Madam Rides the Bus – by Vallikkannan | CBSE Class 10 | NCERT Notes by Arihant
Chapter Summary
Valli and Her Desire to Ride the Bus
Valliammai was an eight year old girl who was fondly called Valli. She was a curious girl and her time pass involved standing at the front door ofher house, watching the happenings on the street. She had no playmates of her own age so, she just enjoyed looking out. For her, it was just as fun and enjoyable as the games that children played. Valli was most fascinated by the bus that travelled from her village to the nearest town. The sight of the bus with new passengers every hour filled Valli with joy and soon she started to desire a bus ride. The desire to ride the bus turned into a longing as Valli saw the bus passing through her street everyday.
Valli’s Planning to Ride the Bus
For many days and months, Valli used to listen carefully the conversations between her neighbours and the regular travelers of bus. Some times she would ask them questions to collect information about the bus and its journey. In this manner she gathered various small details about the bus journey such as distance between her village and town, fare of the bus, i.e. thirty paise for one side. She got to know that the bus took 45 minutes to reach the town. She calculated the timings of her journey, planned and replanned her trip. She carefully saved her coins for months resisting her temptations to buy toys, toffees and riding merry-go round in the village fair. At last, she collected sixty paise for the bus. Then she planned to go for the ride after lunch time when her mother took a nap for about three to four hours.
Valli’s First Bus Journey
One day, as the bus was about to leave the village stop Valli stopped the bus and got on it. Valli acted like an adult lady while boarding the bus. The conductor, who was jolly natured man was amused by Valli’s behaviour and started referring to her as ‘Madam’. He showed her, seat and as soon as Valli sat down the bus started moving. There were only six or seven passengers in the bus. It was a new bus with soft and luxurious seats and nice paint. Valli stood up on her seat to enjoy the views outside the window.
Views Outside the Bus
The bus passed along the banks of a canal. On one side of the narrow road there were palm trees, grasslands, distant mountains and blue sky. On the other side of the bus, there was a deep ditch and beyond it were acres of green fields. While she was enjoying the greenery, she heard an old man asking her to sit down on her seat.
Valli felt annoyed at the old man for thinking of her to be child. She told him that she had paid full fare like others and then asked the conductor to give her the ticket. The conductor and the passengers were amused at an 8 year old child acting like an adult. They laughed at her actions while the conductor handed her the ticket. He also explained her that she needed to sit down or she would get hurt.
The Journey Continues
Soon the bus stopped at a bus stop and some new passengers got inside. Valli took her seat in fear of losing it. An elderly woman sat beside her and asked Valli about her travelling alone in the bus. Valli found that lady ugly and unpleasant. Valli got irritated with her questions and started to look out of the window. The bus was moving smoothly, leaving all the obstacles behind. Suddenly, Valli saw a young cow running in the middle of the road, in front of the bus. The driver slowed down the bus and blew horn but the cow got scared and ran even faster. Valli found it very amusing and laughed heartily. Finally, the cow moved off the road.
The Halt at The Town
The bus then passed through the railway crossing and the train station. Then, it reached the nearest town to Valli’s village. All the passengers got off the bus except Valli. The conductor asked her to got down and explore the street and nearby sights, but Valli refused and informed him that she would be going back to the village in the same bus. The conductor also offered her cold drink but she refused it.
Valli’s Return Journey
The bus started going towards the village and Valli saw the same beautiful sights again with same excitement. Then her sight fell upon the dead cowwhich had been struck by some speeding vehicle.
The scene dejected her and she no longer wanted to look out of the window. The bus reached her village at three forty. She bid a good bye to conductor and conductor warmly did the same. She got down the bus and ran towards her home.
As she entered her house, she saw her mother talking to one of her aunt. They were conversing about the everyday things and those that were beyond their knowledge and understanding. Valli affirmed with them, smiled and went inside the house.
