Bihar Board 12 class English book : Summary of “Snake”.

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The poem ‘Snake’ has been written by an eminent English poet D.H. Lowrence. In this poem the poet describes the activities of a snake who looks so innocent.

The poet says that one night when he felt thirsty, came out to drink water. But, as soon as he came out, he saw a black cobra, which also came to drink water. The snake was looking good, silent and peaceful. It came out from a carob tree to drink water. It was moving towards the tap to drink water. To see its politeness the poet did not fear at all and he began to watch its movement. His worldly education told him that it was a poisonous snake and he must kill it. But, he is fascinated by its beauty and stood silently. He did not want to kill it. After some time he became afraid of the snake and decided to hit it and hit the snake with a stick, when it was moving into a hole after quenching its thirst. But, anyhow it entered the hole and the poet began to regret after hitting the innocent snake.

Thus, the poet has commented an modern men and their ideologies. He asserts us to love all the creatures of the world made by God.

Bihar Board 12 class English book : Summary of “The Artist”.

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‘The Artist’ is a very sensitive story written by a Japanese writer ‘Shiga Naoya. In this story the writer deals with the world of a talented Japanese boy, Seibie. The story shows how the adult world often causes damage to such talents.

According to the story, Seibei is a Japanese boy, who has a peculiar hobby to collect gourds. He generally goes market and buys a gourd. He brings it, first he makes a neat hole in the top of it and extracts the seeds. After that he applies tea-leaves to get rid of the unpleasant gourd-smell. He then takes wine and carefully polishes the surface.

Seibei is a twelve years old boy. He lives in a harbour town and read in a primary school. He does not like to play with the other children. He usually wanders about the town looking for gourds. In the evening he sits in the corner of his living room and works on his newly fruit for a long time. After that he ties a string round the middle of it and hangs it in the sun to dry.

One day he goes to school with a gourd and starts polishing it in the class while the teacher has been teaching. The teacher catches him red-handed and rebukes him for such Womanish work. The teacher complains to his mother. When his father comes and hears about the teacher’s complaint, he becames angry and beats his son, Seibei. Actually, Seibie’s father does not like his hobby of collecting gours. He wants that his son should study well. Then he smashes all his gourds that Seibei has polished with great cave. When he is forced to give up collecting gourds, he begins making pictures and becomes an artist. But, his father scolds him for painting the pictures.

Thus, the story-writer, throws light over the fact that parents and adult world ofen causes damage to young talents like a talented Japanese boy, Seibei.

Bihar Board 12 class English book : Summary of “I have a Dream”

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 “I Have a Dream” is an important speech of Martin Luther King Junior, in 1963. In this speech king Jr.  describes   the  pitiable condition in America. He wants to see his country free from racial distinction between the whites and the blacks.

Through his speech king Jr. raises his voice for equality and right for Nigroes in America. He reminds them that slavery in America has been abolished, but Negroes are not free. They live in Ghettos. They find no justice. There is justice in America, but Nigroes are deprived of it. America is a rich country, but Nigroes live in poverty. They are treated as slave in their own country. Social and economic justice is a dream for them. So, King Jr. asks them to continue their struggle for justice and right. He advises him to keep their fight non-violent and disciplined. He asks his people to maintain good conduct and remain free from hatred and enemity.

King Jr. tell that he has a dream. He has a dream of seeing Alabama as developed state. He has a dream that one day white boys and girls join hands with black boys and girls.  He dreams that the sons of former slaves and the sons of farmer slave owners will sit down together as brothers. He has a dream that all the people of America will walk together.

King Jr. is sure that inspite of difficulties and frustration, the situation will change. He hopes that one day will come when injustice and discrimination will end. One day there would be the atmosphare of brotherhood in America and the rough life of the Nigroes would be made smooth.

Thus, through this speech King Jr. advises the Nigroes of America to fight continuously for their rights. He assures the blacks that one day will come when they will be given their rights and freedom.

Bihar Board 12 class English book : Summary of “A Pinch of Snuff”.

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‘A Pinch of Snuff’ is a very humorous and interesting story written by Manohar Malgaonkar. Thi story has been taken from ‘Contemporary Indian Shor Stories in English’. It is full of wit and adventure.

The story is about Nanukaka who is the maternal uncle of the writer. The writer is an Under-secretary on probation in the government. Nanukaka has come to meet a minister. He is a cunning and shrewd man. He always tells a lie. He can befool anyone with his lies. He can manage any difficult situation and get rid of any difficulty. He travels second class on a third class ticket. Taking snuff is his habit.

Nanukaka goes to meet the minister, but he fails to meet him. He comes back and thinks a plan. He changes his clothes and goes to Sohanlal, the Party Boss in Delhi. Nanukaka tells him that Hajrat Barkat Ali, the ambassador of India in Beirut, is his close friend. Sohanlal is highly impressed by the talk and personality of Nanukaka. He wants the favour of the ambassador for his son. Nannukaka promises to help his son. By the reaction of Sohanlal he knows that the minister wants to marry his daughter to the prince of Ninnore. Then, he plans to meet the minister. He manages an outlandish car. He asks the writer to act his liveried driver. He goes to the minister’s residence and poses as the hereditary astrologer of the Maharaja of Ninnore. He writes his name and designation on the visitor’s register. This trick helps him and the Welfare Minister himself comes to meet him. After the meeting with the minister, Nanukaka returns the next day.

Thus, the whole story revolves round Nanukaka, who knows every trick of every trade. He changes his feather according to weather. The story shows that a person like Nanukaka will be successful in the present society.

 Bihar Board 12 class English book : Summary of “Indian Civilization and Culture”.

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“Indian Civilization and Culture” is an important essay written by Mahatma Gandhi. In this essay Gandhiji describes the importance of Indian Civilization. He praises our ancient civilization and says that no other civilization of the world can be compared with our civilization.

According to Gandhiji, civilization is the way of conduct. It guides us to do our duty. It also teaches us the lesson of morality. It refers to good conduct and stresses our moral character. Our civilization is the most ancient and the strongest of all the civilizations of the world. Many civilizations in the world born and wasted. They changed by the change of time. But, our civilization has remained unchanged. Our civilization is the only civilization in the world which has not lost its glory.

Gandhiji says that the Western civilization is inferior to the Indian civilization, because it is based on materialism and immorality. On the other hand the Indian civilization is based on spiritualism and morality. The intention of Indian civilization is to elevate the moral being while the Western civilization is to propagate immorality.

Gandhiji says that mind is a restless bird, because it is never satisfied. The more it gets, the more it wants, and still remains unsatisfied. To be happy or unhappy depends on our mind. We have endless desires and such desires make our mind restless. If we want to become happy, we should keep away from wealth and luxuries, because they do not make us happy. A rich man may be unhappy in his palace, while a poor man may be happy in his cottage.

Thus, Gandhiji means to say that the Indian civilization is matchless. He says that the Indian civilization is superior to any other civilization in the world. It promotes moral development and real happiness.