8th Standard English FL PROSE-1
THE HEAVENLY PARASOL
Pre-reading task
1 What is a mace?
Answer: Mace is a simple weapon.
2 What are the features of a mace?
Answer: Mace has a heavy wooden or metal shaft, often reinforced with metal, featuring a head made of stones, copper, bronze, iron or steel.
3 What are the uses of a mace?
Answer: It was used in traditional warfare. For example, Bhima and Duryodhana fought with maces in the Mahabharatha war. Now-a-days, maces are used as symbols of authority in the emblems of a number of government bodies, universities and academic, parliamentary or civic rituals.
Pre-reading task :
Discuss these aspects with your classmates and write down the answers:
What is a “Parasol”?
Answer: Parasol is a Umbrella used to give shade from the Sun.
Where is it used?
Answer: It used in all over the world to protect from rain and sunlight.
Why is it used?
Answer: It is used to protect from rain and sunlight.
Glossary :
parasol : light umbrella used to give shade from the sun.
lure : attract or invite
exquisite : extremely beautiful or delicate
cast : spread, act of throwing something
sovereign : person holding highest power
dazed : confused, surprised, bewildered
portent : sign or warning of an unpleasant future event
impose : try to make somebody to accept
expedition : journey or voyage with a particular aim
weary : tired
wood : small forest
slain : kill violently
agitation : disturbed state of mind
brandish : display, show
barbarian : primitive, coarse or cruel human being
victim : living creature killed and offered as religious sacrifice
cringe : move back or lower one’s body in fear
incredulity : showing disbelief
vanished : disappeared.
I. Comprehension :
A. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each:-
1. What was the name of the beautiful princess of Pragjyotisha?
Answer: Amritaprabha is the name of the beautiful princess of Pragjyotisha.
2. What was arranged for her, when she attained the age of marriage?
Answer: When she attained the age of marriage the king held a swayamvara to enable her to choose her husband.
3. Who was Meghavahana?
Answer: Meghavahana was the great-grandson of a former king of Kashmir.
4. Why did the priest cry out in surprise?
Answer: The parasol of Varuna has cast its shadow over the prince Meghavahana. So the priest cried out in surprise.
5. What was the uniqueness of the Parasol?
Answer: The Parasol casts its shadow on none else but a sovereign of the whole world. This was the uniqueness of the Parasol.
6. Why did the ministers of the Kashmir court make an offer to Meghavahana to be their King?
Answer: The King has devoted himself to a life of prayer and the affairs of the kingdom lie neglected. The people suffer because of this. That is why the ministers of the Kashmir court are dissatisfied with our present ruler and offer to Meghavahana to be their King.
7. What was the law imposed by Meghavahana in his kingdom?
Answer: Meghavahana imposed a law against the killing of living beings.
8. Why did Meghavahana want to conquer the island of Lanka?
Answer: Meghavahana want to conquer the island of Lanka because it is the land of demons and needs to be teach them the ways of peace.
9. What did Meghavahana witness in the middle of the wood?
Answer: Meghavahana witness in the middle of the wood, there was a temple of Chandika (Durga) with some sort of human sacrifice in progress on the steps.
10. Why did the barbarian want to kill an innocent man?
Answer: The son of barbarian has fallen prey to some disease and is on his deathbed. If he kill that man in sacrifice, the gods will be pleased and save his son’s life.
11. How did Meghavahana rescue both the victim and the barbarian’s son?
Answer: The King offered his body in sacrifice to Chandika instead of the victim. God Varuna pleased from this action of king Meghavahana and saved both the victim and the barbarian’s son.
12. What happened when Meghavahana was about to strike himself?
Answer: As Meghavahana was about to strike himself, his head was covered with divine flowers of exquisite colour and perfume, and someone held back his arm. There was Varuna, the Lord of the Seas standing behind him.
B. Answer the following in about 150-200 words each:
1. Describe the incident of how Meghavahana got the heavenly parasol.
Answer: The king of the town of Pragjyotisha held a swayamvara to enable his beautiful princess Amritaprabha to choose her husband. Meghavahana, the great-grandson of a former king of Kashmir came that swayamvara. To Meghavahana’s surprise, the princess stopped before him and put the garland around his neck. Suddenly the parasol of Varuna has cast its shadow over the prince. Meghavahana looked up in surprise. All at once, he saw by his side, a beautiful, dazzling white parasol with exquisite decorations that was casting its shadow over him. The king of Pragjyotisha said, “This is the parasol of Varuna, the lord of the seas. It casts its shadow on none else but a sovereign of the whole world. You are destined for glory and brilliance”. That is how Meghavahana got the heavenly parasol.
2. How did Varuna, the Lord of the Seas, test Meghavahana’s nobility of mind?
Answer: Meghavahana became the king of Kashmir. Soon he proclaimed a law against the killing of living beings. It became his ambition to conquer other kingdoms to impose this law on them as well. Once, while on an expedition near the sea, the king told his weary army to rest in the shade of some palm groves. All of a sudden, there was a cry in the air. The cry came again and the king heard the plaintive call, “Even under Meghavahana’s rule. I have been slain!” There was a temple of Chandika (Durga) with some sort of human sacrifice in progress on the steps. A man lay on the ground, his arms raised for mercy, and a menacing-looking barbarian stood over him, brandishing his sword. The barbarian said that his son was suffering from a fatal disease and was on his deathbed. He wanted to kill the victim in sacrifice and appease the gods. He hoped the gods would save his son’s life. Meghavahana stopped him. The barbarian pleaded with the king to allow him to kill the innocent man to save his son and relatives. Meghavahana decided to save the victim. He also decided to save the barbarian’s son. Meghavahana offered his body in sacrifice to goddess Chandika. However, barbarian not agreed to kill the king. The king drew out his sword was about to strike himself, his head was covered with divine flowers of exquisite colour and perfume, and someone held back his arm. The king whirled around in surprise and beheld a person of heavenly appearance. God Varun appeared before him. Then he realized that the barbarian, the victim and the ailing boy had vanished. The king turned around and surprised. God Varuna said that he created this illusion to test Meghavahana’s nobility of mind. “You are truly compassionate and noble.” Said God Varuna.
Some more questions:
- Who is Amritaprabha?
Answer: A beautiful princess in the town of Pragjyotisha called Amritaprabha.
- Who came to the swayamvara of Amritaprabha?
Answer: Many illustrious suitors, lured by tales of Amritaprabha’s beauty, assembled there in the swayamvara of Amritaprabha.
- Who is Meghavahana?
Answer: Meghavahana is the great-grandson of a former king of Kashmir.
- Why did many illustrious suitors assemble in Pragjyotisha?
Answer: Many illustrious suitors heard tales of Amritaprabha’s beauty and assembled to participate the swayamvara of Amritaprabha in Pragjyotisha.
- Who married Amritaprabha?
Answer: The king of Meghavahana married Amritaprabha.
- What was Meghavahana’s ambition?
Answer: Meghavahana proclaimed a law against the killing of living beings. It became his ambition to conquer other kingdoms to impose this law on them as well.
- Whose parasol was it that cast a shadow over the prince?
Answer: The parasol of Varuna has cast its shadow over the prince.
- Where did the plaintive call that Meghavahana heard come from?
Answer: The plaintive call that Meghavahana heard come from a wood by the shore.
- What did the barbarian say when Meghavahana offered himself in sacrifice to Chandika?
Answer: the barbarian say when Meghavahana offered himself in sacrifice to Chandika that he was the king. His life should be protect at all times. He said that life of the victim has no significance and requested Meghavahana do not show any pity to the victim. Let him die.
Why had god Varuna come there?
Answer: God Varuna came there for reclaiming his parasol.
Who was carried away the parasol of god Varuna?
Answer: Parasol that was carried away from the town of god Varuna by the powerful Bhauma, the father of Meghavahana’s father-in-law.
12. What is the power of Varuna's parasol?
Answer: The parasol of god Varuna has powers to quell calamities in my land.
13. What boon did Meghavahana ask from Varuna?
Answer: Meghavahana asked Varuna for help to cross the waters so that he may conquer the island.
14. Who was the king of Lanka on that time?
Answer: Vibhishana was the king of Lanka on that time.
15. How did Meghavahana conquered Lanka?
Answer: Meghavahana assembled his troops on the shore. The waters swelled and crashed on the sand, and the soldiers trembled at its might. Meghavahana rode forward and plunged into the foaming ocean. All at once, the waters parted and the king, smiling at his troops’ astonishment, beckoned them to follow him. In this wondrous manner, Meghavahana reached Lanka and won over its king Vibhishana in the form of friendship.
16. Why did Amritaprabha get confused? What did she asked to Meghavahana?
Answer: Amritaprabha get confused because Meghavahana returned to his kingdom without the heavenly parasol. She asked Meghavahana “Where is the parasol, my lord?”
II. Read the following statements and answer the questions given below:
1 “It casts its shade on none else but a sovereign of the whole world…”
- Who said this?
Answer: The king of Pragjyothisha said this.
- Who was it said to?
Answer: It was said to Prince Meghavahana
- When was it said?
Answer: It was said when the parasol of Varuna appeared beside Meghavahana and cast its shadow over him.
2. “You wretch! You dare to threaten another’s life in my realm.”
- Who said this?
Answer: The king Meghavahana said this.
- To whom was it said?
Answer: It was said to the barbarian.
- Why was it said?
Answer: The barbarian preparing to kill one man in sacrifice at that time.
3. “If you cannot bring yourself to strike at me, I will use my own sword for the purpose.”
- Who said this?
Answer: King Meghavahana said this.
- Who was the listener?
Answer: The listener was the barbarian.
- What meaning does this sentence convey?
Answer: The King Meghavahana asked to the barbarian to kill him as sacrifice. But the barbarian refused to kill the king. Then the king said that he would kill himself with his own sword.
III. Language Activity
Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions:
1. Due to heavy rainfall the huge tree fell down and unfortunately, Shamu was caught under the tree. (under, down, below)
2. There is a roof over us. (above, over)
3. I bought a gift for my brother. (to, for)
4. Sheetal took leave from her office. (of, from)
5. They climbed up the stairs, went on the terrace to have a view of the star studded sky. (on, up, above)
6. I have to go to a meeting at 12.30 p.m. (at, on)
7. I cried “Help, Help” when the boy fell into the well. (down, into)
8. Shika travels from Chandigarh to Delhi every week. (on, from,to)
9. My sister’s wedding is at Hotel Taj in Mumbai. (in, on, at)
10. Shashank took an express bus to Mysuru, which goes through Mandya. (by, through)
IV. Listening Activity:
Listen to your teacher’s reading of the following words. Find the difference in their pronunciation and repeat and practise the words along with your teacher :
(i) effect : / ifekt / (ii) expect : / ik΄spekt /
affect : / ə’fekt / except : / ik΄sept /
(iii) except : / ik΄sept/ (iv) price : / p΄rais /
accept : /ək’sept/ prize : / p΄raiz /
praise : / preiz /
(v) his : / hiz/ (vi) hire : / haiə/
is : / iz / heir : / eə(r)/
(vii) are : / a: (r) / (viii) hair : / heə /
or : / o: (r) / air : / eə(r)/
V. Speaking Activity :
Form groups of five each and discuss the stories of great men like Swami Vivekananda, King Ashoka, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, St Francis of Assisi, Mother Theresa etc., who displayed their compassion and love for mankind like Meghavahana. One member from each group has to come forward and narrate a story to the class.
VI. DICTIONARY USE
A. Choose the appropriate specialists given below in brackets for the following ailments: (Take the help of a dictionary)
(Gynaecologist, Paediatrician, Obstetrician, Dermatologist, Ophthalmologist, Cardiologist, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Orthopaedician, Physiotherapist)
1. Sheela has got white patches on her skin. She needs to consult a Dermatologist
2. Priya cannot see the letters on the board. She has to see an Ophthalmologist
3. The child is suffering from fever. The parents have to take him to a Paediatrician
4. Kiran fell from the cycle and broke his bones got injured. He immediately consulted an Orthopaedician
5. Students are stressed because of their exams. They should have a session with a Psychologist
6. My grandfather had a pain in the chest. We took him to a Cardiologist
7. This person has really gone mad. He needs the help of a Psychiatrist
8. Rohan always suffers from muscle catch and cramps. So he always visits his Physiotherapist
9. Ritu introduced me to an Obstetrician who delivered her baby.
10. A Gynaecologist specialises in treating the ailments of women.
VII. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word chosen from the homophones given in brackets:
1. I can’t hear you from such a distance. Come here and tell me. (here, hear)
2. Arjun used some formula to solve the sum. (sum, some)
3. Veena has lakhs of rupees but still she lacks peace.
(lacks, lakhs)
4. Two years ago, the shop was seized and so it ceased to exist.
(ceased, seized)
5. We should know how to say no without hurting others. (no, know)
VIII. Reading Activity:
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Alexander Fleming
His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to eke out a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up at the Scotsman’s sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.
“I want to repay you”, said the nobleman. “You saved my son’s life.’’ “No, I can’t accept payment for what I did”, the Scottish farmer replied, waving aside the offer. At that moment, the farmer’s own son came to the door of the family hovel.
“Is that your son?” the nobleman asked. “Yes,” the farmer replied proudly. “I’ll make you a deal. Let me take him and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he’ll grow into a man you can be proud of”, said the nobleman. And that he did. In time,
Farmer Fleming’s son graduated from St.Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterwards, the nobleman’s son was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son’s name? Sir Winston Churchill.
IX. Answer the following as directed:
I. Find the meanings of the following words: (Take the help of a dictionary)
(a) bog (c) lad (e) hovel (b) muck (d) sparse (f) pneumonia
Bog = an area of ground that is very soft and wet
Lad = a boy or young man
Hovel = a house or room that is not fit to live in because it is dirty or in very bad condition
Muck = dirt or mud, the waste from farm animals, used to make plants grow better
Sparse = small in quantity or amount, thin
Pneumonia = a serious illness of the lungs which makes breathing difficult
2. Farmer Fleming saved the boy from slow and terrifying death. (Fill in the blank)
3. What was the deal the nobleman made with Farmer Fleming?
Answer: The noblemen offered to take Fleming’s son and give him good education.
4. Farmer Fleming’s son graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London. (Fill in the blank)
5. Who was Farmer Fleming’s son?
Answer: Sir Alexander Fleming was the son of Farmer Fleming.
6. The nobleman’s son suffered from pneumonia. (Fill in the blank)
7. What is the lesson you learn from the story?
Answer: If we helps others, once it well helps us in future. The saying “If you help others, someone else will help you” reflects a belief in the interconnectedness of kindness and reciprocity. While it is not a guarantee, there is evidence suggesting that acts of giving can lead to a greater likelihood of receiving support in return, either directly or indirectly.
8. The nobleman’s son was Sir Winston Churchill. (Fill in the blank)
X. Fill the missing letters in the adjectives:
Eg: The character of a person who gets angry very fast:
s h o r t _ t e m p e r e d
1) The character of a person who always remains calm and poised: composed
2) The character of a person who is concerned too much with his own needs or wishes : selfish
3) The character of a person which is compared to a fox: cunning
4) The character of a person who is careful and precise in everything: meticulous
5) The character of a person who exhibits very strong emotions or intense enthusiasm for something: passionate
