MADAM RIDES THE BUS

 MADAM RIDES THE BUS

This is a touching story about an eight-year-old girl. It describes her first bus ride out of her village. The outside world is enthralling, and the bus ride is a mysterious adventure. She wants to go on this mysterious journey by herself. She collects money for the bus fare and finds every piece of information provided by her neighbours about the bus journey. She goes on a bus ride by herself one day and returns with a new experience.

 

CHARACTERS

Valliammai – Valliammai was eight years old girl. She desired to travel on the bus. She was always curious about new things. She was also known as Valli in short.

The bus conductor – The bus conductor was a cheerful person. He asked Valli to take the front seat on the bus. He addressed Valli as ‘madam.’

 

SUMMARY

Valliammai was a young girl, who was known as Valli in short. She was eight years old. She was interested to know about new things. She did not have anyone to play with. Her favourite pastime was to stand in front of her house's front door. This always gave her new experiences. The bus that travelled from her village to the town fascinated her the most. Valli was overjoyed looking at the new passengers every time on the bus.

Every day Valli saw the bus; she wished she could travel in it. This wish grew stronger day by day until became a desire. She used to stare at the passengers as they got up and down the bus. If one of her friends went on a bus ride and described it to her, she became jealous of her and would shout.

Valli listened to the conversations of her neighbours and people who rode the bus for many days and months. She even asked them questions because they were regular travellers. She was able to learn every detail about the bus ride this way. The one-way fare was 30 paise, and the trip to town took 45 minutes. She kept on planning and calculating things for a long time.

On a spring afternoon, Valli took the bus. The bus only had six to seven passengers. The bus was brand new, with soft and luxurious seats. The conductor was a cheerful person who asked Valli to get seated right up there in front. He addressed Valli as ‘madam’. She started to look outside the bus and was attracted by the scenery. The palm trees, grassland, distant mountains, the blue sky were all visible to her. A young cow in front of the bus made her laugh and clap. Despite the driver's constant honking, It was not moving aside.

After some time, the bus reached the town. Valli was looking around at the bright shops and the large crowd.  She remained on the bus while the other passengers got down. The conductor asked her to get down but, she told him that she would go back on the same bus. She turned down his offer of giving her a cold drink as a treat.

On the way back, Valli saw the same amazing sights. She wasn’t bored and greeted everything with the same excitement she’d felt the first time. Suddenly, she saw a young cow lying dead by the side of the road. It was the same cow that was running in front of the bus on her way to town. When she saw it, she was filled with sadness. The bus moved on, but Valli was haunted by the memory of the dead cow. She was no longer looking out the window. When the bus reached her village at three forty, she ran straight for home. Her mother was unaware of her secret journey.

WORD MEANING

Sensitive – causing people to be upset, embarrassed or angry.

Induction – the action or process of introducing someone to something.

Mystery – something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.

Pastime – an activity that one enjoys during one’s free time.

Curious – eager to know or learn.

Playmate – a friend with whom a child plays.

Elaborate – complicated.

Unusual – not habitually or commonly occurring.

Fascinating – extremely interesting.

Unending – having or seeming to have no end.

Gradually – slowly.

Crept – make way.

Overwhelming – very great in amount.

Desire – strongly wish for or want something.

Wistfully – longingly.

Kindle – set a light (a fire) here, feelings.

Jealous – to be hostile towards a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage.

Slang – a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal.

Disapproval – an expression of an unfavourable opinion.

Discreet – not likely to be seen or noticed by many people.

Scarcely – almost not at all.

Commandingly – drawing attention.

Crawl – to move slowly.

Sticking – pushing.

Jolly – happy and cheerful.

Slack – a time when there is not much work.

Roar – to move at high speed making a loud prolonged sound.

Gleaming – shining brightly.

Shone – to shine (past tense of shine).

Stripe – a long, narrow band.

Overhead – above someone’s head.