2.2. The Tsunami - Part 2 - Class 8 -Honeydew
- BhashaLab
- May 28
- 4 min read
Updated: May 29

š The TsunamiĀ ā
Anonymous compilation (includes real-life accounts)
š Textbook: HoneydewĀ (CBSE Class VIII) / Non-fiction narrative
š Summary :
āThe TsunamiāĀ presents real-life stories of survival and loss during the 2004 tsunami that devastated parts of Southeast Asia. The chapter is divided into multiple sections, each focusing on different individuals. In the first section, we meet Ignesious from Katchall, who loses most of his family in the tsunami. Sanjeev, a policeman, sacrifices his life trying to save another. Meghna, a 13-year-old girl, floats for two days on a wooden door and miraculously survives. Almas Javed, a ten-year-old girl, loses her family but clings to a log and is rescued. In the second part, the focus shifts to ten-year-old Tilly Smith from England, who, while vacationing in Thailand, recalls a geography lesson and senses the signs of an impending tsunami. Her timely warning saves many lives. The final section reflects on how animals, such as elephants and dogs, sensed the disaster and moved to safety. The chapter highlights the strength of human and animal instinct, the value of presence of mind, and the importance of education.
š¤ Character Sketch:
Tilly Smith
Tilly Smith is a brave and intelligent ten-year-old British schoolgirl. Her quick thinking and memory of a school lesson about tsunamis enabled her to recognize the warning signs of the approaching disaster. Despite her young age, she acted decisively and saved many lives. Tillyās alertness, courage, and humility make her a role model.
š Themes
Theme | Description |
Natural Disasters | Describes the devastation caused by the 2004 tsunami and the loss it brought. |
Courage and Survival | Focuses on brave individuals who showed remarkable resilience during the event. |
Presence of Mind | Tilly Smithās presence of mind saved many livesāemphasizing the power of knowledge. |
Loss and Trauma | Depicts emotional and physical loss suffered by people like Almas and Meghna. |
Animal Instinct | Shows how animals sensed danger and moved to safety, sometimes better than humans. |
⨠Literary Devices
Device | Example | Explanation |
Imagery | "The water was swelling and kept coming in..." | Helps readers visualize the rising sea before the tsunami. |
Flashback | Tilly recalls her geography lesson | Connects the past lesson to the present danger. |
Irony | Tilly, a child, saves lives when adults are unsure | Highlights wisdom in unexpected sources. |
Repetition | āShe got more and more hysterical...ā | Emphasizes rising fear and urgency. |
š Title Justification
The title "The Tsunami"Ā is apt as the chapter revolves around the catastrophic tsunami of 2004. Through various survivor accounts, it captures the horror, loss, resilience, and heroism that emerged during the natural calamity. It not only narrates the power of nature but also the strength of human spirit in adversity.
ā One-Mark Questions
Who was Ignesious?
ā He was the manager of a cooperative society in Katchall.
How did Meghna survive?
ā She floated on a wooden door for two days.
What subject helped Tilly Smith during the tsunami?
ā Geography helped her recognize the signs.
Why did Almas not want to talk about the tsunami?
ā She was still traumatised by the incident.
Where was the Smith family staying?
ā They were at a beach resort in southern Thailand.
ā Three-Mark Questions
How did Tilly Smithās knowledge save lives?
ā Tilly had learned about tsunamis in a geography lesson. Recognizing the signs on the beach in Thailand, she alerted her parents and others. They moved to higher ground, thus saving many lives.
Describe the experience of Almas Javed during the tsunami.
ā Almas lost her family as waves swept them away. She clung to a log, fainted, and later woke up in a hospital. The incident left her deeply traumatised.
What do the stories of animals sensing the tsunami suggest?
ā Several stories indicate animals moved to higher ground before the tsunami. This suggests they sensed the danger through instincts, which even humans missed.
š§ Value-Based Question:
What lesson can we learn from Tilly Smithās story?Tilly Smith teaches us that knowledge is power. Her alertness and application of what she learned in school saved many lives. It highlights the value of education, presence of mind, and the importance of listening to oneās instincts in emergencies.
End
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