Summary
The story begins with Lemuel Gulliver waking up on a seashore, finding himself inexplicably tied down. He’s surrounded by countless tiny men, who have used ladders and leather strips to bind him. Terrified and disoriented, he learns he’s in Lilliput and is considered a prisoner because he’s not a Lilliputian. He’s then transported to the Emperor’s chamber, where he explains his predicament: his ship was wrecked by a storm, and he swam for days before fainting on their shore. The Emperor, impressed by his bravery, grants him friendship instead of imprisonment.
In the second part, Gulliver learns that Lilliput is under attack from their enemies, the Blefuscuns. Seeing an opportunity to repay the Emperor’s kindness, Gulliver devises a plan. Under the cover of night, he ties ropes to the enemy warships and, with a mighty pull, captures the entire fleet. This act earns him the title of a national hero among the jubilant Lilliputians.
Word Meanings
English Word | English Meaning | Hindi Meaning |
Seashore | The land along the sea or ocean. | समुद्र तट (Samudra Tat) |
Weak | Lacking physical strength. | कमजोर (Kamzor) |
Stuck | Unable to move from a particular position. | अटका हुआ (Atka Hua) |
Frightened | Afraid; scared. | डरा हुआ (Dara Hua) |
Countless | Too many to be counted. | अनगिनत (Anginat) |
Tiny | Very small. | बहुत छोटा (Bahut Chhota), नन्हा (Nanha) |
Ladders | Structures consisting of a series of bars or steps between two upright lengths, used for climbing. | सीढ़ी (Seedhi) |
Leather strips | Narrow pieces of processed animal skin. | चमड़े की पट्टियाँ (Chamde ki Pattiyan) |
Giant | An imaginary being of human form but superhuman size. | दानव (Danav), विशालकाय (Vishalkaay) |
Dwarfs | People, animals, or plants much smaller than the usual size. | बौना (Bauna) |
Courage | The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery. | साहस (Saahas) |
Prisoner | A person kept in captivity, especially in a prison. | कैदी (Kaidi) |
Platform | A raised level surface on which people or things can stand. | मंच (Manch), चबूतरा (Chabutra) |
Screamed | Gave a long, loud, piercing cry. | चीखा (Cheekha) |
Nervously | In an anxious or uneasy manner. | घबराहट से (Ghabrahat Se) |
Chamber | A private room, typically a bedroom or an office. | कक्ष (Kaksh), कमरा (Kamra) |
Booming voice | A deep, resonant, and loud voice. | गड़गड़ाती आवाज (Gadgadati Aawaz) |
Majesty | A title of respect used when addressing or referring to a sovereign or ruler. | महाराज (Maharaj), महामहिम (Mahamahim) |
Sailor | A person who works on a boat or ship; a mariner. | नाविक (Navik) |
Brave | Ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage. | बहादुर (Bahadur), साहसी (Sahasi) |
Cousins | The children of one’s aunt or uncle. (Not in text, likely a typo in previous data; replacing with courageous as per context) | (नही दिया गया) |
Courageous | Showing courage. | साहसी (Sahasi) |
Wrecked | Destroyed or severely damaged (a ship or vehicle). | तबाह हो गया (Tabah Ho Gaya), नष्ट हो गया (Nasht Ho Gaya) |
Storm | A violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow. | तूफान (Toofan) |
Swam | Moved through water using the limbs or body. | तैरा (Taira) |
Weary | Feeling or showing tiredness. | थका हुआ (Thaka Hua) |
Fainted | Lost consciousness for a short time. | बेहोश हो गया (Behosh Ho Gaya) |
Attentively | With close attention. | ध्यान से (Dhyan Se), एकाग्रता से (Ekagrata Se) |
Impressed | Feeling admiration or respect. | प्रभावित (Prabhavit) |
Deserve | Do something or have qualities worthy of (a reaction or reward). | योग्य होना (Yogya Hona), हकदार होना (Hakdar Hona) |
Grateful | Feeling or showing an appreciation for something. | आभारी (Aabhari), कृतज्ञ (Kritagya) |
Attacked | Assailed with military force. | हमला किया (Hamla Kiya) |
Enemies | People who are hostile to or oppose something. | दुश्मन (Dushman), शत्रु (Shatru) |
Opportunity | A set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. | अवसर (Avasar) |
Repay | Pay back (a loan, debt, or the like). | चुकाना (Chukana), प्रतिफल देना (Pratifal Dena) |
Kindness | The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. | दयालुता (Dayaluta), मेहरबानी (Meherbani) |
Crawled | Moved forward on the hands and knees or by dragging the body close to the ground. | रेंगना (Rengna) |
Warships | Ships equipped for fighting in war. | युद्धपोत (Yuddhapota) |
Silently | Without noise or speaking. | चुपचाप (Chupchap), खामोशी से (Khamoshi Se) |
Tied | Fastened with a knot or bow. | बाँधा (Baandha) |
Fleet | A group of ships or vehicles operating together. | बेड़ा (Beda), जहाजों का समूह (Jahajon ka Samooh) |
Captured | Took into one’s possession or control by force. | कब्जा कर लिया (Kabza Kar Liya), पकड़ लिया (Pakad Liya) |
Shouts of joy | Loud expressions of happiness. | खुशी के नारे (Khushi ke Nare) |
National hero | A person who is admired by a nation for their achievements. | राष्ट्रीय नायक (Rashtriya Nayak) |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Where did Gulliver first wake up?
a) In a bed
b) On the seashore
c) In a forest
d) On a ship
2. What did Gulliver find hard to believe when he looked around?
a) The beautiful scenery
b) The tiny men surrounding him
c) His ship was intact
d) He was alone
3. Why did the Lilliputians initially make Gulliver a prisoner?
a) He attacked them.
b) He was a giant and not a Lilliputian.
c) He stole their food.
d) He refused to speak.
4. How did Gulliver’s ship get wrecked?
a) By pirates
b) By a powerful storm
c) By hitting rocks
d) By a sea monster
5. What impressed the Emperor about Gulliver’s story?
a) His wealth
b) His bravery and courage
c) His humble nature
d) His knowledge of Lilliput
6. Who were the enemies of the Lilliputians?
a) The Giants
b) The Blefuscuns
c) The Humans
d) The Lilliputians themselves
7. How did Gulliver help Lilliput win the war?
a) He fought in a duel.
b) He designed new weapons.
c) He captured the enemy warships.
d) He negotiated peace.
8. What did Gulliver become after helping Lilliput?
a) A new king
b) A minister
c) A national hero
d) A slave
Answers to MCQs:
1. b) On the seashore
2. b) The tiny men surrounding him
3. b) He was a giant and not a Lilliputian.
4. b) By a powerful storm
5. b) His bravery and courage
6. b) The Blefuscuns
7. c) He captured the enemy warships.
8. c) A national hero
Short Questions and Answers
- Why was Gulliver frightened when he woke up?
Gulliver was frightened because he found himself tied down and surrounded by countless tiny men, some even walking on his body, which was an unbelievable sight.
- Why did the Lilliputians tie up Gulliver? The Lilliputians tied up Gulliver because he was not a Lilliputian like them, and they feared his giant size, so they made him a prisoner.
- How did Lemuel Gulliver reach Lilliput?
Lemuel Gulliver reached Lilliput after his ship was wrecked by a powerful storm, and he fought against it, swimming for many days and nights until he reached the seashore and fainted.
- The emperor was wise and friendly. Do you agree? Give reasons.
Yes, the emperor seemed both wise and friendly. He listened carefully and attentively to Gulliver’s explanation, rather than immediately condemning him. His decision to declare Gulliver a “friend” instead of keeping him a prisoner, based on Gulliver’s bravery, shows his wisdom and kindness.
- Why was the emperor sad and worried?
The emperor was sad and worried because Lilliput had been attacked by their enemies, the Blefuscuns, leading to a state of war.
- How did Gulliver become a national hero?
Gulliver became a national hero by devising a plan to capture the entire fleet of Blefuscun warships. He crawled to their ships at night, tied ropes to them, and then pulled them all back, securing victory for Lilliput.
Extract-Based Questions
‘I saw this as the best opportunity to repay the emperor for his kindness and friendship.’
(i) Which opportunity is being referred to here?
The opportunity being referred to is the war declared by the Blefuscuns on Lilliput, and the Emperor’s request for Gulliver’s help to win it.
(ii) How did Gulliver plan to pay back the emperor for his kindness?
Gulliver planned to pay back the emperor by helping Lilliput win the war against the Blefuscuns. He decided to do this by crawling to the enemy warships at night, tying them up with ropes, and pulling them all into Lilliputian possession.
(iii) What quality of Gulliver is reflected in the above lines?
The above lines reflect Gulliver’s gratitude, loyalty, and resourcefulness. He felt obliged to help the Emperor who had shown him kindness, and he used his unique size and strength in a clever way to fulfill this obligation.
Event Sequencing
Look at the boxes given below. Each box contains an event taken from the story. The order of these events is in a jumble. Write 1, 2, 3 … in the circles attached to the boxes as per the sequence in which they took place in the story.
- 5 Gulliver’s ship is caught in a storm.
- 6 Luckily, Gulliver survives and manages to swim.
- 1 Gulliver wakes up to find himself on a beach, his arms and legs tied up.
- 2 Countless little men surround and walk over him.
- 3 Gulliver is taken to the emperor.
- 4 The emperor offers Gulliver his friendship.
- 7 One day the Blefuscuns declare war on Lilliput.
- 8 Gulliver repays the emperor’s kindness by capturing the Blefuscun warships.
Opposites
Pick out words from the passage which mean the opposite of the following:
(i) giant → tiny (or “little men”)
(ii) whispered → booming (voice), screamed
(iii) weak → strong
(iv) foolish → wise
(v) friend → prisoner, enemies
(vi) happy → sad, worried
Life Skills
It is very important to keep your nerves in tough situations/times in life. At the beginning of the story Gulliver finds himself in a difficult, unknown and unexpected situation. However, he reacts sensibly, with a great caution, and turns the situation in his favour.
Had you been in Gulliver’s place, how would you have reacted?
If I were in Gulliver’s place, my initial reaction would likely be similar: a mix of fright and disorientation. Waking up tied down and surrounded by tiny, unknown beings would be terrifying. However, seeing Gulliver’s approach, I would try to emulate his calmness and caution. Instead of panicking or struggling violently, which might provoke the Lilliputians further, I’d try to observe their actions, listen to their voices, and assess the situation as he did. My priority would be to communicate non-aggressively, perhaps using gestures or simple sounds to convey that I mean no harm and need help. I’d try to understand their intentions before making any drastic moves, much like Gulliver cautiously answers their questions and explains his situation. His ability to turn a terrifying encounter into a diplomatic one by being composed is something I’d strive for.
Can you narrate any one incident/difficult situation where you behaved in a composed manner, kept your nerves and handled the situation calmly?
(This requires a personal anecdote. Here’s an example you can adapt or replace with your own experience):
One time, during a school project presentation, our group’s main display board accidentally fell apart just minutes before we were supposed to present. Panic started to set in among my teammates. Instead of joining the scramble, I took a deep breath. I quickly assessed what pieces were salvageable and what was completely broken. I calmly suggested we focus on the most crucial parts of the display and use the remaining time to quickly re-attach them with tape, rather than trying to perfectly reconstruct everything. I also assigned specific tasks to each team member. While it wasn’t perfect, we managed to get a functional, albeit slightly rugged, display back up just in time. By staying composed and focusing on a practical solution, we avoided a complete meltdown and were still able to deliver a decent presentation.
A.11. After reaching home, you also write a letter to the emperor, expressing your happiness on receiving the presents and the letter.
Lemuel Gulliver 14, Hamilton Street London England September 15, 2024
The Emperor White Palace Lilliput
Your Royal Highness,
It is with the greatest joy and profound gratitude that I received your thoughtful letter and the wonderful presents. Even across the vast seas, your kindness and the warmth of the Lilliputian people continue to touch my heart deeply.
My stay in Lilliput was an experience I shall cherish forever. The friendship you extended to me, a stranger of immense size, and the trust you placed in me during your time of need, were truly humbling. The memory of your brave people, your magnificent court, and the vibrant spirit of Lilliput is etched firmly in my mind.
Please know that I often recount my adventures in your kingdom, sharing tales of your wisdom and the courage of your subjects with those here in England. I am so glad to have been able to serve you in your triumph over the Blefuscuns.
I eagerly anticipate the day I might visit your glorious kingdom again. Until then, I send my sincerest wishes for continued peace and prosperity to Your Royal Highness and all the people of Lilliput.
Yours sincerely, Lemuel Gulliver