4.1. Travel and Adventure - The Tunnel - Class 7 - Poorvi

📘 Chapter Title: The Tunnel

Author: Ruskin Bond

Textbook Name: Poorvi

Genre: Fiction / Adventure Story

📝 Summary

The Tunnel by Ruskin Bond is an engaging story set in a jungle near a railway tunnel. It revolves around a curious and adventurous boy named Suraj who travels to a tunnel just to see a train pass by. Fascinated by the roaring steam engine and the mysterious jungle surroundings, Suraj meets Sunder Singh, the watchman who maintains the tunnel. Sunder Singh is a gentle, wise, and experienced man who has a deep understanding of the jungle and its animals. He tells Suraj about a leopard that sometimes visits the area. One evening, Suraj returns to the tunnel to see the night mail train and spends time with Sunder Singh. They discover that the leopard is inside the tunnel, and together they bravely drive it out before the train arrives. The story ends with Suraj seeing the glowing lamp of Sunder Singh from a passing train, symbolising the bond they share and the watchman’s steady presence in the forest. The tale beautifully combines the themes of friendship, bravery, nature, and adventure.

👤 Character Sketch

Suraj

Suraj is an adventurous and curious boy. He is fascinated by nature and excited by trains and tunnels. He does not hesitate to explore unknown places and values experiences over comfort. His decision to help Sunder Singh shows his courage and sense of responsibility.

Sunder Singh

Sunder Singh is a calm, wise, and kind-hearted railway watchman. He is deeply connected to the forest and its animals, especially the leopard. He values both human life and animal life and tries to protect both. His courage and calmness in handling the leopard show his practical wisdom.

📚 Themes

✨ Literary Devices

📖 Title Justification

The title “The Tunnel” is appropriate as the entire story revolves around a railway tunnel that becomes the setting for Suraj’s adventure. It is in and around this tunnel that key events unfold—Suraj’s exploration, his meeting with the watchman, and the encounter with the leopard. The tunnel also symbolizes a journey from fear to courage and from strangers to friendship.

✅ One-Mark Questions

1. Where did Suraj go to watch the train?

   → Suraj went to a jungle near a railway tunnel to watch the train.

   
   

2. What animal did Suraj possibly see near the tunnel?

   → Suraj saw a flash of orange and gold, which was later confirmed to be a leopard.

   
   

3. Who is the watchman of the tunnel?

   → The watchman is Sunder Singh.

   
   

4. Why did Suraj walk into the tunnel?

   → He wanted to know what the inside of a tunnel was like.

   
   

5. What did the watchman use to inspect the tunnel at night?

   → He used an oil lamp to inspect the tunnel at night.

   
   

✅ Three-Mark Questions

1. What system did Sunder Singh use to warn the train driver of danger?

   → Sunder Singh inspected the tunnel before the train's arrival. If there was danger, he would walk up the line and wave a red flag or his lamp to warn the engine driver. If all was well, he would hang his lamp outside his hut and rest.

   
   

2. Describe how Suraj and Sunder Singh drove the leopard out of the tunnel.

   → When they heard the leopard inside the tunnel, Sunder Singh took his lamp and an axe, and together with Suraj, entered the tunnel shouting loudly. The leopard, startled and unsure of how many people were there, fled into the forest.

   
   

3. Why is Sunder Singh called a ‘firefly’ in the end?

   → Suraj sees his lamp glowing from the train window like a tiny flickering light. It symbolises Sunder Singh's constant, guiding presence in the dark forest—much like a firefly lighting up the night.

   
   

🧠 Value-Based Question

Q: What do you learn from the friendship between Suraj and Sunder Singh?

Ans: The story teaches us that age, background, or profession do not matter in forming a genuine bond. Suraj and Sunder Singh become friends through shared curiosity, kindness, and bravery. Their relationship is based on respect, trust, and a common concern for the jungle and its creatures, highlighting the values of empathy, connection, and courage.

End

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