Pranshu's English Classroom (CBSE)

 To the Memory of a Lion by Tara Tixoari (Summary Only For Reading) Tanaji Malusare was Shivaji’s childhood friend and companion at arms. He was a very brave and daring man and Shivaji proudly called him his Simha or Lion. In this story, Tanaji is at home in Umratha preparing for his son’s wedding. One morning, a messenger arrives from Raigarh with an urgent message from the king. When Tanaji reaches Raigarh Fort, Shivaji tasks him with taking back Kondana Fort from Udai Singh Rathor and his Mughal forces. Tanaji comes up with a daring plan and with the king’s blessings, leaves to set the plan in motion. He calls his friend Suryaji and tells him to train the soldiers. But he also cautions him saying that the soldiers should not know what they were training for. The plan is that Tanaji would take some of the soldiers to Kondana Fort on a moonless night. With the help of Yashwanti the monitor lizard, they would scale the wall. Suryaji, meanwhile, would take the rest of the soldiers a...

Background of the Story -  William Saroyan was an Armenian-American writer known for his simple yet deeply emotional stories about humanity, kindness, and hope. The Hummingbird That Lived Through Winter reflects his belief in compassion and the dignity of all living beings. The story is set in Fresno , where Saroyan himself spent much of his life. Summary in Points The speaker lives in Fresno, California. His elderly neighbour Dikran is famous for his beautiful garden. One freezing winter day, Dikran finds a weak hummingbird in the street. The bird appears close to death because hummingbirds usually survive only in warm weather. Dikran gently warms the bird with his breath and takes it home. He and the speaker prepare warm honey for the bird. Slowly, the hummingbird regains strength and starts flying around the kitchen. When it becomes restless, Dikran asks the speaker to open the window. The bird flies away into the open air. The next summer, the speaker won...

 The Hummingbird That Lived Through Winter by William Saroyan The Hummingbird that Lived through Winter by William Saroyan narrates the adventures of a little hummingbird that is unable to move to a warmer place and gets stuck in Fresno, California during its harsh winter. It also tells us about the efforts and struggles of the speaker and his elderly neighbour, Dikran to revive the little bird.  The speaker lived in a neighbourhood in Fresno, California and across the street lived his old neighbour, Dikran. Dikran was over eighty years old and had poor eyesight. He lived with his wife and was known for his extraordinary garden, filled with various plants, bushes, and trees that thrived in the rich, dark soil, attracting a variety of birds and other flying creatures. On an extremely cold Sunday, right in the middle of winter, the speaker saw Dikran standing in the middle of the street with something in his hand. It was a hummingbird—a beautiful bird of the summer. The speaker ...

 Background of the Poem -  Edgar Albert Guest was known as the “People’s Poet” because his poems focused on ordinary life, courage, hope, hard work, and optimism. The poem “Courage! Courage! Courage!” was written to inspire people to remain brave and determined during hardships. It reflects the struggles of human life and teaches that courage and resilience help people overcome failures and difficulties. Summary of the Poem (Only For Reading) The poem encourages people to stay courageous during difficult times. Life is full of struggles, failures, disappointments, and uncertainties. The poet says that one should not lose hope or complain when problems arise. Instead, a person must face hardships with dignity and strength. The poem explains that success does not come easily, and everyone experiences setbacks. Courage is tested when life becomes difficult. Complaining or regretting cannot change one’s situation; only determination and perseverance can help a person move forwar...

 Courage! Courage! Courage! by Edgar Albert Guest (Only For Reading) This is an inspirational and motivational poem by Edgar Albert Guest. The speaker says that when one goes through tough and difficult situations and the burden of responsibilities grows heavy, and it becomes tiresome to carry on with in life any longer; one should call on one’s courage and go ahead in life. It is not always possible to experience victory or success at the very first always go or all the time. Every individual must deal with setbacks and failures at different points of time. During these difficult times, it is essential for the person to handle the situation with grace and dignity by taking everything in their stride. Just how they accept their gains and profits with dignity, they should embrace their losses and failure. Whining or complaining about the situation will not yield any desirable result. Courage and resilience are the need of the hour and therefore is essential for people to not fail as...

Fire Stones by Eoin Colfer (Notebook Work) Background of the Story - The story is set in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami . It reflects the real-life devastation caused by the earthquake-triggered tsunami and highlights the survival instincts and indigenous knowledge of island communities, especially the Shompen people. Summary in Points An island boy notices the sea suddenly receding after an earthquake. A Shompen boy warns him about the incoming “mountain wave.” The island boy distrusts him due to prejudice and refuses to leave. The Shompen boy tricks him by taking his money pouch to make him follow. The tsunami arrives; both boys climb a tree to survive. The Shompen boy creates fire using fire stones and keeps them safe. Rescue boats arrive; the Shompen boy returns the money pouch secretly. The island boy later realizes the Shompen boy actually saved his lif...