Carrier of Words & Words

1. Which profession do they belong to?
They belong to the postal service. They are postmen (Gramin Dak Sewaks).

2. Do they face any difficulties while doing their duty?
Yes. They walk long distances in heat, rain, snow and floods. They carry heavy mailbags to remote places.

3. How does their profession affect the people they meet?
They bring letters, money orders and news. They connect people with their families, so people trust and welcome them.

1. How can ‘words’ be ‘carried’?
Words can be carried through letters, telegrams, phone calls, emails and messages.

2. Who could be a carrier of words?
A postman, a messenger, a courier, or a phone and the internet.

3. What are the means for people to stay connected?
Letters, telephones, mobile phones, emails, video calls and social media.

1. Why do you think Khetaram has taken up this challenging job?
Famine is common in his area. One crop of bajra cannot feed his family of five. The job gives him an assured income.

2. How do you think Khetaram would feel about this challenging task every day?
He would feel tired, but also proud and satisfied. He knows that people depend on him.

(i) One crop of bajra makes a little difference for people like Khetaram because ______.
it is not enough to feed a family of five for the whole year.

(ii) Why did Khetaram term famine as ‘a way of life’?
The land is dry and it hardly rains. Famine comes almost every year.

(iii) Give one reason why Khetaram had to take up a job.
His farm gave only one crop of bajra, which could not feed his family.

(iv) Other families : Money orders :: Khetaram : ______
job

(v) What would ‘a good year’ signify?
A year with enough rain to grow at least one crop.

(i) Who could have torn the right corner of the envelope?
B. Sender of the letter

(ii) The most likely reason for Khetaram reading the letter twice is ______.
so that the family clearly hears and understands the sad news.

(iii) What was Khetaram’s philosophy regarding bad news, and how did he act upon it?
He believed bad news must not enter the house and must be destroyed. So he read it outside and tore it to bits.

(iv) Khetaram’s action of tearing the letter differed from his beliefs. True or false?
False

(v) Mention one aspect of Khetaram’s temperament.
He is sensitive and respects local customs.

1. Justify the statement that the role of GDS is ‘invaluable’.
GDS deliver mail in remote areas that cannot be reached except on foot — deserts, islands, snowy and river areas. Without them, these people would be cut off from their families and money.

2. How was the purpose of India Post different from that of the British postal system?
The British system carried company mail between offices. After independence, India Post aimed to bring the entire population within its reach.

3. Support with two instances that people trusted Gramin Dak Sewaks.
People ask Khetaram to read their letters and write their replies. Rural people also entrust their monthly savings to the post office.

4. Infer why Khetaram was grateful to continue as GDS after 60.
The job gave him an assured income and a chance to keep serving people. Without it, his family would starve.

5. Explain why the author pays tribute to people like Khetaram.
They work in harsh conditions with honesty and dedication. They keep remote people connected with their families. They are part and parcel of our social fabric.

1. Find four sets of rhyming words and write the rhyme scheme.
heart – depart, care – air, earth – worth, needs – weeds (also cheer – dear, feast – least, root – fruit). The rhyme scheme is ABAB.

2. Identify the poetic device in each and explain.

1. Simile – Words leave quickly, like birds that fly away after summer, and leave nothing behind.
2. Metaphor – The heart is compared to a pilgrim on a long journey, searching for true meaning.
3. Simile – Words are as worthless as weeds when the heart really needs comfort.
4. Antithesis (contrast) – Words that could satisfy us often satisfy the least.
5. Hyperbole – The whole world would celebrate if words could truly satisfy.
6. Simile – Empty words are like plants that look showy with blossoms.
7. Metaphor – Such plants bear no fruit; empty words produce no real result.

3. Which words are repeated? Why?
‘Words’, ‘heart’ and ‘satisfy’ are repeated. Repetition stresses the main idea that words alone cannot satisfy the heart.

4. Choose the option for the emotions in stanzas 4, 5 and 6.
(iii) 4. admiration 5. frustration and 6. disillusionment

(i) Why has the poet referred to the heart as ‘a pilgrim’?
Like a pilgrim, the heart is on a long journey through life, searching for comfort and truth.

(ii) When would a heart ‘need’ words?
When a person is sad, lonely or in trouble and needs comfort.

(iii) The words are like weeds because ______.
they are many in number but have no real value.

(iv) Mention two emotions the heart might be experiencing.
Disappointment and loneliness.

(v) What do these lines suggest about communication?
Many words do not always help. True feelings and sincere actions matter more.

(i) How can words ‘satisfy the chest’?
By giving real comfort and happiness to the heart.

(ii) How can words be ‘summoned to the test’?
When words are needed in a real situation, such as to comfort someone or keep a promise.

(iii) What does ‘the world’ holding ‘a feast’ imply?
Everyone in the world would be happy and celebrate.

(iv) The poet mentions that words satisfy the least because ______.
they are often empty and not backed by true feelings or actions.

(v) Select the word that does not mean the same as ‘oft’.
A. always

1. What is the comparison between words and ‘empty air’?
Words fly away like summer birds and leave behind only empty air. They do not leave any lasting comfort.

2. Meaningful words are more precious than a lot of them. Explain.
A few sincere words give deeper joy than many empty ones. Many words reach the head but never touch the heart.

3. Do you agree that the poet presents contrasting ideas about ‘words’?
Yes. He says words often fail and are like weeds. Yet he also says that a few true words are very dear. This contrast shows the difference between empty and sincere words.

4. Support with examples that the theme of loneliness hovers over the poem.
Words “leave but empty air”. The heart is “a pilgrim upon earth”, alone on its journey. The poet speaks of “a lonely home” that needs cheer.

5. How does the poet convey the superficial nature of words? What ought to be done?
He compares words to showy plants that bear no fruit. We should speak less, speak truly and support our words with action.