A Gift of Chappals
Introduction
'A Gift of Chappals' is a story about the innocence and generosity of children. Two children, Mridu and her cousin, share a warm-hearted adventure when they meet a needy man and decide to give him something precious. The story highlights the simplicity of children's kindness and the humour that arises from their actions.
'Children give without calculation. That is what makes their kindness so pure — and sometimes so funny.'
2. About the Author
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Author | M. G. Kerr |
| Title | A Gift of Chappals |
| Genre | Children's fiction |
| Theme | Kindness, innocence, family |
3. Summary of the Story
The Meeting
Mridu visits her grandmother's house. Outside the house, she meets an old man who is wearing only one chappal (slipper). His foot is painfully resting on the hot pavement. Mridu feels sorry for him.
The Kindness
Mridu and her cousin Ravi decide to help. They run inside the house and find a pair of new chappals. They give these chappals to the old man. The old man thanks them and walks away.
The Comic Twist
The chappals belonged to the children's grandfather. When the grandfather asks for his new chappals, the children realise what they have done. They try to hide the truth, which leads to a series of humorous situations.
'The children's gift was generous — but the chappals were not theirs to give. The story captures the beautiful conflict between generosity and responsibility.'
4. Characters
| Character | Role | Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Mridu | Main character | Kind, compassionate, sensitive |
| Ravi | Mridu's cousin | Generous, impulsive, clever |
| Grandfather | Family elder | Strong-willed, authoritative |
| Grandmother | Family elder | Understanding, gentle |
| The old man | Needy person | Grateful, humble |
5. Themes
| Theme | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Generosity | Children give selflessly without expecting anything in return |
| Innocence | Children do not understand the value or ownership of things |
| Consequences | Every action, however kind, has consequences |
| Family relationships | The dynamics between children and grandparents |
| Morality | Is it right to give away something that does not belong to you? |
6. Important Questions
Think About It
- Why did Mridu and Ravi give away the chappals?
- Was it right for the children to give away something that belonged to someone else?
- How did the grandfather react when he found out?
- What would you have done if you were in Mridu's place?
Discuss
- 'The children were right to be generous, even if the chappals were not theirs.'
- 'One should not give away what belongs to others, no matter how good the intention.'
7. Key Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Chappals | Indian word for slippers or sandals |
| Compassion | Feeling of sympathy for someone's suffering |
| Generous | Willing to give more than expected |
| Impulsive | Acting without thinking |
| Consequence | Result of an action |
8. Exam Focus
2-Mark Questions
- Who are the main characters in 'A Gift of Chappals'?
- Why did Mridu feel sorry for the old man?
- What did the children give to the old man?
- Whose chappals were given away?
5-Mark Questions
- Describe how Mridu and Ravi showed kindness to the old man.
- What were the consequences of the children's gift?
- Discuss the theme of generosity vs responsibility in the story.
- Write a character sketch of Mridu or Ravi.
9. Self-Test
Q1. Name the two children in the story. A1. Mridu and Ravi.
Q2. What was the old man lacking? A2. He was wearing only one chappal.
Q3. Where did the children find the chappals? A3. Inside their grandfather's room.
Q4. How did the grandfather react? A4. He was angry and demanded his chappals back.
Q5. What is the moral of the story? A5. Kindness is important, but we must also respect others' property.
Summary
- Mridu and Ravi see an old man in need of chappals.
- They give him a pair of chappals belonging to their grandfather.
- The grandfather is angry when he discovers the missing chappals.
- The story highlights the innocence and generosity of children.
- It raises questions about the balance between kindness and responsibility.
- The comic elements make the story both heartwarming and humorous.
