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The purple jar (MARIA EDGEWORTH)

About the writer: Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849) born of Anglo-Irish ancestory was one of the first.realist writers in children's literature. Her first children's book 'The Parent's Assistant was published in 1796. About the story: The Purple Jar revolves around Rosamond, a little girl of seven who drives her mother to buy a purple coloured jar for her. She persists in her choice overlooking the immediate requirement of a new pair of shoes, as though her shoes had worn-out completely. The jar contains some smelly fluid which Rosamond empties out, thereby reducing the jar to post a pretty ordinary look. Rosamond finally decides to be wiser with her choices in the future. STORY:  Rosamond, a little girl about seven years, was walking with her mother in the streets of London. As she passed along, she looked in at the windows of several shops and she saw a great variety of different sorts of things, of which she did not know the use, or even the names. She wished to stop ...

Footprints Without Feet (Herbert George Wells)

About the writer: Herbert George Wells (1866-1946) was born in Kent, England. He is best remem- bered as an author of science-fiction. His best creation is Time-Machine' which is con- sidered as one of the finest pieces of modern literature. About the story:  This is the story of a scientist Griffin, who carried out various experiments to make himself invisible. Finally, he succeeded and his body became transparent. He enjoyed the extra-ordinary things which started to happen after he became invisible and he misused his discovery to steal money and annoy others. STORY: The two boys stared in surprise at the fresh muddy imprints of a pair of bare feet. What was a barefooted man doing on the steps of a house, in the middle of London? And where was the man ? As they gazed, a remarkable sight met their eyes. A fresh footmark appeared from nowhere! Further footprints followed, one after another, descending the steps and progressing down the street. The boys followed fascinated...

The Thief's Story (Ruskin Bond)

About the writer:  Ruskin Bond is an Indian author of British decent. The Indian Council for Child Educa-tion has recognized his role in the growth of children's literature. He received the Sahitya Academy' Award in 1992. He was also awarded the 'Padma Shri' in 1999 and Padma Bhushan' in 2014. About the story: This story has a simple plot with an important message. A young boy Hari Singh came to live with Anil in the hope of making a theft. Being a good fellow, Anil wants to teach Hari Singh how to read and write. Gradually, Anil develops trust in Hari Singh. After stealing money from Anil, Hari Singh tries to go away forever but some inner voice stops him from doing so. Thus Anil, who was diverted from the right path realized his mistake. STORY: I was still a thief when I met Anil and though I was only fifteen, I was an experienced and fairly successful hand. Anil was watching a wrestling match when I approached him. He was about twenty-five -- a tall, lean ...

The Last Lesson (Alphonse Daudet)

About the writer:  Alphonse Daudet was a French novelist and a short-story writer and has more than three dozen works of literature to his credit. He is considered to be one of the most iconic names of French Literature. He portrayed human emotions in a very realistic manner. About the story: The Last Lesson' narrates an event about the year 1870 when Prussian forces under Bismarck captured France. The new Prussian rule discontinued the teaching of French in the schools of the two districts- Alsace and Lorraine. The French teachers asked to leave. Now M. Hamel could no longer stay in his old school. Still he gave the last lesson to his students with utmost sincerity. STORY: I started for school very late that morning and was in great dread of a scolding, especially because M. Hamel had said that he would question us on participles, and I did not know the first word about them. For a moment I thought of running away and spending the day out of doors. It was so warm, so bright! ...

Going please (A. R. Barton)

About the writer:  A.R. Barton is a modern writer, who lives in Zurich and writes in English. He has authored many stories that are mainly concerned with the problems and predicaments of the adolescents. About the story:  The story is about unrealistic dreams and how one indulges in them knowing well that they have little possibility of coming true. The story seems to suggest that it is good to dream but one should be grounded in reality. STORY: "When I leave," Sophie said, coming home from school,"I'm going to have a boutique." Janise, linking arms with her along the street, looked doubtful. "Takes money, Soaf, something like that." "I'll find it," Sophie said, staring far down the street. "Take you a long time to save that much." "Well I'll be a manager then -yes, of course -to begin with. Till I've got enough But anyway, I know just how it's all going to look." "They wouldn't m...

1. The Guitar Player 2. Svayamvara (Suniti Namjoshi )

About the writer: Suniti Namjoshi was born in India but left for Canada where she lived for a number of years. Currently, she lives in the U.K. She has published numerous poems, fables articles and reviews. Her books include The Conversations of Cow (1985), Aditi and One Eyed Monkey (1986), The Blue Donkey Fables (1988), Because of India: Selected Poems (1989) and The Mother of Maya Diip (1989).   About the story:T he Guitar Player' and 'Svayamvara' are taken from her book Feminist Fables (1981). In these stories she focuses on the condition of women in a patriarchal society She raises her voice against gender inequality and stresses the fact that women should have their own identity. These stories are very thought-provoking and highly relevant to the contemporary Indian society. The story The Guitar Player' depicts a girl who wants her talents, skills and the art that she possesses, to be greatly valued, recognized and given importance. The story 'Svayamvara...

Drought (Sarat Chandra Chatterjee)

About the writer: Sarat Chandra Chatterjee was a prominent Bengali novelist and short story writer of the early twentieth century. Most of his works deal with the lifestyle, tragedy, struggle of the village people and the contemporary social practices that prevailed in Bengal. About the story: In Drought', the writer has drawn a graphic picture of drought. Drought takes theform of a natural calamity in many parts of India, in Rajasthan frequently. In the presentstory, Gafur, the main character, is under stress. The writer has successfully depicted social and psychological aspects of human nature under stress. STORY: The village was called Kashipur. It was a small village, its Zamindar was smaller still. Yet his tenants dared not stand up to him. He was so ruthless. It was the birthday of his youngest son. It was noon. Tarkaratna, the priest, was on his way home from the landlord's house, where he had been offering prayers. It was nearing the end of May, but not a patch of ...