The Hundred Dresses Part 2 Class 10 Questions and Answers
Oral comprehension check :
Question 1.
What did Mr. Petronski’s letter say?
मिस्टर पैट्रोन्सकी के पत्र में क्या कहा गया था?
Answer:
Mr. Petronski’s letter said that his daughter, Wanda would not come to school any more as they were moving to a big city. He said that now they would no more listen Pollack’ and there would be no one to ask about their funny names.
Question 2.
Is Miss Mason angry with the class, or is she unhappy and upset ?
क्या मिस मेसन कक्षा से नाराज़ हैं, या वह नाखुश और दुखी हैं ?
Answer:
Miss Mason is upset and unhappy but definitely not angry with the class. She said that she is sure nobody would have purposely hurt anyone’s feelings because of his funny name. She also said that everyone in the class must be feeling it an unfortunate and sad thing as what she feels herself.
Question 3.
How does Maddie feel after listening to the note from Wanda’s father?
मैडी को वान्डा के पिता द्वारा लिखा गया नोट सुन कर कैसा महसूस हुआ ?
Answer:
Maddie, after listening to the note from Wands’s father, felt very bad. She tried to prepare her lessons but couldn’t do it. She was considering herself coward and culprit equal to Peggy because whatever Peggy did to Wanda, she listened to it quietly.
Question 4.
What does Maddie want to do?
मैडी क्या करना चाहती थी ?
Answer:
Maddie wanted to tell Wanda that she hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings. She wanted to go to Boggins Heights with Peggy in order to find Wanda and to tell her that she had won the contest and they thought her smart and the hundred dresses were beautiful.
Question 5.
What excuses does Peggy think up for her behaviour? Why?
पैगी ने अपने बर्ताव के लिए क्या बहाना सोचा? क्यो ?
Answer:
Although Peggy was not happy on not meeting Wanda yet she consoled herself by saying that by asking her about all her dresses she was probably giving ideas for her drawings and she might not even have won the contest otherwise. She did so inorder to console herself and not feeling bad for doing anything wrong to Wanda.
Question 6.
What are Maddie’s thoughts as they go to Boggins Heights ?
मैडी के क्या विचार थे जब वे बोगिन्स हाईट्स की ओर जा रहे थे ?
Answer:
Maddie, while they were going to Boggins Heights only hoped to find Wanda. She wanted to tell her that they were sorry they had picked on her how and wonderful the whole school thought she was, she wanted to ask her not to leave and that everybody would be nice to her. She also thought of fighting to those who will not be nice to her.
Question 7.
In what way does Wanda’s house remind Maddie of Wanda’s blue dresss?
मैडी को वान्डा का घर देखकर वान्डा की नीली पोशाक क्यों याद आई ?
Answer:
Wanda’s house and its sparse little yard loked shabby but clean similar to Wanda’s faded blue cotton dress which was also shabby but clean.
Question 8.
What does Maddie think hard about? What important decision does she come to?
मैडी ने किस बारे में गहराई से सोचा ? वह किस महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय पर पहुँची?
Answer:
Maddie thought hard about Wanda, her faded blue dress and her little house she had lived in. She also thought of the glowing picture those hundred dresses made all lined up in the classroom. She came to an important decision that she was never going to stand by and say nothing again. She would speak up if she ever found anybody picking on someone because they were funny looking or because they had strange names. She was ready to lose Peggy’s friendship on that note.
Question 9.
What did the girls write to Wanda?
लड़कियों ने वान्डा को क्या लिखा?
Answer:
The girls wrote a friendly letter to Wanda in which they told her about the winning of the contest by her and that all the drawings were very beautiful. They asked her if she liked where she was living and if she liked her new teacher. Although they meant to say sorry to Wanda but the letter ended as a friendly letter.
Question 10.
Did they get a reply? Who was more anxious for a reply, Peggy or Maddie? How do you know?
क्या उन्हें जवाब मिला? उत्तर के लिए कौन ज़्यादा उत्सुक था, पैगी या मैडी?
Answer:
No, they did not get a reply. Maddie was more anxious because after a few weeks Peggy forgot the whole thing but Maddie used to put herself to sleep at night making speches about Wanda, defending her from great crowds of girls who were trying to tease her.
Question 11.
How did the girls know that Wanda liked them even though they had teased her?
लड़कियों को कैसे पता चला कि वान्डा उन्हें उनके तंग करने के बावजूद पसंद करती थी?
Answer:
Wanda in her letter asked the two girls to take the drawings which they had liked the most i.e, for Peggy, the green dress with red trimmings and for Maddie, the blue one. Secondly, when they noticed the drawings carefully they found that the picture had their own faces and heads which indicated that Wanda liked them in spite of being teased by them.
Textbook Questions
Thinking about the Text
Question 1.
Why do you think Wanda’s family moved to a different city? Do you think life there was going to be different for their family?
आपको क्या लगता है वान्डा का परिवार दूसरे शहर में क्यों गया? क्या वहाँ का जीवन भिन्न होने जा रहा था?
Answer:
Wanda’s family moved to a different city because here they were asked about their funny names. People used to make fun of them. Life in the other city was going to be different for their family as in big city there are plenty of funny names so nobody would bother about their names. Moreover in a big city people are busy in their own lives and have no time to make fun of others.
Question 2.
Maddie thought her silence was as bad as Peggy’s teasing. Was she right?
मैडी सोचती थी कि उसका शांत रहना भी पैगी के परेशान करने जितना बुरा था। क्या वह सही थी?
Answer:
Maddie thought it right because by keeping silence she was indirectly supporting Peggy in her teasing activity. Secondly, when Peggy used to tease Wanda, she used to feel bad and wanted her to stop it but she didn’t say anything in order not to loose her best friend.
Question 3.
Peggy says, “I never thought she had the sense to know we were making fun of her anyway. I thought she was too dumb. And see, look how she can draw!” What led Peegy to believe that Wanda was dumb? Did she change her opinion later?
पैगी को प्रारम्भ में क्यों लगता था कि वान्डा बेवकूफ थी? क्या उसके विचार बाद में बदल गए?
Answer:
Peggy earlier considered Wanda dumb because everyday the girls used to tease her with the same question (how many dresses you have) and everyday she used to give the same answer although she as well as the girls were aware that it was not true and all the girls would laugh at her but still she did not bother.
This kind of behaviour led Peggy to think that she was dumb. Later on, seeing her beautiful hundred drawings she changed her opinion about her and considered her smart and intelligent.
Question 4.
What important decision did Maddie make? Why did she have to think hard to do so?
मैगी ने कौन सा मुख्य निर्णय लिया? उसे उसके बारे में गहराई से क्यों सोचना पड़ा था?
Answer:
Maddie decided not to stand up quietly anymore. She decided to protest everyone who would tease anyone just because of his funny looks or of his strange name. She decided to lose Peggy’s friendship if required.
She had to think hard about it because she was unable to sleep that night as the glowing picture of those hundred dresses, Wanda’s blue dress and her little house kept coming in her dreams and also she considered herself guilty of forcing Wanda to leave the city.
Question 5.
Why do you think Wanda gave Maddie and Peggy the drawings of the dresses? Why are they surprised?
वान्डा ने मैडी और पैगी को पोशाकों के चित्र क्यों दिए ? उन्हें आश्चर्य क्यों हुआ?
Answer:
Wanda gave Maddie and Peggy the drawings of the dresses because she liked the girls and was aware that the girls liked those drawing of the dresses. The two girls were surprised at the gift of the drawings by Wanda because they had never expected such thing from her. They thought that Wanda disliked them but it was just the opposite.
Question 6.
Do you think Wanda really thought the girls were teasing her? Why or why not?
आपको क्या लगता है वान्डा सचमुच सोचती थी कि वो लड़कियाँ उसे तंग करती हैं? क्यों या क्यों नहीं?
Answer:
Wanda did not really think the girls were teasing her because if she would have thought so she would have not sent the gift of drawings to them.
Thinking about Language
What adjectives can we use to describe
i. Peggy
ii. Wanda
iii. Maddie ?
पैगी, वान्डा और मैडी का वर्णन करते समय हम किन विशेषणों का प्रयोग कर सकते हैं?
Answer:
i. Peggy : Sarcastic, arrogant, intrepid, cheerful, contented, thoughtless, fashionable haughty, complacent.
ii. Wanda : Kind, courteous, placid, sensitive, timid, insipid, compassionate, introverted, stolid, generous, talented, lonely, determined, creative, miserable, complacent.
iii. Maddie : Kind, courteous, timid, placid, sensitive, compassionate, introverted, generous, determined, miserable.
Writing :
Question 1.
Look again at the letter which Wanda’s father writes to Miss Mason, Wanda’s teacher. Mr Petronski is not quite aware how to write a formal letter in English. Can you rewrite it more appropriately? Discuss the following with your partner before you do so.
The format of a formal letter: How to begin the letter and how to end it; the language of the letter needs to be formal. (Avoid informal words like ‘holler’ and fragments like ‘No more ask why funny name.’) Write complete sentences.
Answer:
12, 308 Lincoln Street
Los Angels
California
25th Sept., 20…
America School
Cupertino, San Jose
California
Dear Teacher,
Sub: Information for Leaving School
My daughter, Wanda Petronski, a student of your class and Jake, a class Junior to her will not be able to come to school anymore as we have moved away to a big city.
I regret to point out to you that they were teased by other students for their funny names and for being ‘Polish’. In the big city there will be many more like them. I hope they will feel much more comfortable there.
Hoping better reception for future Polish students.
Yours truly,
Jan Petronski.
Question 2.
Imagine you are going to make a career out of your hobby. What sort of things will you need to learn? Write a paragraph or two on this topic after consulting an expert or doing reference work on your chosen area.
Answer:
I am fascinated to look at different designs of dresses. Whenever, I get hold of a magazine, I look for pages showing dresses. I never miss a chance to watch fashion-show on T.V. I give my own designs to the tailor for my dresses which are decent and appreciated by everyone.
Dress designing has become my hobby. My friends also come to me for getting suggestions for the designs of their dresses. Garment business is hot, these days. I am thinking of converting my hobby into my career. I also don’t want to leave my formal education so soon.
I am planning to join a fabrication unit or a boutique during every summer vacation till I do my graduation. This will provide me a chance to learn some basic things about dress making-types of fabric, colour combination, buttons, threads and other frills. After graduation, I would like to join a formal dress designing course in a good institution. This will provide me professional training. I shall also keep my eyes open to traditional, ethnic and modern art to utilise trends in fashion.
After completing my training, I intend to open my own boutique, create good designs, use quality material to attract customers. I shall start business at domestic level, develop it gradually into national and then at International level. I shall work hard and hope God will help me achieve my aim.
Question 3.
Rewrite a part of the story as if Wanda is telling us her own story.
कहानी का एक हिस्सा ऐसे लिखो जैसे वान्डा हमें अपनी कहानी सुना रही हो।
Answer:
I and my brother joined an American school when we shifted to this town. We were the only Polish students there. Other students found our names funny and behaviour different.I had only one dress-pale blue which was rather loose to me.
Most of the girls had many. Peggy, the most-liked pretty girl had the maximum. She wore beautiful dreses and I liked them. One day I was standing alone in the school-yard. I was watching the girls playing. Peggy and her insepartable friend, Maddie came to me.
Peggy in her polite voice asked me mockingly, “How many dresses do you have, Wanda Petronski?” Just to see her reaction I said, “Hundred.” She was surprised at my answer. She did not believe it and thought I was telling a lie. In fact, I had my 100 sketches of dresses lying, in my closet.
She asked again in the same mocking style, “Well, where are they?” “All lined up in my closet,” I answered. The girls playing around were listening. They stopped playing and came to us. They also joined Peggy in teasing me and asked many questions about my dresses.
I replied them coolly without feeling the least embarrasment. The way I described my dresses, amused and surprised them. I was equally enjoying to see their reactions but I saw Maddie feeling uncomfortable. She did not ask me any questions. I had no friends but many girls talked to me. They started asking me many questions about my dresses. Thus started the game of hundred dresses which all except Meddie enjoyed playing.
Additional questions extract based questions
Answer the questions that follow the extracts in 30-40 words:
1. A deep silence met the reading of this letter. Miss Mason took off her glasses, blew on them and wiped them on her soft white handkerchief. Then she put them on again and looked at the glass. When she spoke, her voice was very low.
“I am sure that none of the boys and girls in room thirteen would purposely and deliberately hurt anyone’s feelings because his name happened to be a long, unfamiliar one. I prefer to think that what was said was said in thoughtlessness. I know that all of you feel the way I do, that this is a very unfortunate thing to have happened. unfortunate and sad, both. And I want you all to think about it.”
Question i.
Whose letter was it and what was it about?
Answer:
It was a letter from Wanda’s father. In that he had informed that he had shifted to a big city, where no one would ask why their names were funny.
Question ii.
What was ironic about Miss Mason’s speech?
Answer:
Miss Mason believed that none from room thirteen would have hurt Wanda. But ironically, it was actually Peggy and Maddie who were unwittingly the culprits. They had hurt Wanda’s feelings by repeatedly making fun of her.
2. The first period was a study period. Maddie tried to prepare her lessons, but she could not put her mind on her work. She had a very sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach.
Question i.
Who was Maddie and what sort of a girl was she?
Answer:
Maddie was a close friend of Peggy. Both were in room thirteen along with Wanda. Though Maddie did not really like Peggy making fun of Wanda, she stood by her. That was because, she feared that if she stopped Peggy, she may start in on her as she also was poor like Wanda.
Question ii.
What brought a sick feeling on Maddie?
Answer:
The thought of having hurt Wanda unwittingly by being close to Peggy sickened Maddie She had become a reason for Wanda leaving that city and shifting to a big city.
3. She had stood by silently, and that was just as bad as what Peggy had done. Worse. She was a coward. At least, Peggy hadn’t considered they were being mean but she, Maddie, had thought they were doing wrong. She could put herself in Wanda’s shoes.
Question i.
Do you agree that Maddie was wrong from the beginning? Justify.
Answer:
Yes, Maddie was wrong from the beginning. She was a close friend of Peggy. Though she did not make fun of Wanda, she had been by Peggy’s side every time. That was as bad as she herself hurting Wanda.
Question ii.
Did Peggy regret her deed? How do you know?
Answer:
At first when she realized that Wanda really had pictures of hundred dresses, and that she had won the competition, Peggy did not feel that she had been mean. But later, when she came to know that Wanda had left the school and had shifted to a big city, she felt bad.
4. “Well, at least,” said Peggy gruffly, “I never did call her a foreigner or made fun of her name. I never thought she had the sense to know we were making fun of her any way. I thought she was too dumb. And see, look how she can draw!”
Question i.
Who is being discussed here by Peggy and Maddie? Why?
Answer:
Peggy and Maddie were discussing about Wanda. She was a Polish girl, who was poor and had no friends in school. She was being discussed by Peggy and Maddie when they came to know that Wanda had shifted to a big city because she was insulted for having a funny name.
Question ii.
Was Peggy feeling sorry about her attitude towards Wanda? Why/Why not?
Answer:
No. Peggy was not feeling bad about making fun of Wanda. She herself justifies that she did not make fun of Wanda because of her name, but because of her dumb attitude.
5. Peggy knocked firmly on the door, but there was no answer. She and Maddie went around to the back yard and knocked there. Still there was no answer. There was no doubt about it. The Petronskis were gone. How could they ever make amends ?
Question i.
Where did Peggy and Maddie go and Why did they go there?
Answer:
Peggy and Maddie went in search of Wanda to her house. They were feeling bad for being a reason for Wanda leaving the school and shifting to a big city. They therefore wanted to meet Wanda personally and ask her to pardon them.
Question ii.
Why could not the girls meet Wanda?
Answer:
The girls could not meet Wanda because the Petronskis had shifted to a big city where they would not be discriminated or made fun of for having different names.
6.”Well, anyway,” said Peggy,”she’s gone now, so what can we do? Besides, when I was asking her about all her dresses, she probably was getting good ideas for her drawings. She might not even have won the contest, otherwise.”
Question i.
Who was Peggy referring to in these lines, and why?
Answer:
Peggy was referring to Wanda, the Polish girl who studied in her class. Wanda Petronski had left for a bigger city where they would not be discriminated against or made fun of for their names.
Question ii.
Peggy was not at all regretful of her deed to Wanda. Explain.
Answer:
Peggy was not at all feeling bad about making fun of Wanda. But inwardly, she did feel guilty for her act. In order to suppress her real feelings for Wanda she justified her stance that she was right in asking funny questions to Wanda. She in fact proudly declared that it was because of her Wanda won the contest.
7. She was never going to stand by and say nothing again. If she ever heard anybody picking on someone because they were funny looking or because they had strange names, she’d speak up. Even if it meant losing Peggy’s friendship.
Question i.
Who is the ‘she’ here? Why would not “she’ stand by Peggy?
Answer:
‘She’ here is Maddie. She was very close to Peggy. Though she did not approve of Peggy’s attitude towards Wanda, she stood by her always.
But, when she realized that she had been a cause of Wanda leaving the city, she felt guilty. She decided that she would not support Peggy if she picked on someone for looking funny.
Question ii.
What actually was the reason for Maddie not stopping Peggy when she made fun of Wanda?
Answer:
Maddie was a close friend of Peggy. So she always remained with her when she made fun of Wanda. Actually, within her heart, she did not approve of Peggy’s act. But she being poor, Maddie feared that Peggy may start in on her if she stopped her.
Short answer type questions
Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words.
Question 1.
How did Peggy and Maddie feel when they did not receive and reply from Wanda ? What qualities of their characters are reflected through it?
Answer:
When no reply come from Wanda, Peggy soon forgot about the whole affair but Maddie, every night, before sleeping would make speeches defending Wanda when the other girls teased her about her hundred dresses. This shows that Maddie was sensitive and emotional whereas Peggy was practical and not that sensitive.
Question 2.
What did Maddie discover while looking intently at her gift the sketch of a blue dresss? Why did she run over to Peggy? What did it prove ?
Answer:
She discovered that the face and head on the drawing of the blue dress looked like hers. She ran to Peggy to verify if Peggy’s gift also had her face and head. In fact, it had. So, it proved that they were specially drawn for them and that Wanda liked them.
Question 3.
What important decision did Maddie make when she found that the Petronskis were gone? Why did she have to think a lot to do so ?
Or
What important conclusion did Maddie reach that night?
Answer:
When Maddie could not say sorry personally to Wanda, she became very uncomfortable. She thought and thought how to make amends. Ultimately she resolved never again she would stand silently if someone teased the other for having an unusual name or funny face. She would speak.
Question 4.
What did Peggy and Maddie want to write in their letter to Wanda ? What did they actually write in it?
Answer:
They wanted to write a letter feeling sorry for their behaviour towards her but they actually wrote a friendly letter – asking her how she liked the new place, her new school and teachers. They signed it with lots of X’s for love.
Question 5.
What gift did Wanda give to Peggy and Maddie ? What did they made out of this act of Wanda ?
Or
How did Peggy and Maddie come to know that Wanda liked them although they had teased her ?
Answer:
Wanda had gifted them two of her special drawings – a green dress with red sash to Peggy and a blue dress with colourful trimming to Maddie. Their faces drawn on top of their respected dresses showed that she had specially drawn those for them and that she liked them inspite of their teasing her.
Question 6.
How did Peggy and Maddie feel when they found that Petronskis had already left ?
Answer:
Peggy tried to reconcile the situation saying that they could not do anything if Petronskis had gone. But Maddie felt very bad. She had pricks of conscience and could not sleep that night. Ultimately she made a resolve not to stand silently, in future, if someone is treating the other cruelly.
Question 7.
What was in Wanda’s house that reminded Maddie of her blue dress?
Answer:
The house and its sparse little yard with wisps of grass stuck here and there, looked shabby but clean. This reminded Maddie of Wanda’s blue faded dress which also used to be shabby but clean.
Question 8.
What did Wanda write to Miss Mason on the eve of Christmas ?
Answer:
She wished merry Christmas to her and her class. She missed them all. She also told Miss Mason that her new teacher did not equalise her. She requested her to tell the class, they could keep all her drawings and gift the green dress to Peggy and blue to Maddie.
Question 9.
How did Peggy and Maddie try to amend for their behaviour towards Wanda ?
Answer:
First they went to Wanda’s house to ask personally her pardon, but Wanda had already left and they could not meet. Then they wrote a letter to her with that intention but did not write any such thing. It turned out to be a friendly letter.
Question 10.
Why did Peggy and Maddie go to Boggin’s Height ? What did Maddie want to tell Wanda ?
Or
Why did Maddie and Peegy go to Wanda Petronesky’s home ?
Answer:
Maddie and Peggy wanted to go to Wanda Petronski’s house at Boggin’s Heights to apologize to her for teasing her. They wanted to tell her that she had won the drawing competition and that she was smart and the hundred drawings of dresses were beautiful.
Question 11.
How did Maddie feel after listening to Petronski’s letter?
Answer:
She had a sick feeling at the bottom of her stomach. She had a feeling of guilt for standing silently and not putting any objection when Peggy and other girls teased Wanda asking her how many dresses she had.
Question 12.
Why has Wanda’s father written a letter to Mrs. Mason ? (CBSE, 2010, 1081410-B1)
Or
What did Wanda’s father write in his letter?
Or
Mr. Jan Petronski had written a letter addressed to Miss Mason. Why did she read it to the whole class ?
Answer:
No doubt the letter was addressed to Miss Mason but it concerned the whole class. It referred to their behaviour towards Wanda and the reason why she not only left the school but even the town.
Question 13.
What was Miss Mason’s reaction after reading Petronski’s letter ? What did she say to the class ?
Answer:
Miss Mason was not angry but quite upset after reading Petronski’s letter. She said that she was sure what was said to Wanda by the students was not said purposely and deliberately but only thoughtlessly. What had happened was unfortunate and sad and the class must think about it.
Question 14.
Who do you think was more sensitive and emotional Peggy or Maddie ? Give at least one example from the text in support of your answer.
Answer:
I think Maddie was much more sensitive and emotional than Peggy. The story is full of many instances that prove it. One of them is as follows:
When Peggy and Maddie did not receive any reply to their letter, Peggy soon forgot about it but every night Maddie, before sleeping would give imaginary speeches defending Wanda when others teased her about her hundred dresses.
Question 15.
Why did Jan Petronski write a letter to the teacher ? Give two reasons.
Or
Which two important things were written in Jan Petronski’s letter ?
Answer:
Jan Petronski wrote a letter to Miss Mason, Wanda’s teacher, to inform her that Wanda and Jake would not come to school anymore as they had shifted to a big city.
He also made an indirect complaint. He wrote that no one would make fun of Wanda’s name and call her ‘Pollack’ because there would be many funny names and foreigners like her in a big city.
Long answer type questions
Answer the following questions in about 100-150 words:
Question 1.
“Nobody knew exactly why Wanda sat in that seat, unless it was because she came all the way from Boggins Heights and her feet were usually caked with dry mud.’
…Wanda Petronksi. Most of the children in Room Thirteen didn’t have names like that..!
The short excerpt highlights the sensitive story of a poor polish girl who becomes the victim of discrimination. Peggy and Maddie did not want to befriend her because of her poor social status. How far do you agree that one should judge people on the basis of money, possessions and caste ? What enduring values should we actually look for in a person before developing friendship with that person ? Write in 100-150 words.
Answer:
i. It is absolutely wrong to judge people on the basis of money, possessions and caste. Wanda was a polish girl at an American school. Her name sounded funny to the other students who made fun of her name. Peggy and other girls teased her about hundred dresses which she claimed she had but wore the same faded blue dress. Fed up with her teasing Wanda left the school and went to a big city.
ii. Before leaving she took part in the art competition and submitted hundred drawings of different designs. They were so beautiful that all her classmates were wonderstruck. Peggy and Maddie not only realised their mistake but were also impressed by her talent.
They felt guilty for their behaviour. Hence, one should actually know a person’s behaviour, talent and nature before befriending him. One should not judge others on the basis of their status.
Question 2.
How did Maddie feel when she and Peggy could not find Wanda ? What important conclusion did Maddie reach then ?
Answer:
When Maddie and Peggy did not find Wanda at Boggin’s Heights, Maddie felt much disturbed. The whole night she kept thinking about Wanda, the way they used to make fun of her, her drawings of hundred dresses, her faded blue dress and the little house she lived in.
She thought hard and made a resolution that from then onwards she would never stand by and remain silent if anyone made fun of or treated someone unkindly for her or his funny name or looks. She would speak up. She was ready to lose Peggy’s friendship on that point.
Question 3.
‘I’d like that girl Peggy to have the drawing of the green dress with the red trimming, and her friend Maddie to have the blue one..!
“Though Peggy and Maddie made fun of Wanda, she gifted them her special drawings.’ In the light of this statement write a character-sketch of Wanda Petronski.
Answer:
Wanda Petronski was a Polish girl at an American school. Her name sounded unfamiliar to other students who made fun of her name. They also teased her by asking her about her hundred dresses which she claimed she had but wore the same faded blue dress everyday.
She never felt embarrassed nor cried. She was cool headed and tolerant. When others thought she was lying about having hundred dresses, she knew that she was truthful as she did have hundred dresses but only the drawings and not the real ones. And she proved that she was right when she submitted them for the contest.
Wanda had gifted two of her special drawingsa green dress with red dash to Peggy and a blue dress with colourful trimming to Maddie with their faces on the respective drawings. This showed that she liked them in spite of their teasing her. Gifting those drawings to them was also her way of making them realise their mistake. She was a largehearted, understanding, forgiving, talented and intelligent girl.
Question 4.
Which act of Wanda made the girls know that she liked them even though they had teased her ? How did Peggy and Maddie realise this ? Explain.
Answer:
The letter of Wanda to Miss Mason showed that she loved room number thirteen. She had gifted her hundred drawings to her class. She mentioned that she missed her school and friends and felt that her teacher was not equal to Miss Mason.
Wanda had gifted two of her special drawingsa green dress with red dash to Peggy and a blue dress with colourful trimmings to Maddie. When they discovered that their faces were drawn on their respective dresses, they realised that they were specially drawn for them and that she liked them inspite of their teasing her. In a subtle way Wanda made them realise their mistake.
Question 5.
Give the character-sketch of Peggy.
Answer:
Peggy was a rich, pretty girl with curly hair. She was the most liked girl in her class. She had many beautiful dresses. She was intelligent, good in studies, scored good marks and sat in the front row. She could understand the hidden message of Wanda’s gifts that she liked her and Maddie and was not angry with them for teasing her.
At times she seemed bossy and dominated Maddie who was her close friend. She loved fun and enjoyed teasing Wanda, playing the game of hundred dresses with her. She was not cruel as she would cry for hours if she saw any animal being mistreated. She was a self-righteous girl. She thought she did nothing wrong teasing Wanda. Anyhow, she never made fun of her name or called her a foreigner.
Question 6.
Give the character-sketch of Maddie.
Answer:
Maddie was the classmate of Peggy and Wanda. She was Peggy’s inseparable friend. Both were always seen together. She was poor and wore hand-me-down clothes, mostly of Peggy with a little innovation, She did not like Peggy’s making fun of Wanda. She used to feel uncomfortable, perhaps it reminded her of her own poverty.
She was not courageous. Once she wrote a note to Peggy asking her to stop teasing Wanda but instead of giving it, she tore it. She was afraid that Peggy and other girls would make her the next target.
She had a high opinion about Peggy. She thought that the most liked girl could never do something really wrong. She also thought that Peggy would win the art contest. She was sensitive and emotional. For many nights before sleeping, she would give imaginary speeches defending Wanda when others teased her.
Question 7.
How did Wanda win the hearts of her class-mates in the end of the story?
Answer:
Wanda was a Polish girl. She had an unfamiliar name and different look. Other students made fun of her name and called her ‘Pollack’. Peggy and other girls teased her about hundred dresses which she claimed she had but wore the same faded blue dress. Fed up with her teasing she left the school and went to a big city.
Before leaving she had taken part in the art competition and submitted hundred drawings of different designs. They were so beautiful that all her classmates were wonder struck. They could never guess that she could be so talented. Moreover, she had proved herself right that she possessed hundred dresses. Her classmates not only realised their mistake but were also impressed by her creative talent. Wanda finally won their hearts, when she gifted all her drawings to her class.
Question 8.
‘Now we move away to big city. No more holler ‘Pollack’. No more ask why funny name. Plenty of funny names in the big city.’
Why do you think Wanda’s family moved to a different city ? Do you think life there was going to be different for the family ?
Answer:
Wanda’s family could no longer tolerate the mockery she was subjected to. Other students made fun of her name and called her ‘Pollack’. Peggy and other girls often teased her by asking her about her hundred dresses which she said she had all lined up in her closet but wore the same faded blue dress that was too long and hung loosely on her body.
Fed up with this teasing, Wanda’s family shifted to a big city where there were a lot of foreigners with unfamiliar names. One cannot be certain whether life of Wanda’s family was going to be different in the city. But one thing seems hopefully certain that no one would make fun of Wanda’s name or looks.
[Note: This lesson is a continuation of the previous lesson, so does not require a separate ‘Introduction’.]
Complete text with hindi translation :
Text (Page 73): While the class was circling the room, the monitor from the principal’s office brought Miss Mason a note. Miss Mason read it several times and studied it thoughtfully for a while. Then she clapped her hands.
“Attention, class, everyone back to their seat.”
When the shuffling of feet had stopped and the room was still and quiet, Miss Mason said, “I have a letter from Wanda’s father that I want to read to you.”
Vocabulary :
- Attention (अटेन्शन) – सावधान Attentive, Alert
- Shuffling (शफलिंग) – to change position पलट-फेरबदल करना
अनुवाद : जब कक्षा कमरे में घूम रही थी तभी प्रधानाचार्या के दफ्तर का अधिकारी मिस मेसन के लिए एक नोट लेकर आया। मिस मेसन ने उसे कई बार पढ़ा और एक क्षण के लिए विचार किया। फिर उसने अपने हाथों से तालियाँ बजाई। “सावधान, (ध्यान दें) कक्षा। सभी अपनी सीट पर बैठ जाएं।” जब कदमों का चलना-फिरना बंद हो गया और कमरे में स्थिरता और शान्ति हो गई, मिस मेसन ने कहा, “मेरे पास वान्डा के पिता की चिट्ठी है जो मैं तुम्हें पढ़कर सुनाना चाहती हूँ।’
Text (Page 73): Miss Mason stood there a moment and the silence in the room grew tense and expectant. The teacher adjusted her glasses slowly and deliberately. Her manner indicated that what was coming-this letter from Wanda’s father-was a matter of great importance. Everybody listened closely as Miss Mason read the brief note.
Dear Teacher:
My Wanda will not come to your school any more. Jake also. Now we move away to big city. No more holter Pollack’. No more ask why funny name. Plenty of funny names in the big city.
Yours truly,
Jan Petronski
Vocabulary :
- Expectant (एक्स्पे क्टैन्ट) – look for as, if due उम्मीद
- Deliberately (डेलिब्रेटली) – doing something knowingly जानबूझ कर
- Indicated (इनडिकेटेड) – to point out इशारा करना
- Listened closely (लिसैन्ड क्लोजली) – listened with attention ध्यानपूर्वक सुनना
- Holler (होलर)-पुकारना, to shout चिल्लाना
- Truly (टूली) – sincerely भवदीय
अनुवाद : मिस मेसन एक क्षण के लिए वहाँ खड़ी रही और कमरे की शान्ति तनावपूर्ण और उम्मीद से भर गई। अध्यापिका ने अपने चश्मे को धीरे से और जानबूझ कर ठीक किया। उसके व्यवहार से समझ आ रहा था कि क्या आने वाला था – यह, वान्डा के पिता का पत्र, – एक बहुत गंभीर विषय (मामला) था। जब मिस मेसन ने वह संक्षिप्त नोट पढ़ा तो सभी ने ध्यानपूर्वक सुना
आदरणीय अध्यापिका : मेरी वान्डा अब आपके विद्यालय में और नहीं आएगी। जेक भी नहीं। अब हम बड़े शहर में जा रहे हैं। अब ‘पोलक’ कह कर कोई
और नहीं चिल्लाएगा। अब कोई नहीं पूछेगा कि यह मजाकिया नाम क्यों। बड़े शहर में बहुत से मजाकिया नाम होते हैं।
आपका भवदीय जेन पैट्रोन्सकी
Text (Pages 73-74) : A deep silence met the reading of this letter. Miss Mason took off her glasses, blew on them and wiped them on her soft white handkerchief. Then she put them on again and looked at the class. When she spoke her voice was very low.
“I am sure that none of the boys and girls in Room Thirteen would purposely and deliberately hurt anyone’s feelings because his name happened to be a long, unfamiliar one. I prefer to think that what was said, was said in thoughtessness. I know that all of you feel the way I do, that this is a very unfortunate thing to have happened-unfortunate and sad, both. And I want you all to think about it.”
Vocabulary :
- Wipe (वाइप) – to clean पोंछने
- Purposely (परपसली) – जानबूझकर intentionally
- Unfamiliar (अनफेमिलियर) – not well known अपरिचित
- Unfortunate (अनफौरचुनेट) – unlucky बदकिस्मत।
अनुवाद : इस पत्र को पढ़ने के बाद एक गहरी शान्ति फैल गई। मिस मेसन ने अपना चश्मा उतार दिया, उस पर फूंक मारी और अपने मुलायम सफेद रुमाल से उसे पोंछा फिर उसने उसे फिर से पहन लिया और कक्षा की तरफ देखा। जब वह बोली उसकी आवाज बहुत धीमी थी।
“मुझे यकीन है कि कमरा नं० 13 के किसी भी लड़के या लड़की ने जानबूझ कर और इच्छापूर्वक किसी की भावनाओं को इसलिए ठेस नहीं पहुँचाई होगी क्योंकि उसका नाम बुहत लंबा और अपरिचित है। मैं मानती हूँ कि जो कुछ भी कहा गया था वह बिना सोचे समझे कहा गया था। मैं जानती हूँ कि आप सब भी मेरी भाँति ही सोचते हैं, कि यह जो भी हुआ है बहुत ही दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण है – दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण और दुखदायी, दोनों। और मैं चाहती हूँ कि आप सभी इसके बारे में सोचें।”
Text (Page 74) : The first period was a study period. Maddie tried to prepare her lessons, but she could not put her mind on her work. She had a very sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach. True, she had not enjoyed listening to Peggy ask Wanda how many dresses she had in her closet, but she had said nothing.
She had stood by silently, and that was just as bad as what Peggy had done. Worse. She was a coward. At least Peggy hadn’t considered they were being mean but she, Maddie, had thought they were doing wrong. She could put herself in Wanda’s shoes.
Goodness! Wasn’t there anything she could do? If only she could tell Wanda she hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings. She turned around and stole a glance at Peggy, but Peggy did not look up. She seemed to be sutdying hard well, whether Peggy felt badly or not, she, Maddie, had to do something.
She had to find Wanda Petronski. May be she had not yet moved away, May be Peggy would climb the Heights with her, and they would tell Wanda she had won the contest, that they thought she was smart and the hundred dresses were beautiful.
Vocabulary :
- sick (सिक) – ill बीमार
- Coward (कावर्ड) – timid बुज़दिल
- Stoleaglance (स्टोल-ए-ग्लान्स) – try to see without other’s knowledge नजर चुराना।
अनुवाद : पहला पीरियड पढ़ाई का पीरियड था। मैडी ने अपना पाठ तैयार करने की कोशिश की, परन्तु वह अपना ध्यान अपने काम में नहीं लगा पा रही थी। उसके पेट के अंदर कुछ बैचेनी सी महसूस हो रही थी। यह सच्चाई थी कि उसने कभी भी, पैगी द्वारा वान्डा से यह पूछा जाना कि उसकी अलमारी में कितनी पोशाकें थीं, कभी आनन्द प्राप्त नहीं किया परन्तु वह कभी कुछ कह नहीं पाई। वह चुपचाप खड़ी रहती थी, और वह भी उतना ही बुरा था, जितना पैगी ने किया था। बहुत बुरा। वह एक बुजदिल थी। पैगी यह नहीं मानती थी कि उन्होंने कोई गिरी हुई हरकत की थी पर वह, मैडी, यह सोचती थी कि वे गलत कर रहे थे। वह अपने आप को वान्डा की जगह पर रख कर सोच सकती थी।
हे भगवान! क्या कुछ ऐसा नहीं था जो वह कर सकती थी? केवल वह वान्डा को इतना ही बता पाए कि उसका इरादा उसकी भावनाओं को ठेस पहुँचाने का नहीं था। वह दूसरी ओर मुड़ी और नजर चुराते हुए पैगी की ओर देखा, परन्तु पैगी ने ऊपर नहीं देखा। वह बहुत ध्यानपूर्वक पढ़ती हुई प्रतीत हो रही थी।
खैर, पैगी को बुरा लगा हो या नहीं, उसे, मैडी को तो कुछ न कुछ करना ही था। उसे वान्डा पैट्रोन्सकी को ढूँढना था। हो सकता है कि वह अभी तक वहाँ से दूर न गई हो। हो सकता है कि पैगी उसके साथ हाईट्स पर चढ़े और वे वान्डा को बता पाएं कि उसने प्रतियोगिता जीत ली, कि वे सोचते थे कि वो होशियार थी और वे सौ पोशाकें खूबसूरत थीं।
Text (Page 75): When school was dismissed in the afternoon, Peggy said, with pretended casualness, “Hey, let’s go and see if that kid has left town or not.”
So Peggy had had the same idea! Maddie glowed. Peg was really all right.
The two girls hurried out of the building, up the street toward Boggins Heights, the part of town that wore such a forbidding air on this kind of a November afternoon, drizzly, damp and dismal.
Vocabulary :
- dismissed (डिसमिस्ड) – over खारिज करना, समाप्त cancelled
- Pretended (प्रिटेन्डिड) – not real जताना, अवास्तविक
- Casualness (केजुयलनैस) – आमतौर, लापरवाही कुछ खास नहीं, not special
- Forbidding (फौरबिडिंग) – repellant घृणित
- Damp and dismal (डैम्प एण्ड डिस्मल) – wet and sad cheerless, expressing a state of hopelessness, नाउम्मीदी
अनुवाद : जब दोपहर में स्कूल समाप्त हुआ, पैगी ने लापरवाही जताते हुए कहा, “हे, चलो चलते हैं और देखते हैं कि वह लड़की कस्बा छोड़कर चली गई है या नहीं।” अर्थात् पैगी का भी यही विचार था। मैडी खुश हो गई। पैगी बिल्कुल ठीक थी। दोनों लड़कियाँ जल्दी से बिल्डिंग से बाहर आई, गली में से बोगिन्स हाईट्स की ओर बढ़ने लगीं, कस्बे का वह हिस्सा जहाँ पर नवंबर की इस प्रकार की दोपहर में भी ऐसी घृणित हवा थी, गीला, और उदास माहौल था।
Text (Page 75) : “Well, at least,” said Peggy gruffly, “I never did call her a foreigner or make fun of her name. I never thought she had the sense to know we were making fun of her anyway. I thought she was too dumb. And gee, look how she can draw!”
Maddie could say nothing. All she hoped was that they would find Wanda. She wanted to tell her that they were sorry they had picked on her, and how wonderful the whole school thought she was and please, not to move away and everybody would be nice. She and Peggy would fight anybody who was not nice.
The two girls hurried on. They hoped to get to the top of the hill before dark. “I think that’s where the Petronskis live,” said Maddie, pointing to a little white house. Wisps of old grass stuck up here and there along the pathway like thin kittens. The house and its sparse little yard looked shabby but clean. It reminded Maddie of Wanda’s one dress, her faded blue cotton dress, shabby but clean.
Vocabulary :
- Kittens (किटन्स) – cat’s young ones बिल्ली के बच्चे
- Wisp (विस्प) – a pile of thin strands पूली, झुण्ड
- Sparse (स्पार्स) – scattered छितरा, बिखरा हुआ
- Shabby (शैबी) – untidy बेतरतीब
- faded (फेडिड) – dim फीका पड़ना
- gruffly (ग्रफली) – in a rough way रुखा
अनुवाद : “चलो, आखिरकार,” पैगी ने रुखे स्वभाव में कहा, “मैंने उसे कभी विदेशी नहीं बुलाया था या कभी उसके नाम का मजाक नहीं उड़ाया था। मैंने कभी नहीं सोचा था कि उसमें इतनी समझ थी यह जानने की कि हम उसका मजाक बना रहे थे। मुझे लगा ‘वह बहुत ही ज्यादा बुद्धू थी। और देखो वह कितनी अच्छी कलाकारी कर सकती है।”
मैडी कुछ नहीं कह पाई। वह जो उम्मीद कर रही थी वो बस यह कि वे वान्डा को ढूंढ पाए। वह उसे बताना चाहती थी कि वे शर्मिन्दा हैं कि उन्होंने उसे तंग किया, और समूचा स्कूल उसे बहुत बढ़िया मानता था, और कृपया वह वहाँ से न जाये और सभी उसके साथ अच्छा बर्ताव करेंगे। वो और पैगी किसी से भी लड़ेंगे जो उससे अच्छा बर्ताव नहीं करेगा।
दोनों लड़कियाँ जल्दी करने लगीं। वे अंधेरा होने से पहले पहाड़ी की चोटी पर पहुँचने की उम्मीद कर रहीं थीं “मुझे लगता है कि यह वो जगह है जहाँ पेट्रोन्सकीस रहते हैं,” मैडी ने एक छोटे सफेद घर की तरफ इशारा करते हुए कहा। पुरानी घास का झुण्ड वहाँ रास्ते के आसपास पर उगे हुये थे, पतले बिल्ली के बच्चों जैसे वह घर और उसका बिखरा हुआ आंगन भद्दा लग रहा था परन्तु साफ था। उसने मैडी को वान्डा की एकाकी पोशाक की याद दिलवा दी जो कि उसकी फीकी सूती नीली पोशाक थी, भद्दी परन्तु साफ।
Text (Pages 75-76): There was not a sign of life about the house. Peggy knocked firmly on the door, but there was no answer. She and Maddie went around to the back yard and knocked there. Still there was no answer.
There was no doubt about it. The Petronskis were gone. How could they ever make amends?
They turned slowly and made their way back down the hill.
“Well, anyway,” said Peggy, “she’s gone now, so what can we do? Besides, when I was asking her about all her dresses, she probably was getting good ideas for her drawings. She might not even have won the contest, otherwise.”
Vocabulary:
- Firmly (फर्मली) – strongly मजबूती से;
- Make amends (मेक अमेन्इस) – to show that one is sorry by doing something good कुछ अच्छा करके जताना कि वह क्षमा याचना कर रहा है।
अनुवाद : घर में किसी के होने का निशान तक नहीं था। पैगी ने मजबूती से दरवाजा खटखटाया परन्तु कोई जवाब नहीं आया। वह और मैडी घूमकर घर के पिछवाड़े में गई और वहाँ खटखटाया, अब भी कोई जवाब नहीं था। इसके बारे में कोई शक नहीं था। पैट्रोन्सकीस जा चुके थे। अब वे कैसे जता पाँएगें कि वे शर्मिन्दा थे? वे धीरे से घूमे और पहाड़ी से नीचे वापिस अपने रास्ते चल पड़े।
“खैर, कोई बात नहीं” पैगी के कहा, “अब वह चली गई तो अब हम क्या कर सकते हैं? इसके अलावा, जब मैं उसकी सभी पोशाकों के बारे में पूछ रही थी, उसे शायद अपनी चित्रकारियों के लिए अच्छे विकल्प मिल रहे थे। वरना, उसने शायद यह प्रतियोगिता कभी नहीं जीती होती।
Text (Page 76): Maddie turned this idea carefully over in her head, for if there were anything in it she would not have to feel so badly. But that night she could not get to sleep. She thought about Wanda and her faded blue dress and the little house she had lived in.
And she thought of the glowing picture those hundred dresses made all lined up in the classroom. At last Maddie sat up in bed and pressed her forehead tight in her hands and really thought. This was the hardest thinking she had ever done. After a long, long time, she reached an important conclusion.
She was never going to stand by and say nothing again. If she ever heard anybody picking on someone because they were funny looking or because they had strange names she’d speak up. Even if it meant losing Peggy’s friendship. She had no way of making things right with Wanda, but from now on she would never make anybody else that unhappy again.
Vocabulary :
- Conclusion (कनक्लूजन) – निर्णय
- result picking on someone – treating someone unkindly, unfairly किसी से बुरा बर्ताव करना
अनुवाद : मैडी ने यह विचार समझदारी से अपने दिमाग में विचारा ताकि यदि कुछ हो तो उसे इतना बुरा महसूस न हो। परन्तु उस रात वह ढंग से सो नहीं पाई। उसने वान्डा और उसकी फीकी नीली पोशाक और उसके छोटे से घर जिसमें वह रहती थी, के बारे में सोचा और उसने उन सौ पोशाकों की चमकदार तस्वीर के बारे में भी सोचा जो कक्षा में एक कतार में लगी हुई थी। अंत में मैडी बिस्तर पर बैठ गई और अपने माथे को ज़ोर से अपने हाथों से दबाया और सचमुच सोचा। यह सबसे ज्यादा गंभीर विचार थे जो उसने अभी तक किए थे। एक लंबे समय के बाद वह एक निर्णय पर पहुंची।
वह अब कभी भी एक तरफ खड़ी नहीं रहेगी और कुछ नहीं कहेगी। यदि वह अब किसी को भी, किसी को तंग करते हुए पायेगी क्योंकि उसका चेहरा हास्यप्रद है या क्योंकि उनके अजीबोगरीब नाम है. तो वह बोल देगी। यहाँ तक की यदि इसके कारण उसे पैगी की दोस्ती भी छोड़नी पड़े। उसके पास वान्डा से सब कुछ ठीक-ठाक करने का कोई रास्ता नहीं था, परन्तु अब आगे से वह कभी भी किसी को इतना नाखुश नहीं करेगी।
Text (Page 77): On Saturday Maddie spent the afternoon with Peggy. They were writing a letter to Wanda Petronski. It was just a friendly letter telling about the contest and telling Wanda she had won. They told her how pretty her drawings were. And they asked her if she liked where she was living and if she likes her new teacher.
They had meant to say they were sorry, but it ended up with their just writing a friendly letter, the kind they would have written to any good friend, and they signed it with lots of X’s for love. They mailed the letter to Boggins Heights, writing ‘Please Forward’ on the envelope.
Days passed and there was no answer, but the letter did not come back, so may be Wanda had received it. Perhaps she was so hurt and angry she was not going to answer. You could not blame her.
Vocabulary:
- Please Forward (प्लीज फारवर्ड) – a kind of writing on letters to move them to the destination कृपया आगे भेजें।
अनुवाद : शनिवार को मैडी ने दोपहर पैगी के साथ गुजारी। वे वान्डा पैट्रोन्सकी को पत्र लिख रहे थे। वह केवल एक दोस्ती वाला पत्र था जो कि प्रतियोगिता के बारे में था और यह बताता था कि वान्डा उस प्रतियोगिता को जीत गई। उन्होंने उसे बताया कि उसकी चित्रकारियाँ बहुत सुंदर थीं और उन्होंने उससे पूछा कि क्या उसे वह जगह पसंद आई है जहाँ पर वो रह रही है और यदि उसे अपनी नई अध्यापिका पसंद है?
उनका मतलब यही था कि वे माफी मांगना चाहते थे, परंतु वह पत्र केवल एक दोस्ती भरा पत्र बनकर ही समाप्त हो गया। ऐसी प्रकार का जो कि उन्होंने अपने किसी अच्छे दोस्त को लिखा हो और उन्होंने उसे बहुत सारे प्रेम सहित ‘Xs’ के साथ हस्ताक्षरित किया। उन्होंने वह पत्र बोगिन्स हाईट्स पर पोस्ट कर दिया, उसके लिफाफे पर ‘कृपया आगे भेजें’ लिख दिया।
दिन गुज़र गए और कोई जवाब नहीं आया, परन्तु वह पत्र भी वापिस नहीं आया, इसका मतलब शायद वान्डा को वह प्राप्त हो गया होगा। शायद वह गुस्से में हो और उसे इतना बुरा लगा हो कि वह कभी भी जवाब नहीं देगी। तुम उस पर आरोप नहीं लगा सकते।
Text (Page 77) : Weeks went by and still Wanda did not answer. Peggy had begun to forget the whole business, and Maddie put herself to sleep at night making speeches about Wanda, defending her from great crowds of girls who were trying to tease her with, “How many dresses have you got?” And before Wanda could press her lips together in a tight line, the way she did before answering, Maddie would cry out, “Stop!” Then everybody would feel ashamed the way she used to feel.
Now it was Christmas time and there was snow on the ground. Christmas bells and a small tree decorated the classroom. On the last day of school before the holidays, the teacher showed the class a letter she had received that morning.
Vocabulary:
- ashamed (अशेम्ड)-sorry शर्मिन्दा।
अनुवाद : हफ्ते गुजरते गए और अभी भी वान्डा का कोई जवाब नहीं आया पैगी अब सारा मामला भूलने लगी थी और मैडी अपने आप से वान्डा के ऊपर भाषण देकर सोने लगी। उन भाषणों में वह वान्डा को बहुत बड़ी लड़कियों की भीड़ की छेड़खानी से बचा रही होती थी, “तुम्हारे पास कितनी पोशाकें हैं ?” और जैसे जवाब देने से पहले अपने होंठ नजदीक लाकर दबाकर वान्डा बोलने को तैयार होती थी, मैडी चिल्ला उठी, “रुको।”
फिर हर कोई उतना ही शर्मिन्दा होता जितना वह खुद हुआ करती थी। अब क्रिसमस का समय था और सारे मैदान में बर्फ थी। क्रिसमस की घन्टियाँ और एक छोटे से पेड़ से कक्षा सजी हुई थी। छुट्टियाँ शुरू होने से पहले स्कूल के आखिरी दिन, अध्यापिका ने कक्षा को एक चिट्ठी दिखाई जो उसे उसी सुबह प्राप्त हुई थी।
Text (Page 78) : “You ,remember Wanda Petronski, the gifted little artist who won the drawing contest? Well, she has written me, and I am glad to know where she lives, because now I can send her medal. I want to read her letter to you.”
The class sat up with a sudden interest and listened intently.
Dear Miss Mason :
How are you and Room Thirteen? Please tell the girls they can keep those hundred dresses, because in my new house I have a hundred new ones, all lined up in my closet. I’d like that girl Peggy to have the drawing of the green dress with the red trimming, and her friend Maddie to have the blue one. For Christmas, I miss that school and my new teacher does not equalise with you. Merry Christmas to you and everybody.
Yours truly,
Wanda Petronski
Vocabulary:
- Intently (इन्टेन्टली) with eager attention ध्यान से उत्सुकतापूर्वक।
अनुवाद : “तुम्हें याद है वान्डा पेट्रोन्सकी, वह प्रतिभाशाली छोटी कलाकार जिसने चित्रकला प्रतियोगिता जीती थी ? खैर, उसने मुझे एक पत्र लिखा है और मैं यह जानकर खुश हूँ कि वह कहाँ रहती है, क्योंकि अब मैं उसे उसके मैडल भेज सकती हूँ। मैं उसका पत्र तुम्हारे लिए पढ़ना चाहती हूँ।”
कक्षा अचानक से दिलचस्पी के साथ बैठ गई और ध्यान से सुनने लगी। –
प्रिय मिस मेसन :
आप और कमरा नं० 13 कैसे हैं? कृपया लड़कियों को बताइएगा कि वे उन सौ पोशाकों को रख सकती है, क्योंकि मेरे नए घर में मेरे पास एक सौ नई पोशाकें हैं, सभी एक कतार में, मेरी अलमारी में। मैं उस लड़की पैगी से चाहती हूँ कि वह हरी पोशाक लाल झालर के साथ रख ले और उसकी दोस्त मैडी वह नीली वाली रख ले। क्रिसमस पर, मैं उस स्कूल की कमी महसूस कर रही हूँ। और मेरी नई अध्यापिका आपके जैसी नहीं है। आपको और सभी को क्रिसमस की बधाई।
आपकी भवदीया
वान्डा पैट्रोन्सकी
Text (Page 78): On the way home from school Maddie and Peggy held their drawings very carefully. All the houses had wreaths and holly in the windows. Outside the grocery store, hundreds of christmas trees were stacked, and in the window, candy peppermint sticks and cornucopias of shiny transparent paper were strung. The air smelled like christmas and light shining everywhere reflected different colours on the snow.
“Boy!” said Peggy, “this shows she really likes us. It shows she got our letter and this is her way of saying that everything’s all right. And that’s that.”
Vocabulary:
- Wreaths (रीथ्स) – garland (circular) गोलाकार माला
- Holly (होली)-garland गुलखैरु हार, माला
- Grocery (ग्रोसरी) – Departmental items पंसारी
- Stake (स्टेक) – post टा
- Cornucopias (कारन्यूकोपियस) – decorative container, सजीले बर्तन।
अनुवाद : स्कूल से घर वापसी के समय मैडी और पैगी ने बहुत ध्यानपूर्वक अपनी चित्रकारियाँ पकड़ी हुई थीं। सभी घर फूलों की मालाओं और गुलखैरु से सजे थे। पंसारी की दुकाने के बाहर, सैंकड़ों . क्रिसमस के पेड़ लटके थे, और खिड़की पर, पिपरमिन्ट टाफियों की छड़ियाँ और सुंदर-सजीले बर्तन जो पारदर्शी चमकदार कागजों के बने थे, लटके हुए थे। हवा क्रिसमस की भांति महक रही थी और चारों तरफ रंग-बिरंगी बत्तियाँ बर्फ पर चमक रही थीं।
“अरे वाह!” पैगी ने कहा, “इससे पता चलता है कि वह सचमुच हमें पसंद करती है। इससे यह पता चलता है कि उसे हमारा पत्र मिल गया और यह उसका तरीका है ये बताने का कि सब कुछ ठीक है और बस यही बात है।”
Text (Page 78): “I hope so,” said Maddie sadly. She felt sad because she knew she would never see the little tight-lipped Polish girl again and couldn’t ever really make things right between them.
She went home and she pinned her drawing over a torn place in the pink-flowered wallpaper in the bedroom. The shabby room came alive from the brilliancy of the colours. Maddie sat down on her bed and looked at the drawing. She had stood by and said nothing, but Wanda had been nice to her, anyway.
Vocabulary :
- Brilliancy (ब्रिलियेंसी) – जगमगाहट।
अनुवाद : “मुझे ऐसी उम्मीद है।” मैडी ने उदासी से कहा। वह उदास थी क्योंकि वह जानती थी कि वह अब कभी भी उस बंद होठों वाली पोलिश लड़की को नहीं देख पाएगी और अपने बीच की बातों को कभी ठीक नहीं कर पाएगी।
वह घर गई और अपना चित्र सोने के कमरे की गुलाबी फूलों वाले वॉलपेपर के फटे हुए हिस्से पर लगा दिया। वह बिखरा हुआ कमरा मानो सजीव हो गया उन रंगों की जगमगाहट से। मैडी अपने बिस्तर पर बैठ गई और चित्र को देखने लगी। वह साथ में खड़ी रहती थी और कुछ नहीं,कहती, परन्तु वान्डा ने उसके प्रति फिर भी अच्छा व्यवहार रखा।
Text (Page 79): Tears blurred her eyes and she gazed for a long time at the picture. Then hastily she rubbed her eyes and studied it intently. The colours in the dress were so vivid that she had scarcely noticed the face and head of the drawing.
But it looked like her, Maddie! It really looked like her own mouth. Why it really looked like her own self! Wanda had really drawn this for her. Excitedly, she ran over to Peggy’s.”Peg!” she said, “let me see your picture.”
“What’s the matter?” asked Peggy, as they clattered up to her room where Wanda’s drawing was lying face down on the bed. Maddie carefully raised it.
Vocabulary :
- Blurr (बर्ल) – disfigure झिलमिलाना, धुंधला
- Gaze (गेज) – to watch at carefully एकटक देखना
- Hastily (हैस्टिली) – in a hurry जल्दबाजी में
- Vivid (विविड) – sharp/intense तीखे/गहरे
- Scarcely (स्केरसीली) – nearly not नहीं के बराबर
- Clattered (क्लैटर्ड) – to talk continuously खड़खड़ाना, बकबकाना
- intently (इनटैन्टली) – look with eager attention उत्सुकता से ध्यानपूर्वक देखना
अनुवाद : उसकी आँखों में आँसू झिलमिला गए और वह लंबे समय तक उस तस्वीर को टकटकी लगाए देखती रही। फिर जल्दबाजी में उसने अपनी आँखें पोंछी और उसको उत्सुकतापूर्वक ध्यान से अध्ययन करने लगी। पोशाक के रंग इतने गहरे थे कि उसने उस चित्र का चेहरा और सिर लगभग ना के बराबर ध्यान दिया था परन्तु वह उसके जैसा प्रतीत होता था, मैडी! वह सचमुच में उसके मुँह के जैसा दिखता था। वह क्यों उसके जैसा दिख रहा था। वान्डा ने सचमुच वह उसके लिए ही बनाया था। खुशी के मारे वह पैगी की तरफ भागी।
“पैग”, उसने कहा, “मैं तुम्हारी तस्वीर देखू।”
“क्या बात है?” पैगी ने पूछा, जब वे खड़खड़ाते हुए उसके कमरे में पहुंचे जहाँ वान्डा की चित्रकला बिस्तर पर औंधी पड़ी हुई थी। मैडी ने उसे ध्यानपूर्वक उठाया।
Text (Page 79) : “Look! She drew you. That’s you!” she exclaimed. And the head and face of this picture did look like Peggy.
“What did I say!” said Peggy, “She must have really liked us, anyway.”
“Yes, she must have,” agreed Maddie, and she blinked away the tears that came every time she thought of Wanda standing alone in that sunny spot in the school yard, looking stolidly over at the group of laughing girls after she had walked off, after she had said, “Sure, a hundred of them, all lined up.”
Vocabulary :
- Stolidly (स्टोलिडली)-unexcitable भाव शून्य।
अनुवाद : “देखो! उसने तुम्हें बनाया था। यह तुम हो।” उसने हैरानी जताई और इस तस्वीर का सिर और चेहरा बिलकुल पैगी के जैसा था।
“मैंने क्या कहा था!” पैगी बोली,” उसे हम सच मुच पसंद आए होंगे।”
“हाँ, उसे जरूर आए होंगे, “मैडी ने माना, और उसने अपने आँसू पोंछ दिए जो हर बार आते थे जब भी वह वान्डा के बारे में सोचती, स्कूल के मैदान में धूप में अकेली खड़े होकर भावशून्य से उन लड़कियों के झुण्ड को देखती जो उसके चले जाने के बाद, यह कहने के बाद, “जरूर, एक सौ पोशाकें, सभी कतार में लगी हुई।” उस पर हँसती थीं।