A House is not a Home Class 9 Questions and Answers
Textbook Questions
Think about it
Question 1.
What does the author notice one Sunday afternoon? What is his mother’s reaction? What does she do?
एक रविवार मध्यान्तर को लेखक क्या देखता है? उसकी माँ की क्या प्रतिक्रिया है? वह क्या करती है?
Answer:
The author first smells something strange. Then he notices smoke pouring in through the seams of the ceiling. Soon the smoke fills the room and makes it difficult for them to see. He and his mother grope their way through the front door and run into the front yard. By the time they reach outside, the whole roof is engulfed in fire.
The mother runs back and comes out with a box full of important documents. In her nervousness she spills it on the lawn. She runs in the house frantically, perhaps, to get the pictures and letters, the only memory of her dead husband. The author calls her back but she does not listen. He tries to run after her but is stopped forcibly by a fireman.
Question 2.
Why does he break down in tears after the fire?
आग लगने के बाद वह फूट-फूट कर क्यों रोने लगता है?
Answer:
After the fire when he does not see his pet cat whom he loved much, he feels heart broken. All the unpleasant things that happened in the recent past – the new school, the fire and the cat – all come to his mind and he breaks down into tears.
Question 3.
Why is the author deeply embarrassed the next day in school? What words show his fear and insecurity?
अगले दिन स्कूल में लेखक पश्चाताप से क्यों भर जाता है? कौन-से शब्द उसका डर और असुरक्षा दर्शाते हैं?
Answer:
mood to go to school but his mother compels him to go. He is wearing the same dress that he wore on the Sunday morning for going to church – it looks weird. He has to borrow tennis shoes from his aunt. Everything has burnt in the fire he has no books, notebooks or backpack (school bag). Everything looks out of place. He feels embarrassed and depressed.
He thinks his whole life is going to be like that. It makes him all the more sad and dejected. He does not want to grow or handle life. He just wants to die. The words “The more I tried to fit in, the worse it got. Was I destined to be an outcast and geek all my life? That’s what it felt like? I didn’t want to grow up, change or have to handle life if it was going to be this way. I just wanted to curl up and die” – show his mental state of fear and insecurity
Question 4.
The cat and the author are very fond of each other. How has this been shown in the story? Where was the cat after the fire? Who brings it back and how?
बिल्ली और लेखक एक-दूसरे को बहुत चाहते हैं। कहानी में यह कैसे दिखाया गया है? आग लगने के बाद बिल्ली कहाँ थी? उसे कौन वापस लाया और कैसे?
Answer:
There is no doubt that the author and the cat are much fond of each other. The author had rescued her when she was a kitten. He looks after her comfort and has given her a good life. She has become a part of his life. Both of them remain together most of the time. They never part. Even when the author does his homework, the cat sits on his papers purring pleasingly. She slips into his pockets and sleeps there. Both enjoy each other’s company.
The author breaks down in tears when he does not find his cat after the fire. He feels depressed and sad. Everyday he visits his house watching clearance of debris, hoping to find his cat. The way he hugs, loves, feels happy and cries happy tears in the fur of the cat when the stranger lady gives him back his lost cat reveals his attachment with his cat. The cat also curls up in his lap and purrs lovingly.
One month after the fire when one day the author was sitting and planning with his new friends his bedroom as the house was being rebuilt, a kind lady gave him his lost cat. She had found the phone No. on her collar but could not contact as all the phones of the author were destroyed and disconnected in the fire. The lady took great pains to find the cat’s owner and was successful in the end. Thus the author got back his beloved cat.
Question 5.
What actions of the schoolmates change the author’s understanding of life and people, and comfort him emotionally? How does his loneliness vanish and how does he start participating in life?
स्कूल के साथियों के कौन-से कार्य लेखक की जीवन तथा लोगों के प्रति समझ को बदलते हैं तथा उसे भावनात्मक रूप से आराम देते हैं? उसका एकाकीपन कैसे गायब हो जाता है और वह कैसे जीवन में भाग लेने लगता है?
Answer:
The author was much attached to his teachers and old friends. He felt lonely, sad and depressed among strangers. He had made no friends and did not participate in the school activities. He felt dull and disinterested. Then there was a fire in the house. Everything got burnt along with the house. The news of this tragedy spread in the school. The school people collected a lot of things for the author. He was offered gifts – all kinds of clothes jeans, tops, sweatsuits; school supplies, notebooks etc. They invited him to their houses. Their genuine outpourings and concern touched his heart and changed his feelings and opinion towards them. He realised how kind, helping friendly and understanding they were.
That day he made new friends. He no more felt lonely and depressed. The company of his new friends and the friendly atmosphere around gave a new lease to his life. His interest in life revived and he started taking part in the activities of life. His planning his bedroom with his friends while the house was being rebuilt is a clear evidence (TTT) of it.
Question 6.
What is the meaning of “My cat was back and so was I”? Had the author gone anywhere? Why does he say that he was also back?
इसका क्या अर्थ, “मेरी बिल्ली वापस आ गई थी और मैं भी”? क्या लेखक कहीं गया था? वह क्यों कहता है कि वह भी वापस आ गया था?
Answer:
When the fire broke in the house author’s pet cat got scared and ran about a mile away from the house. She was lost. A kind lady brought her in. She took great pains to locate her master. In the end she was successful and handed over the cat to the author.
The author had suffered emotional set backs. He loved and was much attached to his old friends, teachers and the school. When shifted in the new school he felt lost, friendless and lonely among strangers. He lost interest in life, felt dejected and depressed and even wanted to die.
After the fire in which he lost everything including the house that got burnt, the way his schoolmates helped him with the gifts of clothes and school supplies, he was touched. They had shown genuine concern for him. This changed his opinion and feelings and towards them and life. He made friends and started taking interest in life again. His planning of bedroom with his friends proves it. He had not gone anywhere physically but mentally and emotionally he had gone too far. He gave the above statement when he got back his last cat, new friends and interest in life.
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 firemen wouldn’t let us go back into the house that night. It was still too dangerous.”
(i) What happened to the author’s mother when she had run into the burning house?
(a) She fell unconscious
(b) She got relaxed.
(c) She found no relief.
(d) She was in a great difficulty.
Answer:
(a) She fell unconscious
(ii) Where did the author and his mother spend the night?
(a) The mother and author spent the night at a cottage.
(b) They spent the night at his grandparent’s home.
(c) They spent the night under a tree near by.
(d) They spent the night on a pen space.
Answer:
(b) They spent the night at his grandparent’s home.
(iii) Why didn’t the firemen permit them into the house?
(a) Because the house was on fire
(b) Because the house was far away.
(c) Because it was a large crowd near the house.
(d) Because it was a big fight inside the house.
Answer:
(a) Because the house was on fire.
(iv) Name the lesson.
(a) The Happy Prince
(b) A House is not a Home.
(c) The Accidental Tourist
(d) The Beggar
Answer:
(b) A House is not a Home.
Question 2.
I felt gratitude for my life, my new friends, the kindness of a stranger and the loud purr of my beloved cat. My cat was back and so was I.
(i) What does the author feel grateful for?
(a) He was thankful to the stranger for caring of his cat.
(b) He was thankful for giving all possible help.
(c) He was thankful for a nice melting with a cat.
(d) He was thankful for his big support
Answer:
(a) He was thankful to the stranger for caring of his cat.
(ii) Explain ‘My cat was back and so was l’.
(a) The author was so upset.
(b) The author was very much attached to his cat.
(c) He was very mad without cat.
(d) He behaved like an accentric man.
Answer:
(b) The author was very much attached to his cat.
(iii) How did the return of the cat bring happiness in the life of the author?
(a) The author’s heart was filled with happiness.
(b) He felt reluctant.
(c) He thought that he had lost the life.
(d) He was so upset.
Answer:
(a) The author’s heart was filled with happiness.
(iv) Name the lesson.
(a) The Adventure of Toto
(b) In the Kingdom of Fools
(c) A House is not a Home.
(d) The Accidental Tourist.
Answer:
(c) A House is not a Home.
Question 3.
“She’s going to be okay,” said the fireman. “She just inhaled a little smoke.” And then he ran back to fight the fire while my mother and I sat there dazed.
(i) Who is going to be okay?
(a) The narrator’s son.
(b) The narrator’s mother.
(c) The narrator’s daughter.
(d) The narrator’s father.
Answer:
(b) The narrator’s mother.
(ii) Why did the author and his mother look dazed?
(a) Because their house was on fire.
(b) Because their condition was worsening.
(c) Because their hope was shattering.
(d) Because they were not succeeding in mission.
Answer:
(a) Because their house was on fire.
(iii) What had happened to the mother?
(a) The mother fell on the ground.
(b) The mother had inhaled a little smoke.
(c) The mother was suffering from cholara.
(d) The mother fell sick.
Answer:
(b) The mother had inhaled a little smoke.
(iv) How did the fire-fighters save the author’s mother when their house caught fire?
(a) They took them nearby hospital.
(b) They brought them to a safe place.
(c) They gave them full support.
(d) They put oxygen mask on her face.
Answer:
(d) They put oxygen mask on her face.
Question 4.
Apparently my cat had been so freaked by the fire that she ran over a mile away. Her collar had our phone number on it, but our phones had been destroyed and disconnected.
(i) What happened to the cat after the fire?
(a) The cat had gone to big room to play.
(b) The cat became ill because of the smoke it consumed.
(c) The cat had got lost when the fire had brokout.
(d) The cat died after the fire had broken out.
Answer:
(c) The cat had got lost when the fire had brokout.
(ii) Why nobody could ring up to give information about the cat?
(a) The phone had been disconnected.
(b) The phone was damaged.
(c) It was lost.
(d) The phone battery went empty
Answer:
(a) The phone had been disconnected.
(iii) Why did the cat run away?
(a) The cat had gone mad so she ran away.
(b) The cat had been frightened by the fire.
(c) Some body hit the cat so she ran away.
(d) There was a dog appeared suddenly, so it ran away.
Answer:
(b) The cat had been frightened by the fire.
(iv) How does the narrator save the cat?
(a) The narrator made a very prompt action to save the cat.
(b) The narrator was on the place where cat was there.
(c) By putting his phone No. round her neck on the collar, it was saved.
(d) By pushing it inside a safe room, it was saved.
Answer:
(c) By putting his phone No. round her neck on the collar, it was saved.
Question 5.
My mother kept stoking the fire to keep the house nice and warm. Suddenly, I smelled something strange, and then I noticed it…smoke pouring in through the seams of the ceiling.
(i) What was done to keep the house nice and warm?
(a) Candles were lighted.
(b) The mother had stoked the fire.
(c) It was full of sun light.
(d) Moonlight kept the house nice and warm.
Answer:
(b) The mother had stoked the fire.
(ii) What was the strange smell in the house?
(a) The strange smell was there because of the smoke.
(b) It was strange smell because of something was overcooling.
(c) It was a dead mouse
(d) It was not neat and clean floor.
Answer:
(a) The strange smell was there because of the smoke.
(iii) Name the lesson the extract is taken from
(a) The Last Leaf
(b) The Adventure of Toto
(c) A House is not a Home.
(d) The Accidental Tourist
Answer:
(c) A House is not a Home.
(iv) Who is There?
(a) A boy T here.
(b) An oldman is ‘T’ here.
(c) T is the author of the lesson.
(d) T is the mother of the author.
Answer:
(c) T is the author of the lesson.
Short Answer Type Questions
II. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words:
1. ‘I broke down in tears and cried and cried. I was suffering loss, big time.’ Which ‘loss’ is the author referring to? Why does he cry?
‘मेरे आँसू फूट पड़े और मैं रोता रहा, रोता रहा। मैं वियोग के दुख से गुजर रहा था।’ लेखक किस ‘वियोग’ की तरफ इशारा कर रहा है?
Or
Why did the author breakdown in tears after the fire?
आग लगने के बाद लेखक के आँसू क्यों फूट पड़े?
Answer:
The author is referring to the loss of his pet cat, his school and his house. Owing to his admission in a new school, he lost his friends; fire burned down his house and the pet cat was missing: she was possibly dead according to the author.
Question 2.
How did his old teachers encourage the author to adjust in his new school?
लेखक को नए विद्यालय में स्थापित करने के लिए पुराने विद्यालय के अध्यापक कैसे प्रोत्साहित करते थे?
Or
What do the author’s old school teachers tell him to do?
लेखक के पुराने विद्यालय के अध्यापकगण उसे क्या कहते थे?
Answer:
After joining high school, the narrator found it difficult to adjust himself in the new atmosphere. He missed his old teachers and so visited them often. His teachers encouraged him to get involved in school activities so that he could meet new people. They also told him that he would adjust and end up loving the new school more than the old one.
Question 3.
Give evidence from the story which shows that the author and his cat were very fond of each other.
पाठ से उदाहरण दीजिए जो यह दर्शाता है कि लेखक और उसकी बिल्ली एक दूसरे को बहुत पसंद करते थे।
Answer:
The cat was the author’s regular companion when he was at home. The author has a red tabby cat. They both loved each other very much. She used to sit in his lap, and fall asleep in his pocket. After the burning of author’s house, he missed his cat badly. When one day a stranger woman returned back his cat, the author was overwhelmed with joy and happiness. This showed that the author and his cat were very fond of each other.
Question 4.
What had happened to the cat in, “A House Is Not a Home”?
“ए हाउस इज नोट ए होम’ में बिल्ली को क्या हुआ था?
Or
How does the author get his cat back?
लेखक को उसकी बिल्ली वापस कैसे मिली?
Or
How did ‘a wonderful woman’ bring happiness back into the author’s life?
एक अद्भुत औरत लेखक की ज़िन्दगी में खुशियाँ वापस कैसे लाई?
Answer:
After the fire, the narrator and his mother were brought out of the house safely. On that night itself, the narrator remembered the cat. Being frightened by the fire, the cat had run away. Nearly a month after, a lady brought the narrator’s cat. Though, it had narrator’s number tagged on it, he could not be contacted as the phone had been destroyed. The lady took pains to trace the owners of the cat. Thus, she found the narrator.
Question 5.
What promise does the author make to his old school teacher?
लेखक अपने पुराने विद्यालय के अध्यापक से क्या वायदा करता है?
Answer:
The teacher of the author from the old school encouraged him to participate in school activities and meet new people. They also told him that he would adjust in the new school and would love it more than the old one. They took promise from the author when that happened, he would still come and visit them from time-to-time.
Question 6.
Why couldn’t the author go back into the house on the tragic night? Where does he go finally?
लेखक उस दुखी रात को अपने घर वापस क्यों नहीं जा सकता था? आखिरकार वह कहाँ जाता है?
Answer:
The terrible fire had engulfled the house entirely. After five hours, the fire was finally put out by the firemen. Nothing was left of the house. The firemen would not let them go back into the house that night as it was still too dangerous. Thus, the narrator went to his grandparents’ home along with his mother to spend the night.
Question 7.
What does the author notice while doing his work?
एक दिन लेखक काम करते समय क्या महसूस करता है।
Or
What were the author and her mother doing on one Sunday afternoon?
एक रविवार दोपहर को लेखक और उसकी माँ क्या कर रहे थे?
Answer:
It was a Sunday afternoon, not long after the narrator had started high school. He was sitting at home at their dining room table doing homework. It was a cold and windy fall day. They had a fire going in the fire place and his mother kept stoking it to keep the house warm. Suddenly, the narrator smelt something strange. Then, he noticed smoke pouring in through the seams of the ceiling.
Question 8.
What does the author do as soon as he runs out of the burning house? What does his mother do?
लेखक अपने जलते हुए घर से बाहर निकल कर भागते हुए क्या करता है? उसकी माँ क्या करती है?
Answer:
When the author ran out of the house, he noticed his mother running back into the house to get the metal box full of important documents. It contained the pictures of author’s father and his letters. These were the only things his mother had to remind him. The author wanted to run after his mother when a fireman held him back.
Question 9.
Why does the author’s mother run back into the house even though it is engulfed in flames ?
लेखक की माँ घर के अन्दर भाग कर क्यों जाती है जब कि घर आग की लपटों से घिरा हुआ है?
Answer:
The narrator’s father had died when the nurrator was too young. His memories had been saved in pictures and letters. When the house was in flames, the narrator’s mother remembered them and did not want them to be burnt so, she ran back into the house in fire.
Question 10.
Describe the author’s reaction when a kind lady gave her back, her lost cat ?
लेखक की प्रतिक्रिया बताएँ जब एक दयालु औरत ने उसको उसकी खोई हुई बिल्ली वापिस दी?
Answer:
When the author saw her lost cat, he was shocked and surprised to see it after such a long time. He couldn’t believe his eyes. The author leapt up and grabbed his cat and held it close to himself and cried into that beautiful orange fur. She also purred happily.
Question 11.
What does the fireman do to save the author ?
अग्निशमक व्यक्ति ने लेखक को बचाने के लिए क्या किया?
Answer:
As the author was about to run after his mother into the burning house, a fireman held him back. He reassured the author and wrapped a blanket around him, making him sit in a car. He thus, saved the author.
Long Answer Type Questions
III. Answer the following questions in about 100-150 words:
Question 1.
With reference to the story “A House is Not a Home’, explain the meaning of the title. What qualities according to you are needed in a person to make a house a home ?
कहानी ‘ए हाउस इज नोट ए होम’ के संदर्भ में कहानी का शीर्षक समझाइये। किन मूल्यों की ज़रूरत एक व्यक्ति को होती है एक मकान को घर बनाने में?
Answer:
When the narrator joined high school at a new school, he felt awkward in the new atmosphere. His closest friends had all gone to a different high school. He felt isolated and missed his old teachers. Whenever he found time, the narrator visited his teachers who encouraged him to get involved in school activities so that he could meet new people. Still the narrator remained aloof. Then there was a huge fire which razed his house – including his belongings, and his cherished possessions. However, the most grievous thing was that his cat was gone. He felt embarrassed to be the centre of attention of his schoolmates.
Soon, however, the narrator understood their good attention when the schoolmates provided him with all the necessities like clothes, shoes, books and other things. Their overwhelming gesture moved the narrator. Their genuine outpouring of concern touched him. He breathed a sigh of relief with a new hope. Soon he got back his cat, and a newly house was being built too. As he sat and watched his new house being built, two friends sat with him. It was then that he felt that he had a ‘home’. He felt gratitude for his life and his friends, and with it; the loss and tragedy diminished. The kind gesture in times of adversity, and friends to fall back on, are the greatest values that made a house, a home.
Question 2.
Had it not been for the concern and warmth displayed by the students of the high school, the narrator of the story ‘A House is Not a Home’ would have continued to suffer miserably. What did the students do for the narrator ? What values do you think guided them ?
लेखक के लिए उसके विद्यालय के छात्रों ने ऐसा क्या किया कि लेखक की जिन्दगी कुछ सुधर गई? किन मूल्यों ने उन्हें ऐसा करने को प्रेरित किया?
Answer:
The author had faced many challenges posed to him by the various changes occurring in his life including the change of school, separation from friends and teachers, loss of house in fire, meeting new friends in new school, etc. When the fire engulfed the author’s house, nothing was left with him except a single dress that he was wearing He had no book, no shoes, no dresses, etc. He had lost his backpack. So, he felt embarrassed to face anyone in the new school. The life needed to be restarted.
The people at his new school treated the author sympathetically. They took him to the gym class. They had done some collection and bought for him school supplies, notebook, all kinds of different clothes like jeans, tops, sweatsuits, etc. They introduced themselves to him and even invited him to their houses. The author was touched by their genuine concern and support. They were guided by the values of care, concern and compassion for their friend. Their helping nature and support helped the author to overcome his grief and suffering within no time and he breathed a sigh of relief. They proved the famous proverb to be true “A friend in need is a friend indeed”.
Question 3.
All the security I had known, from my old school, my friends, my house and my cat had all been ripped away.
Recount the events that led to the narrator of the story ‘A House is Not a Home’ feel this way. What values are required in a person to cheer someone who is depressed ?
लेखक की सुरक्षा पुराने विद्यालय और सब साथी, दोस्तों, घर और बिल्ली से छिन चुकी थी। वे सब घटनाओं का वर्णन कीजिए जिनकी वजह से लेखक यह कहता है? एक दु:खी व्यक्ति को प्रोत्साहन देने के लिए किन मूल्यों की आवश्यकता होती है?
Answer:
As a teenager, the author felt the challenges posed to him by the different kinds of changes occurring in his life including the change of school, separation from friends and teachers of his old school, the burning down of his house in fire, loss of things carrying emotional attachment, meeting new people, a new school and making new friend. And the greatest of the losses was the loss of his father at a very young age. All these challenges had made the author feel helpless and hopeless in life.
The fire had engulfed their house and the related memories. They had no hope for the future. The life needed to be restarted. The values that are needed to cheer up a person on such an occasion are true and genuine concern to help the sufferer at this point of time, like the new friends of the author showed towards him. They provided him with things that he needed in this situation. With such care, love and concern, the author was able to forget all his worries and tensions. He was filled with the will to live again.
I. Summary In English
Narrator’s New High School :
After Junior High School, the narrator shifted to the High School – twice as big as his old school. He felt at a loss and lonely among new teachers and students.
Attachment with old school :
He missed his old school and friends and old teachers who encouraged him to take part in the new school activities and make new friends.
Fire in the house :
One Sunday evening, the narrator was doing his homework. His pet cat whom he loved much sat on his papers. It was a cold, windy day of fall. The mother was stoking fire in the fireplace to keep the house warm. Suddenly, he smelt something strange. Soon the whole house was filled with smoke. He ran out of the house. The mother also ran out but then ran back home and brought the box of important paper. The house was on fire.
Arrival of fire tender :
The narrator rang up the fire department from the neighbours. They arrived soon. The mother ran again into the burning house perhaps to bring the letters and photo of his father who was no more. The narrator tried to run after her but a fireman stopped him. They also brought the fainted mother and gave her oxygen. The narrator hugged his mother lovingly.
Loss due to fire :
The whole house got burnt. Nothing was left. He also lost his cat. Mother and son spent a part of the night in the car with firemen’s blankets on them. Then they went to the grandparent’s house.
Next day in school after fire :
Forced by his mother, the narrator went to the school wearing the previous day’s dress and borrowed shoes. He was weird, shabby and felt embarrassed.
Rented an apartment :
As all their bank-books and identifications had burnt, they borrowed some money from the grandparents and rented a house in the apartments. The narrator often went to his burnt house to see the debris being cleared — hoping to see his cat.
Help from school :
The news of narrator’s house being burnt soon spread in the school. The people at school gave him as gifts-all kinds of clothes, books, school supplies. It looked like Christmas to him. They also invited him to their houses. Their genuine feelings and concern touched narrator’s heart. He made friends that day.
After a month :
After a month when he and his friends were watching his house being rebuilt, a lady came with his cat. She got the phone number from the cat’s collar but all the narrator’s phones were cut. The noble lady took great pains and somehow found the address and thus the narrator got his cat.
Change in narrator’s feelings :
As the feeling of loss and tragedy diminished, the narrator’s feelings changed. He no longer wanted to die or was depressed. He was rather grateful to life, to his new friends and the kind lady. He regained interest in life.
II. Complete Text With Hindi Translation:
Text (Page 49) : This story reflects the challenges of being a teenager, and the problems of growing up. How does the author overcome his problems?
Vocabulary : reflects (freeh) shows/throw back the image प्रतिविम्बित करती है; challenges (चैलन्जीस) call to fight ललकारें; teenager (टीनएजर) youth/below twenty युवा; overcome (ओवरकम) to win विजय प्राप्त करना।
अनुवाद : कहानी युवा होने तथा बढ़ने की ललकारों को प्रतिविम्बित करती है। लेखक अपनी कठिनाइयों पर कैसे विजय प्राप्त करता है?
Text (Page 49): My first year of high school felt awkward. After leaving junior high at the head of my class with all the seniority the upper grade levels could afford me, it felt strange starting over as a freshman. The school was twice as big as my old school, and to make matters worse, my closest friends were sent to a different high school. I felt very isolated.
Vocabulary:awkward (ऑक्वर्ड) out of place बेतुका; isolated (आइसोलेटिड) lonely एकाकी।
अनुवाद : हाई स्कूल का मेरा पहला साल बेतुका सा लगा। जूनियर हाई स्कूल छोड़ने पर, यहाँ मैं कक्षा का अग्रणी था और ऊँचे ग्रेड स्तर की जितनी वरीयता हो सकती थी, मुझे मिली हुई थी, सब कुछ नये व्यक्ति की तरह आरम्भ करना बहुत अजीब-सा लग रहा था। नया स्कूल मेरे पुराने स्कूल से दो गुणा बड़ा था और अधिक खराब बात यह थी कि मेरे अभिन्न मित्र दूसरे हाई स्कूल में भेजे गए थे। मैं बहुत एकाकी महसूस कर रहा था।
Text (Page 49) : I missed my old teachers so much that I would go back and visit them. They would encourage me to get involved in school activities so that I could meet new people. They told me that in time I would adjust and probably end up loving my new school more than I had my old one. They made me promise that when that happened I would still come by and visit them from time to time. I understand the psychology in what they were saying, but I took some comfort in it nonetheless.
Vocabulary : involved (इनवॉल्वड) get included शामिल होना; adjust (एडजस्ट) to fit/settle व्यवस्थित होना; probably (प्रोबेबली) possibly सम्भवतया: nonetheless (ननदलैस) still फिर भी।
अनुवाद : मैं अपने पुराने अध्यापकों की अनुपस्थिति को इस कदर महसूस करता था कि मैं उन्हें मिलने जाता था। वे मुझे नये स्कूल के कार्यकलापों में शामिल होने के लिए प्रोत्साहित करते जिससे मैं नये लोगों को मिल सकूँ। उन्होंने कहा कि कुछ समय में मैं व्यवस्थित हो जाऊँगा और सम्भवतया नये स्कूल को पुराने स्कूल से भी अधिक चाहने लगूंगा। उन्होंने मुझसे वादा लिया कि ऐसा होने पर भी वह उन्हें समय-समय पर मिलने आयेगा। मैं उनके कहने के मनोविज्ञान को समझता था परन्तु फिर भी मुझे इससे कुछ आराम/राहत मिलती थी।
Text (Page 49) : One Sunday afternoon not long after I had started high school. I was sitting at home at our dining-room table doing homework. It was a cold and windy fall day, and we had a fire going in our fireplace. As usual, my red tabby cat was lying on top of all my papers, purring loudly and occasionally swatting at my pen for entertainment’s
sake,
Vocabulary : fall day (फॉल डे) autumn day पतझड़ का दिन; purring (परींग) low sound made by cat when pleased बिल्ली का धीमा स्वर जब वह प्रसन्न होती है; occasionally (ओकेजनली) from time to time यदा-कदा; swatting (स्वैटिंग) an elastic bat for killing flies मक्खी मारने की लचीली पटरी; sake (सेक) for के लिए; tabby (टैबी) cat of mottled colour चित्तकबरी बिल्ली।
अनुवाद : एक रविवार के मध्यान्तर में जब मैंने हाई स्कूल जाना आरम्भ किया था, मैं अपने खाने की मेज पर बैठा होम वर्क कर रहा था। वह पतझड़ का एक ठंडा, हवादार दिन था और हमने आग जलाने के स्थान अंगीठी में आग जला रखी थी। सदा की तरह, मेरी चित्तकबरी बिल्ली मेरे कागजों के ऊपर ऊँचे से प्रसन्नता भरी आवाज कर रही थी और मनोरंजन के लिए यदा-कदा मेरे पैन को मक्खी मारने की लचीली पट्री बना लेती थी।
Text (Page 49) : She was never far from me. I had rescued her when she was a kitten, and somehow she knew that I was the one responsible for giving her “the good life.”
Vocabulary : rescued (रैसक्यूड) saved बचाया था; kitten (किटन) young one of a cat बलूँगड़ा।
अनुवाद : वह मुझ से कभी दूर न रहती। जब वह एक छोटा-सा बिल्ली का बच्चा थी तो मैंने उसे बचाया था और किसी तरह वह जानती थी कि वह उसकी अच्छी जिन्दगी के लिए मैं जिम्मेदार था।
Text (Pages 49-50) : My mother kept stoking the fire to keep the house nice and warm. Suddenly, I smelled something strange, and then I noticed it ….. smoke pouring in through the seams of the ceiling. The smoke began to fill the room so quickly that we could barely see. Groping our way to the front door, we all ran out into the front yard. By the time we made our way outside, the whole roof was engulfed in flames and it was spreading quickly. I ran to the neighbours to call the fire department, while I watched my mother run back into the house.
Vocabulary : stoking (स्टॉकिंग) to feed the fire जलती आग में और कोयला/लकड़ी डालते रहना; seams (सीम्स) joining line of two pieces सीना/जोड़ना; ceiling (सीलिंग) inner side of roof अन्दर की छत; barely (बेयरली) hardly कठिनाई से; groping (ग्रोपिंग) to search in the dark अंधेरे में टटोलना; engulfed (एनगल्फ्ड) to swallow up completely पूरी तरह से निगल लिया; yard (यार्ड) open enclosed space आँगन।
अनुवाद : मेरी माँ और ईंधन डालती जा रही थी जिससे घर अच्छी तरह से गर्म रहे। अचानक मुझे एक अजीब-सी गन्ध आई और फिर मैंने छत के जोड़ों में से धुआँ निकलते हुए देखा। धुआँ कमरे में इतनी जल्दी से भर गया कि हम कठिनाई से देख पा रहे थे। अंधेरे में दरवाजा टटोलकर हम सब आगे के आँगन में भागे। जब तक हम घर से बाहर निकले छत को आग की लपटों ने पूरी तरह से निगल लिया था और लपटें बड़ी जल्दी फैल रही थीं। मैं पड़ोसियों के यहाँ भागा अग्निशमन/दमकल विभाग को फोन करने जबकि मैंने देखा मेरी माँ वापस घर के अन्दर भाग गई।
Text (Page 50) : My mother then ran out of the house carrying a small metal box full of important documents. She dropped the case on the lawn and, in a crazed state, ran back into the house. I knew what she was after. My father had died when I was young, and I was certain that she was not going to let his pictures, and letters go up in flames. They were the only things that she had to remember him by. Still I screamed at her, “Mom ! No!”
Vocabulary : documents (डॉकूमैन्टस) printed records/proofs दस्तावेज/प्रमाणपत्र; case (केस) box बक्सा; crazed (क्रेड) confused बौखला कर/परेशानी में; screamed (स्क्रीमड) shouted in a shrill voice चिल्लाया।
अनुवाद : मेरी माँ तब धातु का एक बक्सा जिसमें महत्वपूर्ण दस्तावेज थे लेकर भाग कर बाहर आई। उसने घबराहट में बक्सा घास के मैदान पर गिरा दिया और घर के अन्दर वापस भागी। मुझे मालूम था वह किसके पीछे है। मैं जब बहुत छोटा था तो मेरे पिता का देहान्त हो गया था और मुझे पक्का निश्चय था कि वह मेरे पिता के चित्र तथा पत्रों को आग की लपटों में नहीं जलने देगी। मेरे पिता को याद रखने की केवल वही चीजें थीं। फिर भी मैं चिल्लाया, “माँ ! नहीं!”
Text (Page 50): I was about to run after her when I felt a large hand hold me back. It was a fireman. I hadn’t even noticed that the street had already filled with fire trucks. I was trying to free myself from his grasp, yelling, “You don’t understand, my mother’s in there!”
Vocabulary: grasp (ग्रारूप) tight hold पक्की पकड़ yelling (जेलिंग) shouting in shrill ery पतली तीखी आवाज में चिल्लाना।
अनुवाद : मैं माँ के पीछे जाने ही वाला था कि एक बड़े से हाथ ने मुझे पकड़ लिया। यह एक दमकल विभाग का व्यक्ति था। मैंने ध्यान ही नहीं दिया था कि सारी गली दमकल वाहनों से भरी पड़ी है। मैं अपने आपको उसकी पकड़ से छुड़ाने का प्रयत्न कर रहा था। चिल्लाते हुए “आप नहीं समझते मेरी माँ अन्दर है।”
Text (Page 50) : He held on to me while other firefighters ran into the house. He knew that I wasn’t acting very coherently and that if he were to let go. I’d run. He was right.
“It’s all right, they’ll get her,” he said.
Vocabulary : coherently (कोहरेन्टली) act of sticking together, connectively संयुक्त न होना।
अनुवाद : उसने मुझे पकड़े रखा जबकि दूसरे अग्निशमन वाले घर के अन्दर भागे। मैं जानता था कि मैं अधिक संयुक्त व्यवहार नहीं कर रहा था और अगर वह मुझे जाने देता तो मैं भाग लेता। वह ठीक था। “सब ठीक-ठाक है। वे उसे (माँ को) बाहर ले आयेंगे।” उसने कहा।
Text (Pages 50-51) : He wrapped a blanket around me and sat me down in our car. Soon after that, a fireman emerged from our house with my mom in tow. He quickly took her over to the truck and put an oxygen mask on her. I ran over and hugged her. All this times I ever argued with her and hated her vanished at the thought of losing her.
Vocabulary : wrapped (रैप्ड) covered लपेटा; blanket (बलैंकट) woollen sheet कम्बल; emerged (इमर्जड) come out निकला; tow (टो) drag out खींच कर लाना/ घसीटना; mask (मास्क) मुखौटा; hugged (हग्ड) embrace affectionately बाहुपाश में लेना/आलिंगन करना स्नेहवश; argued (आग्यूड) reasoned out तर्क किया; vanished (वैनिशड) disappeared गायब हो गया।
अनुवाद : उसने मुझे कम्बल लपेटा और कार में बैठा दिया। जल्द ही एक अग्निशमक माँ को घसीटता घर से बाहर निकाला। वह उसे जल्दी से वाहन पर ले गये और उसे ऑक्सीजन का मुखौटा लगा दिया। मैंने भाग कर माँ को आलिंगन कर लिया। उसे खोने की सोच में, इस समय तक जो मैंने उससे तर्क किये अथवा घृणा की सब गायब हो गये।
Text (Page 51) : “She’s going to be okay,” said the fireman. “She just inhaled a little smoke.” And then he ran back to fight the fire while my mother and I sat there dazed. I remember watching my house burn down and thinking that there was nothing I could do about it.
Vocabulary : inhaled (इनहेल्ड) breathed in अन्दर साँस लिया; dazed (डेन्ड) look much surprised to think anything भौंचक्के।
अनुवाद : वह ठीक होने जा रही है, “अग्निशमक ने कहा ! उसने थोड़ा-सा धुआँ साँस से अन्दर ले लिया है।” और फिर वह आग से लड़ने/बुझाने अन्दर भाग गया। जबकि मैं और मेरी माँ भौंचक्के से बैठे रहे। मुझे याद है मैं अपने घर को जलता हुआ देखता रहा इस सोच के साथ कि मैं इसके लिए कुछ नहीं कर पा रहा था।
Text (Page 51) : Five hours later, the fire was finally out. Our house was almost completely burned down. But then it struck me ….. I hadn’t seen my cat. Where was my cat? Much to my horror, I realized that she was nowhere to be found. Then all at once it hit me – the new school, the fire, my cat – I broke down in tears and cried and cried. I was suffering loss, big time.
Vocabulary : horror (BTU) dreadful, shivering भय से काँपना/खौफ।
अनुवाद : पांच घंटे बाद आखिरकार आग बुझ गई। हमारा घर लगभग पूरी तरह से जल गया था। तब मुझे ख्याल आया …. मैंने अपनी बिल्ली नहीं देखी थी। मेरी बिल्ली कहाँ थी? खौफ से/भय से कांपते हुए मैंने महसूस ‘किया कि वह कहीं भी नहीं थी। तब एकदम से मुझे ख्याल आया-नया स्कूल, आग, मेरी बिल्ली-मैं फूट पड़ा और रोता रहा। मैं बहुत बड़ा नुकसान सह रहा था।
Text (Page 51) : The firemen wouldn’t let us go back into the house that night. It was still too dangerous. Dead or alive, I couldn’t imagine leaving without knowing about my cat. Regardless, I had to go. We piled into the car with just the clothes on our backs and a few of the firemen’s blankets, and made our way to my grandparent’s house to spend the night.
Vocabulary : alive (अलाईव) living जिन्दा; regardless (रिगार्डलेस) not caring बिना परवाह किए: piled (पाइल्ड) lay layer upon layer तह पर तह लगान/ ढेर लगाना।
अनुवाद : उस रात अग्निशमक हमें घर में वापस नहीं जाने दे रहे थे। जिन्दा व मुर्दा मैं अपनी बिल्ली के बारे में जाने बिना वहाँ से जाने की कल्पना नहीं कर सकता था। इसकी परवाह न करते हुए हमें जाना पड़ा। पहने हुए कपड़ों तथा अग्निशमकों के कुछ कम्बलों के साथ हम कार में ढेर हो गए और रात बिताने के लिए अपने दादा के यहाँ चल दिये।
Text (Page 51): The next day, Monday, I went to school. When the fire broke out, I was still wearing the dress I had worn to church that morning but I had no shoes! I had kicked them off when I was doing my homework. They became yet another casualty of the fire. So I had to borrow some tennis shoes from my aunt. Why couldn’t I just stay home from school? My mother wouldn’t hear of it, but I was totally embarrassed by everything. The clothes I was wearing looked weird, I had no books or homework, and my backpack was gone. I had my life in that backpack! The more I tried to fit in, the worse it got. Was I destined to be an outcast and a geek all my life? That’s what it felt like. I didn’t want to grow up, change or have to handle life if it was going to be this way. I just wanted to curl up and die.
Vocabulary: weird (वेयर्ड) destiny/queer विलक्षण; backpack (बैकपैक) bag that is carried on back पीठ पीछे का बैग; destined (डैस्टीन्ड) had the fate; outcast (आउटकास्ट) exiled परित्यक्त।
अनुवाद : अगले दिन, सोमवार को मैं स्कूल गया। जब आग लगी उस समय में वही कपड़े पहने था जो मैंने सुबह चर्च जाने के लिए पहने थे। पर जूते नहीं थे उसे मैंने होमवर्क करते समय ठोकर मार दी थी। और वह आग की भेंट चढ़ गये थे। अतः मुझे अपनी आन्टी से उनके टैनिस के जूते उधार मांगने पड़े। मैं स्कूल जाने के बदले घर क्यों नहीं ठहर सकता था? मेरी माँ ऐसा कुछ सुन नहीं रही थी। परन्तु मैं हर चीज से पूर्णतया शर्म महसूस कर रहा था। कपड़े जो मैंने पहन रखे थे विलक्षण लग रहे थे। मेरे पास कोई किताबें व होमवर्क नहीं था और मेरा पीठ का (स्कूल का) बैग जा चुका था (आग की भेंट)। मेरा जीवन उस पीठ के थैले में था। जितना मैं व्यवस्थित होने का प्रयत्न करता उतना ही खराब होता जाता। क्या मेरे भाग्य में सारी उम्र परित्यक्त व छोटे घोड़े की तरह हाँके जाना ही लिखा था? ऐसा ही मुझे लग रहा था। मैं बड़ा होना, बदलना अथवा और इसी तरह के जीवन को चलाना नहीं चाहता था। मैं सिमट कर मरना चाहता था।
Text (Page 51) : I walked around school like a zombie. Everything felt surreal, and I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. All the security I had known, from my old school, my friends, my house and my cat had all been ripped away.
Vocabulary: zombie ( ) a dull and apathetic dull and indifferent person मूर्ख और निरुत्साहित व्यक्ति; surreal (सरियल) strange, bizarre अजीब; ripped (रिप्ड अवे) tear away forcibly बलपूर्वक फाड़ना/अलग करना।
अनुवाद : मैं स्कूल के इर्द-गिर्द एवं मूर्ख और निरुत्साहित व्यक्ति की तरह घूमता रहा। सब कुछ अजीब-सा लग रहा था और मुझे कुछ पक्का नहीं था कि क्या होने जा रहा था। सारी सुरक्षा जो मुझे मालूम थी-मेरा पुराना स्कूल, मित्र, मेरा मकान और बिल्ली-सब बलपूर्वक अलग कर दिये गये।
Text (Page 52) : When I walked through what used to be my house after school that day, I was shocked to see how much damage there was whatever hadn’t burned was destroyed by the water and chemicals they had used to put out the fire. The only material things not destroyed were the photo albums, documents and some other personal items that my mother had managed to heroically rescue. But my cat was gone and my heart ached for her.
Vocabulary : damage (डैमेज) harm नुकसान/हानि; destroyed (डैस्ट्रायड) ruined नष्ट हो गया; rescue (रैस्कियू) save बचाना; ached (एक्ड) pained दुःखता था।
अनुवाद : उस दिन जब मैं स्कूल के बाद उस मकान में चला जो हमारा होता था तो मुझे जितनी हानि हुई उसे देखकर सदमा पहुंचा-जो जला नहीं वह पानी तथा जो रसायनों द्वारा जो उन्होंने आग बुझाने के लिए प्रयोग किये थे, नष्ट हो गया। जो भौतिक वस्तु नष्ट होने से बची थीं वे थी फोटो एलबम, दस्तावेज और कुछ व्यक्तिगत चीजें जो मेरी माँ ने एक हीरों की तरह बचाई थी। पर मेरी बिल्ली चली गई थी और मेरा दिल उसके लिए दुःखता था।
Text (Page 52) : There was no time to grieve. My mother rushed me out of the house. We would have to find a place to live, and I would have to go buy some clothes for school.
Vocabulary: grieve (ग्रीव) to feel sorry शोक मनाना।
अनुवाद : शोक मनाने के लिए कोई समय न था। मेरी माँ ने जल्दी से मुझे घर से निकाला। मुझे रहने के लिए स्थान चाहिए था और मुझे स्कूल के लिए कुछ कपड़े खरीदने थे।
Text (Page 52): We had to borrow money from my grandparents because there were no credit cards, cash or even any identification to be able to withdraw money from the bank. Everything had gone up in smoke.
Vocabulary : borrow (बारोअ) take on loan उधार लेना; identification (आइडेन्टीफिकेशन) some proof to tell who you are पहचान; withdraw (विदड्रा) take back from (पैसे) निकालना बैंक से gone up in smoke (गौन अप इन स्मोक) destroyed नष्ट हो गया था।
अनुवाद : हमें मेरे दादा-दादी से पैसे उधार लेने पड़े क्योंकि न तो हमारे पास क्रेडिट कार्ड थे न नकद पैसे और न ही कोई पहचान जिससे हम बैंक से पैसे निकलवा सकें। सब कुछ (आग में) नष्ट हो गया था।
Text (Page 52): That week the rubble that used to be our house was being cleared off the lot. Even though we had rented an apartment nearby, I would go over to watch them clear away debris, hoping that my cat was somewhere to be found. She was gone. I kept thinking about her as that vulnerable little kitten. In the early morning when I would disturb her and get out of bed, she would tag along after me, climb up my robe and crawl into my pocket to fall asleep. I was missing her terribly.
Vocabulary : rubble (CT) fragments of bricks/ stones ईंट/पत्थर के टुकड़े; debris (डैब्रीस) refuse/wreckage मलवा; vulnerable (वलनेरेबल) liable to injury घाव पहुँचाने योग्य; robe (रोब) dress परिधान/कपड़े।
अनुवाद : उस सप्ताह पत्थर/ईंटों के टुकड़े जो कभी हमारा घर था साफ हो रहे थे। यद्यपि हमने पास ही एक घर। अपार्टमैन्ट किराये पर लिया था, मैं उनको मलवा हटाते हुए देखने जाता था इस आशा से कि कहीं मेरी बिल्ली मिल जाये। वह चली गई थी। मैं उसके बारे में सोचता रहता था। जब वह छोटा था आसानी से आहत होने वाला बिल्ली का एक बच्चा था। सुबह-सुबह जब मैं उसका ध्यान हटाता था और बिस्तर से उठता था तो वह मेरे पीछे जुड़ी रहती थी, मेरे कपड़ों पर चढ़ जाती थी और सरक कर मेरी जेब में सो जाती थी। मैं उसे बुरी तरह से मिस कर रहा था।
Text (Page 52): It always seems that bad news spreads quickly, and in my case it was no different. Everyone in high school, including the teachers, was aware of my plight. I was embarrassed as if somehow I were responsible. What a way to start off at a new school! This was not the kind of attention I was looking for.
Vocabulary : including (इनक्लूडिंग) comprising समेत, समावेश; plight (प्लाईट) condition हालत; embarrassed (एम्बैरेस्ड) felt shy शर्म महसूस की; looking for (लुकिंग फॉर) expecting आशा करना।
अनुवाद : हमेशा यह लगता है कि बुरी खबर जल्दी फैलती है, मेरे केस में भी यह भिन्न नहीं था। हाई स्कूल में प्रत्येक अध्यापकों समेत मेरी हालत से भिज्ञ थे। जानते थे। मैं शर्म महसूस कर रहा था जैसे इस सबके लिए मैं ही जिम्मेदार था। नये स्कूल में आरम्भ करने का क्या तरीका था ! मैं इस प्रकार के ध्यान की आशा नहीं कर रहा था।
Text (Pages 52-53) : The next day at school, people were acting even more strange than usual. I was getting ready for gym class at my locker. People were milling around me, asking me to hurry up. I thought it strange, but in light of the past few weeks, nothing would surprise me. It almost seemed that they were trying to shove me into the gym – then I saw why. There was a big table set up with all kinds of “stuff” on it, just for me. They had taken up a collection and bought me school supplies, notebooks, all kinds of different clothes – jeans, tops, sweatsuits. It was like Christmas. I was overcome by emotion. People who had never spoken to me before were coming up to me to introduce themselves. I got all kinds of invitations to their houses. There genuine outpouring of concern really touched me. In that instant, I finally breathed a sigh of relief and thought for the first time that things were going to be okay. I made friends that day.
Vocabulary : milling (मिलिंग) crowding, moving aimlessly भीड़ लगा रहे थे, बिना उद्देश्य घूमते हुए; shove (शीव) push forcibly धकेलना; supplies (स्पलाईज) providing what is necessary, overcome (ओवरकम) to be victorious विजय प्राप्त करना; genuine (जैनूईन) real सच्ची; outpouring (आउटपोरिंग) passionate or fluent utterance भावुकतापूर्वक शब्दों का बहाव; concern (कन्सन) to worry for something ख्याल करना; instant (इन्सटैन्ट) moment क्षण; sigh of relief (साई ऑफ रिलीफ) सुख की साँस लेना।
अनुवाद : स्कूल में अगले दिन लोग साधारणतया से भी अधिक अजीब व्यवहार कर रहे थे। मैं अपने लॉकर के पास जिम की क्लास के लिए तैयार हो रहा था। लोग मेरे इर्द-गिर्द बिना उद्देश्य घूमते हुए जमघट लगा रहे थे और मुझे जल्दी करने को कह रहे थे। मुझे यह अजीब-सा लगा परन्तु पिछले हफ्तों को देखते हुए मुझे कुछ भी हैरानी नहीं कर रहा था। ऐसा लग रहा था वे मुझे जबरदस्ती जिम में धकेल रहे थे-फिर मैंने देखा क्यों? एक बड़े से मेज पर सब तरह की चीजें सजी थीं केवल मेरे लिए। उन्होंने खरीदकर स्कूल में काम आने वाली आवश्यक सामग्री, कापियाँ, सब तरह के कपड़े-जीन्स, टॉप, स्वैट सूट। क्रिसमस की तरह लग रहा था। मैं आत्मविभोर हो उठा। जो लोग कभी मेरे साथ नहीं बोले थे अपना परिचय कराने को मेरे पास आ रहे थे। मुझे उनके घर आने के सब प्रकार के निमन्त्रण मिले। उनकी मेरे लिए सच्ची चिन्ता और भावपूर्ण शब्द प्रवाह मेरे दिल को छू गए। उस क्षण आखिरकार मैंने सुख की साँस ली और पहली बार सोचा कि सब ठीक-ठाक होने जा रहा था। उस दिन मैंने मित्र बनाये।
Text (Page 53) : A month later, I was at my house watching them rebuild it. But this time it was different – I wasn’t alone. I was with two of my new friends from school. It took a fire for me to stop focusing on my feelings of insecurity and open up to all the wonderful people around me. Now I was sitting there watching my house being rebuilt when I realized my life was doing the same thing.
Vocabulary: insecurity (इनसिक्योरिटी) feeling of being unsafe असुरक्षा; open up (ओपन अप) talk frankly खुलकर बात करना; realized (रियलाइज्ड) felt महसूस किया।
अनुवाद : एक मास बाद, मैं अपने घर को फिर से बनता देख रहा था। पर इस बार फर्क था-मैं अकेला नहीं था। मैं अपने दो नये स्कूल के मित्रों के साथ था। अपनी असुरक्षा के भाव पर अपना ध्यान केन्द्रित होने से हटाने के लिए तथा अपने इर्द-गिर्द के अद्भुत लोगों से खुलने के लिए एक आग को लगाना पड़ा। अब मैं वहाँ बैठा अपना नया घर बनता देख रहा था जब मैंने महसूस किया मेरा जीवन भी वही काम कर रहा था अर्थात् मेरे जीवन का भी पुनः निर्माण हो रहा था।
Text (Pages 53-54) : While we sat there on the curb, planning my new bedroom, I heard someone walk up to me from behind and say, “Does this belong to you?” When I turned around to see who it was, I couldn’t believe my eyes. A woman was standing there holding my cat ! I leapt up and grabbed her out of the woman’s arms. I held her close to me and cried into that beautiful orange fur. She purred happily. My friends were hugging me, hugging the cat and jumping around.
Vocabulary : curb (कर्य) check/restrain अवरोध/ रुकावट: grabbed (ग्रेबड) snatched झपट कर ली।
अनुवाद : जब हम रुकावट पर बैठे मेरे नये सोने के कमरे की रूपरेखा बना रहे थे मैंने किसी को पीछे से अपने पास आते और कहते सुना, “क्या यह तुम्हारी है?” जब मैंने पीछे मुड़कर देखा कि कौन है तो मुझे अपनी आँखों पर विश्वास नहीं हुआ। एक औरत मेरी बिल्ली को लिए खड़ी थी। मैं उछला और झपटकर उसकी बाँहों से बिल्ली को ले लिया। मैंने उसे पास पकड़ा और उसकी सुन्दर सन्तरी फर में (मुँह छिपाकर) रोया। उसने प्रसन्नता से आवाज की। मेरे मित्र, मुझे तथा मेरी बिल्ली को सीने से लगा रहे थे और हमारे इर्द-गिर्द उछल कूद रहे थे।
Text (Page 54) : Apparently, my cat had been so freaked by the fire that she ran over a mile away. Her collar had our phone number on it, but our phones had been destroyed and disconnected. This wonderful woman took her in and worked hard to find out whose cat it was. Somehow, she knew this cat was loved and sorely missed.
Vocabulary : apparently (अपरेन्टली) obvious/ clear प्रत्यक्षास्पष्ट; freaked (फ्रीकड) unusual abnormal actor behaviour असाधारण; sorely (सोरली) very much बहुत अधिक।
अनुवाद : स्पष्ट है कि मेरी बिल्ली आग से असाधारण रूप से इतना डर गई कि एक मील दूर भाग गई। उसके गले की पट्टी पर हमारा फोन नम्बर लिखा था पर हमारे सारे फोन नष्ट हो गये थे। यह अद्भुत औरत उसे अन्दर ले गई और कड़ी मेहनत कर यह खोज लिया कि वह बिल्ली किसकी थी। किसी तरह से उसे मालूम पड़ गया था कि उस बिल्ली को बहुत प्यार मिला था और वह (अपने मालिक) को अत्यधिक मिस कर रही थी।
Text (Page 54): As I sat there with my friends and my cat curled up in my lap, all the overwhelming feelings of loss and tragedy seemed to diminish. I felt gratitude for my life, my new friends, the kindness of a stranger and the loud parr of my beloved cat. My cat was back and so was I.
Vocabulary: curled up (कर्लड अप) coiled कुंडली मारकर; overwhelming (ओवर वैल्मिंग) overpowering अति प्रबल; diminish (डिमीनिश) reduced धीरे-धीरे कम हो जाना: gratitude (ग्रेटीट्यूड) obliged आभारी।
अनुवाद : जब मैं अपने मित्रों और मेरी गोदी में कुंडली मार के बैठी अपनी बिल्ली के साथ बैठा था तो हानि तथा शोकान्त की अतिप्रबल भावना घटती हुई लगी। मैं जीवन का, अपने नये मित्रों का, अजनबी की दयालुता और अपनी प्यारी बिल्ली की प्रसन्नता भरी आवाज का आभार महसूस कर रहा था। मेरी बिल्ली वापस आ गई थी और मैं भी।