West Bengal Board Class 10 English The Price of Bananas Summary, Lesson Explanation with difficult word meanings from Bliss Book
The Price of Bananas – Are you looking for Summary and Lesson Explanation for West Bengal Board Class 9 English Lesson 10 The Price of Bananas from Bliss Book. Get notes, summary of the Lesson followed by line by line explanation of the lesson along with the meanings of difficult words.
The Price of Bananas West Bengal Board Class 9 English
Mulk Raj Anand
- The Price of Bananas Introduction
- Theme of the Lesson The Price of Bananas
- The Price of Bananas Summary
- The Price of Bananas Summary in Hindi
- The Price of Bananas Lesson Explanation
Related Link : The Price of Bananas Question Answers WBBSE Class 9 English Bliss Book
The Price of Bananas Introduction
The lesson “The Price of Bananas” by Mulk Raj Anand is a funny and interesting story that takes place at a busy railway station. The author tells us about different passengers, including a businessman and a fruit vendor, who are waiting for their train. As they wait, a playful monkey causes a lot of chaos by stealing things from people. The story shows how different people react to the monkey’s tricks and shows us the kindness of the fruit vendor and the selfishness of the businessman. Through these amusing events, the author teaches us about generosity, greed, and the interactions between rich and poor people in a simple and entertaining way.
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Theme of the Lesson The Price of Bananas
The theme of “The Price of Bananas” by Mulk Raj Anand revolves around the contrasts between generosity and greed, and the social dynamics between the rich and the poor. The story shows how different people react to the same situation, showcasing the kindness and selflessness of some characters versus the selfishness and arrogance of others. Through the amusing incidents involving the monkey, the story brings out deeper messages about human nature, social justice, and the importance of empathy.
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The Price of Bananas Summary
The lesson “The Price of Bananas” by Mulk Raj Anand is a funny story set at a busy railway station. The author is waiting for his train and observes the playful behavior of monkeys on the platform. These monkeys entertain themselves by snatching food and other items from the passengers. One monkey creates chaos by snatching the loin cloth of a man bathing at a water pump. This incident causes a lot of amusement among the rest of the people who are observing these monkeys. Later, the same monkey snatches an embroidered cap from a wealthy businessman. The businessman gets very upset and tries to retrieve his cap by shouting at the monkey.
A fruit vendor steps in to help. He offers the monkey some bananas in exchange for the cap. The monkey accepts the trade, and the vendor returns the cap to the businessman. When the vendor asks for a small payment for the bananas, the businessman gives him a little money but refuses to pay the man who carried his luggage. The story ends with the author and other passengers feeling sympathetic for the kind-hearted vendor and a sense of unfairness from the the greedy businessman.
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The Price of Bananas Summary in Hindi
मुल्क राज आनंद का पाठ “केले की कीमत” एक व्यस्त रेलवे स्टेशन पर स्थापित एक मज़ेदार कहानी है। लेखक अपनी ट्रेन की प्रतीक्षा कर रहा है और प्लेटफार्म पर बंदरों के चंचल व्यवहार को देख रहा है। ये बंदर यात्रियों से खाना और अन्य सामान छीनकर अपना मनोरंजन करते हैं। एक बंदर ने वाटर पंप पर नहा रहे एक व्यक्ति की लुंगी छीनकर उत्पात मचाया। इस घटना से इन बंदरों को देख रहे बाकी लोगों में काफी मनोरंजन हुआ। बाद में, वही बंदर एक अमीर व्यापारी से कढ़ाई वाली टोपी छीन लेता है। व्यापारी बहुत परेशान हो जाता है और बंदर को चिल्लाकर अपनी टोपी वापस पाने की कोशिश करता है।
एक फल विक्रेता मदद के लिए आगे आता है। वह टोपी के बदले में बंदर को कुछ केले देता है। बंदर व्यापार स्वीकार कर लेता है, और विक्रेता व्यापारी को टोपी लौटा देता है। जब विक्रेता केले के लिए एक छोटा सा भुगतान मांगता है, तो व्यापारी उसे कुछ पैसे देता है, लेकिन उसका सामान ले जाने वाले व्यक्ति को भुगतान करने से इनकार कर देता है। कहानी का अंत लेखक और अन्य यात्रियों के दयालु विक्रेता के प्रति सहानुभूति और लालची व्यापारी के प्रति अन्याय की भावना के साथ होता है।
The Price of Bananas Lesson Explanation
Passage:
I was on my way from Faizabad railway station to Lucknow. I had arrived at the station half an hour in advance of the time for the train’s departure. I sat on a bench watching the monkeys frolicking on the trees and on the open platform. The monkeys descended now and then to collect half-sucked mango stones and the remainders of food from the platform. The younger monkeys sat on the boughs of neem and tamarind trees, ready to jump after any food that may be visible.
Word Meanings:
frolicking (v): playing around in a lively, happy way
platform (n): a flat raised area or structure
descended (v): to go or come down
mango stones (n): the seed of a mango
boughs (n): a large branch of a tree
neem (n): a large, usually evergreen tree commonly found in India that has small pointed leaves. Different parts of the tree are used in the preparation of medicines
tamarind (n): a type of tropical tree that gives tamarind pods used in Asian cuisine
Explanation: The author was traveling from Faizabad to Lucknow. He arrived at the Faizabad railway station thirty minutes before his train was supposed to leave. While waiting, he sat on a bench and watched monkeys playing around on the trees and the platform. The monkeys would come down to pick up leftover mango seeds and bits of food from the platform. The younger monkeys stayed on the branches of the trees of neem and tamarind, ready to jump down for any food they could see.
Passage:
Just then the train was announced by the ringing of the station bell. I concentrated on securing a seat for myself in the train. I got a window seat overlooking the platform. Some other passengers joined me in the compartment. We were all sweating from the rising heat of the summer. Several passengers were busy filling up their small earthen pitchers from a water pump. I was struck by the genius of a monkey in snatching away the loin cloth of a pious person who was taking a bath under the pump. A great deal of general amusement was caused by this incident. The bather then requested the monkey to return his loincloth. The monkey was generous and threw it down from the neem tree at the man’s feet.
Word Meanings:
overlooking (v): to provide a view of, especially from above
compartment (n): one of the separate areas inside a vehicle, especially a train
earthen pitchers (n): a round shape vessel made by moist clay
water pump (n): a machine that is used to transfer water from one location to another
loin cloth (n): a piece of cloth that hangs down from around the waist, sometimes worn by men in hot countries
pious (adj.): strongly believing in religion, and living in a way that shows this belief
amusement (n): the feeling of being entertained or made to laugh
generous (adj.): willing to give money, help, kindness, etc., especially more than is usual or expected
Explanation: As the station bell rang, announcing the arrival of the train, the author focused on finding a seat for himself in the train. He managed to get a window seat with a view of the platform. Other passengers joined him in the compartment, and they were all sweating due to the rising summer heat. Many passengers were busy filling their small jugs with water from a pump on the platform. The author noticed a clever monkey that had snatched the loincloth of a religious man who was bathing under the pump. This incident entertained everyone around. The man asked the monkey to return his loincloth, and the monkey threw it down from the neem tree at the man’s feet.
Passage:
While all this was going on, I noticed a gentleman come up to our compartment. He looked like a businessman. He was dressed in a white muslin dhoti, a delicate tunic and an embroidered cap on his head. A porter was carrying his luggage which included a big steel trunk, several small baskets and a brass jug. The man was shouting at the porter to hurry up with the luggage. Suddenly a monkey leapt down from the top of our compartment and snatched away the fine embroidered cap of the businessman. The monkey then climbed up the neem tree. “What have you done, monkey!” The businessman shouted, in utter confusion. His round and smug face was covered with perspiration. He ran towards the tree over the pump and stood threatening the monkey. However, the more he shouted at the monkey, the remoter the monkey became. It was the same monkey that had snatched the bather’s loin cloth.
Word Meanings:
muslin (n): a very thin cotton material, or a piece of this material
dhoti (n): a loose piece of clothing wrapped around the lower half of the body, worn by some men from South Asia
tunic (n): a piece of clothing that fits loosely over a person’s body, reaches to the waist or knees, and often has no sleeves
embroidered (v): to decorate cloth or clothing with patterns or pictures consisting of stitches that are sewn directly onto the material
porter (n): a person whose job is to carry things, especially travelers’ bags at railway stations, airports, hotels etc.
trunk (n): a large, strong container that is used for storing clothes and personal possessions, often when traveling or going to live in a new place
brass jug (n): a container for holding liquids that has a handle and a shaped opening at the top for pouring that is made out of brass
smug (adj.): too pleased or satisfied about something you have achieved or something you know
perspiration (n): sweat
remoter (adj.): far away in distance
Explanation: While the author was observing the platform, he saw a well-dressed man who looked like a businessman approach their compartment. A coolie was carrying his luggage. The businessman was shouting at the porter to hurry up. Suddenly, a monkey jumped down from the top of the compartment and snatched the businessman’s fancy cap. The monkey quickly climbed up a neem tree with the cap. The businessman, confused, shouted at the monkey, demanding his cap back. He ran towards the tree and tried to scare the monkey, but the more he shouted, the higher the monkey climbed. This was the same monkey that had taken the bather’s loincloth earlier.
Passage:
The people on the platform were much amused by the plight of the businessman. He looked with a piteous and hopeless expression on his face. Meanwhile, a fruit hawker had come forward, pushing his little cart. He told the Sethji that he would rescue the cap. The businessman seemed slightly relieved. The vendor went ahead, dangling a couple of bananas at the monkey with his right hand. He stretched out his left hand for the cap. The monkey seemed to hesitate.
Word Meanings:
plight (n): an unpleasant condition, especially a serious, sad, or difficult one
piteous (adj.): causing you to feel sadness and sympathy
hopeless (adj.): without hope
hawker (n): someone who sells goods informally in public places
dangling (v): to hang loosely, or to hold something so that it hangs loosely
Explanation: The people on the platform found the businessman’s situation very funny. The businessman had a sad and helpless look on his face. At this moment, a fruit seller with a small cart came forward. He told the businessman, known as Sethji, that he would help get the cap back. This made the businessman feel a bit better. The fruit seller moved towards the monkey, holding a couple of bananas in his right hand and reaching out with his left hand for the cap. The monkey seemed unsure about what to do next.
Passage:
“Ao, co, come down,” the vendor coaxed the monkey. He lifted the bananas higher up. The monkey responded by climbing down cautiously to a branch near the vendor.
Word Meanings:
coaxed (v): persuaded somebody earnestly
cautiously (adverb): in a careful and well-considered way that avoids risk
Explanation: The fruit vendor gently called to the monkey, saying, “Ao, co, come down.” He lifted the bananas higher to attract the monkey. The monkey carefully climbed down to a branch close to the vendor, responding to the promise of the bananas.
Passage:
The whole platform became silent and waited, with bated breath, for the impossible to happen. The vendor cooed in a soft voice, Ao, ao, to the monkey. The monkey, looking this side and that, accepted the bargain. It took over the bananas with his right hand and released the embroidered cap, slightly crumpled, with its left hand.
Word Meanings:
crumpled (adj.): crushed
bated (adj.): in an anxious (worried and nervous) or excited way
bargain (n): an agreement between two people or groups in which each promises to do something in exchange for something else
cooed (v): to speak in a soft, gentle, or loving way
Explanation: The whole platform became very quiet, and everyone watched, holding their breath, to see what would happen next. The fruit vendor gently said “Ao, ao” to the monkey. The monkey looked around and then agreed to the deal. It took the bananas with its right hand and let go of the fancy cap with its left hand.
Passage:
The spectators shouted in praise. The fruit vendor came and humbly offered the Sethji his cap. “They are hungry,” he said, “so they disturb the passengers.” “Acha,” said the Sethji, and turned to go into the compartment. The vendor said, “Sethji, please give me two annas for the bananas which I had to offer to the monkey.”
Word Meanings:
spectators (n): a person who watches an activity, without taking part
annas (n): a former monetary unit of India and Pakistan, equal to one sixteenth of a rupee
Explanation: The people in the crowd all shouted in excitement and praise. The fruit vendor politely gave the businessman, called Sethji, his cap. The vendor explained that the monkeys were hungry and that’s why they disturbed the passengers. Sethji acknowledged this and began to go into the train compartment. The vendor then asked Sethji to give him two annas for the bananas he gave to the monkey.
Passage:
“Two annas! What impudence!” Sethji shouted each word in disgust at the grimy fruit vendor. “Please give him the money, Sethji,” the rest of the compartment said. “Acha, here are four annas for you, porter, and an anna for you, fruit vendor!” Sethji said.
Word Meanings:
impudence (n): rudeness
grimy (adj.): covered with dirt
disgust (n): a strong feeling of disapproval and dislike at a situation, person’s behaviour, etc.
Explanation: Sethji angrily said that it was rude for the fruit vendor to ask for two annas. The other passengers asked Sethji to give the vendor the money. Sethji reluctantly agreed and said he would give four annas to the porter and one anna to the fruit vendor.
Passage:
“But I carried two big pieces of luggage,” the porter wailed.
“Go! Go! Crook!” Sethji thundered at the protesting porter. The porter left. The fruit vendor persisted, “Sethji, be just, I saved your honorable cap…” The businessman threw an anna towards him on the platform.
Word Meanings:
crook (n): a dishonest person
wailed (v): to make a long, high cry, usually because of pain or sadness
thundered (v): to shout angrily
protesting (n): a strong complaint expressing disagreement, disapproval, or opposition
persisted (v): If an unpleasant feeling or situation persists, it continues to exist
Explanation: The porter complained that he had carried two big pieces of luggage. Sethji angrily called the porter a cheat and told him to leave. The porter went away. The fruit vendor insisted that Sethji should be fair because he had saved his important cap. The businessman threw an anna to the banana vendor on the platform.
Passage:
The guard’s whistle blew. The train was about to depart. The vendor looked in through the compartment window.
“Sethji, do not rob the poor!”
“Ja, ja! Take rest,” the Sethji scowled at him.
Word Meanings:
scowled (v): looked at someone angrily
depart (v): to leave
Explanation: The guard’s whistle blew, and the train was about to leave. The vendor looked through the compartment window and begged Sethji not to cheat the poor. Sethji told him to go away and rest.
Passage:
The train had begun to move. The fruit vendor first ran along with it, then got on to the footstep and clung to the window, pleading. But Sethji had turned his head away. He was looking out of the window at the goods train on the other side. The train had passed the whole length of the platform and the frustrated vendor finally dropped off.
Word Meanings:
clung (v): to stick onto or hold something or someone tightly
pleading (adj.): showing in an emotional way that you want something urgently
frustrated (adj.): feeling annoyed
Explanation: The train started moving. The fruit vendor ran alongside it, then climbed onto the footstep and held onto the window, requesting the Sethji to give his money. But Sethji turned his head away, looking out of the window at the goods train on the other side. As the train left the platform, the vendor finally let go and got off.
Passage:
Sethji turned round to all of us and began to justify himself, “If he did not want to help me to get my cap back, he should not have offered the monkey the bananas. I did not ask him to help…”
Word Meanings:
justify (v): to give or to be a good reason for
Explanation: Sethji turned to everyone and started to explain himself. He said that if the vendor didn’t want to help him get his cap back, he shouldn’t have offered the monkey the bananas. Sethji added that he didn’t ask for the vendor’s help.
Passage:
I felt that all the other passengers had sympathy for the poor vendor. The whole amusing episode had ended in a bitter sense of grievance against the rich businessman who had been so hard on the generous-hearted fruit vendor.
Word Meanings:
sympathy (n): understanding and care for someone else’s suffering
grievance (n): a strong feeling that you have been treated unfairly
Explanation: The author noticed that all the other passengers felt sorry for the poor vendor. The funny incident had ended with everyone feeling upset with the rich businessman for being so mean to the kind-hearted fruit vendor.
Passage:
I drew a cartoon of Sethji and showed my drawing to all the other passengers except him. Everyone laughed. The more we laughed, Sethji became more uncomfortable.
Word Meanings:
cartoon (n): a drawing
uncomfortable (adj.): not feeling comfortable and pleasant
Explanation: The author drew a funny picture of Sethji and showed it to all the other passengers except him. Everyone laughed, and the more they laughed, the more embarrassed Sethji became.