English Poorvi Class 7 The Day the River Spoke Notes

The Day the River Spoke

Introduction

“The Day the River Spoke” is a heartwarming story by Kamala Nair, adapted for the CBSE Class 7 Poorvi English textbook. It revolves around Jahnavi, a young girl from a coastal village in India, who dreams of attending school despite societal and familial challenges. The story uses a magical element-the personified River-as a guiding figure that encourages Jahnavi to pursue her dreams. The narrative highlights themes of gender equality, education, courage, and the connection between humans and nature.

Setting

The story is set in a coastal village in India, near a river. The natural environment, including the river, kingfishers, lizards, bamboo thickets, and parrots, plays a significant role in the narrative.

Characters

• Jahnavi: A bright, curious girl who dreams of going to school but is held back by family responsibilities and societal norms.
• The River: A personified entity that speaks to Jahnavi, offering wisdom and encouragement.
• Jahnavi’s Family:
  • Mother: Works in the fields and initially hesitates to send Jahnavi to school.
  • Father: Initially worried but agrees to let Jahnavi attend school after the teacher’s persuasion.
  • Brothers: Gopi (Ettan), Meena, Ramu, and Appu. Gopi and Meena attend school, while Ramu recently started, and Appu is too young.
• Teacher: A kind and supportive figure who welcomes Jahnavi to school.
• Chandu: A fisherman with a catamaran, mentioned by the River.

Plot

1. Jahnavi’s Sadness:
   • Jahnavi is upset because her family won’t let her attend school, unlike her brothers Gopi (Ettan) and Meena. She is nearly ten and tasked with caring for her youngest brother, Appu.
   • She cries by the river, expressing her desire to learn and her fear that she’s too old to start school.
2. The River Speaks:
   • A sleepy, murmuring voice surprises Jahnavi. She realizes it’s the River speaking to her.
   • The River reassures her, noting that she visits the river almost daily and shouldn’t be scared.
   • Jahnavi shares her dream of going to school and her curiosity about the world (e.g., why spiders are yellow, why bamboo rustles, why baby fish become frogs).
   • The River humorously responds to her question about the moon, saying it travels toward the sea, like the River itself.
3. The River’s Advice:
   • The River encourages Jahnavi to take action, suggesting she “slip into” school and sit in class to see if the teacher allows her to stay.
   • It dismisses her fears, pointing out her bravery in facing lizards, snakes, and noisy trains.
   • The River also introduces Jahnavi to the concept of ships (large boats) and mentions Chandu’s catamaran, sparking her curiosity.
4. Jahnavi’s Courage:
   • Inspired by the River, Jahnavi gathers courage and goes to school, carrying Appu.
   • She listens to a lesson about King Ashoka and is noticed by the teacher, who warmly welcomes her.
   • The teacher promises to speak to Jahnavi’s father to ensure she can attend school.
5. Resolution:
   • The teacher visits Jahnavi’s home and convinces her father to let her attend school.
   • Jahnavi’s mother expresses mixed feelings but supports her, revealing her own unfulfilled desire to study.
   • Jahnavi vows to become a teacher and ensure all girls in her village get an education.
   • She returns to the River, joyfully sharing her success and expressing excitement about learning to write and discovering why fish turn into frogs.

Key Themes

1. Education for All:
   • The story emphasizes the importance of education, especially for girls, in overcoming societal barriers.
   • Jahnavi’s determination and the teacher’s support highlight the transformative power of learning.
2. Gender Equality:
   • The River’s assertion that “little girls can do as much as little boys” challenges gender stereotypes.
   • Jahnavi’s mother’s reflection on her own denied education reinforces the need for change.
3. Courage and Initiative:
   • Jahnavi’s journey from fear to action shows the importance of taking responsibility for one’s dreams.
   • The River’s advice to “try” empowers Jahnavi to overcome her fears.
4. Connection with Nature:
   • The personified River acts as a mentor, reflecting the deep bond between humans and nature in Indian culture.
   • The vivid descriptions of the environment (kingfishers, lizards, bamboo) create a rich, immersive setting.

Vocabulary

The story introduces several words with meanings provided in the text:

• Splashed: Fell in drops, making a sound (e.g., tears splashed down Jahnavi’s nose).
• Slithered: Moved by sliding from side to side (e.g., the lizard slithered to the river’s edge).
• Murmuring: Speaking in a low voice (e.g., the River’s sleepy, murmuring voice).
• Startled: Surprised (e.g., Jahnavi was startled by the River’s voice).
• Thicket: A dense group of bushes and trees (e.g., the kingfisher was in a bamboo thicket).
• Shrieked: Made a high-pitched sound (e.g., parrots shrieked, unlike the River’s voice).
• Rustle: Light sound made by leaves rubbing against each other (e.g., bamboo trees rustle).
• Conspiratorially: Secretly (e.g., the River spoke conspiratorially about the moon).
• Clump: A small group of trees growing together (e.g., a snake in the bamboo clump).
• Rattling: Noise made by shaking things (e.g., trains rattling past the bridge).
• Catamaran: A kind of boat (e.g., Chandu’s catamaran).
• Wailed: Complained in a loud voice (e.g., Jahnavi wailed about not being allowed to go).