Section – D
Summary (English) – The Verger
‘The Verger’ is the story of Albert Foreman, a humble church verger who worked at St Peter’s Church in London for 16 years. He was illiterate but loyal, well-dressed, and hardworking. When a new vicar replaced the old one, he insisted that Albert must know how to read and write. Albert chose to resign rather than learn at his age.
Feeling sad, Albert walked home and realized there were no cigarette shops on the way. This sparked an idea. Using his savings, he opened a tobacco shop, which became very successful. Over time, he opened more shops and became a rich businessman.
One day, a bank manager told him he could earn more by investing. When asked to sign papers, Albert admitted he was illiterate. The manager said, “If you could read and write, you’d be a millionaire.” Albert replied, “If I could read and write, I’d still be a verger.”
The story emphasizes that success comes from vision, hard work, and practical thinking—not just education.
- सारांश (हिन्दी में)
“द वर्जर” कहानी अल्बर्ट फोरमैन की है, जो लंदन के एक चर्च “सेंट पीटर्स” में 16 वर्षों तक वर्जर (चर्च सेवक) के रूप में काम करते थे। वे पढ़े-लिखे नहीं थे लेकिन साफ-सुथरे, मेहनती और ईमानदार थे। जब नया विकर आया, तो उसने कहा कि वर्जर को पढ़ना-लिखना आना चाहिए। अल्बर्ट ने पढ़ना सीखने की बजाय नौकरी छोड़ दी।
घर लौटते समय, अल्बर्ट को महसूस हुआ कि उस इलाके में कोई सिगरेट की दुकान नहीं है। उसने अपनी बचत से एक दुकान खोली, जो बहुत सफल रही। धीरे-धीरे उसने 10 दुकानें खोल लीं और अमीर बन गया।
एक दिन बैंक मैनेजर ने उससे निवेश की बात की, और जब अल्बर्ट ने दस्तावेज़ पर बस एक “X” का निशान लगाया, तो मैनेजर हैरान हो गया। उसने कहा, “अगर आप पढ़-लिख सकते, तो करोड़पति होते।” अल्बर्ट मुस्कराकर बोला, “अगर मैं पढ़-लिख सकता, तो आज भी चर्च में वर्जर होता।”
यह कहानी दिखाती है कि सफलता केवल पढ़ाई से नहीं, बल्कि समझदारी और मेहनत से भी मिलती है।
- Word Meanings (English to Hindi)
Word | Meaning (English) | Meaning (Hindi) |
Verger | Church caretaker | चर्च का सेवक |
Illiterate | Unable to read/write | निरक्षर |
Vicar | Church priest | पादरी |
Obey | Follow instructions | आज्ञा का पालन करना |
Resign | Leave a job | इस्तीफा देना |
Idea | Thought/Plan | विचार/योजना |
Savings | Money saved | बचत |
Businessman | Person doing business | व्यापारी |
Successful | Achieving goals | सफल |
Share | Investment portion | शेयर/हिस्सा |
Manager | Person in charge | प्रबंधक |
Signature | Written name | हस्ताक्षर |
Cross mark (X) | Used instead of signature | क्रॉस निशान (हस्ताक्षर के बदले) |
Millionaire | Very rich person | करोड़पति |
Respectable | Dignified | सम्मानजनक |
- MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
Q1. What was Albert Foreman’s job at St Peter’s Church?
A) Priest
B) Cleaner
C) Verger
D) Choir boy
Answer: C) Verger
Q2. Why did Albert leave his job?
A) He was tired
B) The old vicar dismissed him
C) He couldn’t read or write
D) He wanted to become rich
Answer: C) He couldn’t read or write
Q3. What idea came to Albert’s mind on his way home?
A) Opening a bakery
B) Buying a new house
C) Opening a cigarette shop
D) Becoming a teacher
Answer: C) Opening a cigarette shop
Q4. How many shops did Albert own in the end?
A) Five
B) Ten
C) Seven
D) Twelve
Answer: B) Ten
Q5. What did the bank manager suggest Albert to do?
A) Buy a car
B) Save more money
C) Learn to read
D) Invest in shares
Answer: D) Invest in shares
- Short Questions and Answers
Q1. Why was Albert removed from the job of verger?
Ans: He was removed because he couldn’t read or write, which the new vicar considered essential.
Q2. What did Albert decide to do after losing his job?
Ans: He decided to open a cigarette shop in an area where none existed.
Q3. How did Albert become a rich man?
Ans: He opened one successful shop, then expanded and opened ten shops, earning a lot of money.
Q4. What ironic statement did Albert make to the bank manager?
Ans: He said, “If I could read and write, I’d still be a verger at St Peter’s.”
Q5. What is the moral of the story?
Ans: Success depends more on initiative, observation, and determination than on formal education.