Poetry of Dr. Shankar D Mishra: The Girl Who Can . - Part Two, Page 155-158 GLOSSARY, SUMMARY& QUESTION-ANSWERS

The Girl Who Can

– Ama Ata Aidoo

Part Two, Page 155-158

The Girl Who Can. GLOSSARY, SUMMARY& QUESTION-ANSWERS

‘Oh, Mother.’ That’s how my mother would answer. Very, very quietly. And the discussion would end or they would move on to something else.

Sometimes, Nana would pull in something about my father.

How, ‘Looking at such a man, we have to be humble and admit that after all, God’s children are many.. .’

How, ‘After one's only daughter had insisted on marrying a man like that, you still have to thank your God that the biggest problem you got later was having a granddaughter with spindly legs that are too long for a woman, and too thin to be of any use.’

The way she always added that bit about my father under her breath, she probably thought I didn’t hear it. But I always heard it. Plus, that is what always shut my mother up for good, so that even if I had not actually heard the words, once my mother looked like even her little courage was finished, I could always guess what Nana had added to the argument.

‘Legs that have meat on them with good calves to support solid hips... to be able to have children.’

So I wished that one day I would see, for myself, the legs of any woman who had children. But in our village, that is not easy. The older women wear long wrap-arounds all the time. Perhaps if they let me go bathe in the river in the evening, I could have checked. But I never had the chance. It took a lot of begging: just to get my mother and Nana to let me go splash around in the shallow end of the river with my friends, who were other little girls like me. For proper baths, we used the small bathhouse behind out hut. Therefore, the only naked female legs I have ever really seen are those of other little girls like me. Or older girls in the school. And those of my mother and Nana: two pairs of legs which must surely belong to the approved kind; because Nana gave birth to my mother and my mother gave birth to me. In my eyes, all my friends have got legs that look like legs: but whether the legs have got meat on them to support the kind of hips that... that I don’t know.

According to the older boys and girls, the distance between our little village and the small town is about five kilometres. I don’t know what five kilometres mean. They always complain about how long it is to walk to school and back. But to me, we live in our village, and walking those kilometres didn’t matter. School is nice.

School is another thing Nana and my mother discussed often and appeared to have different ideas about. Nana thought it would be a waste of time. I never understood what she meant. My mother seemed to know - and disagreed. She kept telling Nana that she, that is, my mother, felt she was locked into some kind of darkness because she didn’t go to school. So that if I, her daughter, could learn to write and read my own name and a little besides – perhaps be able to calculate some things on paper – that would be good. I could always marry later and maybe . . .

Nana would just laugh. ‘Ah, maybe with legs like hers, she might as well go to school.’

Running with our classmates on our small sports field and winning first place each time never seemed to me to be anything about which to tell anyone at home. This time it was different. I don’t know how the teachers decided to let me run for the junior section of our school in the district games. But they did.

When I went home to tell my mother and Nana, they had not believed it at first. So Nana had taken it upon herself to go and ‘ask into it properly’. She came home to tell my mother that it was really true. I was one of my school’s runners.

‘Is that so?’ exclaimed my mother. I know her. Her mouth moved as though she was going to tell Nana, that, after all, there was a secret about me she couldn’t be expected to share with anyone. But then Nana herself looked so pleased, out of surprise my mother shut her mouth up. In any case, since the first time they heard the news, I have often caught Nana staring at my legs with a strange look on her face, but still pretending like she was not looking. All this week, she has been washing my school uniform herself. That is a big surprise. And she didn’t stop at that, she even went to Mr Mensah’s house and borrowed his charcoal pressing iron each time, came back home with it, and ironed and ironed and ironed the uniform, until, if I had been the uniform, I would have said aloud that I had had enough.

Wearing my school uniform this week has been very nice. At the parade the first afternoon, it caught the rays of the sun and shone brighter than everybody else’s uniform. I'm sure Nana saw that too, and must have liked it. Yes, she has been coming into town with us every afternoon of this district sports week. Each afternoon, she has pulled one set of fresh old cloth from the big brass bowl to wear. And those old cloths are always so stiffly starched, you can hear the cloth creak when she passes by. But she walks way behind us school children. As though she was on her own way to some place else.

Yes, I have won every race I ran in for my school, and I have won the cup for the best all-round junior athlete. Yes, Nana said that she didn’t care if such things are not done. She would do it. You know what she did? She carried the gleaming cup on her back. Like they do with babies, and other very precious things. And this time, not taking the trouble to walk by herself.

When we arrived in our village, she entered our compound to show the cup to my mother before going to give it back to the Headmaster.

Oh. Grown-ups are so strange. Nana is right now carrying me on her knee, and crying softly. Muttering, muttering, muttering. That ‘saa’, thin legs can also be useful. .. thin legs can also be useful ... That ‘even though some legs don‘t have much meat on them, to carry hips... they can run. Thin legs can run... then who knows?.. .’

I don’t know too much about such things. But that’s how I was feeling and thinking all along. That surely, one should be able to do other things with legs as well as have them because they can support hips that make babies. Except that l was afraid of saying that sort of thing aloud. Because someone would have told me never, never but NEVER to repeat such words. Or else, they would have laughed so much at what I‘d said, they would have cried.

It‘s much better this way. To have acted it out to show them, although I could not have planned it.

As for my mother, she has been speechless as usual.

Glossary – Glossary – The Girl Who Can, Part One, pp. 152–154

1. Discussion – a talk about a subject; चर्चा / ଆଲୋଚନା

2. Very quietly – in a very soft voice; बहुत धीमी आवाज़ में / ଅତି ଧୀର ସ୍ୱରରେ

3. Move on – change the subject or continue with something else; आगे बढ़ना / ଅନ୍ୟ ବିଷୟକୁ ଯିବା

4. Humble – modest and not proud; विनम्र / ବିନମ୍ର

5. Admit – accept or acknowledge something as true; स्वीकार करना / ସ୍ୱୀକାର କରିବା

6. Insist – demand or say something firmly; ज़ोर देकर कहना / ଦୃଢ଼ ଭାବରେ କହିବା

7. Granddaughter – daughter of one's son or daughter; पोती/नातिन / ନାତୁଣୀ

8. Spindly – very thin and weak-looking; बहुत पतला और कमजोर दिखने वाला / ଅତି ପତଳା ଓ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଦିଶୁଥିବା

9. Under her breath – in a very low voice; बहुत धीमी आवाज़ में / ଅତି ଧୀର ସ୍ୱରରେ

10. Shut my mother up for good – made my mother stop speaking completely; मेरी माँ को पूरी तरह चुप करा दिया / ମୋ ମାଆଙ୍କୁ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଚୁପ୍ କରାଇଦେଲା

11. Argument – a disagreement or verbal dispute; बहस / ଯୁକ୍ତିତର୍କ

12. For myself – personally; स्वयं / ନିଜେ

13. Wrap-arounds – long pieces of cloth wrapped around the body; शरीर के चारों ओर लपेटे जाने वाले लंबे वस्त्र / ଦେହରେ ଗୁଡ଼ାଯାଉଥିବା ଲମ୍ବା କପଡ଼ା

14. Bathe – wash oneself; नहाना / ଗାଧୋଇବା

15. Splash around – play or move about in water, making splashes; पानी में छींटे उड़ाते हुए खेलना / ପାଣିରେ ଛିଟା ମାରି ଖେଳିବା

16. Shallow end – the part of water that is not deep; उथला हिस्सा / ଅଗଭୀର ଅଂଶ

17. Proper baths – complete or regular bathing; ठीक से स्नान करना / ଭଲ ଭାବରେ ଗାଧୋଇବା

18. Bathhouse – a small place used for bathing; स्नानघर / ଗାଧୁଆଘର

19. Naked – without clothes; नग्न / ଉଲଗ୍ନ

20. Approved kind – the accepted or considered proper type; मान्य प्रकार / ଗ୍ରହଣୀୟ ପ୍ରକାର

21. In my eyes – in my opinion or according to my observation; मेरी दृष्टि में / ମୋ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରେ

22. Whether – if or not; क्या / କି

23. Support – hold up or provide strength to; सहारा देना / ଆଧାର ଦେବା

24. According to – as stated or believed by someone; के अनुसार / କାହାର ମତାନୁସାରେ

25. Distance – the amount of space between two places; दूरी / ଦୂରତା

26. Kilometres – units of length equal to 1000 metres; किलोमीटर / କିଲୋମିଟର

27. Complain – express dissatisfaction or annoyance; शिकायत करना / ଅଭିଯୋଗ କରିବା

28. Didn’t matter – was not important or significant; कोई महत्व नहीं था / କିଛି ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱ ନଥିଲା

29. Discussed – talked about something; चर्चा की / ଆଲୋଚନା କରିଥିଲେ

30. Appeared to have – seemed to possess or show; ऐसा प्रतीत हुआ कि / ଥିବା ପରି ଦେଖାଗଲା

31. Waste of time – something that brings no benefit; समय की बर्बादी / ସମୟର ଅପଚୟ

32. Disagreed – had a different opinion; असहमत हुई / ଅସହମତ ହେଲେ

33. Locked into some kind of darkness – trapped in ignorance or lack of awareness; अज्ञान या अंधकार में फँसी हुई / ଅଜ୍ଞାନ ବା ଅନ୍ଧକାରରେ ଆବଦ୍ଧ

34. Besides – in addition to; इसके अतिरिक्त / ଏହା ବ୍ୟତୀତ

35. Calculate – find out by using numbers; गणना करना / ଗଣନା କରିବା

36. Might as well – should do something because there is no better choice; ऐसा करना ही बेहतर है / ଏପରି କରିବା ହିଁ ଭଲ

37. Running – taking part in a race; दौड़ना / ଦୌଡ଼ିବା

38. Classmates – students in the same class; सहपाठी / ସହପାଠୀ

39. Junior section – group meant for younger students; कनिष्ठ वर्ग / କନିଷ୍ଠ ବିଭାଗ

40. District games – sports events held at district level; ज़िला स्तर की खेल प्रतियोगिताएँ / ଜିଲ୍ଲାସ୍ତରୀୟ କ୍ରୀଡ଼ା ପ୍ରତିଯୋଗିତା

41. Taken it upon herself – accepted responsibility voluntarily; स्वयं जिम्मेदारी ले ली / ନିଜେ ଦାୟିତ୍ୱ ନେଲେ

42. Ask into it properly – inquire or investigate carefully; ठीक से जाँच-पड़ताल करना / ଭଲ ଭାବରେ ତଦନ୍ତ କରିବା

43. Runners – people who take part in running races; धावक / ଧାବକ

44. Exclaimed – cried out suddenly with strong feeling; भावावेश में अचानक कहा / ଭାବାବେଶରେ ହଠାତ୍ କହିଲେ

45. Couldn’t be expected – was not reasonable to expect; उम्मीद नहीं की जा सकती थी / ଆଶା କରାଯାଇପାରୁ ନଥିଲା

46. Staring – looking fixedly for a long time; लगातार घूरकर देखना / ଏକଦୃଷ୍ଟିରେ ଚାହିଁ ରହିବା

47. Pretending – behaving as if something is true when it is not; दिखावा करना / ଛଳନା କରିବା

48. Strange look – an unusual expression; अजीब नज़र / ଅଦ୍ଭୁତ ଦୃଷ୍ଟି

49. Uniform – special clothes worn by members of a group; वर्दी / ପୋଷାକ

50. Borrowed – took something with the intention of returning it; उधार लिया / ଧାର ନେଲେ

51. Charcoal pressing iron – an iron heated with charcoal; कोयले से गरम की जाने वाली इस्त्री / ଅଙ୍ଗାରରେ ଗରମ କରାଯାଉଥିବା ଇସ୍ତ୍ରୀ

52. Ironed – made clothes smooth with an iron; इस्त्री की / ଇସ୍ତ୍ରୀ କଲେ

53. Parade – a formal march or display; परेड / ଶୋଭାଯାତ୍ରା

54. Rays of the sun – beams of sunlight; सूर्य की किरणें / ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟଙ୍କ କିରଣ

55. Shone brighter – appeared more brilliant; अधिक चमकीला दिखाई दिया / ଅଧିକ ଉଜ୍ଜ୍ୱଳ ଦେଖାଗଲା

56. Stiffly starched – made very stiff with starch; कड़ा माँजा हुआ / କଠିନ ଭାବରେ ମାଣ୍ଡ ଦିଆଯାଇଥିବା

57. Creak – make a harsh squeaking sound; चरमराने की आवाज़ करना / କରକର ଶବ୍ଦ କରିବା

58. All-round junior athlete – a young sportsperson good at several events; कई खेलों में अच्छा कनिष्ठ खिलाड़ी / ବିଭିନ୍ନ କ୍ରୀଡ଼ାରେ ଭଲ କରୁଥିବା କନିଷ୍ଠ କ୍ରୀଡ଼ାବିତ୍

59. Gleaming – shining brightly; चमकता हुआ / ଝଲମଲ କରୁଥିବା

60. Precious – very valuable or dearly loved; कीमती / ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ

61. Compound – enclosed area around a house; घर का आँगन / ଘରର ପରିସର

62. Headmaster – the principal of a school; प्रधानाध्यापक / ପ୍ରଧାନଶିକ୍ଷକ

63. Muttering – speaking in a low, unclear voice; बुदबुदाना / ଅସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ ଭାବରେ ବୁଦ୍‌ବୁଦାଇବା

64. Useful – having practical value; उपयोगी / ଉପଯୋଗୀ

65. Meat on them – enough flesh or fullness on the legs; पैरों पर पर्याप्त मांस / ଗୋଡ଼ରେ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାପ୍ତ ମାଂସ

66. Calves – fleshy parts at the back of the lower legs; पिंडलियाँ / ଗୋଡ଼ର ପଛପଟର ପେଶୀ

67. Solid hips – strong and well-developed hips; मजबूत कूल्हे / ସୁଦୃଢ଼ ନିତମ୍ବ

68. Have children – give birth to children; बच्चों को जन्म देना / ସନ୍ତାନ ଜନ୍ମ ଦେବା

69. Acted it out – showed something through actions; करके दिखा दिया / କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ଦେଖାଇଦେଲା

70. Speechless – unable to speak because of strong emotion; निशब्द / ନିର୍ବାକ

Summary

The narrator recalls how her mother would respond very quietly whenever Nana raised certain matters, after which the discussion would either end or move to another subject. Nana sometimes brought the narrator’s father into these discussions. She would say that, when looking at such a man, one had to be humble and accept that God’s children were many. She would then refer to the fact that, after her only daughter had insisted on marrying such a man, the greatest problem she later had was a granddaughter whose legs were too long and thin for a woman and seemingly too weak to be useful.

Nana usually added these remarks about the narrator’s father under her breath, probably thinking that the narrator could not hear them. However, the narrator always heard them. These remarks also completely silenced her mother. Even when the narrator had not actually heard Nana's words, she could understand what had been said when she saw that her mother's little courage had disappeared. Nana believed that a woman should have legs with enough flesh and good calves to support solid hips so that she could have children.

The narrator became curious about what the legs of women who had children actually looked like. She wished that she could see them for herself. However, this was not easy in her village because older women always wore long wrap-arounds. She thought that perhaps she could have checked when bathing in the river in the evening, but she never got the opportunity. She had to beg a lot before her mother and Nana allowed her to go to the shallow part of the river and splash around there with her little-girl friends.

For proper bathing, the girls used a small bathhouse behind their hut. Therefore, the only naked female legs the narrator had really seen were those of other little girls, older girls at school, and her mother and Nana. She thought that the legs of her mother and Nana must belong to the approved kind because Nana had given birth to her mother and her mother had given birth to her. In the narrator's eyes, all her friends had legs that looked like legs, but she did not know whether they had enough flesh to support the kind of hips Nana considered necessary.

According to the older boys and girls, their little village was about five kilometres from the small town. The narrator did not understand what five kilometres meant. The older children complained about how long it was to walk to school and back, but she did not find the distance important because she lived in the village and enjoyed going to school.

School was another subject about which Nana and the narrator's mother often had different opinions. Nana believed that going to school was a waste of time. The narrator did not understand what Nana meant by this, but her mother seemed to understand and disagreed with her. Her mother repeatedly told Nana that she felt as though she had been locked into some kind of darkness because she had not gone to school.

The mother therefore wanted her daughter to learn to write and read her own name and a little more. She also thought that it would be useful if the girl could calculate some things on paper. After that, she could marry later. Nana would simply laugh at this and say that perhaps, with legs like the girl's, she might as well go to school.

The narrator regularly ran with her classmates on their small sports field and won first place each time. She had never considered this something worth telling people at home. On this occasion, however, things were different. She did not know how the teachers had decided to let her represent the junior section of her school in the district games, but they did. When she told her mother and Nana, they initially did not believe her.

Nana therefore took it upon herself to find out whether it was really true. She went and asked about it properly and returned home to tell the narrator's mother that it was indeed true: the narrator was one of her school's runners.

The narrator's mother was surprised and exclaimed when she heard this. The narrator knew her mother well and felt that her mother was about to tell Nana that there was a secret about the girl which she could not be expected to share with anyone. But Nana herself looked so pleased that the mother stopped speaking. Since they had first heard the news, the narrator had often noticed Nana staring at her legs strangely while pretending that she was not looking.

During that whole week, Nana did something unusual: she washed the narrator's school uniform herself. She even went to Mr Mensah's house to borrow his charcoal pressing iron and repeatedly ironed the uniform. The narrator humorously imagines that, if she had been the uniform, she would have complained that she had had enough.

The narrator enjoyed wearing her school uniform that week. At the parade on the first afternoon, the uniform caught the rays of the sun and shone more brightly than everybody else's uniform. She was sure Nana noticed this and liked it. Nana had also been coming into town with the schoolchildren every afternoon during the district sports week.

Each afternoon, Nana took out a fresh old cloth from her large brass bowl to wear. The cloths were so stiffly starched that they made a creaking sound when she walked. However, Nana walked far behind the schoolchildren, as though she were going somewhere else by herself.

The narrator then reveals that she had won every race she had run for her school. She had also won the cup for the best all-round junior athlete. Nana said that she did not care whether such things were normally done or not; she would do what she wanted. She carried the gleaming cup on her back, just as people carry babies and other precious things.

When they reached their village, Nana entered their compound and showed the cup to the narrator's mother before returning it to the Headmaster.

At the end, the narrator observes that grown-ups are very strange. Nana is carrying her on her knee and crying softly. While doing so, Nana repeatedly mutters that the girl's thin legs can also be useful. She recognizes that although the girl's legs do not have much flesh to support the kind of hips associated with having babies, they can run. She begins to think that thin legs can run and that perhaps there is no telling what else they may be capable of.

The narrator herself says that she does not know much about such matters, but this is exactly how she had been feeling and thinking all along. She believes that legs should be able to do other things besides supporting hips that make babies. However, she had been afraid to say this openly because someone would have told her never to repeat such words, or people would have laughed so much at what she said that they would have cried.

Finally, she says that it is much better this way because she has demonstrated the usefulness of her legs through her actions, even though she had never planned to do so. Her mother, as usual, remains speechless.

Complete progression of the passage

Nana criticizes the girl's thin legs → the girl becomes curious about women's legs → she thinks about what makes a woman's body acceptable in Nana's eyes → school becomes another point of disagreement between Nana and her mother → the girl becomes a successful school runner → Nana investigates and confirms it → Nana begins taking special care of the girl's uniform → the girl wins every race and the best all-round junior athlete's cup → Nana proudly carries the cup → Nana finally realizes that thin legs can also be useful because they can run → the girl feels that her actions have proved what she could not safely say in words.

सारांश

वर्णनकर्ता (लेखिका) याद करती है कि जब भी नाना (नानी/दादी) कुछ खास मुद्दे उठाती थीं, तो उसकी माँ बहुत शांति से जवाब देती थी, जिसके बाद बातचीत या तो खत्म हो जाती थी या किसी दूसरे विषय पर चली जाती थी। नाना कभी-कभी इन चर्चाओं में वर्णनकर्ता के पिता को भी खींच लाती थीं। वह कहती थीं कि ऐसे आदमी को देखते समय इंसान को विनम्र होना चाहिए और यह स्वीकार करना चाहिए कि भगवान के बच्चे बहुत सारे हैं। फिर वह इस बात का जिक्र करती थीं कि उनकी इकलौती बेटी द्वारा ऐसे आदमी से शादी करने की जिद के बाद, बाद में उनके सामने सबसे बड़ी समस्या एक ऐसी पोती/नातिन की थी जिसके पैर एक महिला के लिए बहुत लंबे और पतले थे और इतने कमजोर लगते थे कि किसी काम के न हों। नाना आमतौर पर वर्णनकर्ता के पिता के बारे में ये बातें बुदबुदाते हुए कहती थीं, शायद यह सोचकर कि वर्णनकर्ता उन्हें सुन नहीं सकती। हालाँकि, वर्णनकर्ता हमेशा उन्हें सुन लेती थी। इन टिप्पणियों से उसकी माँ भी पूरी तरह शांत हो जाती थी। यहाँ तक कि जब वर्णनकर्ता ने वास्तव में नाना के शब्द नहीं सुने होते थे, तब भी वह अपनी माँ के गायब हो चुके थोड़े-बहुत साहस को देखकर समझ जाती थी कि क्या कहा गया होगा।

नाना का मानना था कि एक महिला के पैर मांसल और पिंडली अच्छी होनी चाहिए ताकि वे भारी कूल्हों को सहारा दे सकें और वह बच्चे पैदा कर सके। वर्णनकर्ता के मन में यह जानने की उत्सुकता पैदा हुई कि बच्चे पैदा करने वाली महिलाओं के पैर वास्तव में कैसे दिखते हैं। वह चाहती थी कि वह खुद उन्हें देख सके। हालाँकि, उसके गाँव में ऐसा करना आसान नहीं था क्योंकि बड़ी उम्र की महिलाएँ हमेशा लंबी लुंगी (रैप-अराउंड) पहनती थीं। उसने सोचा कि शायद वह शाम को नदी में नहाते समय इसकी जाँच कर सकती थी, लेकिन उसे कभी ऐसा मौका नहीं मिला। अपनी माँ और नाना से नदी के उथले हिस्से में जाने और अपनी सहेलियों के साथ वहाँ पानी में छपाक-छपाक करने की अनुमति लेने के लिए उसे बहुत मिन्नतें करनी पड़ती थीं। ठीक से नहाने के लिए लड़कियाँ अपनी झोपड़ी के पीछे एक छोटे से स्नानघर का उपयोग करती थीं। इसलिए, वर्णनकर्ता ने वास्तव में केवल दूसरी छोटी लड़कियों, स्कूल की बड़ी लड़कियों और अपनी माँ व नाना के ही नग्न पैर देखे थे। उसने सोचा कि उसकी माँ और नाना के पैर निश्चित रूप से स्वीकृत प्रकार के होंगे क्योंकि नाना ने उसकी माँ को जन्म दिया था और उसकी माँ ने उसे जन्म दिया था। वर्णनकर्ता की आँखों में, उसकी सभी सहेलियों के पैर पैरों जैसे ही लगते थे, लेकिन वह नहीं जानती थी कि उनमें नाना के अनुसार आवश्यक कूल्हों को सहारा देने के लिए पर्याप्त मांस था या नहीं।

बड़े लड़के-लड़कियों के अनुसार, उनका छोटा सा गाँव छोटे शहर से लगभग पाँच किलोमीटर दूर था। वर्णनकर्ता को समझ नहीं आता था कि पाँच किलोमीटर का क्या मतलब होता है। बड़े बच्चे स्कूल जाने और वापस आने के लंबे रास्ते की शिकायत करते थे, लेकिन उसे यह दूरी महत्वपूर्ण नहीं लगती थी क्योंकि वह गाँव में रहती थी और उसे स्कूल जाना अच्छा लगता था। स्कूल एक और ऐसा विषय था जिस पर नाना और वर्णनकर्ता की माँ के विचार अक्सर अलग होते थे। नाना का मानना था कि स्कूल जाना समय की बर्बादी है। वर्णनकर्ता को समझ नहीं आता था कि नाना का इससे क्या मतलब है, लेकिन उसकी माँ समझती थी और उनसे असहमत थी। उसकी माँ बार-बार नाना से कहती थी कि उसे ऐसा महसूस होता है जैसे वह किसी अंधेरे में बंद हो गई हो क्योंकि वह स्कूल नहीं गई थी। इसलिए माँ चाहती थी कि उसकी बेटी अपना नाम लिखना-पढ़ना और उससे थोड़ा और अधिक सीखे। उसने यह भी सोचा कि अगर लड़की कागज पर कुछ हिसाब-किताब कर सके तो यह उपयोगी होगा। उसके बाद, वह बाद में शादी कर सकती थी। नाना इस पर सिर्फ हँसती थीं और कहती थीं कि शायद लड़की के जैसे पैर हैं, उसके लिए स्कूल जाना ही बेहतर है।

वर्णनकर्ता नियमित रूप से अपने सहपाठियों के साथ अपने छोटे से खेल के मैदान में दौड़ती थी और हर बार पहला स्थान पाती थी। उसने कभी भी इसे घर पर लोगों को बताने लायक बात नहीं समझा था। हालाँकि, इस बार बात अलग थी। वह नहीं जानती थी कि शिक्षकों ने जिला खेलों में उसके स्कूल के जूनियर सेक्शन का प्रतिनिधित्व करने के लिए उसे चुनने का फैसला कैसे किया, लेकिन उन्होंने ऐसा किया। जब उसने अपनी माँ और नाना को बताया, तो उन्होंने शुरू में उसकी बात पर विश्वास नहीं किया। इसलिए नाना ने खुद यह पता लगाने की जिम्मेदारी ली कि क्या यह वाकई सच है। वह गईं और इसके बारे में ठीक से पूछताछ की और घर लौटकर वर्णनकर्ता की माँ को बताया कि यह वास्तव में सच था: वर्णनकर्ता उसके स्कूल के धावकों में से एक थी। यह सुनकर वर्णनकर्ता की माँ हैरान रह गई और चिल्ला उठी। वर्णनकर्ता अपनी माँ को अच्छी तरह से जानती थी और उसे लगा कि उसकी माँ नाना को यह बताने वाली थी कि लड़की के बारे में एक ऐसा रहस्य है जिसे किसी के साथ साझा करने की उम्मीद नहीं की जा सकती। लेकिन नाना खुद इतनी खुश दिख रही थीं कि माँ ने बोलना बंद कर दिया।

जब से उन्होंने पहली बार यह खबर सुनी थी, वर्णनकर्ता ने अक्सर ध्यान दिया था कि नाना अजीब तरह से उसके पैरों को घूरती थीं और ऐसा नाटक करती थीं जैसे वह देख नहीं रही हों। उस पूरे सप्ताह, नाना ने कुछ असामान्य किया: उन्होंने वर्णनकर्ता की स्कूल यूनिफॉर्म खुद धोई। यहाँ तक कि वह मिस्टर मेन्सा के घर कोयले वाली प्रेस उधार लेने गईं और यूनिफॉर्म को बार-बार प्रेस किया। वर्णनकर्ता मज़ाकिया अंदाज़ में कल्पना करती है कि अगर वह खुद यूनिफॉर्म होती, तो शिकायत कर देती कि अब बहुत हो चुका। वर्णनकर्ता को उस सप्ताह अपनी स्कूल यूनिफॉर्म पहनना बहुत अच्छा लगा। दोपहर की पहली परेड में, यूनिफॉर्म पर सूरज की किरणें पड़ीं और वह बाकी सभी की यूनिफॉर्म से ज़्यादा चमक रही थी। उसे यकीन था कि नाना ने इस पर ध्यान दिया था और उन्हें यह पसंद आया था।

नाना जिला खेल सप्ताह के दौरान हर दोपहर स्कूली बच्चों के साथ शहर भी आ रही थीं। हर दोपहर, नाना अपने बड़े पीतल के कटोरे से पहनने के लिए एक नया पुराना कपड़ा निकालती थीं। कपड़े इतने कड़े कलफदार (स्टार्च वाले) होते थे कि जब वह चलती थीं तो चूं-चूं की आवाज़ आती थी। हालाँकि, नाना स्कूली बच्चों से बहुत पीछे चलती थीं, जैसे कि वह खुद कहीं और जा रही हों।

वर्णनकर्ता फिर बताती है कि उसने अपने स्कूल के लिए लड़ी हर दौड़ जीती थी। उसने सर्वश्रेष्ठ ऑल-राउंड जूनियर एथलीट का कप भी जीता था। नाना ने कहा कि उन्हें इसकी परवाह नहीं है कि ऐसी चीजें आमतौर पर की जाती हैं या नहीं; वह वही करेंगी जो वह चाहती हैं। उन्होंने चमकते हुए कप को अपनी पीठ पर लाद लिया, ठीक उसी तरह जैसे लोग बच्चों और अन्य कीमती चीजों को ले जाते हैं। जब वे अपने गाँव पहुँचे, तो नाना ने उनके अहाते में प्रवेश किया और हेडमास्टर को वापस करने से पहले कप वर्णनकर्ता की माँ को दिखाया।

अंत में, वर्णनकर्ता ध्यान देती है कि बड़े लोग बहुत अजीब होते हैं। नाना उसे अपने घुटने पर बैठाए हुए हैं और धीरे-धीरे रो रही हैं। ऐसा करते हुए, नाना बार-बार बुदबुदाती हैं कि लड़की के पतले पैर भी काम आ सकते हैं। वह स्वीकार करती हैं कि भले ही लड़की के पैरों में बच्चे पैदा करने वाले कूल्हों को सहारा देने के लिए बहुत मांस नहीं है, लेकिन वे दौड़ सकते हैं। वह सोचने लगती हैं कि पतले पैर दौड़ सकते हैं और शायद कोई नहीं जानता कि वे और क्या-क्या करने में सक्षम हो सकते हैं। वर्णनकर्ता खुद कहती है कि वह ऐसे मामलों के बारे में ज़्यादा नहीं जानती, लेकिन वह शुरू से ही बिल्कुल ऐसा ही महसूस और सोच रही थी। उसका मानना है कि पैरों को बच्चे पैदा करने वाले कूल्हों को सहारा देने के अलावा अन्य काम भी करने में सक्षम होना चाहिए। हालाँकि, वह इसे खुलकर कहने से डरती थी क्योंकि कोई उससे कहता कि ऐसी बातें कभी मत दोहराना, या लोग उसकी बात पर इतना हँसते कि वे रो पड़ते। अंत में, वह कहती है कि इस तरह से यह बहुत बेहतर है क्योंकि उसने अपने कार्यों के माध्यम से अपने पैरों की उपयोगिता साबित कर दी है, भले ही उसने ऐसा करने की कभी योजना नहीं बनाई थी। उसकी माँ, हमेशा की तरह, अवाक रह जाती है।

पाठ का पूर्ण घटनाक्रम (Complete Progression of the Passage)

नाना द्वारा लड़की के पतले पैरों की आलोचना करना →
लड़की के मन में महिलाओं के पैरों को लेकर उत्सुकता पैदा होना →
वह इस बारे में सोचना कि नाना की नज़रों में महिला का शरीर किस वजह से स्वीकार्य बनता है →
स्कूल जाना नाना और उसकी माँ के बीच असहमति का एक और मुद्दा बनना →
लड़की का स्कूल की एक सफल धावक बनना →
नाना द्वारा इसकी जांच करना और पुष्टि करना →
नाना द्वारा लड़की की यूनिफॉर्म की विशेष देखभाल शुरू करना →
लड़की का हर दौड़ और सर्वश्रेष्ठ ऑल-राउंड जूनियर एथलीट का कप जीतना →
नाना द्वारा गर्व से कप को अपनी पीठ पर ले जाना →
नाना को आखिरकार यह एहसास होना कि पतले पैर भी उपयोगी हो सकते हैं क्योंकि वे दौड़ सकते हैं →
लड़की को यह महसूस होना कि उसके कार्यों ने वह साबित कर दिया है जिसे वह शब्दों में सुरक्षित रूप से नहीं कह सकती थी।

ସାରାଂଶ

ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀ କହେ ଯେ Nana କିଛି ବିଷୟ ଉଠାଇଲେ ତାଙ୍କ ମାଆ ବହୁତ ଧୀର ସ୍ୱରରେ ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଉଥିଲେ। ତା’ପରେ ଆଲୋଚନା ବନ୍ଦ ହୋଇଯାଉଥିଲା କିମ୍ବା ଅନ୍ୟ କୌଣସି ବିଷୟକୁ ଚାଲିଯାଉଥିଲା। ବେଳେବେଳେ Nana ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀଙ୍କ ବାପାଙ୍କ କଥା ମଧ୍ୟ ଉଠାଉଥିଲେ। ସେ କହୁଥିଲେ ଯେ ଏପରି ଜଣେ ପୁରୁଷଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖି ନମ୍ର ହୋଇ ସ୍ୱୀକାର କରିବାକୁ ପଡ଼େ ଯେ ଭଗବାନଙ୍କ ସନ୍ତାନ ଅନେକ ପ୍ରକାରର। ସେ ଏହା ମଧ୍ୟ କହୁଥିଲେ ଯେ ତାଙ୍କ ଝିଅ ଏପରି ଜଣେ ପୁରୁଷଙ୍କୁ ବିବାହ କରିବା ପରେ, ତାଙ୍କର ସବୁଠାରୁ ବଡ଼ ସମସ୍ୟା ହେଲା ଏପରି ଜଣେ ନାତୁଣୀ, ଯାହାର ଗୋଡ଼ ଜଣେ ମହିଳା ପାଇଁ ଅତ୍ୟଧିକ ଲମ୍ବା ଓ ପତଳା ଥିଲା।

Nana ସାଧାରଣତଃ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀଙ୍କ ବାପାଙ୍କ ବିଷୟରେ ଏହି କଥାଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଧୀରେ କହୁଥିଲେ। ସେ ଭାବୁଥିଲେ ଯେ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀ ତାହା ଶୁଣୁନାହିଁ। କିନ୍ତୁ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀ ସବୁବେଳେ ଶୁଣୁଥିଲେ। Nanaଙ୍କ ଏହି କଥାଗୁଡ଼ିକ ତାଙ୍କ ମାଆଙ୍କୁ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଚୁପ୍ କରିଦେଉଥିଲା। Nanaଙ୍କ ମତରେ, ଜଣେ ମହିଳାଙ୍କ ଗୋଡ଼ରେ ଯଥେଷ୍ଟ ମାଂସ ଓ ଭଲ calf ଥିବା ଦରକାର, ଯାହା ଦୃଢ଼ କଟିକୁ ସମର୍ଥନ କରିପାରିବ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କୁ ସନ୍ତାନ ଜନ୍ମ ଦେବାରେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିବ।

ଏହି କଥା ଶୁଣି ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀଙ୍କ ମନରେ ଉତ୍ସୁକତା ଜନ୍ମ ନେଲା। ସନ୍ତାନ ଥିବା ମହିଳାମାନଙ୍କ ଗୋଡ଼ କିପରି ଦେଖାଯାଏ, ସେ ନିଜେ ଦେଖିବାକୁ ଚାହିଁଲେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ଗାଁରେ ଏହା ସହଜ ନଥିଲା, କାରଣ ବୟସ୍କ ମହିଳାମାନେ ସବୁବେଳେ ଲମ୍ବା wrap-around ପିନ୍ଧୁଥିଲେ। ସେ ଭାବିଥିଲେ ଯେ ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟାବେଳେ ନଦୀରେ ଗାଧୋଇବାକୁ ଅନୁମତି ମିଳିଲେ ସେ ଏହା ଜାଣିପାରିବ। କିନ୍ତୁ ତାଙ୍କୁ ସେହି ସୁଯୋଗ ମିଳିଲା ନାହିଁ। ସାଙ୍ଗମାନଙ୍କ ସହ ନଦୀର ଅଳ୍ପ ଗଭୀର ଅଂଶରେ ଖେଳିବାକୁ ଯିବା ପାଇଁ ମଧ୍ୟ ତାଙ୍କୁ ମାଆ ଓ Nanaଙ୍କୁ ବହୁତ ଅନୁରୋଧ କରିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ୁଥିଲା।

ନିୟମିତ ଗାଧୋଇବା ପାଇଁ ସେମାନେ ଝୁପୁଡ଼ି ପଛରେ ଥିବା ଛୋଟ bathhouse ବ୍ୟବହାର କରୁଥିଲେ। ତେଣୁ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀ ଯେଉଁ ମହିଳା ଗୋଡ଼ ଦେଖିଥିଲେ, ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଥିଲା ତାଙ୍କ ପରି ଛୋଟ ଝିଅମାନଙ୍କର, ସ୍କୁଲର ବଡ଼ ଝିଅମାନଙ୍କର ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ମାଆ ଓ Nanaଙ୍କର। ମାଆ ଓ Nanaଙ୍କ ଗୋଡ଼ ନିଶ୍ଚିତ ଭାବେ Nanaଙ୍କ ମତରେ “ଠିକ୍” ପ୍ରକାରର ହୋଇଥିବ ବୋଲି ସେ ଭାବୁଥିଲେ, କାରଣ Nana ତାଙ୍କ ମାଆଙ୍କୁ ଏବଂ ମାଆ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଜନ୍ମ ଦେଇଥିଲେ। ତଥାପି, ତାଙ୍କ ସାଙ୍ଗମାନଙ୍କ ଗୋଡ଼ରେ Nana କହୁଥିବା ପରି ଯଥେଷ୍ଟ ମାଂସ ଅଛି କି ନାହିଁ, ସେ ଜାଣିନଥିଲେ।

ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀଙ୍କ ଗାଁ ଛୋଟ ସହରଠାରୁ ପ୍ରାୟ ପାଞ୍ଚ କିଲୋମିଟର ଦୂରରେ ଥିଲା। ବଡ଼ ପିଲାମାନେ ସ୍କୁଲ ଯିବା ଓ ଫେରିବା ପାଇଁ ଏତେ ଦୂର ଚାଲିବାକୁ ନେଇ ଅଭିଯୋଗ କରୁଥିଲେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଏହି ଦୂରତାର କୌଣସି ମହତ୍ତ୍ୱ ନଥିଲା। ସେ ସ୍କୁଲକୁ ଭଲ ପାଉଥିଲେ।

ସ୍କୁଲ ନେଇ Nana ଓ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀଙ୍କ ମାଆଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ମତଭେଦ ଥିଲା। Nana ଭାବୁଥିଲେ ସ୍କୁଲ ଯିବା ସମୟର ଅପଚୟ। କିନ୍ତୁ ମାଆ ଏହା ସହ ସହମତ ନଥିଲେ। ସେ ନିଜେ ସ୍କୁଲ ଯାଇନଥିବାରୁ ଜୀବନରେ ଏକ ପ୍ରକାର ଅନ୍ଧକାରରେ ବନ୍ଦୀ ହୋଇଥିବା ଭଳି ଅନୁଭବ କରୁଥିଲେ। ସେଥିପାଇଁ ସେ ଚାହୁଁଥିଲେ ଯେ ତାଙ୍କ ଝିଅ ନିଜ ନାମ ପଢ଼ିବା, ଲେଖିବା ଓ କିଛି ହିସାବ କରିବା ଶିଖୁ। ପରେ ସେ ବିବାହ ମଧ୍ୟ କରିପାରିବ। Nana ଏହା ଶୁଣି ହସୁଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ପତଳା ଗୋଡ଼କୁ ନେଇ ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କରୁଥିଲେ।

ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀ ସ୍କୁଲର ଛୋଟ sports field ରେ ସହପାଠୀମାନଙ୍କ ସହ ଦୌଡ଼ି ସବୁବେଳେ ପ୍ରଥମ ହେଉଥିଲେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ସେ ଏହାକୁ ଘରେ କହିବା ଯୋଗ୍ୟ ବିଶେଷ କଥା ଭାବୁନଥିଲେ। ଏଥର ସେ ଜିଲ୍ଲା କ୍ରୀଡ଼ା ପାଇଁ ସ୍କୁଲର junior section ରୁ ଦୌଡ଼ିବାକୁ ଚୟନ ହେଲେ। ସେ ଘରେ ଏହି ଖବର କହିବା ପରେ ମାଆ ଓ Nana ପ୍ରଥମେ ବିଶ୍ୱାସ କରିନଥିଲେ। ତେଣୁ Nana ନିଜେ ଯାଇ ଖବରଟି ସତ କି ନାହିଁ ଜାଣି ଆସିଲେ ଏବଂ ମାଆଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ ଯେ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀ ସତରେ ସ୍କୁଲର ଜଣେ runner।

ଏହି ଖବର ଶୁଣି ମାଆ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହେଲେ। ସେ Nanaଙ୍କୁ କିଛି ଗୁପ୍ତ କଥା କହିବାକୁ ଯାଉଥିଲେ, କିନ୍ତୁ Nana ନିଜେ ବହୁତ ଖୁସି ଦେଖାଯାଉଥିବାରୁ ମାଆ ଚୁପ୍ ହୋଇଗଲେ। ଏହା ପରେ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀ ଅନେକଥର Nanaଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କ ଗୋଡ଼କୁ ଅଜବ ଭାବରେ ଦେଖୁଥିବା ଦେଖିଲେ। Nana ନିଜେ ତାଙ୍କ ସ୍କୁଲ uniform ଧୋଇବା ଆରମ୍ଭ କଲେ। ସେ Mr Mensahଙ୍କ ଘରୁ charcoal pressing iron ଧାର ଆଣି uniformକୁ ବାରମ୍ବାର iron କରୁଥିଲେ। ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀ ଏହାକୁ ନେଇ ହାସ୍ୟରସାତ୍ମକ ଭାବରେ କହିଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେ ଯଦି uniform ହୋଇଥାନ୍ତେ, ତେବେ ଏତେ iron କରାଯାଇଥିବାରୁ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ଅଭିଯୋଗ କରିଥାନ୍ତେ।

ସେହି ସପ୍ତାହରେ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କ uniform ପିନ୍ଧିବା ବହୁତ ଭଲ ଲାଗୁଥିଲା। ପ୍ରଥମ ଦିନର parade ରେ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟକିରଣ ପଡ଼ି uniformଟି ଅନ୍ୟ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ uniform ଠାରୁ ଅଧିକ ଚମକୁଥିଲା। Nana ମଧ୍ୟ ଏହା ଦେଖି ଖୁସି ହୋଇଥିବେ ବୋଲି ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀ ଭାବୁଥିଲେ। Nana ପ୍ରତିଦିନ ପିଲାମାନଙ୍କ ସହ ସହରକୁ ଯାଉଥିଲେ। ସେ ପ୍ରତିଦିନ ତାଙ୍କ brass bowl ରୁ ଭଲ ଭାବେ starch କରାଯାଇଥିବା ପୁରୁଣା cloth ବାହାର କରି ପିନ୍ଧୁଥିଲେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ସେ ପିଲାମାନଙ୍କଠାରୁ ବହୁତ ପଛରେ ଚାଲୁଥିଲେ, ଯେପରି ସେ ଅନ୍ୟ କୌଣସି ସ୍ଥାନକୁ ଯାଉଥିଲେ।

ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀ ସ୍କୁଲ ପାଇଁ ଦୌଡ଼ିଥିବା ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ race ରେ ଜିତିଲେ ଏବଂ best all-round junior athlete ର cup ମଧ୍ୟ ଜିତିଲେ। Nana ଏହି ସଫଳତାକୁ ନେଇ ବହୁତ ଗର୍ବିତ ହେଲେ। ସେ କହିଲେ ଯେ ଏପରି କାମ ସାଧାରଣତଃ ହେଉ କି ନ ହେଉ, ସେ ଏହା କରିବେ। ସେ ଚମକୁଥିବା cupଟିକୁ ଶିଶୁ କିମ୍ବା ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ ଜିନିଷ ପରି ପିଠିରେ ବୋହି ନେଲେ। ଗାଁରେ ପହଞ୍ଚି ସେ ପ୍ରଥମେ compound ଭିତରକୁ ଯାଇ cupଟି ମାଆଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖାଇଲେ।

ଶେଷରେ Nanaଙ୍କ ମନୋଭାବରେ ଏକ ବଡ଼ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ ଦେଖାଯାଏ। ସେ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀଙ୍କୁ କୋଳରେ ବସାଇ କାନ୍ଦୁଥିବା ସମୟରେ ବାରମ୍ବାର କହୁଥିଲେ ଯେ ପତଳା ଗୋଡ଼ ମଧ୍ୟ ଉପଯୋଗୀ ହୋଇପାରେ। ଯଦିଓ ସେହି ଗୋଡ଼ରେ ଶିଶୁ ଜନ୍ମ ଦେବା ସହ ସମ୍ପର୍କିତ ଦୃଢ଼ hipsକୁ ସମର୍ଥନ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଅଧିକ ମାଂସ ନାହିଁ, ସେହି ଗୋଡ଼ ଦୌଡ଼ିପାରେ। ଏହି ଅନୁଭବ Nanaଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କ ପୁରୁଣା ଧାରଣା ଉପରେ ପୁନର୍ବିଚାର କରିବାକୁ ବାଧ୍ୟ କରେ।

ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାକାରୀ ମଧ୍ୟ ଭାବନ୍ତି ଯେ ଗୋଡ଼ କେବଳ ଶିଶୁ ଜନ୍ମ ଦେବାରେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରୁଥିବା hipsକୁ ସମର୍ଥନ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ନୁହେଁ; ଏହା ଅନ୍ୟ ଅନେକ କାମରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ବ୍ୟବହାର ହୋଇପାରେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ସେ ଏହି କଥା ସିଧାସଳଖ କହିବାକୁ ଭୟ କରୁଥିଲେ, କାରଣ ବଡ଼ମାନେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଏପରି କଥା ପୁଣି ନକହିବାକୁ କହିଥାନ୍ତେ କିମ୍ବା ତାଙ୍କ କଥାକୁ ନେଇ ହସିଥାନ୍ତେ। ସେଥିପାଇଁ ସେ କହନ୍ତି ଯେ କଥାରେ ବୁଝାଇବାଠାରୁ ନିଜ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ଦେଖାଇଦେବା ଅଧିକ ଭଲ ହୋଇଛି। ତାଙ୍କ ମାଆ ପୂର୍ବପରି ନିରବ ରହିଥାନ୍ତି।

Complete Progression of the Passage

**Nanaଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ଝିଅର ପତଳା ଗୋଡ଼କୁ ସମାଲୋଚନା → ଝିଅର ମହିଳାମାନଙ୍କ ଗୋଡ଼ ବିଷୟରେ ଉତ୍ସୁକତା → Nanaଙ୍କ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରେ ଜଣେ ମହିଳାର ଶରୀରର ଯୋଗ୍ୟତା ବିଷୟରେ ଚିନ୍ତା → Nana ଓ ମାଆଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ସ୍କୁଲ ନେଇ ମତଭେଦ → ଝିଅର ଦୌଡ଼ରେ ସଫଳତା → Nanaଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ଏହି ଖବରର ସତ୍ୟତା ଯାଞ୍ଚ → Nanaଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା uniformର ଯତ୍ନ → ଝିଅର ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ raceରେ ବିଜୟ ଏବଂ best all-round junior athlete cup ଜିତିବା → Nanaଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା cupକୁ ଗର୍ବର ସହ ବୋହିବା → Nanaଙ୍କ ଅନୁଭବ ଯେ ପତଳା ଗୋଡ଼ ମଧ୍ୟ ଉପଯୋଗୀ, କାରଣ ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଦୌଡ଼ିପାରେ → ଝିଅର କଥାରେ ନୁହେଁ, କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରେ ନିଜ ଧାରଣାକୁ ପ୍ରମାଣ କରିବା।

Multiple-Choice Questions

1. How does the narrator’s mother usually respond when Nana raises a difficult matter?
(a) She argues loudly with Nana.
(b) She answers very quietly, “Oh, Mother.”
(c) She leaves the house.
(d) She starts crying.
Ans. (b) She answers very quietly, “Oh, Mother.”

2. What usually happens after the narrator’s mother gives her quiet response?
(a) Nana leaves the house.
(b) The narrator interrupts them.
(c) The discussion ends or moves to another subject.
(d) They call the narrator’s father.
Ans. (c) The discussion ends or moves to another subject.

3. Whom does Nana sometimes bring into her arguments with the narrator’s mother?
(a) Mr Mensah
(b) The Headmaster
(c) The narrator’s father
(d) One of the teachers
Ans. (c) The narrator’s father

4. What does Nana say about God’s children?
(a) They are all alike.
(b) God’s children are many.
(c) God gives everyone the same body.
(d) God decides who can run.
Ans. (b) God’s children are many.

5. According to Nana, the narrator’s legs are
(a) short and strong.
(b) long and muscular.
(c) too long and too thin.
(d) broad and heavy.
Ans. (c) too long and too thin.

6. Why does Nana consider the narrator’s legs unsuitable?
(a) They make her walk slowly.
(b) They are too thin to support the kind of hips she considers necessary for childbearing.
(c) They prevent her from going to school.
(d) They are too short for running.
Ans. (b) They are too thin to support the kind of hips she considers necessary for childbearing.

7. Why does the narrator always hear Nana’s remarks about her father?
(a) Nana deliberately speaks loudly.
(b) The narrator secretly listens to every conversation.
(c) Nana speaks under her breath, but the narrator can still hear her.
(d) Her mother repeats the remarks.
Ans. (c) Nana speaks under her breath, but the narrator can still hear her.

8. What effect do Nana’s remarks about the narrator’s father have on her mother?
(a) They make her laugh.
(b) They make her angry.
(c) They silence her completely.
(d) They make her leave the village.
Ans. (c) They silence her completely.

9. What kind of legs does Nana consider suitable for a woman?
(a) Thin legs with narrow hips
(b) Legs with meat and good calves
(c) Short legs with small feet
(d) Long legs without calves
Ans. (b) Legs with meat and good calves

10. According to Nana, what should good calves support?
(a) Strong knees
(b) Fast feet
(c) Solid hips
(d) Broad shoulders
Ans. (c) Solid hips

11. Why does the narrator wish to see the legs of a woman who has children?
(a) She wants to compare them with her own.
(b) She wants to find out whether Nana’s belief is correct.
(c) She wants to become a runner.
(d) She wants to buy new clothes.
Ans. (b) She wants to find out whether Nana’s belief is correct.

12. Why is it difficult for the narrator to see older women’s legs?
(a) They live far away.
(b) They always wear long wrap-arounds.
(c) They never visit the river.
(d) They stay inside their houses.
Ans. (b) They always wear long wrap-arounds.

13. Where does the narrator think she might have seen older women’s legs?
(a) At school
(b) At the market
(c) At the river
(d) At the sports field
Ans. (c) At the river

14. What did the narrator have to do to be allowed to go to the river?
(a) Promise to study
(b) Ask the Headmaster
(c) Beg her mother and Nana
(d) Take her younger sister
Ans. (c) Beg her mother and Nana

15. With whom did the narrator go to splash around in the river?
(a) Older women
(b) Her mother and Nana
(c) Her little-girl friends
(d) The schoolteachers
Ans. (c) Her little-girl friends

16. Where did the family usually take proper baths?
(a) In the river
(b) In the school
(c) In the small bathhouse behind their hut
(d) At Mr Mensah’s house
Ans. (c) In the small bathhouse behind their hut

17. Whose legs had the narrator actually seen?
(a) Only Nana’s
(b) Only her mother’s
(c) Little girls, older schoolgirls, her mother and Nana
(d) All the older women in the village
Ans. (c) Little girls, older schoolgirls, her mother and Nana

18. Why does the narrator think her mother’s and Nana’s legs must be of the “approved kind”?
(a) They are very thick.
(b) They are very strong.
(c) Nana gave birth to her mother and her mother gave birth to her.
(d) They are admired by the villagers.
Ans. (c) Nana gave birth to her mother and her mother gave birth to her.

19. What does the narrator say about the legs of her friends?
(a) They are all too thin.
(b) They all look like legs to her.
(c) They are all muscular.
(d) They are all unsuitable.
Ans. (b) They all look like legs to her.

20. What does the narrator not know about her friends’ legs?
(a) Whether they are long enough
(b) Whether they are strong enough to run
(c) Whether they have enough flesh to support the kind of hips Nana talks about
(d) Whether they belong to healthy girls
Ans. (c) Whether they have enough flesh to support the kind of hips Nana talks about

21. How far is the village from the small town?
(a) Two kilometres
(b) Three kilometres
(c) Five kilometres
(d) Ten kilometres
Ans. (c) Five kilometres

22. Who tells the narrator about the distance between the village and the town?
(a) Nana
(b) Her mother
(c) The older boys and girls
(d) Her teachers
Ans. (c) The older boys and girls

23. What do the older boys and girls complain about?
(a) The school food
(b) The long walk to school and back
(c) The sports field
(d) Their teachers
Ans. (b) The long walk to school and back

24. How does the narrator feel about walking to school?
(a) She hates it.
(b) She finds it tiring.
(c) She does not mind it because she likes school.
(d) She refuses to walk.
Ans. (c) She does not mind it because she likes school.

25. What subject do Nana and the narrator’s mother often discuss?
(a) Marriage
(b) Farming
(c) School
(d) Sports
Ans. (c) School

26. What does Nana think about the narrator going to school?
(a) It is essential.
(b) It is a waste of time.
(c) It will make her a teacher.
(d) It will make her a runner.
Ans. (b) It is a waste of time.

27. Why does the narrator’s mother value education?
(a) She wants the narrator to become famous.
(b) She wants the narrator to escape the limitations she experienced because she did not attend school.
(c) She wants her to leave the village.
(d) She wants her to become an athlete.
Ans. (b) She wants the narrator to escape the limitations she experienced because she did not attend school.

28. How does the narrator’s mother describe her own experience of not attending school?
(a) She felt trapped in darkness.
(b) She felt free.
(c) She felt proud.
(d) She felt successful.
Ans. (a) She felt trapped in darkness.

29. What does the narrator’s mother want her daughter to learn?
(a) Singing and dancing
(b) Reading, writing and some calculation
(c) Farming and cooking
(d) Sewing and weaving
Ans. (b) Reading, writing and some calculation

30. What does the narrator’s mother believe about marriage and education?
(a) A girl must marry before going to school.
(b) A girl cannot marry after going to school.
(c) The narrator can marry later after receiving some education.
(d) Marriage is unnecessary.
Ans. (c) The narrator can marry later after receiving some education.

31. What does Nana sarcastically say about the narrator’s legs and school?
(a) “She can never go to school.”
(b) “With legs like hers, she might as well go to school.”
(c) “School will make her legs stronger.”
(d) “She should become a teacher.”
Ans. (b) “With legs like hers, she might as well go to school.”

32. What did the narrator and her classmates do on their sports field?
(a) Played football
(b) Practised swimming
(c) Ran races
(d) Played cricket
Ans. (c) Ran races

33. What position did the narrator usually secure in the races?
(a) Second
(b) Third
(c) First
(d) Last
Ans. (c) First

34. Why had the narrator never told anyone at home about her victories before?
(a) She was afraid of Nana.
(b) She did not consider them important enough to mention.
(c) Her teachers told her not to.
(d) Her mother did not like sports.
Ans. (b) She did not consider them important enough to mention.

35. What opportunity did the narrator receive from her teachers?
(a) To attend another school
(b) To become a teacher
(c) To run for the junior section of her school in the district games
(d) To visit the town
Ans. (c) To run for the junior section of her school in the district games

36. How did Nana and the narrator’s mother first react to the news?
(a) They immediately celebrated.
(b) They did not believe it.
(c) They became angry.
(d) They ignored it.
Ans. (b) They did not believe it.

37. What did Nana do to verify the narrator’s news?
(a) She spoke to the narrator’s friends.
(b) She went to “ask into it properly.”
(c) She went to the school to complain.
(d) She asked the Headmaster to visit them.
Ans. (b) She went to “ask into it properly.”

38. What did Nana confirm after investigating?
(a) The narrator had failed at school.
(b) The narrator was one of her school’s runners.
(c) The narrator had won a scholarship.
(d) The narrator was leaving school.
Ans. (b) The narrator was one of her school’s runners.

39. What did the narrator’s mother exclaim after hearing the confirmation?
(a) “Oh, Mother!”
(b) “Is that so?”
(c) “Well done!”
(d) “I knew it!”
Ans. (b) “Is that so?”

40. What did the narrator’s mother almost reveal?
(a) A secret about the narrator
(b) A secret about Nana
(c) A secret about the school
(d) A secret about her husband
Ans. (a) A secret about the narrator

41. Why did the narrator’s mother stop herself from speaking?
(a) Nana became angry.
(b) Nana looked pleased and surprised.
(c) The narrator entered the room.
(d) She forgot what she wanted to say.
Ans. (b) Nana looked pleased and surprised.

42. What did Nana often do after hearing that the narrator was a runner?
(a) She avoided the narrator.
(b) She stared at the narrator’s legs.
(c) She cut the narrator’s hair.
(d) She stopped sending her to school.
Ans. (b) She stared at the narrator’s legs.

43. How did Nana pretend while looking at the narrator’s legs?
(a) She pretended she was angry.
(b) She pretended she was not looking.
(c) She pretended she was asleep.
(d) She pretended she was looking at the uniform.
Ans. (b) She pretended she was not looking.

44. What unusual thing did Nana do during sports week?
(a) She attended school.
(b) She washed the narrator’s uniform herself.
(c) She bought the narrator new shoes.
(d) She taught the narrator to run.
Ans. (b) She washed the narrator’s uniform herself.

45. From whom did Nana borrow the charcoal pressing iron?
(a) The Headmaster
(b) A teacher
(c) Mr Mensah
(d) One of the older boys
Ans. (c) Mr Mensah

46. What did Nana repeatedly do with the narrator’s uniform?
(a) Washed it
(b) Folded it
(c) Ironed it
(d) Repaired it
Ans. (c) Ironed it

47. Which humorous expression does the narrator use about Nana’s ironing?
(a) She ironed until the iron broke.
(b) She ironed until the uniform shone.
(c) She ironed so much that the uniform would have said it had had enough.
(d) She ironed all the clothes in the village.
Ans. (c) She ironed so much that the uniform would have said it had had enough.

48. How did the narrator feel about wearing her uniform during sports week?
(a) Embarrassed
(b) Very pleased
(c) Uncomfortable
(d) Nervous
Ans. (b) Very pleased

49. What happened to the narrator’s uniform in the sunlight?
(a) It became dirty.
(b) It caught the rays and shone brightly.
(c) It became wet.
(d) It faded.
Ans. (b) It caught the rays and shone brightly.

50. Where did Nana go every afternoon during sports week?
(a) To the river
(b) To the school with the children
(c) To the market
(d) To Mr Mensah’s house
Ans. (b) To the school with the children

51. What did Nana wear each afternoon?
(a) Her school uniform
(b) A new dress
(c) Fresh old cloth from the big brass bowl
(d) A sports uniform
Ans. (c) Fresh old cloth from the big brass bowl

52. How were Nana’s old cloths starched?
(a) Lightly
(b) Not at all
(c) Very stiffly
(d) Softly
Ans. (c) Very stiffly

53. What sound did Nana’s starched cloth make as she walked?
(a) It rustled softly.
(b) It creaked.
(c) It tore.
(d) It snapped loudly.
Ans. (b) It creaked.

54. How did Nana walk in relation to the schoolchildren?
(a) In front of them
(b) Among them
(c) Far behind them
(d) Beside the narrator
Ans. (c) Far behind them

55. Why did Nana seem to walk as though she were going somewhere else?
(a) She was embarrassed to be with the children.
(b) She wanted to avoid the narrator.
(c) She was angry with the school.
(d) She was looking for the market.
Ans. (a) She was embarrassed to be with the children.

56. What did the narrator win in every race she ran for her school?
(a) Second place
(b) First place
(c) A medal only
(d) Nothing
Ans. (b) First place

57. What major award did the narrator win?
(a) Best senior athlete
(b) Best runner in the village
(c) Best all-round junior athlete
(d) Best student of the year
Ans. (c) Best all-round junior athlete

58. What did Nana say about doing things that were not normally done?
(a) She would never do them.
(b) She did not care if such things were not done; she would do it.
(c) She would ask permission first.
(d) She would leave them to the narrator’s mother.
Ans. (b) She did not care if such things were not done; she would do it.

59. What did Nana do with the athletic cup?
(a) She gave it to the narrator.
(b) She left it at school.
(c) She carried it on her back.
(d) She hid it.
Ans. (c) She carried it on her back.

60. How did Nana carry the cup?
(a) Like a basket of vegetables
(b) Like a baby or something precious
(c) Like a schoolbag
(d) Like a piece of cloth
Ans. (b) Like a baby or something precious

61. Where did Nana take the cup after returning to the village?
(a) To the market
(b) To the Headmaster immediately
(c) Into the compound to show it to the narrator’s mother
(d) To Mr Mensah’s house
Ans. (c) Into the compound to show it to the narrator’s mother

62. What was Nana doing at the end of the passage?
(a) Laughing loudly
(b) Carrying the narrator on her knee and crying softly
(c) Arguing with the narrator’s mother
(d) Preparing dinner
Ans. (b) Carrying the narrator on her knee and crying softly

63. What does Nana repeatedly say while crying?
(a) “Girls should go to school.”
(b) “Thin legs can also be useful.”
(c) “Girls should have strong hips.”
(d) “The cup belongs to the school.”
Ans. (b) “Thin legs can also be useful.”

64. What does Nana finally realise about thin legs?
(a) They are beautiful.
(b) They can run.
(c) They are good for dancing.
(d) They can support heavy loads.
Ans. (b) They can run.

65. What traditional purpose of women’s legs had Nana emphasised earlier?
(a) Running
(b) Dancing
(c) Supporting hips that can bear children
(d) Walking to school
Ans. (c) Supporting hips that can bear children

66. What additional purpose of legs does the narrator recognise?
(a) They can run.
(b) They can swim.
(c) They can climb trees.
(d) They can dance.
Ans. (a) They can run.

67. Why does the narrator not express her thoughts about legs aloud?
(a) She does not know the answer.
(b) She is afraid of being scolded or laughed at.
(c) She is too young to speak.
(d) She agrees with Nana.
Ans. (b) She is afraid of being scolded or laughed at.

68. How does the narrator ultimately prove her point?
(a) By arguing with Nana
(b) By going to school
(c) By running successfully
(d) By examining other women’s legs
Ans. (c) By running successfully

69. Did the narrator deliberately plan to prove that her legs were useful?
(a) Yes, she planned it for years.
(b) Yes, her mother helped her.
(c) No, she could not have planned it.
(d) No, because she did not know how to run.
Ans. (c) No, she could not have planned it.

70. What does the narrator mean by “It’s much better this way”?
(a) It is better to go to school.
(b) It is better to prove something through actions rather than arguments.
(c) It is better to wear a uniform.
(d) It is better to live in town.
Ans. (b) It is better to prove something through actions rather than arguments.

71. What does the narrator’s success challenge?
(a) The importance of school uniforms
(b) Nana’s traditional belief about the usefulness of women’s legs
(c) The distance between the village and town
(d) The value of sports
Ans. (b) Nana’s traditional belief about the usefulness of women’s legs

72. Which of the following best describes Nana’s change?
(a) From pride to anger
(b) From criticism to recognition
(c) From happiness to disappointment
(d) From confidence to fear
Ans. (b) From criticism to recognition

73. What is ironic about the narrator’s legs?
(a) They are long but cannot walk.
(b) They are thin, yet they become the means of her athletic success.
(c) They are strong but never used.
(d) They are short but admired by Nana.
Ans. (b) They are thin, yet they become the means of her athletic success.

74. What does Nana’s reaction to the cup mainly reveal?
(a) Her embarrassment
(b) Her pride in the narrator
(c) Her dislike of sports
(d) Her fear of the Headmaster
Ans. (b) Her pride in the narrator

75. Which traditional idea is questioned in the passage?
(a) Children should attend school.
(b) Girls should wear uniforms.
(c) A woman’s physical usefulness is mainly connected with childbearing.
(d) Sports are important for children.
Ans. (c) A woman’s physical usefulness is mainly connected with childbearing.

76. What does the narrator’s mother hope education will give her daughter?
(a) A chance to avoid all responsibilities
(b) Knowledge and opportunities she herself lacked
(c) A chance to become famous
(d) A chance to leave her family
Ans. (b) Knowledge and opportunities she herself lacked

77. Which quality of the narrator is most clearly demonstrated in the passage?
(a) Laziness
(b) Athletic ability
(c) Disobedience
(d) Fearfulness
Ans. (b) Athletic ability

78. Which quality of Nana is revealed by her reaction to the narrator’s success?
(a) She is completely unwilling to change.
(b) She can recognise achievement despite her traditional beliefs.
(c) She dislikes the narrator.
(d) She does not care about the narrator.
Ans. (b) She can recognise achievement despite her traditional beliefs.

79. What does the narrator’s achievement show about judging people by appearance?
(a) Appearance always determines ability.
(b) Physical appearance does not necessarily determine ability.
(c) Thin people cannot succeed.
(d) Strong-looking people always win.
Ans. (b) Physical appearance does not necessarily determine ability.

80. What does the title “The Girl Who Can” emphasise?
(a) The narrator’s inability to fit traditional expectations
(b) The narrator’s ability to achieve despite others’ doubts about her
(c) Nana’s ability to change
(d) The importance of school uniforms
Ans. (b) The narrator’s ability to achieve despite others’ doubts about her

81. Which statement best describes the narrator’s attitude towards school?
(a) She dislikes school.
(b) She considers school boring.
(c) She likes school and does not mind walking a long distance to attend it.
(d) She attends school only because Nana forces her.
Ans. (c) She likes school and does not mind walking a long distance to attend it.

82. Which statement is TRUE about Nana during sports week?
(a) She stopped caring about the narrator.
(b) She secretly became proud of the narrator’s achievement.
(c) She refused to attend the sports events.
(d) She told the narrator to stop running.
Ans. (b) She secretly became proud of the narrator’s achievement.

83. Why is Nana’s washing and ironing of the uniform significant?
(a) It shows her increasing pride and interest in the narrator’s participation.
(b) It shows that she dislikes the uniform.
(c) It proves that she wants the narrator to leave school.
(d) It shows that she has nothing else to do.
Ans. (a) It shows her increasing pride and interest in the narrator’s participation.

84. Which action most clearly shows Nana’s pride in the narrator’s victory?
(a) Walking behind the children
(b) Wearing starched clothes
(c) Carrying the gleaming cup like a precious baby
(d) Going to the river
Ans. (c) Carrying the gleaming cup like a precious baby

85. What does Nana’s repeated statement about thin legs indicate?
(a) She still considers the narrator’s legs useless.
(b) She is beginning to accept that her earlier belief was wrong.
(c) She wants the narrator to stop running.
(d) She is angry with the narrator.
Ans. (b) She is beginning to accept that her earlier belief was wrong.

86. Which of the following best expresses the narrator’s unspoken belief?
(a) Legs have only one purpose.
(b) Legs can be useful for many purposes, including running.
(c) Girls should not participate in sports.
(d) Education is unnecessary.
Ans. (b) Legs can be useful for many purposes, including running.

87. Why does the narrator prefer showing rather than saying what she thinks?
(a) She cannot speak clearly.
(b) She knows the adults may reject or ridicule her ideas.
(c) She does not understand the issue.
(d) She wants to make Nana angry.
Ans. (b) She knows the adults may reject or ridicule her ideas.

88. Which event brings about Nana’s change of attitude?
(a) The narrator’s admission to school
(b) The narrator’s visit to the river
(c) The narrator’s success in the district games
(d) The narrator’s conversation with Mr Mensah
Ans. (c) The narrator’s success in the district games

89. What does the narrator win for being the best all-round junior athlete?
(a) A medal
(b) A certificate
(c) A cup
(d) A book
Ans. (c) A cup

90. What does Nana intend to do with the cup after showing it to the narrator’s mother?
(a) Keep it permanently
(b) Sell it
(c) Return it to the Headmaster
(d) Give it to Mr Mensah
Ans. (c) Return it to the Headmaster

91. What does Nana’s emotional reaction at the end suggest?
(a) She is ashamed of the narrator.
(b) She is moved by the narrator’s achievement and realisation.
(c) She is angry with the teachers.
(d) She is frightened of the narrator.
Ans. (b) She is moved by the narrator’s achievement and realisation.

92. Which of the following is NOT something Nana does during sports week?
(a) Washes the narrator’s uniform
(b) Irons the narrator’s uniform
(c) Goes into town with the children
(d) Runs in the races herself
Ans. (d) Runs in the races herself

93. Which of the following is NOT one of the narrator’s achievements?
(a) Winning every race she ran
(b) Winning the best all-round junior athlete cup
(c) Representing her school at district games
(d) Becoming the Headmaster
Ans. (d) Becoming the Headmaster

94. Which pair is correctly matched?
(a) Mr Mensah — Headmaster
(b) Nana — narrator’s grandmother
(c) Mother — narrator’s teacher
(d) Older boys — district athletes
Ans. (b) Nana — narrator’s grandmother

95. Which statement best captures the main conflict surrounding the narrator’s legs?
(a) The narrator wants to hide her legs from her friends.
(b) Nana believes her thin legs are unsuitable, while the narrator proves they can be useful.
(c) Her mother wants her to become a doctor.
(d) Her teachers think she cannot run.
Ans. (b) Nana believes her thin legs are unsuitable, while the narrator proves they can be useful.

96. The phrase “thin legs can also be useful” represents Nana’s
(a) anger.
(b) change in understanding.
(c) rejection of the narrator.
(d) fear of the narrator.
Ans. (b) change in understanding.

97. What does the narrator’s victory indirectly prove to Nana?
(a) School is useless.
(b) Thin legs can have value beyond traditional expectations.
(c) Girls should not marry.
(d) The narrator should leave the village.
Ans. (b) Thin legs can have value beyond traditional expectations.

98. Which theme is most strongly developed in this part?
(a) Appearance versus ability
(b) Wealth versus poverty
(c) City versus village
(d) Youth versus old age
Ans. (a) Appearance versus ability

99. Which other theme is closely connected with the narrator’s mother’s views?
(a) Education and opportunity
(b) Wealth and success
(c) Marriage and travel
(d) Farming and business
Ans. (a) Education and opportunity

100. What does the ending mainly show?
(a) Nana’s complete rejection of the narrator
(b) Nana’s recognition that the narrator’s thin legs have a useful ability
(c) The narrator’s decision to leave school
(d) The mother’s disagreement with the narrator
Ans. (b) Nana’s recognition that the narrator’s thin legs have a useful ability

Multiple-Choice Questions – Set 2

1. Which of the following is the correct sequence of events?
A. Nana confirms the narrator is a runner → the narrator wins the cup → Nana investigates the news → Nana carries the cup home.
B. Nana investigates the news → confirms that the narrator is a runner → the narrator wins the cup → Nana carries the cup home.
C. The narrator wins the cup → Nana investigates the news → the narrator tells her mother → Nana carries the cup home.
D. Nana carries the cup home → Nana investigates the news → the narrator becomes a runner → the narrator wins the cup.
Ans. B. Nana investigates the news → confirms that the narrator is a runner → the narrator wins the cup → Nana carries the cup home.

2. Arrange the following events in the order in which they occur in the extract:
P. Nana begins washing the narrator’s school uniform.
Q. The narrator is selected for the district games.
R. Nana carries the cup on her back.
S. Nana realises that thin legs can be useful.
A. P, Q, R, S
B. Q, P, R, S
C. Q, R, P, S
D. P, R, Q, S
Ans. B. Q, P, R, S

3. Which event happens immediately before Nana begins to stare at the narrator’s legs?
A. The narrator wins the cup.
B. Nana confirms that the narrator is a school runner.
C. Nana carries the cup home.
D. The narrator goes to the river.
Ans. B. Nana confirms that the narrator is a school runner.

4. What happens first?
A. Nana carries the cup like a baby.
B. The narrator wins every race she runs for her school.
C. Nana cries while carrying the narrator on her knee.
D. Nana says that thin legs can also be useful.
Ans. B. The narrator wins every race she runs for her school.

5. Which sequence correctly traces Nana’s changing response to the narrator’s athletic ability?
A. Doubt → investigation → surprise and pride → recognition of usefulness
B. Pride → anger → doubt → recognition
C. Anger → rejection → investigation → disappointment
D. Indifference → rejection → anger → fear
Ans. A. Doubt → investigation → surprise and pride → recognition of usefulness

6. In the expression “legs that have meat on them with good calves”, the word “meat” is an example of
A. metaphorical expression.
B. irony.
C. personification.
D. onomatopoeia.
Ans. A. metaphorical expression.

7. What literary device is most clearly used in “ironed and ironed and ironed”?
A. Repetition
B. Simile
C. Metaphor
D. Alliteration
Ans. A. Repetition

8. The comparison of Nana carrying the cup to carrying babies is an example of
A. irony.
B. simile.
C. hyperbole.
D. alliteration.
Ans. B. simile.

9. “If I had been the uniform, I would have said aloud that I had had enough” contains
A. personification.
B. metaphor.
C. oxymoron.
D. alliteration.
Ans. A. personification.

10. The phrase “the cloth creak when she passes by” mainly appeals to the sense of
A. sight.
B. smell.
C. hearing.
D. taste.
Ans. C. hearing.

11. “Muttering, muttering, muttering” is an example of
A. repetition.
B. simile.
C. paradox.
D. metaphor.
Ans. A. repetition.

12. “Never, never but NEVER” primarily uses
A. repetition and emphasis.
B. personification.
C. simile.
D. understatement.
Ans. A. repetition and emphasis.

13. The phrase “the gleaming cup” mainly creates an image of
A. something dull and ordinary.
B. something bright and precious.
C. something broken and useless.
D. something old and dirty.
Ans. B. something bright and precious.

14. Statement I: Nana initially considers the narrator’s thin legs unsuitable.
Statement II: Nana believes that a woman’s legs should support solid hips for having children.
A. Both statements are true, and Statement II explains Statement I.
B. Both statements are true, but Statement II does not explain Statement I.
C. Statement I is true, but Statement II is false.
D. Statement I is false, but Statement II is true.
Ans. A. Both statements are true, and Statement II explains Statement I.

15. Statement I: The narrator does not mind walking five kilometres to school.
Statement II: She enjoys going to school.
A. Both statements are true, and Statement II explains Statement I.
B. Both statements are true, but Statement II does not explain Statement I.
C. Statement I is true, but Statement II is false.
D. Both statements are false.
Ans. A. Both statements are true, and Statement II explains Statement I.

16. Statement I: Nana initially thinks education is a waste of time.
Statement II: The narrator’s mother believes education can give her daughter opportunities she herself did not have.
A. Both statements are true, and Statement II explains Statement I.
B. Both statements are true, but they express different viewpoints.
C. Statement I is true, but Statement II is false.
D. Statement I is false, but Statement II is true.
Ans. B. Both statements are true, but they express different viewpoints.

17. Statement I: Nana begins to look at the narrator’s legs differently after the district games.
Statement II: The narrator proves through running that her thin legs can be useful.
A. Both statements are true, and Statement II helps explain Statement I.
B. Both statements are true, but they are unrelated.
C. Statement I is true, but Statement II is false.
D. Both statements are false.
Ans. A. Both statements are true, and Statement II helps explain Statement I.

18. Statement I: The narrator openly argues with Nana about the usefulness of her legs.
Statement II: The narrator is afraid that the adults will laugh at her if she expresses such thoughts.
A. Both statements are true.
B. Statement I is true, but Statement II is false.
C. Statement I is false, but Statement II is true.
D. Both statements are false.
Ans. C. Statement I is false, but Statement II is true.

19. Statement I: Nana is proud of the narrator’s achievement.
Statement II: Nana carries the cup on her back like something precious.
A. Both statements are true, and Statement II supports Statement I.
B. Both statements are true, but Statement II contradicts Statement I.
C. Statement I is true, but Statement II is false.
D. Statement I is false, but Statement II is true.
Ans. A. Both statements are true, and Statement II supports Statement I.

20. Which of the following statements about Nana is/are correct?

She initially criticises the narrator’s thin legs.
She investigates whether the narrator really is a runner.
She refuses to attend the district sports events.
She eventually recognises that thin legs can be useful.
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 3 and 4 only
Ans. B. 1, 2 and 4 only

21. Which of the following statements about the narrator is/are correct?

She enjoys going to school.
She regularly wins races at school.
She is selected for the junior section of the district games.
She deliberately plans to prove Nana wrong.
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 3 and 4 only
Ans. B. 1, 2 and 3 only

22. Which of the following statements correctly describe the narrator’s mother?

She values education.
She feels limited because she did not attend school.
She believes her daughter should never marry.
She remains largely silent during her discussions with Nana.
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans. A. 1, 2 and 4 only

23. Which of the following statements about the narrator’s school life is/are correct?

The school is about five kilometres from the village.
The narrator enjoys going to school.
She always comes last in the races.
She is chosen for the district games.
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 3 and 4 only
Ans. B. 1, 2 and 4 only

24. Which of the following actions show Nana’s growing pride in the narrator?

Washing her uniform
Ironing her uniform repeatedly
Accompanying the children to town
Refusing to acknowledge her victory
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 4 only
C. 1, 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 3 and 4 only
Ans. C. 1, 2 and 3 only

25. Which of the following ideas are presented in the extract?

Traditional expectations about women
The value of education
The importance of recognising individual ability
The narrator’s dislike of sports
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 3 and 4 only
Ans. B. 1, 2 and 3 only

26. What is the narrator’s mood when she describes her repeated victories at school?
A. Bitter and resentful
B. Matter-of-fact and modest
C. Frightened and confused
D. Angry and rebellious
Ans. B. Matter-of-fact and modest

27. What emotion is suggested by Nana’s decision to wash and repeatedly iron the narrator’s uniform?
A. Indifference
B. Pride and care
C. Jealousy
D. Disappointment
Ans. B. Pride and care

28. What emotion is conveyed when Nana carries the cup like a baby?
A. Pride
B. Fear
C. Shame
D. Anger
Ans. A. Pride

29. What is the dominant emotion in Nana’s final scene with the narrator?
A. Amusement
B. Tenderness and emotional pride
C. Frustration
D. Suspicion
Ans. B. Tenderness and emotional pride

30. What emotion does the narrator experience when she thinks of expressing her ideas about women’s legs aloud?
A. Confidence
B. Fear of ridicule
C. Excitement
D. Anger
Ans. B. Fear of ridicule

31. What feeling is suggested by the narrator’s description of Nana’s starched clothes creaking as she walks?
A. Affectionate amusement
B. Fear
C. Hatred
D. Disappointment
Ans. A. Affectionate amusement

32. What mood is created by the final image of Nana carrying the narrator on her knee and crying softly?
A. Joyful and comic
B. Tender and emotional
C. Suspenseful and frightening
D. Angry and argumentative
Ans. B. Tender and emotional

33. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about the narrator?
A. She likes going to school.
B. She wins races for her school.
C. She is selected for the district games.
D. She dislikes walking to school.
Ans. D. She dislikes walking to school.

34. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about Nana?
A. She initially criticises the narrator’s legs.
B. She verifies that the narrator is a school runner.
C. She becomes interested in the narrator’s achievement.
D. She remains completely indifferent to the narrator’s success.
Ans. D. She remains completely indifferent to the narrator’s success.

35. Which statement is NOT TRUE about the narrator’s mother?
A. She values education.
B. She feels limited because she did not attend school.
C. She wants the narrator to learn basic skills.
D. She believes education will prevent the narrator from marrying.
Ans. D. She believes education will prevent the narrator from marrying.

36. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about Nana’s behaviour during sports week?
A. She washes the narrator’s uniform.
B. She repeatedly irons the uniform.
C. She comes into town with the children.
D. She refuses to show any interest in the narrator’s activities.
Ans. D. She refuses to show any interest in the narrator’s activities.

37. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about the narrator’s achievement?
A. She wins every race she runs for her school.
B. She wins the cup for the best all-round junior athlete.
C. She represents her school in the junior section of the district games.
D. She deliberately plans the whole achievement to silence Nana.
Ans. D. She deliberately plans the whole achievement to silence Nana.

38. Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to Nana’s earlier belief?
A. Good calves should support solid hips.
B. Solid hips are associated with having children.
C. Thin legs are considered useful for running.
D. Legs with more flesh are considered desirable.
Ans. C. Thin legs are considered useful for running.

39. Why is Nana’s investigation of the narrator’s selection significant?
A. It shows that Nana wants to prevent her from competing.
B. It shows that Nana is beginning to take the narrator’s ability seriously.
C. It shows that Nana wants to become a teacher.
D. It shows that Nana dislikes the school.
Ans. B. It shows that Nana is beginning to take the narrator’s ability seriously.

40. Why does the narrator find Nana’s behaviour during sports week surprising?
A. Nana had previously shown little interest in her achievements.
B. Nana had always attended every sports event.
C. Nana had always washed her uniform.
D. Nana had encouraged her to become a runner from childhood.
Ans. A. Nana had previously shown little interest in her achievements.

41. What is the significance of Nana carrying the cup “like they do with babies”?
A. It shows that she regards the achievement as extremely precious.
B. It shows that she thinks the cup belongs to a child.
C. It shows that she wants to hide the cup.
D. It shows that she does not understand what the cup represents.
Ans. A. It shows that she regards the achievement as extremely precious.

42. Why is the ending particularly meaningful?
A. Nana finally recognises a value in the narrator’s thin legs that she had previously overlooked.
B. The narrator finally agrees that Nana was right.
C. The mother finally decides to stop the narrator from attending school.
D. Nana decides that the narrator should no longer participate in sports.
Ans. A. Nana finally recognises a value in the narrator’s thin legs that she had previously overlooked.

43. Which contrast is most important in the extract?
A. Village life and town life
B. Old age and youth
C. Traditional expectations and individual ability
D. School and home
Ans. C. Traditional expectations and individual ability

44. What does the narrator achieve without directly challenging Nana in words?
A. She changes the school rules.
B. She demonstrates through her success that her thin legs are useful.
C. She convinces Nana to send her to another school.
D. She proves that all women have thin legs.
Ans. B. She demonstrates through her success that her thin legs are useful.

45. Which statement best explains the significance of the narrator’s final reflection?
A. She is happy that she has argued successfully with Nana.
B. She realises that actions can communicate an idea more effectively than words.
C. She decides never to speak to Nana again.
D. She thinks her mother was wrong about education.
Ans. B. She realises that actions can communicate an idea more effectively than words.

46. What does Nana’s change of attitude mainly suggest?
A. Experience can make a person reconsider an established belief.
B. Older people never have strong beliefs.
C. Sports are more important than education.
D. Physical appearance is always unimportant.
Ans. A. Experience can make a person reconsider an established belief.

47. Which of the following best explains the irony surrounding the narrator’s legs?
A. The legs Nana sees as a weakness become the source of the narrator’s success.
B. The narrator’s legs prevent her from attending school.
C. Nana’s legs become stronger than the narrator’s.
D. The narrator never uses her legs for running.
Ans. A. The legs Nana sees as a weakness become the source of the narrator’s success.

48. What does the narrator’s success most directly challenge?
A. The distance between the village and the town
B. Nana’s assumption that a girl’s legs are valuable mainly for childbearing
C. The narrator’s mother’s support for education
D. The importance of school uniforms
Ans. B. Nana’s assumption that a girl’s legs are valuable mainly for childbearing.

49. Which combination correctly represents the progression in Nana’s attitude?
A. Criticism → curiosity → pride → recognition
B. Pride → criticism → fear → anger
C. Indifference → anger → rejection → sadness
D. Curiosity → rejection → hatred → pride
Ans. A. Criticism → curiosity → pride → recognition

50. Which statement best sums up the significance of the extract?
A. The narrator learns that walking to school is difficult.
B. Nana discovers that the physical feature she considered a weakness can actually be a source of achievement.
C. The narrator decides that education is unnecessary.
D. The mother accepts Nana’s views about women completely.
Ans. B. Nana discovers that the physical feature she considered a weakness can actually be a source of achievement.

One-Mark Questions and Answers

1. How would the narrator’s mother usually respond when Nana raised a difficult topic?
Ans. She would answer very quietly, “Oh, Mother.”

2. What usually happened after the narrator’s mother answered Nana?
Ans. The discussion would end or they would move on to another subject.

3. Whom did Nana sometimes bring into her arguments with the narrator’s mother?
Ans. She sometimes brought the narrator’s father into her arguments.

4. What did Nana say about the narrator’s father?
Ans. She said that people had to be humble and admit that God’s children were many.

5. What did Nana consider the narrator’s thin legs to be?
Ans. She considered them too long and too thin to be useful for supporting solid hips and having children.

6. Why did Nana mention the narrator’s father while discussing her legs?
Ans. She used him to remind the mother that she had chosen to marry such a man and had later had a granddaughter with unsuitable legs.

7. Did Nana think the narrator could hear her remarks about her father?
Ans. Nana probably thought the narrator could not hear her remarks.

8. Did the narrator actually hear Nana’s remarks?
Ans. Yes, she always heard them.

9. What effect did Nana’s remarks about the narrator’s father have on her mother?
Ans. They completely silenced the narrator’s mother.

10. What kind of legs did Nana consider suitable for a woman?
Ans. She considered legs with plenty of flesh and good calves suitable for supporting solid hips.

11. Why did Nana consider solid hips important?
Ans. She believed they were necessary for having children.

12. What did the narrator wish to see for herself?
Ans. She wished to see the legs of a woman who had children.

13. Why was it difficult for the narrator to see the legs of older women in the village?
Ans. The older women always wore long wrap-arounds.

14. Where did the narrator think she might see older women’s legs?
Ans. She thought she might see them while bathing in the river.

15. Why could the narrator not easily bathe in the river?
Ans. She was rarely allowed to go to the river and had to beg for permission.

16. With whom was the narrator allowed to splash around in the river?
Ans. She was allowed to go with her little-girl friends.

17. Where did the narrator usually take proper baths?
Ans. She took proper baths in the small bathhouse behind their hut.

18. Whose naked female legs had the narrator seen?
Ans. She had seen the legs of little girls, older schoolgirls, her mother and Nana.

19. Why did the narrator think her mother’s and Nana’s legs were probably of the approved kind?
Ans. Nana had given birth to her mother and her mother had given birth to the narrator.

20. How did the narrator feel about the legs of her friends?
Ans. She thought all her friends had legs that looked like legs.

21. What did the narrator not know about her friends’ legs?
Ans. She did not know whether their legs had enough flesh to support the kind of hips Nana considered suitable.

22. How far was the narrator’s village from the small town?
Ans. It was about five kilometres away.

23. Who told the narrator about the distance between the village and the town?
Ans. The older boys and girls told her.

24. What did the older boys and girls complain about?
Ans. They complained about the long walk to school and back.

25. How did the narrator feel about walking five kilometres to school?
Ans. She did not mind the distance because she liked school.

26. What was another subject frequently discussed by Nana and the narrator’s mother?
Ans. School was another subject they discussed frequently.

27. What did Nana think about the narrator going to school?
Ans. Nana thought going to school would be a waste of time.

28. Did the narrator understand what Nana meant by saying school was a waste of time?
Ans. No, she did not understand what Nana meant.

29. What did the narrator’s mother think about education?
Ans. She believed education was important and wanted the narrator to learn to read and write.

30. Why did the narrator’s mother feel she had been locked into darkness?
Ans. She felt so because she herself had not gone to school.

31. What did the narrator’s mother want her daughter to learn?
Ans. She wanted her to learn to read and write her name and learn some basic calculations.

32. Did the narrator’s mother think education would prevent her daughter from marrying?
Ans. No, she thought the narrator could marry later even after going to school.

33. What did Nana say sarcastically about the narrator’s legs and school?
Ans. She said that with legs like hers, the girl might as well go to school.

34. What did the narrator and her classmates regularly do on the sports field?
Ans. They ran races on their small sports field.

35. What did the narrator usually do in the races at school?
Ans. She won first place each time.

36. Why had the narrator never thought of telling anyone at home about her victories?
Ans. She did not consider her victories important enough to tell anyone at home.

37. What was different about the narrator’s running on this occasion?
Ans. She was selected to represent her school in the junior section of the district games.

38. Who allowed the narrator to run in the district games?
Ans. Her teachers selected her to run for the junior section of the school.

39. How did the narrator’s mother and Nana initially react to the news?
Ans. They did not believe it at first.

40. What did Nana do to confirm the narrator’s news?
Ans. She went to “ask into it properly” and confirm the news.

41. What did Nana discover when she investigated the matter?
Ans. She discovered that the narrator was really one of her school’s runners.

42. How did the narrator’s mother react when Nana confirmed the news?
Ans. She exclaimed, “Is that so?”

43. What did the narrator’s mother almost tell Nana?
Ans. She seemed about to tell Nana that there was a secret about the narrator that she could not be expected to share.

44. Why did the narrator’s mother stop herself?
Ans. She stopped because Nana looked extremely pleased and surprised.

45. What did Nana often do after learning that the narrator was a runner?
Ans. She often stared at the narrator’s legs strangely while pretending not to look.

46. What did Nana do to the narrator’s school uniform during sports week?
Ans. She washed it herself.

47. Why was Nana washing the narrator’s school uniform herself significant?
Ans. It was unusual because Nana normally did not do this.

48. From whose house did Nana borrow a charcoal pressing iron?
Ans. She borrowed it from Mr Mensah’s house.

49. What did Nana do with the charcoal pressing iron?
Ans. She repeatedly ironed the narrator’s school uniform.

50. How does the narrator humorously describe Nana’s repeated ironing?
Ans. She says that if she had been the uniform, she would have said she had had enough.

51. How did the narrator feel about wearing her school uniform during the sports week?
Ans. She felt very pleased about wearing it.

52. What happened to the narrator’s uniform in the sunlight?
Ans. It caught the sunlight and appeared brighter than everyone else’s uniform.

53. What did the narrator think Nana must have noticed about the uniform?
Ans. She thought Nana must have noticed and liked how brightly it shone.

54. Where did Nana go every afternoon during the district sports week?
Ans. She came into town with the schoolchildren every afternoon.

55. What did Nana wear during the sports week?
Ans. She wore fresh old cloths from the big brass bowl.

56. How were Nana’s old cloths prepared?
Ans. They were heavily starched.

57. What sound did Nana’s starched clothes make as she walked?
Ans. They creaked as she walked.

58. How did Nana walk behind the schoolchildren?
Ans. She walked far behind them as though she were going somewhere else.

59. How many races did the narrator win for her school?
Ans. She won every race she ran in for her school.

60. What important athletic award did the narrator receive?
Ans. She won the cup for the best all-round junior athlete.

61. What did Nana say about things that were supposedly not done?
Ans. She said she did not care if such things were not done; she would do it.

62. What did Nana do with the narrator’s cup?
Ans. She carried the gleaming cup on her back.

63. How did Nana carry the cup?
Ans. She carried it like people carry babies and other precious things.

64. What did Nana do differently while carrying the cup?
Ans. She did not walk by herself but carried the cup proudly on her back.

65. Where did Nana take the narrator and the cup when they reached the village?
Ans. She entered their compound to show the cup to the narrator’s mother.

66. Where was Nana supposed to take the cup after showing it to the narrator’s mother?
Ans. She was supposed to return it to the Headmaster.

67. What was Nana doing when the narrator described the grown-ups as strange?
Ans. Nana was carrying the narrator on her knee and crying softly.

68. Why was Nana crying?
Ans. She was deeply moved by the narrator’s achievement and was beginning to understand the usefulness of her thin legs.

69. What did Nana repeatedly say about the narrator’s thin legs?
Ans. She said that thin legs could also be useful.

70. What new use of thin legs did Nana recognise?
Ans. She recognised that thin legs could run.

71. What did Nana realise about legs that did not have much meat?
Ans. She realised that such legs could still be useful because they could run.

72. What did Nana begin to question after seeing the narrator’s success?
Ans. She began to question whether legs had to be thick to be useful.

73. What did the narrator think legs should be able to do besides support hips?
Ans. She thought legs should be able to do other things, such as running.

74. Why was the narrator afraid to express her thoughts about legs openly?
Ans. She feared that the adults would scold her or laugh at her.

75. What did the narrator think would happen if she said such things aloud?
Ans. She thought someone would forbid her from repeating them or everyone would laugh until they cried.

76. How did the narrator finally prove the usefulness of her legs?
Ans. She proved it through her success in running races.

77. Did the narrator deliberately plan to prove her legs were useful?
Ans. No, she had not planned to prove anything.

78. How did the narrator demonstrate her point without saying it aloud?
Ans. She demonstrated it through her actions and achievements in running.

79. What did the narrator think was better than arguing with the adults?
Ans. She thought it was better to act and show them the truth.

80. How had the narrator’s achievement changed Nana’s attitude towards her legs?
Ans. Nana now recognised that the narrator’s thin legs could be useful.

81. What does Nana’s reaction reveal about her earlier beliefs?
Ans. It shows that her earlier belief about thin legs being useless was beginning to change.

82. What did Nana carry on her back as if it were a baby?
Ans. She carried the gleaming athletic cup.

83. What does Nana’s carrying of the cup suggest about her feelings?
Ans. It suggests that she was extremely proud of the narrator’s achievement.

84. What did Nana do to show her support for the narrator during sports week?
Ans. She washed and ironed the narrator’s uniform and accompanied the children to town.

85. Why did Nana wear freshly starched clothes during the sports week?
Ans. She wanted to appear properly dressed while accompanying the narrator to the sports events.

86. How did Nana behave while walking with the schoolchildren?
Ans. She kept far behind them and pretended to be going somewhere else.

87. What did Nana’s actions during sports week show despite her earlier criticism?
Ans. They showed that she had become proud of and interested in the narrator’s achievement.

88. What did the narrator win besides individual races?
Ans. She won the cup for the best all-round junior athlete.

89. What does the narrator’s success prove about her thin legs?
Ans. It proves that her thin legs were capable of making her a successful runner.

90. What did the narrator’s mother do when Nana became emotional?
Ans. She remained speechless as usual.

91. What does the phrase “speechless as usual” suggest about the narrator’s mother?
Ans. It suggests that she often remained silent during discussions with Nana.

92. Why is the narrator’s achievement important to Nana?
Ans. It makes Nana realise that the physical feature she had criticised could actually be a source of ability and success.

93. What did Nana previously associate with useful female legs?
Ans. She associated useful female legs with supporting hips capable of having children.

94. What new idea about useful legs does the narrator’s success introduce?
Ans. It introduces the idea that legs can be useful for activities such as running, not merely for supporting hips for childbirth.

95. What traditional belief about women’s bodies is challenged in this part?
Ans. The belief that a woman’s physical worth depends mainly on her ability to bear children is challenged.

96. What role does education play in the narrator’s family discussions?
Ans. Education represents an opportunity for the narrator to escape the limitations her mother experienced.

97. Why does the narrator’s mother want her to receive an education?
Ans. She wants her daughter to learn to read, write and calculate so that she can have opportunities her mother lacked.

98. What does Nana initially think about education?
Ans. She initially thinks it is a waste of time.

99. What does Nana’s later behaviour towards the narrator show?
Ans. It shows that her attitude can change when she sees the narrator’s abilities and achievements.

100. What central idea is conveyed through the narrator’s thin legs?
Ans. The story shows that a person’s abilities cannot be judged merely by traditional ideas about physical appearance or usefulness.

101. What does the narrator’s victory make Nana reconsider?
Ans. It makes Nana reconsider her belief that thin legs are useless for a girl.

102. Why is the title “The Girl Who Can” appropriate to this part?
Ans. The narrator proves that she can run successfully despite having the thin legs that Nana once considered useless.

103. What does the narrator’s running ability demonstrate?
Ans. It demonstrates that physical differences do not necessarily prevent a person from achieving success.

104. What does Nana’s crying while holding the narrator suggest?
Ans. It suggests that Nana is emotionally affected and proud of the narrator’s achievement.

105. What does the narrator mean by saying, “It’s much better this way”?
Ans. She means that it is better to prove the usefulness of her legs through action rather than argue about it.

106. What did the narrator accomplish without consciously planning to prove a point?
Ans. She proved that her thin legs could be useful by becoming a successful runner.

107. What does Nana’s change of attitude reveal about her character?
Ans. It shows that although she strongly follows traditional beliefs, she can recognise and appreciate achievement when she sees it.

108. What does the narrator understand about the usefulness of legs?
Ans. She understands that legs can be useful for many purposes, including running.

109. What is ironic about Nana’s earlier criticism of the narrator’s legs?
Ans. The legs she considered useless eventually become the reason for the narrator’s athletic success.

110. How does the narrator’s achievement affect Nana’s opinion of her?
Ans. It makes Nana proud of her and changes her view of the narrator’s thin legs.

111. What does the narrator’s success suggest about judging people by appearance?
Ans. It suggests that appearance alone cannot determine a person’s abilities or worth.

112. What does the narrator’s mother’s silence at the end indicate?
Ans. It indicates that she is deeply moved and has little to say in response to what has happened.

113. What is the most important change in Nana in this part?
Ans. Nana changes from criticising the narrator’s thin legs to recognising their usefulness.

114. What does the narrator’s victory challenge in her family?
Ans. It challenges the traditional belief that a woman’s legs are valuable mainly because they can support hips for childbirth.

115. What does the narrator prove through her actions rather than words?
Ans. She proves that her thin legs are capable of achieving something valuable and admirable.

116. Why is the narrator unable to openly discuss her ideas about women’s legs?
Ans. She knows that the adults would consider her ideas improper and might laugh at her.

117. How does the narrator’s achievement indirectly answer Nana’s criticism?
Ans. Her victories demonstrate that thin legs can be strong and useful despite Nana’s earlier criticism.

118. What does Nana’s decision to carry the cup suggest about the importance of the achievement to her?
Ans. It shows that she considers the achievement extremely precious and is proud of it.

119. What contrast is shown between Nana’s earlier and later attitudes?
Ans. Earlier, Nana considered the narrator’s thin legs useless; later, she proudly accepts that those legs can run.

120. What important message does this part of the story convey?
Ans. It conveys that a person’s abilities should be recognised beyond traditional expectations and judgments based on appearance.

Three-Mark Questions

1. Why did Nana often bring up the narrator’s father during her arguments with the narrator’s mother?
Ans. Nana used the narrator’s father to strengthen her arguments about the girl’s thin and long legs. She implied that the mother had made a poor choice in marrying such a man. Mentioning him usually silenced the mother because she lost the courage to continue arguing.

2. What did Nana believe a woman’s legs should be like? Why?
Ans. Nana believed that a woman should have legs with enough flesh and good calves to support solid hips. In her traditional view, such hips were important because they were associated with a woman’s ability to bear children. Therefore, she considered the narrator’s thin legs unsuitable.

3. Why was the narrator curious about the legs of women who had children?
Ans. The narrator wanted to find out whether all women who had children had the kind of legs Nana considered suitable. However, she had very few opportunities to observe older women because they wore long wrap-arounds. She could only see the legs of young girls and those of her mother and Nana.

4. What difficulties did the narrator face in observing the legs of older women?
Ans. The older women in the village generally wore long wrap-arounds, which covered their legs. The narrator thought she might observe them while bathing in the river, but she was rarely allowed to go there. She had to beg to play in the shallow water, while regular bathing took place in the bathhouse.

5. Why did the narrator consider school “nice” despite the distance from her village?
Ans. The village and the town were about five kilometres apart, and the older children complained about walking that distance to school and back. The narrator, however, did not mind the distance. She enjoyed school and considered it a pleasant place, showing her enthusiasm for education.

6. Why did the narrator’s mother want her to go to school?
Ans. The narrator’s mother felt that she herself lived in a kind of darkness because she had not attended school. She therefore wanted her daughter to learn to read, write her own name and perform simple calculations. She believed education would be useful even if the girl married later.

7. How did Nana react to the mother’s opinion about the narrator’s education?
Ans. Nana did not seem to value education in the same way as the narrator’s mother. She thought school might be a waste of time. When the mother suggested that education would help the girl, Nana laughed and sarcastically remarked that with legs like hers, the girl might as well go to school.

8. Why was the narrator’s selection for the district games significant?
Ans. The narrator had always enjoyed running and regularly won first place among her classmates. However, being selected to represent her school in the junior section of the district games was something special. It provided an opportunity for her running ability to be recognised beyond her own school.

9. Why did Nana go to “ask into it properly” after hearing that the narrator had been selected?
Ans. Nana initially did not believe that the narrator had really been chosen to run for the school in the district games. She therefore went to find out whether the information was true. When she returned and confirmed it, the news clearly made her pleased and surprised.

10. How did Nana’s attitude towards the narrator change after she became a school runner?
Ans. Nana began paying unusual attention to the narrator. She often stared at her legs and started washing her school uniform herself. She also borrowed a charcoal iron and repeatedly ironed the uniform. These actions showed that Nana had begun taking pride in the girl’s achievements.

11. Why did the narrator find Nana’s washing and ironing of her uniform surprising?
Ans. The narrator considered Nana’s actions unusual because Nana had never shown such special attention to her school uniform before. During the sports week, Nana washed it herself and repeatedly ironed it. The narrator humorously imagined that even the uniform would have complained that it had been ironed enough.

12. Why did Nana accompany the schoolchildren to the district sports week?
Ans. Nana had become interested in the narrator’s participation and success in the district sports. She came into town with the children every afternoon, wearing freshly starched old cloths. Although she walked behind the schoolchildren as if going elsewhere, her presence showed that she was proud of the girl.

13. What does Nana’s carefully starched clothing suggest about her feelings during the sports week?
Ans. Nana’s freshly starched clothes suggest that she wanted to appear respectable and presentable while attending the sports events. Although she pretended to be separate from the schoolchildren, her careful appearance indicated that she took pride in being there and was increasingly interested in the narrator’s achievements.

14. How did the narrator’s success in the races affect Nana?
Ans. The narrator won every race she entered and was awarded the cup for the best all-round junior athlete. Nana was deeply proud of her achievement. She carried the gleaming cup on her back like a baby or another precious possession, showing how important the victory had become to her.

15. Why was Nana’s carrying of the cup especially meaningful?
Ans. Nana had earlier criticised the narrator’s thin legs and considered them unsuitable for a woman. By proudly carrying the cup that the girl had won through running, Nana was indirectly acknowledging the value of those same legs. Her action showed a significant change in her attitude towards them.

16. What does Nana’s behaviour on returning to the village reveal about her feelings?
Ans. On returning to the village, Nana entered the compound with the cup and showed it to the narrator’s mother. Later, she carried the narrator on her knee and cried softly. Her words about thin legs being useful showed that she had finally recognised the girl’s ability and felt proud of her.

17. What does Nana mean when she says that “thin legs can also be useful”?
Ans. Nana means that thin legs are not necessarily useless simply because they cannot provide the solid support she associates with childbearing. The narrator’s success has proved that such legs can perform another important function: they can run fast and help a person achieve something remarkable.

18. What important idea does the narrator understand about the usefulness of legs?
Ans. The narrator believes that legs should not be valued only for supporting hips that can bear children. They can also be used for many other purposes, such as running and achieving success. Her own experience proves that physical features should not be judged according to only one traditional purpose.

19. Why was the narrator afraid to express her thoughts openly?
Ans. The narrator knew that openly questioning the traditional ideas of the adults could cause trouble. She feared that someone would strongly warn her never to repeat such thoughts. She also imagined that the adults might laugh so much at her words that they would even cry.

20. What does the narrator mean by saying, “It’s much better this way”?
Ans. The narrator means that proving her ability through action was better than arguing with Nana or trying to explain her ideas. She had not planned to change Nana’s thinking, but her victories in the races achieved that naturally. Her success demonstrated that thin legs could be useful in another way.

1. How does Nana’s attitude towards the narrator’s thin legs change during the course of the extract?
Ans. At first, Nana considers the narrator’s thin, long legs unsuitable for a woman because she believes women need strong, fleshy legs to support solid hips for childbearing. However, the narrator’s success as a runner gradually changes Nana’s opinion. She begins watching her legs, cares for her uniform and proudly carries her winning cup. Finally, she accepts that thin legs can also be useful because they can run and achieve success.

2. How does the extract present the difference between Nana’s and the narrator’s mother’s views on education?
Ans. Nana considers education a possible waste of time, while the narrator’s mother sees it as a way of escaping the limitations caused by her own lack of schooling. She wants her daughter to learn reading, writing and simple calculations. The difference reflects two generations and two attitudes: Nana remains attached to traditional expectations, whereas the mother understands that education can give the narrator greater opportunities in life.

3. How does the narrator’s success in running challenge Nana’s traditional beliefs?
Ans. Nana believes that a woman’s legs should mainly be strong enough to support hips associated with childbirth. The narrator’s achievements challenge this narrow idea. Her thin legs enable her to win races and become the best all-round junior athlete. Nana cannot ignore this evidence. Her final words acknowledging that thin legs can be useful show that the narrator’s success has made her reconsider the traditional belief she had previously accepted.

4. What is the significance of Nana’s behaviour towards the narrator during the district sports week?
Ans. Nana’s behaviour shows that her feelings towards the narrator’s abilities are changing. She washes and repeatedly irons the girl’s uniform, accompanies the schoolchildren to the sports events and takes pride in her appearance. After the races, she carries the winning cup like something precious. These actions reveal growing pride and affection and suggest that Nana is beginning to value the narrator for what she can achieve.

5. How does the writer use the narrator’s observations to reveal the conflict between traditional beliefs and individual ability?
Ans. The narrator observes that Nana judges women mainly according to their ability to bear children, while her own experience proves that physical features can have other purposes. Her thin legs, which Nana considers unsuitable, make her an excellent runner. The narrator does not openly challenge Nana but demonstrates the truth through her achievements. Thus, her observations and success expose the limitations of judging a person according to traditional expectations.

6. Why is Nana’s carrying of the cup on her back an important moment in the extract?
Ans. Nana’s carrying of the cup is important because it represents her pride in the narrator’s achievement. She carries it like a baby or another precious object, showing how highly she values it. Earlier, she had criticised the narrator’s legs, but now those same legs have helped win the prize. The action therefore symbolises Nana’s changing attitude and her growing recognition of the girl’s ability.

7. What does Nana’s final reaction to the narrator reveal about her character?
Ans. Nana’s final reaction shows that she is capable of changing when confronted with convincing evidence. Although she has strongly supported traditional ideas about women and their bodies, the narrator’s success makes her reconsider them. Carrying the girl on her knee and crying softly, Nana acknowledges that thin legs can run. Her emotional response also reveals her deep affection and pride in her granddaughter.

8. How does the narrator prove that a person’s physical features should not determine their abilities?
Ans. The narrator proves this through her achievements rather than through argument. Nana considers her thin legs a weakness and believes they cannot serve the traditional purpose expected of a woman. Yet the narrator repeatedly wins races and becomes the best all-round junior athlete. Her success demonstrates that physical characteristics should not be judged only according to traditional expectations; abilities must also be recognised through what a person can actually accomplish.

9. Why does the narrator say that it was “much better this way”? Explain the significance of this statement.
Ans. The narrator feels that proving her point through action was better than arguing with Nana. She could not have openly explained that legs could be useful for purposes other than supporting hips for childbirth because the adults might have silenced or mocked her. Instead, her running success demonstrated the idea naturally. Her achievements changed Nana’s thinking without any direct confrontation, making the lesson more powerful.

10. What is the central idea of Part Two of “The Girl Who Can”?
Ans. Part Two shows how traditional beliefs about women can limit the way their abilities are understood. Nana initially judges the narrator’s thin legs according to their supposed usefulness for childbearing. The narrator’s success as a runner challenges this belief and gradually changes Nana’s attitude. The extract celebrates individual ability and shows that people should not be restricted by narrow social expectations about their appearance or traditional roles.

Reference To Context

Extract 1

‘Oh, Mother.’ That’s how my mother would answer. Very, very quietly. And the discussion would end or they would move on to something else.

Sometimes, Nana would pull in something about my father.

How, ‘Looking at such a man, we have to be humble and admit that after all, God’s children are many.. .’

‘Legs that have meat on them with good calves to support solid hips... to be able to have children.’

(i) Why did the narrator’s mother respond to Nana very quietly? What happened after her response? [3]
Ans. The narrator’s mother answered Nana very quietly because Nana’s arguments made her lose confidence and courage. She could not continue defending her views. After her quiet response, the discussion would usually end or the two women would move on to another subject. This shows Nana’s strong influence over her daughter.

(ii) Why did Nana bring the narrator’s father into her arguments with the narrator’s mother? [3]
Ans. Nana mentioned the narrator’s father to strengthen her criticism of the mother’s choices. She suggested that the mother had married an unsuitable man and therefore had to accept the consequences. Her remarks about the father embarrassed and discouraged the mother so much that she became silent and could no longer continue the argument.

(iii) What does the narrator mean when she says that Nana’s words “shut my mother up for good”? [3]
Ans. The narrator means that Nana’s remarks about her father completely silenced her mother. The mother seemed to lose even the little courage she had to argue further. The narrator understood that Nana had probably said something critical about the father even when she had not clearly heard the words.

(iv) What kind of legs did Nana consider suitable for a woman? Why? [3]
Ans. Nana believed that a woman should have legs with enough flesh and good calves to support solid hips. She associated such physical features with the ability to bear children. Therefore, she considered the narrator’s long, thin and “spindly” legs unsuitable. Her opinion reflects the traditional expectations she had about a woman’s body and role.

(v) What do Nana’s remarks in this extract reveal about her beliefs and attitude towards the narrator? [4]
Ans. Nana’s remarks reveal that she strongly believes a woman’s physical appearance should conform to traditional expectations, especially those connected with marriage and childbearing. She considers the narrator’s thin legs a weakness because they do not fit her idea of a suitable woman. Her criticism is also influenced by her feelings about the narrator’s father. At this stage, Nana judges the girl according to traditional standards rather than recognising her individual abilities.

Extract 2

(i) Why did the narrator want to see the legs of women who had children? [3]
Ans. The narrator wanted to discover whether women who had children really possessed the kind of legs Nana considered suitable for childbearing. She was curious about Nana’s belief that legs should have enough flesh to support solid hips. Since she had never seen the legs of many older women, she wanted to find out for herself.

(ii) Why was it difficult for the narrator to see the legs of older women in her village? [3]
Ans. It was difficult because the older women in the village always wore long wrap-arounds that covered their legs. The narrator thought she might see their legs if she were allowed to bathe in the river with them. However, she rarely got permission to go to the river and usually bathed in the small bathhouse.

(iii) Which female legs had the narrator actually seen? [3]
Ans. The narrator had seen the legs of other little girls like herself, older girls at school, and her mother and Nana. She believed that her mother’s and Nana’s legs must belong to the “approved kind” because Nana had given birth to her mother and her mother had given birth to her.

(iv) What does the narrator mean by saying that her friends’ legs “look like legs”? [3]
Ans. The narrator simply means that her friends’ legs appeared normal and natural to her. However, she did not know whether they had enough flesh or strong calves to support the kind of hips Nana considered necessary for childbearing. Her innocent uncertainty shows that she is trying to understand Nana’s traditional belief through her own observations.

(v) What does this extract reveal about the narrator’s curiosity and way of thinking? [4]
Ans. The extract shows that the narrator is naturally curious and likes to discover things through personal observation rather than simply accepting what adults tell her. Nana has made her wonder about the connection between legs, hips and childbirth, so she wants to investigate it herself. Her innocent reasoning also reveals that she does not fully understand the adult assumptions behind Nana’s beliefs and is beginning to question them.

Extract 3

(i) Why did the older boys and girls complain about the distance between the village and the school? [3]
Ans. The village and the small town were about five kilometres apart. The older boys and girls complained because they had to walk this distance to school and then walk back home. However, the narrator did not consider the distance troublesome. She enjoyed going to school and simply thought that “School is nice.”

(ii) Why did the narrator’s mother disagree with Nana’s opinion about school? [3]
Ans. Nana considered school a waste of time, but the narrator’s mother strongly disagreed. She felt that her own lack of education had left her in a kind of darkness. Therefore, she wanted her daughter to receive an education so that she could read, write and perform simple calculations.

(iii) What did the narrator’s mother mean when she said she felt “locked into some kind of darkness”? [3]
Ans. The narrator’s mother meant that her lack of education had limited her knowledge and opportunities. She felt that not being able to attend school had prevented her from learning basic skills. She therefore believed that education would help her daughter avoid the same limitations and gain greater understanding and independence.

(iv) What basic skills did the narrator’s mother want her daughter to learn? [3]
Ans. The narrator’s mother wanted her daughter to learn to read and write her own name and acquire some additional knowledge. She also hoped that the girl would be able to calculate things on paper. These basic educational skills were important to her because she herself had missed the opportunity to attend school.

(v) How does this extract show the difference between Nana’s and the narrator’s mother’s attitudes towards education? [4]
Ans. The extract presents a clear difference between the two women. Nana considers education a waste of time, reflecting her traditional outlook. The narrator’s mother, however, understands its value because she personally feels limited by her lack of schooling. She wants her daughter to gain basic literacy and numeracy before possibly marrying later. Thus, the mother sees education as a means of overcoming the limitations she herself experienced.

Extract 4

Nana would just laugh. ‘Ah, maybe with legs like hers, she might as well go to school.’

(i) Why did Nana laugh when the narrator’s mother spoke about her going to school? [3]
Ans. Nana laughed because she considered the narrator’s thin legs unsuitable for a woman. Her remark suggests that, according to her traditional thinking, a girl with such legs might as well go to school rather than depend on the physical qualities she considered necessary for marriage and childbearing. Her words are also sarcastic.

(ii) Why had the narrator never thought of telling anyone at home about her earlier running victories? [3]
Ans. The narrator regularly came first when running with her classmates on the school sports field. However, she did not consider these victories important enough to discuss at home. She regarded them as an ordinary part of school life. Her selection for the district games was different because it was a greater achievement.

(iii) What was different about the narrator’s running achievement this time? [3]
Ans. Earlier, the narrator had won races only among her classmates on the school sports field. This time, her teachers selected her to represent the junior section of the school in the district games. It was therefore a more significant achievement because she was competing beyond her usual school-level activities.

(iv) Why did Nana go to “ask into it properly”? [3]
Ans. When the narrator told Nana and her mother that she had been selected for the district games, they initially did not believe her. Nana therefore decided to verify the information herself. She went to find out whether it was really true and returned to confirm that the narrator was one of the school’s runners.

(v) How does this extract mark an important change in the way the narrator’s running ability is viewed by the adults? [4]
Ans. Earlier, the narrator’s running ability was simply an ordinary part of school life and was not considered worth mentioning at home. Her selection for the district games changes this situation. Nana and her mother are surprised and initially doubtful, but Nana takes the trouble to verify the news herself. Her action suggests that the girl’s running ability is beginning to receive serious attention, especially from Nana.

Extract 5

(i) Why did the narrator’s mother suddenly stop herself from speaking? [3]
Ans. The narrator’s mother seemed about to reveal that there was something special about the narrator which she could not be expected to discuss with Nana. However, she noticed that Nana was genuinely pleased by the news of the narrator’s selection as a runner. Her surprise at Nana’s happiness made the mother remain silent.

(ii) Why did the narrator find Nana’s behaviour towards her unusual? [3]
Ans. The narrator found Nana’s behaviour unusual because Nana had begun paying special attention to her. She repeatedly stared at the narrator’s legs while pretending not to look. She also started washing the narrator’s school uniform herself. These actions were unexpected because Nana had not shown such interest before.

(iii) What did Nana do to prepare the narrator’s school uniform? [3]
Ans. Nana personally washed the narrator’s school uniform throughout the week. She also went to Mr Mensah’s house and borrowed his charcoal pressing iron. She then returned home and repeatedly ironed the uniform. Her unusually careful treatment of the uniform suggests that she had become proud of the narrator’s participation in the sports event.

(iv) What does the narrator’s humorous comment about the uniform reveal about her personality? [3]
Ans. The narrator humorously imagines that if she herself had been the uniform, she would have complained that Nana had ironed it enough. This comment shows her innocent, observant and playful nature. Even while noticing Nana’s unusual behaviour, she does not describe it seriously or bitterly but presents it with gentle humour.

(v) How does Nana’s behaviour in this extract suggest a change in her attitude towards the narrator? [4]
Ans. Nana’s behaviour suggests that she is beginning to take pride in the narrator and her achievement. Earlier, she had criticised the girl’s thin legs and considered them unsuitable. Now she repeatedly watches those same legs and takes great care of the uniform the girl will wear during the sports events. Her actions indicate that her earlier negative attitude is gradually giving way to admiration and affection.

Extract 6

(i) Why did the narrator feel particularly happy about wearing her school uniform that week? [3]
Ans. The narrator felt happy because her school uniform looked especially bright during the district sports week. On the first afternoon, it caught the rays of the sun and appeared to shine more brightly than the other uniforms. She also noticed that Nana seemed to admire the uniform, which made her feel pleased.

(ii) What does Nana’s choice of clothes reveal about her attitude towards the sports week? [3]
Ans. Nana carefully selected a fresh old cloth from her collection each afternoon and wore it to town. The clothes were heavily starched and made a noticeable sound as she walked. Her careful preparation suggests that she considered the occasion important and wanted to look respectable while attending the sports events.

(iii) Why does the narrator think that Nana liked the appearance of her uniform? [3]
Ans. The narrator noticed that her uniform caught the sunlight and shone more brightly than everyone else’s uniform. She was sure that Nana had also noticed this attractive appearance. Since Nana had already begun taking unusual care of her uniform and attending the sports events, the narrator naturally believed that Nana was pleased with it.

(iv) Why did Nana walk “way behind” the schoolchildren? [3]
Ans. Nana walked behind the schoolchildren because she seemed unwilling to appear as though she was directly accompanying them. The narrator says that Nana behaved as if she were going somewhere else. This suggests that although Nana was interested in the sports events and the narrator’s success, she still maintained a certain distance from the children.

(v) How does this extract show Nana’s growing pride in the narrator while also revealing her traditional behaviour? [4]
Ans. Nana’s repeated presence at the district sports events shows that she has become interested in the narrator’s achievements. She dresses carefully each afternoon and appears pleased by the girl’s smart uniform. Yet she deliberately walks behind the schoolchildren, as though she is going somewhere else. This behaviour reflects her reserved and traditional nature: she is proud of the narrator but does not openly display her feelings or associate herself directly with the children.

Extract 7

When we arrived in our village, she entered our compound to show the cup to my mother before going to give it back to the Headmaster.

(i) What achievements of the narrator are mentioned in the extract? [3]
Ans. The narrator says that she won every race she entered for her school. She also won the cup for the best all-round junior athlete. These achievements are important because they prove that her thin legs, which Nana had previously considered unsuitable, have enabled her to become a successful athlete.

(ii) Why did Nana carry the narrator’s cup on her back? [3]
Ans. Nana carried the gleaming cup on her back because she considered it precious and was extremely proud of the narrator’s achievement. She carried it in the same way that babies or other valuable things are carried. Unlike before, she did not walk separately but proudly carried the prize with her.

(iii) Why did Nana enter the compound when they reached the village? [3]
Ans. Nana entered the compound because she wanted to show the narrator’s winning cup to her mother before returning it to the Headmaster. This action demonstrates Nana’s pride in the narrator’s achievement. She wanted the girl’s success to be seen and appreciated by the narrator’s mother.

(iv) What does Nana realise about the narrator’s thin legs? [3]
Ans. Nana realises that the narrator’s thin legs are not useless simply because they lack the flesh she considers necessary for supporting hips. The girl’s achievements have shown her that thin legs can run successfully. Nana begins to understand that legs can have purposes beyond the traditional function she had associated with them.

(v) How does Nana’s emotional reaction show a change in her attitude towards the narrator and her thin legs? [4]
Ans. Nana’s emotional reaction marks a major change in her attitude. Earlier, she had regarded the narrator’s thin legs as unsuitable and even useless for a woman. Now, after seeing the girl win races and receive the cup, Nana carries both the prize and the girl with affection. Her tears and repeated words that thin legs can be useful show that she has begun to recognise the value of the narrator’s ability rather than judging her only by traditional standards.

Extract 8

It‘s much better this way. To have acted it out to show them, although I could not have planned it.

As for my mother, she has been speechless as usual.

(i) What does the narrator believe about the usefulness of legs? [3]
Ans. The narrator believes that legs should have purposes beyond supporting hips that can bear children. She thinks that people should be able to use their legs for different activities. Her own success as a runner has proved this idea. Thus, she begins to see physical abilities in a broader and less traditional way.

(ii) Why was the narrator afraid of expressing her thoughts aloud? [3]
Ans. The narrator feared that the adults would strongly object to her thoughts and tell her never to repeat them. She also believed that they might laugh at her ideas. Her fear shows that she understood there were certain subjects and opinions that children were not expected to question openly in her society.

(iii) What does the narrator mean by saying, “It’s much better this way”? [3]
Ans. The narrator means that it was better to prove her point through her actions rather than explain it in words. By winning the races, she demonstrated that her thin legs could be useful without directly challenging the adults. Her success communicated her idea more effectively than an argument could have done.

(iv) What does the phrase “acted it out to show them” refer to? [3]
Ans. The phrase refers to the narrator demonstrating the usefulness of her thin legs by running successfully in the races. She did not deliberately plan to prove Nana wrong, but her achievements did so naturally. Her victories showed the adults that her legs could perform an important function apart from supporting hips associated with childbearing.

(v) How does the ending of the extract bring out the narrator’s understanding of herself and the adults around her? [4]
Ans. The ending shows that the narrator has understood that actions can sometimes communicate more effectively than words. She had been afraid to challenge the adults’ traditional ideas directly, but her running achievements have demonstrated her point naturally. Her mother remains “speechless as usual,” while Nana has begun to change her thinking. The narrator therefore achieves a quiet victory without confrontation, proving the usefulness of her abilities through her actions.

Poetry of Dr. Shankar D Mishra

Thursday, 24 September 2026

The Girl Who Can . - Part Two, Page 155-158 GLOSSARY, SUMMARY& QUESTION-ANSWERS

Multiple-Choice Questions

One-Mark Questions and Answers

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