MADAM RIDES THE BUS // FIRST FLIGHT CHAPTER-7 // CBSE CLASS 10 ENGLISH

CHAPTER-7

MADAM RIDES THE BUS
VALLIKKANNAN ✍

MADAM RIDES THE BUS SUMMARY

1. Introduction to Valli:

o Valli was an 8-year-old girl.

o Her full name was Valliammai.

o She was very curious and loved to observe everything happening around her.

o She lived in a village and spent most of her time watching the street from her house doorway.

2. Valli's Interest in the Bus:

o The most exciting thing for Valli was watching the bus that passed through her street.

o The bus travelled from her village to the nearest town.

o Watching people get on and off the bus made her dream of taking a ride.

3. Planning the Bus Ride:

o Valli decided she would take a ride on the bus alone.

o She listened carefully to others and collected all the details about the bus fare (30 paise one way) and travel time (45 minutes one way).

o She saved money for the bus fare by not spending on sweets, toys, etc.

o She planned her trip carefully when her mother was asleep in the afternoon.

4. Valli’s First Bus Ride (To the Town):

o One afternoon, Valli secretly boarded the bus.

o The conductor was friendly and jokingly called her “Madam”.

o Valli sat on a seat and looked out excitedly.

o She enjoyed watching the green fields, trees, hills, and animals along the road.

o A cow running in front of the bus made her laugh loudly.

5. In the Town:

o When the bus reached the town, Valli did not get off.

o She just wanted to enjoy the ride, not explore the town.

o She stayed on the bus and took the return journey immediately.

6. Return Journey (Back to the Village):

o On the return trip, she saw the same cow lying dead on the roadside.

o This made her sad. She understood the reality of life and death.

o Her mood changed from joy to seriousness.

7. Back at Home:

o Valli reached home safely before her mother woke up.

o Her mother and aunt were talking, unaware of Valli’s secret trip.

o Valli kept her adventure to herself, quietly listening to them.

8. Message of the Story:

o The story shows a child’s curiosity, courage, and independence.

o It also shows how experiences teach us life lessons, like the reality of death.

MADAM RIDES THE BUS SHORT QUESTION

1. During her journey, Valli absorbed the natural beauty and clapped her hands in happiness on seeing a young cow running very fast. What does this reveal about Valli?
Answer: Valli’s clapping on seeing the young cow running shows her childlike joy and innocence. She truly enjoyed the simple beauty of nature. It also shows her curiosity and excitement during the bus journey. This moment tells us that Valli had a cheerful heart and could find happiness in small, everyday things.

2. Valli didn’t like the way adults treated her during her bus journey. Describe how you would feel and react if you were to find yourself in a similar situation.
Answer: If I were in Valli’s place and adults didn’t treat me properly, I would feel upset and ignored. It would hurt to not be taken seriously. I would try to stay calm and politely tell them that I deserve respect too. Everyone, no matter their age, should be treated kindly and equally.

3. Who was Valliammai? What was her favourite pastime?
Answer: alliammai was an eight-year-old girl who appeared quite mature for her age. Since she had no friends to play with, she often spent her time standing at the front doorway of her house. Her favourite pastime was watching the activities happening in the street outside.

4. Imagine you come across a little girl travelling alone in a bus. Write down any two questions you would ask her and your reasons for asking them.
Answer: I would ask:
1. "Are you traveling alone?"
Reason: To make sure she is safe and doesn’t need help.
2. "Is someone coming to pick you up?"
Reason: To know if a trusted person is waiting for her, so she doesn’t face any problem after reaching her destination.

5. If you were to advise Valli on the two things she ought to take with her if she were travelling alone for the first time, what would they be and why?
Answer: I would advise Valli to take:
1. An ID card with contact details – So people can help her easily if she gets lost.
2. Some snacks and water – In case she feels hungry or thirsty during the journey. These things would keep her safe, comfortable, and prepared while traveling alone.

6. What information did Valli collect about the bus journey?
Answer: Valli carefully collected details about the bus journey to the nearby city. She learned that the city was six miles away from her village, the bus fare was thirty paise one way, and the trip took forty-five minutes. With this information, she planned her journey easily.

7. Do you think Valli’s mother would have taken her for the bus ride if she had requested her to do so? Why/ Why not?
Answer: Valli’s mother might not have taken her on the bus ride even if she had asked. She seemed to be a caring but busy and overprotective parent. She may have thought Valli was too young to travel and might face danger. So, to keep her safe, she would likely have said no.

8. Imagine Valli had to plan a day-long budget trip to a domestic destination for her family all by herself.
What things do you think she would keep in mind while planning?
Answer: If Valli planned a budget trip for her family, she would choose a nearby place and use low-cost transport. She would pack homemade food, water, and needed items to save money. She would also plan simple fun activities. Her smart thinking and care for her family would help make the trip enjoyable and affordable.

MADAM RIDES THE BUS LONG QUESTION

1. Travelling teaches us many life lessons and enriches us with experiences. You and your classmate have a discussion on this statement and your love for travel. Write the dialogue.
You may begin like this...
Friend: I think travelling is one of the best ways to explore not just the world around you but also helps you introspect about life itself.
You: ................................................
Friend: Travelling enriches us with so many varied experiences.
You: .............................................
Answer:
Friend: I think traveling is one of the best ways to explore not just the world around you but also helps you introspect about life itself.
You: Absolutely, I feel the same. Traveling takes us out of our comfort zones and teaches us things we can never learn in classrooms. It opens our minds and helps us see the world differently.
Friend: Travelling enriches us with so many varied experiences.
You: It really does. We get to learn new languages, taste different foods, and understand different cultures. We also become more confident and independent. It helps us grow as individuals.
Friend: And we meet people with unique stories and lives, which helps us become more understanding and open-minded.
You: Yes, and every trip becomes a memory we carry forever. We learn to handle challenges, appreciate little things, and become better at problem-solving too.
Friend: And the best part is, it never really ends.
You: True! Every journey teaches us something new – about the world and about ourselves.

2.       After reading the story about Valli; you realise that she had such a small desire and demanded nothing from her mother.
After reflecting on this, you decide to write a diary entry on how you felt you have been unreasonable about the demands you have posed to your parents. You also realise that life is not all about materialistic possessions.
You may begin like this:
15 August 2020, Saturday                    9:00 pm
I feel I have learnt a big lesson in life after reading about Valli. I feel ashamed for the way I have been………………………………….
Answer:
15 August 2020, Saturday,                9:00 PM
I feel I have learned a big lesson in life after reading about Valli. I feel ashamed for the way I have been asking my parents for new gadgets, expensive clothes, and other things without thinking if they are really needed.
Valli had just one small wish — to ride a bus — and she never troubled her mother with demands. She was happy with simple joys. That made me realize how much I take things for granted.
Life is not about collecting more and more stuff. It’s about enjoying little moments, being thankful for what we have, and valuing the people around us. Valli’s story has taught me to be more grateful and to stop comparing my life with others.
From now on, I want to become less demanding and more understanding. I want to make my parents proud and show them that I truly value everything they do for me.

3. Valli got jealous every time one of her friends told her about the bus ride and the sights of the town. Do you think jealousy is a positive trait? What should be done to keep jealous thoughts away?
Answer: Valli was very eager to visit the town and experience the thrill of a bus journey. She often heard her friends talk excitedly about their rides and the sights they had seen. This made her jealous, and sometimes she even told them to stop talking. However, jealousy is not a positive trait. It arises from comparing ourselves with others and feeling left out or inferior. Instead of being jealous, we should learn to feel happy for our friends and share in their joys. A better approach is to take inspiration from their experiences and work towards fulfilling our own desires and goals. To keep jealous thoughts away, one should focus on self-improvement, practice gratitude for what they have, and develop a positive attitude towards others’ success. This not only makes us happier but also strengthens friendships and builds healthy relationships.

MADAM RIDES THE BUS EXTRACT BASED QUESTION

EXTRACT-1

“Day after day she watched the bus, and gradually a tiny wish crept into her head and grew there: she wanted to ride on that bus, even if it was just once. This wish became stronger, until it was an overwhelming desire. Valli would stare wistfully at the people who got on and off the bus when it stood at the street corner. Their faces would kindle in her longings, dreams, and hopes. If one of her friends happened to ride the bus and tried to describe the sights of the town to her. Valli would be jealous to listen and would shout, in English: “Proud! Proud!”

i. Valli would stare wistfully at the people as she
a) had been watching the bus for a long time.
b) was inspired by the people travelling on the bus.
c) had a strong desire to take a ride on the bus.
d) envied the people who could travel on the bus.

ii.            Pick the option that shows the list of words that collocate with ‘overwhelming’ (e.g. overwhelming desire)

1. Response                  2. Lies
3. Support                     4. Majority
5. Pets                            6. Places

a) 1, 5 & 6                     b) 1, 3 & 4
c) 2 & 5                          d) 3, 5 & 6

iii. ‘Valli would be jealous to listen…’ This indicates Valli’s
a) longing to ride the bus.
b) nature as an envious person.
c) denial to accept her situation.
d) inclination to trouble travellers.

iv.            A part of the extract has been paraphrased. Choose the option that includes the most appropriate solution to the blanks.
The desire became so (i) ______________________ that it transformed into an ii) ____________________________ one. Valli would look (iii)_________________________ at people who boarded the bus and got off.
a) i) active      ii) overt      iii) longingly
b) i) vigorous   ii) overpowering
iii) cheerfully
c) i) staunch ii) overt iii) joyfully
d) i) vigorous ii) overpowering iii) longingly

v. What does the line ‘gradually a tiny wish crept into her head and grew there’, mean?
a) The wish developed in her head over a period of time.
b) The wish was a feeling of wanting to prove her strength.
c) The wish was planted in her head by someone’s suggestion.
d) The wish was small and was overpowered by a sense of doubt.

EXTRACT-2

“‘Yes, I’m travelling alone,” she answered curtly. And I’ve got a ticket too.’ ‘Yes she’s on her way to town,’ said the conductor. ‘With a thirty paise ticket.’
‘Oh, why don’t you mind your own business,’ said Valli. But she laughed all the same, and the conductor laughed too.
But the old woman went on with her drivel. ‘Is it proper for such a young person to travel alone? Do you know exactly where you’re going in town? What’s the street? What’s the house number?
‘You needn’t bother about me. I can take care of myself,’ Valli said, turning her face towards the window and staring out.”

i. Pick the option that matches the expressions with ‘mind’ correctly.

Expression	Meaning
1. bring to mind	A. be receptive to someone’s ideas
2. be in two minds	B. think about only one subject
3. have an open mind	C. recall something
4. put your mind at ease	D. undecided
	E. reassure you
	F. reach a decision

a) 1-F, 2-C, 3-A, 4-D
b) 1-C, 2-D, 3-A, 4-E
c) 1-B, 2-F, 3-E, 4-A
d) 1-F, 2-D, 3-C, 4-B

ii. Valli told the conductor to mind his own business and laughed as well. This shows that Valli ...
a) was not really bothered about what the conductor said.
b) didn’t like the conductor speaking about her.
c) disliked what the conductor said but was amused.
d) was impressed with what the conductor said.

iii. The old woman went on with her drivel. Why is the word ‘drivel’ used here? It is used to show that the old woman
a) was talking incessantly.
b) kept muttering a lot of nonsense.
c) was volunteering advice on request.
d) spoke non-stop about herself.

iv. The old woman asked her questions
a) due to anxiety about Valli travelling alone.
b) out of curiosity and concern for Valli.
c) interest in Valli’s life and need for travel.
d) due to the habit of interfering in Valli’s life.

v.            How do you think Valli felt when the old woman asked her questions? Pick the option that best describes her feelings.
a) i) irritated                                ii) agitated
b) i) concerned                            ii) upset
c) i) upset                                     ii) agitated
d) i) upset                                     ii) irritated