4. The treasure within - Class 8 - It So Happened

📘 The Treasure Within

Author: Based on an interview with Mr Hafeez Contractor,

by Ms Bela Raja

Textbook: It So Happened

Genre: Non-Fiction (Interview)

📝 Summary

“The Treasure Within” is an inspiring interview of Hafeez Contractor, one of India’s leading architects. It is conducted by Bela Raja, editor of Sparsh. Hafeez reveals that he was a poor student in school, uninterested in rote learning and weak in subjects like mathematics. However, he was very active, creative, and good at sports and pranks. His life changed when his school principal motivated him to take responsibility and study seriously.

Hafeez stumbled upon architecture by chance when he pointed out a flaw in a drawing at his cousin’s place. Encouraged by an architect, he took the entrance exam, passed with flying colours, and went on to become highly successful. The chapter emphasizes the importance of practical intelligence, visual memory, and the need to recognize different learning styles. Hafeez believes that learning should be linked to a child’s interest and abilities, not just academic success. His story inspires us to value hands-on experience and think beyond traditional education to find one’s true calling.

👤 Character Sketch

Hafeez Contractor

Hafeez was a playful, non-academic child with a passion for sports, pranks, and hands-on creativity. He disliked mechanical learning and struggled with maths and languages. Despite being caned often, he remained carefree until a turning point came through his principal’s advice. Hafeez had a sharp visual memory and natural talent for design. His accidental entry into architecture revealed his real potential. He rose to become a world-renowned architect, proving that unconventional learners can achieve great success if guided correctly.

📚 Themes

✨ Literary Devices

📖 Title Justification

The title “The Treasure Within” is perfectly suited to the chapter as it highlights the untapped potential within every individual. Hafeez Contractor’s success story reveals how true talent lies inside each person, waiting to be discovered. Though he struggled in a traditional academic setting, his real strength—creative thinking and visual intelligence—led him to become a top architect. The story teaches that one’s inner abilities, not external performance, are the real treasure.

✅ One-Mark Questions :-

1. What did Hafeez Contractor fear in his dreams?

   → He feared maths exams where he couldn’t answer anything.

   
   

2. What was the turning point in his school life?

   → His principal’s emotional talk motivated him to study seriously.

   
   

3. How did Hafeez perform in his SSC board exam?

   → He scored 50% and was praised as if he had got a distinction.

   
   

4. What was Hafeez's main interest in school?

   → He was mainly interested in sports and playing pranks.

   
   

5. What did Hafeez realise when he joined the architect’s office?→ He realised he had a natural talent for architectural design.

   
   

✅ Three-Mark Questions:

1. Why did Hafeez Contractor struggle in school despite being intelligent?

   → Hafeez was not interested in rote learning and had a poor memory for verbal content. He excelled in visual learning and practical activities, which the school system did not recognize.

   
   

2. How did his entry into architecture happen by chance?

   → Hafeez went to learn French at an architect’s office and pointed out an error in a drawing. Impressed, the architect encouraged him to take the entrance exam, which he passed with top marks.

   
   

3. How did Hafeez's early activities help him in his career later?

   → Designing forts and creative pranks as a child developed his design instincts. His spatial thinking and observation skills laid the foundation for his architectural success.

   
   

🧠 Value-Based Question

Q: What lesson can students learn from Hafeez Contractor’s life story?

A: The story teaches us that every child has unique strengths and talents that may not align with traditional academics. Instead of judging someone by marks, we should encourage their passions and help them discover their true potential. Persistence, guidance, and self-belief can turn any weakness into a strength.

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or formatted for classroom display, Facilitator.

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