Maharashtra State Board Class 9 English Lesson How the First Letter was Written Summary, Line by Line Explanation, Theme, Poetic Devices along with difficult word meanings from English Kumarbharati Book
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How the First Letter was Written Maharashtra State Board Class 9 English
– Rudyard Kipling
(Adapted from ‘How the First Letter was Written.’)
- How the First Letter was Written Introduction
- Theme of the Lesson
- How the First Letter was Written Summary
- How the First Letter was Written Summary in Hindi
- How the First Letter was Written Lesson Explanation
How the First Letter was Written Introduction
How the First Letter Was Written is a short story by Rudyard Kipling that explores the origins of written communication. Set in a prehistoric world, the story revolves around a young girl named Taffy who tries to help her father, Tegumai, by drawing a picture to communicate his need for another spear which was kept in their cave. With the help of a Stranger-man, the picture is delivered to Tegumai’s tribe but it leads to a misunderstanding between Teshumai and the stranger-man.
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Theme / Central Idea of the Lesson How the First Letter was Written
Resourcefulness: Taffy’s ability to use drawing as a means of communication demonstrates her resourcefulness and creativity. Her actions highlight the importance of thinking outside the box and finding innovative solutions to problems.
The Perils of Misunderstanding: The misunderstanding between Teshumai and the Stranger-man highlights the dangers of jumping to conclusions. The story serves as a reminder that misunderstandings can have serious consequences and that it is crucial to seek clarification before making assumptions.
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How the First Letter was Written Summary
Once upon a time, there was a man named Tegumai Bopsulai who lived in a cave. He didn’t know how to read or write, but he was happy. He had a wife named Teshumai, and their daughter was Taffy.
One day, Tegumai went to the river to catch fish with his spear, but he broke it. They were far from home and didn’t have another spear. Taffy suggested going home to get another spear, but Tegumai said it was too far and she might get lost.
Tegumai tried to fix the spear using a leather bag with tools, but it was taking a long time.
A stranger-man from the Tewara tribe came by, but he didn’t understand Taffy’s language. Taffy tried to get him to help her find her mother’s address.
The stranger thought Taffy was a very special child and smiled at her. Taffy asked the stranger to go to her mother’s house and ask for her father’s other spear. The stranger thought Taffy was a very wonderful child, even though he didn’t understand her.
The stranger-man from the Tewara tribe thought that Taffy’s father was the Chief and hence he was afraid to upset the Chief, so he agreed to do what the little girl wanted. He gave Taffy a piece of bark to show he meant no harm. Taffy asked for the shark’s tooth from the Stranger-man’s necklace. The Stranger-man was surprised that Taffy could touch the magic shark’s tooth without getting hurt. He decided to be more polite and gave her the shark’s tooth. Taffy drew pictures of her father fishing and the spear he wanted. She also drew a picture of herself explaining to the Stranger-man. She apologized for not drawing the stranger-man very handsomely.
The stranger is amazed by Taffy’s drawing. He thinks that there must be a big battle coming and that he needs to get help for Taffy’s father. He runs off to find help, leaving Taffy happy and relieved.
The stranger-man finds Teshumai Tewindrow, Taffy’s mother and shows her the drawing. When Teshumai saw the picture, she was very angry and yelled at the stranger. The other women from Teshumai’s tribe knocked him down and sat on him while Teshumai pulled his hair. Teshumai showed the picture to the other women and told them about the terrible things that happened to Tegumai. The women were shocked to see the picture.
Teshumai thought that the picture showed Tegumai being attacked by spears from all sides. Teshumai and the other ladies were horrified by the image and believed that the Stranger-man was responsible for Tegumai’s injuries.
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How the First Letter was Written Summary in Hindi
एक समय की बात है, एक आदमी था जिसका नाम टेगुमाई बोपसुलाई था, जो एक गुफा में रहता था। वह पढ़ना या लिखना नहीं जानता था, लेकिन वह खुश था। उसकी पत्नी का नाम टेशुमाई था, और उनकी बेटी का नाम टैफी था।
एक दिन, टेगुमाई मछली पकड़ने के लिए अपने भाले के साथ नदी पर गया, लेकिन वह भाला टूट गया। वे घर से दूर थे और उनके पास दूसरा भाला नहीं था। टैफी ने एक और भाला लेने के लिए घर जाने का सुझाव दिया, लेकिन टेगुमाई ने कहा कि यह बहुत दूर है और वह खो सकती है।
टेगुमाई ने औजारों के साथ एक चमड़े के थैले का उपयोग करके भाले को ठीक करने की कोशिश की, लेकिन इसमें काफी समय लग रहा था।
तेवारा जनजाति का एक अजनबी आदमी आया, लेकिन वह टैफी की भाषा नहीं समझता था। टैफी ने उसे अपनी माँ का पता खोजने में मदद करने की कोशिश की।
अजनबी ने सोचा कि टैफी एक बहुत ही खास बच्ची है। टैफी ने अजनबी से कहा कि वह उसके माँ के घर जाए और अपने पिता के दूसरे भाले के लिए कहे। अजनबी ने सोचा कि टैफी बहुत अद्भुत बच्ची है, भले ही वह उसे समझ नहीं पा रहा था।
तेवारा जनजाति के अजनबी आदमी ने सोचा कि टैफी का पिता प्रमुख है और इसलिए वह प्रमुख को परेशान करने से डरता था, इसलिए उसने वह करने के लिए सहमति दी जो छोटी लड़की चाहती थी। उसने टैफी को छाल का एक टुकड़ा दिया ताकि दिखा सके कि उसका कोई बुरा इरादा नहीं है। टैफी ने अजनबी आदमी के हार से शार्क का दांत मांगा। अजनबी आदमी हैरान था कि टैफी बिना चोट लगे जादुई शार्क के दांत को छू सकती है। उसने अधिक विनम्र होने का फैसला किया और उसे शार्क का दांत दे दिया। टैफी ने अपने पिता के मछली पकड़ने और उसके चाहे भाले की तस्वीरें बनायीं । उसने अजनबी आदमी को समझाते हुए अपनी खुद की तस्वीर भी बनायीं। उसने अजनबी आदमी को बहुत खूबसूरती से न बनाने के लिए माफी मांगी।
अजनबी टैफी की ड्राइंग से चकित था। उसे लगता है कि कोई बड़ी लड़ाई आ रही है और उसे टैफी के पिता के लिए मदद लेने की जरूरत है। वह मदद लेने के लिए भाग जाता है, टैफी को राहत मिलती है।
अजनबी आदमी टैफी की माँ टेशुमाई को ढूंढता है और उसे ड्राइंग दिखाता है। जब टेशुमाई ने तस्वीर देखी, तो वह बहुत गुस्सा हो गई और अजनबी पर चिल्लाई। टेशुमाई की जनजाति की अन्य महिलाओं ने उसे नीचे गिरा दिया और उस पर बैठ गईं, जबकि टेशुमाई ने उसके बाल खींचे। टेशुमाई ने अन्य महिलाओं को तस्वीर दिखाई और उन्हें उन भयानक चीजों के बारे में बताया जो टेगुमाई के साथ हुई थीं। महिलाएं तस्वीर देखकर हैरान रह गईं।
टेशुमाई ने सोचा कि तस्वीर में टेगुमाई पर हर तरफ से भालों से हमला किया जा रहा है। टेशुमाई और अन्य महिलाएं छवि से भयभीत थीं और मानती थीं कि अजनबी आदमी टेगुमाई की चोटों के लिए जिम्मेदार था।
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How the First Letter was Written Lesson Explanation
Passage: Once upon a most early time was a Neolithic man and he lived cavily in a Cave, and he wore very few clothes, and he couldn’t read and he couldn’t write and he didn’t want to, and except when he was hungry he was quite happy. His name was Tegumai Bopsulai, and that means, ‘Man-who-does-not-put-his foot-forward-in-a-hurry’; but we, O Best Beloved, will call him Tegumai, for short.
Word Meaning
Neolithic: This refers to the New Stone Age, a period of human history characterized by the development of agriculture and the use of polished stone tools.
Cavily: This means living in a cave.
Explanation: Once upon a time, long, long ago, there was a man who lived in a cave. He didn’t wear many clothes and couldn’t read or write. He was happy most of the time, except when he was hungry. His name was Tegumai, and that means “slow and steady.”
Passage: And his wife’s name was Teshumai Tewindrow, and that means, ‘Lady-who-asks-a-very-many-questions’; but we, O Best Beloved, will call her Teshumai, for short. And his little girl-daughter’s name was Taffimai Metallumai, and that means, ‘Small-person-without-any-manners-who-ought-to-be-spanked’; but I’m going to call her Taffy. And she was Tegumai Bopsulai’s Best Beloved and her own Mummy’s Best Beloved, and she was not spanked half as much as was good for her; and they were all three very happy. Now attend and listen!
Word Meaning
Best Beloved: This is a term of endearment used in the story, similar to “sweetheart.”
Explanation: “Tegumai’s wife’s name was Teshumai Tewindrow, which means ‘Questioning Lady.’ But we’ll just call her Teshumai for short. Their daughter was named Taffimai Metallumai, which means “a child without manners should be punished”, but the author calls her Taffy. She was loved very much by her dad and her mom. Her mom didn’t punish her as much as she should have. They were all very happy. Now pay attention!
Passage: One day Tegumai Bopsulai went down through the beaver-swamp to the Wagai river to spear carp-fish for dinner, and Taffy went too. Tegumai’s spear was made of wood with shark’s teeth at the end, and before he had caught any fish at all he accidentally broke it clean across by jabbing it down too hard on the bottom of the river. They were miles and miles from home and Tegumai had forgotten to bring any extra spears.
Word Meaning
Beaver-swamp: A wetland area where beavers live and build their dams. Beavers are large, semi-aquatic rodents native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Beavers have a distinctive appearance with their large, flat tails, strong teeth, and webbed feet.
Spear: A long, pointed weapon used for hunting or fishing.
Carp-fish: A type of fish commonly found in freshwater rivers and lakes.
Shark’s teeth: The sharp teeth of a shark, often used as a weapon or tool.
Jabbing: Poking or thrusting forcefully.
Clean across: Completely breaking something into two pieces.
Explanation: One day, Tegumai and Taffy went to the Wagai river to catch fish. The main part of Tegumai’s spear was made from wood, and the tip of the spear was made from shark’s teeth. It broke while he was trying to catch a fish. They were far away from home and didn’t have any other spears.
Passage: ‘Here’s a pretty kettle of fish!’ said Tegumai. ‘It will take me half the day to mend this.’ ‘There’s your big black spear at home,’ said Taffy. ‘Let me run back to the Cave and ask Mummy to give it me.’
Word Meaning
Kettle of fish: This is an idiom that means a complicated or confusing situation.
Mend: To repair or fix something that is broken or damaged.
Explanation: Tegumai said that it is a difficult situation and it would take him a long time to fix the spear. Taffy suggested that she should go back home and ask her mother for the big black spear at home.
Passage: ‘It’s too far for your little fat legs,’ said Tegumai. ‘Besides, you might fall into the beaver-swamp and be drowned. We must make the best of a bad job.’ He sat down and took out a little leather mendy-bag, full of reindeer-sinews and strips of leather, and lumps of bee’s-wax and resin, and began to mend the spear.
Word Meaning
Mendy-bag: A small pouch or bag used for carrying mending supplies.
Reindeer-sinews: Strong tendons from a reindeer, often used for sewing or making tools.
Sinews: sinews are strong, fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones. They are essentially tendons.
In the context of the story, reindeer sinews are used as a strong and durable material for repairing the spear.
Bee’s-wax: A waxy substance produced by bees.
Resin: A sticky substance produced by plants, often used in adhesives or waterproofing.
Explanation: Tegumai said that it was too far for Taffy to walk because Taffy was small and had small and fat legs. He also said that Taffy might fall into the swamp and drown. Tegumai told Taffy that they would have to deal with the situation. Tegumai sat down and took out a bag full of tools to fix the spear, which included reindeer-sinews, strips of leather, lumps of bee’s-wax and resin.
Passage: Taffy sat down too, with her toes in the water and her chin in her hand, and thought very hard. Then she said – ‘I say, Daddy, it’s an awful nuisance that you and I don’t know how to write, isn’t it? If we did, we could send a message for the new spear.’
Word Meaning
Nuisance: A bothersome or annoying person or thing.
Explanation: Taffy sat down and thought about how they could get a new spear. She said to her father that it was a problem they couldn’t write, because if they could, they could send a message for a new spear.
Passage: Just then a Stranger-man came along the river, but he belonged to a far tribe, the Tewaras, and he did not understand one word of Tegumai’s language. He stood on the bank and smiled at Taffy, because he had a little girl-daughter of his own at home. Tegumai drew a hank of deer-sinews from his mendy-bag and began to mend his spear.
Word Meaning
Tribe: A group of people who are related to each other and share a common culture.
Tewara: A specific tribe mentioned in the story.
Hank: A small bundle or coil of something, especially thread or yarn.
Explanation: Just then, a man from a different tribe named Tewara came to the river. He didn’t understand what Tegumai was saying. He smiled at Taffy because he had a daughter at home. Tegumai took out a string of deer sinews from his bag and started to fix his spear.
Passage: ‘Come here’, said Taffy. ‘Do you know where my Mummy lives?’ And the Stranger-man said ‘Um!’ ‘Silly!’ said Taffy, and she stamped her foot, because she saw a shoal of very big carp going up the river just when her Daddy couldn’t use his spear. ‘Don’t bother grown-ups,’ said Tegumai, so busy with his spear-mending that he did not turn round.
Word Meaning
Shoal: A large group of fish swimming together.
Carp: A type of fish commonly found in freshwater rivers and lakes.
Spear-mending: The process of repairing a spear.
Explanation: Taffy asked the stranger to come over. She inquired if he knew where her mother lived. The stranger replied with a “Um” Taffy considered this silly and she stamped her foot because she saw a group of big fish swimming up the river just when her dad couldn’t use his spear to hunt them. Tegumai told her not to bother the adults. He was too busy fixing his spear to look at her.
Passage: ‘I aren’t’, said Taffy. ‘I only want him to do what I want him to do, and he won’t understand.’ ‘Then don’t bother me’, said Tegumai, and he went on pulling and straining at the deer-sinews with his mouth full of loose ends. The Stranger-man – a genuine Tewara he was -sat down on the grass, and Taffy showed him what her Daddy was doing. The Stranger-man thought, ‘This is a very wonderful child. She stamps her foot at me and she makes faces. She must be the daughter of that noble Chief who is so great that he won’t take any notice of me.’ So he smiled more politely than ever.
Word Meaning
Loose ends: Unfinished or unresolved matters.
Stamped her foot: s a gesture of annoyance or impatience.
Explanation: Taffy said that she wasn’t bothering anyone. She explained that she merely wanted the stranger to do as she wished, but he seemed unable to understand. Tegumai responded by telling her not to bother him, and he continued his efforts. The stranger-man was a genuine Tewara. Genuine Tewara means that the Stranger-man was truly a member of the Tewara tribe. It emphasizes his authenticity and belonging to that specific group of people. He took a seat on the grass, and Taffy proceeded to demonstrate her father’s activities. The Stranger-man thought that the child was truly extraordinary, exhibiting such behaviors as stomping her foot and making faces. He concluded that she must be the daughter of the esteemed Chief who appeared to be oblivious to his presence. As a result, he smiled with even greater courtesy.
Passage: ‘Now,’ said Taffy, ‘I want you to go to my Mummy, because your legs are longer than mine, and you won’t fall into the beaver-swamp, and ask for Daddy’s other spear – the one with the black handle that hangs over our fireplace.’
Word Meaning
Fireplace: A place in a room where a fire can be built.
Explanation: Taffy instructed the stranger-man to go to her mother. She explained that his legs were longer than hers, making it less likely for him to fall into the beaver swamp. She requested that he retrieve her father’s other spear, the one with the black handle that was hanging above the fireplace.
Passage: The Stranger-man thought, ‘This is a very, very wonderful child. She waves her arms and she shouts at me, but I don’t understand a word of what she says.
Word Meaning
Waves her arms: Moves her arms back and forth or up and down.
Explanation: The Stranger-man thought that the child was incredibly special. He observed that she waved her arms and shouted at him, but he couldn’t understand a single word she was saying.
Passage: But if I don’t do what she wants, I greatly fear that, that haughty Chief, Man-who-turns-his-back-on-callers, will be angry.’ He got up and twisted a big flat piece of bark off a birch-tree and gave it to Taffy. He did this, Best Beloved, to show that his heart was as white as the birch-bark and that he meant no harm; but Taffy didn’t quite understand.
Word Meaning
Haughty: Arrogant and condescending.
Birch-tree: A deciduous tree with white bark and triangular leaves.
Bark: The outer layer of a tree trunk.
Explanation: The stranger-man thought that the chief might become angry if he doesn’t follow the girl’s instructions. He stood up and took a big, flat piece of bark from a birch tree and gave it to Taffy. He did this to show that he was friendly and meant no harm, but Taffy didn’t really understand.
Passage: ‘Oh!’ said she. ‘Now I see! You want my Mummy’s living-address? Of course I can’t write, but I can draw pictures if I’ve anything sharp to scratch with. Please lend me the shark’s tooth off your necklace.’
Word Meaning
Living-address: The current address where someone lives.
Scratch with: To make marks or lines using something sharp.
Shark’s tooth: The sharp tooth of a shark.
Explanation: She exclaimed that she now understood the Stranger-man’s desire for her mother’s current address. While she admitted her inability to write, she expressed her capability of drawing pictures if she were provided with something sharp which could be used to scratch with. She then politely requested the loan of the shark’s tooth which the stranger had in his necklace.
Passage: The Stranger-man (and he was a Tewara) didn’t say anything, so Taffy put up her little hand and pulled at the beautiful bead and seed and shark-tooth necklace round his neck.
Word Meaning
Pulled at: Pulled or tugged on.
Explanation: The Stranger-man (who was a Tewara) didn’t say anything, so Taffy reached out and touched the pretty necklace made of beads, seeds and shark’s tooth that he was wearing.
Passage: The Stranger-man (and he was a Tewara) thought, ‘This is a very, very, very wonderful child. The shark’s tooth on my necklace is a magic shark’s tooth, and I was always told that if anybody touched it without my leave they would immediately swell up or burst, but this child doesn’t swell up or burst, and that important Chief, Man-who-attends-strictly-to-his-business, who has not yet taken any notice of me at all, doesn’t seem to be afraid that she will swell up or burst. I had better be more polite.’
Word Meaning
Swell up: To increase in size or volume.
Burst: To break open suddenly, often with force.
Explanation: The Stranger-man, a Tewara, considered this child to be truly extraordinary. He believed that the shark’s tooth on his necklace was a magical object, having been told that anyone who touched it without his permission would immediately swell up or burst. However, this child remained unaffected, and even the esteemed Chief, the man who minds his own business, who had yet to acknowledge his presence, seemed unconcerned about the potential consequences. The Stranger-man realized the necessity of showing greater politeness.
Passage: So he gave Taffy the shark’s tooth, and she lay down flat on her tummy with her legs in the air, like some people on the drawing-room floor when they want to draw pictures, and she said, ‘Now I’ll draw you some beautiful pictures! You can look over my shoulder, but you mustn’t joggle. First I’ll draw Daddy fishing. It isn’t very like him; but Mummy will know, because I’ve drawn his spear all broken.
Word Meaning
Joggle: To move or shake slightly and repeatedly.
Explanation: The Stranger-man then handed the shark’s tooth to Taffy. She assumed a position on her stomach with her legs raised in the air, similar to how some people position themselves on the drawing-room floor when they intend to draw pictures in a relaxed manner. She then declared that she shall draw some beautiful pictures for him and that he could come and observe her drawings but he should not move. First she would depict her father fishing. She thought that while her pictures may not bear a strong resemblance to him, her mother would undoubtedly recognize it due to the fact that she has drawn the father’s spear in a broken state
Passage: Well, now I’ll draw the other spear that he wants, the black-handled spear. It looks as if it was sticking in Daddy’s back, but that’s because the shark’s tooth slipped and this piece of bark isn’t big enough. That’s the spear I want you to fetch; so I’ll draw a picture of me myself ‘splaining to you. My hair doesn’t stand up like I’ve drawn, but it’s easier to draw that way.
Word Meaning
Fetch: To bring something back.
‘Splaining: A shortened form of “explaining.”
Explanation: She explained that she would now draw the other spear that her father desired, the one with the black handle. She described how the spear appeared to be sticking in her father’s back, but that was due to the shark’s tooth slipping and the piece of bark being insufficiently large. She emphasized that she wanted the Stranger-man to retrieve that specific spear and offered to draw a picture of herself explaining the situation. She acknowledged that her hair did not stand up as she had drawn it, but she found it easier to depict it in that manner.
Passage: Now I’ll draw you. I think you’re very nice really, but I can’t make you pretty in the picture, so you mustn’t be ’fended. Are you ’fended?’
Word Meaning
‘Fended: A colloquial term, likely meaning “offended” or “upset.” It’s a slightly informal and playful way to express being bothered or annoyed.
Explanation: She stated that she would now proceed to draw him. She expressed her genuine belief in his kindness but acknowledged her inability to portray him as handsome in the drawing. She emphasized that he should not be offended by this limitation. She then inquired if he was indeed offended.
Passage: The Stranger-man (and he was a Tewara) smiled. He thought, ‘There must be a big battle going to be fought somewhere, and this extraordinary child, who takes my magic shark’s tooth but who does not swell up or burst, is telling me to call all the great Chief’s tribe to help him. He is a great Chief, or he would have noticed me.
Word Meaning
Battle: A violent confrontation between two or more groups of people.
Explanation: The Stranger-man, a Tewara, smiled. He thought that there must be a big fight happening somewhere, and this special child, who had taken his magic shark’s tooth but had not gotten sick or exploded, was telling him to ask all the great Chief’s people to help them. He must be a great Chief, or he would have noticed the stranger.
Passage: ‘Look,’ said Taffy, drawing very hard and rather scratchily, ‘now I’ve drawn you, and I’ve put the spear that Daddy wants into your hand, just to remind you that you’re to bring it. Now I’ll show you how to find my Mummy’s living-address. You go along till you come to two trees (those are trees), and then you go over a hill (that’s a hill), and then you come into a beaver-swamp all full of beavers. I haven’t put in all the beavers, because I can’t draw beavers, but I’ve drawn their heads, and that’s all you’ll see of them when you cross the swamp.
Word Meaning
Scratchily: In a way that is rough or uneven.
Explanation: Taffy demonstrated her drawing, which depicted the Stranger-man holding the spear her father desired, serving as a reminder to bring it. She then proceeded to guide him towards her mother’s residence. She instructed him to continue until he reached two trees, followed by ascending a hill. Upon reaching the top, he would encounter a beaver swamp. She explained that while she was unable to draw the complete beavers, she had depicted their heads, which would be the only visible portion as he would cross the swamp.
Passage: Mind you don’t fall in! Then our Cave is just beyond the beaver-swamp. It isn’t as high as the hills really, but I can’t draw things very small. That’s my Mummy outside. She is beautiful. She is the most beautifullest Mummy there ever was, but she won’t be ’fended when she sees I’ve drawn her so plain. She’ll be pleased of me because I can draw. Now, in case you forget, I’ve drawn the spear that Daddy wants outside our Cave. It’s inside really, but you show the picture to my Mummy and she’ll give it you. I’ve made her holding up her hands, because I know she’ll be so pleased to see you. Isn’t it a beautiful picture? And do you quite understand, or shall I ’splain again?’
Word Meaning
Pleased of: A misspelling of “pleased with,” meaning to be satisfied or happy.
‘Splain: A misspelling of “explain,” meaning to make something clear or understandable.
Explanation: She cautioned him to avoid falling into the swamp, as their Cave was located just beyond it. She clarified that while the Cave was not as tall as the hills, her drawing skills were limited in portraying smaller details. She then introduced her mother, whom she described as exceptionally beautiful, the most beautiful mother she had ever encountered. She assured him that her mother would not be offended by the simplicity of her drawing but would instead be proud of her artistic ability.
To prevent him from forgetting, she mentioned that she had depicted the spear her father desired outside their cave. She explained that while the spear was actually inside, he should present the picture to her mother, who would then provide it to him. She indicated that she had drawn her mother holding up her hands, anticipating her joy at seeing him. She inquired if he found the picture beautiful and if he had fully understood, offering to provide further explanations if necessary.
Passage: The Stranger-man (and he was a Tewara) looked at the picture and nodded very hard. He said to himself, ‘If I do not fetch this great Chief’s tribe to help him, he will be slain by his enemies who are coming up on all sides with spears. Now I see why the great Chief pretended not to notice me!
Word Meaning
Slain: Killed.
Enemies: People who are hostile or want to harm others.
Pretended: Feigned or acted as if something were true when it was not.
Explanation: The Stranger-man, a Tewara, examined the picture and nodded. He thought to himself that if he failed to help the great Chief’s tribe, the Chief would likely be killed by the enemies who were approaching from all directions armed with spears. He then realized the reason behind the great Chief’s being indifferent towards him.
Passage: He feared that his enemies were hiding in the bushes and would see him. Therefore he turned to me his back, and let the wise and wonderful child draw the terrible picture showing me his difficulties. I will away and get help for him from his tribe.’ He did not even ask Taffy the road, but raced off into the bushes like the wind, with the birchbark in his hand, and Taffy sat down most pleased.
Word Meaning
Raced off: Ran away very quickly.
Birchbark: The bark of a birch tree, often used for writing or drawing.
Explanation: He thought that the Chief was afraid that his enemies were hiding in the bushes and would see him. So he turned his back to me and let the smart child draw the scary picture that showed me his problems. I will go and get help for him from the Chief’s tribe. He didn’t even ask Taffy for directions, but ran into the bushes very fast, with the birchbark in his hand. Taffy sat down and was very happy.
Passage: ‘What have you been doing, Taffy?’ said Tegumai. He had mended his spear and was carefully waving it to and fro.
Explanation: Tegumai asked Taffy what she had been doing? Tegumai had fixed his spear and was carefully moving it back and forth.
Passage: ‘It’s a little berangement of my own, Daddy dear,’ said Taffy. ‘If you won’t ask me questions, you’ll know all about it in a little time, and you’ll be surprised. You don’t know how surprised you’ll be, Daddy! Promise you’ll be surprised.’ ‘Very well,’ said Tegumai, and went on fishing.
Word Meaning
Berangement: A state of confusion or disorder. In this context, it likely means a small, planned surprise or trick.
Explanation: Taffy informed her father that the occurrence was a minor surprise she had planned. She requested that he stop questioning her, assuring him that he would soon become aware of all the details and experience a sense of surprise. She emphasized the extent of his surprise, urging him to promise that he would be amazed.Tegumai agreed, saying, “Very well,” and resumed his fishing activity.
Passage: The Stranger-man – did you know he was a Tewara? – hurried away with the picture and ran for some miles, till quite by accident he found Teshumai Tewindrow at the door of her Cave, talking to some other Neolithic ladies who had come in to a Primitive lunch. Taffy was very like Teshumai, especially about the upper part of the face and the eyes, so the Strangerman – always a pure Tewara -smiled politely and handed Teshumai the birch-bark. He had run hard, so that he panted, and his legs were scratched with brambles, but he still tried to be polite.
Word Meaning
Primitive: Simple, unsophisticated, or belonging to an early stage of development.
Bramble: A thorny shrub, especially blackberry or raspberry.
Panted: Breathed heavily and quickly, often due to exertion.
Explanation: The Stranger-man, who was a Tewara, ran away with the picture. He ran for a long time until he found Teshumai Tewindrow at the door of her Cave. Teshumai was talking to other ladies who were having lunch. Taffy looked a lot like Teshumai, especially her face and eyes. So the Stranger-man, a Tewara, smiled politely and gave Teshumai the birchbark. He had run very fast, so he was breathing heavily and his legs had gotten scratched by the thorny shrubs. But he still tried to speak gently.
Passage: As soon as Teshumai saw the picture she screamed like anything and flew at the Stranger-man. The other Neolithic ladies at once knocked him down and sat on him in a long line of six, while Teshumai pulled his hair.
Word Meaning
Knock him down: To force someone to fall to the ground.
Explanation: As soon as Teshumai saw the picture, she screamed very loudly and ran towards the Stranger-man. The other women quickly threw him down and sat on him in a line, all six of them, while Teshumai pulled his hair.
Passage: ‘It’s as plain as the nose on this Stranger-man’s face,’ she said. ‘He has stuck my Tegumai all full of spears, and frightened poor Taffy so that her hair stands all on end; and not content with that, he brings me a horrid picture of how it was done. Look!’
Word Meaning
Horrid: Terrible or disgusting.
Explanation: She asserted that the situation was as clear as the stranger-man’s facial features. She explained that he had inflicted injuries upon her Tegumai using spears and had terrified poor Taffy to the point where her hair stood on end. And that’s not enough, he had further presented her with a horrifying depiction of the incident.
Passage: She showed the picture to all the Neolithic ladies sitting patiently on the Stranger-man. ‘Here is my Tegumai with his arm broken; here is a spear sticking into his back; here is a man with a spear ready to throw; here is another man throwing a spear from a Cave, and here are a whole pack of people’ (they were Taffy’s beavers really, but they did look rather like people) ‘coming up behind Tegumai. Isn’t it shocking!’
Word Meaning
Pack: Here, a group
Explanation: She showed the picture to all the women of the tribe sitting on the Stranger-man. Teshumai asked the women to look at the drawing. She explained that there was his Tegumai with a broken arm and a spear stuck in his back. Then there was a man ready to throw a spear. There was another man throwing a spear from a Cave. And there were a lot of people (they were really Taffy’s beavers, but they looked like people) coming up behind Tegumai. She exclaimed that it was all very scary.