Interlude

Q1. These diary entries deal with one group of people. Who are they?

These few diary entries from “Scene from a Writer’s Life” by Ruskin Bond deals with has
Anglo Indian view of friendship and experiences of the author Ruskin Bond with Haripal and
his family.

Q.2 Why does Ruskin say he’ll never join the forces?

In Ruskin Bond’s opinion, being in the forces was horrible. It was a life devoid of freedom &
independence. It is a life ruled by orders of the commanders from morning to night. As per
him, in most cases a soldier has to do what he doesn’t like to do.

Q.3 How does Ruskin describe the language Haripal Speaks?

Ruskin described Haripal’s punjabi as a swift, musical language, full of expressions. It

seemed as smooth & free flowing as water flowing into river.

Q4.In what way do Haripal, Soni and their mother look alike?

Ruskin Bond describes Haripal’s nose as “good natured and artistic”. The big nose finds a
place of prominence on his face and has a familiar slant that he shares with his brother Soni
and his mother.

Q5. Why did Ruskin like Soni so much?

Ruskin Bond liked Soni for his free spirit friendliness, straight forwardness and the ringing
laughter. Ruskin Bond describes Soni’s entry as " a great happiness entered my life". Ever
Soni reciprocated the feeling and after observing Ruskin for a while Soni urged him not to
go to England.

Q 6. Why was Soni covered in mud?

Soni was covered in mud as he was digging a hole at the back of the house in order to bury
the sweeper’s dog.

Q.7 Describe Chotu on his cycle.

Chotu was Haripal's younger brother. Three years younger than Soni and still too young to
wear a turban but when Chotu’s sisters tied his hair up in ribbons he did not like it.

Chotu the free spirited boy used to tear down the road on his cycle with his streaming in
the air. He was a wild natured boy with his shirt hanging over his pant and his pant hanging
over his knees.

Q.8. What impression of Ruskin do you get from these diary entries?
Ruskin had very friendly demeanour and cared for everyone he came to meet and like. He
was kind and receptive to other cultures and people. He hated the idea of joining armed
forces wherein he would have to forgo his independence and freedom and follow a set of
rules and routines. This indicated his free spirited and creative bent of mind , which could
pursue whatever caught his fancy. He was affectionate and very warm to his friends, family
and other children. He wasn’t arrogant about his Anglo Indian roots while other wherein
awe of his English roots. He loved writing and would want to follow a career in it.

Q9. Explain this line “ It was so simple that it was beautiful”

This line has been said in reference to the letter that Haripal has received from his Japanese
pen friends. The letter was written in incorrect English and was used as a evidence of how
people write as they learn a language. Despite it’s inaccuracy, the attempt seemed very
beautiful and hence the appreciation.

RTC
Q. Whose house was the author going to?

The author was going to his friend Haripal’s house.

Q. Why was he going their?

He was going there as he was invited for a dinner at Haripal’s house.

Q. Where was the house situated?

The house was situated on the outskirts of the town where civilization met to merge with
the jungle.

Q. What kind of relationships does Haripal and Ruskin share?

Haripal and Ruskin shared a strong bond of friendship and respect for each other. They
both were good friends.

Reference to the context

1.) This is horrible....... I”ll never join the forces.

a) Who is speaking to whom?

Ruskin speaks to Haripal about not wanting to join armed forces as Haripal wants to join
Navy........
Q2. Where have you been? And why aren’t you wearing a turban?

a) Name the speaker. Who is he speaking to?

b) Who else was with them? Where are they present?
c) Why did the listener not wear a turban?

a) Haripal enquires from his younger 12 year old brother Soni about his whereabouts
and what he was doing.
b) Haripal had invited Ruskin to his house for lunch, where they meet Soni. Haripal’s
mother and brother Chotu were not home, neither did Ruskin mentions Haripal’s
sisters. Haripal, Soni and Ruskin had a tasty Punjabi meal cooked by Haripal himself at
his house.
c) Soni was not wearing a turban as he had been digging a hole at the back of the house
and he must have took it out before starting the digging as it might get in the way of
work or might get dirty.

Q. How did Haripal introduced Ruskin Bond to his mother when he came to his house the
very first time. Was she impressed? Why?

Haripal introduced Ruskin as his only Anglo-Indian or English friend to his mother. She
seemed elated about the news and characterized Ruskin as an interesting fellow. She was
eager to meet Haripal’s friend.

In later visits, Ruskin came to know that Haripal’s mother had perceived him as a boy with a
red face with horse’s teeth. Haripal’s mother appreciated his face more than Haripal and
impressed by his English and wanted him to teach Chotu English. Also Ruskin was always
welcome at their house.

Q. Describe Soni’s garden

Soni’s garden outside their house (Which stood on the outskirts of the town where
civilization merged with the jungle). It was surrounded by an orchard of peach and plum
trees which were covered with pink and white blossoms. A rich red, flowering bougainvillea
creeper climbed the walls and in front of the house were beds of poppies and marigolds.
And there were bees and a swallow tailed butterfly and lots of sunshine.

Q. How did Haripal introduced his family to Ruskin Bond when he came to his house the
very first time?
Haripal told Ruskin that he had told everything about him to his mother and she had been
interested to meet him as she was the first English or Anglo friend that Haripal had. He also
described his sisters as shy and introvert and hence, would not come out to greet him
during the first two or three visits. Haripal mentioned that his brothers were very naughty
as would not leave him in peace during his visits.

Q. What made Ruskin Bond appreciate the letter written by Haripal's Japanese pen friend
although it had many mistakes.

“It was so simple that it was beautiful” This line by Ruskin Bond sums up his appreciation
for the attempt to communicate by people across different countries. He also gained a new
insight into his friend Haripal’s personality. Haripal was genuinely interested in people and
had pen friends in Germany, South America and Japan. He even showed his concern to
made himself understandable by speaking punjabi language slowly for Ruskin. The letter
was another example of his sensitivity and patience to forge a friendly relationship with
people who were making attempt to learn a new language, however funny it may seem.

Q. Why was Haripal’s mother and Chotu unable to meet Ruskin Bond in his first visit to
their house?

Haripal’s mother and Chotu were still with the sweeper’s dead dog at the veterinary and
hence had to forgo meeting Ruskin Bond in his first visit to their home.
Q. What kind of people does the poet invite to the forest?

The focus of the song is upon peacefulness, happiness and beauty of the pastoral life in
contrast to the treachery and daily struggle of the courts and city life.

This song extols the cheerful pastoral life wherein, man can sit carefree under a greenwood
tree and enjoy nature without any fear or enemy other the harsh weather. So, the poet
extends an open invitation to people who can shun ambitions and worldly wishes and are
happy, contented with whatever they have to live in nature as he only has "the weather" to
be concerned about.

Q. What would they enjoy doing?

The poet desires that the newcomer sits under the shady tree and sing song such that his
voice mingles with the sweet notes of the birds to produce one single , harmonious and
melodious song.

The singer reminds that the life of forest is free from all human anger, rivalry and treachery.
The newcomer should be willing to spend his life under the sun in the lap of nature. He is
free to seek the food he wishes to eat and be pleased with whatever he gets.

Q. What kind of life should they be interested in?

The focus of the song is upon the peacefulness, simplicity, happiness and beauty of pastoral
life in contrast to the rivalry, human anger and betrayal of the city life.

The man should look for his own sustenance and nourishment and should be contended
with whatever he gets to eat.

The person should have no worldly wishes and should not be materialistic in his approach
to run after fame, wealth, power or glory.

The poet reiterates that the life of the forest is free from all mortal enemies, anxieties,
problems and difficulties except the unpleasantness of the harsh weather and chilly
winters.

The poet invites all enthusiastic friends to come and take time to relax under the
greenwood tree and turn any melodious note of the heart into the sweetest songs. He shall
be free to sing like a bird.

He seems to ascribe to the views expressed by WH Davies in his poem “Leisure time” -
"What is this life if full of care, We have no time to stand and stare."
Q. What can they expect from life in the forest?

"Can you sing a song to greet the sun,

Can you cheerily tackle the work to be done,

Can you vision it finished when only begun,

can you sing a song?"- Joseph Morris

If yes, then, the simple, happy , beautiful life , connected to nature is preferable as
compared to stressful city life.

The pleasant and carefree life of the forest brings us close to nature thereby teaching them
the values of humility and gratitude towards nature.

The poet says that those who are not driven by ambition and have simple desires, can come
and share his life “under the greenwood tree” with birds singing, trees in full bloom,
sunshine to bask in and food abounding for the taking, and that there is only rough weather
and wintery chills as enemies no mortals. The poet shows the contradiction between
calmness and sweetness of nature vis-a-vis human enemy.

Q. Write down the Rhyme scheme of the poem.

Q. What are the poetic devices?? Used by the author?- chorus and refrain

Q. Do you think people in villages lead a more happy life than people in towns?

Q. Do you have been transported to a world where there are no electrical gadgets and
complicated devices like mobile phone, televisions and air conditioners. Write an essay
on what such a simple life would be like??

Q. Poet talks of rough weather in every stanza. Humans have learnt to shield themselves
from rough weather, be it the scorching heat or the biting cold with the help of
innovation and gadgets etc. Elaborate.

Q.Explain the meanings of the underlined words in the context of the poem.

Who doth ambition shun and love to live i' the sun, seeking the food he eats and pleased
with what he gets

Come hither, Come hither, Come hither! Here shall he see

No enemy

But winter and rough weather.