While We Read

1. Why couldn’t granny properly see through her glasses?

Her glasses were old, scratched and spotted. So, she couldn’t see properly through them.

2. Why didn’t Granny want to be parted from Mani?

Mani was her only grandchild and she was the one who brought him up after his mother died when he was just one year old. She is extremely attached to him so she doesn’t want to be parted from him.

3. Do you think Granny was confident about walking to Nain? Give reasons.

Yes. She was. Though her eyesight was becoming weaker, there was nothing wrong with her legs. So, she was confident of walking to Nain.

4. Why does Mani’s father call Granny’s journey to Mussoorie a shopping trip?

Granny was planning to buy a lot of things from Mussoorie. She wanted to get some seeds and bulbs, a bell for the white cow, a pullover for Mani’s father and a pair of shoes for Mani. Hence, Mani’s father called her journey a shopping trip.

5. Why couldn’t Mani keep up with Granny on the walk?

On the way, Mani stopped to pick wild blackberries from a bush. Granny wasn’t fond of berries, so she didn’t slacken her pace. Hence, Mani had to run to catch up with her.

6. Landslides are becoming more frequent now, aren’t they? Make a list of recent natural calamities. Discuss the possible causes of this.

Yes, landslides are becoming more frequent. In 2024, landslides wiped out two villages in the Wayanad district of Kerala killing hundreds of people. Landslides at Shiroor in Karnataka also claimed my lives. Heavy rain is one of the factors causing landslides. The hills have become weaker due to excessive quarrying. Large scale farming in hilly areas also cause landslides. When trees are cut down to grow crops like tea or coffee, the soil becomes loose. When it rains heavily, this soil slides along the slopes causing landslides.

7. Sometimes journeys are delayed on account of breakdowns or natural calamities. Narrate your experiences of any of these.

I visited Nelliyampathi with my parents a few years ago. The roads in this area are very narrow and there is hardly enough room for two vehicles to pass each other. Unfortunately, during our visit the car in front of us broke down on the way. There were cars behind us too. It was not possible to go ahead. So, we had to reverse. It was such a scary experience because in many parts, these roads have steep sides. If the driver loses control, the vehicle can fall down. Luckily we had an expert driver and we managed to reverse safely.

8. The doctor says he will send Granny’s glasses to the museum. What does he mean?

He was joking. Her glasses were so old, scratched, spotted and practically useless. He probably had never seen anybody wearing such old glasses. Hence, he felt that they are worth being exhibited in a museum.

9. What was Granny’s reaction when she saw Mani clearly?

Granny was overjoyed to see Mani. She was so happy to have raised such a fine boy. She, however, also felt that he needed a haircut and a wash.

Let’s rewind

1. Why does Granny finally agree to travel to Mussoorie?

When Granny realized that Mani might be accompanying her, she was more than ready to travel to Mussoorie. She didn’t want to leave the boy alone at home. That was the reason she postponed the trip for a long time.

2. Granny’s courage and determination are evident in the story. Substantiate this statement with instances.

After her daughter died young, she was the person who took care of her grandchild and his father singlehandedly. She also raised cows and hens. Though her eyesight was growing weaker steadily, she fulfilled all her duties passionately. In order to travel to Mussoorie to have her eyes tested, they had to walk a long way to Nain. Though she was seventy, she walked the whole distance tirelessly. When the bus broke down on the way to Mussoorie, she was not willing to go back unlike most other passengers on the bus. Instead, she told her grandson that it was only ten miles and they would walk. And she did.

3. How does Mani support Granny during their journey? What does this reveal about his character?

Mani is an affectionate boy who cares deeply for his grandmother. He knew that he was the reason his grandmother didn’t want to go to Mussoorie. So, he said he would accompany her. Throughout the journey he kept asking her if she was alright and if she could walk farther. At the doctor’s office, he waited patiently for Granny’s turn to come. And while she was eager to go to the bazaar to buy him new clothes and footwear, he first wanted her to have her new glasses made.

4. ‘A shoulder to rest on is a blessing indeed.’ Don’t you agree. How does the story highlight the bond between generations?

This story beautifully portrays the affection between a grandmother and her young grandson. They are going to Mussoorie to have Granny’s eyes tested. It is a bumpy ride and Granny is tired after the long walk to Nain. Though the bus swerves and jolts continuously, she falls asleep on her grandson’s shoulder during most of the journey. And he offers her the support she needs. while returning, she can see much better thanks to her new glasses and she is excited about seeing the sights. Her grandson meanwhile is tired and falls asleep on her shoulder. They have each other in times of need and hence obviously a shoulder to rest is a blessing indeed.