Summary of "More-than-True"
In the story "More-than-True" by Rabindranath Tagore, a grandfather tells his grandchild, Didi, about his amazing adventures that he imagined while studying geography. He describes a journey that starts with the name of a river, Yang-tse-kiang, which makes him picture caravans and camels. He imagines traveling through many cities, deserts, and jungles, meeting a princess in China. He pretends to be the crown prince of Bengal to impress her. They share tea and, in the end, he says he married the princess and got half her kingdom. The story is filled with fantasy and shows how powerful and fun imagination can be.
Difficult Words and Their Definitions
- Geography: The study of the Earth, including countries, landscapes, and places.
- Caravan: A group of people and animals traveling together, often across a desert.
- Conjured: Made to appear in the mind as if by magic.
- Pavilion: A fancy outdoor building or tent.
- Incense: A substance that is burned to produce a pleasant smell.
- Censer: A container in which incense is burned.
- Yak: A long-haired animal found in Asia.
- Vineyards: Fields where grapes are grown to make wine.
- Chrysanthemums: A type of flower that is often used in tea.
- Fusung Bird: A fictional bird created by the grandfather's imagination.
- Hachang Tree: A fictional tree created by the grandfather's imagination.
- Perched: Sat or rested on something high.
- Marble: A type of stone that is smooth and often used in buildings.
Let's Infer
Why would the geography conjured up by the Yang-tse-kiang river not help anyone to pass an exam?
- ANSWER: The geography conjured up by the Yang-tse-kiang river was filled with imaginative and fantastical elements, like long caravans and camels, which are not factual or useful for answering exam questions based on real-world knowledge.
Did Grandpa do any of the following things?
- a. ride a camel
- b. travel to foreign countries
- c. cross many deserts
- d. enter a jungle at the foot of Ush-khush mountains
- e. confront a white bear
(All these options should be ticked as correct because Grandpa described all these things in his imaginative story.)
a. What was the princess doing when Grandpa saw her?
- ANSWER: The princess was feeding her milk-white peacock with pomegranate seeds while her maids were attending to her.
b. What did he tell the princess about himself? Why did it 'save' him?
- ANSWER: Grandpa told the princess that he was the crown prince of Bengal. This "saved" him because it made the princess curious and respectful, preventing her from dismissing him or having him thrown out.
"That's the sort of person I am." What sort of a person was he?
- ANSWER: Grandpa was a person with a vivid imagination who enjoyed creating and telling fantastical stories. He was spontaneous and inventive, often making things up as he went along.
Do you find more-than-true details in
- a. a book on science?
- b. fairy tales?
- c. fables?
- d. the balance sheet of a bank?
(Tick the right answer.)
ANSWER:- b. fairy tales
- c. fables
Let's Discuss
Fairy tales and fables appeal to children alone.
Argument for the statement:
- Fairy tales and fables are often written with simple language, imaginative plots, and moral lessons that are easily understood and appreciated by children. The magical elements and clear distinctions between good and evil resonate well with a child’s sense of wonder and justice.
Argument against the statement:
- Fairy tales and fables also appeal to adults. Many adults enjoy these stories for their nostalgic value, their deeper moral and philosophical meanings, and their cultural significance. Fairy tales and fables can offer valuable lessons and insights at any age, and their timeless nature means they can be appreciated by people of all generations.
Children love listening to stories, not reading them.
Argument for the statement:
- Listening to stories can be more engaging for children, especially younger ones who may not yet have strong reading skills. The act of listening allows children to use their imagination more freely without the struggle of decoding text. Additionally, the emotional and expressive delivery of a storyteller can make the story more captivating and memorable.
Argument against the statement:
- Many children also love reading stories. Books with colorful illustrations and simple texts can attract young readers and encourage a love of reading. As children grow older and become more proficient readers, they may enjoy the independence and immersion that reading stories on their own can provide. Reading can also help develop their language skills and creativity.
In conclusion, while fairy tales and fables have a strong appeal to children, they are also cherished by many adults. Similarly, children can enjoy both listening to and reading stories, depending on their age, reading abilities, and personal preferences.
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