Additional To Look Into
Summary: The Tale of a Tail
Swaminathan walks into his V-grade classroom and hears giggling. He soon realizes that someone has written “Tail” in large letters on the blackboard—mocking him. Feeling humiliated and assuming Pea and Shankar are behind it, he slaps both of them. This leads to a chaotic fight between the three boys, which only ends when their friends Mani, Rajam, and Somu arrive, along with their teacher.
The friends go to a quiet place outside to settle the issue. Swaminathan accuses Pea and Shankar of calling him “Rajam’s tail,” a nickname that embarrasses him because he follows Rajam around. This statement triggers a heated argument, especially because Mani and Rajam are enemies. Somu tries to calm Mani, but ends up in a physical fight with him, shocking the younger boys.
Terrified, Swaminathan and the others run to the Headmaster, thinking two murders are happening. The Headmaster, initially amused, eventually intervenes and separates the fighters. All five boys are taken to the Headmaster’s room.
Word Meanings (English to Hindi)
Word/Phrase | Meaning (English) | अर्थ (Hindi) |
Giggle | A light, silly laugh | दबी-दबी हँसी |
Embarrassed | Feeling shy, ashamed, or awkward | शर्मिंदा |
Fierce | Very strong or violent | ज़ोरदार, उग्र |
Pandemonium | Chaos; a situation full of noise and confusion | हंगामा, अफरा-तफरी |
Aghast | Horrified; shocked | चकित, भयभीत |
Composed | Calm and in control | शांत, संयमित |
Rogue | A mischievous or dishonest person | शरारती, बदमाश |
Sarcastic | Mocking in a bitter way | ताना मारने वाला |
Frozen expression | A still, emotionless look | जमी हुई अभिव्यक्ति |
Trembling | Shaking with fear or anger | कांपता हुआ |
Sworn enemies | People who strongly dislike each other | क़सम खाए दुश्मन |
Burst in | Enter suddenly and noisily | अचानक घुस आना |
Comprehension Questions & Answers
- Q: What did Swaminathan see on the blackboard that embarrassed him?
A: He saw the word “Tail” written in big letters. - Q: Why did Swaminathan slap Pea and Shankar?
A: He thought they had written “Tail” on the board to tease him. - Q: What caused pandemonium in the class?
A: A fight broke out between Swaminathan, Pea, and Shankar. - Q: Who helped stop the fight?
A: Mani, Rajam, and Somu stopped the fight and took the boys outside. - Q: Why was Swaminathan called a “tail”?
A: Because he followed Rajam around everywhere like a tail. - Q: What unexpected fight shocked the younger boys?
A: Somu and Mani, who were best friends, started fighting. - Q: How did the Headmaster come to know about the fight?
A: Swaminathan and the other boys ran to him saying “murders” were happening. - Q: What did the Headmaster do after hearing the boys?
A: He went to the field with a peon and stopped the fight.