Horegallu I Complete Notes & Analysis I Plus Two English

Summary

Horegallu is a touching story by Sudha Murty that highlights the importance of kindness, empathy, and listening to others.

The narrator recalls her childhood in a village where a large banyan tree stood at the center. Under the tree was a horegallu, a stone bench where tired travellers could rest, drink water, and regain their strength. The narrator's grandfather, a retired schoolteacher, spent his time sitting there and listening to the worries of villagers. Although he could not solve their problems, his patient listening comforted them and helped them continue their journeys with renewed energy. He explained that everyone carries burdens in life and needs a place like a horegallu to rest and refresh themselves.

Years later, while working in Mumbai, the narrator met Ratna, a cheerful senior clerk who spent her lunch breaks listening to the troubles of her colleagues. Ratna believed that sharing worries with a sympathetic listener relieved half of a person's burden. She never revealed anyone's secrets and considered trust sacred.

The narrator realizes that both her grandfather and Ratna acted like human horegallus. Through their compassion and willingness to listen, they provided emotional support to others. The story teaches us that even simple acts of kindness and understanding can greatly help people facing difficulties in life.

READ AND RESPOND

1. What is a horegallu? What is its purpose?

A horegallu is a stone bench made of a large flat stone placed horizontally over two vertical stones. Its purpose is to provide a resting place for tired travellers, allowing them to sit, relax, drink water, and regain their strength before continuing their journey.

2. What are the special memories the author associates with horegallu?

The author associates horegallu with her grandfather, a retired schoolteacher. He spent hours sitting under the banyan tree near the horegallu, listening to the worries and problems of villagers and travellers. The author's childhood memories of playing under the tree and observing her grandfather's kindness are closely linked with the horegallu.

3. How does the grandfather refresh the travellers?

The grandfather refreshes the travellers by patiently listening to their worries and problems. Though he cannot solve their difficulties, his sympathetic listening comforts them and relieves their mental burden, helping them continue their journey with renewed strength.

4. Is horegallu essential in a journey? Why?

Yes, horegallu is essential in a journey because it provides travellers with a place to rest and recover. Symbolically, it reminds us that everyone needs a break from life's burdens. Rest and emotional support help people regain their energy and move forward.

5. Horegallu gives everyone the opportunity to regain their strength. What does the author try to indicate here?

The author indicates that people need physical as well as emotional rest. Just as travellers rest at a horegallu during a journey, people need someone who listens to their worries and helps them feel relieved. This enables them to face life's challenges with renewed confidence and strength.

6. Bring out the symbolic significance of the word "burden".

The word "burden" symbolizes the worries, responsibilities, hardships, and problems that people carry in their lives. It represents both physical loads and emotional struggles. Sharing these burdens with a caring listener can make them easier to bear.

7. Comment on the expression "infectious cheerfulness".

The expression "infectious cheerfulness" means a happiness that spreads to others. Ratna's cheerful attitude influenced the people around her, making them feel positive and comfortable. Her optimism and kindness encouraged others to share their troubles and feel better.

8. What does Ratna do during lunch hours?

During lunch hours, Ratna sits with one colleague at a time and listens to their troubles and worries. She offers a patient and sympathetic ear, helping them feel relieved and emotionally supported.

9. What is Ratna's simplistic outlook?

Ratna believes that no one can completely solve another person's problems. However, listening with sympathy and without judgement can relieve half of a person's burden. She feels that sharing worries helps people gain the strength to solve their own problems.

10. The author wishes there were many more horegallus in the world. Comment.

The author wishes there were many more horegallus in the world because people today face numerous worries, pressures, and responsibilities. Like the stone bench that offered rest to travellers, caring and compassionate people who listen to others can provide emotional comfort and support. Such individuals help others overcome difficulties and continue their life's journey with renewed hope and confidence. Therefore, the world needs more people like the author's grandfather and Ratna, who selflessly help others through kindness and understanding.

Think and Write

1. Do you think that the grandfather and Ratna were doing some tremendous social service? Explain.

Yes, the grandfather and Ratna were doing tremendous social service. They helped people by listening patiently to their worries and problems. Though they could not provide solutions, their sympathy and understanding gave people emotional relief and confidence. Their selfless service made others feel supported and strengthened them to face life's challenges.

2. Can we relate grandfather and Ratna to a horegallu? Why?

Yes, we can relate grandfather and Ratna to a horegallu. Just as a horegallu provides rest to tired travellers, both grandfather and Ratna provide comfort and emotional support to people burdened with worries. By listening without judgement, they help others lighten their mental load and continue their life's journey with renewed strength.

Activity I (Narration)

a) Do you think mere listening can solve a problem? Identify the qualities of a good listener.

Mere listening may not completely solve a problem, but it can greatly reduce a person's stress and anxiety. When people share their worries, they feel relieved and are often able to think more clearly about solutions.

Qualities of a good listener:

Patience
Sympathy and empathy
Non-judgemental attitude
Trustworthiness
Respect for others' feelings
Good concentration
Ability to maintain confidentiality

b) Narration: Nomita's Worries to Ratna

I am Nomita. Yesterday I had a quarrel with my husband, Ajit. He always treats me as if I am weak and dependent. He does not appreciate the work I do at home and often speaks to me disrespectfully. I feel hurt when he ignores my feelings and opinions.

I try my best to take care of the family, but nobody seems to recognize my efforts. Sometimes I feel lonely and helpless. I wish my husband would understand that women deserve respect and equality. I want to live with dignity and self-respect.

Talking to you has made me feel much better. Thank you for listening to me patiently and without judging me.

Activity II (Language Practice)

Rewritten Passage

It was a big level stone placed sideways over two upright ones, thus making a stone bench on which anyone could sit and rest for a while, chat with a companion traveller and exchange news of the road. Cold water would be kept in clay pots near the bench and people could quench their thirst before starting their journeys again. I am sure such uncomplicated arrangements can be found in villages all over the country.

Activity III (Comparison)

Comparison of the Ideas on Empowerment

The three women express empowerment in different ways. Ashapurna Devi compares women to matchboxes, suggesting that women possess immense hidden power and strength. Katharine Tynan highlights the nurturing role of women by describing them as the warmth that sustains life and makes a home complete. Ratna emphasizes trust, compassion, and emotional support. She believes that listening to others and keeping their confidence is a noble act. Together, these ideas show that women are strong, caring, trustworthy, and capable of making significant contributions to society.

Comparison of the Women Characters and Their Ideas on Empowerment

The women characters in the lessons present different but powerful ideas about empowerment. Nomita from Matchbox is courageous, self-respecting, and assertive. She refuses to tolerate injustice and boldly stands up against her husband's domination. Her words show her determination to fight for her dignity and rights.

Sudha Murty, through the characters of Ratna and the grandfather in Horegallu, emphasizes the values of kindness, compassion, and empathy. Ratna empowers others by listening to their problems with patience and understanding, helping them regain confidence and strength.

Christine Lagarde advocates women's empowerment through education, leadership, and equal opportunities. She is visionary, inspiring, and progressive in her belief that empowering women benefits the entire world.

Ashapurna Devi portrays women as strong and capable, comparing them to matchboxes that contain hidden power. Katharine Tynan highlights the nurturing and loving nature of women, describing them as the warmth that sustains life.

Though their approaches differ, all these women promote empowerment through strength, confidence, compassion, self-respect, and independence. They show that empowered women can transform their families, communities, and society.

Character Sketch of Grandfather

The grandfather in Horegallu is a kind, compassionate, and selfless person. He is a retired schoolteacher who spends his time under the banyan tree near the horegallu, listening to the worries of travellers and villagers. Though he cannot solve their problems, he patiently hears them out and offers emotional comfort. He understands that everyone carries burdens in life and needs a chance to rest and regain strength. His wisdom, empathy, and willingness to help others make him a respected figure in the village. Through his simple acts of kindness, he performs a valuable social service.

Character Sketch of Ratna

Ratna is a cheerful, caring, and trustworthy woman. She is a senior clerk who has worked in the company for many years. Despite doing repetitive work, she remains positive and spreads happiness through her infectious cheerfulness. During lunch breaks, she listens patiently to the problems of her colleagues. She believes that sharing worries with a sympathetic listener can relieve half of a person's burden. Ratna never judges others and keeps their secrets confidential. Her compassion, patience, and sense of responsibility make her a source of comfort and support for many people. Like a horegallu, she helps others regain confidence and continue their life's journey.

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