The Tunnel Summary and Explanation
CBSE Class 7 English Unit 4 Travel and Adventure Chapter 1- The Tunnel Summary, Explanation along with Difficult Word Meanings from Poorvi Book
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CBSE Class 7 English Unit 4 Travel and Adventure Chapter 1 – The Tunnel
By Ruskin Bond
In The Tunnel by Ruskin Bond, Suraj is a young, adventurous boy who loves trains and the jungle. He is not just a passenger; he actively engages with nature and looks forward to watching a steam train exit the tunnel. His curiosity and passion for exploring are important parts of his character.
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The Tunnel Summary
A boy named Suraj ventured into the jungle, cycling to a nearby village and then walking to a railway cutting. He was eager to witness a steam engine emerge from a tunnel. As the train roared out, spewing sparks and steam, Suraj instinctively stepped back, captivated by the powerful machine. After the train passed, leaving a trail of smoke, Suraj decided to walk through the tunnel himself. It was dark and damp, and he encountered a bat and a lizard.
Upon exiting the tunnel, Suraj was momentarily blinded by the sunlight. He thought he caught a glimpse of an orange and gold animal with a long tail moving among the trees. Near the tunnel’s entrance, he found a watchman’s hut surrounded by marigolds and a vegetable patch. The watchman, Sunder Singh, welcomed Suraj and introduced himself. He revealed that the tunnel was “his” and that the animal Suraj saw was “his” leopard, which he claimed was not dangerous. Sunder Singh explained his routine of inspecting the tunnel before each train passed, waving a red flag for daytime dangers and his lamp at night. He invited Suraj to watch the night mail train with him, offering to take him home afterward. Suraj, though cautious, was intrigued. Sunder Singh then settled down for his afternoon nap, a habit Suraj noted was common among adults and animals in the heat of the day.
The following evening, Suraj returned to Sunder Singh’s hut. They drank tea as dusk settled, listening to the jungle’s sounds. Sunder Singh lit his lamp and went to inspect the tunnel, while Suraj remained at the hut, observing the forest’s nocturnal awakening. Shortly after Sunder Singh returned, both heard a distinct sawing sound, which the watchman identified as his leopard inside the tunnel. Concerned for the animal’s safety, Sunder Singh decided they had to drive the leopard out before the train arrived. Despite Suraj’s initial fear, he insisted on joining Sunder Singh, who assured him of the leopard’s non-aggressive nature.
Armed with an axe and his lamp, Sunder Singh and Suraj entered the tunnel, shouting to scare the leopard. They found it crouching between the tracks. Their combined shouts startled the leopard, and it quickly disappeared into the darkness. To ensure it was gone, they walked the entire length of the tunnel. As they returned to the entrance, the rails began to hum, signaling the approaching train. Suraj felt the tremor in the rails and heard the distant rumble before the engine burst forth, thundering through the cutting and into the tunnel, a powerful and awe-inspiring sight. After it passed, the jungle returned to its quiet, living state.
Almost a week later, Suraj was traveling with his father on the same night mail train. While his father worked, Suraj gazed out the window, remembering the lonely cutting and anticipating the tunnel. As the train approached and the engine whistled, Suraj saw Sunder Singh’s lamp, a small, flickering light in the vast darkness, knowing his friend was out there, dutifully lighting the way for both trains and wildlife.
Summary of the Lesson The Tunnel in Hindi
सूरज नाम का एक लड़का जंगल में गया, साइकिल से पास के एक गाँव में गया और फिर रेलवे कटिंग पर चला गया। वह एक सुरंग से निकलने वाले भाप इंजन को देखने के लिए उत्सुक था। जैसे ही ट्रेन गर्जना करती है, चिंगारी और भाप उगलती है, सूरज स्वाभाविक रूप से पीछे हट गया, शक्तिशाली मशीन से मोहित हो गया। ट्रेन के गुजरने के बाद, धुएँ का निशान छोड़ते हुए, सूरज ने खुद सुरंग से गुजरने का फैसला किया। अंधेरा और नम था, और उनका सामना एक चमगादड़ और एक छिपकली से हुआ।
सुरंग से बाहर निकलने पर सूरज कुछ देर के लिए सूरज की रोशनी से अंधा हो गया। उसने सोचा कि उसने एक नारंगी और सोने के जानवर की झलक देखी जिसकी लंबी पूंछ पेड़ों के बीच घूम रही थी। सुरंग के प्रवेश द्वार के पास, उन्हें एक चौकीदार की झोपड़ी मिली, जो गेंदे और एक सब्जी के टुकड़े से घिरी हुई थी। चौकीदार सुंदर सिंह ने सूरज का स्वागत किया और अपना परिचय दिया। उन्होंने खुलासा किया कि सुरंग “उसका” था और सूरज ने जो जानवर देखा वह “उसका” तेंदुआ था, जिसके बारे में उन्होंने दावा किया कि यह खतरनाक नहीं था। सुंदर सिंह ने दिन के खतरों के लिए लाल झंडा लहराते हुए और रात में अपना दीपक लहराते हुए प्रत्येक ट्रेन के गुजरने से पहले सुरंग का निरीक्षण करने की अपनी दिनचर्या के बारे में बताया। उन्होंने सूरज को अपने साथ रात की मेल ट्रेन देखने के लिए आमंत्रित किया, और बाद में उसे घर ले जाने की पेशकश की। सूरज हालांकि सतर्क था, लेकिन उसे दिलचस्पी थी। इसके बाद सुंदर सिंह अपनी दोपहर की झपकी के लिए बस गए, सूरज ने उल्लेख किया कि दिन की गर्मी में वयस्कों और जानवरों के बीच एक आदत आम थी।
अगली शाम सूरज सुंदर सिंह की झोपड़ी में लौट आया। शाम ढलते ही वे जंगल की आवाज़ें सुनकर चाय पीते थे। सुंदर सिंह ने अपना दीपक जलाया और सुरंग का निरीक्षण करने गए, जबकि सूरज जंगल के रात्रि जागरण को देखते हुए झोपड़ी में रहा। सुंदर सिंह के लौटने के कुछ ही समय बाद, दोनों ने एक अलग आरी की आवाज सुनी, जिसे चौकीदार ने सुरंग के अंदर अपने तेंदुए के रूप में पहचाना। जानवर की सुरक्षा के लिए चिंतित, सुंदर सिंह ने ट्रेन के आने से पहले तेंदुए को बाहर निकालने का फैसला किया। सूरज के शुरुआती डर के बावजूद, उन्होंने सुंदर सिंह के साथ शामिल होने पर जोर दिया, जिन्होंने उन्हें तेंदुए के गैर-आक्रामक स्वभाव का आश्वासन दिया।
कुल्हाड़ी और अपने दीपक के साथ सुंदर सिंह और सूरज तेंदुए को डराने के लिए चिल्लाते हुए सुरंग में घुस गए। उन्होंने पाया कि यह पटरियों के बीच झुकी हुई है। उनकी संयुक्त चिल्लाहट ने तेंदुए को चौंका दिया और वह जल्दी ही अंधेरे में गायब हो गया। यह सुनिश्चित करने के लिए कि यह चला गया था, वे सुरंग की पूरी लंबाई तक चले। जैसे ही वे प्रवेश द्वार पर लौटे, रेल की पटरियां गुनगुनाने लगीं, जो आने वाली ट्रेन का संकेत दे रही थी। सूरज ने रेल में झटके को महसूस किया और इंजन के फटने से पहले दूर की गड़गड़ाहट सुनी, जो एक शक्तिशाली और विस्मयकारी दृश्य था। इसके गुजरने के बाद, जंगल अपनी शांत, जीवित स्थिति में लौट आया।
लगभग एक सप्ताह बाद, सूरज अपने पिता के साथ उसी रात की मेल ट्रेन में यात्रा कर रहा था। जब उनके पिता काम कर रहे थे, सूरज खिड़की से बाहर देख रहा था, उसे सुरंग में अकेले होने और सुरंग का इंतजार करने की याद आ रही थी। जैसे ही ट्रेन पास आई और इंजन सीटी बजाने लगा, सूरज ने सुंदर सिंह के दीपक को देखा, विशाल अंधेरे में एक छोटी सी, टिमटिमाती रोशनी, यह जानते हुए कि उसका दोस्त बाहर है, कर्तव्यनिष्ठा से ट्रेनों और वन्यजीवों दोनों के लिए रास्ता रोशन कर रहा था।
Theme of the Lesson The Tunnel
Curiosity and Exploration
Suraj’s initial fascination with the train and his desire to walk through the tunnel depicts the theme of childhood curiosity. He wants to understand the world around him, to experience things first hand rather than just imagine them. This drive leads him to new discoveries and an unexpected friendship.
Man and Nature Coexistence
The story beautifully portrays a harmonious relationship between humans and the natural world. The jungle is not just a backdrop; it’s a living entity that the train challenges and then leaves in silence. Sunder Singh’s relationship with the leopard, which he calls “my leopard,” highlights a unique understanding and respect for wildlife, where boundaries are understood and mostly respected. He goes out of his way to save the leopard, showing a deep connection rather than a fear of nature.
Duty and Responsibility
Sunder Singh’s role as the watchman is a central element of this theme. He diligently performs his duty, ensuring the safety of the trains and, by extension, the lives of countless passengers. His commitment extends even to protecting the wild animals that inhabit the tunnel, demonstrating a broader sense of responsibility.
Friendship and Connection
The unexpected bond that forms between the young boy, Suraj, and the old watchman, Sunder Singh, is a heartwarming theme. Despite their age difference and different backgrounds, they find common ground in their shared fascination with the tunnel and the trains, and a mutual respect for the natural world. Sunder Singh offers not just company but also a sense of security and wisdom.
The Beauty and Power of the Train
The train itself is almost a character, described as a “green, black, and gold dragon” and a “beautiful monster.” It represents power, progress, and a connection to the outside world, yet it also momentarily disrupts the stillness of the jungle, highlighting its transformative force. Suraj’s fascination with it speaks to the allure of human ingenuity.
The Rhythm of Life
The story subtly conveys the cyclical nature of life in the jungle. The animals rest in the afternoon heat, the watchman takes his nap, and the trains come and go, creating a predictable rhythm. This sense of routine provides a comforting backdrop to the events, even as unexpected encounters like the leopard in the tunnel occur.
The Simplicity of Rural Life
Bond often celebrates the unhurried pace and genuine connections found in rural settings. The watchman’s simple hut, his garden, and his quiet dedication to his work all contribute to this theme, offering a contrast to the bustling town life that Suraj comes from.
The Tunnel Lesson Explanation
I
Passage: It was almost noon, and the jungle was very still, very silent. Heat waves shimmered along the railway embankment where it cut a path through the tall evergreen trees. The railway lines were two straight black serpents disappearing into the tunnel in the hillside.
Suraj stood near the cutting, waiting for the midday train. It wasn’t a station, and he wasn’t catching a train. He was waiting so that he could watch the steam engine come roaring out of the tunnel.
He had cycled out of the town and taken the jungle path until he had come to a small village. He had left the cycle there, and walked over a low scrub-covered hill and down to the tunnel exit.
Now he looked up. He had heard, in the distance, the shrill whistle of the engine. He couldn’t see anything, because the train was approaching from the other side of the hill; but presently a sound like distant thunder issued from the tunnel, and he knew the train was coming through.
Word meanings
shimmered: shined with a light that appears to move
railway embankment: a stone wall made to carry the railway over low ground
serpents: Snakes. (Here, used metaphorically to describe the shape of the tracks).
cutting: a narrow valley cut through a hill to make space for a railway line
scrub-covered: covered with short trees and bushes
shrill: A high-pitched and piercing sound.
presently: Soon; after a short time.
issued: Came out from; emerged from.
Explanation of the above passage—It was nearly twelve o’clock in the afternoon, and the jungle was very quiet and still. Heat waves seemed to shine along the raised wall made for the train tracks, which cut through the tall, green trees. The train tracks looked like two straight, dark snakes going into a dark tunnel on the side of the hill. A boy named Suraj stood close to the deep, narrow path cut for the railway. He was waiting for the train that would come around noon. He wasn’t at a train station, and he wasn’t planning to get on the train. He was just waiting to see the steam train loudly burst out of the tunnel. He had ridden his bicycle from the town and followed a path through the jungle until he reached a small village. He left his bicycle there and walked over a short hill covered with small trees and bushes, going down to where the tunnel ended. Then, he looked up. Far away, he had heard the loud, sharp sound of the train engine’s whistle. He couldn’t see anything because the train was coming from the other side of the hill. But soon, a sound like faraway thunder came out of the tunnel, and Suraj realized the train was about to appear.
Passage: A second or two later, the steam engine shot out of the tunnel, snorting and puffing like some green, black, and gold dragon, some beautiful monster out of Suraj’s dreams. Showering sparks left and right, it roared a challenge to the jungle.
Instinctively, Suraj stepped back a few paces. Waves of hot steam struck him in the face. Even the trees seemed to flinch from the noise and heat. And then the train had gone, leaving only a plume of smoke to drift lazily over the tall shisham trees.
The jungle was still again. No one moved.
Suraj turned from his contemplation of the drifting smoke and began walking along the embankment towards the tunnel.
The tunnel grew darker as he walked further into it. When he had gone about twenty yards, it became pitch dark. Suraj had to turn and look back at the opening to reassure himself that there was still daylight outside. Ahead of him, the tunnel’s other opening was just a small round circle of light.
Word meanings
instinctively: without thought or plan
flinch: make a quick movement
plume of smoke: long, thin cloud of smoke
shisham: a tree found in northern parts of India
Still: motionless
contemplation: deep thought
Embankment: a stone wall or raised mound of earth built to carry a railway or road over low ground.
Pitch dark: extremely dark; completely without light.
reassure: comfort, calm
Explanation of the above passage—A very short time after, the loud smoke emitting from the train burst out of the tunnel. It made loud noises and let out steam, looking like a powerful, colorful dragon or a wonderful beast that Suraj might dream about. The train shot sparks everywhere as it came out, as if challenging the quiet jungle. Without even thinking, Suraj moved back a little. Hot steam hit his face. Even the trees seemed to pull back quickly from the loud noise and heat. Then, the train was gone, leaving only a long, thin cloud of smoke that slowly floated above the tall shisham trees. The jungle became quiet again. Nothing stirred. Suraj stopped thinking deeply about the floating smoke and started walking along the raised path towards the tunnel. As he walked deeper into the tunnel, it got darker. After he had walked about twenty steps, it became completely dark. Suraj had to turn around and look back at the entrance to make himself feel better, seeing that it was still daylight outside. Far ahead of him, the tunnel’s other end looked like just a tiny, round light.
Passage: The tunnel was still full of smoke from the train, but it would be several hours before another train came through. Till then, the cutting belonged to the jungle again.
Suraj didn’t stop, because there was nothing to do in the tunnel and nothing to see. He had simply wanted to walk through, so that he would know what the inside of a tunnel was really like. The walls were damp and sticky. A bat flew past. A lizard scuttled between the lines.
Coming straight from the darkness into the light, Suraj was dazzled by the sudden glare and put a hand up to shade his eyes. He looked up at the tree-covered hillside and thought he saw something moving between the trees.
It was just a flash of orange and gold, and a long swishing tail. It was there between the trees for a second or two, and then it was gone.
About fifteen metres from the entrance to the tunnel stood the watchman’s hut. Marigolds grew in front of the hut, and at the back there was a small vegetable patch. It was the watchman’s duty to inspect the tunnel and keep it clear of obstacles.
Word meanings
Damp: Slightly wet, not completely dry.
Sticky: Having a quality that makes things adhere; gummy.
scuttled: ran hurriedly
dazzled: blinded by bright light
Glare: A strong, harsh, and sometimes blinding light.
swishing: moving with a brushing sound
obstacles: things that block the way
Explanation of the above passage—The tunnel still had a lot of smoke left by the train. However, no other train was expected for several hours. This meant that the railway cutting, which is a narrow valley made for the tracks, was once again part of the jungle for a while. Suraj kept walking without stopping because there wasn’t anything interesting to do or see inside the tunnel. His main reason for walking through it was simply to understand what a tunnel truly felt like from the inside. The walls were wet and felt sticky to the touch. A bat flew by him, and a lizard quickly ran between the railway tracks. When Suraj stepped out of the dark tunnel into the bright daylight, the sudden strong light made it hard for him to see, almost blinding him. He raised a hand to block some of the light from his eyes. He then looked up at the hillside covered with trees and thought he saw something moving among them. It was just a quick glimpse of something orange and gold, with a long tail that moved with a soft brushing sound. It was visible for only a moment or two and then disappeared. Around fifteen meters from the tunnel’s opening, there was a small hut belonging to the watchman. Yellow marigold flowers grew in front of the hut, and behind it, there was a small garden where vegetables were grown. It was the watchman’s job to check the tunnel regularly and make sure nothing was blocking the railway line.
Passage: Every day, before the train came through, he would walk the length of the tunnel. If all was well, he would return to his hut and take a nap. If something was wrong, he would walk back up the line and wave a red flag, and the engine driver would slow down. At night, the watchman lit an oil lamp and made a similar inspection of the tunnel. Of course, he would not stop the train if there was a porcupine on the line. But if there was any danger to the train, he’d go back up the line and wave his lamp to the approaching engine. If all was well, he’d hang his lamp at the door of his hut and go to sleep.
He was just settling down on his cot for an afternoon nap when he saw the boy emerge from the tunnel. He waited until Suraj was only a metre or so away and then said, “Welcome, welcome. I don’t often have visitors. Sit down for a while, and tell me why you were inspecting my tunnel.”
“Is it your tunnel?” asked Suraj.
Word meanings
Length: The full distance from one end to the other.
Inspecting: Carefully looking at something to check its condition or to find out if there are any problems.
Engine driver: The person who operates the train.
porcupine: a small animal (large rodent) with sharp spikes on its back
Approaching: Coming nearer in distance or time.
Settling down: Getting into a comfortable position, often to relax or sleep.
Cot: A simple, lightweight bed, often a folding one.
Emerge: To come out from a hidden or enclosed place.
Explanation of the above passage—Every day, before a train arrived, the watchman would walk all the way through the tunnel. If everything was clear and safe, he would go back to his small house and rest. But if there was a problem, he would walk back along the tracks, waving a red flag to signal the train driver to slow down. When it was dark, the watchman used a burning oil lamp to check the tunnel in the same way. He wouldn’t stop a train just for a porcupine on the tracks. However, if there was anything truly dangerous for the train, he would go back along the line and wave his lamp at the coming train. If all was fine, he would hang his lamp by his hut’s door and go to bed. He was just getting comfortable on his bed for a rest in the afternoon when he saw a boy come out of the tunnel. He waited until the boy, Suraj, was very close, and then he welcomed him. He mentioned that he didn’t often have people visit him and invited Suraj to sit down and explain why he was looking around “his” tunnel. Suraj then asked if the tunnel really belonged to the watchman.
Passage: “It is,” said the watchman. “It is truly my tunnel, since no one else will have anything to do with it. I have only lent it to the Government.”
Suraj sat down on the edge of the cot.
“I wanted to see the train come through,” he said. “And then, when it had gone, I thought I’d walk through the tunnel.”
“And what did you find in it?”
“Nothing. It was very dark. But when I came out, I thought I saw an animal—up on the hill—but I’m not sure, it moved off very quickly.”
“It was a leopard you saw,” said the watchman. “My leopard.”
“Do you own a leopard too?”
“I do.”
“And do you lend it to the Government?”
“I do not.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“No, it’s a leopard that minds its own business. It comes to this range for a few days every month.”
Have you been here a long time?” asked Suraj.
“Many years. My name is Sunder Singh.”
“My name’s Suraj.”
“There is one train during the day. And there is one train during the night. Have you seen the night mail come through the tunnel?”
Word meanings
Watchman: A person employed to guard a building or an area.
Government: The system or group of people governing an organized community, often a state or nation.
Cot: A simple, lightweight bed, often a folding one.
Leopard: A large, solitary wild cat that has a yellowish-brown coat with black spots, found in the forests of Africa and southern Asia.
Minds its own business: (An idiom) Does not interfere with others; stays out of trouble.
range: area
night mail: a train that runs at night
Explanation of the above passage—The watchman confirmed that the tunnel was indeed his, explaining that’s because nobody else cared for it, he considered it his own, merely letting the Government use it. Suraj then sat on the side of the cot. He explained that he had wanted to watch the train pass through the tunnel and then, once it was gone, he walked through it himself. The watchman asked what he had found inside. Suraj replied that he found nothing, only darkness. However, when he came out, he thought he saw an animal on the hill, but it moved away very quickly, so he wasn’t sure. The watchman told him it was a leopard he saw, calling it “my leopard.” Suraj, surprised, asked if the watchman owned a leopard too. The watchman confirmed he did but added that he did not lend the leopard to the Government. Suraj then asked if the leopard was dangerous. The watchman assured him it wasn’t; it was a leopard that didn’t bother anyone. He explained that the leopard visited that area for a few days each month. Suraj asked how long the watchman had been there. The watchman replied, “Many years,” and introduced himself as Sunder Singh. Suraj then shared his own name. Sunder Singh mentioned that there was one train during the day and one at night, asking Suraj if he had ever seen the night train pass through the tunnel.
Passage: “No. At what time does it come?”
“About nine o’clock, if it isn’t late. You could come and sit here with me, if you like. And after it has gone, instead of going to sleep I will take you home.”
“I’ll ask my parents,” said Suraj. “Will it be safe?”
“Of course. It is safer in the jungle than in the town. Nothing happens to me out here. But last month, when I went into town, I was almost run over by a bus.”
Sunder Singh yawned and stretched himself out on the cot. “And now I am going to take a nap, my friend. It is too hot to be up and about in the afternoon.”
“Everyone goes to sleep in the afternoon,” complained Suraj. “My father lies down as soon as he’s had his lunch.”
“Well, the animals also rest in the heat of the day. It is only the tribe of boys who cannot, or will not, rest.”
Sunder Singh placed a large banana leaf over his face to keep away the flies, and was soon snoring gently. Suraj stood up, looking up and down the railway tracks. Then he began walking back to the village.
Word meanings
Complained: To express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something. (Suraj expressed his annoyance that everyone slept in the afternoon.)
Tribe of boys: A playful way to refer to a group of boys, suggesting they act like a distinct group or community.
Snoring: The noisy breathing of someone sleeping.
Gently: In a soft, light, or mild way.
Explanation of the above passage—Suraj asked when the night train would arrive. Sunder Singh replied that it usually came around nine o’clock, unless it was delayed. He invited Suraj to stay with him to watch the train, offering to take him home afterward instead of going to sleep. Suraj said he would ask his parents for permission and questioned if it would be safe. Sunder Singh assured him it would be, stating that the jungle was actually safer than the town. He mentioned that nothing dangerous ever happened to him in the jungle, but just last month, he almost got hit by a bus when he visited the town. Sunder Singh then yawned and lay down on his small bed, saying it was too hot to be active in the afternoon and he was going to take a nap. Suraj complained that everyone seemed to sleep in the afternoon, even his own father. Sunder Singh explained that even animals rest during the hottest part of the day, suggesting that only young boys seemed unable or unwilling to take a break. Sunder Singh put a big banana leaf over his face to keep insects away and soon fell asleep, making soft snoring sounds. Suraj then stood up, looked at the railway lines, and started walking back towards the village.
II
Passage: The following evening, towards dusk, as the flying foxes swooped silently out of the trees, Suraj made his way to the watchman’s hut.
It had been a long hot day, but now the earth was cooling, and a light breeze was moving through the trees. It carried with it the scent of mango blossoms, the promise of rain.
Sunder Singh was waiting for Suraj. He had watered his small garden, and the flowers looked cool and fresh. A kettle was boiling on a small oil stove.
“I am making tea,” he said. “There is nothing like a glass of hot tea while waiting for a train.”
They drank their tea, listening to the sharp notes of the tailorbird and the noisy chatter of the seven sisters.
Word meanings
Dusk: The time just before night, when the light is fading.
Flying foxes: Large fruit bats.
swooped: moved quickly through the air downwards
Breeze: A gentle wind.
Mango blossoms: The flowers of a mango tree.
Kettle: A container with a spout and handle, used for boiling water.
Oil stove: A small cooking device that burns oil for heat.
Tailorbird: A small Asian bird known for its distinctive loud calls.
seven sisters: birds, also called jungle babblers and found in groups of six to eight
Explanation of the above passage—The next evening, as it started to get dark, Suraj headed towards the watchman’s small house. Large bats called “flying foxes” quietly flew out of the trees. The day had been very hot, but now the ground was getting cooler, and a gentle wind blew through the trees. This wind carried the sweet smell of mango flowers, suggesting that rain might come soon. Sunder Singh was already at his hut, waiting for Suraj. He had given water to his little garden, making the flowers appear fresh and cool. A pot of water was getting hot on a small cooking stove that used oil. Sunder Singh told Suraj he was preparing tea, saying it was the best drink while waiting for a train. They both drank their tea, listening to the clear songs of a small bird called a tailorbird and the loud, playful sounds of a group of birds known as seven sisters.
Passage: As the brief twilight faded, most of the birds fell silent. Sunder Singh lit his oil lamp and said it was time for him to inspect the tunnel. He moved off towards the tunnel, while Suraj sat on the cot, sipping his tea. In the dark, the trees seemed to move closer to him. And the nightlife of the forest was conveyed on the breeze—the sharp call of a barking deer, the cry of a fox, the quaint tonk-tonk of a nightjar. There were some sounds that Suraj didn’t recognise—sounds that came from the trees, creakings and whisperings, as though the trees were coming to life, stretching their limbs in the dark, shifting a little, flexing their fingers.
Sunder Singh stood inside the tunnel, trimming his lamp. The night sounds were familiar to him and he did not give them much thought; but something else—a padded footfall, a rustle of dry leaves—made him stand still for a few seconds, peering into the darkness. Then, humming softly to himself, he returned to where Suraj was waiting. Ten minutes remained for the night mail to arrive.
Word meanings
Twilight: The soft, dim light from the sky that occurs after sunset but before full darkness, or before sunrise.
Conveyed: Carried or communicated. In this context, the sounds were carried on the breeze.
quaint: unusual
nightjar: a nocturnal bird with a short bill
flexing: bending
trimming: (here) adjusting the wick of the lamp
Padded footfall: The soft sound of an animal’s foot hitting the ground, as if it has soft pads on its feet.
Rustle: A soft, muffled crackling sound, often caused by the movement of dry leaves or paper.
Peering: Looking very carefully or with difficulty at something.
Explanation of the above passage—As the short evening light disappeared, most of the birds stopped making noise. Sunder Singh turned on his oil lamp and announced it was time for him to check the tunnel. He started walking towards the tunnel, while Suraj stayed sitting on the bed, drinking his tea. In the darkness, the trees seemed to come closer to Suraj. The sounds of the forest at night were carried by the wind—the clear call of a barking deer, the sound a fox makes, and the unusual “tonk-tonk” sound of a nightjar bird. There were also some noises Suraj didn’t know—sounds from the trees themselves, like creaking and soft whispers, as if the trees were waking up, stretching their branches in the dark, moving slightly, and bending their smaller branches or roots.Inside the tunnel, Sunder Singh was adjusting his lamp. He was used to the sounds of the night and didn’t pay them much attention. However, a different kind of sound—a soft step, like an animal walking, and the quiet sound of dry leaves moving—made him stop for a moment, looking closely into the darkness. Then, humming a quiet tune to himself, he went back to Suraj. The night train was due to arrive in ten minutes.
Passage: As Sunder Singh sat down on the cot beside Suraj, a new sound reached both of them quite distinctly—a rhythmic sawing sound, as if someone cutting through the branch of a tree.
“What’s that?” whispered Suraj.
“It’s the leopard,” said Sunder Singh. “I think it’s in the tunnel.”
“The train will soon be here,” said Suraj.
“Yes, my friend. And if we don’t drive the leopard out of the tunnel, it will be run over and killed. I can’t let that happen.”
“But won’t it attack us if we try to drive it out?” asked Suraj, beginning to share the watchman’s concern.
“Not this leopard. It knows me well. We have seen each other many times. It has a weakness for goats and stray dogs, but it will not harm us. Even so, I’ll take my axe with me. You stay here, Suraj.”
“No, I’m coming with you. It will be better than sitting here alone in the dark!”
“All right, but stay close behind me. And remember, there is nothing to fear.”
Raising his lamp, Sunder Singh advanced into the tunnel, shouting at the top of his voice to try and scare away the animal. Suraj followed close behind, but he found he was unable to do any shouting. His throat was quite dry.
Word meanings
Distinctly: Clearly; easy to hear or see.
Rhythmic: Having a regular, repeating pattern of sounds or movements.
Sawing: The action of cutting with a saw; here, a sound like a saw cutting.
Advanced: Moved forward.
Scare away: To frighten an animal or person so that they leave.
Unable: Not having the ability to do something
Explanation of the above passage—As Sunder Singh settled onto the bed next to Suraj, they both clearly heard a new noise. It sounded like a steady, back-and-forth scraping, like someone cutting through a tree branch. Suraj quietly asked what it was. Sunder Singh identified it as the leopard and believed it was inside the tunnel.Suraj pointed out that the train would arrive very soon. Sunder Singh agreed, explaining that they had to force the leopard out of the tunnel, otherwise the train would hit and kill it, something he couldn’t allow. Suraj then worried if the leopard would attack them if they tried to make it leave, starting to feel the same worry as the watchman. Sunder Singh reassured him, saying this particular leopard knew him well and wouldn’t hurt them, though it did like goats and stray dogs. Still, he decided to take his axe. He told Suraj to stay put, but Suraj insisted on coming along, saying it was better than being alone in the dark. Sunder Singh agreed, telling him to stay close and remember there was nothing to be afraid of. Holding up his lamp, Sunder Singh moved forward into the tunnel, yelling loudly to try and frighten the animal away. Suraj walked closely behind him, but he couldn’t shout because his throat was very dry due to the scare.
Passage: They had gone about twenty paces into the tunnel when the light from the lamp fell upon the leopard. It was crouching between the tracks, only five metres away from them. It was not a very big leopard, but it looked lithe and sinewy. Baring its teeth and snarling, it went down on its belly, tail twitching.
Suraj and Sunder Singh both shouted together. Their voices rang through the tunnel. And the leopard, uncertain as to how many terrifying humans were there in the tunnel with him, turned swiftly and disappeared into the darkness.
To make sure that it had gone, Sunder Singh and Suraj walked the length of the tunnel. When they returned to the entrance, the rails were beginning to hum. They knew the train was coming.
Word meanings
Paces: Steps; a single step in walking.
Crouching: Bending low with the arms and legs drawn close to the body; to stoop.
lithe: thin, graceful
sinewy: lean and muscular
Baring: Uncovering; showing.
snarling: growling
twitching: a short, sudden movement
Rang: (past tense of ring) Produced a clear, resonant sound; echoed.
Uncertain: Not sure; doubtful.
Disappeared: Vanished; no longer visible.
Length: The full extent from end to end.
Entrance: A place through which one can enter.
Hum: To make a low, steady continuous sound like that of a bee.
Explanation of the above passage—They had walked about twenty steps inside the tunnel when the lamp’s light shone on a leopard. The leopard was hiding low between the railway tracks, only five meters away from them. It wasn’t a very large leopard, but it looked thin and muscular. Showing its teeth and growling, it lowered itself onto its stomach, with its tail jerking. Suraj and Sunder Singh both yelled at the same time. Their shouts echoed loudly through the tunnel. The leopard wasn’t sure how many scary people were in the tunnel with it, so it quickly turned and vanished into the dark. To be certain the leopard had left, Sunder Singh and Suraj walked all the way through the tunnel. When they came back to the entrance, the train tracks started to vibrate slightly and make a soft sound. They then knew the train was approaching.
Passage: Suraj put his hand to one of the rails and felt its tremor. He heard the distant rumble of the train. And then the engine came round the bend, hissing at them, scattering sparks into the darkness, defying the jungle as it roared through the steep sides of the cutting. It charged straight at the tunnel, and into it, thundering past Suraj like the beautiful dragon of his dreams.
And when it had gone, the silence returned and the forest seemed to breathe, to live again. Only the rails still trembled with the passing of the train.
They trembled again to the passing of the same train, almost a week later, when Suraj and his father were both travelling in it.
Suraj’s father was scribbling in a notebook, doing his accounts. Suraj sat at an open window staring out at the darkness. His father was going to Delhi on a business trip and had decided to take the boy along. (“I don’t know where he gets to, most of the time,” he’d complained. “I think it’s time he learnt something about my business.”)
The night mail rushed through the forest with its hundreds of passengers. The carriage wheels beat out a steady rhythm on the rails. Tiny flickering lights came and went, as they passed small villages on the fringe of the jungle.
Word meanings
Tremor: A slight shaking movement.
Rumble: A continuous deep, resonant sound.
Hissing: Making a sharp, sibilant sound, like a prolonged ‘s’.
Scattering: Throwing in various random directions.
Defying: Openly resisting or refusing to obey.
Cutting: A narrow valley or passage cut through a hill or high ground, usually for a road or railway.
Charged: Moved quickly and forcefully in a particular direction.
Thundering: Moving with a loud, heavy, rolling sound.
Scribbling: Writing or drawing something carelessly or quickly.
Accounts: Records of financial transactions; business records.
Complained: Expressed dissatisfaction or annoyance about something.
flickering: burning unsteadily
fringe: edge
shrill: sharp sound
Explanation of the above passage—Suraj touched one of the train tracks and felt it tremble, shaking slightly. He then heard the train’s loud, low sound far away. Soon after, the engine came around the curve in the track. It made a hissing noise, like a snake, and threw sparks into the dark. It seemed to challenge the jungle as it loudly moved through the narrow valley cut into the hillside. The train then rushed directly into the tunnel, passing Suraj with a booming sound, like the magnificent creature he imagined in his dreams. After the train had gone, the quiet returned, and the forest seemed to come alive and breathe again. Only the train tracks continued to shake slightly from the train’s powerful movement.
Almost a week later, Suraj and his father were riding on that very same train. Suraj’s father was busy writing quickly in a notebook, working on his business records. Suraj sat by an open window, looking out into the darkness. His father was traveling to Delhi for work and chose to take Suraj along. (His father had grumbled that he often doesn’t know where his son goes, so he thinks it’s time he learned about his work.) The night mail train sped through the forest carrying many passengers. The train car wheels made a steady beat on the tracks. Small, flickering lights appeared and disappeared as they passed through tiny villages at the edge of the jungle.
Passage: Suraj heard the rumble as the train passed over a small bridge. It was too dark to see the hut near the cutting, but he knew they must be approaching the tunnel. He strained his eyes looking out into the night; and then, just as the engine let out a shrill whistle, Suraj saw the lamp.
He couldn’t see Sunder Singh, but he saw the lamp, and he knew that his friend was out there.
The train went into the tunnel and out again; it left the jungle behind and thundered across the endless plains.
Suraj stared out at the darkness, thinking of the lonely cutting in the forest and the watchman with the lamp, who would always remain a firefly for those travelling thousands as he lit up the darkness for steam engines and leopards.
Word meanings
Rumble: A deep, continuous, dull sound.
Cutting: A narrow passage cut through a hill or high ground, often for a road or railway.
Strained: To make a great effort to do something, often with difficulty.
shrill: sharp sound
Thundered: To move with a loud, heavy, rumbling noise.
Endless: Having or seeming to have no end or limit.
Plains: A large area of flat land with few trees.
Explanation of the above passage—He heard the train making a deep, low sound as it went over a small bridge. It was too dark outside to see the small house near the railway cutting, but he knew they were getting close to the tunnel. He tried very hard to see in the dark, and just as the train’s engine made a loud, sharp sound, he saw a light. He could not see Sunder Singh, the watchman, but seeing the light told him that his friend was out there. The train then went into the dark tunnel and came out the other side. It left the jungle area behind and moved very fast and loudly across the vast, flat lands. He looked out into the darkness, thinking about the quiet, isolated place in the forest and the watchman holding the lamp. For Suraj, that watchman with his lamp would always be like a tiny, glowing firefly for all the travelers, because he brought light to the darkness for both the trains and the wild animals like leopards.
Conclusion
The Tunnel is a story about a young, adventurous boy, Suraj, who loves trains and the jungle. He is not just a passenger; he actively engages with nature and looks forward to watching a steam train exit the tunnel. Students can take help from this post to understand the story and also learn the difficult word meanings to get a better grasp of The Tunnel. This lesson includes a summary of The Tunnel, which will help students in class 7 to get a quick recap of the story.