🧠 Vocabulary Booster (20 words) — सरल हिंदी अर्थ

Tip: Read the Word then the Meaning. Use them in your own sentence! ✍️

📝 Summary (English) — ~250 words

Jahnavi, a bright girl from a coastal village, longs to go to school like her siblings. Every day she sits by the riverside and shares her worries with nature. One day, to her surprise, the River itself speaks to her in a sleepy, friendly voice. The River listens to Jahnavi’s tears and “whys”—why flowers hide yellow spiders, why bamboo rustles, why the moon comes from behind the hills, and why she cannot study. Jahnavi confesses she has grown fearful and thinks she is “too old” to start.

The River, kind yet practical, tells her that little girls can do as much as little boys, and courage grows when we try. It suggests a gentle plan: slip into school one morning, sit quietly, listen, and let the teacher notice her. The River also feeds her imagination with talk of ships, catamarans, and the sea—nudging her to dream bigger.

Mustering courage, Jahnavi enters the school with baby Appu asleep on her shoulder. The teacher speaks kindly and promises to talk to her father. Later, Jahnavi sees the teacher at their gate. Her mother, remembering her own denied chances, supports the idea and blesses Jahnavi’s learning. Permission is granted.

Overjoyed, Jahnavi rushes to the River: “I did it!” She vows to become a teacher and invite every girl to study. The River chuckles and promises more stories of ships. The story celebrates courage, equality, and the power of gentle guidance: when we “say yes” to our dreams and take the first step, the world—like a friendly river—finds a way to carry us forward. 🌙🚣‍♀️

📝 सारांश (Hindi) — ~250 शब्द

जह्नवी एक समुद्री गाँव की होनहार लड़की है जो स्कूल जाना चाहती है, पर घर के काम और छोटे भाइयों की देखभाल के कारण उसे मौका नहीं मिलता। वह रोज़ नदी किनारे जाती है और अपने मन की बातें हवा, बांस और पानी से कहती है। एक दिन नदी स्वयं उससे “नींदीली” आवाज़ में बोलती है—उसके आँसू पोंछती है और डर छोड़कर कोशिश करने की सलाह देती है। जह्नवी अपने कई “क्यों” पूछती है—बांस क्यों सरसराता है, पीले फूलों में पीला मकड़ा क्यों छुपा रहता है, चाँद पहाड़ियों के पीछे से ही क्यों आता है—और सबसे बड़ा “क्यों”: मैं स्कूल क्यों नहीं जा सकती?

नदी कहती है—लड़कियाँ भी उतना ही कर सकती हैं जितना लड़के; हिम्मत जुटाओ और बस एक सुबह चुपचाप कक्षा में बैठकर सुनो, शिक्षक तुमको स्वीकार कर लेंगे। नदी जह्नवी की कल्पना को भी जगाती है—समुद्र, जहाज़ और चाँद की राह की बातें करके उसके सपनों को बड़ा करती है।

अगली सुबह जह्नवी गोदी में सोए छोटे अप्पू के साथ स्कूल पहुँचती है। शिक्षक स्नेह से बात करते हैं और उसके पिता से मिलने का आश्वासन देते हैं। शाम को वही शिक्षक घर आकर पिता से बात करते हैं। माँ, जिसे अपने बचपन में पढ़ने से रोका गया था, बेटी का साथ देती है। अनुमति मिल जाती है।

उत्साह में जह्नवी दौड़कर नदी को बताती है—“मैं कर आई!” वह निश्चय करती है कि बड़ी होकर शिक्षक बनेगी और गाँव की हर लड़की को पढ़ाएगी। कहानी साहस, समानता और कोमल मार्गदर्शन का संदेश देती है—पहला कदम बढ़ाओ, राह बहती नदी की तरह खुलती चली जाएगी। 🌾📚

🎯 One-Word Answers (10) — simple English

1. Who is the girl who wants to study? — Jahnavi
2. Who speaks to her kindly? — River
3. Where does the River hurry to reach? — Sea
4. Who is ‘Ettan’? — Gopi
5. Which bird dives like an arrow? — Kingfisher
6. Which animal slithered down? — Lizard
7. Who owns the catamaran? — Chandu
8. Where did the teacher talk at Jahnavi’s home? — Gate
9. What does Jahnavi wish to become later? — Teacher
10. What feeling should Jahnavi drop? — Fear

✍️ Very Short Answer (10) — 2–3 lines • simple English

1. Why was Jahnavi sad at the riverbank?
   Because she wasn’t allowed to go to school and felt she was “too old” to start.
2. How did the River talk to Jahnavi?
   In a sleepy, friendly voice—as if a caring elder was guiding her.
3. What did the River suggest Jahnavi should do?
   Slip into school quietly, sit, listen, and let the teacher notice her.
4. Why did Jahnavi carry Appu to school?
   She was taking care of her little brother; he slept on her shoulder.
5. How did the teacher react?
   Kindly—he promised to talk to her father and “find a way”.
6. What changed the parents’ decision?
   The teacher’s visit and the mother’s support from her own past experience.
7. What does the River love to watch?
   Ships and the moon’s path to the sea—just like the River’s own journey.
8. What promise does Jahnavi make?
   To become a teacher and invite all village girls to school.
9. Which sounds and sights fill the opening scene?
   Kingfisher’s flash, lizard basking, bamboo rustling—nature alive.
10. What is the core message?
    Have courage, take the first step, and education belongs to everyone.

🧩 Short Answer (10) — 3–4 lines • simple English

1. Describe Jahnavi’s dream and why it matters.
   She wants to read, write, and learn about the world’s “whys.” Learning gives her freedom and dignity, so the dream is deeply personal.
2. How does the River act like a mentor?
   It listens without judging, gives a simple plan, and boosts confidence—like a wise friend who believes in her.
3. What role does the teacher play?
   He becomes the bridge between desire and permission—kind words + action with the father make school possible.
4. Why is the mother’s line powerful?
   She admits she was stopped from studying; now she supports her daughter—showing change across generations.
5. Explain the use of nature images early in the story.
   They set a calm, vivid scene and make the River’s voice believable, turning nature into a character.
6. What do “ships” and “moon” symbolise?
   Big dreams and steady journeys—Jahnavi’s learning will also travel far, step by step.
7. How does fear block Jahnavi—and how is it removed?
   Fear tells her she’s “too old.” The River replaces fear with a small action: just sit and listen. Action melts fear.
8. What values does the chapter promote?
   Equality, courage, education for girls, empathy from elders, and community support for change.
9. How does dialogue move the plot?
   The River’s talk gives the plan; the teacher’s talk wins permission; Jahnavi’s talk expresses resolve—each talk unlocks a step.
10. Write a two-line character sketch of Jahnavi.
    Curious and determined, she asks brave questions and tries despite fear. Her heart is kind, and her dream is big.