Notes For All Chapters English Moments Class 9
1. About the Chapter
Title: Weathering the Storm in Ersama
Author: Harsh Mander
Type: Real-life story
Theme: Courage, leadership, and community support during a natural disaster.
2. Summary / Introduction
This story is based on the true events of the super cyclone that hit Orissa in October 1999, destroying many villages and killing thousands.
It tells how Prashant, a nineteen-year-old boy, faced terrible hardships but became a leader who helped his village recover from the tragedy.
3. Main Characters
- Prashant: A brave and compassionate young man who helps people survive after the cyclone.
- Prashant’s Family: His grandmother, brother, sister, uncles, and aunts who all survived the storm.
- Villagers of Kalikuda: People who lost their homes and belongings but supported each other.
4. Main Events of the Story
(a) The Cyclone
- On 27 October 1999, Prashant went to his friend’s house in Ersama, 18 km away from his village.
- A powerful cyclone with winds of about 350 km/h hit the coast.
- It caused heavy rain, flooding, and massive destruction.
- Trees were uprooted, houses collapsed, and people were swept away by the water.
(b) Stranded on the Roof
- Prashant and his friend’s family took shelter on the roof as water filled the house.
- For two days and nights, they faced cold, hunger, and fear.
- Two fallen coconut trees helped them survive by providing coconuts to eat.
(c) The Journey Back Home
- After the rain stopped, Prashant decided to go back to his village.
- He used a stick to check the depth of flood water as he walked.
- The way was full of floating bodies of people and animals, showing terrible destruction.
- When he reached his village Kalikuda, he found everything destroyed – only pieces of roofs remained.
(d) Reunion with Family
- Prashant went to a Red Cross shelter where survivors had gathered.
- To his great relief, he found his grandmother and family alive.
- They were weak and hungry but overjoyed to see him alive.
(e) Becoming a Leader
- Prashant noticed the hopelessness and grief among 2500 people in the shelter.
- Ninety-six houses in the village were destroyed and eighty-six people had died.
- The survivors had very little food left.
- Prashant took charge and led the villagers in relief work.
(f) Organising Relief Work
- He formed a group of youth and elders to get rice from a merchant.
- Even though the rice was rotten, they cooked and ate it to survive.
- He organised people to clean the shelter and treat the injured.
- When helicopters dropped food once and did not return,Prashant asked children to lie on the sand with utensils on their stomachs to signal hunger.
- The plan worked, and the helicopters started regularly airdropping food and supplies.
(g) Helping Orphans and Widows
- Prashant found many orphaned children and widowed women.
- He arranged a polythene shelter for the children and encouraged women to care for them.
- He involved women in the food-for-work programme started by an NGO.
- He organised sports and activities for the children, especially cricket.
- He helped the widows and orphans rebuild their lives and find hope again.
(h) Rebuilding the Community
- Prashant and other volunteers opposed the government plan to send orphans and widows to institutions.
- They believed that children needed love and family, not loneliness in institutions.
- They suggested that widows without children could care for orphaned children, creating new families within the community.
(i) Healing and Hope
- After six months, Prashant’s spirit was strong again.
- He had no time to think about his own pain.
- The widows and orphans looked up to him for support and courage.
5. Central Idea
The story shows how a young boy’s courage, leadership, and compassion can help rebuild a community after a disaster.
It teaches that selfless service, teamwork, and hope can heal even the deepest pain.
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