers her childhood days when she enjoyed friendship with Rinku, who was one year older than her. She was six and Rinku was seven, when they first met. Rinku lived a few houses from hers. Being older than her she was her boss and she (writer) felt no hesitation in obeying her commands. The writer remembers how Rinku introduced her to fish, to butter rice, to lace stockings and to books. She had no interest in books. But Rinku developed in her heart a love for reading.
She made her read stories of Enid Blyton and novels like Malony Towers, The Famous Five and The Secret Seven. She didn’t stop her efforts unless the writer developed a hunger for books. At the time when she turned thirteen she had already read the Nancy Drew Series and famous novels of R.K. Narayan, James Herriot, Agatha Christie, and many more. The writer could live only two years in contact of Rinku but the priceless gift that she gave to her always remained with her. And when her son turned six she passed on this gift to him.
Summary in Hindi
लेखिका, जो अब एक वयस्क महिला है, अपने बचपन के दिनों को याद करती है जब वह रिंकु, जो उससे एक साल बड़ी थी, की दोस्त हुआ करती थी। लेखिका छह साल की थी और रिंकु सात साल की जब वे दोनों पहली बार मिलीं। रिंकु उसके घर से कुछ ही दूरी पर रहती थी। उम्र में बड़ी होने के नाते रिंकु उसकी बॉस थी और वह उसके सभी आदेशों का पालन करती थी। लेखिका याद करती है कि रिंकु ने उसे जूते का फीता बाँधना सिखाया और सबसे महत्त्वपूर्ण, किताबों से परिचय कराया। लेखिका को किताबों में थोड़ी भी रुचि नहीं थी । लेकिन रिंकु ने उसके हृदय में पढ़ने का शौक पैदा किया। उसने उसे एनिड ब्लाटन की कहानियाँ और Malony Towers, The Famous Five और The Secret Seven जैसे उपन्यास पढ़ने के लायक बनाया। उसने अपना प्रयास तब तक नहीं छोड़ा जब तक कि उसके (लेखिका) के अंदर किताबें पढ़ने की भूख पैदा नहीं हुई। और तेरह साल के होते होते उसने आर०के० नारायण, अगाथा क्रिस्टी, जेम्स हेरिअर जैसे लेखकों के उपन्यास पढ़ लिए।
लेखिका रिंकु की संगति में बस दो साल ही रह सकी, लेकिन उसने (रिंकु ने) उसे जो अनमोल उपहार दिए, वह हमेशा उसके साथ रहा। और जब उसका बेटा छह साल का हो गया तब उसने उस उपहार को अपने बेटे के हवाले कर दिया।
Word – Meanings:
Initiated = introduced – दीक्षित करना,
Author = writer – लेखक,
Heartfelt = sincere – सच्चा,
Gratitude = being gratiful – कृतज्ञ होना,
Nestled = lay- स्थित था,
Equation = (here) relation – संबंध,
Command = order – आदेश,
Protected = saved रक्षा करना, बचाना,
Elf = fairy like – परी जैसी,
Pixies = fairies – परियाँ,
Goblins = mishievous ugly elves – शरारती बदसूरत परियाँ,
Hooked = addicted – आदी, आसक्त,
Derived = obtained from – निकालना,
Thrill = sensation – रोमांच,
Coax = convince – विश्वास दिलाना,
Realised = felt – महसूस किया,
Retreat = withdraw to when faced with difficulty, place of refuge and shelter – वापस आना,
Mentor = a trusted advisor- सलाहकार,
Priceless = invluable – अनमोल।