Class 7: Unit-6: The Unusual Spectator (Only For Reading & Discussion)

The Unusual Spectator by Ruskin Bond

The Unusual Spectator by Ruskin Bond narrates an amusing anecdote revolving around a cricket match and its unexpected disruption by a not-so-menacing crocodile.

Ranji and his friends schedule a match against the village boys on Sunday. The village boys, led by Sheroo, live close and practise often. This is a source of concern for Ranji and his teammates who are scattered all over the town. To add to the distress, sometimes the adults join the team as well. Their skills are questionable, but the children allow it since they sponsor most of the necessities. Nakoo, a crocodile living in the river that runs close to the pitch, frequents these matches. Respectfully titled “Nakoo ji” by the children, the crocodile is mostly content minding his own business and bothers no one, even though the noise made by the enthusiastic cricketers scares away his prey, and the shallows where he likes to rest are often disturbed by the attack of cricket balls. On the D-day, Ranji and Nathu cycle to the venue. Upon reaching, they are greeted by Nakoo sprawled across their cricket pitch. No number of pebbles can make him move. Finally, Prem hits him with a ball, which sends the alarmed crocodile back into the river. They agree to keep this incident from the adults lest they cancel the match.

 The village boys win the toss and Sheroo chooses to bat first. He opens with Mani who is bowled out in the third over. Sheroo keeps scoring hard and one of his boundary shots sends the ball straight through the river into Nakoo’s mouth, who chews on it with great relish.

The bank manager supplies them with another ball and the match continues. Just when it seems like the village boys will make a huge total, Nathu’s father gets Sheroo run out. The town boys must score 146 to win. Lunch hour is declared and soon the place takes the appearance of a picnic ground with various delicacies being passed around. The smell of food draws Nakoo, who starts inching towards the pitch unnoticed. The second innings begins and the bank manager is stumped out. A sore failure in cricket, he keeps blaming non-existent flies for his misfortune. He then reposes on the cot which the villagers have brought for him and dozes off. Everyone is engrossed in the match; so much that no one notices Nakoo sliding under the bank manager’s cot. By that time, only six runs are needed for victory and Ranji shoots the ball high aiming for a boundary. The ball lands on Nakoo’s jaw and loosens one of his teeth. The hurt crocodile dashes forward, the cot stuck on his back. The crowd scatters, as the crocodile makes for the river, along with the cot and the confused manager crying for help.

Finally, Nakoo dives into the river and the bank manager swims ashore. Sheroo generously offers a rematch, but all the adults feign business and brush off the topic entirely. When it comes to the sporting spirit, we see that is something only the children display, while the adults, who take complete advantage of their age by trying to control things, show a lack of sporting spirit. The story also casually points out how the boys invade the habitat of the crocodile and play cricket in the space that essentially belongs to the crocodile. And when ultimately things go awry, it is the animal that is seen as the culprit, even though he was just going by his instinct. The story is a wonderful example of the fluid and humorous writing style of Ruskin Bond. The tone is friendly and familiar, which lends a conversational touch to the story and makes it appealing to readers of all age groups.

Question and Answers

Detailed Summary in Points 

1. Ranji and his friends plan a cricket match against the village boys on a Sunday.
2. The village boys are stronger players because they practise regularly together.
3. Sometimes adults also join the village team, although they are not very skilled.
4. A crocodile named Nakoo lives in the nearby river close to the cricket pitch.
5. The boys respectfully call him “Nakoo ji.”
6. Nakoo usually does not harm anyone and quietly watches the matches.
7. On the day of the match, Ranji and Nathu arrive at the ground and find Nakoo lying across the pitch.
8. The boys try throwing pebbles at him, but he refuses to move.
9. Finally, Prem hits Nakoo lightly with a cricket ball, and the crocodile slips back into the river.
10. The boys decide not to tell the adults about the crocodile because the match may get cancelled.
11. The village boys win the toss and choose to bat first.
12. Sheroo plays brilliantly and scores many runs.
13. During the game, Sheroo hits the ball into the river.
14. Nakoo catches the ball in his mouth and chews it happily.
15. The bank manager provides another ball, and the match continues.
16. Nathu’s father finally gets Sheroo run out before the village team can score even more runs.
17. The town boys are given a target of 146 runs to win.
18. During lunch break, everyone enjoys food like a picnic.
19. The smell of food attracts Nakoo, who quietly crawls closer to the playground.
20. The second innings begins after lunch.
21. The bank manager gets out early and blames flies for his poor performance.
22. Feeling upset, he lies down on a cot and falls asleep.
23. Nobody notices Nakoo sliding under the bank manager’s cot.
24. The match becomes exciting as only six runs are needed for victory.
25. Ranji hits the ball high into the air for a boundary.
26. The ball lands on Nakoo’s jaw and loosens one of his teeth.
27. Hurt and frightened, Nakoo rushes toward the river with the cot stuck on his back.
28. The crowd runs away in fear while the bank manager shouts helplessly from the moving cot.
29. Finally, Nakoo jumps into the river, and the bank manager somehow swims safely to the shore.
30. Sheroo kindly offers a rematch, showing true sportsmanship.
31. However, the adults avoid the idea of another match because they are too frightened.
32. The story humorously shows that the children display better sporting spirit than the adults.
33. It also reminds readers that humans often disturb animals in their natural habitat and later blame the animals for reacting naturally.
34. Overall, the story is entertaining, humorous, adventurous, and meaningful.