12 th class  ENGLISH 

An Astrologer’s Day

page no 2

   

  

Punctually at midday he opened his bag and spread

out his professional equipment, which consisted of a

dozen cowrie shells(a sea animal ), a square piece of cloth with obscure( संदिग्ध )

mystic charts on it, a notebook, and a bundle of palmyra (पट्टयआ नवर लिहिलेले

writing. His forehead was resplendent (तेजस्वी bright )with sacred ash and

vermilion, and his eyes sparkled with a sharp abnormal

gleam which was really an outcome of a continual

searching look for customers, but which his simple clients

took to be a prophetic light and felt comforted. The power

of his eyes was considerably enhanced by their position-

placed as they were between the painted forehead and the

dark whiskers which streamed down his cheeks : even a

half-wit’s eyes would sparkle in such a setting. To crown

the effect he wound a saffron-coloured turban around

his head. This colour scheme never failed. People were

attracted to him as bees are attracted to cosmos or dahlia

stalks. He sat under the boughs of a spreading tamarind

tree which flanked a path running through the Town Hall

Park. It was a remarkable place in many ways. A surging

crowd was always moving up and down this narrow

road from morning till night. A variety of trades and

occupations was represented all along its way : medicine

sellers, sellers of stolen hardware and junk, magicians,

and above all, an auctioneer(विक्रेता) of cheap cloth, who created

enough din all day to attract the whole town. Next to him

in vociferousness (noisy किंचाळनारा ) came a vendor of fried groundnut, who

gave his ware a fancy name each day, calling it “Bombay

Ice Cream” one day and on the next “Delhi Almond,” and

on the third “Raja’s Delicacy,” and so on and so forth,

and people flocked to him. A considerable portion of this

crowd dallied (wasted time घुटमळणे ) before the astrologer too. The astrologer

transacted his business by the light of a flare which

crackled and smoked up above the groundnut heap nearby.

Half the enchantment (magical effect ) of the place was due to the fact

that it did not have the benefit of municipal lighting. The

place was lit up by shop lights. One or two had hissing

gaslights, some had naked flares stuck on poles, some

were lit up by old cycle lamps, and one or two, like the

astrologer, managed without lights of their own. It was a

bewildering (confusing गोंधलणारा ) crisscross of light rays and moving shadows.

This suited the astrologer very well, for the simple reason

that he had not in the least intended to be an astrologer

when he began life; and he knew no more of what was

going to happen to others than he knew what was going to

happen to himself next minute. He was as much a stranger

to the stars as were his innocent customers. Yet he said

things which pleased and astonished everyone : that was

more a matter of study, practice, and shrewd ( clever ) guesswork.

All the same, it was as much an honest man’s labour as

any other, and he deserved the wages he carried home at

the end of a day.

He had left his village without any previous thought

or plan. If he had continued there he would have carried

on the work of his forefathers - namely, tilling (नागरणे ) the

land, living, marrying, and ripening in his cornfield and

ancestral home. But that was not to be. He had to leave

home without telling anyone, and he could not rest till he

left it behind a couple of hundred miles. To a villager it is

a great deal, as if an ocean flowed between.

He had a working analysis of mankind’s troubles:

marriage, money, and the tangles (गुंतागुंत) of human ties. Long

practice had sharpened his perception. Within five minutes

he understood what was wrong. He charged three pies (coins) per

question, never opened his mouth till the other had spoken

for at least ten minutes, which provided him enough stuff

for a dozen answers and advices. When he told the person

before him, gazing at his palm, “In many ways you are

not getting the fullest results for your efforts,” nine out of

ten were disposed to agree with him. Or he questioned “Is

there any woman in your family, maybe even a distant

relative who is not well disposed towards you?” Or he

gave an analysis of character: “Most of your troubles are

due to your nature. How can you be otherwise with Saturn

where he is? You have an impetuous (impulsive उतावीळ) nature and a rough

exterior (बाहयाग ).” This endeared him to their hearts immediately,

for even the mildest of us loves to think that he has a

forbidding exterior.(भीतीदायक)

(A1) Given below are some descriptions and find out one word for each of them

(a) The scientific study of the universe and the objects in it, including stars,

planets, nebulae and galaxies

-= Astronomy

(b) The study of the movements of the planets, Sun, Moon, and Stars in the

belief that these movements can have an influence on people's lives

=Astrology

(c) A prediction of what will happen in the future

=Forecast

(d) Scientific discipline that studies mental states and processes and behaviour

in humans and other animals

=Psychology

(ii) In the story we are told that the Town Hall Park was a remarkable place

in many ways for an astrologer to build his business.

list the exceptional qualities of the place.

ANS--A surging crowd , suitable lights ,various vendors ,remarkable market place

(iii) The astrologer never opened his mouth till the other had spoken for at

least ten minutes. Find out the reasons behind his act.

ANS=(a) He is good at reading the people.

b)He is good to understand minds of his clients

c)He needs feedback to guess from his question

d)Good presence of mind

e)Well experienced

f)9 out of 10 agree with him

(A2) Complete the web

(i) The tactics used by the astrologer to earn his wages are...

The Tactics

analysis of human troubles

                         use of equipment

The Tactics        presence of mind

his experience and apperance

                  surrounding atmosphere

(ii) Complete

An astrologer's appearance helps to create an impression on his clients.

Complete the following.

ANS=(a) The turban on his head

(b) his mysterious charts

(c) sacred ash and vermilion on forehead

(d) surroundings lights and other things

(iii)Find out

Read the following sentences and choose the correct one.

(a) The astrologer says that if Nayak does not leave his village again, he

would -

(1) return the money

(2) face danger

(3) go back home and stop looking for the man who tried to kill him

(4) not find the killer.

(b) According to the narrator the astrologer's success in his profession is

primarily due to -

(1) luck

(2) the bargains he drives

(3) his appearance

(4) his understanding of people.

(c) The story suggests that the astrologer's comments and observations please

people by -

(1) promising them success and good fortune

(2) proving, as time passes, to have been true

(3) flattering them or supporting their own views

(4) helping them to learn to solve their own problems.

(d) Guru Nayak consults the astrologer because he wants to -

(1) understand the past

(2) find out who the astrologer is

(3) make some money through a bet

(4) get the answer to a specific question.

(e) Guru Nayak is looking for the man who tried to kill him -

(1) to take revenge

(2) to get an apology

(3) to demand an explanation

(4) to prove that the man was unsuccessful.

(f) The astrologer's remark makes Guru Nayak feel all of the following

except-

(1) relieved

(2) suspicious

(3) impressed

(4) disappointed.

(g) Reactions of the astrologer's wife to his news suggest that she -

(1) was unaware of his past

(2) has been worried about his safety

(3) has known him since he was young

(4) is concerned about her future with him.

Textbook page no 4

The nuts vendor blew out his flare and rose to go

home. This was a signal for the astrologer to bundle up

too, since it left him in darkness except for a little shaft of

green light which strayed in from somewhere and touched

the ground before him. He picked up his cowrie shells

and paraphernalia (लवाजमा ) and was putting them back into his

bag when the green shaft of light was blotted out. He

looked up and saw a man standing before him. He sensed

a possible client and said: “You look so careworn. It will

do you good to sit down for a while and chat with me.”

The other grumbled some reply vaguely. The astrologer

pressed his invitation; whereupon the other thrust his palm

under his nose, saying: “You call yourself an astrologer?”

The astrologer felt challenged and said, tilting (bending) the

other’s palm towards the green shaft of light: “Yours

is a nature...” “Oh, stop that, ” the other said. “Tell me

something worthwhile...” Our friend felt piqued (रागावलेला ). I charge

only three pies per question, and what you get ought to be

good enough for your money...” At this the other withdrew

his arm, took out an anna, and flung it out to him, saying

“I have some questions to ask. If I prove you are bluffing,(fraud)भामटा

you must return that anna to me with interest.”

“If you find my answers satisfactory, will you give me five rupees?”

“No.”

“Or will you give me eight annas?”

“All right, provided you give me twice as much if you are wrong,” said the stranger. This pact(agreement)करार was accepted after a little further argument. The astrologer sent up a

: prayer to heaven as the other lit a cheroot (सिगार ). The astrologer

caught a glimpse (ओझरते दिसणे) of his face by the matchlight. There was

a pause as cars hooted on the road, jutka (घोडा गाडी ) drivers swore

at their horses, and the babble of the crowd agitated the

semidarkness of the park. The other sat down, sucking his

cheroot, puffing out,(सुस्कारा ) sat there ruthlessly. The astrologer

felt very uncomfortable. “Here, take your anna back. I am

not used to such challenges. It is late for me today”... He

made preparations to bundle up. The other held his wrist

and said “You can’t get out of it now. You dragged me in

while I was passing.” The astrologer shivered (थर थरणे ) in his grip

and his voice shook and became faint. “Leave me today.

I will speak to you tomorrow.” The other thrust his palm

in his face and said: “Challenge is challenge. Go on.” The

astrologer proceeded with his throat drying up: “There is

a woman...”

“Stop,” said the other. “I don’t want all that. Shall I

succeed in my present search or not? Answer this and go.

Otherwise I will not let you go till you disgorge (रिटर्न give ) all your

coins.” The astrologer muttered a few incantations (मंत्र ऊचार ) and

replied: “All right. I will speak. But will you give me a

rupee if what I say is convincing? Otherwise I will not

open my mouth, and you may do what you like.” After a

good deal of haggling (घासा घिस bargaining) , the other agreed. The astrologer

said: “You were left for dead. Am I right?”

“Ah, tell me more.”

“A knife has passed through you once?” said the

astrologer.

“Good fellow!” He bared his chest to show the scar.

“What else?”

“And then you were pushed into a well nearby in the

field. You were left for dead.”

“I should have been dead if some passer-by (वाटसरु) had not

chanced to peep into (quick look (डोकावणे) the well,” exclaimed the other, over-

whelmed (भारावणे ) by enthusiasm.

“When shall I get at him?” he asked, clenching his fist.

“In the next world,” answered the astrologer. “He

died four months ago in a far-off town. You will never see

any more of him.” The other groaned (कण्हणे)on hearing it. The

astrologer proceeded :

“Guru Nayak-”

“You know my name!” the other said, taken aback.

“As I know all other things. Guru Nayak, listen

carefully to what I have to say. Your village is two days’

journey due north of this town. Take the next train and be

gone. I see once again great danger to your life if you go

from home.” He took out a pinch of sacred ash and held

it to him. “Rub it on your forehead and go home. Never

travel southward again, and you will live to be a hundred.”

“Why should I leave home again?” the other said

reflectively. “I was only going away now and then to look

for him and to choke out his life if I met him.” He shook

his head regretfully. “He has escaped my hands. I hope at

least he died as he deserved.” “Yes,” said the astrologer.

“He was crushed under a lorry. The other looked gratified(pleased समाधानी)

to hear it.

The place was deserted by the time the astrologer

picked up his articles and put them into his bag. The green

shaft was also gone, leaving the place in darkness and

silence. The stranger had gone off into the night, after

giving the astrologer a handful of coins.

It was nearly midnight when the astrologer reached

home. His wife was waiting for him at the door and

demanded an explanation. He flung the coins at her and

said “Count them. One man gave all that.”

“Twelve and a half annas,” she said, counting. She

was overjoyed. “I can buy some jaggery and coconut

tomorrow. The child has been asking for sweets for so

many days now. I will prepare some nice stuff for her.”

“The swine has cheated me! He promised me a rupee,”

said the astrologer. She looked up at him. “You look

worried. What is wrong?”

“Nothing.”

After dinner, sitting on the pyol,( a string cot ) he told her “Do you

know a great load is gone from me today? I thought I had

the blood of a man on my hands all these years. That was

the reason why I ran away from home, settled here, and

married you. He is alive.”

She gasped. “You tried to kill him!”

“Yes, in our village, when I was a silly youngster. We

drank, gambled, and quarreled badly one day - why think

of it now? Time to sleep,” he said, yawning, and stretched

himself on the pyol.

(iv) Read the following sentences and find out True and False sentences. Correct

the False sentences.

ANS=(a) The astrologer gave a correct prediction to the client about his past that

he was stabbed, thrown into a well and left for dead. TRUE

(b) When the astrologer came to know that the man whom he killed is alive

he felt that he was relieved of his guilt. TRUE

(c) The astrologer tried to back out of the deal and talked about the client's

past.

FALSE HE DEMANDED MORE MONEY TO TELL HIS CLIENT’S PAST .

(d) The astrologer rescued himself from Guru Nayak's revenge. TRUE

(e) The moral of the story is that we must be responsible about what we

have done and should not run away from our mistakes. TRUE

(v) The astrologer has changed his appearance and his persona when he

arrived in the city. Give specific reasons.

Ans- Because he wants to hide ,

Try to avoid punishement of his crime,

To earn an income for living

(vi) 'The darkness load that was inside the astrologer has disappeared'. Through

this sentence, explain the significance of the title 'An Astrologer's Day'

--get relief from his tension of his crime

(vii) The astrologer feels relieved that Guru is not dead as it relieves a great

burden from him. Critically justify the statement and explain it.

(viii) The astrologer wins/gets the sympathy of criticism of the reader in the

end. Express your opinion with the support of the main story.

(ix) If we have to eradicate the superstitions and other ill practices from our

society, what steps would you like to suggest?

(x) In the story, astrologer has a great listening power. Listening helps in

developing good relations with people. Express your opinion.

(A3) (i) In the story, the following characters reveal their qualities through words

and actions. Pick out the words that describe them from the box and write

in the appropriate columns.

shrewd             clever          suspicious          gullible

arrogant          demanding          antagonistic          quarrelsome

overconfident          manipulative          skeptical         mystical

smart               caring          protective             sharp

rational         mean         Intuitive          aggressive

worried         cunning         humanistic         impetuous

Answer=

Astrologer- shrewd ,  clever ,  suspicious ,

Guru Nayak= shrewd    , manipulative , arrogant, aggressive

Astrologer's wife= caring ,  protective  ,humanistic , rational        

(ii) Match the suffixes with the words and make nouns.

answer

word

suffix

noun

auction

able

auctioneer

enchant

ure

enchantment

know

ment

knowledge

prepare

eer

preparetion

proceed

ance

proceedure

appear

ledge

appearance

remark

tion

remarkable

(iii) 'An Astrologer's Day' has ironic elements where the astrologer pretends to

have 'supernatural knowledge' that coincidently turns out to be the truth.

Irony means a situation or statement characterized by a significant

difference between what is expected and what actually happens, or between

what is understood and what is meant.

Find out the examples of irony from the story and write them down

(a) He knew no more of what was going to happen to others than he knew

what was going to happen to himself the next minute.

(b) within 5 minutes he understood what was wrong

(c) He had working analysis of man kinds troubles

(iv) In the story, many Indian words are used.

• 'Cowrie shells'. This is an example of code-mixing.

Find out other such words from the story and write them down.

Ans=-Bombay ice cream ,raja’s Delicacy , Delhi Almond , eight annas , jutka drivers

(v) There are some phrases where the word crown is used with different

shades of meaning. Use the following phrases to complete the sentences

meaningfully

.( crowning achievement , to crown the effect , crown of thorns . crowning glory , to crown it all )

a)To crown the effect, he wound a saffron-coloured turban around his

head.

(a) The works of Shakespeare are the crowning glory of English drama.

(b) Amitabh has given us awesome movies throughout five decades. But his.( crowning achievement is his performance in the movie 'Black'.

(c) In her pursuit of success, Radha has distanced herself from her family.

Her fame has become a real crown of thorns .

(d) They threw a wonderful party for me with costumes, games and to crown it all

my favourite kind of ice cream.

(e) Medical science has great inventions, but organ transplantation is definitely

a crowning achievement for human beings.

(A4) (i) Word Usage

Use the words given in the brackets and rewrite the sentences.

a)The power of his eyes was considerably enhanced. (enhancement)

The power of his eyes had a considerably enhancement.

b)He had a working analysis of mankind’s troubles. (worked)

He had a worked on analysis of mankind’s troubles

(c) He knew what was going to happen to himself next minute.(happening)

He knew what was happening to himself next minute.

(d) If you find my answers satisfactory, will you give me five rupees?

(satisfaction)

If you find my answers to your satisfaction , will you give me five rupees?

(e) He shook his head regretfully. (regret)

He shook his head with regret .

(f) It was a bewildering crisscross of light rays. (bewildered

It was bewildered crisscross of light rays

(g) “I should have been dead if some passer-by had not chanced to peep into

the well,” exclaimed the other, overwhelmed by enthusiasm. (enthusiastically)

“I should have been dead if some passer-by had not chanced to peep into

the well,” exclaimed the other, enthusiastically.

(h) You tried to kill him. (killing)

You tried killing him.

(i) I will prepare some nice stuff for her. (preparation)

I will have a preparation of some nice stuff for her.

(j) The other groaned on hearing it. (heard)

The other groaned when he heard it.

ACTIVITY

A1) State the following statements are True or False.

1) The Astrologer’s professional equipment included cowrie shells, a piece of cloth with mystic charts

2) A considerable portion of the crowd that stopped by the fried groundnut vendor didn’t dally before the astrologer .

3) The Astrologer sat under the boughs of a spreading tamarind tree.

4)The Astrologer ‘s said things displeased everyone.

Answer -1 True

2 False

3 True

4 False

A2) Describe : ( 2)

Describe the physical appearance of Astrologer.

A4) Personal Response : ( 2)

Give your opinion / views, on Astrology