Working through Class 7 English Notes Chapter 1 The Day the River Spoke Summary in English simplifies the understanding of long chapters.
Class 7 English The Day the River Spoke Summary
The Day the River Spoke Summary in English
Jahnavi sat by the river, tears streaming down her face. As she wept, a kingfisher swooped down, and a green lizard slithered toward the riverbank to bask in the sun. Suddenly, a soft, murmuring voice spoke to her, asking why she was crying. Startled, she looked around but found no one. The voice, calm and soothing like flowing water, belonged to the River itself.
The River encouraged Jahnavi to share her troubles. She explained that she longed to go to school, just like her elder brother Gopi (whom she called Ettan) and her friend Meena. However, every time she asked her mother, she was told that she was too young or needed to take care of her younger siblings. Now, at almost ten years old, she feared she was too old to start school. She wanted to learn about the world : the rustling of bamboo trees, the movement of the moon, and the transformation of baby fish into frogs.
The River, amused by Jahnavi’s endless questions, reassured her that she was just as capable as boys. It advised her to be brave and simply slip into the school one day, sit in the class, and listen. Though afraid of being chased away, Jahnavi found courage in the River’s words. The River also told her about ships : large boats that carried hundreds of people across the sea, unlike the noisy trains she knew.
Determined, Jahnavi gathered her courage and went to school the next day. She stood by the door, listening to the teacher’s lesson about Emperor Ashoka. As she crept closer, she ended up sitting in the back row with her younger brother Appu asleep on her shoulder. The teacher noticed her and, after learning who she was, assured her that they would speak to her father about letting her attend school.
That evening, Jahnavi saw her teacher speaking to her father at their home. Her father seemed hesitant, but her mother supported the idea. She shared that she had wanted to go to school as a child, but her grandmother had forbidden it. Now, she was happy that Jahnavi had the opportunity to learn.
Jahnavi was overjoyed. She promised her mother that one day, she would become a teacher and encourage all the village girls to attend school. The next morning, before heading to class, she eagerly visited the Riyer and shared her triumph. The River chuckled and promised to tell her more about ships that sailed the sea.
The Day the River Spoke Word Meanings
- splashed : fell in drops, making a sound
- slithered : moved by sliding from side to side
- murmuring : speaking in a low voice
- startled : surprised
- thicket : a dense group of bushes and trees
- rustle : light sound made by leaves rubbing against each other
- conspiratorially : secretly
- clump : a small group of trees growing together
- rattling : noise made by shaking things
- catamaran : a kind of boat
- wailed : (here) complained in a loud voice.