*THE MERCHANT OF VENICE*

The Merchant of Venice is a comedy. Antonio borrows 3000 ducats from Shylock, who makes a condition that if he failed to repay the loan within three weeks, Shylock could cut a pound of flesh from Antonio's body. The money is used by Antonio's friend Bassanio to help him marry Portia, a wealthy heiress from Belmont. Bassanio succeeds by marrying Portia. He receives that Antonio's ships are lost at the sea. He was unable to repay the debt to Shylock who wants to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio's body. Portia saves Antonio's life by her clever arguments in the court, which forms an exciting end.

The trial scene is the longest in the play. The scene presents the Court of Justice in Venice. The Duke tells Antonio that he has to answer a stony adversary and an inhuman wretch, meaning Shylock. Antonio thanks The Duke for the efforts that he has taken to help him out of clutches of shylock. At same time he agrees that the laws must be allowed to take its course.

The Duke summons Shylock. The Duke asks Shylock to be more lenient to Antonio. He hopes that in view of Antonio's recent misfortune, Shylock would reduce the amount of the principal that he owes him. Jew, Shylock does not budge. He does not feel sorry. He will have none of it. He calls it his hour to insist on the amount to be repaid as the terms of the bonds, The Jew also cannot give any reason for hating Antonio.

There was a wordy fight between Bassanio, who flies into a tower of rage at the unreasonable attitude of Shylock the Jew. Antonio is keen on the judgment and the Jew his will. Bassanio offers Shylock six thousand ducats instead of the original three thousand. But Shylock does not feel sorry.

The angry Duke asks how could Shylock expect mercy if he is so adamant. The Jew retorts that his tribe has not had any mercy from Christians. It is equal to saying that the Jews who are held as slaves should be set free. The Duke is silenced by the piercing questions of Shylock. Lorenzo at this juncture announces that a messenger from the learned doctor of law, Bellario from Padua is waiting outside with letters from the doctor. Bassanio is happy to hear this piece of announcement. He tries to cheer Antonio. But the forlorn Antonio gives up all hope. He compares himself to the weakest fruit' that is on the verge of falling to the ground. Bassanio would live to write the epitaph.

Nerissa in the dress as a lawyer's clerk comes to the court with a letter from Bellario. Bassanio looks sheepishly at Shylock. The hard-hearted Jew is wetting his knife. Despite Gratiano's outburst, Shylock remains unmoved.

The Duke who has read the letter of Bellario sent through Nerissa asks the young doctor to come to the court. The letter points out that Bellario is much ill and pleads with the Duke to allow the young doctor of law to appear on his behalf to argue out the case for Antonio.

Portia enters the court dressed as a Doctor of laws. She says that Shylock and Antonio should themselves, While Antonio does shylock asks on what compulsion he should he do it. Portia is one of the memorable passages in English literature says that the quality of mercy is not strained. It is double edged it blesses him that gives and the person who receives it. Portia tells Shylock that certainly that Justice is on his side. But salvation does not consist in mere justice. What in needed is mercy. Only merciful deeds can save a person.

Shylock is not at all moved by this moving appeal of the young doctor of law' Portia in the dress of Bellario. He craves for the law. He also craves for the penalty and the forfeit of the bond. Portia asks Antonio if he has the money to pay as per the terms of the bond. Bassanio points out that in this case law could be disregarded. But Portin says that if that is done they would be setting up a precedent. The example would set in motion many errors.

Shylock is very happy when Portia makes such a remark. He calls Portin a Daniel, A wise young judge. Portia then sees the bond of Shylock and tells him that Antonio has to abide by the oath that he has taken at the time executing the bond.

Portia says that in that case Shylock is at perfect liberty to claim a portion of the flesh from Antonio. Shylock then wants the flesh to be cut off nearest to the heart of Antonio. But she asks Shylock to be merciful. The again fidgety Antonio asks the court to give the judgment.

Portia asks Antonio to lay bare his chest. Shylock is in ecstasy. But Portia asks Shylock to have a surgeon by his side to see to it that Antonio does not bleed to death. Shylock at once argues this particular aspect does not been given in the bond. So he is not duty bound to summon a surgeon.

Portia asks Antonio to speak his last words. Antonio bids farewell to his bosom friend Bassanio. He considers it lucky to die then than live and die in an old age and in dire poverty. Bassanio is in uncontrollable grief, Portia then says that Shylock is ready to claim his pound of flesh. The anti climax is reached. Shylock is ready to claim his pound of flesh. Portia said if he shed a drop of blood his entire property would go to the state. According to her there is no mention of the blood in the bond. The Shylock perplexed and he said that he would be satisfied with money. But he could not have his way at this juncture. The Duke however was magnanimous enough to pardon him. She said half the property of Shylock would go to his daughter, Jessica and half to Antonio. However Antonio gifted the property to Jessica and Lorenzo.

*THE INFORMER*

The Informer is a scene from the chronicle of life under the Nazis during the middle thirties. The play is the unique comedy issuing from the tragic and oppressive conditions in fascist Germany. It is an incisive portrayal of the psychology of the schoolmaster and his wife in an atmosphere surcharged with fear, distrust and suspicion. Brecht has fully used the comic potential of a tragic situation.

It is a rainy Sunday afternoon. Karl, a school teacher, his wife and his son Klaus Heinrich have just finished their lunch. The maid informs them that Karl's friends Herr and Frau Klim btsch want to meet them. Karl asks the maid to inform them that he is not at home. His wife tells that they won't believe since it is raining and she feels that Karl himself should have attended the phone. Karl is unwilling and his wife says that he has changed a lot these days. Karl is irritated and they continue to argue, since they are not in a position to meet friends as they like. The boy is tuning the radio and his mother asks him to leave the radio. The boy then starts reading the newspaper. Suddenly Karl makes a remark that it is very difficult to live in a country where one would not even enjoy the rains. His wife asks him not to comment in such a way. For which Karl says that he has got every right to say in his own home. The maid comes in with the coffee things and after she leaves the room Karl remarks whether it is right to have a maid whose father is a Nazi.

The boy is reading a newspaper. And he enquires about the news regarding the trials of the Priest. Karl gets irritated again and says that he would stop the paper. His wife asks him not to be nervous and feels that her husband has got some problem at the school. And she gives money to her son to get something. As the husband and wife are discussing, suddenly they notice that the boy is missing. They become tensed and start searching for the boy. They doubt that the boy would be an informer of the Hitler Youth club. There is a heated argument between the husband and wife about the matter they discussed in the presence of the boy about Hitler's rule. They find fault with each other, each posing themselves as innocent and blaming the other.

Both husband and wife strongly come to a conclusion that the boy would definitely inform the Hitler Youth club that his parent's are against Hitler's rule. They think that they will take revenge upon them for being strict towards him. They regret for what they have told and have done to him. And they discuss about the arrangement to be made in case if they are caught by Hitler's army. They are anxious and worried and Karl says that his wife has borne him a Judas. Tension increases. Karl puts on his iron-cross. He grumbles that did everything at school and is submissive and polite. They he change the picture of Hitler from hall to above their desk. Again they keep it in the same place. Suddenly they hear the sound of the door opening. Husband and wife stand close together, extremely frightened, in the corner of the room. The door opens and in comes the boy, with a bag of chocolates in his hand. His mother asks him where he has been and the boy replies that he has gone out to buy chocolate. And Karl is not ready to believe and doubts whether the boy is telling the truth or not.

*THE EYES ARE NOT THERE*

The narrator was a totally blind person, He was sensitive only to light and darkness. But he is clever enough to guess the situation by the sounds of the movements of others. Once he was travelling in a train. He was the only one in the compartment. At the Rohana station, a girl got in and her parents gave her elaborate instructions, as she was going alone. The narrator, though he was not able to see her, he imagined the situation. After sometime he started talking to her. The girl was at first startled but she spoke to the narrator nicely. The narrator did not want to reveal that he was blind. He spoke to him as if he was a man with normal eye-sight. The narrator and the girl started discussing about the beauty of the mountains in Mussoorie. The narrator from his memory described the beauty of mountains. The girl asked the narrator to look outside the window to see the beauty of nature and the narrator pretended to see the beauty. Thus, the narrator made every attempt to appear like a man with normal eye-sight. The girl could not recognize his blindness, but the conversation was going on so smoothly.

As they were continuing their journey, the narrator took some more courage and praised the face of the girl. The girl took it positively and thanked the narrator for commenting that she had an interesting face. And she also appreciated the boldness of the narrator for making such a comment. The narrator felt for her and wished to travel with her hearing her sweet voice. The narrator thoroughly enjoyed her company and wished that it can continue for some more time. He thought that she would forget about him as soon as she left the train And then the station where the girl has to get down was nearing. The girl was getting ready to get down. The narrator imagined about her appearance and could not make it clear. And then the girl bid him good-bye and he could only smell the perfume of the girl. Then the girl got down. And there was some confusion in the doorway. The narrator heard a man making an apology, who was about to get into the compartment The train again started moving. The narrator was eager to know about the girl. So he started talking to the fellow traveler and asked whether the girl kept her hair long or short. For which he replied that he did not see the hair, but he noticed her eyes, which were very beautiful. Further he told that the eyes were no use to her, because she was completely blind.

In this story the author has beautifully narrated very interestingly and emotionally the meeting and conversation of a blind man and blind girl without revealing their blindness.

*TATTERED BLANKET*

In a village there lived an eighty five years old woman. She had a son, working in Delhi and a widowed daughter. Her son Gopi visited her rarely. But the widowed daughter Kamalam stayed with her and took care of her. These two women lived without much support and help from Gopi. The old woman was sick and due to old age she was not in her normal mental position. She required some medical treatment in a good hospital, but such facilities were not available and affordable.

One evening, unexpectedly and surprisingly, Gopi, her son visited her. The old woman was not able to recognize him and spoke to him as if he was a stranger. am helped her mother to realize his visit, but the weak old woman was not able to recognize. The old woman was all the time speaking about her son and pronouncing the name of him. She was expressing her innate love and affection on her son, who was living at Delhi. The old woman was narrating her experiences with her son and the prattling everything to her son without recognizing that she was talking everything to her son only.

Kamalam narrated the fading memory of their mother. And she pleaded to her brother to show more kindness to the old woman by making frequent visits. But he replied that he was busy with his work. The old woman went on talking about her son, his work and his family. And she asked her daughter whether he wrote to her regularly, otherwise, she said that she felt wretched, if his letters got delayed. She spoke about him highly that he had Kesari Yogam, which helped him to get quick promotions in the government job. Her son listened to everything and was not at all moved.

Without realizing that she was speaking to her son, the old lady  requested him to inform her son to get her a blanket. The one given by him earlier was tattered. As the mornings were cold, she felt that she would catch cold. This is the most important part of the story. The old lady still kept the blanket given by her son though it was tattered. And she wanted another blanket only through her son. Then, the old lady left the place. Then his sister Kamalam asked him to tell the purpose of his visit. She knew very well that her brother wouldn't have come just to see them. He replied that he had come there to ask for his share of property, as the life in Delhi was expensive. So he wanted his share of property For this the sister felt that he would no remember them once for all, if only the property is divided. She pleaded him, to visit once in a while at least for their mother's sake. He replied that his mother would not remember him. She immediately said that he did not remember her also.

This moving story tells the affection of parents on children and also educates the youngsters not to go after money always and show some affection on elders.

*A DAY'S WAIT*

'A Day's Wait' by Ernest Hemingway,an American writer,deals with a boy whose misunderstanding leads him to a miserable condition.

Ernest Hemingway is very famous American novelist  He was born a in Illinois, America in 1899. He began to earn his own living at the age of sixteen working in various capacities. He served in the army during the First World War. He was awarded Nobel Prize for literature for his novel "The old man and the sea He died in 1961. Hemingway has a characteristic style marked by short and effective sentences. "A Day's wait" is a story where a boy is ill, thinks he will die and prepares himself to die. It is all because he has a wrong idea about thermometers

Schatz was a boy of nine years old. One day, when he entered the room of his father, his father observed that he looked ill. But the Schatz said he was all right. However his father brought the doctor. When the doctor came, he took the Schatz's temperature with a thermometer. Thermometer was a new concept in that area and many had many ideas about it. The young boy was also having strange ideas about the thermometer After assessing the temperature the doctor said that it was one hundred and two. He left three different medicines. He said it was a light epidemic of flu and there was no danger. Schatz's father looked after him very carefully. He gave him the medicine regularly and read aloud some interesting books. After sometime the father left Schatz alone hoping that he would sleep well with the help of the medicine.

It was a bright cold day. The ground was covered with snow. All the bare trees and bushes appeared as if they are painted ice. The father with started out with a gun and his dog. Both the dog the master went on the and road. When they tried to walk on the frozen river it slipped both down and fell However he managed to get up. He shook the bushes and frightened the birds. The birds flew up. He tired to shoot some. But it was difficult because of snow Anyhow he killed two and came home with the hunted birds.

After his return, the father asked Schatz to swallow some capsules. The boy asked if it would do any good to improve his health. The father was surprised at this question. The boy's next question surprised him more. For, the boy asked at what time he would die. The father could not answer him immediately and was shocked to hear such strange words from his son's mouth. But he guessed that something should have happened that the boy is frightened. On further talking, the father found out that the boy thought that he would die because his temperature was one hundred and two. The boy said that he had heard in the school, from his classmates, telling that nobody would live with forty four degrees. And the boy told him that as he was having 102 he would definitely die.

The father understood the whole thing and laughed at the boy loudly to dispel his fear. He then explained to him how the Fahrenheit thermometer and the centigrade thermometer differed like kilometers and miles. The boy realized his mistake and all his fear was due to his misunderstanding of the facts on thermometer. This story tells us that we should clarify anything before come to a conclusion.

*AN INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP*

This poem is written by an English poet Robert Browning (1812- 1889). His poems breathe a cheerful optimism and they are a stirring call to great endeavor. His style, because of the weight of his thoughts, often becomes very interesting to read. The range of his characters and subjects are wide.

In this poem he tells the story of the self-sacrifice of a brave young French soldier. Napoleon, the Emperor was eagerly waiting for the news of the French attack on Ratisbon, a city in Austria. The Soldier rode fast to meet his Emperor with the news of victory. But he had been shot through his chest. He was alive only to report the news and the proud part he played in putting up their national flag in the market place of the town.

The French attacked the city of Ratisbon. Napoleon, the Emperor was about a mile away. He was standing on a little mound. He was in his usual posture of neck thrust forward, legs wide and arms tied back. He was in deep thinking and only the sky was the limit to his ambitious plans. Yet they would all fail if they did not succeed in the war on that particular day. He was therefore wafting anxiously to get the message to know whether his general Lannes would take Ratisbon that day.

Napoleon was anxiously waiting for the news of their attack on Ratisbon. Then a rider was seen coming out of the smoke of the battle. He stopped just in front of the Emperor and got down. He held himself erect only by holding on tightly to the mane of his horse. With an effort of will power he seemed to prevent the blood flowing from his wound. He had been shot through his chest. But the Emperor did not notice it at first. The Soldier had brought the happiest news. He was keen on delivering it with his last breath.

The soldier told the Emperor that by the grace of God they had taken Ratis on city. The Marshal was in the market place. The Soldier himself had put up the flag there. The golden eagle seemed to flap his wings and fly. Napoleon's anxiety was relieved. His eyes shone with hope again. But he was surprised to see the wound of the soldier as Napoleon thought that the soldier was a mere messenger and asked him whether he was wounded. The young man was hurt to hear that he had been mistaken to be only a messenger of the news. saying that he had been killed, he fell dead with a smile on his lips. He was so happy to have made that great sacrifice for the sake of his Nation and the Emperor.

*LAUGH AND BE MERRY*

'Laugh and be merry' by John Masefield asks us to be happy, since life is short.
Life is miserable to most of us. The opportunities of being happy are very less in our life. But the poet, through this wonderful poem wants us to laugh at the worries of life. Is it possible to do so? The poet effectively answers that it is better to fight the wrongs openly than to worry about them. This is because human beings are going to live on this earth for a short period, which is like the length and breath of a thread. Therefore, the poet advocates to human being live it happily, by neglecting all the worries and troubles and find the source of joy in everything. The poet further advocates that everyone should be proud like men of the past, living happily and leading a contended and happy life.

God has created heaven and earth for us to feel happy. God has created human beings to live happily on this earth and make this earth as heaven. One has to remember this fact. In an inspired mood, He created the earth and filled it with the wine of joy. So our life is full of heavenly and earthly happiness. One has to enjoy it. So one should laugh and drink from the cup of happiness. Stars produce heavenly music during revolution. Let us join them and enjoy that divine music. It is our duty to keep laughing while battling or working without worrying about the result. According to the Poet our life is only a game and one should play it in our green earth.

The poet motivates the readers to live cheerfully. He calls our world as an inn. We are travelers only staying in it for a short period. No one can stay in an inn for a longer period as it is not one's own house. Hence, our stay should end at a particular point to return to the home from where we have come from. As such, no body is the owner of this land, except God. So, the poet advises that let us all live like brothers. Our life is only a dance or music and it has to stop one day. It is only a lively game. So, everyone should play it and live by laughing and keeping himself and herself joyful.

The poet tells the truth of this earth and the very purpose of the creation and advises the human beings to live harmoniously without any differences

*THE BALLAD OF FATHER GILLIGAN*

'The ballad of father gilligan' by W.B Yeats deals with how God helps those who help others.

The Ballad of Father Gilligan' is an Irish poem by Yeats. It tells a plain story beautifully, and the supernatural touch in the poem adds much more appeal to the poem.

Father Gilligan was a parish priest. He loved his. fellow men and dedicated his life for the welfare of others. In fact, he devoted his life in the service of his parishioners. Once, it so happened that the people of his parish. were stuck with a strange disease. No one could understand the nature of the disease and no medicine could treat the disease. Father Gilligan tried his best to save the lives of the people of his parish. But half of the people of his parish died of it and the others were at the doors of death. It was a terrible time for Gilligan. He had to nurse the sick, conduct the funerals and pray for the soul of the dying. It was such a painful job, because he was bleeding in his heart for the suffering fellow human beings. One evening Father Gilligan was sitting on his chair utterly exhausted by the heavy call of duty. He was mentally and physically weak. call of a poor man in his death-bed who Just then there was was in need of the service of the Father. The father became very sad at the tragic happenings of his parish.

Father Gilligan complained that he had lost his rest, joy and peace for a moment thought of skipping the call. But soon he begged God to He forgive him, he realized. Though his body had become weak, his spirit was as ever willing to serve the poor. While he was thus leading with God, he fell asleep without his knowledge, due to heavy work and sleeplessness. When he woke up the next morning, he was reminded of the call of the dying poor man. He felt ashamed at his attitude. He at once mounted on his horse and rode by a Rocky lane and continued without stopping for a breath. He was determined to reach the sick man and do the service.

When he reached the house, the sick man's wife opened the door for him, was surprised to see him again. She told him that her husband died merrily and peacefully an hour after he had left. She was very thankful to Father Gilligan for helping her husband to die comfortably and happily by his wonderful service and prayers.

Father Gilligan had at once understood the hand of God in this episode. He knelt at once and thanked God for having sent one of His great angels as Father Gilligan, a poor priest who lay asleep on the chair. Thus the story tells us that God always loves those who "tire and bleed' for the sake of their fellowmen.

*MATILDA*

'Matilda' by Hillarie Belloc makes us to realise the result of a foolish behaviour.

Matilda, a young girl was in the habit of telling dreadful lies. Matilda developed the habit of telling lies just for fun and to have a sensational play. Her aunt who was greatly regarded truth could not see through the lies of Matilda. In fact, the discipline imposed by her Aunt to be very truthful compelled Matilda to create lies in a convincing way. In her simplicity she took everyone to believe in her lies. She would have lost her life if she had not discovered Matilda's weakness for lies. The poet says,
"MATILDA told such dreadful lies; It made one gasp, and stretch one's Eyes.

One evening Matilda was playing in the street and suddenly realized that all her playmates have left her alone and hence she became tired of play. Seeing that she was alone, she wanted play a trick and tiptoed to the telephone. She rang up London's Noble Fire-Brigade and summoned its immediate aid saying that her house was on fire. Within an hour the gallant man of the Fire-Brigade arrived at her house from Putney, Hackney Downs and Bow. The fire brigade galloped roared through the Town with lots of courage and glowing hearts. They did not even wait to see if the house was on fire. With the help of ladders they mounted on the first floor and began directing their water- jets on the house. So, all the pictures in the house were soaked with water. Matilda's Aunt was shocked to the happenings, it took sometime for Matilda's aunt to realize what has happened and she had to pay some money to send them away.

A few weeks later she was alone in the house. Her aunt had been gone to see the play "The second Mrs. Tanqueray", a very interesting he purposely did not take her niece with her on that occasion, to entertainer. give some punishment. She showed her displeasure to the liar-Matilda. Suddenly Matilda realized that smoke was coming from her house. She went inside to find that the house was really caught fire. Matilda without knowing the action to be taken madly shouted for help. But the people in the street passed by, saying that it was another prank of the little liar. People refused to believe the words of Matilda. They thought that it was one of the tricky lies of Matilda. As such Matilda could not get any help from anyone It was too late when her aunt returned from the drama. The house had been burnt down, and Matilda along with it. What a sad and pitiable end it was for Matildal Lies therefore are not to be told even for fun.

*LUCY GRAY*

'Lucy Gray' by wordsworth deals with the theme of solitude and living with nature.

In the first of the Lucy' poems, called Lucy Gray, Lucy is described as a little girl, lived lonely life with her parents in the countryside. She seems who a to be the embodiment of of Nature, growing in beauty like a flower the spirit and dying naturally.

Wordsworth says that Lucy Gray is a little girl, living all alone. She has no friends and no companions. Like a beautiful flower, which has flowered at the doorstep, Lucy is also in the sweetest thing". One day, she disappeared and she was heard no more. The sweetest face of Lucy was never seen.

One stormy night Lucy's father asked her to go to the town to help her mother who had gone to the town. Further he asked her to take a lantern. Lucy happily agreed to do so. She started walking in the snow. She found it was very difficult to walk on the mountain and slipped on the powdery snow Suddenly the storm came and she wandered up and down. And she missed her path and she never reached the town. Her parents were shouting and searching for Lucy. And there was no sign of Lucy.

Lucy's father wept bitterly and cried that they all would meet in heaven. Her mother found footprints of Lucy in the And they started snow following the footprints. They traced it from the steep hill's edge to open fields. They found the same footprints there and followed them and they were led to a bridge and to the banks of the river. After that they found no footprints. And there was no sign of Luc Till to-day people believe that Lucy is a living child and one could see her near the mountain. And some times one could hear Lucy singing all alone

*FACE OF JUDAS ISCARIOT*

The story 'face of judas iscariot' by Bonnie Chamberlain brings out beautifully with a touch of pathos that man is a puppet in the hand of his circumstances.

Bonnie Chamberlain heard this story told by an old priest when he was very young. But he did not know the origin of the story. This story tells us that good and bad present in the same man and it is in the hands of an individual to project himself in the way he wanted.

Centuries ago a great artist was engaged to paint the life of Jesus Christ for the Cathedral in a town in Sicily. The artist worked very hard and meticulously and found suitable models for his painting. The artist finally finished the painting. But it was incomplete, as he was not able to find out suitable models for the Christ child and Judas Iscariot. He searched for the models. One day, as he was walking in the City, he saw children playing in the street. Among the children, he found a 12 year old boy as a model for the Christ child. His face looked like an angel. It had all the Godly nature. The face of the boy was dirty, but it glowed with brightness, which moved the heart of the Artist. He took the boy home with him and finished the painting of the child Christ. Yet the painting was incomplete, since he could not get any model for Judas Iscariot. He was afraid that the painting would remain unfinished. The story spread everywhere and many men came posing themselves as model for Judas. But the painter could not find anyone suitable. He was looking for a model with a face filled with wickedness, greed and lust.

Many years rolled the artist was unhappy, that he could not find anyone for Judas. He was unhappy and feared that his painting would remain incomplete. ne day the artist was sitting in the club, having his drink. Suddenly he saw a man, a miserable drunk staggering across the entrance of the club. The artist took pity on the man and lifted him, and to his utter shock, the face of had the marks of every sin of mankind as he the man expected for the face of Judas. The Painter bought him wine and took the man to his house The artist was very happy that he found the most suitable model for Judas Iscariot. He completed his masterpiece. As the work went on, a change came over the model. The artist understood the restlessness of the model and he asked him what troubled him. The model wept and said that he had himself posed for the Christ child in the picture.

*LALAJEE*

The passionate story 'Lalajee' by Jim Corbett is a portrayal of a man noted for his promise and sincerity.

Lieu colonel Jim Corbett was serving as an official for twenty years in Indian railways. Jim Corbett is a well known writer portraying the Indian culture, tradition and especially the Indian forests The present lesson is taken from his book, My India where he portrays a man who kept his promise and sincerity.

Jim Corbett was serving as an ofncial in Indian Railways. only with his clearance the trains leave the station. Usually Corbett waits for the passengers from the steamers to alight the train, in order to help the passengers. One day, a Steamer from Samaria carrying passengers had arrived late. The Passengers hurried up to catch the train, which was detained by Corbett for few minutes. Corbett was watching everyone leaving the steamer. Last to leave the steamer was a thin man, in a tattered condition and with the very look any one can say that he is suffering form some disease, may be affected by Cholera, a dreaded disease. He was too weak to walk. He walked slowly to the edge of the river and spread the blanket on the bank of the river Ganges. He laid himself on it. Corbett cautianed him that he would miss the train. The thin man answered seebly that he had no intention to catch the train.

It was summer season, the hottest time of the year, where Cholera hits always at its worst Corbett understood that the thin man at the foot of the gangway was terribly sick. He took pity on him. He enquired the thin man to know, whether he has any relatives or friends in that place. Since no one was there in Makameh Ghats to help him, Corbett decided to help him and cure his disease. He helped the thin man to get up. He made the thin man to stay in one of his coolie's house, which was empty and away from other quarters and provided him all possible help, inchuding food and medicine.

Cholera hits every year during summer. This worst disease killed tens and thousands of people. But half of them died, not due to Cholera but of fear. Since Corbett had been living in Mokameh Ghats for ten years, he witnessed the dangers of the epidemic disease. Corbett thought that the thin man could be saved only by some crude treatment and fate. And this treatment could always be carried out on the thin man, only if he had the confidence in Corbett. Surprisingly the thin man started showing some signs of Improvement and was responding to the crude treatment. Corbett did everything to the thin man, as other servants belonging to different community refused to come near the thin man. The thin man's condition improved at the end of the week and he was able to give his pathetic story to Corbett.
He was Lalajee, a flourishing grain merchant. Unluckily he had a crooked fellow as his partner. Initially the business flourished with much profit. But one day, when Lala returned home from another town, he found that his partner has taken away all the money and shop was empty. Lalaji understood that he has been cheated by his partner. As a result he became poor all at once and struggled to maintain his family. Then he managed to get a job on seven rupees a month. This was a very difficult job and found it difficult to manage the family with the ordinary salary he received. It was during one of his business trips, Lalaji was taken ill seriously. As his condition got worse, he wanted to die on the banks of the sacred Ganges.

Lalajee stayed with Corbett for about a month. One day, he expressed his desire to go back to Gaya. Corbett asked him what he would do at Gaya, if Lalajee's master had appointed another man in his place. Lalajee replied that he would find some other job. Corbett asked Lalajee to become a merchant again for which he replied that no one would offer security for five hundred rupees, if he had to start the business again. Lalajee got ready to go to Gaya. Corbett gave him the train ticket for Gaya and also five hundred rupees. Lalajee was tongue-tied and putting his head on Corbett's feet, he promised to return the money within a year.

Jim Corbett had given him the greater part of his savings. He thought that he would not see Lalajee again but he was sure that he would not be in a position to keep his promise. But Corbett was wrong in his opinion. Because Lalajee came to see Corbett a few days before the expiry of the time limit. Lalajee explained about his business and the profits out of it. And he returned the five hundred rupees. Also he took a bag containing interest money for the five hundred rupees. Corbett refused to accept the interest, since it was not his custom to accept interest from friends. Lalajee offered his help to Corbett on any occasion. For nearly eleven years, till Corbett left eh Ghat, lajee sent a big basket of the choicest mangoes from his garden, as a mark of gratitude to Corbett and also to prove his continuous success in business.

*CINDERELLA*

'Cinderella' the fairy tale from Grimms's Tales insists hope and faith are essential aspects of life
This is a story of a girl, who was troubled and ill-treated by her step- mother. But because of her good nature, the good angel comes to her rescue and helps her to marry the prince of that country. This story tells us that our good nature will get us good things only.

Cinderella was a beautiful girl. But she was unhappy. Because her mother was dead and her father married a widow, who had two daughters. Cinderella's step mother was partial. She treated her own daughters in the nicest way. But she ill-treated Cinderella. She gave all comforts to her daughters and Cinderella was not given anything good. Only the used things like dresses, shoes were given to Cinderella. She was not even given with good food, but only the leftovers. Moreover, she was allowed to sit near the cinders only for a while. That's why she got the name Cinderella. Cinderella had no companion except a cat. She would be talking to the cat and the cat mewed in reply. She was more or less treated as an unpaid servant of the house. Cinderella wept a time many secretly and regretted for her pathetic situation. She wished to live happily but there was no way for that.

one day, when Cinderella was sitting near the cinder in the kitchen a wondrous thing happened. A fairy appeared before her. Cinderella was shocked and surprised to see the fairy. But the fairly consoled her and told her not to worry. The fairy assured cinderella that problems would soon bee solved. Further, the fairy anked Cinderella t go to the ball arranged by the Prince of that country, cinderella wondered how she could go to the ball in her poor condition. With the magic wand, the fairy made Cinderella to wear the most beautiful dress. cinderella looked very beautiful and then the fa ry asked for a pumpkin and seven mice alive, with the magic wand she changed the pumpkin into beautiful coach and seven mice into six white horses and a coachman. And the fairy put one condition that cinderella should return from the ball before the clock struck twelve, because, after twelve o'clock, the coach, horses and the coachman would return to their original form. cinderella could not believe her eyen, And the fairy left her at the court. When cinderella entered the ballroom at the palace, everybody was surprised to see the beauty of cinderella, The two stepsisters also wondered at the beauty of cinderella. But nobody knew that the beautiful girl was really cinderella, as the was a having a new appearance with the rich and beautiful dress.

The Prince was struck by the beauty of Cinderella. He admired her beauty and danced with her. And he wanted to know who Cinderella was. But cinderella replied that he would never see her again. But the Prince was certain that he would find her. cinderella enjoyed the ball. Suddenly, she heard the sound of a clock striking twelve. She remembered the condition the fairy had told her. And without even a word she hurried from the ballroom. As she ran she lost one of her slippers and she could not return to search for the missing sipper. The Prince, who was madly in love with her, found the slipper missed by cinderella and picked

The Prince was so keen in finding who the beautiful girl was and decided to marry her. He ordered his ministers to search for the foot that the slipper fits. The ministers tried the slipper on the foot of all the girls. At last the slipper fitted perfectly to cinderella. The stepmother was not ready to believe and shouted that Cinderella could not have been at the ball. Suddenly the fairy appeared and changed cinderella into a beautiful girl. The stepmother and step sisters were greatly surprised. Then the ministers took cinderella to the Prince who married her. After that they lived happily forever.

Xam

*THE GOLDEN TOUCH*

This is an excellent story with a beautiful moral, that one should have greediness in his life. If greediness dominates in a person, how that person will suffer in his life, has been wonderfully presented in this story.

Long ago there lived a rich man called Midas. He was a king. He had a little daughter called Mary Gold. He loved gold very much. He did not like anything else other than lots and lots of gold. In fact, he liked his position as King mainly because of his golden crown. He wanted to possess more gold. Even if he saw the golden light of the sun, he wished that it could change everything into gold. Even the sight of flowers in the garden did not make him happy. He wanted them to turn into gold. Even music could not make him happy. The only music he loved was the sound of gold coins. His liking on gold was increasing. Midas did not want to touch anything that was not gold. He kept a secret room under his palace and kept all his valuable gold collection. He visited the place everyday to touch and feel his gold collections He would enjoy the sight of gold bars, gold cups and plates. This gave him a sense of pleasure and pride.

One day, when Midas was in his treasure room, a wonderful thing happened. A stranger appeared before him. Midas was very much surprised to see the man in his secret room. But he immediately guessed that the man was no ordinary person. The stranger looked at his gold collection and asked about his desire to acquire more gold. Midan was so happy and expressed his desire to become rich quickly by turning everything into gold by his very touch. The Stranger granted the boon "Golden touch' to Midas, Midati was so happy to have such an amazing boon.
Next morning when the sunlight shone Midas got up from his sleep and was astonished to find that the sheet on his bed where he was sleeping had turned into gold. He became excited and touched one of the legs of his bed and it immediately became a golden pillar. He started touching everything and they became gold. Even his spectacles had turned into gold. Midas was so happy and jumped with excitement as his desire to become the richest man of the world is going to be achieved.
King Midas ent to the garden and the rose flowers had turn into gold with his touch. His Daughter Mary Gold cried bitterly on seeing the roses in gold, as she liked only the natural roses. The breakfast was on the table when he touched the food items on the table everything turned into gold. The coffee pot became golden and even the coffee had become liquid gold. Midas felt hungry and thirsty. He looked at his daughter Mary Gold who was eating happily in front of him. He had costly food like golden fish, golden bread and butter. But he was unable to eat. Mary Gold saw something was wrong in her father and came near to comfort him. Midas went down and kissed Mary Gold. At once Mary Gold turned into gold. Midas was shocked to see his only daughter hardened into a figure of solid gold. He tried his best to get her back to the original form but Mary Gold remained as a golden statue. Tears rolled and wept bitterly for loosing his darling daughter.

King Midas could not be the sight of Mary Gold. He felt very sad and sorry for his greediness and wished to become the poorest man in the entire world, if only his beloved daughter could become normal again. At this very thought of regret and realization, the stranger appeared before him and asked whether Midas was happy with the golden touch. Midas regretted for having such a boon and wanted to lead the normal life with his daughter by enjoying food and water like any other common man. Again the Stranger asked whether Midas wanted to keep his golden touch. Midas refused and wanted to lose the power of making everything into gold by his touch. Then the Stranger asked him to bring the water from the river nearby and to sprinkle it over anything that Midas wish to change again. Midas ran and plunged into the river and took a part of river water. He went straight to the golden figure of Mary Gold and sprinkled the water on her and she became normal. Both Midas and Mary Gold went to the garden watering the flowers, enjoying the sweet smell of the roses. Midas finally realized that greediness will only result in suffering and sorrow and normal life only gives

Xam

*SELFISH GIANT*

In the tale The Selfish Giant', Oscar Wilde describes how human love has its impact on even seasons. He also proves how the love of tender children can change even a cold-hearted Giant into a lovable person.

In a village, the Children visited the Giant's garden every afternoon for playing. There was a lush green lawn, studded with stars like flowers. There were twelve peach trees. During spring season the trees gave out blossoms of pink and pearl. In autumn the trees were laden with sweet fruits. Birds sang melodiously. At times, children suspended their games to listen to the songs of the birds. The children played happily, sang merrily and tasted the delicious fruits of the garden.   
                                         The Giant, who is the owner of the garden returned from Cornish Ogre's castle, after enjoying his brief conversation for seven years. He saw children playing in his garden and making lot of noise He did not relish children playing in his garden. As he was very selfish, he did not like children entering and playing his lush green and decided to stop them from entering his garden garden. So he built a tall compound wall around his castle and he put up a notice board "Trespassers will be prosecuted". children were shocked to see the notice board and felt very sad that they could not play anymore. Nature saw the selfishness of the Giant and the sorrow of the children. Nature wanted to teach a lesson to the Giant. She withheld the spring and summer seasons for years. As a result only winter and hail storm and autumn visited the giant's castle, which destroyed the beauty of the garden.

The Giant could not understand why spring and summer had abandoned his garden all through the year. He was in fact pained to see the white cloak of his garden all through the year. He was puzzled and curious to know how the trees outside his castle bloomed and bore fruits. One day, he heard a melodious song of a bird. He looked out of his window. He saw his entire garden smiling with bright flowers. On each tree some children were playing. They had sneaked in through a little hole in the wall. But one poor tree was still covered with frost and snow. It bore no flowers. A little boy was found crying underneath. The tree lowered her branch to help him climb. But he was too tiny to catch hold of the branch. The Giant's heart melted as realized his mistake. He entered the garden. On seeing the Giant, children climbed down the trees and started running. But the little boy did not move. He could not see him for his eyes were full of tears.

The Giant knelt down. He lifted the boy ently and put him on the tree. The tree was overjoyed. White blossoms appeared immediately on the tree. The little boy kissed the Giant. Birds returned to the garden. Children who ran away came back, and climbed up the tree. The Giant announced that it was their garden. He realized that nature had punished him for keeping the children away from his garden. He took a big axe and knocked down the big compound wall. People were really surprised to see the Giant play with their children. Every child made it a point to play there from afternoon to evening.

The selfish Giant looked around to see the tiny boy again but he could not see him. He enquired the children about the little boy who kissed him. They said that they did not know him. Everyday he longed to see the little boy. Years rolled by. The Giant had become old and feeble. One day he saw the little boy standing alone in the garden. The Giant was overjoyed. He climbed down with haste and rushed to him. He was pained to see the nail marks on his tender palms and toes. He became furious. He asked the little boy to tell him who dared harm him. The little boy smiled and said they were marks of love. He invited the Giant to his garden (i.e.) Paradise. The next morning the Giant's body was lying lifeless covered with sweet smelling white flowers Through this story we learn that God has created nature and beautiful things and seasons for the use of all. Sheltering the bounty of nature for personal use alone is a selfish action. The writer wants none to prevent fellow citizens from enjoying the bounty of nature.