Notes Waiting for the Rain English Poorvi Class 8 CBSE Board

Notes For All Chapters – English Poorvi Class 8th

About the Lesson

Author: Kamakshi Balasubramanian

Theme: Relationship between farmers, land, and nature.

Setting: An Indian village during drought.

Summary of the Story

• Velu, a hardworking farmer, eagerly waits for rain.
• For six years, his land gave him good crops (jowar, dal).
• This year, no rains came – the land became dry, cracked, barren.
• Farmers suggested consulting astrologers, but Velu trusted only practical efforts, not superstitions.
• He visited the weather office, but even experts couldn’t predict rains.
• On his way back, Velu met an old woman under a tree.
• The woman explained that land too needs rest, just like humans.
• Nature allows the earth to rest when rains are delayed (fallowing).
• Velu realised the wisdom of her words.
• Finally, clouds gathered, lightning flashed, and rain came.
• Velu ran home happy and hopeful.

Main Characters

Velu

• Hardworking farmer, never lazy.
• Honest, determined, practical (does not believe in blind faith).
• Loves his land deeply.
• At times impatient and worried, but open to learning.

Old Woman

• Wise, symbolic of Mother Nature.
• Calm, patient, smiling even in hardship.
• Explains Nature’s cycle in simple words.
• Teaches Velu the value of resting the land.

Themes

Dependence on Nature – Farmers depend entirely on rainfall.

Patience & Hope – Waiting is difficult, but hope keeps people alive.

Wisdom of Nature – Land must rest (fallowing) for balance.

Hard Work vs. Faith – Velu believes in work and science, not rituals.

Harmony with Environment – Humans must respect the natural cycle.

Important Word Meanings

• Crimson – deep red
• Crusted – hardened outer layer
• Forlorn – sad, neglected
• Dejected – disappointed, hopeless
• Ceaseless – continuous
• Bitterly – hurtfully

Moral / Message

• Hard work and patience always bring results.
• Land, like humans, must not be overworked – it needs rest to stay fertile.
• Nature works in mysterious ways; humans must live in harmony with it.

Grammar & Vocabulary from Lesson

Homophones: weather/whether, piece/peace, plain/plane, sell/cell, rain/reign.

Tenses Used: Simple Present, Present Progressive, Present Perfect.

Collocations (Adjective + Noun):

• favourable weather
• wrinkled skin
• dejected expression
• fragrant garden
• ceaseless activity
• beloved land