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English–I

Notes with each-other, communities and neighborhoods mattered and the pace of life was more
relaxed.
Out of the 32 short stories ten is considered the best

• 10. Attila: Attila is a small pup in a family who is bought with the expectation that he
will grow up to fierce and protector of the house, after all he has the right pedigree. He
turns out to be the friendliest dog in the world and when a thief enters the house he
turns protector in most unexpected fashion.
• 9. The Martyr’s Corner: Rama sells food on a street corner that is strategically located.
The business is good and husband and wife live in perfect harmony. He has a steady
clientele but one day riots erupt in his corner of the world and change the life for him
and his wife forever.
• 8. Leela’s Friend: Sidda works as a domestic help in an affluent household. His main
task is to play with the daughter of the household Leela who is just a small girl. Leela
is very fond of Sidda. One day her gold chain goes missing and Sidda is accused and
handed over to the police. The chain is found in later but it does nothing to the prejudice
of the people.
• 7. An Astrologer’s Day: The Astrologer sits in a market corner of Malgudi and tells the
fortune of different people keeping it sufficiently general and yet satisfying. In reality,
he is no astrologer. Though, one day he has a tough customer for whom the generalities
will not do. Will the astrologer be able to save the day?
• 6. Iswaran: In India, we seem to have very little tolerance for failure and Iswaran flunks
his 12th board examinations more than once. He seems not to care and develops a tough
exterior but is it for real? This story is rings true for many Indian youngsters even today.
• 5. Lawely Road: Lawely Road pokes gentle fun on the fixation of changing names of
everything British after India got independence. In this story, the municipality wants to
pull down a statue of Sir. F. Lawely with hilarious consequences.
• 4. Hungary Child: Hungary child is the story of a lonely adult and a naughty child out
to have fun in a town festivity. The adult builds a happy world for a few hours with the
happy child but in the end he has to face his demons on his own.
• 3. Gateman’s Gift: Govind Singh retired from the service as a watchman to an office. He
goes there now only to collect his pension. But in retired life he finds that he has a talent
of making amazing toys out of clay and sawdust. But it has such unexpected consequences
for our simple man that it nearly cost him his sanity.
• 2. Engine Trouble: What if you won a road roller in a lucky draw? The life becomes very
difficult for one man in Malgudi when he wins the same. Try as he might he cannot get
rid of it nor does he has any use of it. Well, some good does come out in the end, if we
may call it so.

• 1. Father’s Help: Swami (a small child studying in first standard) develops an headache
in the morning just before school. Father is adamant that Swami has to attend school.
Swami tells tales to father that his class teacher Samuel has a fascination of skinning
people alive. Father writes a strong letter to the Headmaster of the school and Swami
has to deliver it. The throe of dilemma Swami then faces makes this story my number
one choice in the collection.

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