Pranshu's English Classroom (CBSE)

 Summary in Points The poem mourns the disappearance of natural cranes (birds) that once danced gracefully in the open countryside. These birds have been replaced by mechanical cranes used for construction and urban development. The poet contrasts the beauty and life-giving energy of nature with the destructive forces of modernisation. The dance of the cranes symbolised fertility, renewal and harmony with nature. Now, only blurred and grainy video recordings remain as evidence of what once existed. The poem warns that unchecked development leads to irreversible environmental loss. The poet expresses regret and sadness over humanity’s role in destroying natural beauty. Background of the Poem  The poem was written in the context of rapid urbanisation and industrial development . Natural habitats of birds and animals were being destroyed for construction. Mechanical cranes replaced natural cranes in the landscape. Growing environmental concerns ...

Changing Morality Morality in today’s world is constantly changing.  Morality is essentially a system of principles or rules that help us distinguish  right from wrong  and  good from bad  behavior. It guides how people act toward one another, what they value, and how they judge actions—both their own and others’. People enter our lives for very temporary reasons, and they leave because, in their minds, they were sure they would leave one day. Not everyone who comes into our life plans to stay, and accepting this truth helps us understand human behavior more clearly. If someone is giving only 50 percent, do not give 100 percent. Often, we keep people in the first position of our lives, while they have kept us in the fifth position or we are not even on their priority list. Sometimes there are cold betrayals that we do not expect. At times, some people hurt us so deeply that we shut the door of our heart permanently, and once the door of the heart is shut, it nev...

  Background of the Story Set during World War I , specifically Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 1914 Takes place on the Western Front , where British and German soldiers faced each other in trenches Based on a real historical event known as the Christmas Truce , when soldiers temporarily stopped fighting to celebrate Christmas The story is written as a letter , making it personal and emotional Summary  Tom writes a letter to his sister Janet describing life in the trenches. He explains the harsh conditions—mud, rain, danger, and fear. On Christmas Eve, German soldiers decorate their trenches with trees and sing carols. British soldiers respond by singing their own Christmas songs. Both sides applaud each other, breaking the tension. German soldiers invite the British to meet in No Man’s Land. Soldiers from both sides meet, shake hands, talk, and exchange gifts. Tom befriends a German soldier who once worked in England. They sing, joke, ...

Background of the Story- It is written by  Jayant Narlikar , a renowned Indian  astrophysicist and writer . Astrophysicist -An astrophysicist is a scientist who uses physics and mathematics to study celestial objects like stars, planets, and galaxies. They work to understand the physical and chemical properties of the universe by observing cosmic bodies and developing theories based on physical laws. It is a  science fiction story  that blends  science with history . Explains scientific concepts like  Quantum Theory  and  Catastrophe Theory  through a fictional narrative. Reflects the author’s aim to  make complex scientific ideas easy to understand . Shows Narlikar’s interest in  imagination, science, and alternate realities . Setting Place:  Pune, Bombay (Mumbai), and an alternate version of India Time:  Present day (20th century) and an imagined historical timeline Type:  Realistic + speculative (science fiction) T...

  Summary for Reading Where the Mind is Without Fear by Rabindranath Tagore In this poem, the speaker expresses his vision for an ideal country where people live freely and fearlessly. He dreams of a place where everyone can hold their heads high with dignity and where knowledge is available to all. The speaker longs for a world without divisions or boundaries created by narrow-mindedness, such as divisions based on caste, religion or race, which he calls “narrow domestic walls.”  The poem talks about the importance of truth and honesty. The speaker wishes for a society where people always speak from the heart, and their words are sincere and meaningful. He also believes that individuals should constantly strive for excellence and perfection, working tirelessly towards self-improvement and progress. In another powerful metaphor, the speaker compares reason and logical thinking to a clear stream of water. He warns that this stream should not lose its way in the “dreary desert s...

   Setting of the Story Place:  A futuristic city controlled by machines (Tobors), especially  The Centre . Time:  A future, technologically advanced society. Atmosphere:  Oppressive and controlled at first, later chaotic and hopeful. Tone: Serious, thoughtful, and hopeful. Mood: Beginning: Fear and control Middle: Tension and confusion End: Victory and hope Perspective (Point of View) Third-person narration Focuses mainly on Derf’s thoughts and actions. Background: The City of the Tobors is a science-fiction story set in a future city where machines called Tobors control human beings known as Nems. The Tobors use computers and strict rules to keep power over the people. The story shows how humans live under fear and control, and how intelligence and questioning help them fight back and regain freedom. Characters: 1. Derf: A brave and intelligent Nem who questions the Tobors and leads the rebellion. 2. Tobors: Powerful machine rulers...