Chapter 4: Vitamin-M - Complete Solutions
About the Story (Simple Summary)
The story is about a boy named Ravi, his mother Vidya, and his Grandfather (Grandpa).
The Problem: Grandpa is old (75 years). He forgets things easily. Once, he took too much medicine by mistake. Another time, he got lost while walking. So, Vidya (Ravi's mother) is very worried. She doesn't want Grandpa to go out alone. She calls Ravi a "Vitamin-M" (Memory Vitamin) to help Grandpa remember things.
Ravi's Promise: Ravi's holidays start. His mother tells him to take care of Grandpa and not let him go out alone. Ravi promises.
Grandpa's Plan: Grandpa wants to go out. He cleverly tricks Ravi. He says he is just going to the corner shop. Ravi cannot stop him without being rude.
Ravi Follows Him: Ravi secretly follows Grandpa. Grandpa goes to the park, eats peanuts, then goes to a tea stall. He eats sugar and ice cream (which are forbidden at home). Ravi has many funny and embarrassing moments while hiding from Grandpa.
The Confusion: Ravi sees Grandpa getting on a bus. He also gets on the bus. But the man with the yellow cap is not Grandpa! It's a stranger. Grandpa gave his cap to the stranger because it was a hot day.
Ravi is Scared: Ravi cannot find Grandpa. He goes home, feeling sick with worry.
The Surprise: When Ravi reaches home, Grandpa is already there, sleeping peacefully! Grandpa acts like nothing happened. He gives Ravi a birthday gift (even though Ravi's birthday was three months ago). The gift is a book called "The Best Detective Stories".
The Twist: Grandpa says to Ravi's mother, "My daughter needs some Vitamin-M for her memory." He also tells Ravi he can learn how not to get fooled while following someone from the detective book. This means Grandpa knew that Ravi was following him all along! He was just playing a game.
Detailed Solutions to All Questions
Reflect and Respond (Page 117)
(This section is for discussion. Here are sample answers.)
I. From your experience with an elderly person, complete the graphic organiser.
(You can write your own points. Here is an example)
Their daily routine: Wake up early, do yoga, read newspaper, take a nap in the afternoon, watch TV in the evening.
Things they enjoy: Listening to old songs, telling stories, drinking tea, gardening.
Things they find difficult: Climbing stairs, remembering new names, using a smartphone, hearing soft sounds.
What you learn from them: Patience, respect for elders, value of simple things, family traditions.
Check Your Understanding (From the story parts)
I. Why did Grandpa dislike living in the city with his daughter?
Answer: Grandpa disliked the city because it was noisy and crowded. He missed his small, quiet brick house in the town which had a big mango tree. He loved the peace and quiet of his old home where you could even hear a leaf fall.
II. Why did Vidya not want her father to go out alone?
Answer: Vidya did not want her father to go out alone because he had already gotten lost once while on a walk and forgot the way back home. She was afraid he would get into danger again.
III. Was Ravi in favour of his mother treating Grandpa like a child? How can you say so?
Answer: No, Ravi was not in favour of it. We know this because when his mother spoke to Grandpa in an overly loud tone, "Ravi winced." He felt embarrassed that his mother was treating Grandpa like a child who couldn't understand.
IV. Would Ravi be able to keep up his promise to his mother?
Answer: No, Ravi was not able to keep his promise. As soon as his mother left, Grandpa tricked him and went out. Ravi could not stop him.
ACT II (Second half of the story) - Check Your Understanding
I. Complete the flow chart by describing Grandpa's day out.
Went to the children's park and ate peanuts.
Went to the tea stall and had tea, bananas, and ice cream.
Went to the barber shop.
Gave his yellow cap to a stranger.
Went back home before Ravi.
II. Was Grandpa lost as feared by Ravi's mother?
Answer: No, Grandpa was not lost. He was actually safe at home, sleeping in his bedroom when Ravi returned, worried.
III. How would Ravi feel after seeing Grandpa?
Answer: Ravi felt great delight and relief. He was so happy and emotional that he knelt down and hugged his grandfather.
IV. Do you think Ravi's mother will get to know about what had happened?
Answer: Probably not. Grandpa cleverly said he had a "quiet morning" and that Ravi "disappeared." He did not tell on Ravi. It became a secret between them.
ACT III (End of the story) - Check Your Understanding
I. Describe how Ravi's emotional reaction upon finding Grandpa safe at home reveals his feelings towards his grandfather.
Answer: When Ravi found Grandpa safe, he was filled with "delight and relief." He knelt down, put his cheek against Grandpa's face, and hugged him. This shows that Ravi loves his grandfather very much and was extremely worried about him. He was not just doing a duty; he truly cares for Grandpa.
II. What might be the significance of Grandpa's habit of giving gifts to everyone on his birthday rather than receiving them?
Answer: It shows that Grandpa is a very generous and thoughtful person. He finds happiness in giving to others, especially his "babies" (his children and grandchildren). It shows his love is selfless.
III. Why do you think Grandpa gave Ravi a detective story book as a gift? What might this suggest about Grandpa's awareness of Ravi's actions earlier in the day?
Answer: Grandpa gave Ravi the detective book because he knew Ravi had been following him like a detective. The book was a fun way of telling Ravi, "I knew what you were doing." It proves that Grandpa was fully aware of Ravi following him and was just having a little adventure.
Critical Reflection (Long Answer Questions)
I. Answer the following questions in detail.
1. Grandpa is portrayed as a person with failing memory in the beginning of the story. Give two evidences to disprove the statement.
Answer: Even though Grandpa seems to forget small things, the story shows he has a very sharp memory.
He remembers complex chess games: He remembers famous moves by grandmasters like Karpov and Bobby Fischer. This needs a very good memory.
He remembers everyone's birthday: He gives gifts to Ravi (three months late) and to his daughter and son-in-law on his own birthday. He remembers to give gifts to everyone. Also, he cleverly remembers that Ravi's mother asked Ravi to watch him, and he proves he is smarter by knowing he was followed.
2. Give two characteristic traits of each character.
(i) Grandfather (Grandpa):
Clever/Mischievous: He tricks Ravi to go out, gives his cap away, and pretends to be asleep, all while knowing he was being followed.
Loving and Generous: He buys gifts for everyone on his birthday and still calls his adult children his "babies."
(ii) Ravi:
Responsible and Caring: He promises to take care of his grandfather and follows him secretly to ensure his safety.
Loyal and Loving: He feels bad when his mother treats Grandpa like a child and is overcome with affection for him at the end.
(iii) Ravi's mother (Vidya):
Worried and Overprotective: She is so scared for her father's safety that she forbids him from going out alone.
Loving Daughter: She brings her father to live with her because she wants to take care of him after his accident.
3. Why was Ravi worried about what Grandfather had at the tea stall?
Answer: Ravi was worried because Grandpa ate things that were forbidden at home for his health, like sugar in his tea, bananas, and ice cream. Ravi thought, "Mother would faint if she saw this!" He was worried about Grandpa's health and also about getting in trouble with his mother.
4. Do you think it was easy for Ravi to follow his Grandfather? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Answer: No, it was not easy for Ravi to follow his grandfather. He faced many embarrassing and difficult situations:
A little boy in the park caught him hiding and his mother shouted at Ravi.
The lady vendors at the tea stall thought he was a new vendor and argued with him.
He accidentally ran into a Ladies' Hairdressing Salon and was thrown out.
He almost got hit by a bus and had to sprint to catch it.
5. 'Ravi is a good detective'. Give one argument in favour of and against the given statement.
In Favour: Ravi did not give up. He followed Grandpa from the park, to the tea stall, to the barber shop, and even caught a bus. He was determined and used his wits to hide.
Against: Ravi was a bad detective because he got caught or almost caught many times (by the child, the vendors, the salon ladies). Most importantly, he failed to detect that Grandpa was the one outsmarting him! Grandpa knew he was being followed the whole time.
6. Was Grandfather aware that Ravi was following him? How do you know?
Answer: Yes, Grandfather was completely aware. We know this because of the gift he gave Ravi: a book on detective stories. He said Ravi could learn "how to avoid getting fooled when one is trailing a suspect." This is a direct hint that Grandpa knew Ravi was "trailing" (following) him and was not fooled.
7. In your opinion, who needs Vitamin-M? And why?
Answer: In my opinion, Ravi's mother (Vidya) needs Vitamin-M the most. Grandpa jokes about this at the end. She forgot that she had circled her father's birthday on the calendar. She was so busy worrying about his memory that she forgot something important herself. Also, she forgot what it felt like to be treated as a child and to be independent.
8. Some people believe society shows bias based on age. Give an example from the story.
Answer: The best example is how Ravi's mother talks to Grandpa. "Ravi winced at the over-loud tone his mother used... as though she were speaking to a child." Vidya treats her father, a former lawyer who lived independently for years, like a helpless child just because he is old. She disregards his wish for independence and his ability to take care of himself.
Vocabulary and Structures in Context
I. Classify movement and sound words.
Movement Words: twirling, sprinting, zigzagging, trailed, staggered, crept, rushed, whizzed, disappeared.
Sound Words: screech, boomed, roar, tap, thud, whirr, rustle.
II. Find synonyms of 'dilemma' from the word puzzle.
QUANDARY and PREDICAMENT are synonyms of dilemma.
III. Table for word meanings.
| Word | Meaning | Part of Speech | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| craftily | in a clever, tricky way | Adverb | slyly | honestly |
| dilemma | a difficult choice | Noun | problem | solution |
| furious | very angry | Adjective | enraged | calm |
| boomed | made a loud, deep sound | Verb | thundered | whispered |
| humiliation | feeling of shame and embarrassment | Noun | disgrace | pride |
| attire | clothing | Noun | clothes | - |
IV. Match emotions/expressions.
| Emotion/Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. embarrassed | (v) felt uncomfortable |
| 2. countered | (iv) reply to an argument |
| 3. flushed | (vi) became red in the face |
| 4. stricken | (i) affected severely by an unpleasant feeling |
| 5. gleam | (iii) expression of emotion |
V. Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions.
I walked (i) through the village, crossed a bridge (ii) over a brook, and found a quiet garden (iii) near a cottage. Sitting on a bench (iv) in the garden, I enjoyed the peaceful surroundings. Later, I strolled (v) along a riverbank, exploring the forest and heading (vi) towards the unknown.
VI. (A-D) Interrogative Sentences.
A. interrogative
B. Yes/No type
C. Wh-type, two
VII. Convert conversation to reported speech.
Arvind asked Priya if she 1. helped in taking care of her grandparents at home, for which Priya replied in the affirmative and said that they 2. took turns making sure they were alright. Priya further asked Arvind 3. if he had grandparents living with him. Arvind replied in the negative and said that 4. he and his parents visited his grandpa every weekend. He further enquired 5. how she managed her grandparents' medical needs. Priya responded by saying that they 6. had a schedule for giving medications and visits to the doctor.
Listen and Respond (Podcast on Meditation)
Answers:
stress management
physically and emotionally
self-awareness
(your) routine
exam-related pressure
Writing Task (Article for School Magazine)
Topic: Our Inspiring Elderly
Title: Our Inspiring Elderly
By: [Your Name], Grade 9
Our grandparents and elderly relatives are like walking, talking history books. They have lived through times we can only imagine. In a world that runs on speed and new technology, they might seem slow, but their lives are full of lessons that can truly inspire us.
The elderly inspire us through their quiet strength and resilience. They didn't have the internet or delivery apps, yet they managed their homes, raised families, and built successful lives with hard work and limited resources. My own grandmother, for example, never went to school but learned to read and write when she was sixty just so she could read the newspaper. Their stories of overcoming difficulties without complaining teach us the value of patience and gratitude.
Furthermore, they have a deep sense of duty and love. In the story "Vitamin-M", Grandpa didn't let his age stop him from being independent and generous. He remembered to give gifts to everyone on his birthday, showing that love has no age limit. They teach us that family is the most important thing and that happiness comes from giving, not just receiving.
In conclusion, the elderly are not a burden but a treasure. They may need our help physically, but we need their wisdom emotionally and spiritually. We should spend time listening to their stories, learning from their experiences, and valuing their presence. As the poet said, "For learning there is no age bar." Let us respect and cherish our inspiring elders.
Learning Beyond the Text
I. Choose the image that correctly displays Grandpa's walking stick.
(Based on the story description: "beautiful shiny-black mahogany walking stick with a brass handle carved in the shape of an eagle's head.")
Correct Image: The one that is dark/black with a golden handle shaped like a bird's head.
II. "A picture is worth a thousand words!" (Activity for students)
(For the poem "I Cannot Remember My Mother" included in this unit)
Check Your Understanding
Stanza 1:
The poet remembers his mother while he is at play.
The poet remembers the tune but not the song.
Stanza 2:
The poet remembers his mother in the early autumn season.
The poet remembers his mother by the smell of shiuli flowers.
Stanza 3:
The poet feels that his mother gazed at him from the distant sky.
II. Senses Table
| Stanza | Lines from the Poem | Senses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "...the tune of some song that she used to hum..." | Auditory (hearing) |
| 2 | "...the smell of the shiuli flowers floats in the air..." | Olfactory (smell) |
| 3 | "...I send my eyes into the blue of the distant sky..." | Visual (sight) |
III. Poetic Devices
Alliteration:
"my mother" (repetition of 'm' sound)
"some song" (repetition of 's' sound)
"stillness of my mother's gaze" (repetition of 's' sound)
Onomatopoeia: "hum" (the sound made while singing with lips closed).
Imagery: The poem uses vivid images like "the tune...hover over my playthings", "the smell of the shiuli flowers", and "the stillness of my mother's gaze... spread all over the sky". These create clear mental pictures and feelings related to smell, sound, and sight.
Critical Reflection (Poem)
1. What is the emotional impact of the refrain, 'I cannot remember my mother'?
Answer: The refrain creates a feeling of loss and longing. By saying he "cannot remember," the poet immediately makes us feel sad. But then he shows that he does feel her presence through small moments (a tune, a smell, the sky), which makes the memory even more powerful and touching.
2. Interpret the connection between the poet's mother and: (i) shiuli flowers (ii) humming tune.
Answer: The humming tune is connected to the most personal and loving act of a mother – rocking her baby to sleep. It connects her to comfort and care. The shiuli flowers are connected to the morning and to temples. Their scent brings the poet a feeling of peace and holiness, which he associates with his mother's presence.
3. What role does nature play in the poet's description of the memory of his mother?
Answer: Nature acts as a bridge to his mother's memory. The poet does not remember her face, but he feels her through natural elements: the floating scent of flowers, the vastness of the blue sky. Nature becomes a place where her spirit lives on, and he can feel close to her.