‘A Sherwani for Abbu’ is a story by Subhadra Sen Gupta. This article contains a summary and question & answers of class 6 New Voices English Textbook. Click here for more chapters.
Summary
The story revolves around Mushir, whose father, Ahmed Hasan Dehlvi, is a poet (shair) struggling to make ends meet by teaching at a madarsa. One day, Ahmed Hasan receives an invitation to recite his poetry at a grand Mushaira hosted by Nawab Bakhtiar Khan. Excitement ensues in Mushir’s family, but they face a challenge – Ahmed Hasan’s old and worn-out sherwani. Meanwhile, Mushir and his friend Abbas engage in making a special kite thread (manja) for Nawab Bakhtiar Khan to compete against a rival, Bulle Khan. The reward for cutting Bulle Khan’s kite is a gold mohur.
The boys diligently craft the manja, and a kite battle unfolds during the Mushaira. Nawab Bakhtiar Khan emerges victorious, and Mushir dreams of using the gold mohur to buy a lucky sherwani for his father, hoping that one day his father will become famous. The story beautifully captures themes of family, aspirations, and the significance of small victories in the face of financial struggles.
Textbook Exercises Question & Answers
Comprehension
A. Tick (✔) the correct answers.
1. ‘My old things will have to do.’ Ahmed Hasan said this as
- a. he did not want to part with his old things
- b. he did not have the money to buy new things
- c. he did not want new things
2. Abbu would be paid well at the mushaira if
- a. he recited his own poetry
- b. the nawab liked his sherwani
- b. the audience enjoyed his poetry
3. Mushir did not want his father
- a. to feel embarrassed in the court due to his old sherwani
- b. to waste money on a new sherwani
- c. to go to the mushaira as he didn’t have a new sherwani
Answers:
- b. he did not have the money to buy new things
- c. the audience enjoyed his poetry
- a. to feel embarrassed in the court due to his old sherwani
B. Answer these questions in brief.
1. Why did Ammi say that Abbu would need a new sherwani?
2. What was Ahmed Hasan Dahalvi’s profession?
3. What did Mushir imagine the mushaira would be like?
4. While imagining the mushaira, what made Mushir sad?
5. How did Mushir plan to buy a sherwani for his father?
6. Describe the moment when the nawab finally cut Bulle Khan’s kite.
Answers:
- Ammi said Abbu needed a new sherwani because he was invited to a special event called Mushaira, and his old one was old and worn out.
- Ahmed Hasan Dahalvi was a poet, and he also taught at a place called madarsa.
- Mushir imagined the mushaira would be a glittering occasion with large sitting rooms, chandeliers, and great poets wearing shimmering silks and jewels.
- Mushir felt sad because he saw his father’s old and worn-out sherwani hanging, and he wanted his father to have a new one for the Mushaira.
- Mushir planned to buy a sherwani for his father by participating in a kite battle and winning a gold mohur as a reward.
- When the nawab finally cut Bulle Khan’s kite, there was a moment of triumph. Nawab Bakhtiar Khan did a one-legged jig, Fakhru grinned, and Mushir and Abbas were overjoyed. The nawab then gave them gold mohurs as a reward for their successful kite battle.
C. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
1. Mushir and Raunag had danced and yelled when they heard the news.
- a. How were Mushir and Raunaq related?
- b. What ‘news’ is being referred to here?
- c. What did they feel when they heard the news? Why do you think they felt so?
2. From today Nawabsaab has decided not to fly kites anymore. So he doesn’t want the kite back.”
- a. Who is the speaker?
- b. Whom is he speaking to? Where does this conversation take place?
- c. Why had the nawab decided not to fly kites any more?
3. Theek hai. Start work tomorrow. How long will one roll take?”
- a. Who said this and to whom?
- b. What ‘work’ was the speaker talking about?
- c. How much did the speaker promise to pay for this work; on what condition
Answers:
1. Mushir and Raunag had danced and yelled when they heard the news.
- a. Mushir and Raunaq are siblings.
- b. The news refers to their father, Ahmed Hasan, being invited to recite his poetry at a big Mushaira held at a rich nawab’s house.
- c. They felt excited and joyful because all the shairs (poets) were paid well at such big poetry sessions. If their father’s poetry pleased the audience, they knew the family could benefit financially. The prospect of better earnings made them happy.
2. From today Nawabsaab has decided not to fly kites anymore. So he doesn’t want the kite back.”
- a. Fakhru Mia, the nawab’s old personal servant.
- b. He is speaking to Mushir and Abbas. The conversation takes place at the nawab’s haveli.
- c. The nawab decided not to fly kites anymore because Bulle Khan, a competitor, kept cutting his kites. This made kite flying less enjoyable for the nawab.
3. Theek hai. Start work tomorrow. How long will one roll take?”
- a. Nawab Bakhtiar Khan said this to Mushir and Abbas.
- b. The work refers to making special manja (kite thread) for the nawab to use in kite battles.
- c. The speaker promised to pay the boys a gold mohur each if they could cut Bulle Khan’s kite.
D. Answer these questions:
1. What kind of a relationship did Ahmed share with his children?
- Ans. Ahmed shared a loving and close relationship with his children, Mushir and Raunaq. The family’s excitement about Ahmed’s invitation to the Mushaira shows their supportive and joyous connection.
2. In your own words, describe Mushir and Abbas’s process of making the manja.
- Ans. Mushir and Abbas made the manja by wrapping thread around wooden stakes and coating it with layers of chicad (a material for kite threads) mixed with finely crushed glass, gum, and flour. They handled the glass carefully, ensuring it didn’t cut their fingers, and applied multiple coats for strength.
3. Do you think Bakhtiar Khan was eccentric? Explain your views with suitable quotes from the text.
- Ans. Yes, Bakhtiar Khan can be considered eccentric. The text describes him as an “old eccentric nawab.” His passion for flying kites and the fact that he decided to stop flying them because of Bulle Khan’s interference highlight his eccentric nature.
4. Do you think that making good manja is an art? Why?
- Ans. Yes, making good manja can be considered an art. It involves a skillful process of wrapping thread, coating it with a mixture of materials, and handling them carefully. The craftsmanship and attention to detail required to create effective manja resemble aspects of artistry.
5. While talking about the manja, Mushir says ‘I don’t want to take any chances.’ What is the significance of this line in the story?
- Ans. This line shows Mushir’s commitment and determination to succeed in the kite battle. He wants the manja to be perfect, indicating the importance of the competition and the reward of a gold mohur. Mushir is unwilling to risk any flaws that might jeopardize their chances of winning.
6. Do you think Mushir and Abbas were good friends? Give reasons for your answer.
- Ans. Yes, Mushir and Abbas were good friends. They collaborated on making the manja, celebrated their successes together, and supported each other during the kite battle. Their camaraderie and teamwork demonstrate a strong friendship.
7. Why did Bakhtiar Khan want to win against Bulle Khan?
- Ans. Bakhtiar Khan wanted to win against Bulle Khan because Bulle Khan kept cutting his kites, making kite flying less enjoyable for the nawab. Winning against Bulle Khan was a way for Bakhtiar Khan to regain the joy of flying kites.
8. Does the frequent use of Urdu words make this story more interesting? How?
- Ans. Yes, the frequent use of Urdu words adds authenticity to the setting and characters, making the story more interesting. It provides a cultural context, allowing readers to experience the rich linguistic and cultural nuances of the characters and their environment.
Another set of answers:
- Ahmed had a very loving and close relationship with his kids, Mushir and Raunaq. They were excited and happy about their father’s invitation to the Mushaira.
- Mushir and Abbas made the manja by wrapping thread and coating it with a mix of chicad, crushed glass, gum, and flour. They had to be careful with the glass and put on layers to make it strong.
- Yes, Bakhtiar Khan was a bit eccentric. The text says he’s an “old eccentric nawab,” meaning he’s a bit unusual or different. He decided to stop flying kites because of Bulle Khan’s cutting, which is not something everyone would do.
- Yes, making good manja is like an art because it needs skill and attention to detail. Mushir and Abbas had to be careful and skillful in making it, just like artists are when they create something special.
- This means Mushir wants the manja to be perfect. He doesn’t want any mistakes because they are trying to win a kite battle. It shows how serious he is about making it just right.
- Yes, Mushir and Abbas were good friends. They worked together to make the manja, celebrated their successes, and supported each other. Friends do things together and help each other, just like Mushir and Abbas.
- Bakhtiar Khan wanted to win because Bulle Khan kept cutting his kites, and it wasn’t fun for him anymore. Winning would make kite flying enjoyable again.
- Yes, using Urdu words makes the story more interesting because it shows the characters’ culture and adds a special touch to the story. It helps us understand their world better.
Vocabulary
B. In the story, Mushir works hard to be able to pay for a sherwani for his Abbu. Match these idioms beginning with the word pay to their meanings.
Answer:
| Idioms | Meanings |
|---|---|
| 1. pay your respects | f. visit or send good wishes to someone |
| 2. pay heed | e. pay careful attention |
| 3. pay peanuts | b. pay very less amount of money |
| 4. pay lip service | a. to say you agree but do nothing to support |
| 5. pay through the nose | d. pay much more than a fair price |
| 6. pay your dues | c. to do what is required or expected |
| 7. pay an arm and a leg | h. pay a lot of money |
| 8. pay a penalty | g. to suffer because of bad luck or a mistake |
A. Fill in the blanks with coordinating conjunctions.
- Will you eat that last pastry, …………. will you leave for me?
- Sadyah collected the biggest amount for charity, …………. she got a medal.
- Tenzing had a terrible headache, ………….. he went to work in the morning.
- It’s snowing, ………….. please wear your overcoat.
- He has done his duty, ………….. he is a sincere man.
- Namrata overslept ………….. thus missed the train again.
Answer:
- Will you eat that last pastry, or will you leave it for me?
- Sadyah collected the biggest amount for charity, so she got a medal.
- Tenzing had a terrible headache, yet he went to work in the morning.
- It’s snowing, so please wear your overcoat.
- He has done his duty, for he is a sincere man.
- Namrata overslept and thus missed the train again.
B. Choose the correct correlative conjunctions from the brackets to complete these sentences.
- Have you decided ………. to go to the museum ……… The zoo? (both…and/whether…or)
- ………. flowers ……… trees grow during warm weather. (Both…and/Whether…or)
- I plan to visit Nainital ……… in June ……… in July. (whether…or/either…or)
- ……… my brother………. my sister can ride a bicycle. (Whether…or/Neither…nor)
- ……… you apologise to your friend ……… miss the trip. (Either…or/Both…and)
- The vacation ………. refreshed her body ………. her mind. (either…or/not only…but also)
- ………. I am happy ………. sad, I keep myself busy.(Not only…but also/Whether…or)
- Bembem Devi was ………. a great footballer………. a great captain. (whether…or/not only…but also)
Answer:
- Have you decided whether to go to the museum or the zoo?
- Both flowers and trees grow during warm weather.
- I plan to visit Nainital either in June or in July.
- Neither my brother nor my sister can ride a bicycle.
- Either you apologize to your friend or miss the trip.
- The vacation either refreshed her body or her mind.
- Whether I am happy or sad, I keep myself busy.
- Bembem Devi was not only a great footballer but also a great captain.
C. Complete these sentences using appropriate modal verbs. The clues in the brackets will help you.
- . ……… squirrels fly? (ability)
- Intense light ………. hurt your eyes. (possibility)
- ………. I have more lettuce in my sandwich, please? (polite request)
- ………. I use your oven for the party? (permission)
- I ………. make the travel arrangements. There’s no need to worry. (willingness)
- There is a small chance that we ……… go to the hills this weekend. (possibility)
- You look tired. You ……… get some sleep. (suggestion)
- ……… I connect the phone for you? (suggestion)
- We ……… respect and take care of our parents (duty)
- I ………. easily run fast back then. (ability)
Answer:
- Can squirrels fly? (ability)
- Intense light can/might hurt your eyes. (possibility)
- Could I have more lettuce in my sandwich, please? (polite request)
- May I use your oven for the party? (permission)
- I will make the travel arrangements. There’s no need to worry. (willingness)
- There is a small chance that we might go to the hills this weekend. (possibility)
- You look tired. You should/must get some sleep. (suggestion)
- Shall I connect the phone for you? (suggestion)
- We should/must respect and take care of our parents. (duty)
- I can easily run fast back then. (ability)