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    7.1. Madam Rides the Bus - Class 10 - First Flight



    📘 Chapter Title and Author: Madam Rides the Bus

    Author: Vallikkannan

    Textbook Name: First Flight

    Genre: Prose / Realistic Short Story

    📝 Summary

    “Madam Rides the Bus” is a sensitive story about an eight-year-old girl named Valli who takes her first bus ride to the nearby town, all by herself, without informing anyone. Valli is curious and observant, fascinated by the world outside her village. She secretly saves money for the bus fare and carefully plans her journey. Her excitement knows no bounds as she watches the green fields, canals, and bustling city scenes during the ride.

    She refuses to talk to strangers and rejects any offer of help or treats, asserting her maturity. However, on the return journey, she sees the same cow — that had earlier amused her — lying dead by the roadside. This incident shakes her and brings her face to face with the reality of life and death. By the end, she chooses silence, even when her mother talks about how little we know about the world.


    The story beautifully captures the contrast between childish innocence and the deeper realities of life.


    👤 Character Sketch:

    Valli

    Valli is an eight-year-old girl full of curiosity and determination. Despite her age, she is independent, intelligent, and bold. She is observant and has a strong desire to explore the outside world. Her disciplined savings, resistance to temptations, and brave solo bus journey highlight her maturity. The moment she sees the dead cow, we also glimpse her emotional sensitivity and growing understanding of life’s serious truths.


    📚 Themes

    Theme

    Description

    Curiosity and Exploration

    Valli’s desire to see the world beyond her village reflects a child’s need to explore.

    Innocence to Maturity

    The story traces Valli’s transition from excitement to a more serious understanding of life.

    Freedom and Independence

    Valli’s journey symbolizes a child’s assertion of independence.

    Life and Death

    The cow’s death introduces Valli to the harsh realities of life.

    ✨ Literary Devices

    Device

    Example

    Metaphor

    “The memory of the dead cow haunted her…”

    Irony

    The child acts like an adult, but is deeply disturbed by death.

    Dialogue

    Realistic and humorous conversations between Valli and others.

    Imagery

    Vivid description of the countryside and city scenes.

    Repetition

    "Green, green, green..." emphasizes her excitement.


    📖 Title Justification

    The title "Madam Rides the Bus" is ironic and symbolic. The conductor playfully calls Valli ‘Madam’ due to her serious demeanor and mature attitude. The title highlights how a simple act — a bus ride — becomes an important journey for Valli, marking her growth, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of the world around her.


    ✅ One-Mark Questions

    1. What was Valli’s favorite pastime?

      Watching the street from her doorway was her favorite pastime.


    2. What was Valli’s strongest desire?

      To take a ride on the bus to the town and back.


    3. How much money did Valli need for the round trip?

      She needed sixty paise — thirty paise each way.


    4. Why did Valli refuse the cold drink offered by the conductor?

      She had no extra money and wanted to stay independent.


    5. What made Valli sad on her return journey?

      She saw the cow she had laughed at earlier lying dead on the road.


    ✅ Three-Mark Questions

    1. What kind of a person is Valli?

      Valli is curious, brave, and determined. She carefully plans her bus ride and shows emotional maturity when she witnesses the death of the cow.


    2. How did Valli save money for her first bus journey?

      Valli saved every coin she received, resisted buying toys, peppermints, and even missed the fair to save sixty paise for her bus fare.


    3. How does the story show Valli’s journey from innocence to maturity?

      Initially, Valli is excited about her first adventure, but the sight of the dead cow makes her realize the harshness of reality. She returns home silent and thoughtful, showing emotional growth.


    🧠 Value-Based Question

    Q: What moral lesson can be learned from Valli’s journey?

    A: The story teaches us that life is full of surprises and lessons. Valli's joyful adventure turns into a serious experience when she witnesses death, showing us that understanding life’s complexities requires more than just curiosity — it requires empathy, maturity, and the ability to accept life’s realities.


    End


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