The Beggar Class 9 Questions and Answers
Textbook Questions
Think about it
Question 1.
Has Lushkoff become a beggar by circumstances or by choice?
क्या लशकॉफ परिस्थितिवश अथवा अपनी पसन्द से भिखारी बनता है?
Answer:
Lushkoff was a singer in a Russian Choir but was shunted out from there due to his habit of getting drunk. He could not get any other work anywhere else if he told the truth. Moreover, excessive drinking had made him physically so weak that he was not in a position to do any laborious work. This forced him to lying and begging.
Thus we see that Lushkoff became a beggar by circumstances and not by choice.
Question 2.
What reasons does he give to Sergei for his telling lies?
वह सरगेई को अपने झूठ बोलने के लिए क्या कारण बताता है?
Answer:
Lushkoff, the beggar was telling different stories at different places to get alms. He told Sergei that he had been teaching for eight years but had to leave the job through intrigues. Two days back the same beggar had told him that he was an expelled student. Sergei had recognised him. He threatened to hand him over the police for exploiting people emotionally. Then he told Sergei the truth that he was a singer in a Russian choir but was shunted out due to his drunkenness. And that nobody would give him any alms if he told them the truth. So he had to lie.
Question 3.
Is Lushkoff a willing worker? Why, then, does he agree to chop wood for Sergei?
क्या लशकॉफ इच्छा से काम करता है? क्यों वह सरगेई की लकड़ी काटना स्वीकार करता है?
Answer:
Lushkoff was not a willing worker. He accepted to do the job of chopping wood because of shame and pride. He was trapped in his own words. In fact, too much drinking of Vodka had weakened his health and he was not in a position to do any laborious job — that was another reason of his unwillingness to chop Sergei’s wood.
Question 4.
Sergei says, “I am happy that my words have taken effect.” Why does he say so? Is he right in saying so?
सरगेई कहता है, “मैं प्रसन्न हूँ कि मेरे शब्दों का प्रभाव हुआ।” वह ऐसा क्यों कहता है? क्या उसका ऐसा कहना सही है?
Answer:
When Sergei moved into another house, he hired Lushkoff to help him in packing and hauling the furniture. He hardly touched the furniture but was sober, sad and silent. He walked behind the wagons hanging his head, shivering and feeling embarrassed when the carters laughed at him for his idleness, weakness and tattered clothes.
When the shifting of luggage was over Sergei called him and gave the above statement. He had asked him not to beg but work and earn his bread. He thought that his words had the right effect and he had started working willingly. The fact was Lushkoff was too weak to do any physical labour. He had not even touched any piece of furniture but walked behind the wagons silently looking sober and sad.
Question 5.
Lushkoff is earning thirty five roubles a month. How is he obliged to Sergei for this?
लशकॉफ प्रतिमास 35 रूबल्स कमा रहा है। वह इसके लिए सरगेई का किस प्रकार आभारी है?
Answer:
Sergei has realised that though Lushkoff had become sober and willing to work yet had no When the shifting of luggage was over Sergei called him and gave the above statement. He had asked him not to beg but work and earn his bread. He thought that his words had the right effect and he had started working willingly. The fact was Lushkoff was too weak to do any physical labour. He had not even touched any piece of furniture but walked behind the wagons silently looking sober and sad.
Question 6.
During their conversation Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook, Olga, is responsible for the positive change in him. How has Olga saved Lushkoff?
वार्ता के मध्य लशकॉफ खुलासा करता (बताता ) है कि उसमें सकारात्मक परिवर्तन की जिम्मेदार सरगेई की रसोईया, ओल्गा है। ओला ने लशकॉफ का जीवन कैसे बचाया?
Answer:
Olga, Sergei’s cook was like a coconut — hard from outside but soft from inside. She was a motherly, kind-hearted, noble lady. When she observed that vodka had made Lushkoff too weak to do any physical labour, she herself used to chop wood and do other jobs for him assigned by Sergei. Like a mother, she also used to curse and scold him for drinking too much vodka. She aeed and felt .sad for him. Her feelings and concern for him touched Lushkoff’s heart and he stopped drinking vodka. It was a positive change in him. Thus Olga not only saved Lushkoff from starving but also reformed him.
IV. Very Important Examination Questions
I. Extract-based Objective Type Questions
Read the extracts given below carefully and answer the questions with the help of the given options :
Question 1.
The advocate, Sergei, looked at the ragged, fawn-coloured overcoat of the suppliant, at his dull, drunken eyes, at the red spot on either cheek, and it seemed to him as if he had seen this man somewhere before.
(i) The condition and colour of the overcoat was ______
(a) brand new multi-coloured.
(b) dark brown fur overcoat.
(c) ragged fawn-coloured.
(d) immaculate white of latest fashion.
Answer:
(c) ragged fawn-coloured.
(ii) Sergei was
(a) a doctor.
(b) an engineer.
(c) an advocate.
(d) a professor.
Answer:
(c) an advocate.
(iii) Sergei felt that _______
(a) the man was a prophet.
(b) the man was an angel from divinity.
(c) he had seen that man somewhere.
(d) the man was a great teacaher like Socrates.
Answer:
(c) he had seen that man somewhere.
(iv) Begging can be abolished by _______.
(a) refusing to give alms and motivating to work
(b) putting all the beggars in jail.
(c) providing them a shelter and food.
(d) dissuading them from this heinous died.
Answer:
(a) refusing to give alms and motivating to work
(v) What did Sergei feel on seeing the man?
Answer:
Sergei felt that he had seen that man somewhere before.
(vi) What do you think can begging be abolished?
Answer:
Yes, of course, I think begging can be abolished by refusing to give alms but providing work to the beggars for which they are fit. We should motivate them to earn their own bread and live a respectable life.
Question 2.
When Sergei moved into another house he hired him to help in the packing and hauling of the furniture. This time the waif was sober, gloomy and silent.
(i) When Sergei moved into another house _______
(a) he hired the beggar for cleaning and mopping.
(b) he employed the beggar as his servant.
(c) he hired the beggar as caretaker qf his house.
(d) he hired the beggar to help him in packing
Answer:
(d) he hired the beggar to help him in packing
(ii) Change seen in the waif are _______
(a) he has become sober and silent.
(b) he pretended to be busy always
(c) he was excited.
(d) he walked behind the wagons enthusias-tically.
Answer:
(d) he walked behind the wagons enthusias-tically.
(iii) Sergei was _______
(a) a doctor.
(b) a minister.
(c) a judge.
(d) an advocate.
Answer:
(d) an advocate.
(iv) These lines reveal about Sergei that _______
(a) he was hard hearted.
(b) he was a workoholic.
(c) he was a good mentor.
(d) he was always the number one.
Answer:
(c) he was a good mentor.
(v) What change did we see in the waif?
Answer:
The beggar was behaving in a sober, gloomy manner. He was silent and hardly touched the furniture and walked behind the wagons hanging his head. He was not making any pretence of being busy.
(vi) What character traits of Sergei do these lines reveal?
Answer:
Sergei was a good mentor. He played a commendable role in transforming Lushkoff from a beggar to a gentleman. He was helpful, kind and sympathetic person.
Question 3.
The beggar irresolutely pulled a billet of wood towards him, set it up between his feet, and tapped it feebly with the axe.
(i) The beggar pulled a billet of wood _______
(a) irresolutely.
(b) skilfully.
(c) as an expert.
(d) carefully
Answer:
(a) irresolutely.
(ii) The beggar tapped the wood feebly because
(a) he did not want to chop the wood.
(b) he did not want to make noise.
(c) he had to do it stealthily.
(d) he was drunk and his hands were freezing.
Answer:
(a) he did not want to chop the wood.
(iii) Lushkoff was not a willing worker because
(a) he wanted to work in an office.
(b) he was getting money easily.
(c) he had lots of money to spend.
(d) he was, by nature, a man who hardly needed any money.
Answer:
(b) he was getting money easily.
(iv) Lushkoff agrees to chop wood for Sergei
(a) out of shame and pride.
(b) out of respect for Sergei.
(c) because he was urgently in need of money.
(d) because he had no other option to survive.
Answer:
(a) out of shame and pride.
(v) How did the beggar chop the wood?
Answer:
The beggar hesitantly pulled a billet of wood towards him, set it up between his feet and tapped it feebly with the axe. The billet wavered and fell down.
(vi) What do you think is Lushkoff a willing worker?
Answer:
No, Lushkoff is not a willing worker.
Question 4.
Kindly sir, have pity; turn your attention to a poor, hungry man! For three days, I have had nothing to eat.
(i) The above extract tells us that _______
(а) the speaker is hungry since 3 days.
(b) the listener is in want of money.
(c) the speaker is kind to the listener.
(d) the listener is kind to the speaker.
Answer:
(а) the speaker is hungry since 3 days.
(ii) The speaker makes a request to the listener that _______
(a) he should give him some money.
(b) he should have pity on him.
(c) he should give him a lodging for the night.
(d) he should give him some warm clothes.
Answer:
(b) he should have pity on him.
(iii) In fact giving alms to a beggar _______
(a) helps him tremendously.
(b) does not help him at all.
(c) leads the beggar astray.
(d) motivates the beggar to do good things in life.
Answer:
(b) does not help him at all.
(iv) The extract has been taken from the story _______ by _______
(a) A Spark Neglected Bums the House; Leo Tolstoy
(b) Gulliver’s Travels; Jonathan Swift
(c) Seven Ages; William Shakespeare
(d) The Beggar; Anton Chekhov
Answer:
(d) The Beggar; Anton Chekhov
Question 5.
Here, Olga, he said, “take this gentleman into the wood-shed and let him chop wood”
(i) Olga was _______
(a) Sergei’s cook.
(b) the beggar’s wife.
(c) a landlady.
(d) a psychiatrist.
Answer:
(a) Sergei’s cook.
(ii) Sergei want the beggar to chop wood
(a) so that he gets punishment for his wrong deeds.
(b) so that he is kept busy.
(c) so that he stops wandering.
(d) so that he gives up begging and begins earning.
Answer:
(d) so that he gives up begging and begins earning.
(iii) The word ‘gentleman’ refers to _______
(a) Sergei
(b) Lushkoff.
(c) Olga.
(d) Landlady.
Answer:
(b) Lushkoff.
(iv) The beggar accepted the job of wood chopping because _______
(a) he was in search of a job.
(b) he wanted to earn money more and more.
(c) he was ashamed of begging and felt pride in wood-chopping.
(d) he was trapped in his own words.
Answer:
(d) he was trapped in his own words.
Question 6.
“This is dishonesty, my dear sir!” he cried angrily. “This is swindling- I shall send the police for you, damn you!”
(i) _______ says that he will send the police.
(a) Lushkoff.
(b) Sergei
(c) the writer, Chekhov
(d) Sergei’s sister
Answer:
(b) Sergei
(ii) Sergei calls the beggar dishonest because _______
(a) he was not ready to give back the borrowed money.
(b) he had stolen some plants from his garden.
(c) he had hidden his identity and told lies.
(d) he was wandering hither and thither stealthily.
Answer:
(c) he had hidden his identity and told lies.
(iii) Sergei was about to call the police because _______
(a) he wanted to hand over the beggar to them.
(b) he wanted to help him find his own family.
(c) he had no other option left.
(d) he wanted the beggar to change his way of life.
Answer:
(a) he wanted to hand over the beggar to them.
(iv) The reason that Lushkoff gave to Sergei for telling lies was that _______
(a) nobody would give alms if he told the truth.
(b) nobody believed when he told the truth.
(c) by telling lies, he earned more money.
(d) people readily believed when be told lies.
Answer:
(a) nobody would give alms if he told the truth.
Short Answer type Questions
II. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words :
1. What lies did Lushkoff tell to beg?
लशकॉफ भीख माँगने के लिए क्या झूठ बोलता है?
Or
Why couldn’t Lushkoff go to Kaluga?
लशकॉफ कालुगा क्यों नहीं जा सका?
Or
Where had Sergei met the beggar before?
सरगेई भिखारी को पहले कहाँ मिला था?
Answer:
Answer:Lushkoff had been a singer in a Russian choir. But due to his drinking habits, he was sent away from there. If he told this truth, then no one would give him a job. So, he told lies as when he told Sergei that he was a student who had been expelled by a school teacher; and he was offered a job at Kaluga but could not go there for lack of money.
Question 2.
Lushkoff was not willing to work yę he accepts Sergei’s offer to chop wood. Why?
लशकॉफ काम करना नहीं चाहता पर सरगेई की लकड़ी काटने का काम स्वीकार करता है। क्यों?
Or
Lushkoff agrees to work for Sergei. Is he willing or a reluctant worker? Why then does he agree to work for Sergei?
लशकॉफ सरगेई के लिए काम करने हेतु राजी हो जाता है। क्या वह एक सहर्ष कर्त्ता है या काम नहीं करना चाहता? ऐसा है तो वह काम करने के लिए मान क्यों जाता है?
Answer:
Lushkoff was not willing to work. Yet, he accepted Sergei’s offer to chop wood not because he was hungry and wanted work, but simply because of pride and shame for he had been trapped in his own words.
Question 3.
Explain why Sergei is extremely delighted to see Lushkoff at the theatre.
सरगेई लशकॉक को धियेटर पर देख कर इतना खुश क्यों होता है?
Answer:
Sergei felt happy as he believed that it was his motivation and his words that had taken effect and Lushkoff had moved towards a better life. However, he was not right in saying so.
Question 4.
According to Lushkoff, Sergei and Olga are different. How?
लशकॉफ के अनुसार, सरगेई और औस्क अत्ज़ है। क्यों?
Or
Who does Lushkoff feel indebted to?
लशकॉफ किस के प्रति ऋणी है?
Answer:
According to Lushkoff, he was grateful to Sergei for his kind words and deeds. He gave Lushkoff a push along the right path. But Olga was a noble and good woman who chopped wood for his sake. Her kind words and motherly concern touched his heart and changed him. He was indebted to Sergei but owed his success and new life to Olga.
Question 5.
What does Lushkoff tell the writer when he met him in Sadovya street?
लशकॉफ लेखक को क्या कहता है, जब वह उसको Sadovya street में मिला?
Answer:
Lushkoff told the writer that he is a student who has been expelled from the school when he has met the beggar two days ago.
Question 6.
What does Sergei suggest to Lushkoff after he had finished chopping the wood?
सरगेई लशकॉफ को लकड़ी काटने के बाद क्या काम करने के लिए कहता है?
Answer:
Sergei suggested Lushkoff after he had finished chopping the wood that if he wanted to come back and cut wood on the first day of each month and earn half a rouble everytime. They could always find work for him. $e tried to help the poor beggar so that he can earn some money.
Question 7.
Describe ‘The little man’ that Sergei met at the ticket window of a theatre.
उस व्यक्ति का वर्णन कीजिए जो सरगेई को टिकट खिड़की पर मिला था?
Answer:
The man whom Sergei met at the ticket window of the theatre was a little man with a coat collar of curly fur and a worn seal skin cap. He was a little individual who timidly asked the ticket seller for a seat in the gallery and paid for it in copper coins. Later Sergei recognised him to be Lushkoff.
Question 8.
What makes Sergei feel remorseful and ashamed of himself?
सरगेई को अपने आपसे शर्म क्यों आई?
Answer:
When Sergei sent Lushkoff with Olga to chop wood for his house^he noticed that the beggar was trying hard to chop the wood by once setting the billet of wood between his feet and tapped it feebly with the axe. Seeing this, Sergei’s anger had vanished and he felt sorry and ashamed of himself for having set a spoiled, drunken and perhaps a sick to work in the cold.
Question 9.
Why does Sergei want to know whether Lushkoff knows how to write?
सरगेई क्यों जानना चाहता था कि लशकॉफ लिखना जानता है या नहीं?
Answer:
Sergei wanted to know whether Lushkoff knew how to write because the former wanted to send Lushkoff to his friend who could give him some copying work to do. He wanted to help the poor beggar.
Long Answer Type Questions:
III. Answer the following questions in about 100-150 words :
Question 1.
Write a character-sketch of Olga.
ओल्गा का चरित्र-चित्रण करो।
Answer:
Olga was the cook of Sergei. She was physically strong and could do a lot of hard labour. Olga was like a coconut, harsh and strict outwardly but soft at heart. She was understanding and realised Lushkoff’s helplessness. Her chopping the wood and doing other works for Lushkoff reflects her kind, sympathetic and helping nature.
The way she scolded and cursed Lushkoff for drinking too much Vodka, spoiling his health and life, shows her motherly concern for a spoilt son. She used to feel sad and cried to see Lushkoff’s pitiable condition. Her sincere feelings and concern for him touched Lushkoff’s sensitive heart. He stopped drinking. Lushkoff was indebted to her for saving his life and motivating him to reform himself.
Question 2.
Write a character-sketch of Sergei,
सरगेई का चरित्र-चित्रण करो।
Answer:
Sergei was a middle aged advocate. He had a sharp memory. He recognised Lushkoff. When he met him two days back and also the lies he told him. Sergei was clever. He knew how to bring out truth from a person. He threatened Lushkoff to hand him over to police unless he told him the truth. He was helpful, kind and sympathetic. He helped Lushkoff earn some money by providing him work. Later, he helped him get the job of a copying clerk with his friend. He was also a reformist. He advised Lushkoff to work hard and stop drinking. He felt elated and gave credit to himself for the positive change in Lushkoff.
Question 3.
“Yes by flying to your protection I dragged myself out of a pit.” With reference to the above statement which values in Lushkoff’s character are reflected?
“आप की सुरक्षा लेकर मैं खाई से बाहर निकल के आ पाया।” इस कथन से लशकॉफ के किस गुण के बारे में पता चलता है?
Answer:
Lushkoff has become a beggar because of circumstances. He was a singer in the Russian choir and drunkenness drove him to begging. This was told by Lushkoff to Sergei who meets after two years in a theatre and comes to know that he has now become a notary and earns thirty-five roubles per month. Sergei claims credit for putting the beggar on the right track but Lushkoff then reveals a secret to him that it was Sergei’s housekeeper, Olga who reforms him. He also admits that he never chopped any wood for Sergei but Olga did all the work for him.
She helped him take the money without doing any work. She would also cry for him and lament his bad luck and hard times. Her sympathetic attitude and genuine concern along with helping and caring nature awakened the essential goodness in the heart of the beggar. The kindness of Olga touched his heart and he strived to be a better person in his life. Lushkoff gives due credit to Olga who helped him change his wrong ways and become a gentleman in life. Sergei was just a medium who helped him meet Olga but the magical change in his attitude and lifestyle he owes to none other than Olga- the housekeeper.
Question 4.
“Have done with lying! You called yourself a student and even told me what you had been expelled for. Don’t you remember?”
With respect to the above extract, why do you think Lushkoff had taken to lying? Which values among mankind was he trying to exploit?
“तुम झूठ बोल रहे हो। पहले तुम अपने आपका एक छात्र बाल फिर कि तुम्हें विद्यालय से निष्कासित किया। क्या तुम्हें ‘याद है?’ उपरोक्त वाक्य से बताइये कि लशकॉफ झूठ क्यों बोल रहा है? वह मनुष्य के किस गुण से फायदा ले रहा है?
Or
What reasons does Lushkoff give to Sergei for his telling lies?
अपने झूठ बोलने के लिए लशकॉफ ने सरगेई को क्या कारण बताए?
Answer:
It is but the nature of mankind to give away money or materials as charity as it is one of the ways to wash of his sins in this world. The population of beggars is increasing, thanks to this practice of charity and the sympathetic and generous nature of people. By giving charity, we encourage beggars. Most of them are lazy to work and earn their living. Every person, even those with physical deformities, has the capacity and some hidden talent with which to earn money. We, the able people, should provide them with the right opportunity to exhibit their talent. Lushkoff proves this.
He took to drinking, and so was removed from his job, which in turn, aggravated his drinking habit. He became weak and unable to do any physical work. The only easy way out he found was begging, and for this he started lying. It was Sergei who understood that Lushkoff was a beggar by circumstance. He offered him some work and even showed him the path to lead a decent life. Lushkoff stopped drinking and rose to become a notary from a copier. So, it can be rightly said that ‘society makes a man’.
Question 5.
In providing Lushkoff an opportunity of doing the hard work of chopping wood in the cold, the narrator has not been unkind to him. Do you agree? Why? Give reasons highlighting the values he wants Lushkoff to imbibe.
लशकॉफ को लकड़ी काटने का काम दकर लखक सदी मे उसके प्रति दयालु नहीं हो रहा। क्या आप सहमत हैं? क्यों? उदाहरण देकर बताइये कि वह लशकॉफ के अन्दर किस बात की इच्छा कर रहा है?
Answer:
The narrator made Lushkoff to chop wood in his house otherwise the beggar was an unwilling worker. He agreed for this work due to pride and shame and because he was trapped in his own words. The beggar asked for alms but he lambasts the beggar for lying and gave him work to chop and paid him in exchange for it. But when he saw the beggar was -trying hard to chop the wood but was feeling weak and his hands were trembling. He felt sorry and ashamed of himself for having set a spoiled, drunken and perhaps a sick to work in the cold.
But I feel Sergei was not unkind to him as he gave him a chance to rescue himself from this miserable existence of begging. Some people even with sound health and in young age becomes beggars. They want to avoid hard labour to earn living. Begging seems to be an easy way to earn. Only those who are crippled, helpless or homeless should be given alms. They should be motivated to do hard work and earn a living for themselves. Sergei also wanted Lushkoff to imbibe the values of hard work and truthfulness. We should stop the menace of begging by giving them sometime to improve and provide them physical, emotional and psychological support.
I. Summary In English
Beggar Lushkoff begged from Advocate Sergei on false excuses :
A beggar named Lushkoff, one day came to the house of Sergei, an advocate. The beggar told him that he was feeling dead hungry and had no penny for a lodging. He told a lie that he was a school teacher but was made to quit the job. He was shabbily dressed. He also told a lie that he had recently got a job in the province of Kaluga. He could not join duty because he had no money to reach there.
Lushkoff told the truth when threatened :
The beggar had also met the advocate two days back. Then he had told him that he had been a student but was expelled. The advocate threatened to hand him over to the police. Then he told the truth that he was a singer in a Russian choir. He was, however, kicked out for his drunkenness.
Advocate gave job of chopping wood once a month to Lushkoff:
The advocate got convinced that the beggar would die of hunger if he stuck to speaking the truth. He gave the beggar the work of wood chopping once a month under the care of his cook who scolded him.
Once hired for packing and hauling furniture :
Once he hired him for helping in packing and hauling furniture. However, he felt sorry and ashamed for setting a spoiled, drunken and sickly person to work as menial labourer in the cold.
Recommended him to a friend for a copying job :
Then the advocate recommended the beggar to his friend to do copying work. After two years the beggar began to work as a notary. His tattered clothes and oversized shoes were replaced by his curly fur coat and a sealskin cap.
Lushkoff thankful to Sergei cook :
The beggar was highly grateful to Sergei’s cook. She used to chop wood for him and passed sarcastic remarks on him. As a result he left drinking. She was his reformer and saviour.
II. Complete Text With Hindi Translation
Text (Page 62): What stimulated the beggar, Lushkoff, to change his ways? Let’s read and find out.
Vocabulary : stimulated (स्टीम्युलेटेड) provoked प्रेरित किया।
अनुवाद : लशकॉफ नामक भिखारी को कौन-सी बात ने अपने तरीके बदलने के लिए प्रेरित किया ? आओ पढ़ें और पता लगाएँ।
Text (Page 62) : “Kind sir, have pity; turn your attention to a poor, hungry man ! For three days I have had nothing to eat; I haven’t five copecks for a lodging, I swear it before God. For eight years I was a village school teacher and then I lost my place through intrigues. I fell a victim to calumny. It is a year now since I have had anything to do.”
Vocabulary : pity (पिटी) kindness दया; copecks (कोपैक्स) a unit of money in Russia एक रूसी मुद्रा; lodging (लॉजिंग) a rented place किराये पर रहने का स्थान; swear (स्वीयर) to say in the name of सौगंध खाना; intrigues (इंट्रीग्स) crafty plot षड्यन्त्र; victim (विक्टिम) prey शिकार; calumny (कैल्युम्नी) defamation अपयश।
अनुवाद : “दयालु श्रीमान, दया कीजिए। एक निर्धन और भूखे आदमी की तरफ अपना ध्यान दीजिए ! तीन दिन से मैंने कुछ भी नहीं खाया है। अस्थायी निवास लेने के लिए मेरे पास पाँच कोपेक भी नहीं हैं। मैं यह बात भगवान की सौगंध खाकर कहता हूँ। मैं आठ वर्ष तक गाँव के एक स्कूल में अध्यापक रहा हूँ और फिर षड्यंत्रों के वशीभूत होकर नौकरी से हाथ धो बैठा हूँ। मैं झूठे आरोपों का शिकार बन गया। अब एक वर्ष से मैं कोई धंधा नहीं कर रहा हूँ।”
Text (Page 62) : The advocate Sergei looked at the ragged, fawn-coloured overcoat of the supplicant, at his dull, drunken eyes, at the red spot on either cheek, and it seemed to him as if he had seen this man somewhere before.
Vocabulary : advocate (एडवोकेट) lawyer वकील; ragged (रेग्ड) badly torn बुरी तरह फटे; fawn-coloured (फॉन कलडी) light brown in colour हल्के भूरे रंग का; supplicant (सप्लीकेंट) an applicant, a beggar भिखारी, निवेदक।
अनुवाद : सरगेई नामक वकील ने भिखारी के जीर्ण-शीर्ण तथा हल्के बादामी रंग के ओवरकोट को, तथा उसकी तेजविहीन और नशीली आँखों को, तथा उसके दोनों गालों पर बने हुए धब्बों को देखा और उसे ऐसा आभास हुआ मानो उसने पहले कहीं उस व्यक्ति को देखा है।
Text (Page 62) : “I have now had an offer to a position in the province of Kaluga,” the mendicant went on, “but I haven’t the money to get there. Help me kindly; I am ashamed to ask; but I am obliged to by circumstances.”
Vocabulary : mendicant (मेंडीकेन्ट) a beggar भिखारी; obliged to (ओबलाइज्ड टू) pressed by दबाव में आना; circumstances (सरकम्सटांसिज़) conditions परिस्थितियाँ।
अनुवाद : भिखारी कहता गया कि “अब मुझे कालुगा प्रांत में एक नौकरी की पेशकश आई है, परन्तु वहाँ पहुँचने के लिए मेरे पास रुपए नहीं हैं। कृपया मेरी सहायता कीजिए। मुझे माँगने में शर्म आती है परन्तु परिस्थितियों के वश होकर मुझे माँगना पड़ रहा है।”
Text (Page 62) : Sergei’s eyes fell on the man’s overshoes, one of which was high and the other low, and he suddenly remembered something.
“Look here, it seems to me I met you the day before yesterday in Sadovya Street,” he said; “but you told me then that you were a student who had been expelled, and not a village school teacher. Do you remember ?”
Vocabulary : expelled (एक्सपैल्ड) cast out निष्कासित किया गया।
अनुवाद : सरगेई की नज़रें उस व्यक्ति के बड़े जूतों के ऊपर पड़ीं जिनमें से एक ऊँचा था और दूसरा नीचा और अचानक उसे कुछ याद आ गया। “देखिए, मुझे ऐसा लगता है कि मैं आपसे सदोया गली में परसों मिल चुका हूँ।” उसने कहा, “परन्तु तब आपने बताया था कि आप एक विद्यार्थी थे जिसे निष्कासित कर दिया गया है और आप गाँव के स्कूल में अध्यापक नहीं थे। क्या आपको याद है ?”
Text (Page 62) : “N-no, that can’t be so,” mumbled the beggar, taken aback. “I am a village school teacher, and if you like I can show you my papers.”
“Have done with lying ! You called yourself a student and even told me what you had been expelled for. Don’t you remember ?”
Vocabulary : mumbled (मम्बल्ड) spoke indistinctly अस्पष्ट बोलना; taken aback (टिकन अबैक) surprised, startled भौंचक्का रह जाना।
अनुवाद : “नहीं, वैसा नहीं हो सकता है”, हक्का-बक्का होकर भिखारी अस्पष्ट बोलने लगा। “मैं गाँव के स्कूल का अध्यापक हूँ और यदि आप चाहें तो मैं आपको अपने प्रपत्र ‘दस्तावेज’ दिखा सकता हूँ।'” “झूठ बोल रहे हो ! आपने स्वयं को एक विद्यार्थी बताया था और आपने मुझे यह भी बताया था कि किस कारण आपको निष्कासित किया गया था। क्या आपको याद नहीं है?”
Text (Pages 62-63): Sergei flushed and turned from the ragged creature with an expression of disgust.
“This is dishonesty, my dear sir !” he cried angrily. “This is swindling — I shall send the police for you, damn you !”
Vocabulary : flushed (फ्लशूड) got red with anger क्रोध से लाल हो गया; expression (एक्सप्रैशन) look आकृति; disgust (डिसास्ट) strong feeling of dislike अरुचि, तिरस्कार; swindling (स्विंडलिंग) cheating a person of money ठगी; damn you (डैम यू) you rascal बदमाश, शैतान।
अनुवाद : सरगेई लाल-पीला हो गया और झुंझलाकर उस फटे-हाल प्राणी के पास से मुड़ गया। “श्रीमान ! यह सरासर बेईमानी है !” वह क्रुद्ध होकर चिल्लाया। “यह ठगी है। मैं अभी तुम्हारे पीछे पुलिस भेजता हूँ, शैतान !”
Text (Page 63) : “Sir !” he said, laying his hand on his heart, “the fact is I was lying ! I am neither a student nor a school teacher. All that was fiction. Formerly I sang in a Russian choir and was sent away for drunkenness. But what else can I do ? I can’t get along without lying. No one will give me anything when I tell the truth, what can I do ?”
Vocabulary : fiction (फिकशन) a fabricated story मनगढ़ंत कहानी; formerly (फॉर्मली) previously पहले; choir (क्ऑयर) a chorus singer in church चर्च की भजनमंडली; drunkenness (ड्रंकननैस) habit of drinking नशे की आदत; get along (गैट अलाँग) to pull on गुजारा करना।
अनुवाद : “श्रीमान जी,” वह अपना हाथ अपने हृदय के ऊपर रखकर बोला, “सही बात यह है कि मैं झूठ बोल रहा था ! मैं न तो विद्यार्थी हूँ और न ही स्कूल में अध्यापक। वह सब मनगढ़ंत बात थी। पहले मैं रूसी भजनमंडली में काम किया करता था और मद्यपान करने के अपराध में मुझे निकाल दिया गया था। परन्तु मैं और क्या कर सकता हूँ? झूठ बोले बगैर मेरा गुजारा नहीं चल सकता है। जब तक मैं सच बोलूँगा, कोई मुझे कुछ भी नहीं देगा, मैं क्या कर सकता हूँ?”
Text (Page 63) : “What can you do ? You ask what you can do ?”cried Sergei, coming close to him. “Work ! That’s what you can do ! You must work !” “Work — yes. I know that myself; but where can I find work ?”
“How would you like to chop wood for me ?”
“I wouldn’t refuse to do that, but in these days even skilled woodcutters find themselves sitting without bread.”
Vocabulary : chop (चॉप) to cut wood with an axe कुल्हाड़ी से लकड़ी काटना; skilled (स्किल्ड) expert निपुण।
अनुवाद : “तुम क्या कर सकते हो? तुम यह पूछते हो कि तुम क्या कर सकते हो ?” उसके समीप आकर सरगेई चीख पड़ा। “काम ! यह तो तुम कर सकते हो? तुम्हें अवश्य काम करना चाहिए।”
“काम-हाँ, वह तो मुझे भी मालूम है, परन्तु मुझे काम कहाँ मिल सकेगा?”
“क्या तुम मेरे लिए लकड़ियाँ काटना पसन्द करोगे?”
“वह करने के लिए मैं मना नहीं करूँगा, परन्तु आजकल निपुण लकड़ी काटने वाले भी भूखों मर रहे हैं।”
Text (Page 63): “Will you come and chop wood for me ?”
“Yes sir, I will.”
“Very well; we’ll soon find out.”
Sergei hastened along, rubbing his hands. He called his cook out of the kitchen.
“Here, Olga,” he said, “take this gentleman into the woodshed and let him chop wood.”
Vocabulary : hastened (हिसन्ड) hurried जल्दी की।
अनुवाद : “क्या तुम आकर मेरे लिए लकड़ियाँ काटोगे ?”
“हाँ श्रीमान जी, मैं वह सब करूँगा।”
“ब्हुत अच्छा, हम थोड़े समय में ही जान जाएँगे।”
सरगेई अपने हाथ मलता हुआ तेजी से आगे बढ़ा और रसोई में से अपने रसोइया को पुकारा।
“‘सुनो, ओल्गा,” “वह बोला, “इस महाशय को लकड़ियों वाले स्थान पर ले जाओ और इसे लकड़ियाँ काटने दो।”
Text (Page 63) : The scarecrow of a beggar shrugged his shoulders, as if in perplexity, and went irresolutely after the cook. It was obvious from his gait that he had not consented to go and chop wood because he was hungry and wanted work, but simply from pride and shame and because he had been trapped by his own words. It was obvious, too, that his strength had been undermined by vodka and that he was unhealthy and did not feel the slightest inclination for toil.
Vocabulary : scarecrow (स्केयरक्रो) a frightening figure डरावना पुतला; shrugged (भग्ड) raised and contracted shoulders to show indifference कँधे उचकाए; perplexity (पर्पलैक्सिटी) confusion परेशानी; irresolutely (इररैज़ोल्यूटली) wavering, undecidedly अनिश्चयपूर्वक; obvious (ऑबवियस) clear स्पष्ट; gait (गेट) style of walking चाल; consented (कन्सेंटेड) agreed मान गया; trapped (ट्रे्ड) caught फँस गया; undermined (अंडरमाइन्ड) weakened निर्बल बन गई थी; vodka (वोडका) distilled spirit रूसी शराब; slightest (स्लाइटेस्ट) least थोड़ा-सा भी; inclination (इनक्लीनेशन) bend of mind मन का झुकाव; toil (टॉइल) hard work परिश्रम।
अनुवाद : भिखारी के उस पुतले ने मानो हैरान होकर अपने कँधे उचकाए और रसोइया के पीछे-पीछे हिचकिचाते हुए चला गया। उसकी चाल से यह स्पष्ट झलक रहा था कि उसने लकड़ियाँ काटना इसलिए नहीं स्वीकार किया था कि वह भूखा था और उसे काम की ज़ूरत थी, परन्तु केवल गर्व और शर्म से स्वीकार किया था और क्योंकि वह अपने ही शब्दजाल में फँस गया था। यह बात भी स्पष्ट थी कि रूसी मदिरा ने उसकी शक्ति को क्षीण कर दिया था और वह अस्वस्थ था और परिश्रम के प्रति उसकी तनिक भी रुचि नहीं थी।
Text (Page 63): Sergei hurried into the dining-room. From its windows one could see the woodshed and everything that went on in the yard. Standing at the window, Sergei saw the cook and the beggar come out into the yard by the back door and make their way across the dirty snow to the shed. Olga glared wrathfully at her companion, shoved him aside with her elbow, unlocked the shed, and angrily banged the door.
Vocabulary : glared (ग्लेयड) looked angrily क्रोध से घूरा; wrathfully (रेथफुली) angrily गुस्से से; shoved (शोढ्ड) pushed धक्का दिया; banged (बैंग्ड) opened/closed with a loud sound आवाज़ के साथ खटाक से खोलना/बन्द करना।
अनुवाद : सरगेई तेज़ी से भोजन-कक्ष में गया। उसकी खिड़की से लकड़ियों की कोठरी और आँगन में होने वाली सारी गतिविधियाँ नज़र आ रही थीं। खिड़की के पास खड़े होकर सरगेई ने पिछले दरवाजे से प्रांगण में आकर गंदी बर्फ के आर-पार शैड में आते हुए भिखारी और रसोइया को देखा। ओल्गा, अपने साथी को क्रोध से घूरने लगी और अपनी कोहनी से उसे एक तरफ हटा दिया, शैड को खोल दिया और क्रोध से दरवाज़ा बन्द कर दिया।
Text (Page 64) : Next he saw the pseudo-teacher seat himself on a log and become lost in thought with his red cheeks resting on his fists. The woman flung down an axe at his feet, spat angrily, and, judging from the expression of her lips, began to scold him. The beggar irresolutely pulled a billet of wood towards him, set it up between his feet, and tapped it feebly with the axe. The billet wavered and fell down. The beggar again pulled it to him, blew on his freezing hands, and tapped it with his axe cautiously, as if afraid of hitting his overshoe or of cutting off his finger; the stick of wood again fell to the ground.
Vocabulary : pseudo (सूडो) not real नकली; $\log$ (लॉग) a short piece of wood लकड़ी का छोटा सा लट्ठा; fists (फिस्ट्रस) closed hand मुठ्ठी; flung (फ्लंग) threw carelessly पटक दी; scold (स्कोल्ड) snub फटकारा, झिड़का; billet (बिलेट) short thick piece of wood लकड़ी की बोटी; feebly (फीबली) weakly कमज़ोरी से; wavered (वेवड) swayed इधर-उधर हिली; freezing (फीज़िंग) chilly बर्फ से ठंडे; cautiously (कॉशियसली) carefully सावधानी से।
अनुवाद : इसके बाद उन्होंने नकली अध्यापक को लकड़ी के एक लट्ठे के ऊपर बैठे हुए और अपनी हथेली के ऊपर अपने लाल गालों को रखकर विचारों में मग्न देखा। उस महिला ने उसके पैरों के पास कुल्हाड़ी पटक दी। क्रोध से भरकर बलगम फेंका और उसे फटकारने लगी जैसा कि उसके होठों की आकृति से अनुमान लगाया जा सकता था। भिखारी ने हिचकते हुए लकड़ी की एक बोटी को अपनी तरफ खींचा। उसे अपने पैरों के बीच में जमाया और उस पर कमज़ोर हाथों से कुल्हाड़ी का प्रहार किया। बोटी हिली और गिर गई। भिखारी ने दोबारा उसे अपनी तरफ खींचा, अपने जमे हुए हाथों पर फूँक मारी और बड़ी सावधानी से उस पर हल्का आघात किया मानो वह डरा हुआ था कि कहीं कुल्हाड़ी उसके लम्बे जूते के ऊपर न लग जाए या उसकी अंगुली को नहीं काट दे। लकड़ी की बोटी दोबारा ज़मीन पर गिर गई।
Text (Page 64) : Sergei’s anger had vanished and he now began to feel a little sorry and ashamed of himself for having set a spoiled, drunken, perhaps sick man to work at menial labour in the cold.
An hour later, Olga came in and announced that the wood had all been chopped. “Good ! Give him half a rouble,” said Sergei. “If he wants to he can come back and cut wood on the first day of each month. We can always find work for him.”
Vocabulary : vanished (वैनिश्ड) disappeared लुप्त हो गया; spoiled (स्पॉइल्ड) useless नाकारा; menial labour (मीनियल लेबर) petty wcrk तुच्छ, छोटा काम; announced (अनाउन्सड) declared घोषणा की।
अनुवाद : सरगेई का क्रोध समाप्त हो चुका था और उसे अपने पर अफसोस और थोड़ी शर्मिंदी महसूस होने लगी थी, क्योंकि उसने एक नाकारा, शराबी और सम्भवतः बीमार व्यक्ति को ठण्ड में शारीरिक काम करने में जुटा दिया था। एक घंटे बाद ओल्गा अन्दर आई और उसने घोषणा की कि लकड़ी के टुकड़े काट दिए गए हैं। “ठीक है ! उसे आधा रूबल दे दो,” सरगेई ने कहा। ” अगर उसकी इच्छा हो तो प्रत्येक मास की पहली तारीख को लकड़ियाँ काटने आ जाया करे। हम उसकी खातिर हमेशा काम ढूँढ दिया करेंगे।”
Text (Pages 64-65) : On the first of the month, the waif made his appearance and again earned half a rouble, although he could barely stand on his legs. From that day on, he often appeared in the yard and every time work was found for him. Now he would shovel snow, now put the woodshed in order, now beat the dust out of rugs and mattresses. Every time he received from twenty to forty copecks, and once, even a pair of old trousers were sent out to him.
Vocabulary : waif (वेफ) a homeless wanderer बेघर घुमक्कड़; appearance (अपीयरैन्स) presence उपस्थिति; barely (बेयर्ली) hardly मुश्किल से; shovel (शोवल) to bale out बेलचे से हटाना; rugs (रग्स) carpets कालीन; mattresses (मैटरैसेस) large pads used on bed बिस्तर के गद्दे।
अनुवाद : महीने की पहली तारीख को वह लावारिस ‘बेघर’ व्यक्ति आ जाया करता था और बार-बार आधा रूबल कमा लिया करता था हालाँकि वह मुश्किल से ही अपनी टाँगों पर खड़ा हो सकता था। उस दिन के पश्चात् वह प्रायः प्रांगण में आ जाया करता था और हर बार उसके लिए काम तलाश कर दिया करता था। कभी वह बर्फ को बेलचे से हटा दिया करता था, कभी लकड़ी वाले शैड को तरतीब में कर देता था, कभी गद्दों या कालीनों की मिट्टी झाड़ दिया करता था। हर बार उसे 20 से 40 तक कोपेक्स मिल जाया करते थे और एक बार उसे पराने पायजामे भी दे दिए गए।
Text (Page 65) : When Sergei moved into another house, he hired him to help in the packing and hauling of the furniture. This time the waif was sober, gloomy, and silent. He hardly touched the furniture, and walked behind the wagons hanging his head, not even making a pretence of appearing busy. He only shivered in the cold and became embarrassed when the carters jeered at him for his idleness, his feebleness, and his tattered, fancy overcoat. After the moving was over, Sergei sent for him.
Vocabulary : hauling (हॉलिंग) dragging out खींच कर बाहर निकालना; sober (सोबर) solemn, serious गम्भीर; gloomy (ग्लूमी) depressed, sad निराश, उदास; wagons (वैगन्स) carts छकड़ा/गाड़ियाँ; pretence (प्रिटेन्स) false show बहाना, दिखावा; shivered (शिवर्) trembled काँप रहा था; embarassed (एम्बैरेस्ड) felt ashamed शर्मिंदा हुआ; carters (कार्टस) cart drivers गाड़ीवान; jeered (जीयर्ड) mocked, made fun of खिल्ली/मज़ाक उड़ाया; idleness (आइडलनैस) laziness आलस्य; feebleness (फीबलनैस) weakness कमज़ोरी; tattered (टैटड) worn and torn घिसा और फटा हुआ।
अनुवाद : जब सरगेई दूसरे मकान में स्थानान्तरित हुए, तो उन्होंने सामान बाँधने और फर्नीचर को बाहर निकलवाने में उसकी सहायता ली। इस बार वह घुमक्कड़, गम्भीर, उद्विग्न तथा शांत था। उसने मुश्किल से ही फर्नीचर को छुआ और अपना सिर लटकाकर गाड़ियों के पीछे घूमता रहा और उसने व्यस्त रहने का दिखावा भी नहीं किया। वह केवल ठण्ड में काँपता रहा और उस समय लज्जित महसूस करने लगा जब गाड़ी हाँकने वालों ने उसके आलसी होने, उसकी निर्बलता और फटे सुन्दर ओवरकोट का मजाक उड़ाया। जब स्थानान्तरण का काम समाप्त हो गया, तब सरगेई ने उसे बुलाया।
Text (Page 65) : “Well, I am happy that my words have taken effect,” he said, handing him a rouble. “Here’s for yjrnr pains. I see you are sober and have no objection to work. What is your name ?”
“Lushkoff.” ’
‘Well, Lushkoff,’ I can now offer you some other, cleaner enjoyment. Can you write ?”
“I can.”
“Then take this letter to a friend of mine tomorrow and you will be given some copying to do. Work hard, don’t drink, and remember what I have said to you. Goodbye !”
Vocabulary : effect (इफैक्ट) show result प्रभाव हुआ।
अनुवाद : “अच्छा। मुझे खुशी है कि मेरे शब्दों का कुछ प्रभाव पड़ा
है,” उसे एक रूबल देते हुए वह बोला। “यह आपकी तकलीफों का पुरस्कार है। मैं देख रहा हूँ कि आप संजीदा हैं और काम करने में आपको कोई आपत्ति नहीं होती है। आपका क्या नाम है?
“‘लशकॉफ।”
“ठीक है, लशकॉफ, अब मैं आपको कोई दूसरी, साफ-सुथरी नौकरी दे सकता हूँ। क्या आप लिखना जानते हैं?”
“मैं लिख सकता हूँ।”
“कल, मेरा यह पत्र मेरे एक मित्र के पास ले जाना और आपको नकल करने का कुछ काम मिल जाएगा। कठोर परिश्रम करते रहना, शराब मत पीना और जो कुछ भी मैंने आपसे कहा है, उसे याद रखना। अलविदा !”
Text (Page 65) : Pleased at having put a man on the right path, Sergei tapped Lushkoff kindly on the shoulder and even gave him his hand at parting.
Lushkoff took the letter, and from that day forth came no more to the yard for work.
Vocabulary : tapped (टैप्ड) patted थपकी दी।
अनुवाद : एक व्यक्ति को सही रास्ते पर लगा देने की खुशी से सरगेई ने लशकॉफ के कंधे के ऊपर आराम से थपथपाया और जुदा होते समय उससे हाथ मिलाया। लशकॉफ ने पत्र ले लिया और उस दिन के बाद वह उस प्रांगण में कभी भी काम के लिए नहीं लौटा।
Text (Page 65) : Two years went by. Then one evening, as Sergei was standing at the ticket window of a theatre paying for his seat, he noticed a little man beside him with a coat collar of curly fur and a worn sealskin cap. This little individual timidly asked the ticket seller for a seat in the gallery and paid for it in copper coins.
Vocabulary : curly (कर्ली) having coils कुंडलों वाली; timidly (टिमिड्ली) fearfully डरते-डरते; individual (इन्डीविजुअल) person व्यक्ति।
अनुवाद : दो वर्ष बीत गए। फिर एक दिन शाम को, ज्यों ही सरगेई एक थियेटर की टिकट-खिड़की के पास अपनी सीट बुक कराने के लिए अदायगी कर रहा था, तो उसे अपने नज़ीक एक आदमी दिखाई पड़ा जिसके कोट का कालर मुड़े हुए रोएँ का था और वह एक फटी-पुरानी सील मछली की बनी हुई टोपी पहने हुए था। उस छोटे ‘ नाटे/निर्धन’ व्यक्ति ने डरते हुए टिकट-विक्रेता से गैलरी की एक सीट देने के लिए कहा और ताँबे के सिक्कों में उसके लिए अदायगी की।
Text (Page 65) : “Lushkoff, is that you ?” cried Sergei, recognising in the little man his former wood-chopper. “How are you ? What are you doing ? How is everything with you ?”
“All right. I am a notary now and am paid thirty- five roubles a month.”
Vocabulary : notary (नोटरि) a legal officer authorised to attest contracts etc. लेखपत्रों को प्रमाणित करने वाला अधिकारी।
अनुवाद : “लशकॉफ, क्या आप हैं?” सरगेई ज़ोर से बोला, उसने बौने व्यक्ति को अपना पुराना लकड़ी तोड़ने वाले को पहचाना। “आपका कैसा हाल-चाल है? आप क्या काम कर रहे हैं? बाकी सब-कुछ कैसे चल रहा है?”
“ठीक ही है। अब मैं एक लेख्यप्रमाणक ‘नोटरि’ हूँ और मुझे प्रतिमास पैंतीस रूबल मिलते हैं।
Text (Page 66) : “Thank Heaven ! That’s fine ! I am-delighted for your sake. I am very, very glad, Lushkoff. You see, you are my godson, in a sense. I gave you a push along the right path, you know. Do you remember what a roasting I gave you, eh ? I nearly had you sinking into the ground at my feet that day. Thank you, old man, for not forgetting my words.”
Vocabulary : delighted (डिलाइटेड) felt happy आनन्दित हुआ; godson (गॉडसन) a made son धर्मपुत्र; push (पुश) prompted प्रेरणा दी; to give roasting (टु गिव रोस्टिंग) to ridicule मज़ाक उड़ाना; sinking (सिन्किंग) fainting बेहोश होना।
अनुवाद : “भगवान का धन्यवाद करो। यह तो बहुत ही सुन्दर बात है। मुझे आपकी इस बात पर बड़ी खुशी हुई है। लशनन फ़ , मुझे अत्यधिक प्रसन्नता हुई है। देखिए, आप एक प्रकार से मेरे धर्मपुत्र हैं। आप जानते ही हैं कि मैंने आपको सही मार्गदर्शन दिया था। क्या आपको याद है कि मैंने आपकी हँसी उड़ाई ‘आलोचना की’ थी। है ना? मैंने उस दिन आपको लगभग अपने पैरों पर गिरा दिया था। भले पुरुष, मेरे शब्द याद रखने के लिए आपका धन्यवाद।”
Text (Page 66) : “Thank you, too,” said Lushkoff. “If I hadn’t come to you then I might stifl have been calling myself a teacher or a student to this day. Yes, by flying to your protection I dragged myself out of a pit.”
“I am very glad, indeed.”
Vocabulary : protection (प्रोटैकशन) taking shelter सुरक्षा; dragged (ड्रैग्ड) pulled खींचकर बाहर किया; indeed (इन्डीड) in reality वास्तव में।
अनुवाद : ” आपका भी धन्यवाद,” लशकॉफ ने कहा, “यदि मैं आपके पास नहीं आता ती अभी तक स्वयं को अध्यापक या विद्यार्थी कहता फिरता। हाँ, आपके संरक्षण में आकर मैं गर्त ‘गड्ढे’ से बाहर निकल आया हूँ।”
“मुझे निस्संदेह अत्यधिक खुशी है।”
Text (Page 66) : “Thank you for your kind words and deeds. I am very grateful to you and to your cook. God bless that good noble woman ! You spoke finely then, and I shall be indebted to you to my dying day; but strictly speaking, it was your cook, Olga, who saved me.”
“How is that ?”
Vocabulary : deeds (डीड्स) acts कार्य; grateful (ग्रेटफुल) obliged आभारी; noble (नोबल) gentle सज्जन; indebted (इनडैटेड) grateful आभारी, ऋणी।
अनुवाद : “आपके दयालु शब्दों और कार्यों के लिए आपका धन्यवाद। मैं आपका और आपकी रसोइया का अत्यधिक आभारी हूँ। भगवान उस भली और नेक महिला को खुश रखे। उस समय आपने बहुत ही अच्छी बात कही थी और मैं आजीवन आपका आभारी रहूँगा, लेकिन स्पष्ट बात यह है कि ओल्गा नामक आपकी रसोइया ने मुझे बचाया ‘उबारा ‘ है।’
“वह कैसे ?”
Text (Page 66) : “When I used to come to your house to chop wood she used to begin : “Oh, you sot, you ! Oh, you miserable creature ! There’s nothing for you but ruin.’ And then she would sit down opposite me and grow sad, look into my face and weep. ‘Oh, you unlucky man ! There is no pleasure for you in this world and there will be none in the world to come. You drunkard ! You will burn in hell. Oh, you unhappy one !’ And so she would carry on, you know, in that strain.
Vocabulary : sot (सॉट) a habitual drunkard पियक्कड़; miserable (मिज़रेबल) wretched बेचारा; creature (क्रीचर) being प्राणी; ruin (रूइन) completely destroy सर्वनाश; pleasure (प्लैज़र) merriment खुशी; carry on (कैरी ऑन) continue जारी रखना; strain (स्ट्रेन) tone आवाज़।
अनुवाद : “जब कभी मैं लकड़ियाँ काटने के लिए आपके घर आया करता था तो वह कहना प्रारम्भ कर देती थी : ‘अरे, पियक्कड़, अरे दयनीय प्राणी ! तबाही के अतिरिक्त तेरे भाग्य में कुछ भी नहीं है।’ और तब वह मेरे सामने बैठ जाया करती थी और उदास हो जाया करती थी, मेरे चेहरे की तरफ देखा करती थी और रो पड़ती थी। ‘ओ, तू अभागे व्यक्ति ! इस संसार में तेरे भाग्य में कोई खुशी नहीं है और अगले जन्म में भी तुझे खुशी नसीब नहीं होगी। शराबी ! तू नरक में भस्म होगा। अरे, तू बदकिस्मत व्यक्ति !’ और इसी प्रकार, उसी लहजे में वह बड़बड़ाती रहती थी।
Text (Pages 66-67) : I can’t tell you how much misery she suffered, how many tears she shed for my sake. But the chief thing was — she used to chop the wood for me. Do you know, sir, that I did not chop one single stick of wood for you ? She did it all. Why this saved me, why I changed, why I stopped drinking at the sight of her, I cannot explain. I only know that owing to her words and noble deeds, a change took place in my heart; she set me right and I shall never forget it. However, it is time to go now; there goes the bell.” Lushkoff bowed and departed to the gallery.
Vocabulary : misery (मिज़री) sorrow दु:ख; shed (शैड) flowed बहाए; owing to (ओईंग टू) due to के कारण; however (हाओएवर) nevertheless फिर भी; bowed (बाओड) saluted नतमस्तक हुआ।
अनुवाद : मैं आपसे यह बयान नहीं कर सकता हूँ कि उसे मेरे कारण कितना दुःख हुआ होगा और उसने मेरी खातिर कितने आँसू बहाए होंगे। परन्तु मुख्य बात यह थी-वह मेरी खातिर लकड़ियाँ काटा करती थीl श्रीमान जी, क्या आपको पता है कि मैंने आपके लिए एक लकड़ी भी नहीं काटी थी ? वह सब-कुछ, वही किया करती थी। इस बात ने मुंझे बचाया है और उसी कारण मैं बदल गया हूँ। मैं इस बात का स्पष्टीकरण नहीं दे सकता हूँ कि मैंने उसकी उपस्थिति में शराब पीना क्यों छोड़ दिया था। मुझे केवल यह ज्ञात है कि उसके शब्दों और नेक कार्यों की बदौलत ही मेरे हृदय में परिवर्तन आ गया है। उसी ने मुझे ठीक मार्ग पर लगा दिया है और मैं उसे कभी नहीं भूलूँगा। खैर, अब जाने का समय आ गया है, अब घंटी बज चुकी है।” लशकॉफ ने प्रणाम किया और जुदा होकर गैलरी में चला गया।