Class 10 English Notes Chapter 9 (Madam rides the Bus) – First Flight Book

Alright class, let's focus our attention on Chapter 9 of 'First Flight', "Madam Rides the Bus". This story, originally written in Tamil by Vallikkannan and translated into English, is a delightful yet profound exploration of a young girl's first venture into the world outside her village. It's important for your exams as it touches upon themes of curiosity, desire, planning, and the encounter between innocence and the realities of life.

Detailed Notes: Madam Rides the Bus

1. Introduction

• Author: Vallikkannan (Real name: R.S. Krishnaswamy), a Tamil writer.
• Story Focus: The narrative revolves around an eight-year-old girl's carefully planned secret bus journey and her experiences.
• Setting: A village and the bus route to the nearest town.

2. Character Sketch: Valliammai (Valli)

• Age: Eight years old.
• Personality:
  • Curious: Deeply inquisitive about things happening outside her house, especially the bus.
  • Mature for her age: Exhibits planning skills, determination, and self-control beyond her years.
  • Independent and Confident: Plans and executes her journey alone, asserts herself (earning the nickname 'Madam').
  • Observant: Pays close attention to details during her journey – the landscape, passengers, and events.
  • Sensitive: Deeply affected by the sight of the dead cow.
  • Secretive: Keeps her desire and plan hidden from her parents.
  • Determined: Resists temptations (like buying peppermints, toys) to save money for the bus fare.

3. Plot Summary

• Valli's Fascination: Valli's favourite pastime is standing in her front doorway watching the street. The most fascinating sight is the bus that travels between her village and the nearest town, filling her with an "overwhelming desire" to ride it.
• Information Gathering: Valli meticulously gathers information about the bus journey by listening to conversations between neighbours and regular bus travellers, and asking discreet questions. She learns:
  • The town is six miles away.
  • The one-way fare is thirty paise.
  • The trip to the town takes forty-five minutes.
  • The bus stays in town, allowing her to return on the same bus if she stays seated.
• Planning and Saving:
  • Valli calculates she needs sixty paise for the round trip.
  • She painstakingly saves money, resisting temptations like buying peppermints, toys, balloons, and riding the merry-go-round at the village fair.
  • She plans to travel during the afternoon when her mother usually takes a nap (from about one to four o'clock).
• The Bus Journey (To Town):
  • Valli confidently boards the bus and pays her fare.
  • The conductor, a jovial man, jokingly calls her 'Madam' due to her grown-up behaviour.
  • Valli refuses help and insists on behaving like an adult passenger.
  • She stands up on the seat to see the view outside clearly, observing the canal, palm trees, distant mountains, green fields, and the blue sky.
  • She sees a young cow running frantically in front of the bus, which amuses her greatly.
  • She firmly refuses a treat offered by the conductor and an elderly woman's attempt to befriend her, asserting her independence.
• Arrival in Town:
  • Valli sees the bright shops and bustling streets of the town but decides to stay on the bus as planned.
  • She only has money for the return fare and declines the conductor's offer to buy her a cold drink.
• The Return Journey:
  • Valli is initially excited but her mood changes drastically.
  • She sees the same young cow lying dead by the roadside, apparently hit by a vehicle.
  • This sight horrifies her, dampening her enthusiasm. The memory haunts her, and she stops looking outside.
• Understanding Life and Death: The dead cow incident introduces Valli to the reality and mystery of death, contrasting sharply with the earlier joyous sight of the running cow. It marks a step in her maturation.
• Return Home: Valli reaches home safely before her mother wakes up. Her mother and aunt are discussing things happening outside without their knowledge. Valli smiles, agreeing with them, but keeps her adventure a secret. Her smile signifies both the secret knowledge she possesses and a newfound maturity.

4. Key Themes

• Childhood Curiosity and Desire: Valli's strong desire to experience the world beyond her immediate surroundings drives the plot.
• Independence and Self-Reliance: Valli demonstrates remarkable planning and execution for her age.
• Innocence vs. Experience: The journey is Valli's first exposure to the wider world and the harsh realities of life (the dead cow).
• Coming of Age: The bus ride is a symbolic journey towards maturity, marked by planning, execution, and confronting difficult realities like death.
• The Mystery of Life and Death: The contrast between the running cow and the dead cow makes Valli ponder the nature of life and its end.

5. Important Details for Exams

• Valli's Age: 8 years
• Distance to Town: 6 miles
• One-way Fare: 30 paise
• Total Fare Needed: 60 paise
• Journey Time (One Way): 45 minutes
• Valli's Planned Time for Journey: Afternoon (1 pm to 4 pm approx.)
• Conductor's Nickname for Valli: Madam
• Significant Sight (Life): Young cow running in front of the bus.
• Significant Sight (Death): The same cow lying dead on the return journey.

6. Tone and Style

• The narrative is simple and descriptive, told from a perspective sympathetic to Valli.
• The tone is generally light and humorous, especially regarding Valli's interactions and adult-like behaviour, but shifts to sombre during the encounter with death.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What was Valli's "overwhelming desire"?
   a) To buy toys from the town.
   b) To ride the bus.
   c) To visit the village fair.
   d) To talk to the bus conductor.

2. How much money did Valli need for her bus journey (round trip)?
   a) Thirty paise
   b) Forty-five paise
   c) Sixty paise
   d) One rupee

3. How did Valli gather details about the bus journey?
   a) By reading newspapers.
   b) By asking her mother.
   c) By listening to neighbours' conversations and asking discreet questions.
   d) By asking the bus driver directly.

4. What time of day did Valli choose for her journey?
   a) Early morning
   b) Late evening
   c) During her school hours
   d) Afternoon, when her mother napped

5. Why did the conductor call Valli 'Madam'?
   a) Because she was wearing fancy clothes.
   b) Because she behaved confidently and like a grown-up.
   c) Because she was rude to him.
   d) Because her mother asked him to.

6. What sight made Valli laugh heartily on her way to the town?
   a) The colourful shops.
   b) A monkey climbing a tree.
   c) A young cow running in the middle of the road.
   d) The conductor slipping on the bus floor.

7. What did Valli see on her return journey that made her sad?
   a) The town looked dirty.
   b) The bus broke down.
   c) The conductor was arguing with a passenger.
   d) The same young cow lying dead by the roadside.

8. What temptation did Valli resist at the village fair to save money?
   a) Buying sweets
   b) Riding the merry-go-round
   c) Buying balloons
   d) All of the above

9. What does Valli's refusal to accept the conductor's treat of a cold drink show about her character?
   a) She was not thirsty.
   b) She disliked cold drinks.
   c) She was self-respecting and didn't want to take favours.
   d) She didn't have extra money to repay him later.

10. The story "Madam Rides the Bus" primarily explores the theme of:
    a) The importance of public transport.
    b) The relationship between parents and children.
    c) A child's first exposure to the complexities of life and death.
    d) The dangers of travelling alone.

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. b) To ride the bus.
2. c) Sixty paise
3. c) By listening to neighbours' conversations and asking discreet questions.
4. d) Afternoon, when her mother napped
5. b) Because she behaved confidently and like a grown-up.
6. c) A young cow running in the middle of the road.
7. d) The same young cow lying dead by the roadside.
8. b) Riding the merry-go-round (The text specifically mentions resisting this along with peppermints, toys, balloons etc., but the merry-go-round is a prominent example often cited). Rechecking text - yes, peppermints, toys, balloons, and the like, and finally the merry-go-round. Option (b) is explicitly mentioned as a sacrifice. While she resisted others too, (b) is a specific example given prominence. Let's consider if (d) is better. The text says "saved whatever stray coins came her way, resisting every temptation to buy peppermints, toys, balloons, and the like, and finally she had saved a total of sixty paise. How difficult it had been, particularly that day at the village fair! But she had resolutely stifled a strong desire to ride the merry-go-round, even though she had the money." This highlights the merry-go-round specifically. However, the initial list includes others. For exam purposes, (d) might be considered more encompassing if the question implies all temptations she resisted. But the text emphasizes the merry-go-round sacrifice. Let's stick with (b) as the most emphasized sacrifice mentioned in the context of the fair and having money but choosing not to spend. Correction: Rereading the question and options, option (d) "All of the above" encompasses the general temptations mentioned. The merry-go-round was a specific, difficult one at the fair. The question asks what she resisted to save money in general. So, (d) is likely the intended comprehensive answer. Let's change the key.
9. c) She was self-respecting and didn't want to take favours.
10. c) A child's first exposure to the complexities of life and death.

Revised Answer Key:

1. b
2. c
3. c
4. d
5. b
6. c
7. d
8. d (Revised based on re-evaluation)
9. c
10. c

Make sure you understand Valli's character arc and the significance of the events, especially the contrast between the living and dead cow. This chapter beautifully captures the transition from innocent curiosity to a more mature understanding of the world. Study well!