Showing posts with label Reading. Show all posts

Friday, 19 September 2025

📖 Chapter 6: Pig and Pepper

Alice walked through the wood, carrying the mushroom pieces carefully. Soon she came to a small house. Smoke rose from the chimney, and loud sneezes echoed inside. Curious, Alice went up to the door and knocked.

A fish-shaped footman in a livery (servant’s uniform) opened the door. He was giving a letter to a frog-shaped footman. “For the Duchess,” said the Fish. “From the Queen.”

The Frog bowed and carried the letter inside. Alice followed and found herself in a hot, smoky kitchen. Pepper filled the air so thickly that she sneezed at once.

In the middle of the kitchen sat the Duchess, holding a screaming baby. A cook was at the stove, throwing pepper everywhere and banging pots and pans.

Alice tried to be polite. “What a beautiful child!” she said, though the baby was wrinkled and red-faced.

The Duchess snapped, “Nonsense! If people only minded their own business, the world would go round a deal faster.”

“It would not,” said Alice boldly. “It would go slower.”

The Duchess glared, but then laughed. “You’re quite right, my dear. Have some more pepper!”

The baby screamed louder, sneezing and snorting. At last the Duchess thrust it into Alice’s arms. “Here, you may nurse it if you like. I must go to play croquet with the Queen.”

Alice rocked the baby and carried it outside. But as soon as she looked closely, she realized it was no ordinary child. Its nose turned into a snout, its body stretched, and it began grunting like a pig!

“Oh dear!” cried Alice. “If it grows up, it will surely be a nasty pig.” She set the strange creature down, and it ran happily into the forest, squealing.

Feeling relieved, Alice turned back and saw a grin appear in the air. Slowly, the rest of a Cheshire Cat appeared—first the head, then the body, then the long tail.

The Cat smiled broadly. “How do you do?”

Alice was startled. “I don’t much like animals that appear and disappear suddenly,” she said.

The Cat purred, “Everyone here is mad. I’m mad. You’re mad.”

“How do you know I’m mad?” asked Alice.

“You must be,” said the Cat, “or you wouldn’t be here.”

Alice couldn’t argue with that. “Will you tell me, please, which way I should go?”

“That depends on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.

“I don’t care much where,” said Alice.

“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.

Alice sighed. “But I’d like to meet some people.”

The Cat’s grin grew wider. “You will. In that direction lives the Mad Hatter. In the other lives the March Hare. Visit either you like—both are mad.”

Before Alice could ask more, the Cat slowly faded away until only its grin remained.

Alice shook her head. “Well! I’ve never seen a cat without a body before. But it makes me curious to meet these mad people.”

And with that, she set off toward the March Hare’s house.

📘 Glossary

Footman – a servant in old-fashioned clothes
Livery – a uniform worn by servants
Sneezes – sudden bursts of air from the nose
Nonsense – silly or foolish talk
Glared – looked angrily
Thrust – pushed roughly or suddenly
Snout – the long nose of a pig
Grunting – making short, deep pig-like sounds
Purred – the soft vibrating sound cats make when happy
Faded – slowly disappeared

❓ Comprehension Questions

Who delivered a letter to the Duchess’s house?
What filled the kitchen and made Alice sneeze?
How did the Duchess treat her baby?
Why did Alice set the baby down?
What did the baby turn into?
Who appeared in the forest after the baby left?
What strange ability did the Cheshire Cat have?
What did the Cat say about everyone in Wonderland?
Who did the Cat tell Alice she could visit?
What remained after the Cat disappeared?

✅ Answers

A Fish-Footman.
Pepper.
She handed it roughly to Alice and went to play croquet.
Because it was turning into a pig.
A pig.
The Cheshire Cat.
He could appear and disappear at will.
That everyone there was mad.
The Mad Hatter and the March Hare.
Only the Cat’s grin.

Thursday, 18 September 2025

📖 Chapter 5: Advice from a Caterpillar

Alice wandered through the wood until she came to a large mushroom. On top of it sat a blue Caterpillar, calmly smoking a long hookah (a water pipe).

The Caterpillar looked at Alice for some time without speaking. At last, in a slow, deep voice, it said:
“Who are you?”

Alice felt confused. “I—I hardly know, sir. I knew who I was this morning, but I think I must have changed several times since then.”

“What do you mean by that?” asked the Caterpillar.

Alice explained about growing and shrinking after eating and drinking different things. The Caterpillar puffed smoke and said coolly, “It is very confusing to you, isn’t it?”

Alice sighed. “Yes. I can’t remember things as I used to. For example, I try to say How doth the little busy bee, but it comes out all wrong.”

“Repeat You are old, Father William,” said the Caterpillar.

Alice tried, but the words came out strangely again. The Caterpillar listened, then said, “That is not correct. But it doesn’t matter. Keep your temper.”

Alice bit her lip. “It is very provoking,” she said.

The Caterpillar puffed his hookah a few more times, then asked, “So, you think you’ve changed? Do you like being different sizes?”

“Well, I’d like to be a little larger,” said Alice politely. “Three inches is such a very small size.”

“It is a very good height indeed!” said the Caterpillar angrily. “I am exactly three inches high.”

Alice quickly apologized. She didn’t want to upset him.

For a while, they sat in silence. At last the Caterpillar took the hookah from his mouth and said, “One side of the mushroom will make you grow taller. The other side will make you grow shorter.”

Then, without another word, he slid down off the mushroom and crawled away into the grass.

Alice looked at the mushroom carefully. But which side was which? She broke off a piece from the right-hand side and tasted it. Instantly, she felt her chin strike her foot—she had shrunk so small she could hardly breathe! Terrified, she quickly nibbled a piece from the other side. At once her neck shot up like a long telescope, rising high above the treetops. Birds screamed at her, thinking she was a serpent.

Alice panicked and ate a little more from the first piece. Slowly, slowly, she returned to her usual size. She was still a little shaky, but she felt proud. “At least now I can control it,” she said to herself. “One piece makes me bigger, the other makes me smaller.”

With the mushroom pieces in her hands, Alice felt ready for new adventures in Wonderland.

📘 Glossary

Caterpillar – a small insect that later becomes a butterfly
Hookah – a long water pipe for smoking, often used in the Middle East and Asia
Confused – not able to think clearly or understand
Puffed – blew smoke from the mouth
Provoking – making someone annoyed or angry
Apologized – said sorry
Mushroom – a type of fungus with a stem and a round top
Nibbled – ate in small bites
Telescope – an instrument that can stretch long, like Alice’s neck here
Serpent – a large snake

❓ Comprehension Questions

What was the Caterpillar doing when Alice first saw him?
How did Alice feel when asked “Who are you?”
What problem did Alice describe about her memory?
Which poem did the Caterpillar ask her to repeat?
Why was the Caterpillar angry when Alice wished to be taller?
What advice did the Caterpillar give Alice about the mushroom?
What happened when Alice ate from the right-hand side of the mushroom?
What happened when she ate from the other side?
Why did the birds scream at Alice?
How did Alice feel after she learned to control her size?

✅ Answers

Sitting on a mushroom and smoking a hookah.
She felt confused and unsure of herself.
She said she couldn’t remember poems properly.
You are old, Father William.
Because he himself was only three inches high.
That one side of the mushroom made her taller, the other made her shorter.
She shrank until she was extremely tiny.
Her neck grew very long, like a telescope.
They thought she was a serpent.
Proud, though a little shaky.

Tuesday, 16 September 2025

📖 Chapter 4: The White Rabbit’s House

Alice was still standing by the bank when she saw the White Rabbit again. He was rushing along nervously, looking around. “Oh, my ears and whiskers! She will be so angry if I’m late!” he muttered. When he saw Alice, he shouted, “Mary Ann! What are you doing here? Run home this moment and fetch me my gloves and fan!”

Alice was so surprised that she forgot to explain she was not Mary Ann. Instead, she hurried after the Rabbit, thinking, “He takes me for his servant. I might as well see where this leads.”

Soon they came to a neat little house with a thatched roof and green shutters. Over the door was a bright brass plate with the name W. Rabbit. Alice went inside.

She found herself in a tidy hall with a table and some chairs. On the table lay a fan and two pairs of white kid gloves. Alice took the fan and one pair of gloves and was just about to leave when she noticed a small bottle on the shelf.

It had no label this time, but Alice was curious. “Well, I’ll try just a little,” she said. She drank and at once began to grow—faster and faster—until her head pressed against the ceiling! She dropped the fan and gloves in alarm.

“Oh dear! What will happen to me now?” she cried. She knelt down, but there was no space to move. Her arm stuck out of the window, and one foot pressed against the chimney. She was trapped!

Outside, Alice heard the White Rabbit’s voice. “Mary Ann! Mary Ann! Fetch me my gloves this moment!” Then came silence, followed by a group of voices. They were trying to pull Alice out of the house!

“Let’s burn the house down!” shouted one voice.

“Oh no, please don’t!” cried Alice, though no one seemed to hear her.

After much whispering, the Rabbit called, “Bill! Go down the chimney!”

Alice twisted and stretched, and suddenly she gave a great kick. A small creature—perhaps a lizard—shot out of the chimney and fell into the garden. The voices outside cried, “There goes Bill!” and began throwing pebbles through the window.

Alice was frightened at first, but then she noticed that the pebbles were turning into little cakes as they hit the floor. She quickly ate one, and to her relief, she began to shrink again. Soon she was small enough to run out of the house and escape into the woods.

The animals chased after her, but Alice ran as fast as she could until she was safe among the trees. She sat down to catch her breath.

“Well,” she said to herself, “that was a curious adventure indeed. I wonder what will happen next.”

📘 Glossary

Whiskers – long hairs on a rabbit’s or cat’s face
Fetch – to go and bring something back
Thatched roof – a roof made from straw or reeds
Brass plate – a shiny metal sign
Kid gloves – soft gloves made of young goat skin
Trapped – unable to escape
Chimney – a pipe or opening for smoke from a fire
Creature – a living being, often an animal
Pebbles – small stones
Relief – a feeling of comfort after danger or worry

❓ Comprehension Questions

Who did the White Rabbit mistake Alice for?
What did the Rabbit ask her to fetch?
What was written on the brass plate above the door?
What happened when Alice drank from the bottle in the Rabbit’s house?
Why was Alice trapped inside the house?
Who was sent down the chimney to deal with Alice?
What did Alice do that sent Bill flying?
What happened to the pebbles thrown through the window?
How did Alice manage to escape?
What did Alice think after running into the woods?

✅ Answers

Mary Ann, his servant.
His gloves and fan.
W. Rabbit.
She grew very large until she filled the house.
Her head pressed against the ceiling, her arm stuck out the window, and her foot filled the chimney.
A small creature named Bill.
She kicked him up the chimney.
They turned into little cakes.
She ate a cake that made her shrink small enough to escape.
She thought it was a very curious adventure and wondered what would happen next.

Monday, 15 September 2025

📖 Chapter 3: The Pool of Tears

Alice swam about in the pool she had made with her own tears. “How strange everything is today!” she said aloud. “Yesterday things were normal. But today—am I myself, or have I changed into someone else?”

Just then she heard a splash. She turned and saw a Mouse paddling nearby. Alice felt greatly relieved. “Oh! Perhaps it can help me,” she thought.

She spoke gently: “O Mouse, do you know the way out of this pool?”

The Mouse looked at her suspiciously but said nothing. Alice remembered she had once read in her brother’s book that mice could understand French. So she asked, “Où est ma chatte?” (“Where is my cat?”).

The poor Mouse leapt out of the water in terror. “Do you mean your cat?” it cried, trembling. “Our family hates cats! If you had a cat here, I would be gone in an instant!”

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” said Alice quickly. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. My cat Dinah is very good at catching mice, though,” she added without thinking.

The Mouse shivered. “Talk about cats again, and I shall swim away!”

Alice tried to change the subject. “Do you like dogs?” she asked. But this made the Mouse angrier. “Dogs are just as bad!” it snapped. “Please speak no more of them!”

Alice begged the Mouse to forgive her, and soon they swam together to the edge of the pool. By this time, many other creatures had fallen in: a Duck, a Dodo, a Lory (a kind of parrot), and several others. The pool was crowded with wet, unhappy animals.

They all climbed out onto the bank, dripping with water. Everyone shivered. “We must get dry,” said the Dodo. “The best way is a Caucus Race.”

“A Caucus Race? What is that?” asked Alice.

The Dodo looked very serious. “The best way to explain is to do it.”

So all the animals formed a large circle. “Run when you like, stop when you like,” said the Dodo. Then they began running in all directions, starting and stopping whenever they pleased. There was no clear beginning and no end. After about half an hour, they were all dry enough.

“Now, the race is over!” said the Dodo. “Everybody has won, and all must have prizes.”

“But who will give the prizes?” asked the animals.

“She must,” said the Dodo, pointing to Alice.

Alice searched in her pocket and found a box of sweets she had carried. She handed them out, one to each animal. “But what about the prize for me?” she asked.

“You must give it yourself,” said the Dodo.

Alice had nothing left except a thimble. She handed it to the Dodo, who gave it back to her with a solemn little speech. Everyone clapped politely.

The creatures then crowded around Alice, asking questions. But soon the Mouse grew impatient. “Let me tell you my tale,” it said. “It will explain why I hate cats and dogs.”

Alice listened eagerly, but she could not stop herself from giggling. The Mouse’s “tale” curled into the shape of a long, thin tail!

“You’re not listening!” cried the Mouse angrily. “You are laughing at me!”

Alice tried to explain, but the Mouse swam off in a huff. The other animals soon drifted away too, leaving Alice alone again.

“Oh dear,” she sighed. “Things get stranger every minute.”

📘 Glossary

Suspiciously – in a way that shows doubt or distrust
Trembling – shaking with fear or cold
Shivered – shook slightly from cold or fear
Caucus Race – a silly, disorganized race with no clear rules
Circle – a round shape or group formation
Prizes – rewards given to winners
Thimble – a small metal cap used to protect the finger while sewing
Solemn – very serious
Clapped – hit hands together to show approval
In a huff – angrily or in bad temper

❓ Comprehension Questions

Who did Alice first meet while swimming in her pool of tears?
Why did the Mouse become frightened when Alice spoke French?
What mistake did Alice make when talking about her cat Dinah?
Which other animals were in the pool?
What was the Dodo’s solution for getting dry?
How was the Caucus Race unusual?
Who gave out the prizes at the end of the race?
What prize did Alice receive?
Why did the Mouse become angry at Alice?
How did Alice feel when the Mouse and animals left her?

✅ Answers

A Mouse.
Because Alice mentioned her cat.
She said Dinah was good at catching mice.
A Duck, a Dodo, a Lory, and other animals.
To hold a Caucus Race.
There was no start or finish; everyone ran however they liked.
Alice.
A thimble.
Because Alice giggled at its “tale” (which looked like a tail).
Lonely and confused.

Thursday, 11 September 2025

📖 Chapter 2: The Hall of Doors

Alice stood in the long hall, staring at the little golden key in her hand. She longed to enter the beautiful garden, but she was far too big to fit through the tiny door.

Then she noticed a small bottle standing on the glass table. Around its neck was a paper label with the words “DRINK ME” beautifully printed.

Alice looked at it carefully. “It doesn’t say poison,” she said, “so it must be safe.” She tasted it and found it delicious—like a mixture of cherry tart, custard, pineapple, roast turkey, and hot buttered toast. In a few moments she began to shrink!

She grew smaller and smaller until she was only ten inches high. “Now I can get into the garden!” she cried with delight.

She ran to the door, but—oh no! She had left the key on the glass table, which was now far above her head. She tried to climb one of the table legs, but it was too slippery. Poor Alice sat down and began to cry.

After a while, she noticed a small glass box lying under the table. Inside it was a tiny cake with the words “EAT ME” marked in currants.

“Well, I’ll try it,” said Alice. “If it makes me grow larger, I can reach the key. If it makes me smaller, I can creep under the door. Either way, I’ll get into the garden.”

She ate a little piece and waited. At once she began to grow. She grew and grew until her head touched the ceiling of the hall! She picked up the little key, but now she was far too tall to go through the tiny door.

Alice sat down and began to cry again. Her tears poured out until they formed a great pool all around her. Soon the water was several inches deep, and Alice found herself swimming.

As she splashed about, she heard something nearby. It was the White Rabbit again, still dressed in his waistcoat, muttering, “Oh my ears and whiskers! How late it’s getting!” He hurried off without noticing Alice.

She tried to call after him, but her voice echoed strangely in the hall. “Oh, what shall I do?” she sobbed, treading water in her own pool of tears.

The adventure was becoming stranger and stranger, and Alice wondered what would happen next.

📘 Glossary

Label – a piece of paper attached to something that gives information
Custard – a sweet, creamy dessert made with eggs and milk
Shrink – to become smaller
Slippery – smooth and difficult to hold onto
Currants – small dried fruits used in cakes
Creep – to move slowly and carefully through a small space
Ceiling – the top inside surface of a room
Pool – a small area filled with water
Treading water – moving arms and legs to stay afloat while swimming
Whiskers – the long hairs on the face of a rabbit or cat

❓ Comprehension Questions

What words were written on the bottle Alice found?
Why did Alice think it was safe to drink?
What happened after Alice drank from the bottle?
Why couldn’t Alice enter the garden even after shrinking?
What food did Alice find under the table?
What was written on the cake?
What happened after Alice ate some of the cake?
Why did Alice begin to cry the second time?
What strange thing happened with her tears?
Who did Alice see again at the end of the chapter?

✅ Answers

“DRINK ME”.
Because the label didn’t say poison.
She shrank until she was only ten inches tall.
Because she had left the key on the high glass table.
A little cake in a glass box.
“EAT ME”.
She grew very tall until her head touched the ceiling.
Because she was too big to fit through the tiny door.
Her tears formed a large pool, and she had to swim in it.
The White Rabbit.

📖 Chapter 1: Down the Rabbit Hole

Alice was sitting by her sister on the riverbank. The day was warm, and she felt sleepy. Her sister was reading a book, but it had no pictures or conversations. Alice thought, “What is the use of a book without pictures or talk?”

She was just about to close her eyes when suddenly a White Rabbit ran past her. There was nothing unusual about a rabbit, but this one was very strange. It wore a waistcoat (a little jacket) and took a pocket watch out of it! The Rabbit looked at the watch and said, “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!” Then it hurried away.

Alice jumped to her feet. She had never seen a rabbit with clothes and a watch before. Burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it.

The Rabbit popped into a large rabbit hole under the hedge. Without thinking, Alice followed.

At once she found herself falling down what seemed to be a very deep well. Either the well was very deep, or she was falling very slowly, for she had plenty of time to look around. The sides of the well were filled with shelves, maps, and jars of jam. Alice picked up a jar labeled Orange Marmalade, but it was empty. Carefully, she placed it on another shelf as she fell.

Down, down, down she went. Alice began to wonder if she would fall all the way through the earth and come out on the other side, among people who walk with their heads downward. She even thought about how to ask them politely for directions back home.

Suddenly—thump! She landed on a heap of dry leaves. She was not hurt at all.

Alice looked up quickly but could no longer see the top of the well. She saw a little passage. There went the White Rabbit, hurrying faster than ever. Alice started running after it, her heart beating with excitement.

The passage went on for some way and then dipped suddenly. Before Alice knew it, she was in a long, low hall.

The hall was lit with rows of lamps hanging from the roof. All around the hall were doors—but they were locked. Alice walked sadly down the middle, wondering how she would ever get out again.

At last she came to a little three-legged table made of glass. On it was a tiny key made of gold. Alice tried the key in every door, but either the locks were too large or the key was too small. On her second round, she discovered a little door hidden behind a curtain. To her joy, the key fitted!

Alice opened the door and looked inside. It was a small passage, not much bigger than a rat hole. At the other end was the most beautiful garden she had ever seen. Beds of bright flowers, fountains, and cool green lawns shone in the sunlight. Alice longed to go through, but she could not even get her head through the doorway.

“Oh, how I wish I could shut up like a telescope!” Alice said aloud. “I could get through easily then.”

How she would make herself smaller—she had no idea. But Alice’s adventure in Wonderland had only just begun.

📘 Glossary

Waistcoat – a short jacket worn with a pocket watch (old-fashioned clothing)
Pocket watch – a small clock carried in a pocket
Curiosity – a strong desire to know or learn something
Hedge – a line of bushes forming a boundary
Heap – a pile of something
Passage – a hallway or narrow path
Dip – a sudden downward slope
Three-legged table – a small table with three legs (common in Victorian homes)
Curtain – a piece of cloth that hangs down to cover something
Telescope – an instrument for seeing faraway objects; it becomes longer or shorter when pulled or pushed

❓ Comprehension Questions

Why was Alice bored at the beginning of the chapter?
What made the White Rabbit unusual?
What did the Rabbit say as it hurried past Alice?
What did Alice see on the shelves inside the well?
What did Alice do with the empty marmalade jar?
Where did Alice land after falling?
What was strange about the hall Alice entered?
What did Alice find on the glass table?
Where did the little golden key finally fit?
Why couldn’t Alice enter the garden?

✅ Answers

The book her sister was reading had no pictures or conversations.
It wore a waistcoat and carried a pocket watch.
“Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!”
Shelves with maps and jars of jam.
She placed it carefully on another shelf.
On a heap of dry leaves.
It had many locked doors and was lit with lamps.
A small golden key.
A tiny door hidden behind a curtain.
The doorway was too small for her to fit through.

Wednesday, 10 September 2025

📖 Tom Sawyer – Chapter 20: Becky’s Trouble

The long summer days rolled on. At school, Tom and Becky were often together again, whispering and smiling during lessons. But sometimes Becky’s pride and Tom’s mischief still caused quarrels.

One hot afternoon, Becky arrived early at school. The classroom was empty, except for the teacher’s tall desk. Becky’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. She had heard that the teacher kept a special book inside—something forbidden to the children.

She tiptoed to the desk, opened the drawer, and pulled out a large book with gold letters on the cover. It was Anatomy of the Human Body. Becky opened the pages with trembling fingers. She had never seen such strange drawings before—bones, organs, and muscles!

But suddenly she heard footsteps. In her hurry to hide the book, she tore one of the pages. Panic rushed over her. She pushed the book back into the desk just as the teacher entered.

Becky’s face turned pale. If he finds out, he will punish me in front of everyone, she thought.

When school began, Becky sat silently at her desk, hardly hearing the lesson. At last the teacher picked up his book. He noticed the torn page. His face grew dark. “Who has dared to damage my book?” he thundered.

The class froze. Becky’s hands shook. She wanted to confess, but fear tied her tongue. Tears welled in her eyes.

Then Tom stood up suddenly. “I did it, sir,” he said clearly.

The teacher glared at him, then gave a sharp lecture about carelessness and respect. Tom was punished with extra tasks but not whipped.

Becky’s heart flooded with gratitude. She looked at Tom with new admiration. Later, when the children left the school, Becky ran to him.

“Oh, Tom, you brave, noble boy!” she cried. “You saved me! I’ll never forget it.”

Tom grinned, though his shoulders ached from his punishment. “Don’t worry, Becky. Friends look after each other.”

From that moment, their quarrels seemed small and unimportant. Becky felt safer knowing Tom would protect her. And Tom, though mischievous as ever, learned that real courage was not just about tricks or adventures—it was about standing up for someone you cared for.

📘 Glossary

Pride – a feeling of self-importance or dignity
Mischief – playful troublemaking or naughty behavior
Sparkled – shone with excitement or light
Forbidden – not allowed
Anatomy – the study of the body and its parts
Organs – parts inside the body (heart, lungs, stomach, etc.)
Panic – sudden, overwhelming fear
Confess – to admit to doing something wrong
Gratitude – thankfulness
Noble – showing good moral character or courage

❓ Comprehension Questions

What special book did Becky find in the teacher’s desk?
How did Becky accidentally damage the book?
Why was Becky afraid when the teacher discovered the torn page?
What did the teacher do when he saw the damage?
Who stood up and took the blame for Becky’s mistake?
How was Tom punished?
How did Becky feel after Tom saved her?
What did Tom say to Becky afterwards?
What lesson did Tom learn about courage?
How did this event change Tom and Becky’s friendship?

✅ Answers

Anatomy of the Human Body.
She tore one of the pages while trying to put it back quickly.
She feared public punishment from the teacher.
He demanded to know who had damaged the book.
Tom.
He was given extra tasks and a lecture, but not whipped.
She felt grateful and admired his bravery.
“Friends look after each other.”
That real courage means protecting someone you care about.
It made their quarrels seem unimportant and strengthened their bond.

Tuesday, 9 September 2025

📖 Tom Sawyer – Chapter 19: Aunt Polly and Tom’s Secret

The picnic was over, and the children were back in the village. Tom felt proud, but life soon returned to its usual ups and downs. He had quarrelled with Becky, made up again, and played at being a doctor. Yet one shadow still hung over him—Aunt Polly.

Aunt Polly was strict but had a soft and loving heart. Tom knew that sometimes he caused her great trouble. He often told her lies to escape punishment. Deep inside, though, he wished she could know how much he truly loved her.

One evening, Aunt Polly had to go out to visit a neighbour. Tom promised to stay home and behave. But as soon as she left, he ran out to meet Becky in the garden. They laughed, whispered secrets, and made plans for the next picnic.

While they talked, Sid, Tom’s half-brother, listened from the window. Sid was quiet and obedient, but he enjoyed telling on Tom. When she came home, he ran to Aunt Polly and said, “Tom wasn’t at home! He was with Becky all evening.”

Aunt Polly frowned. “Tom Sawyer! Come here this instant.”

Tom came slowly, his head hanging. “Yes, Aunt Polly?”

“Did you stay home, as you promised?” she asked.

Tom hesitated. His first thought was to lie. But then he remembered Becky’s admiration when he had bravely told the truth at school. He lifted his eyes and said, “No, Aunt Polly. I went out to see Becky.”

Aunt Polly’s face softened momentarily, but then she said sternly, “You’ve broken your word again, Tom. I don’t know what to do with you.”

Tom’s heart ached. “Aunt Polly,” he said quietly, “I do try to be good, truly I do. I know I make you sad, but I don’t mean to. You’re always kind to me, and I love you.”

Aunt Polly’s eyes filled with tears. She turned away so Tom would not see them. “Oh, Tom,” she whispered, “you’re a bad boy, but you have a good heart.”

Sid tried to interrupt, but Aunt Polly waved him off. For once, she chose to believe Tom.

That night, Tom went to bed with a lighter heart. He felt that, at least for a moment, Aunt Polly had understood him. And for Tom, that was as precious as treasure.

📘 Glossary

Ups and downs – times of happiness and sadness
Strict – expecting rules to be followed carefully
Soft heart – kind and loving nature
Quarrel – an argument or fight
Obedient – always doing what you’re told.
Telling on (someone) – reporting their bad behaviour to an adult
Hesitated – paused before speaking or acting
Sternly – in a serious, strict way
Ached – felt intense emotional pain
Precious – very valuable or deeply loved

❓ Comprehension Questions

What did Tom do after Aunt Polly left to visit a neighbour?
Who overheard Tom and Becky in the garden?
What did Sid do when Aunt Polly came home?
How did Aunt Polly react when she first heard Sid’s report?
What did Tom do when Aunt Polly asked if he had stayed home?
Why did Tom decide not to lie?
How did Aunt Polly feel when Tom told the truth?
What did Tom say to show his love for Aunt Polly?
How did Aunt Polly respond to Tom’s words?
How did Tom feel when he went to bed that night?

✅ Answers

He went out to meet Becky in the garden.
Sid.
He told Aunt Polly that Tom had not stayed home.
She frowned and called Tom to her.
He admitted that he had gone out to see Becky.
He remembered how brave and admired he felt when he told the truth at school.
Her face softened, and she became emotional.
He said he tried to be good, didn’t want to make her sad, and loved her.
She had tears in her eyes and said Tom had a good heart.
He felt lighter and happier that Aunt Polly understood him.

Monday, 8 September 2025

📖 Tom Sawyer – Chapter 18: Tom Becomes a Doctor

The long summer days continued, full of play, quarrels, and forgiveness. Tom and Becky were friends again, and Tom felt proud of his bravery. But soon, a new kind of excitement appeared in Tom’s restless mind.

At school, the children often whispered about doctors. A doctor was a mysterious figure who knew strange secrets, cured sickness, and carried shiny instruments. Tom thought being a doctor must be the greatest thing in the world.

One afternoon, Tom met Joe Harper in the yard. “Joe,” he said, “let’s be doctors.”

Joe’s eyes lit up. “Yes! But we don’t have medicines or tools.”

Tom smiled. “We can make our own. I saw Aunt Polly give Sid a spoonful of something bitter yesterday. We’ll make medicines from roots and powders and heal people.”

The boys began their “practice” at once. They crushed flowers, mixed water with chalk dust, and stirred the strange potions in broken bottles. They even used mud, calling it “healing clay.”

At first, their patients were only stray cats and dogs. But soon the boys turned their attention to themselves. Tom gave Joe a spoonful of the muddy mixture. Joe swallowed bravely, then made a face and cried, “It tastes worse than Aunt Polly’s medicine!”

Tom laughed and tried some himself. His stomach churned, and he lay on the ground, groaning loudly. “It works! Doctors must always test their cures,” he said weakly.

The next day, they discovered a new experiment. Tom brought a dead frog he had found by the river. “Doctors study dead things to learn about life,” he explained. With great seriousness, the boys cut the frog open using a pocketknife. They examined its tiny bones and organs as though they were real scientists.

Their classmates soon heard about Tom and Joe’s experiments. Some were frightened, but others were impressed. Becky wrinkled her nose when she saw the frog, but she secretly admired Tom’s courage.

Unfortunately, their fun ended quickly. The schoolmaster discovered the dead frog hidden in Tom’s desk. His face grew red with anger. “Thomas Sawyer!” he thundered. “Is this your doing?”

Tom gulped. He wanted to lie, but then he remembered Becky’s smile when he had taken the blame for her before. Gathering courage, he stood up. “Yes, sir. It was mine.”

The master gave Tom a sharp punishment with the switch, and the children giggled behind their hands. But Tom did not mind too much. For the rest of the day, he was a hero once again.

That evening, Tom told Huck Finn about his adventure. Huck laughed and said, “You’ll never be a real doctor, Tom. Real doctors go to school for years.”

Tom’s eyes shone with excitement. “Maybe one day, Huck. Maybe one day.”

📘 Glossary

Quarrels – small arguments or fights
Restless – unable to stay still, always looking for something new
Potions – mixtures, often thought to have magical or healing powers
Churned – moved or shook unpleasantly (like a sick stomach)
Groaning – making a low sound of pain
Experiment – a scientific test or trial
Organs – parts inside the body, like heart or lungs
Wrinkled her nose – made a face of dislike or disgust
Switch – a thin stick used for punishment
Hero – someone admired for courage or brave actions

❓ Comprehension Questions

What new idea excited Tom in this chapter?
Who did Tom ask to be a doctor with him?
What strange ingredients did they use to make medicine?
How did Joe react after tasting the mixture?
What did the boys study to “learn about life”?
How did Becky feel about Tom’s frog experiment?
Who found the frog hidden in Tom’s desk?
What did Tom do when the teacher asked whose frog it was?
How was Tom punished for his actions?
What did Tom dream about when talking to Huck Finn?

✅ Answers

The idea of becoming a doctor.
Joe Harper.
Flowers, chalk dust, water, and mud.
He said it tasted worse than Aunt Polly’s medicine.
A dead frog.
She was disgusted but secretly admired his bravery.
The schoolmaster.
He admitted it was his.
He was punished with the switch.
He dreamed of becoming a real doctor one day.