🧠 Vocabulary Booster (20 words) — सरल हिंदी अर्थ

Tip: Read the Word and then the Meaning aloud. It helps memory! 😊

📝 Summary (English) — ~250 words

Jahnavi, a bright girl from a coastal village, longs to go to school like her siblings Gopi (Ettan) and Meena. But each year a new responsibility—looking after younger brothers Ramu and Appu—keeps her back. One day, by the river, she cries in frustration. To her surprise, a soft, sleepy voice answers. It is the River itself, personified as a kind friend. The River notices that Jahnavi has been visiting it almost daily and urges her not to be afraid. When Jahnavi pours out her wish to learn— to read, to write her name, to understand why flowers, bamboo, the moon and frogs are the way they are—the River gently guides her: “It’s up to you.”

The River reminds her that girls can do as much as boys and suggests a bold step: quietly slip into the classroom and listen. Though scared, Jahnavi gathers courage. The next day she reaches school, with baby Appu asleep on her shoulder, and slips to the back row. The teacher notices her, learns she is Gopi’s sister, and responds with warmth. He promises to speak to her father. That evening, the teacher visits their home. Jahnavi’s mother, who once wished to study herself, supports the decision: “Girls should learn as much as they want.”

Joyfully, Jahnavi returns to the River to share the good news—she will go to school, learn to write her name, do sums, and find answers to her curious “whys.” She even dreams of becoming a teacher to invite every little girl to school. The story celebrates courage, education for girls, and the patient voice of Nature encouraging a child to claim her right to learn.

📝 सारांश (Hindi) — ~250 शब्द

जह्नवी समुद्र किनारे बसे एक गाँव की बुद्धिमान बच्ची है। उसका सपना है कि वह भी भाई गोपी (एट्टन) और बहन मीना की तरह स्कूल जाए। लेकिन हर साल उसे छोटे भाइयों—रामू और फिर अप्पू—की देखभाल की ज़िम्मेदारी मिलती रहती है और उसका सपना टलता जाता है। एक दिन नदी के किनारे वह रो पड़ती है। तभी एक धीमी, उनींदी-सी आवाज़ उसे ढाँढस बँधाती है—यह स्वयं “नदी” है, मानो एक दयालु मित्र की तरह उससे बात कर रही हो।

जह्नवी अपने मन की बात कहती है—वह पढ़ना-लिखना चाहती है, अपना नाम लिखना चाहती है, और प्रकृति के बारे में ढेरों ‘क्यों’ के उत्तर खोजना चाहती है। नदी उसे साहस देती है—“यह तुम्हारे अपने निर्णय पर है”—और सुझाव देती है कि वह चुपचाप स्कूल जाकर पीछे बैठकर सुन ले। डरते हुए भी जह्नवी हिम्मत जुटाती है। अगले दिन वह अप्पू को कंधे पर सुलाए स्कूल पहुँचती है और चुपचाप पीछे बैठ जाती है। शिक्षक उसे देखते हैं, पहचानते हैं कि वह गोपी की बहन है, और बड़े स्नेह से कहते हैं कि वे उसके पिता से बात करेंगे।

शाम को शिक्षक उनके घर पहुँचते हैं। माँ—जिनका अपना बचपन का सपना पढ़ने का था—समर्थन करती हैं: “लड़कियाँ जितना चाहें, उतना सीखें।” अब जह्नवी का सपना सच होने लगता है। वह अगले दिन नदी को बताती है कि वह अपना नाम लिखना, गणित करना और अपने सारे ‘क्यों’ के उत्तर खोजना सीखेगी। वह आगे चलकर अध्यापिका बनकर गाँव की हर बच्ची को स्कूल लाने का संकल्प भी करती है। कहानी साहस, बालिका-शिक्षा और प्रकृति की संवेदनशील प्रेरणा का सुंदर संदेश देती है।

🎯 One-Word Answers (10)

1. Protagonist of the story — Jahnavi
2. Place she lives in — Coastal village
3. Who speaks to Jahnavi — The River
4. Bird that swoops down — Kingfisher
5. Boat preferred by the River — Catamaran
6. “Ettan” actually is — Gopi
7. Jahnavi’s wish — Schooling
8. Youngest sibling — Appu
9. Great king in the lesson read at school — Ashoka
10. Visitor who convinces father — Teacher

✍️ Very Short Answer (10) — 2–3 lines

1. Why was Jahnavi crying?
   Because she had been denied school for years due to family duties and feared she was “too old” to start.
2. How is the River shown in the story?
   As a gentle, sleepy-voiced friend—personified Nature—who listens, advises, and encourages.
3. What advice does the River give?
   “It’s up to you.” Slip quietly into class, listen, and the teacher may let you stay.
4. How does Jahnavi show courage?
   She overcomes fear, goes to school with Appu, and sits at the back to learn.
5. How does the teacher respond?
   Kindly: he welcomes her, praises Gopi, and promises to speak to her father.
6. What is the mother’s view?
   Supportive—she reveals she also wanted to study and backs Jahnavi’s schooling.
7. What does Jahnavi want to learn?
   To read, write her name, do sums, and find answers to many “whys” of nature.
8. What future does Jahnavi dream of?
   Becoming a teacher and inviting all village girls to school.
9. Why can’t ships come up the river?
   They’re too large; the River prefers Chandu’s catamaran.
10. Theme in one line?
    Girl-child education powered by courage, curiosity, and supportive community.

🧩 Short Answer (10) — 3–4 lines

1. How does the opening with nature set the tone?
   The kingfisher, lizard, bamboo and river sounds create a calm, alive setting where Nature feels present and ready to “speak,” preparing readers for the River’s personified guidance.
2. Why is the River’s line “It’s up to you” important?
   It shifts power to Jahnavi—her choice and courage matter. The line becomes a spark for action instead of waiting.
3. Explain the story’s use of personification.
   The River talks like a wise elder. This literary device makes Nature feel friendly and encouraging, strengthening the story’s emotional pull.
4. What barriers does Jahnavi face?
   Household responsibilities, fear of rejection, and the assumption that she is “too small/too old.” Yet she challenges them.
5. How does the teacher help resolve conflict?
   He validates Jahnavi’s desire, promises parental dialogue, and builds trust—turning a private fear into a community solution.
6. Comment on the mother’s remark.
   Her support reflects changing mindsets. She acknowledges her own lost chance and chooses differently for her daughter.
7. What message about gender appears?
   “Girls can do as much as boys.” The story argues for equal opportunity, confidence, and learning for all children.
8. Why is Jahnavi’s final dream powerful?
   It moves from self-benefit to community uplift: she wants to educate every girl, multiplying impact.
9. How do curiosity and education connect here?
   Her many “whys” show scientific curiosity. Schooling offers tools to explore and understand the world.
10. Title significance: “The Day the River Spoke.”
    It marks the turning point when Nature’s voice awakens courage in Jahnavi—setting her on the path to school and future leadership.