English Poorvi Class 7 The Tunnel Notes

Introduction

“The Tunnel” is a short story from the CBSE Class 7 Poorvi English textbook, Unit 4: Travel and Adventure, written by Ruskin Bond. It follows Suraj, a young boy with a sense of adventure, who visits a railway tunnel in a jungle to watch a steam train pass through. His encounter with Sunder Singh, the watchman, leads to an exciting experience involving a leopard in the tunnel. The story highlights themes of curiosity, courage, friendship, and the harmony between humans and nature.

Summary

Suraj, a curious boy, cycles to a jungle path near a railway tunnel to watch the midday steam train emerge. The jungle is silent, with heat waves shimmering along the railway embankment. As the train roars out like a dragon, Suraj is thrilled by its power. He then walks through the dark, damp tunnel to explore it, spotting a bat and a lizard. Upon exiting, he briefly sees a flash of orange and gold on the hillside, possibly a leopard.

At the tunnel’s entrance, Suraj meets Sunder Singh, the watchman, who humorously claims the tunnel as his own, “lent to the Government.” Sunder Singh’s job is to inspect the tunnel daily, ensuring it’s clear of obstacles, and signal the train driver with a red flag or lamp if there’s danger. He tells Suraj about a leopard that visits the area but is harmless to them. Suraj is invited to return at night to see the night mail train.

That evening, Suraj returns to the watchman’s hut, where they share tea and listen to jungle sounds, like the tailorbird and seven sisters (jungle babblers). As Sunder Singh inspects the tunnel, a sawing sound reveals a leopard inside. To prevent it from being hit by the approaching train, Sunder Singh and Suraj enter the tunnel, shouting to scare it away. The leopard flees, and the night mail passes safely.

Later, Suraj travels on the same train with his father, who is on a business trip to Delhi. As the train passes the tunnel, Suraj sees Sunder Singh’s lamp, symbolizing his role as a “firefly” lighting the way for trains and leopards. The story ends with Suraj reflecting on his adventure and his bond with the watchman.

Characters

1. Suraj:
   • A young, adventure-loving boy who is curious about the jungle and the railway tunnel.
   • Brave but cautious, as seen when he hesitates to shout in the tunnel due to fear of the leopard.
   • Forms an unlikely friendship with Sunder Singh, drawn by their shared love for the jungle.
2. Sunder Singh:
   • The watchman responsible for the tunnel’s safety, living in a hut nearby.
   • Wise, friendly, and deeply connected to the jungle, calling the leopard “my leopard.”
   • Courageous and caring, he risks entering the tunnel to save the leopard and ensures Suraj’s safety.
3. Suraj’s Father:
   • A businessman who takes Suraj to Delhi to teach him about his work.
   • Concerned about Suraj’s wanderings, indicating a caring but slightly distant relationship.

Themes

1. Adventure and Curiosity:
   • Suraj’s desire to explore the tunnel and watch the train reflects a child’s curiosity and love for adventure.
   • His willingness to join Sunder Singh in the tunnel shows his bravery.
2. Friendship:
   • The bond between Suraj and Sunder Singh, despite their age difference, is built on mutual respect and shared experiences in the jungle.
   • Their teamwork to save the leopard strengthens their connection.
3. Harmony with Nature:
   • Sunder Singh’s peaceful coexistence with the jungle and its creatures, like the leopard, highlights respect for nature.
   • The jungle “belongs” to itself when trains aren’t passing, emphasizing its dominance.
4. Courage and Responsibility:
   • Sunder Singh’s duty to keep the tunnel safe and his bravery in facing the leopard show responsibility.
   • Suraj’s decision to join him in the tunnel reflects growing courage.

Key Events

1. Suraj’s Arrival at the Tunnel:
   • Suraj cycles to the jungle, leaves his cycle in a village, and walks to the tunnel to watch the midday train.
   • The train emerges like a “green, black, and gold dragon,” thrilling Suraj.
2. Exploring the Tunnel:
   • Suraj walks through the dark, damp tunnel, encountering a bat and a lizard.
   • He sees a possible leopard on the hillside after exiting.
3. Meeting Sunder Singh:
   • Sunder Singh welcomes Suraj, explaining his role and the leopard’s presence.
   • He invites Suraj to return for the night mail.
4. Encounter with the Leopard:
   • At dusk, Suraj joins Sunder Singh, and they hear a sawing sound indicating a leopard in the tunnel.
   • They shout to scare it away, ensuring its safety before the night mail arrives.
5. Train Journey with Father:
   • Suraj travels on the night mail with his father, spotting Sunder Singh’s lamp as they pass the tunnel.
   • He reflects on Sunder Singh as a “firefly” guiding trains and wildlife.

Vocabulary

1. Shimmered: Shined with a light that appears to move (e.g., heat waves shimmered along the embankment).
2. Embankment: A stone wall carrying the railway over low ground.
3. Scrub-covered: Covered with short trees and bushes (e.g., the hill was scrub-covered).
4. Instinctively: Without thought or plan (e.g., Suraj stepped back instinctively).
5. Plume of smoke: A long, thin cloud of smoke (e.g., the train left a plume of smoke).
6. Contemplation: Deep thought (e.g., Sur Suraj turned from his contemplation of the smoke).
7. Reassure: Comfort or calm (e.g., Suraj looked back to reassure himself).
8. Scuttled: Ran hurriedly (e.g., a lizard scuttled between the lines).
9. Dazzled: Blinded by bright light (e.g., Suraj was dazzled by the glare).
10. Swooped: Moved quickly downward through the air (e.g., flying foxes swooped out of the trees).
11. Quaint: Unusual (e.g., the quaint tonk-tonk of a nightjar).
12. Snarling: Growling (e.g., the leopard was snarling).
13. Defying: Opposing (e.g., the train defied the jungle).
14. Flickering: Burning unsteadily (e.g., tiny flickering lights from villages).
15. Shrill: Sharp sound (e.g., the engine’s shrill whistle).

Literary Devices

1. Simile:
   • The railway lines are compared to “two straight black serpents” (p. 140).
   • The train is likened to a “green, black, and gold dragon” (p. 141).
2. Personification:
   • The jungle “seemed to flinch” from the train’s noise and heat (p. 141).
   • The forest “seemed to breathe” after the train passed (p. 147).
3. Imagery:
   • Vivid descriptions like “showering sparks left and right” (p. 141) and “the scent of mango blossoms” (p. 145) create a sensory experience.
   • The tunnel’s darkness and the leopard’s “lithe and sinewy” form (p. 147) enhance the scene.
4. Metaphor:
   • Sunder Singh is called a “firefly” for lighting the way (p. 148).

Moral Lessons

1. Courage Overcomes Fear:
   • Suraj’s fear in the tunnel is overcome by his trust in Sunder Singh and their shared goal to save the leopard.
2. Respect for Nature:
   • Sunder Singh’s care for the leopard shows the importance of living in harmony with wildlife.
3. Friendship Across Differences:
   • The bond between a boy and an older watchman proves friendship can form through shared experiences.
4. Responsibility:
   • Sunder Singh’s dedication to his duty teaches the value of responsibility.