Students can also check the English Summary to revise with them during exam preparation.
The Treasure Within Summary Analysis and Explanation By Nissim Ezekiel
About the Poet Nissim Ezekiel
| Poet Name | Nissim Ezekiel |
| Born | 16 December 1924, Bombay Presidency |
| Died | 9 January 2004, Mumbai |
| Awards | Padma Shri |
| Education | University of Mumbai, Birkbeck, University of London, Wilson College |
The Treasure Within Introduction
This is one of the unusual stories of an eminent architect. He has taken the notion of success beyond description. He had no inclination towards studies. He was good at sports and has focused on leaving various aspects that helped him in his profession. His observation, originality, and dedication helped him to excel in his field. He led an exemplary life for other students.
The lesson is an excerpt from an interview between Mr. Bela Raja and Mr. Hafeez contractor.
The Treasure Within Summary of the Lesson in English
Hafeez’s contractor was nostalgic when asked about his schooling and education. He had an unhappy schooling. He had experienced the worst nightmares about math’s examination which disappeared with time.
He revealed that he lost interest in studies when he reached the third standard. He cheated in exams and his interest was only in games. The first life-changing moment came to his life when his principal called him up.
He reprimanded him for being a careless boy. Whose only support was his mother? Before that he was a good sportsman, champion and the cricket captain. But after that he no longer came out to fields.
Hafeez recalled his school memories. In his reminiscence, he was canned by his teacher. He enjoyed funny pranks, playing games, watching movies. He was the leader of his gang he was indulged in gang fights and strategy plannings.
His text books were in much demand for sale as he rarely opens his books until exams. On asking about his advent in the field of architecture. He wanted to join the Army, got the joining letter but to his distress, his aunt tore it off.
He was not allowed to join the police force. So he took he was given the option to choose between French and German. Although he learned French for seven years yet knew nothing of it so he opted for German in college.
But after the death of his German teacher, he could either revert back to French or change the college. As he decided to learn French from his cousin who was married to an architect.
So he visited his cousin in the architect’s office to learn the language. The interviewer enquired if he changed his mind there. Then he answered that it happened by chance to him.
He told her that in the architect’s office, he saw somebody drawing a window detail which was very advanced drawing. He observed that his drawing was faulty and suggested that it would not open.
He then was asked to design a house. After seeing his designs his cousin’s husband asked him to join architecture. To recommend him, he went to meet his principal. On condition to qualify the entrance, he was given a chance.
And when he got at in the entrance exam, he was given admission in architecture. He stood first class first through his degree.
He gave the credit of being successful in field of architecture to his schooling days. He recalled his competition with his friend Behram Divecha. They compete in designing forts, gums and ammunitions.
He also spoke about an incident when he was in class II or III, where his teacher. Mrs. Gupta assessed his drawings and sketches. She advised him to take architecture. Later he visited her and told her everything.
Mr. Bela Raja interrogated about his issues with studies and curriculum. He replied that he was good at science and geography. But it came to languages and maths; he could not find any relevance.
He added that living in a boarding school was difficult. In response to her question about a contention that giftedness and learning disabilities go hand in hand, he said that position holders of his class were doing ordinary jobs. He
further added that schooling gave him an opportunity to do things independently. He talked about his interest in other things than in class. He incited an example that in rainy days he would think of flowing water, dam, flow and hold of water in dams.
He arranged a button from cutting of chalk as discipline and information in his school were viewed seriously.
At the end, she inquired about his clientele. He told that he observes at the client’s face, his clothes, and other habits. He sketches spontaneously on a paper keeping in mind the liking of his customer.
He added that it is like mathematics because he could not on putting design, construction, psychology and sociology, sketching altogether. Thus his weak subject became his instrument of success.