4.3 Waiting For The Rain - Class 8 - Poorvi (New)

Author: ( Textbook Narrative )

Textbook: Poorvi

Genre: Prose / Short Story

Summary

Waiting for the Rains narrates the struggle of Velu, a hardworking farmer, during a year of drought. Velu rises early each day, hoping for rain, but the skies remain cloudless. His land, which had sustained him for six years, becomes cracked and barren. Fellow villagers discuss consulting astrologers, but Velu does not believe such practices will bring rain. Disheartened after failing to find answers even in the city, he rests under a tree where he meets an old woman. Their conversation changes his perspective—she explains that just like people need rest, the land too must rest after continuous cultivation. Nature, she says, is wise and restores balance by allowing the earth to recover. Though Velu is puzzled at first, he begins to understand that the absence of rain is also a way of letting the land breathe. As he walks back to his village, he feels the cool breeze and sees clouds gathering, finally bringing the much-awaited rains. The story portrays patience, resilience, and the wisdom of nature.

Character Sketch

• Velu

  • Hardworking and dedicated farmer.

  • Honest, sincere, and never takes a holiday from farming.

  • Initially restless, frustrated, and disheartened by drought.

  • Open-minded enough to reflect on the wisdom of the old woman.

  • Symbol of every farmer’s struggle, hope, and resilience.

• The Old Woman

  • Wrinkled, wise, but gentle and kind.

  • Represents Nature’s voice and traditional wisdom.

  • Advises Velu that land, like people, needs rest.

  • Encourages him to trust in the natural cycle.

• The Land / Nature (Personified)

  • Barren, cracked, and waiting for rains.

  • Symbol of resilience and recovery after rest.

  • Represents the cyclical balance of life.

Themes

Literary Devices

Title Justification

The title Waiting for the Rains is appropriate because the story revolves around Velu and other farmers anxiously waiting for rainfall. Their livelihood, survival, and hope depend entirely on the rains. Beyond literal waiting, the title also symbolises patience, trust in nature’s cycle, and the wisdom that rest and renewal eventually bring abundance.

One-Mark Questions

1. Who is Velu and what does he do for a living? Answer: Velu is a hardworking farmer who cultivates crops like jowar and dhal on his own piece of land.

2. What condition was the land in during the drought? Answer: The land was hardened, crusted, and cracked, appearing barren and forlorn without rain.

3. Why did the villagers suggest consulting astrologers? Answer: The villagers suggested consulting astrologers, hoping rituals would please the heavens and bring rain.

4. What advice did the old woman give Velu? Answer: The old woman advised Velu that the land, like people, needs rest and the absence of rain helps it recover.

5. How did Velu feel when the rain finally arrived? Answer: Velu felt joyful and relieved, running home happily as clouds gathered and rain poured after months of drought.

Three-Mark Questions

1. Why was Velu disheartened during the drought? Answer: Velu was disheartened because his land, which had always yielded crops, turned barren due to lack of rain. Despite his hard work and sincerity, he could not till or sow. His helplessness made him feel punished and restless, reflecting the despair of farmers during drought.

2. How did Velu’s perspective change after meeting the old woman?

Answer: Velu initially struggled to understand the old woman’s advice that the land needed rest. Slowly, he realised her wisdom—that the earth, like humans, works continuously and requires time to recover. This new perspective gave him peace and trust in nature’s balance.

3. What does the old woman represent in the story? Answer: The old woman represents wisdom, patience, and the voice of nature. Her gentle words teach Velu that drought is not punishment but a pause allowing the land to regain strength. She embodies traditional respect for nature’s cycles.

4. How does the story show the bond between farmers and land? Answer: The story shows the bond by portraying Velu’s emotional connection with his land. He calls it “my beloved piece of land,” feeling its suffering as his own. The advice that the land needs rest symbolises how farmers and nature share mutual dependence.

5. What is the significance of the rains at the end of the story? Answer: The rains symbolise renewal, relief, and hope. Their arrival validates the old woman’s wisdom about patience and rest. For Velu, the rains bring joy, reassurance, and faith in the natural cycle of life.

Value-Based Question

Q. What moral lesson does the story Waiting for the Rains teach students? Answer: The story teaches students the values of patience, resilience, and respect for nature. It shows that hard work must be balanced with wisdom and trust in natural processes. Just as land needs rest, humans also require pauses to rejuvenate. The story inspires faith that perseverance and patience eventually bring renewal and success.

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