The Day the River Spoke
Complete textbook exercise solutions — NCERT Poorvi, Class 7 English (CBSE).
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Let us discuss (Part I)
Jahnavi’s dream was to go to school. She wanted to learn to read like Ettan and Meena.
Yes, it was very important to her. She was curious about many things in nature. She wanted to know why spiders are yellow in yellow flowers and why bamboo trees rustle. Only school could answer her many “whys”.
Yes, the river can help her. Jahnavi trusts the river and shares her feelings with it. The river can give her courage and good advice. It can tell her what step to take to go to school.
Let us discuss (Part II)
| Column 1 (Jahnavi’s questions) | Column 2 (The River’s answers) |
|---|---|
| …why the moon always comes from behind the hills…? | It goes down towards the sea. It always takes the same way—over the mountains and down to the sea, like me! |
| Can I do something? | …little girls can do as much as little boys. |
| What are ships? | Big boats, so big that they can take hundreds of people, and they sail along the sea with lights that shine all night. |
| Will they come here? | I’m afraid not. Too large, you know. Chandu’s catamaran is good enough for me. |
Let us think and reflect
- (i) The tone of the River in the given extract is ______. — assuring
- (ii) Phrase which shows that Jahnavi was a frequent visitor to the spot — “you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day”
- (iii) The exclamation mark in ‘It couldn’t be the river!’ expresses ______. — D. disbelief
- (iv) Three qualities of the River — affectionate, thoughtful, kind-hearted
(i) According to the River, there was no difference between girls and boys because ______.
little girls can swim as fast as little boys, so they can do as much as boys.
(ii) The River encourages Jahnavi to have faith in herself and fulfil her desire to go to school. (True/False)
True
(iii) When the River suggests that Jahnavi should ‘slip along’, it means that she should move ______.
C. quietly
(iv) What does the repetition of the phrase I couldn’t, tell us?
It tells us that Jahnavi was very scared and nervous. She did not believe that she could go to school on her own.
1. Why does the writer describe different aspects of nature in great detail at the beginning of the story? Why do you think the writer does this?
The writer describes the kingfisher, the green lizard, the bamboo thicket and the parrots. This creates a calm and peaceful setting. It shows that Jahnavi was all alone with nature. It also prepares us for something magical—the River speaking to her.
2. How did the River know so much about Jahnavi?
Jahnavi came to the river almost every day. The River watched her and listened to her. So, it knew her very well.
3. Jahnavi says, “And I’m so old now, they’ll never let me go.” What can you infer about Jahnavi and the school from this line?
Jahnavi was nearly ten but had never been to school. She thought children join school only when they are small. So, she feared that the school would not take her now.
4. Why did the River laugh when Jahnavi said she would be scared at school?
The River knew Jahnavi was a brave girl. She was not afraid of the green lizard, the snake in the bamboo clump or the noisy trains. So, the River found it funny that she was scared of going to school.
5. Why should Jahnavi follow the River’s advice?
The River’s advice was simple and practical. It asked her to go and sit in the class quietly. If she showed interest, the teacher might help her. This is exactly what happened later.
6. How does the conversation between Jahnavi and the River make the story more appealing?
The River talks like a kind friend. This adds magic to the story. The conversation shows Jahnavi’s fears, hopes and dreams. It is lively and natural, so it keeps the reader interested.
7. What is the main message that the writer intends to convey?
Every child, girl or boy, has the right to education. Girls can do as much as boys. If we gather courage and take the first step, we can make our dreams come true.
Let us learn
The author has given the river human qualities. It speaks, laughs, chuckles and gives advice like a person. So, the River is a character in the story. That is why its name begins with a capital letter.
Remember: Giving human qualities to a non-living thing is called personification.
- made a high-pitched piercing sound – shrieked
- to cause liquid to strike or fall on something – splashed
- a low continuous background noise – murmuring
- cry with loud uncontrollable gasps – sob
- to make a soft dry sound, like paper or leaves moving – rustle
- took a short quick breath through the mouth due to surprise, pain or shock – gasped
- shaking rapidly to make continuous short, sharp sounds – rattling
- making a lot of noise – noisy
- made a long, high cry, usually because of pain or sadness – wailed
Fill in the blanks:
The classroom grew (i) noisy as the students noticed the teacher carrying the answer papers. As the teacher turned the pages with a (ii) rustle, the children (iii) gasped, wondering what comments awaited. Someone (iv) sobbed in frustration, and the (v) murmuring of the students steadily increased. Finally, when the teacher praised the students for their excellent performance, the students (vi) shrieked with excitement.
- karma (Sanskrit) – action or deeds and their results
- sahib (Hindi/Urdu) – sir; master; a respectful way of addressing a man
- chutney (Hindi) – a spicy sauce made of fruits, herbs or spices
- guru (Sanskrit) – teacher; spiritual guide
- verandah (Hindi) – an open, roofed area along the outside of a house
- jungle (Hindi, from Sanskrit ‘jangala’) – a thick forest
- areca (Malayalam) – a kind of palm tree; its nut is the betel nut (supari)
- palanquin (Sanskrit ‘palyanka’; Hindi ‘palki’) – a covered seat carried on poles on people’s shoulders
This is a personal activity. Students should choose a boat (canoe, catamaran, coracle or shikara) and draw it themselves.
Across:
- 1. SHIP
- 2. BOAT
- 3. RAFT
- 4. STEAMER
Down:
- 5. CANOE
- 6. TUGBOAT
- 7. YACHT
Jahnavi takes the River’s advice and goes to school. On her first day 1. at school, Jahnavi stood nervously 2. outside the gate, clutching her bag close to her. The bell rang and she hurried 3. inside the bustling classroom. She found a seat 4. between two friendly classmates. The teacher greeted them warmly and started the lesson 5. about numbers. Jahnavi listened attentively, feeling excited 6. about the new adventure ahead.
- The cat jumped on the table. (preposition)
- The children played outside until dark. (adverb)
- She quickly ran across the park. (preposition)
- The helicopter was hovering overhead. (adverb)
- We were just walking along, chatting. (adverb)
- After thoroughly wiping his shoes, he stepped in. (adverb)
- She drove slowly around the sharp curve. (preposition)
- He placed the keys under the mat before leaving. (preposition)
Let us listen
Words used by the speakers: careers homemaker books
The speakers also talk about the Principal (Head of an institution), but the other words in the box are not used.
- Speaker (i) Father – 3. Believes in the power of education that leads to freedom of choice
- Speaker (ii) Grandmother – 6. Persuades the parent to grant permission to attend school
- Speaker (iii) Teacher – 7. Believes that learning skills is not gender-based
- Speaker (iv) Student – 4. Shares that school also means companionship
- Speaker (v) Principal – 1. Promotes active participation for all in school activities
Statements not needed: 2 and 5.
Let us speak
This is an oral pair activity. Students should practise it in class with their partner.
Sample (Situation iv):
A: I have a problem. I cannot see the blackboard clearly from the last bench. What do you think I should do?
B: I think you should tell the class teacher. Why don’t you ask for a seat in the front row? If I were you, I would also get my eyes checked.
Let us write
An Evening in the Garden
Every evening, I sit in the small garden near my house. The sky turns orange, pink and then purple. The leaves of the neem tree move gently in the breeze. Sparrows chirp and hop on the soft green grass. A yellow butterfly flutters from one red rose to another. The bark of the old mango tree feels rough under my fingers. I find it very interesting that every day the sky looks different. I feel calm and happy here. My advice to all is to spend a few minutes with nature every day.
Let us explore
1. What are the things you can observe in the poster?
I can see four happy schoolgirls in a classroom. They are writing in their notebooks and smiling. The poster says, “The Happiness of a Nation lies in the Dignity of its Daughters.”
2. Why do you think the girls look happy?
The girls look happy because they are getting a chance to study. Education gives them confidence and hope for a bright future.
3. What is the relation between ‘dignity’ and ‘happiness’?
When a person is treated with respect, she feels confident and valued. This gives her true happiness. So, dignity leads to happiness.
4. How does a Nation prosper when its daughters are happy?
Happy and educated daughters become confident women. They work, earn and take part in every field. They also raise educated families. This helps the nation grow and prosper.
These are class discussion and project activities. Students should do them with the help of the teacher.