One Thousand Dollars Summary and Explanation
PSEB Class 10 English Chapter 3 One Thousand Dollars Summary, Explanation along with Difficult Word Meanings from English Literature (Supplementary Reader) Book
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PSEB Class 10 English Chapter 3 – One Thousand Dollars
by O. Henry
Henry’s short story “One Thousand Dollars” is the story of Robert Gillian, a young man with a carefree attitude who got to know that his rich uncle has left him only one thousand dollars but with the condition that he must submit a written report on how he spends it.
What begins as a simple task soon turns into a test of character full of surprising elements.
- One Thousand Dollars Summary
- One Thousand Dollars Summary in Hindi
- One Thousand Dollars Theme
- One Thousand Dollars Explanation
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One Thousand Dollars Summary
- Henry’s short story “One Thousand Dollars” is about a young man named Robert Gillian, a carefree and irresponsible person. When he is called to the law office of Tolman and Sharp, Gillian is informed that his late uncle has left him exactly one thousand dollars. He was shocked because his uncle was a rich man, worth half a million dollars. Gillian received only this small amount plus there is a condition that he must submit a detailed written report on how he spends the money. Gillian begins to seek advice on how to spend the money, starting with his friend Old Bryson, a calm and intellectual man who suggests some sarcastic ideas such as funding education or charity to buy jewelry for an actress named Lotta Lauriere, Gillian liked the last idea and visits Lotta, but their conversation and her obsession with expensive ornaments make him realize that spending money on her would be meaningless.
Later Gillian drives through the city, asking random people what they would do with a thousand dollars. He speaks to a cab driver, who says he would open a saloon, and even to a blind man selling pencils, who surprisingly reveals a savings account with a balance of over $1,700 proving that even a blind street vendor manages his money better than Gillian himself had ever done. These conversations, though varied, do not give Gillian a clear answer but force him to reflect deeper on the real value of money and life.
Eventually, Gillian visits Miss Hayden, his late uncle’s quiet, modest ward, who had lived in his uncle’s house and received only a ring and ten dollars in the will. Feeling sympathetic for her, and perhaps something deeper, Gillian tells her a lie: that a postscript in the will has given her an additional $1,000. He then hands over all his inheritance to her, expecting nothing in return. Miss Hayden is shocked and hesitant but accepts the money. Gillian, pleased with his choice, writes a simple account of the spending and heads back to the lawyers. At the law office, when Gillian submits his sealed report, the lawyers reveal a hidden clause in the will: if Gillian had used the money wisely, he would get a further inheritance of $50,000. If not, the amount would go to Miss Hayden. Shocked by this, but still calm, Gillian destroys the written account, lies that he wasted the money on horse racing. In doing so, he ensures that Miss Hayden will receive the amount instead.
In the end, Gillian walks away with a smile, happy with what he chose to do. The story finishes with a surprising twist that shows he isn’t just a careless young man after all. Deep down, he is kind, generous, and willing to give up something big for someone else’s happiness. Through this story, O. Henry beautifully shows that a person’s true nature and goodness can be hidden behind a fun and carefree attitude, and that doing the right thing often means making a quiet, selfless sacrifice.
Summary of the Lesson One Thousand Dollars in Hindi
ओ. हेनरी की लघु कहानी “वन थाउज़ेंड डॉलर्स” का सारांश रॉबर्ट गिलियन नामक एक युवा व्यक्ति के बारे में है, जो एक लापरवाह और गैर-जिम्मेदार व्यक्ति है। जब उसे टॉलमैन और शार्प के कानून कार्यालय में बुलाया जाता है, तो गिलियन को सूचित किया जाता है कि उसके दिवंगत चाचा ने उसके लिए ठीक एक हज़ार डॉलर छोड़े हैं। वह चौंक गया क्योंकि उसके चाचा एक अमीर आदमी थे, जिनकी संपत्ति पाँच लाख डॉलर थी। गिलियन को केवल यह छोटी राशि मिली और साथ ही एक शर्त यह भी थी कि उसे इस बात की विस्तृत लिखित रिपोर्ट प्रस्तुत करनी होगी कि वह पैसे कैसे खर्च करता है। गिलियन पैसे खर्च करने के बारे में सलाह लेना शुरू करता है, इसकी शुरुआत अपने दोस्त ओल्ड ब्रायसन से करता है, जो एक शांत और बौद्धिक व्यक्ति है, जो लोट्टा लॉरीयर नामक एक अभिनेत्री के लिए गहने खरीदने के लिए शिक्षा या दान के लिए धन देने जैसे कुछ व्यंग्यात्मक विचार सुझाता है, गिलियन को अंतिम विचार पसंद आता है और वह लोट्टा से मिलने जाता है, लेकिन उनकी बातचीत और महंगे गहनों के प्रति उसके जुनून ने उसे एहसास दिलाया कि उस पर पैसे खर्च करना व्यर्थ होगा। बाद में गिलियन शहर से गुज़रता है और बेतरतीब लोगों से पूछता है कि वे एक हज़ार डॉलर का क्या करेंगे। वह एक कैब ड्राइवर से बात करता है, जो कहता है कि वह एक सैलून खोलेगा, और यहां तक कि पेंसिल बेचने वाले एक अंधे आदमी से भी, जो आश्चर्यजनक रूप से 1,700 डॉलर से अधिक की शेष राशि के साथ एक बचत खाते का खुलासा करता है, जो साबित करता है कि एक अंधा सड़क विक्रेता भी अपने पैसे को गिलियन से बेहतर तरीके से प्रबंधित करता है। ये बातचीत, हालांकि विविध हैं, गिलियन को स्पष्ट उत्तर नहीं देती हैं लेकिन उसे धन और जीवन के वास्तविक मूल्य पर गहराई से सोचने के लिए मजबूर करती हैं। आखिरकार, गिलियन अपने दिवंगत चाचा की शांत, विनम्र वार्ड मिस हेडन से मिलने जाता है, जो अपने चाचा के घर में रहती थी और जिसे वसीयत में केवल एक अंगूठी और दस डॉलर मिले थे। उसके लिए सहानुभूति महसूस करते हुए, और शायद कुछ गहरा, गिलियन उसे एक झूठ बताता है: कि वसीयत में एक पोस्टस्क्रिप्ट ने उसे अतिरिक्त 1,000 डॉलर दिए हैं लॉ ऑफिस में, जब गिलियन अपनी सीलबंद रिपोर्ट जमा करता है, तो वकील वसीयत में छिपे एक खंड का खुलासा करते हैं: यदि गिलियन ने धन का बुद्धिमानी से उपयोग किया होता, तो उसे 50,000 डॉलर की अतिरिक्त विरासत मिलती। यदि नहीं, तो यह राशि मिस हेडन को मिलती। इससे हैरान, लेकिन फिर भी शांत, गिलियन ने लिखित खाता नष्ट कर दिया, झूठ बोला कि उसने घुड़दौड़ पर पैसा बर्बाद कर दिया। ऐसा करने में, वह सुनिश्चित करता है कि मिस हेडन को इसके बजाय राशि प्राप्त होगी। अंत में, गिलियन मुस्कुराते हुए चला जाता है, उसने जो करने का फैसला किया उससे खुश है। कहानी एक आश्चर्यजनक मोड़ के साथ समाप्त होती है जो दिखाती है कि वह केवल एक लापरवाह युवक नहीं है। दिल की गहराई में, वह दयालु, उदार और किसी और की खुशी के लिए कुछ बड़ा त्याग करने को तैयार है। इस कहानी के माध्यम से, ओ। हेनरी खूबसूरती से दिखाते हैं कि एक व्यक्ति का सच्चा स्वभाव और अच्छाई एक मज़ेदार और लापरवाह रवैये के पीछे छिपी हो सकती है, और सही काम करने का मतलब अक्सर एक शांत, निस्वार्थ बलिदान करना होता है।
Themes of the lesson One Thousand Dollars
The theme of the lesson by O. Henry’s “One Thousand Dollars” deals with a few related ideas such as being selfless, changing as a person, and the difference between what is right and wrong.
In the start, Gillian seems like a careless young man who is used to a life of luxury because his rich uncle supports him. When he got to know that it was only one thousand dollars that he received, he joked about it, calling it “such a little amount.” This makes you think it will be another story about a rich man’s mistakes. But the story changes when Gillian’s actions show that he is able to think deeply and feel for others.
Being selfless is key to the story. Gillian must explain how he spends money. As he thinks about what to do with it, he asks others for advice. He decides to give the money to Miss Hayden, his uncle’s poor ward, by saying it was in the will. He lied so she thinks she earned the money instead of getting a gift. This act and thought is so deep.
Gillian’s change is another important point. His final actions are very different from what people think about him. He was a careless and rich guy but he is the only one who acts with respect with everyone. In the end, his action shows he cares more about Miss Hayden than money.
The story also looks at how things seem vs how they are. Characters like the blind man and Miss Hayden seem weak, but they are strong and honest. People’s thoughts about Gillian are wrong. The story reminds us that people are not always what they appear to be, and actions show true character.
In short, “One Thousand Dollars” is about more than just money. It examines morality and the strength of making good choices. O. Henry uses surprise to show that the kindest people may hide behind a carefree attitude, and true value comes from who you are, not what you have.
One Thousand Dollars Lesson Explanation
Passage: “One thousand dollars” repeated Lawyer Tolman, solemnly and severely, “and here is the money.”
Word meanings:
solemnly: seriously
severely: harshly
Explanation of the passage: Lawyer Tolman repeated the amount “One thousand dollars” in a serious and strict voice, and then handed over the money. He wanted to make it clear to the young man, Gillian, that this was an important matter. The way he spoke showed that the money came with responsibility, and Gillian had to take it seriously. It was not just a gift, it was part of a will, and how Gillian used it would matter.
Passage: Young Gillian laughed as he touched the thin packet of new fifty-dollar notes. “It is such a little amount,” he told the lawyer.
“You heard the reading of your uncle’s will,” continued Lawyer Tolman in a dry tone. “I do not know if you paid any attention to its details. I must tell you that you must give us an account of the manner of expenditure of these one thousand dollars as soon as you have spent them. I trust you will comply with Mr Gillian’s wishes.”
Word meanings:
Account: record
comply: obey the order
Explanation of the passage: In this passage, young Gillian laughs when he receives a small amount of money—only one thousand dollars—from his late uncle’s will. He finds it to be very less. Lawyer Tolman reminds him that he must carefully note how he spends the money and give a report afterward. This was part of his uncle’s condition. The lawyer also hopes that Gillian will respect and follow his uncle’s wishes. The scene shows Gillian’s careless attitude and the lawyer’s serious tone.
Passage: “You may depend upon it,” said the young man, politely, “I may have to have a secretary. I was never good at accounts.”
Gillian thrust the packet of notes in his pocket and went to the club. There he looked for the person whom he called Old Bryson.
Old Bryson was calm at forty. He was in a corner reading a book, and when he saw Gillian coming he sighed, laid down his book and took off his glasses.
“Old Bryson, wake up,” said Gillian, “I’ve a funny story to tell you.”
“I wish you tell your story to someone in the billiard room, Gillian,” said Old Bryson.
Word meanings:
billiard: a game played on a table with a stick and balls
Thrust: To make a sudden forward movement
calm at forty: peaceful, quiet, and without worry
Explanation of the passage: Gillian politely said he might need a secretary because he was not good at managing money or writing accounts. He put the packet of thousand-dollar notes in his pocket and went to his club to meet his friend, Old Bryson. Bryson, a calm and quiet man around forty, was reading a book in a corner. When he saw Gillian coming, he sighed, put down his book, and removed his glasses. Gillian excitedly said he had a funny story, but Bryson wasn’t interested.
Passage: “This one is better one than usual,” said Gillian, rolling a cigarette, “and I’m going to tell it to you. It’s too sad and funny to go with the game. I’ve just, come from the office of my uncle’s lawyers. He leaves me a thousand dollars. Now, what can a man possibly do with just a thousand dollars?”
“I thought,” said Old Bryson, “that the late Septimas Gillian was worth something like half a million dollars.”
“He was,” said Gillian, joyously, “and that’s where the joke comes in. He left almost all his money to a microbe. That is, the part of it goes to a man who invents a new bacillus and the rest to a hospital for doing away with that microbe. The butler and the housekeeper get a seal ring and $10 each. His nephew gets $1,000,”
Words meanings:
microbe: a small living thing that can be seen only under a microscope
do away with: end, terminate
Explanation of the passage: Gillian tells his friend Bryson that his uncle has left him only one thousand dollars, which he finds both sad and funny. Bryson is surprised because Gillian’s uncle was very rich. Gillian laughs and explains that most of the money was given for scientific purposes part to someone who discovers a new germ and the rest to a hospital to fight it. The servants got small gifts too. Gillian finds it amusing that he, the nephew, received such a small amount.
Passage: “You’ve always had a plenty of money to spend,” said Old Bryson.
“Tons,” said Gillian. “Uncle was the fairy godmother as far as an allowance was concerned.”
“Any other heirs?” asked Old Bryson.
“None”, Gillian frowned and kicked the divan uneasily. “There is a Miss Hayden, a ward of my uncle, who lived in his house. I forget to tell you that she gets a seal ring and $10, too. What a joke! Don’t be insulting, Old Bryson – tell me what a fellow can do with a thousand dollars?”
Words meanings:
ward: a child (mostly an orphan) looked after by another grown-up person
divan: a piece of furniture
Explanation of the passage: In this passage, Old Bryson reminds Gillian that he always had a lot of money. Gillian agrees, saying his uncle was like a fairy godmother who would give him a big allowance. When asked if anyone else got money, Gillian says only Miss Hayden, his uncle’s ward, received a ring and just $10. He finds this unfair and laughs at how small the amount is. Then he asks seriously what a person is supposed to do with only one thousand dollars.
Passage: Old Bryson rubbed his glasses and smiled. And when he smiled Gillian knew that he was going to be more offensive than ever.
Word meanings:
Offensive: rude words said to someone to make him angry
Explanation of the passage: Old Bryson cleaned his glasses and gave a smile. Gillian understood from his smile that Bryson was about to say something sharp or sarcastic. Gillian knew Bryson well and could tell from his expression that he was not going to be kind or helpful.
Passage: “A thousand dollars,” he said, “means much or little. One may buy a happy home with it. A thousand dollars would buy pure milk for one hundred babies during June, July and August and save fifty of their lives. You could have half an hour fun in one of the art galleries. It will provide an education to an ambitious boy. You could move to a New Hampshire town and live respectably for two years on it.”
Word meanings:
ambitious: making a lot of effort to be successful
Explanation of the passage: In this passage, Old Bryson explains that the value of a thousand dollars depends on how it is used. He says it could do many good things like saving babies by buying milk, helping a poor child get an education, or giving someone a chance to live a simple and respectful life for two years. It could even be used for small joys like enjoying art.
Passage: “People might like you if you won’t moralize. I asked you to tell me what I could do with the one thousand dollars,” said Gillian.
Word meanings:
moralize: tell people what is wrong or right (normally not liked by them)
Explanation of the passage: Gillian is annoyed because Old Bryson is giving him moral lessons instead of a direct answer. Gillian says that people might like him more if he didn’t always try to teach lessons. He just wants a simple, practical suggestion for how to spend the one thousand dollars he received—not a lecture.
Passage: “You?” said Old Bryson; with a gentle laugh, “Why Bobby Gillian, there is only one sensible thing that you can do. You can buy Miss Lotta Lauriere a diamond pendant and spend the rest of your time in a ranch.”
Word meanings:
ranch: a big farm where cattle, sheep, etc are bred
Explanation of the passage: In this passage, Old Bryson laughs gently and jokingly tells Gillian that the only smart thing he can do with the thousand dollars is to buy a diamond pendant for Miss Lotta Lauriere, an actress he likes, and then go live on a ranch. He doesn’t take Gillian seriously and teases him because he thinks Gillian is not responsible enough to spend the money wisely. This shows how others see Gillian as careless and fun-loving.
Passage: “Thanks,” said Gillian rising. “I thought I could depend on you, Old Bryson. You gave me the right idea. I wanted to spend the money in a lump. No need to keep a big account then. I hate that.”
Word meanings:
lump: at one time, not in parts
Rising: the act of a person
Explanation of the passage: Gillian thanks Old Bryson for helping him decide how to spend the $1,000. He stands up and says he prefers to use the money all at once, instead of spending it in small parts and keeping a detailed account. He admits that he doesn’t like managing or tracking money, so using it in one go feels easier for him. This shows his dislike for responsibilities like maintaining accounts.
Passage: Gillian phoned for a cab, and asked the driver to take him to the Columbine Theatre. Miss Lotta Lauriere was almost ready for the show when her dresser mentioned Mr Gillian’s name. “Let him in,” said Miss Lauriere. “Now what is it, Bobby?” She said, looking quite bored, “I’m going to perform in two minutes.” “I won’t take two minutes,” said Gillian. “What about a pendant? I can spend three ciphers with a figure in front of them?”
“Oh just as you say, Bobby, did you see the necklace Della Stacey was wearing the other night? Two thousand two hundred dollars it cost,” she said. And she left for her performance.
Gillian went to the cab. “What would you do if you had a thousand dollars?” He asked the driver. “Open a saloon,” answered the driver at once. “I would make money with both hands. Are you thinking of……….”
Word meanings:
Ciphers – a secret or disguised way of writing; a code.
saloon: a place where alcohol is sold
Explanation of the passage: Gillian went to the theatre to meet Miss Lotta Lauriere and asked if she wanted an expensive pendant, hinting he had a good amount of money to spend. Lotta, uninterested, compared it to a costly necklace someone else (Della) had worn and left for her performance. She meant that his proposed gift was nothing for her. Feeling unsure, Gillian returned to his cab and asked the driver what he would do with a thousand dollars. The driver said he’d open a saloon to earn well. Gillian was just curious and thinking deeply.
Passage: “Oh, no,” said Gillian, “merely asked for curiosity. Drive on till I ask you to stop.”
Eight blocks down the Broadway, Gillian saw a blind man selling pencils on the sidewalk. Gillian got out of the cab and stood before him.
“Excuse me,” he said, “but, tell me what you would do if you had a thousand dollars?”
“You have got down the cab just now? Take a look at this, if you like,” said the blind man and took out a small book from his pocket. Gillian opened it and saw it was a bank deposit book. It showed a balance of $1,785 to the blind man’s credit. Gillian returned the book and got into the cab.
Word meanings:
credit: money in one’s account in the bank
Explanation of the passage: In this passage, Gillian, out of curiosity, asks a blind man what he would do with a thousand dollars. The blind man surprises him by showing a bank book with $1,785 in savings, proving that he was responsible and financially wise. Gillian was impressed and quietly returned to his cab. This moment made Gillian think deeply about how people use money and helped him realize that even those who seem poor can be smart with their finances.
Passage: “Tolman & Sharp, at-, Broadway,” he told the driver.
“I beg your pardon,” said Gillian cheerfully, “but may I ask one question? Hope you won’t mind. Was Miss Hayden left anything by my uncle’s will besides the ring and $10?”
“Nothing,” said Mr. Tolman.
“I thank you very much, sir,” said Gillian and out he went into his cab.
When Gillian reached his uncle’s house, Miss Hayden was writing letters in the library. She was small and slender and dressed in black. “I’ve just come from Tolman’s office,” he explained. “They found a post-script to the will. It seemed that uncle on second thoughts loosened a bit and willed you a thousand dollars. As I was driving this way, Tolman asked me to bring the money. Here it is.” Gillian laid the money on the table.
Word meanings:
post-script: message added after one’s signature or end of a writing
Explanation of the passage: Gillian went to the lawyer’s office and politely asked if Miss Hayden was given anything more in the will. The lawyer replied she only got a ring and $10. Gillian thanked him and left. He then visited Miss Hayden at his uncle’s house, where she was writing letters. He lied to her kindly, saying a new note in the will gave her $1,000 and that the lawyer had asked him to deliver it. He placed the money on the table for her.
Passage: Miss Hayden turned white. “Oh! I am sorry,” said Miss Hayden, taking up her money. “I am sorry,” she said again. “There is no use?” said Gillian, almost light-heartedly. “May I write a note?” asked Gillian, with a smile. She gave him the paper and then went back to her work. Gillian made an account of his expenditure of the thousand dollars in these words:
“Paid by the black sheep, Robert Gillian, $1,000 on the account of eternal happiness, to the best and dearest woman on earth.”
Word meanings:
black sheep: a person different from others in a group or a family
turned White: the skin on their face becomes very pale, for example- because of fear, shock, anger, or illness
Explanation of the passage: In this passage, Miss Hayden is shocked and emotional when Gillian gives her the thousand dollars. She feels sorry and unsure about his gesture. Gillian, acting cheerfully, asks if he can write a note. She quietly allows him. In his note, Gillian writes that he gave the money to Miss Hayden, calling it a payment for eternal happiness and calling her the best woman on earth. This shows Gillian’s love and his selfless decision to make her happy.
Passage: Gillian slipped his writing into an envelope, bowed and went his way.
His cab stopped at the office of Tolman & Sharp.
“I have spent the thousand dollars,” he said cheerfully to Mr Tolman, “and I have come to give you the account.” He tossed the envelope on the table. Without touching the envelope, Mr Tolman went to the door and called his partner, Sharp. Together they discussed something. Finally Mr Tolman said, “Mr Gillian, your uncle had left another envelope which was to be opened after you had submitted an account of spending the $1,000 bequest in the will. As you have given the account, my partner and I read the content of the envelope. We will not give you the details. But the gist is that if you have spent the hundred dollars wisely, we have the power to release you $5,000 kept for you. But if you spent the money the same way as you did in the past, the $5,000 will be paid to Miriam Hayden, the ward of the late Mr Gillian. Now, Mr Gillian, we will examine your account in regard to $1,000.” Mr Tolman reached for the envelope. Gillian was a little quicker in taking it up. He tore the account and its cover and dropped them into his pocket.
Word meanings:
tossed: threw it with force
bequest: money/property given to someone by a person after his death
gist: the general meaning of something rather than all the details
Explanation of the passage: Gillian gave the lawyers an envelope showing how he spent the $1,000. But before they could read it, they revealed that his uncle had left another letter. It said Gillian would get $5,000 more if he spent the previous money wisely. If not, Miss Hayden would get it. When the lawyer reached for the account, Gillian quickly grabbed it and tore it up. He didn’t want the lawyers to know he had spent the money on Miss Hayden, so that she would receive the $5,000 also.
Passage: “It’s all right,” he said smiling. There is no need to bother you with this. Anyhow, I lost the thousand dollars on the races. Good-day to you, gentlemen.”
Tolman & Sharp shook their heads in disgust and looked at each other, and they heard Gillian leave the room whistling.
Word meanings:
disgust: dislike
Explanation of the passage: Gillian smiles and lies to the lawyers, saying he wasted the money on horse races. He doesn’t want them to know he gave it to Miss Hayden out of kindness. He leaves the office cheerfully, pretending he doesn’t care. The lawyers, thinking he wasted the money foolishly, shake their heads in disappointment. But in truth, Gillian acted nobly and secretly gave up a bigger reward so Miss Hayden could have it instead.
Conclusion
This post provides the summary, word meanings and lesson notes of One Thousand Dollars story for students of PSEB Class 10 from the supplementary reader. Students can get a quick recap of the story with the help of this post.