Notes Class 7 Chapter 2.2 English Balbharati Maharashtra Board

Notes For All Chapters – Balbharati English Class 7

The Souvenir

Introduction

The story “The Souvenir” is about Sayali, a young girl who goes on an exciting school trip to the moon. It describes her experiences, observations, and a small mistake she makes while buying a gift for her mother. The trip is set in a futuristic time when space travel is possible for children.

Chapter Summary

• Sayali’s Journey Begins: Sayali is thrilled as she looks out of the space shuttle window. She watches the earth shrink, the sky turn jet black, and stars shine brightly. This real experience is far more amazing than reading about it or watching videos.
• The Moon Trip: The expensive trip is a gift from her mother, who compares it to her own childhood when long trips meant going to Europe. Sayali recalls her friend Neha’s grandmother saying their longest trips were only to Delhi or Kolkata, which makes her laugh.
• Arrival on the Moon: The shuttle orbits the moon every 32 minutes, showing light and darkness in turns. It lands at the Neil Armstrong base, where dome-shaped settlements (like Eskimo igloos) are visible. The children enter through an airtight tunnel.

Key Events

Receptionist’s Instructions:

• The receptionist welcomes the children and gives two important rules:
  1. Inside settlements, gravity is like Earth’s, but outside, it’s 1/6th of Earth’s, so they must move carefully.
  2. Buy souvenirs only from shops inside the settlements to avoid fake items from unauthorized sellers outside.
• The trip lasts three days during the moon’s nighttime (15 days of darkness by Earth’s calculation).

Day 1: Sky Watch:

• The children enjoy Sky Watch, seeing bright stars and the earth’s disc, which looks 13 times bigger and 70 times brighter than the moon does from Earth. The clear view (no atmosphere on the moon) amazes them, and they sleep happily.

Day 2: Moon Circus:

• A unique circus takes place outside a tent while spectators sit inside. Gymnasts perform incredible high jumps (e.g., 27 meters) and long jumps due to low gravity. The children also visit settlements and do self-study for an essay assigned by their teacher.

Day 3: Historical Visit and Shopping:

• The children visit the spot where Neil Armstrong landed 100 years ago. His footprint and statue (with his famous words, “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind”) are preserved.
• They wear space suits to explore outside, hopping and jumping despite the teacher’s warnings about low gravity.
• Sayali buys red earrings made of moon stones from a roadside seller for 1,000 rupees, ignoring the receptionist’s advice, as a gift for her mother.

Return Home:

• Back on Earth, Sayali excitedly shows the earrings to her mother, who finds them too heavy to wear. Sayali realizes her mistake: the earrings felt light on the moon due to low gravity but are heavy on Earth.

Characters

1. Sayali: A curious and excited girl who loves the moon trip but feels guilty for forgetting her mother. She learns a lesson about gravity after buying the earrings.
2. Sayali’s Mother: A supportive parent who sends Sayali on the trip, wishing her to enjoy opportunities she never had.
3. Teacher: Guides the children and warns them about moving in low gravity.
4. Receptionist: Welcomes the group and gives practical advice for their stay.
5. Roadside Seller: Sells Sayali the earrings, tempting her with cheap prices.

Themes

1. Wonder of Space: The story shows the beauty and excitement of space travel, especially through Sayali’s awe at the views.
2. Learning from Mistakes: Sayali’s purchase teaches her to think carefully and follow advice.
3. Generational Change: Sayali’s mother and Neha’s grandmother highlight how travel has evolved over time.

Important Lessons

• Science Lesson: The moon has 1/6th of Earth’s gravity, affecting how things feel and how people move.
• Listening to Advice: Ignoring the receptionist’s warning leads to Sayali’s mistake with the earrings.
• Appreciating Opportunities: Sayali’s mother encourages her to value experiences her generation couldn’t imagine.

Vocabulary

1. Panorama: A wide, beautiful view.
2. Exorbitantly: Very expensive.
3. Azure: Bright blue.
4. Settlement: A place where people live.
5. Souvenir: A keepsake or memory from a trip.
6. Gymnast: A person who performs physical exercises or jumps.
7. Ecstatic: Extremely happy or excited.

Key Quotes

1. “Being present physically right in the midst of it, was indeed an ‘out of the world’ experience!” – Sayali’s feelings about space.
2. “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind” – Neil Armstrong’s famous words.
3. “Buy only from the shops inside the settlements” – Receptionist’s warning.