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A Draught of Kindness

-        Charles Dickens

Summary – A Draught of Kindness

Little Nell and her grandfather leave London to escape from the cruel moneylenders who have caused them great trouble. They begin their journey without knowing where they will go. Though they are tired and frightened, their love for each other gives them the courage to continue.

As they travel through the countryside, they pass villages, farms, cottages, shops and fields. After walking for a long time, Nell becomes tired and looks for a place where they can rest and get some milk. Finally, she approaches a poor cottage because she notices an old man sitting inside and hopes he will sympathise with her grandfather.

The poor family welcomes them warmly. The eldest boy brings milk, and the family offers them stools and a place to rest. The old man talks about his son, who had gone to war and returned with only one leg. Nell and her grandfather have a simple but satisfying meal in the clean and comfortable cottage.

Although Nell's grandfather is anxious to continue their journey, the cottager's wife notices that Nell's foot is badly sore. She lovingly washes it and applies a simple remedy. Nell is deeply touched by this act of kindness and can only say, “God bless you!” The whole family watches them leave with affection.

After walking another mile, Nell and her grandfather are extremely tired. Suddenly, an empty cart approaches. The driver tells them that the cottage family had asked him to look after them and offers them a ride. The exhausted travellers gladly get into the cart. Nell soon falls asleep on the straw, feeling relieved and comfortable.

The story highlights the power of kindness, compassion and human sympathy. Even poor people can show great generosity, and a small act of kindness can bring comfort and hope to people in distress.

മലയാളം സംഗ്രഹം

ലണ്ടനിലെ ക്രൂരരായ പണമിടപാടുകാരുടെ ഭീഷണിയിൽ നിന്ന് രക്ഷപ്പെടുന്നതിനായി ലിറ്റിൽ നെല്ലും അവളുടെ മുത്തച്ഛനും ലണ്ടൻ വിട്ട് യാത്ര തിരിക്കുന്നു. എവിടേക്കാണ് പോകേണ്ടതെന്ന് വ്യക്തമായ അറിവില്ലെങ്കിലും, പരസ്പരമുള്ള സ്നേഹവും കരുതലും അവരെ മുന്നോട്ട് നയിക്കുന്നു. അവർ ഗ്രാമപ്രദേശങ്ങളിലൂടെ ഏറെ ദൂരം നടന്ന് പോകുന്നു. യാത്രയ്ക്കിടെ വീടുകളും കൃഷിയിടങ്ങളും ഗ്രാമങ്ങളും കടന്നുപോകുന്നു. ഏറെ ക്ഷീണിച്ച നെല്ലിന് വിശ്രമിക്കാനും മുത്തച്ഛന് കുറച്ച് പാൽ വാങ്ങിക്കൊടുക്കാനും ഒരു സ്ഥലം അന്വേഷിക്കുന്നു.

ഒടുവിൽ, ഒരു കുടിലിൽ ഒരു വൃദ്ധനെ കണ്ടപ്പോൾ അയാൾ തന്റെ മുത്തച്ഛനെപ്പോലെ ആയിരിക്കുമെന്ന് കരുതി നെൽ അവിടെ സഹായം ചോദിക്കുന്നു. ആ കുടുംബം വളരെ സ്നേഹപൂർവം അവരെ സ്വീകരിക്കുന്നു. മകൻ പാൽ കൊണ്ടുവരുകയും അവർക്ക് ഇരിക്കാനുള്ള സൗകര്യം ഒരുക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു. വൃദ്ധൻ തന്റെ മകനെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള ദുഃഖകരമായ ഓർമ്മകളും പങ്കുവെക്കുന്നു. കുടുംബത്തിന്റെ ദാരിദ്ര്യത്തിനിടയിലും അവരുടെ വീട് വൃത്തിയും സമാധാനവും നിറഞ്ഞതായിരുന്നു. അവിടെ നിന്ന് വീണ്ടും യാത്ര തുടരാൻ നെല്ലും മുത്തച്ഛനും തീരുമാനിക്കുന്നു.

എന്നാൽ നെല്ലിന്റെ കാലിൽ പൊള്ളലേറ്റതും വേദനയുള്ളതും വീട്ടമ്മ ശ്രദ്ധിക്കുന്നു. ഒരു അമ്മയുടെ കരുതലോടെ അവൾ നെല്ലിന്റെ മുറിവ് കഴുകി ലളിതമായ മരുന്ന് പുരട്ടുന്നു. ഈ സ്നേഹപൂർവമായ പ്രവൃത്തി നെല്ലിന്റെ ഹൃദയത്തെ ആഴത്തിൽ സ്പർശിക്കുന്നു. അവൾക്ക് പറയാൻ കഴിഞ്ഞത് “ദൈവം നിങ്ങളെ അനുഗ്രഹിക്കട്ടെ!” എന്ന വാക്കുകൾ മാത്രമാണ്. പിന്നീട് അവർ വീണ്ടും യാത്ര തുടരുമ്പോൾ വളരെ ക്ഷീണിതരാകുന്നു. അപ്പോൾ ആ കുടുംബം ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടതനുസരിച്ച് ഒരു വണ്ടിക്കാരൻ അവരെ തന്റെ ഒഴിഞ്ഞ വണ്ടിയിൽ കയറ്റിക്കൊണ്ടുപോകുന്നു. ക്ഷീണിതയായ നെൽ വണ്ടിയിൽ കിടന്ന് ഉറങ്ങിപ്പോകുന്നു.

മനുഷ്യരുടെ സ്നേഹം, കരുണ, സഹാനുഭൂതി, സഹായമനോഭാവം എന്നിവയുടെ മഹത്വം വ്യക്തമാക്കുന്ന കഥയാണ്. ചെറിയൊരു സഹായം പോലും ദുരിതത്തിലായ ഒരാളുടെ ജീവിതത്തിൽ വലിയ ആശ്വാസം നൽകാൻ കഴിയും.

 

Let’s pause and ponder

1. How does the family in the cottage welcome Nell and her grandfather?

The family welcomes Nell and her grandfather warmly and kindly. As soon as Nell asks for permission to rest and buy some milk, her request is granted. The eldest boy runs to fetch milk, while the second boy brings two stools for them to sit on. The youngest child also comes near his mother and looks at the travellers curiously. The old man invites Nell’s grandfather to sit in the comfortable chair and speaks to him with sympathy. The family also offers them food and rest. Thus, the poor family shows great kindness and hospitality towards the tired travellers.

2. Find out from the passage, the sentences/phrases/expressions that show kindness. Note down the interesting features of language you have noticed.

Some expressions from the passage that show the kindness of the family are:

• “The request was no sooner made, than granted.”
• “The eldest boy ran out to fetch some milk.”
• “The second dragged two stools towards the door.”
• “Sit thee down, master, in the elbow chair.”
• “They made a hearty meal.”
• “She would not suffer her to go until she had washed the place.”
• “She did this so carefully and with such a gentle hand.”
• “Ah! They asked me to look out for you.”
• “Give me your hand—jump up, master.”

These expressions make the kindness of the family very vivid. The use of actions, dialogue and simple descriptive expressions makes the scene warm and emotional. The contrast between their poverty and their generosity also makes their kindness more meaningful.

3. “She felt a tranquil air of comfort and content to which she had long been unaccustomed.” What do you think might happen next and why?

I think Nell may feel a strong desire to stay in the cottage because she experiences love, safety and comfort there after a long and difficult journey. The family may offer her and her grandfather a place to stay for the night. However, her grandfather is anxious to move farther away from London because he fears the moneylenders. Therefore, they may continue their journey despite the kindness and comfort offered by the family. The later events show that the family's kindness does not end with their hospitality; they also arrange a ride for Nell and her grandfather through the cart driver.

 

Let’s revisit

1.    Nell often answers questions for her grandfather. What insight into her character does this trait provide?

Nell's habit of answering questions for her grandfather shows that she is caring, responsible and mature. She understands that her grandfather is old and weak, so she takes care of him during their difficult journey. She is also loving and considerate towards him. Her behaviour shows that she has a strong sense of responsibility despite being a young girl.

2. Why does the woman hold Nell back for some time?

The woman notices that one of Nell's little feet is blistered and sore because of the long journey. As a mother, she feels sympathy for the tired child and does not want her to continue walking in pain. She therefore washes Nell's sore foot and applies a simple remedy with great care and kindness.

3. Being human means understanding the hardships of our fellow beings and helping them in their need. How is this idea conveyed through the characters and incidents in this extract?

The idea of humanity and compassion is clearly shown through the actions of the cottager's family and the cart driver. When Nell and her grandfather reach the cottage tired and hungry, the family welcomes them warmly. The boy brings milk and the family provides them with a place to sit and rest. The woman notices Nell's injured foot and lovingly treats it. Later, the cart driver gives them a ride after learning about their condition from the family. These incidents show that kindness and sympathy can be found even among poor people and that helping others in times of difficulty is an important human quality.

4. Choose two phrases/expressions that you find memorable in the extract. Write them down and explain how they add depth to the scene.

a) “The request was no sooner made, than granted.”

This expression shows the family's immediate willingness to help Nell and her grandfather. It emphasises their kindness and generosity. They do not hesitate even though they themselves are poor.

b) “She did this so carefully and with such a gentle hand.”

This expression beautifully describes the woman's motherly affection and compassion. It shows that her kindness is not merely an act of duty but comes from genuine concern for Nell's suffering. It makes the scene more touching and emotional.

Activity Zone

1. “After an interval came a wheelwright’s shed or perhaps a blacksmith’s forge.” Just as trades and professions have their specific names, so too do the workspaces associated with them.

a. Complete the table, adding to the list of professions and their workspaces.

 

 

Professions/trades	Workspaces
Wheelwright	Shed
Blacksmith	Forge
Carpenter	Workshop
Baker	Bakery
Tailor	Tailor's shop
Barber	Barber shop
Farmer	Farm
Potter	Pottery
Cobbler	Cobbler's shop
Mechanic	Garage
Doctor	Clinic

b. Imagine that you are walking along a small village street. You pass a forge, a shed and a few other workspaces you have listed above. Describe in a paragraph what you may see, hear and feel as you walk past these places.

As I walk along the small village street, I see several workers busy in their workplaces. From the blacksmith’s forge, I hear the loud sound of the hammer striking the hot iron. Near the wheelwright’s shed, I see a man repairing a wooden wheel. The carpenter’s workshop is filled with the smell of fresh wood, while the baker’s shop spreads the pleasant smell of freshly baked bread. I can hear the sound of tools, animals and people talking. The peaceful surroundings, fresh air and friendly atmosphere make me feel happy and relaxed. The whole village street seems lively, peaceful and full of activity.

2. The excerpt describes Nell and her grandfather’s long journey on foot from London to the countryside. Did you notice words relating to the different ways in which we walk? Each word gives a clear picture of the kind of movement it involves.

List some of these words, and fill in the table below:

Word	Meaning	Movement compared to
Scramble	To move quickly using one’s hands and feet	The climbing of a monkey
Prowl	To move quietly and cautiously	The movement of a tiger
Waddle	To walk with short steps, moving from side to side	The movement of a duck
Trudge	To walk slowly and heavily, especially because of tiredness	The movement of a tired person
Stagger	To walk unsteadily, almost falling	The movement of a drunk or weak person
Stride	To walk with long, confident steps	The movement of a confident person

 

3. “…the child looked wistfully in each, doubtful at which to ask for permission to rest awhile, and buy a draught of milk.”

The word draught has several meanings depending on the context.

a.    Read the following and note the different contexts in which the word draught is used and match each one with its meaning.

A	B
1. A draught of milk	b. A mouthful of milk
2. A cold draught	c. A current of air
3. Draught cattle	d. Animals used for pulling heavy loads
4. Draught mark	e. A marking on a ship showing the depth of the vessel below the waterline
5. A draught of medicine	a. A liquid dose of medicine

 

b.    Imagine that a doctor, a sailor and a farmer happen to meet at a wayside inn. Write a short conversation among them in which each uses the word ‘draught’ in a context appropriate to their profession.

Doctor: I have been travelling all day. I think I need a draught of medicine for my headache.

Sailor: As a sailor, I always check the draught mark of my ship before entering a shallow harbour.

Farmer: On my farm, we use draught cattle to pull the plough and carry heavy loads.

4. As you read ‘A Draught of Kindness,’ you might have been reminded of people in your life who have showered you with care, concern and affection. Narrate one such experience in your own words, making appropriate use of at least three synonyms for ‘kindness.’

Last year, I was walking home from school when it started raining heavily. I had forgotten to bring an umbrella and was worried about getting home safely. A neighbour saw me and invited me into her house. She gave me a towel, a glass of water and an umbrella to use. Her generosity, compassion and thoughtfulness made me feel comfortable and cared for. I will always remember her kind gesture because it showed me that even a small act of kindness can make a big difference to someone.

5. Nell hides her feelings to appear strong for her grandfather’s sake. Most children are like Nell, struggling with their distress in silence. Suggest some practical ways by which friends may support each other without being intrusive.

Friends can support each other by being good listeners and giving them a safe and comfortable space to talk. They can gently ask if their friend is okay without forcing them to share everything. They can spend time with them, offer practical help with schoolwork or daily activities, and remind them that they are not alone. Respecting their privacy and giving them enough personal space are also important. If a friend seems to be struggling seriously, it is wise to encourage them to speak to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher or counsellor.

Character Sketch of Nell

Nell is the young and loving granddaughter of the old man who travels with her from London to the countryside. She is caring, responsible, courageous and compassionate. Although she is only a child, she takes great care of her grandfather during their difficult journey. She often answers questions on his behalf and tries to protect him from unnecessary difficulties.

Nell is also timid and sensitive. When she looks for a cottage where they can rest, she is afraid that people may reject her. However, her difficult circumstances make her brave enough to ask strangers for help. She is deeply touched by the kindness shown by the poor cottage family, especially when the woman treats her sore foot. Her heartfelt words, “God bless you!”, show her gratitude and innocence.

Nell is also selfless and determined. Even when she is tired and in pain, she continues the journey because she wants to support her grandfather. Her character shows that love, responsibility and courage are not limited by age.

 

Character Sketch of the Grand father

Nell’s grandfather is an old, weak and anxious man who is deeply attached to his granddaughter. He leaves London with Nell to escape from the cruel moneylenders who have caused them trouble. Although he is physically tired, he is determined to move farther away from London because he fears being caught by the moneylenders.

The grandfather is loving and protective towards Nell. He depends on her in many situations, and she often answers questions for him. At the same time, his fear and anxiety sometimes make him restless. Even when the cottage family offers them comfort and rest, he insists on continuing the journey, saying, “Further away, dear Nell.”

He is also sensitive and emotional. The old cottager's story about his son who died after returning from war affects him deeply. His character represents an old man facing hardship and uncertainty while relying on the love and support of his granddaughter. His close relationship with Nell is one of the most touching aspects of the story.

 

 

 

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