Pre-reading Task
- Have you ever dreamt of performing on stage?
Answer – Yes, I have often dreamt of performing on stage. The idea of being in front of an audience and getting their applause feels very exciting and special.
- If you are asked all of a sudden to perform in the Annual Day Programme, will you—
(i) perform successfully and confidently?
Answer – I will try my best to perform confidently. If I believe in myself and stay calm, I can handle it well.
(ii) refuse to perform without practice?
Answer – I may feel hesitant at first, but if needed, I will try to perform instead of refusing. It’s an opportunity to grow.
(iii) perform nervously?
Answer – Yes, I might feel nervous, but I would still go ahead and give my best performance.
Word Meaning
Word/Phrase | Meaning (English) | Meaning (Hindi) |
Enact | To perform or act out a role or play | अभिनय करना / मंच पर प्रस्तुत करना |
Shrill voice | A high-pitched and sharp voice | तीखी और कर्कश आवाज़ |
Squeaky | Making a high-pitched sound | चूं-चूं करने वाली आवाज़ |
Prompting | Giving someone their next lines or words during a play | संकेत देना / संवाद याद दिलाना |
Backstage | Area behind the stage where actors get ready | मंच के पीछे का क्षेत्र |
Application | A written request | आवेदन |
Contracted (measles) | Got affected by an illness (measles here) | बीमारी (खसरा) होना |
Exciting | Causing great enthusiasm | रोमांचक |
Immortal | Never dying or decaying | अमर |
Bane | A cause of great distress or annoyance | अभिशाप / कष्ट का कारण |
Intrude | To enter without permission | बिना अनुमति के प्रवेश करना |
Towering | Very tall and impressive | बहुत ऊँचा और प्रभावशाली |
Infuriated | Extremely angry | अत्यधिक क्रोधित |
Roar of laughter | Loud laughter from many people | ज़ोर की हँसी |
Curtain rises/falls | Start or end of a scene | परदा उठना / गिरना |
Summary In English
This humorous play is about Rupa, a girl who dreams of playing an important role in her school’s Annual Day play The Story of Rama. She wants to play Rama or at least Hanuman, but is only given the minor role of a monkey in the Vanar Sena due to her small size and squeaky voice. When the girl who was supposed to play Hanuman falls ill, Rupa is given the role last minute. Though excited, she makes several hilarious mistakes on stage—forgetting her lines, repeating prompts at the wrong time, and even revealing her identity out of fear when confronted by Ravana. The audience laughs heartily at her blunders. Despite the chaos, Rupa’s enthusiasm shines through.
In Hindi:
यह हास्यपूर्ण नाटक रूपा नामक एक लड़की की कहानी है, जो अपने स्कूल के वार्षिक समारोह में राम कथा नाटक में मुख्य भूमिका निभाने का सपना देखती है। वह राम या हनुमान का किरदार निभाना चाहती है, लेकिन उसकी छोटी कद और पतली आवाज़ के कारण उसे केवल वानर सेना के एक वानर की भूमिका मिलती है। अचानक हनुमान का किरदार निभाने वाली लड़की बीमार पड़ जाती है और रूपा को यह भूमिका मिलती है। रूपा बहुत उत्साहित होती है लेकिन मंच पर कई मज़ेदार गलतियाँ कर देती है—संवाद भूल जाती है, संकेतों को गलत समय पर दोहराती है, और जब रावण आता है तो डरकर अपना मास्क हटाकर बता देती है कि वह अल्का नहीं बल्कि रूपा है। दर्शक हँसी से लोटपोट हो जाते हैं। अफरा-तफरी के बावजूद रूपा का उत्साह देखने लायक होता है।
Understanding the Play
A. Answer the following questions briefly:
- Which role was Rupa assigned in the play The Story of Rama’? Was it in accordance with her expectations?
Answer – Rupa was initially assigned the role of a monkey in the Vanar Sena. No, it was not in accordance with her expectations as she wanted to play either Rama or Hanuman.
- Why was Rupa suddenly asked to play the role of Hanuman?
Answer – Rupa was suddenly asked to play the role of Hanuman because Alka, who was originally cast as Hanuman, fell ill with measles and couldn’t perform.
- Rupa was sure that once on stage, she would give a brilliant performance. Do you think she really managed to give a good performance?
Answer – No, Rupa did not give a brilliant performance. She made several mistakes, forgot her lines, repeated prompts at the wrong time, and even revealed her real identity out of fear, which made her performance humorous rather than impressive.
B. Read the extracts from the play given below and answer the questions that follow:
(a) ‘I wish I could get Rama’s role.’
…I don’t think the teacher will give you Rama’s role.’
- Identify the two speakers.
Answer – The first speaker is Rupa and the second speaker is Anu.
- Why won’t the speaker (in line 1) get Rama’s role?
Answer – According to Anu, Rupa is shorter than Radhika and has a shrill voice, so the teacher might not give her the role of Rama.
- Which role does the teacher assign to the speaker?
Answer – The teacher assigns Rupa the role of a monkey in the Vanar Sena.
(b) ‘You wanted to be Hanuman, didn’t you? Do you think you can manage?’
- Who is the speaker? Whom is the speaker talking to?
Answer – The speaker is the teacher, and she is talking to Rupa.
- Why does she ask the listener to be Hanuman?
Answer – She asks Rupa to be Hanuman because Alka, who was to play Hanuman, is sick and unable to perform.
- Is the listener able to ‘manage’ the role properly?
Answer – No, Rupa struggles with the role. She forgets her lines, misinterprets prompts, and gets nervous, creating a funny but chaotic performance.
C. You are one of the spectators who enjoyed Rupa’s foolishness on the stage. Report some of her funny dialogues given below to one of your friends.
- Rupa (to Rama): My Lord, I would die for you.
- Rupa (to Rama): Now jump.
- Rama (to Rupa): You jump, stupid!
- Rupa (to Rama): You have forgotten to pin your tail.
- Rupa (to Ravana) : No, no, I am not Hanuman! Don’t kill me.
Answer – Rupa said to Rama, “My Lord, I would die for you,” in such a dramatic way that the audience burst into laughter.
Then she unexpectedly told Rama, “Now jump,” which wasn’t even her line!
Rama retorted angrily, “You jump, stupid!” making everyone laugh even more.
Rupa then told Rama, “You have forgotten to pin your tail,” confusing Rama, who reminded her he doesn’t have one!
When Ravana entered, she got so scared she screamed, “No, no, I am not Hanuman! Don’t kill me!” and pulled off her mask!
HOTS
How did audience react when they saw Rupa’s performance? Do you feel that Rupa’s performance achieved the purpose of the play?
Answer – The audience found Rupa’s performance extremely funny and burst into laughter. Even though she messed up her role, her performance brought joy and entertainment to the viewers, which is also a purpose of stage plays. So, in a way, she did achieve the purpose, though not in the intended manner.
Life Skills
- Imagine yourself to be the teacher directing the play ‘The Story of Rama’. How will you tackle the situation after knowing that Alka won’t be able to perform in the play?
Answer – As a teacher, I would stay calm and quickly find a replacement from the cast who has shown interest and enthusiasm. I would check who knows the dialogues or can be quickly trained and rehearse with them briefly. I would also assure the rest of the cast that everything will go smoothly and encourage team support.
2. One is often placed in an embarrassing situation like the one in which Rupa found herself. How should one handle such situations?
Answer – In such situations, one should stay calm, composed, and try to continue confidently. Mistakes happen, and it’s important to handle them with grace, learn from them, and not get disheartened. Keeping a sense of humour and moving forward with positivity is the best approach.
Values
Each and every character in the play is important. It is always the team effort which makes a presentation a great performance. Write dialogues among the characters of the play The Story of Rama’ suggesting to each other how they could make it a great performance.
Answer – Dialogue among the characters on teamwork:
Rama: “We must all remember our lines and help each other if someone forgets.”
Sita: “Yes, let’s all rehearse together. It’s not about one role, it’s about the whole story.”
Lakshmana: “Let’s stay backstage when not performing to support those on stage.”
Hanuman (Rupa): “Even though my part is funny now, I’ll try my best. Let’s make it a memorable show together!”
Teacher: “Wonderful spirit! Teamwork is what makes a performance successful.”
Writing Skills
Imagine yourself to be Rupa. Write a diary entry expressing your feelings on your stage performance as Hanuman on the Annual Day function.
Answer – Diary Entry by Rupa
Date: 00.00.0000
Dear Diary,
What a day it has been! I never imagined I would actually get to play Hanuman. When Alka couldn’t come, the teacher gave me the chance—and I was so excited! But oh dear, I made so many mistakes. I forgot lines, repeated the teacher’s prompts word-for-word, and even told Rama he forgot his tail!
Then, when Ravana came on stage with that huge sword, I got so scared that I shouted I wasn’t Hanuman and pulled off my mask! The audience laughed so hard. It was super embarrassing, but I’m glad they enjoyed it. I learned that even if things don’t go perfectly, the show must go on—and maybe next time, I’ll be ready to shine!
Rupa
Additional Questions And Answers – 01
A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Who was originally assigned the role of Hanuman in the play?
(a) Rupa
(b) Anu
(c) Alka
(d) Neha
Answer – (c) Alka - What role did Rupa want to play in the beginning?
(a) Sita
(b) Rama
(c) Hanuman
(d) Lakshmana
Answer – (b) Rama - What did Rupa forget while entering the stage as Hanuman?
(a) Her lines
(b) Her mask
(c) Her tail
(d) Her weapon
Answer – (c) Her tail - Why couldn’t Alka perform on the Annual Day?
(a) She had stage fright
(b) She went out of town
(c) She fell sick with measles
(d) She forgot her costume
Answer – (c) She fell sick with measles - What was Rupa’s final reaction when Ravana raised his sword?
(a) She ran off stage
(b) She attacked Ravana
(c) She screamed and removed her mask
(d) She stood still
Answer – (c) She screamed and removed her mask
B. Short Questions and Answers
- What was Rupa’s initial reaction when she was given the role of a monkey?
Answer – Rupa was disappointed and felt unimportant, as the role had no dialogues and only involved jumping and shouting with the Vanar Sena. - How did Rupa finally get the chance to play Hanuman?
Answer – She got the opportunity when Alka, who was playing Hanuman, fell ill and couldn’t perform, prompting the teacher to ask Rupa to step in. - Why did the audience laugh during Rupa’s performance?
Answer – The audience laughed because Rupa made many humorous mistakes, like forgetting her lines, saying prompts aloud, and revealing her identity on stage. - What did the teacher do after Rupa messed up her first stage appearance?
Answer – The teacher scolded Rupa and warned her that her role might be cut short if she didn’t perform properly. - How did Rupa react when Ravana threatened her?
Answer – She panicked, screamed, and told everyone she wasn’t Hanuman but Rupa, pulling off her mask in fear.
C. Competency-Based Reasoning and Assertion Questions
- Assertion (A): Rupa was given the role of a monkey in the Vanar Sena.
Reason (R): The teacher thought her voice was too squeaky for an important role.
- (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
- (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
- (c) A is true, but R is false.
- (d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer – (a)
- Assertion (A): Rupa became nervous on stage during her performance.
Reason (R): She had never rehearsed the role of Hanuman before the Annual Day.
- (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
- (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
- (c) A is true, but R is false.
- (d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer – (a)
- Assertion (A): Rupa’s performance turned into a comedy.
Reason (R): She confidently delivered her lines and impressed the audience.
- (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
- (b) A is true, but R is false.
- (c) Both A and R are false.
- (d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer – (b)
- Assertion (A): Rupa said “Now jump” on stage.
Reason (R): She thought the teacher’s prompt was part of her lines.
- (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
- (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
- (c) A is true, but R is false.
- (d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer – (a)
D. Long Questions and Answers (50–60 words)
- Describe how Rupa’s dream of playing an important role came true and what happened on stage.
Answer – Rupa, who initially wanted to play a major role, was disappointed to be part of the Vanar Sena. However, due to Alka’s illness, she was given the role of Hanuman. Although excited, Rupa forgot her lines, made mistakes on stage, and created many humorous moments, making the audience laugh throughout her performance. - Why did the teacher hesitate to give Rupa the role of Hanuman initially? How did Rupa later prove herself?
Answer – The teacher hesitated because of Rupa’s squeaky voice and lack of stage preparation. However, when Alka fell ill, Rupa got a chance to act. Though she made mistakes, her enthusiasm and effort to perform won the audience’s attention and turned her role into an entertaining success. - What does the play teach us about teamwork and the role of every character in a production?
Answer – The play teaches that every role, big or small, contributes to the success of a performance. Team spirit, cooperation, and support from peers and teachers are essential. Even a minor character like Rupa can capture the audience’s attention and bring life to the show through enthusiasm and effort. - What lesson can be learned from Rupa’s stage experience during the Annual Day?
Answer – Rupa’s experience shows that it’s okay to make mistakes and feel nervous. What matters is the courage to try and the willingness to learn. Her story encourages us to stay confident, face challenges with a smile, and understand that making people laugh is also a form of success.
Additional Questions And Answers – 02
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- What role did Rupa initially want to play in the school play?
a) Sita
b) Rama
c) Lakshmana
d) Hanuman
Answer: b) Rama - Why did the teacher initially assign Rupa the role of a monkey in the Vanar Sena?
a) Rupa was too tall
b) Rupa’s voice was too squeaky
c) Rupa didn’t want to act
d) Rupa was not interested in the play
Answer: b) Rupa’s voice was too squeaky - What caused Alka to miss the performance?
a) She forgot her lines
b) She was injured
c) She contracted measles
d) She was late
Answer: c) She contracted measles - What did the teacher instruct Rupa to do as Hanuman?
a) Improvise her dialogues
b) Repeat the teacher’s prompts loudly
c) Stay silent on stage
d) Perform a dance
Answer: b) Repeat the teacher’s prompts loudly - What mistake did Rupa make during her first scene as Hanuman?
a) She forgot to wear her costume
b) She repeated Rama’s line about the tail
c) She refused to jump
d) She spoke too softly
Answer: b) She repeated Rama’s line about the tail - What did Rupa do when Ravana raised his sword?
a) She fought back bravely
b) She screamed and removed her mask
c) She ran off the stage
d) She recited her lines correctly
Answer: b) She screamed and removed her mask - What was the audience’s reaction to Rupa’s mistakes?
a) They clapped loudly
b) They remained silent
c) They laughed
d) They booed
Answer: c) They laughed - What role was Radhika assigned in the play?
a) Rama
b) Sita
c) Hanuman
d) Lakshmana
Answer: b) Sita - What did the teacher promise Rupa if she performed well as a monkey?
a) A prize
b) The role of Hanuman next time
c) A bigger role in another play
d) No role in the future
Answer: b) The role of Hanuman next time - What did Rupa say when she realized her mistake with Sita’s dialogue?
a) “I am not Hanuman!”
b) “Your beauty is your bane.”
c) “I meant my tail.”
d) “I am Lord Rama’s servant.”
Answer: b) “Your beauty is your bane.”
Short Questions and Answers
- Who was initially cast as Hanuman in the play?
Answer: Alka - What was Rupa’s initial role in the Vanar Sena?
Answer: One of the monkeys - What did the Vanar Sena monkeys have to do in the play?
Answer: Jump up and down and shout “Jai Rama, Jai Hanuman” - Why was the teacher dismayed before the play began?
Answer: Alka, who was playing Hanuman, contracted measles and couldn’t perform. - What did Rupa forget to pin during her performance as Hanuman?
Answer: Her tail - Who delivered the letter to the teacher about Alka’s absence?
Answer: The Chowkidar - What did Rupa do when she couldn’t remember her lines as Hanuman?
Answer: She relied on the teacher’s prompting from the wings. - What was the setting of Scene IV in the play?
Answer: Ashok Vatika - What did Ravana call Rupa’s character when he saw her on stage?
Answer: A puny creature - What did the teacher do after Rupa’s mistakes in Scene III?
Answer: She scolded Rupa and threatened to cut short her role.
Competency-Based Questions (Reasoning and Assertion)
- Assertion (A): Rupa was disappointed with her initial role in the Vanar Sena.
Reason (R): She wanted to play a major role like Rama or Hanuman.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Rupa expressed her desire to play Rama and later showed excitement at the possibility of playing Hanuman, indicating her disappointment with the minor role of a monkey in the Vanar Sena, which only required shouting and jumping. - Assertion (A): Rupa’s performance as Hanuman was flawed.
Reason (R): She repeated incorrect prompts and removed her mask on stage.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Rupa’s mistakes, such as repeating Rama’s line about the tail and removing her mask in fear when Ravana threatened her, led to a flawed performance, causing laughter from the audience and the teacher’s frustration. - Assertion (A): The teacher was initially hesitant to give Rupa the role of Hanuman.
Reason (R): Rupa’s voice was considered too squeaky for a major role.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The teacher cited Rupa’s squeaky voice as the reason for assigning her a minor role initially and hesitated when giving her Hanuman’s role, asking if she could manage it. - Assertion (A): The audience laughed during Rupa’s scenes.
Reason (R): Rupa made several mistakes, including repeating incorrect lines and removing her mask.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Rupa’s errors, such as repeating “You have forgotten to pin your tail” and pulling off her mask while screaming, caused comedic moments that led to the audience’s laughter. - Assertion (A): Rupa was excited when offered the role of Hanuman.
Reason (R): She saw it as a chance to fulfill her dream of performing a major role.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Rupa’s excitement is evident when she questions if her dream is coming true, reflecting her desire to play a significant role like Hanuman instead of a minor one.
Long Questions and Answers (50-60 words)
- Why was Rupa disappointed with her initial role, and how did her attitude change when she got the chance to play Hanuman?
Answer: Rupa was disappointed with her Vanar Sena role because it was minor, requiring only jumping and shouting, unlike the major role of Rama she desired. When offered Hanuman’s role due to Alka’s absence, her attitude shifted to excitement, as she saw it as a dream come true, eagerly accepting the challenge despite not knowing the dialogues. - How did Rupa’s mistakes during the performance affect the play and the audience’s reaction?
Answer: Rupa’s mistakes, such as repeating incorrect prompts like “You have forgotten to pin your tail” and removing her mask in fear, disrupted the play’s flow. These errors caused the audience to laugh, turning serious scenes comedic. Her confusion with Sita’s dialogue further amused the audience, leading to the teacher’s frustration and a decision to shorten Rupa’s role. - What challenges did the teacher face when Alka was unable to perform, and how did she address them?
Answer: The teacher faced a crisis when Alka, cast as Hanuman, contracted measles, threatening the play’s performance. She addressed this by reluctantly assigning Rupa the role, despite her squeaky voice, and prompted her from the wings to ensure correct dialogue delivery. However, Rupa’s mistakes led the teacher to scold her and consider cutting her role short. - Describe Rupa’s interaction with Sita in Scene IV and how it reflected her inexperience on stage.
Answer: In Scene IV, Rupa, as Hanuman, mistakenly repeated Sita’s prompted line, “My beauty is my bane,” implying it was about herself, causing Sita to retort sharply. This error highlighted Rupa’s inexperience, as she failed to distinguish her role’s dialogue from Sita’s, leading to confusion and audience laughter, underscoring her struggle with stage performance. - How did Rupa’s fear affect her performance when confronted by Ravana, and what was the consequence?
Answer: Rupa’s fear during Ravana’s threatening entrance caused her to scream, remove her mask, and declare she was not Hanuman, disrupting the play’s immersion. This led to audience laughter and an infuriated teacher dragging her off stage. Her fear-induced actions highlighted her unpreparedness, resulting in a comedic rather than dramatic scene, impacting the play’s seriousness.