Read: The Story

Class 6 English · Chapter 3: Rama to the Rescue · NCERT Poorvi section pp. 20–25

Learn

Before you read: who helps us when we are in trouble? Police officers, firefighters, doctors, neighbours. To rescue means to save someone. In this picture story, the village policeman is called the kotwal (some people say thaanedar). What would you do if you faced a problem alone at home: give up, get angry, or think quickly?

The story (in short): after a hard day, a husband and wife go to bed. Just as they are falling asleep, the wife hears a strange noise. "Ssssh! Listen!" Someone is digging a hole through the wall to get into their house. A thief!

The couple don't panic. They know the village kotwal is named Rama. So they start a pretend conversation about what to name their future child. The thief, hiding inside, listens and waits for them to stop chattering and fall asleep.

"We'll call him Rama," says the man. "When he's in the house, I'll call him softly: Rama! When he's in the yard, a bit louder: Rama!! And when he's far away, very loudly: RAMA!!!" Kotwal Rama, on his rounds, hears his name being shouted, runs to the house, finds the hole, and catches the thief. Quick thinking saved the day!

Explore: put the story in order.

1. Put the five events in order.

Remember

• A couple hear a thief breaking in and pretend to choose a name for their child.
• By calling "Rama" loudly, they bring Kotwal Rama, who catches the thief.

Quick check

Who is Rama in the story?

1. The village kotwal (policeman)
2. The thief
3. The couple's son
4. A neighbour

Think about it

Why didn't the couple simply shout "Help! Thief!"?

Practice

Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.