My Friend Ramu
by Ruskin Bond (Cambridge Connection English)
Warm-up
Comprehension
A. Answer the questions.
1. Who were the two friends?
= The author and Ramu, the owner of the buffaloes, were the two friends.
2. Where did they meet everyday?
= They met at the pond everyday.
3. Do you think the speaker also came from a farmer's family? Give reasons for your answer.
= I think the speaker also came from a farmer's family.
Because Ramu and the author's Grandfather have the same opinion to be gentle with birds and animals and not to kill so many of them. This shows that the author's grandfather has the same root like Ramu. The author also liked the buffaloes like Ramu.
4. How did the two friends spend their time together?
= The two friends spent their time swimming, racing the buffaloes, watching the sarus cranes, talking about blue-jay, Lord Shiva, squirrels and Lord Krishna.
B. Choose the correct options.
1. The speaker used to go to the pond frequently (frequently/rarely).
2. The speaker had to learn (knew/had to learn) swimming.
3. Ramu was older than (older than/younger than/of the same age as) the speaker.
4. The speaker met Ramu in the summer (winter/summer).
5. Ramu knew (knew/was ignorant of) folklore.
6. Ramu used to come to the pond every day after (after/before) he met the speaker.
C. Read the lines and answer the questions.
1. "It is also important that we respect them,"...
a. Who said these words and to whom?
= The author's Grandfather said these words to the author.
b. What is referred to as them?
= The birds and animals on the earth are referred to as them.
c. How can we show respect to them?
= We can show respect to them by not cutting trees. Birds and animals are finding it more difficult to live because we are destroying their forests. They have to keep moving as trees disappearing.
2. "And when finally I went away, both they and Ramu must have assumed that I would return like the birds.
a. Who went away?
= The author went away.
b. Did Ramu believe that his friend would return?
= Yes, Ramu believed that his friend would return.
c. Explain what is meant be return like the birds.
= The migratory birds leave their place during the winter season. They fly to warm places. Then again they return to their own place in the beginning of summer. Their leaving is temporary. Likewise, Ramu thought that the author would return in a short period of time.
3. "I would often emerge from the pond in shades of green and khaki, then slip into the house through the bathroom, bathing under the tap before getting into my clothes."
a. What do you think shades of green and khaki mean?
= I think shades of green and khaki means the moss and the mud attached on the body of the author.
b. Why did the speaker enter the house in shades of green and khaki after playing with his friend?
= The speaker entered the house in shades of green and khaki after playing with his friend because he wanted to get fresh before getting into clothes.
c. Do you think the speaker wanted this friendship to remain a secret? Which line from the passage tells you this?
= Yes, I think the speaker wanted this friendship to remain a secret.
Because he entered through the bathroom. He did not want anyone to look him in such condition. No one can guess what had happened to him and about his friendship with Ramu.
The line from the passage that tells this is - 'then slip into the house through the bathroom, bathing under the tap before getting into my clothes.'
D. Choose the correct options.
1. The speaker says that Ramu had as yet received no schooling. But he was well-versed in folklore and knew a great deal about birds and animals. Do you think this sentence shows that the author believed that
a. only those who go to school are better informed about a lot of things. [✓]
b. only those who go to school are not the only ones who know a lot of things. [ ]
2. Ramu came from a family of farmers and had as yet received no schooling. Does this mean that
a. Ramu might go to school in the future? [✓]
b. Ramu will never get a chance to go to school? [ ]
E. Think and answer.
1. Why do you think the speaker and Ramu liked each other's company?
= Yes, I think the speaker and Ramu liked each other's company. The author did not know swimming. Ramu taught him how to swimming. They sometimes would made buffalo racing. They spent time watching the sarus cranes. They discussed about many birds and animals. They spent many long summer afternoon at the pond.
2. Do you agree with Grandfather's words about the condition of birds and animals in today's world? Give reasons for your answer.
= Yes, I totally agree with Grandfather's words about the condition of birds and animals in today's world.
Animals are lacking their adobe and food due to the deforestation and pollution. Many species have already been extinct. Many animals are now in endangered condition. We should be immediately aware of deforestation and pollution unless the whole ecosystem will be in danger.
About the Author :
Ruskin Bond is an award-winning Indian author of British descent, much renowned for his role in promoting children's literature in India. A prolific writer, he has written over 500 short stories, essays and novels. His short stories are delightful. Ruskin Bond's Children's Omnibus is a collection of his famous stories for children.