4.2 Unke Munke Timpetoo – Class 7 – Balbharati

Author: Sigrun Srivastava (from Some More Short Stories)

Genre: Short Story / Fantasy with Moral

Textbook: English Balbharati – Class 7

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

Unke Munke Timpetoo is a fantasy story about Rohan Khanna, who wished for a table-tennis set on his birthday. His mother refused due to expenses, so his friend Muk suggested a magical chant around a banyan tree at midnight. Though doubtful, Rohan decided to try. Together, they sneaked into the feared Mrs Groover’s garden. Nervous and scared, Rohan ran around the banyan tree chanting “Unke, Munke, Timpetoo” seventeen times. Suddenly, Mrs Groover caught them but listened patiently to Rohan’s explanation. Surprisingly, she allowed him to finish his rounds and asked him to leave through the front gate. On his birthday, Rohan received a mysterious parcel labelled “From Unke, Munke, Timpetoo,” containing a table-tennis set. Though it was not brand new, it was fabulous. The story ends with Rohan wondering whether the gift came from his parents, Muk, or Mrs Groover, who later welcomed him for tea. The story conveys suspense, humour, and a gentle message about friendship, kindness, and belief.

Theme / Central Idea

The story teaches that blind belief in magic is questionable, but kindness and friendship often make wishes come true. It also highlights courage, imagination, and the warmth of unexpected bonds.

Character Sketches

Rohan Khanna

• Schoolboy, wished for a table-tennis set.

• Curious but doubtful about magic.

• Nervous yet brave enough to try the chant.

• Learns the joy of surprise and friendship.

Muk (Rohan’s friend)

• Loyal companion but not serious about magic.

• Encourages Rohan to try the chant.

• Frightened during the adventure but supportive.

Mrs Groover

• Former school principal, strict and feared.

• Piercing green eyes, strong personality.

• Turns out kind and understanding.

• Possibly arranged the gift for Rohan, showing warmth.

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (5)

1. Infinitive / Gerund

   Sentence: “Rohan wanted to buy a table-tennis set.”

   Infinitive: to buy – shows purpose.

2. Passive Voice

   Active: Rohan performed the chant around the banyan tree.

   Passive: The chant was performed by Rohan around the banyan tree.

   
   

3. Modal Auxiliary

   Sentence: “We must not believe blindly in charms.”

   Must shows necessity.

   
   

4. Tense Change

   Direct: Rohan said, “I will try the chant tonight.”

   Indirect: Rohan said that he would try the chant that night.

   
   

5. Wh-Question Framing

   Statement: The parcel contained a table-tennis set.

   Question: What did the parcel contain?

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. Would you try a magical chant if you heard about it? Why?I would not try a magical chant because such things are only superstition. Instead, I would work hard or wait patiently to get what I want.

   
   

2. Do you think Rohan was brave? How?

   Rohan was brave because he dared to enter Mrs Groover’s garden at midnight and complete the chant, even though he was frightened.

   
   

3. What opinion do you form of Mrs Groover?

   Mrs Groover was strict but also kind-hearted. Though feared by students, she treated Rohan with patience and perhaps fulfilled his wish secretly.

   
   

4. Do you think the gift really came from “Unke, Munke, Timpetoo”?

   The gift did not really come from magic. It must have been sent by Mrs Groover, Muk, or his parents out of kindness.

   
   

5. What lesson does this story give?

   The story teaches that magic is not real, but friendship, kindness, and understanding often make wishes come true in life.

True or False (5)

1. Rohan wanted a pullover as his birthday gift. → False (He wanted a table-tennis set.)

2. Muk suggested chanting “Unke, Munke, Timpetoo” around a banyan tree. → True

3. Rohan was never afraid in Mrs Groover’s garden. → False (He was very scared.)

4. A parcel labelled from “Unke, Munke, Timpetoo” arrived on Rohan’s birthday. → True

5. The table-tennis set was brand new. → False (It was not brand new, but fabulous.)

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. What gift did Rohan wish for and why was he disappointed?Rohan wished for a table-tennis set, but his mother said it was impossible that year, so he felt disappointed.

   
   

2. What was the chant suggested by Muk and when was it to be performed?The chant was “Unke, Munke, Timpetoo,” and it had to be chanted seventeen times at midnight around a banyan tree.

   
   

3. How did Mrs Groover react when she caught the boys?She looked at them sternly but listened patiently. She allowed Rohan to finish his rounds and asked him to leave by the front gate.

   
   

4. What was found in the mysterious parcel on Rohan’s birthday?The parcel contained a table-tennis set, not brand new but wonderful, which seemed to fulfil Rohan’s wish.

   
   

5. What message does the story Unke, Munke, Timpetoo give?The story conveys that blind faith in magic is meaningless. True gifts in life come from kindness, friendship, and understanding.

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

Unke Munke Timpetoo by Sigrun Srivastava is an engaging story mixing suspense, humour, and warmth. The magical chant adds fantasy, while the mystery of the parcel creates surprise. The contrast between Rohan’s fear and Mrs Groover’s unexpected kindness makes the story memorable. Its moral is simple: while magic is not real, human kindness and friendship can make wishes come true. This combination of imagination and message makes the story both entertaining and meaningful.

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