1.2 Odd One In - Std 7th - Balbharati

Author: Tithi Tavora

Genre: Short Story / Social Awareness

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Class 7

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

Odd One In is a story about prejudice, kindness, and change. Rima, a stylish schoolgirl, mocks Malti, a new classmate from another state, because of her poor English, oily hair, and simple appearance. Encouraged by her clique, Rima ridicules Malti mercilessly. But Malti proves herself to be bright, respectful, and talented in studies, especially mathematics. She wins admiration from teachers and many classmates. Malti’s melodious Hindi song at the inter-house competition wins everyone’s respect. Still, Rima and her clique continue to insult her, even making her cry. Finally, Rima’s friends turn against her, realising her cruelty. Rima feels ashamed and subdued, though too proud to admit her mistake openly. The story highlights that respect should be given for talent, kindness, and character—not appearance or accent.

Theme / Central Idea

The story conveys that prejudice and mockery are harmful, while true worth is revealed through talent, hard work, and character. It teaches respect for diversity, empathy, and the importance of treating everyone equally.

Character Sketches

Rima

• Stylish, proud, and sometimes rude.

• Belongs to a clique that mocks others.

• Good in English and singing but arrogant.

• Learns a lesson when her friends disapprove of her cruelty.

  
  

Malti

• Simple girl with oily plaits, bindi, and long skirt.

• Weak in English but intelligent and hardworking.

• Excels in mathematics, sports, and especially singing.

• Humble, respectful, and wins admiration of teachers and peers.

  
  

Mr. & Mrs. Sen (Rima’s parents)

• Loving but worried about Rima’s arrogance.

• Encourage her to respect others.

• Represent the voice of wisdom in the story.

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (5)

1. Infinitive / Gerund

   Sentence: “Malti wanted to improve her English.”

   Infinitive: to improve shows purpose.

   
   

2. Passive Voice

   Active: Rima mocked Malti in front of others.

   Passive: Malti was mocked by Rima in front of others.

   
   

3. Modal Auxiliary

   Sentence: “We should respect our classmates.”

   Should shows duty and obligation.

   
   

4. Tense Change

   Direct: Malti said, “My English is weak.”

   Indirect: Malti said that her English was weak.

   
   

5. Wh-Question FramingStatement: Malti sang beautifully in the competition.Question: Who sang beautifully in the competition?

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. Why do you think Malti was called the “odd one in”?

   Malti was called the odd one in because she was different in language, looks, and habits. She stood apart from Rima’s stylish clique. But her intelligence and talent proved that being different is not a weakness.

   
   

2. What qualities of Malti do you admire?

   I admire Malti’s humility, hard work, and talent. Despite insults, she remained respectful and cheerful. Her courage to face mockery and still perform brilliantly is inspiring.

   
   

3. Why did Rima feel no joy even after winning her category?

   Rima felt no joy because she realised that Malti had outshone her with true talent. Malti’s melodious singing won genuine admiration, while Rima’s pride isolated her. This made Rima aware of her hollowness.

   
   

4. What message does this story give about judging others?

   The story teaches that judging others by accent, looks, or dress is wrong. True worth lies in character, skills, and behaviour. Respect must be earned through kindness and ability, not appearance.

   
   

5. How would you have behaved with Malti if you were in Rima’s class?

   If I were in Rima’s class, I would have welcomed Malti as a friend. I would have encouraged her to improve her English and admired her strengths. Supporting newcomers builds a healthy and kind classroom environment.

   
   

True or False (5)

1. Rima mocked Malti for her oily hair and bindi. → True

2. Malti was weak in mathematics and sports. → False (She excelled in them.)

3. Rima’s parents encouraged her arrogance. → False (They warned her against it.)

4. Malti’s Hindi singing impressed everyone in the competition. → True

5. Rima’s friends finally supported her cruel behaviour. → False (They opposed it.)

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. Why did Rima and her friends make fun of Malti?

   Rima and her friends made fun of Malti because of her simple appearance, oily hair, bindi, long skirt, and weak English. They judged her only by looks and accent, ignoring her real abilities

   
   

2. How did Malti prove her talent in school?

   Malti proved her talent by excelling in mathematics, sports, and studies. Her melodious singing at the competition won admiration from all, showing her intelligence and creativity.

   
   

3. What was Rima’s attitude towards Malti?

   Rima was arrogant and insulting towards Malti. She mocked her accent and looks, even when Malti asked for help. Her attitude reflected pride and prejudice.

   
   

4. Why did Rima’s friends turn against her?

   Rima’s friends turned against her when she cruelly mocked Malti to tears. They realised her behaviour was unfair and stood by Malti, leaving Rima ashamed and isolated.

   
   

5. What message does the story Odd One In convey?

   The story conveys the message of equality, empathy, and respect. It teaches us not to judge people by appearance or accent. True friendship is based on kindness, not pride.

   
   

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

Odd One In by Tithi Tavora is a touching story that deals with prejudice, bullying, and acceptance. It presents two contrasting characters—Rima, the arrogant girl, and Malti, the simple yet talented newcomer. The story realistically shows how pride and mockery harm relationships, while humility and hard work earn respect. The change in Rima’s friends and her own subdued reflection highlight the moral effectively. The story is memorable because it teaches us the importance of kindness, equality, and valuing people for their abilities rather than appearances.

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