Comprehension check:-

Q 1. Velu stood on the platform but he felt “as if he was still on a moving train”. Why?

Ans. Although Velu was standing on the platform, he had the impression that he was still riding a moving train because of the way his legs felt.

Q 2. What made him feel miserable ?

Ans. He was extremely hungry and exhausted, and this made him feel miserable.

Q.3 (i) Velu travelled without a ticket. Why ?

Ans. He was miserable because he was so hungry and so worn out.

(ii) How did he escape the ticket collector’s attention ?

Ans. He was not noticed by the ticket collector because he was riding in an unreserved compartment. Fortunately, the collector skipped over that compartment.

Q 4. Why had Velu run away from home ?

Ans. He was riding in an unreserved compartment, so the ticket collector did not notice him. Fortunately, the collector missed that storage space.

Q 5. Why did he decide to follow the ‘strange’ girl ?

Ans. Velu knew none in Chennai. He did not know where to go and what to do. But he found the strange girl friendly to him. So he decided to follow her.

Comprehension Check:-

Q 1. Can Velu read Tamil and English? How do you know ?

Ans. He can read Tamil but not English because he can read the signboard that reads “Central Jail” in Tamil. He had no idea what was written on English signboards, though.

Q 2.  “If you are not careful, you will soon be counting bars there,” the girl said.

(i) What is she referring to ?

Ans.  She is referring to Central Jail.

(ii) What does she mean when she says “If you are not careful…”?

(She says something a little later which means the same. Find that sentence.)

Ans. The sentence is :  You don’t have to do anything , just don’t get caught.

Q.3 (i) Where did the girl lead Velu to ?

Ans. Behind a large hall with a large garbage bin, the girl led Velu. It was filled to the brim with trash.

(ii) What did they get to eat ?

Ans. Velu got a banana and a vada, while the girl got only one banana to eat.

Q 4. What work did she do ? Think of a one-word answer.

Ans. She was a ragpicker.

Comprehension Check:-

Q.1 (i) What material are the ‘strange’ huts made out of ?

Ans. The “strange” huts were constructed of plastic, wood, bricks, metal sheets and tyre rubber.

(ii) Why does Velu find them strange?

Ans. They appeared to be about to fall because of the way they were standing. So, he thinks they are odd.

Q 2. What sort of things did Jaya and children like her collect and what did they do with those things ?

Ans. Paper, plastic, glass, and other items of this nature were collected by Jaya and kids just like her. These products were sold to Jam Bazaar Jaggu.

Q 3. Is Velu happy or unhappy to find work? Give a reason for your answer.

Ans. Velu is dissatisfied with this work, o. He claims that he will continue doing this work until he finds a better position.

Exercise

Discuss the following questions in small groups. Write their answers afterwards.

Q 1. Is Velu a smart boy ? Which instances in the text show that he is or isn’t ?

Ans. Yes. Velu seems to be a bright young man. He makes the decision to stop tolerating his father’s abuse. He takes off from his house. He arrives in Chennai. He makes the decision to continue after the odd girl who was a ragpicker there. He states at the conclusion of the lesson that he will work as a ragpicker until he finds a better position.

Q 2. Do you think Jaya is a brave and sensitive child with a sense of humour? Find instances of her courage, kind nature and humour in the text.

Ans. Yes, Jaya was a courageous, perceptive, and humorous youngster. She ties herself to a boy she doesn’t know, which shows courage. She is sensitive because she can sense Velu’s hunger. She is kind, assisting Velu in locating a job and food. Her sense of humour is good. Don’t just stand there and pose like a big hero, she tells Velu.

Q 3.  What one throws away as waste may be valuable to others. Do you find this sentence meaningful in the context of this story ? How ?

Ans. This phrase has a lot of depth. In this tale, we learn that Jaya gathers trash left by others, sells it to Jam Bazaar Jaggu, and provides for her family with the proceeds. She takes a Vada and a smashed banana that were being thrown out. She offers Velu these two things to eat. She also takes one banana out of the trash and eats it.