🌦️Unit 1, Lesson 1: The Parrot's Tale
1.
Once upon a time there lived a bird. It was unlettered. It sang but couldn’t recite a word of scripture. It hopped and it flew but lacked all sense of manners.
The King said, “Such a bird is of no use. Yet it devours fruit from the forest, bringing down the profits of fruiterers in the royal market.”
He summoned the Minister and commanded, “Educate the bird!”
2.
The task of educating the bird fell on the King’s nephews. The learned men of the court deliberated long. They pondered the reasons behind the ignorance of the creature. The conclusion: the bird’s nest made of straw and twigs could not hold much knowledge. Therefore, the first thing needed was a proper cage.
3.
A goldsmith set to work on a gilded cage. It turned out to be of such exquisite workmanship that people from far and near crowded round for a look.
A teacher came to give lessons. He took a pinch of snuff and declared, “This isn’t a matter of just a few texts.”
One of the royal nephews sent for scribes. They made multiple copies until there was a veritable mountain of texts.
The crew lived in cushioned comfort.
4.
The world is short of many things but not detractors. The nephew said, "Those who haven’t got a share are resorting to slander."
5.
Musicians struck up on percussion instruments. Teachers shook their tufts of hair.
The King was startled. Paper was thrust into the bird's mouth with a quill. There wasn't even scope for screeching. The King punished mischief-makers.
6.
Fluttering wings in a reprehensible manner. What impudence! The blacksmith arrived with his furnace, bellows and anvil.
Teachers used a lance to teach.
7.
Thanks to the godforsaken detractors, the rumour spread. Does it hop? Does it screech? A cavalry officer arrived. Not even a squeak.
Green shoots of spring. budding forest trees. wistful melancholy.
Necessary Words and Phrases
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Unlettered (Adjective) |
IPA: /ʌnˈlɛtəd/ Bengali: অশিক্ষিত; নিরক্ষর Synonyms: Illiterate, Uneducated |
The unlettered man could not read the newspaper. |
| Scripture (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈskrɪptʃər/ Bengali: ধর্মগ্রন্থ Synonyms: Holy text, Sacred writing |
She read the scripture every morning. |
| Devour (Verb) |
IPA: /dɪˈvaʊə/ Bengali: গোগ্রাসে খাওয়া; আগ্রহভরে পড়া Synonyms: Consume, Gobble, Read eagerly |
He devoured the novel in a single night. |
| Fruiterer (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈfruːtərə/ Bengali: ফলের ব্যবসায়ী Synonyms: Fruit seller, Greengrocer |
The fruiterer arranged mangoes and apples neatly. |
| Summon (Verb) |
IPA: /ˈsʌmən/ Bengali: ডাকা; আহ্বান করা Synonyms: Call, Invite, Convene |
The teacher summoned the student to her desk. |
| Deliberate (Verb) |
IPA: /dɪˈlɪbəreɪt/ Bengali: আলোচনা করা; বিবেচনা করা Synonyms: Consider, Reflect, Debate |
The committee will deliberate on the proposal tomorrow. |
| Ponder (Verb) |
IPA: /ˈpɒndə/ Bengali: গভীরভাবে চিন্তা করা Synonyms: Think, Reflect, Contemplate |
He pondered the meaning of life in silence. |
| Twig (Noun) |
IPA: /twɪɡ/ Bengali: ডাল; ছোট শাখা Synonyms: Branchlet, Stick, Sprig |
The bird built its nest with twigs. |
| Gilded cage (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈɡɪldɪd keɪdʒ/ Bengali: সোনার খাঁচা; বিলাসে বন্দি জীবন Synonyms: Luxury prison, Lavish confinement |
She lived in a gilded cage of wealth and loneliness. |
| Exquisite (Adjective) |
IPA: /ˈɛkskwɪzɪt/ Bengali: চমৎকার; অপূর্ব Synonyms: Beautiful, Elegant, Delicate |
The painting was of exquisite beauty. |
| Pinch of snuff (Noun) |
IPA: /pɪntʃ əv snʌf/ Bengali: অল্প পরিমাণ নস্যি Synonyms: Small amount of tobacco powder |
He took a pinch of snuff and sneezed loudly. |
| Scribe (Noun) |
IPA: /skraɪb/ Bengali: লেখক; কপি-লেখক Synonyms: Writer, Copyist, Clerk |
Ancient scribes preserved important records. |
| Veritable mountain (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈvɛrɪtəbəl ˈmaʊntən/ Bengali: একেবারে পাহাড়ের মতো Synonyms: Huge mass, Enormous pile |
He faced a veritable mountain of homework. |
| Cushioned comfort (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈkʊʃənd ˈkʌmfət/ Bengali: আরামদায়ক পরিবেশ Synonyms: Soft ease, Cozy comfort |
She enjoyed the cushioned comfort of her sofa. |
| Detractor (Noun) |
IPA: /dɪˈtræktə/ Bengali: নিন্দুক; বিরূপ সমালোচক Synonyms: Critic, Opponent |
Despite his detractors, he continued his work confidently. |
| Resort (Verb/Noun) |
IPA: /rɪˈzɔːt/ Bengali: আশ্রয় নেওয়া; অবকাশ কেন্দ্র Synonyms: Turn to, Haven, Retreat |
They had to resort to alternative methods. |
| Slander (Noun/Verb) |
IPA: /ˈslɑːndə/ Bengali: মানহানি; বদনাম করা Synonyms: Defamation, Libel |
He sued the newspaper for slander. |
| Struck up (Phrasal Verb) |
IPA: /strʌk ʌp/ Bengali: শুরু করা (বিশেষত কথা বা গান) Synonyms: Begin, Initiate, Start |
He struck up a conversation with a stranger. |
| Percussion (Noun) |
IPA: /pəˈkʌʃən/ Bengali: তালবাদ্য Synonyms: Drumming, Rhythm instruments |
The band’s percussion section was lively. |
| Tufts of hair (Noun) |
IPA: /tʌfts əv heə/ Bengali: চুলের গোছা Synonyms: Locks, Strands, Clumps |
Tufts of hair were scattered on the floor. |
| Startle (Verb) |
IPA: /ˈstɑːtl/ Bengali: চমকে দেওয়া Synonyms: Shock, Alarm, Surprise |
The loud noise startled the child. |
| Quill (Noun) |
IPA: /kwɪl/ Bengali: পাখির পালক দিয়ে তৈরি কলম Synonyms: Feather pen, Writing pen |
The poet wrote with a quill dipped in ink. |
| Screeching (Adjective/Verb) |
IPA: /ˈskriːtʃɪŋ/ Bengali: কর্কশ চিৎকার Synonyms: Shrieking, Piercing |
The screeching of tires filled the air. |
| Mischief-maker (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈmɪstʃɪf ˌmeɪkə/ Bengali: দুষ্টুমি কারী; উস্কানিদাতা Synonyms: Troublemaker, Instigator |
He was known as a mischief-maker in school. |
| Reprehensible manner (Noun) |
IPA: /ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnsɪbəl ˈmænə/ Bengali: নিন্দনীয় আচরণ Synonyms: Blameworthy behavior, Offensive conduct |
He spoke in a reprehensible manner to his elders. |
| Impudence (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈɪmpjʊdəns/ Bengali: দুর্বিনয়; উদ্ধততা Synonyms: Rudeness, Insolence |
The teacher was shocked by his impudence. |
| Furnace (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈfɜːnɪs/ Bengali: চুল্লি; ধাতু গলানোর ভাঁটি Synonyms: Heater, Kiln |
The metal was melted in a furnace. |
| Bellows (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈbɛləʊz/ Bengali: বাতাস ফেলার যন্ত্র Synonyms: Air pump, Blower |
The blacksmith used the bellows to fan the fire. |
| Anvil (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈænvɪl/ Bengali: লোহার হাতুড়ির ঘাঁই Synonyms: Iron block, Forge base |
The hammer struck the metal on the anvil. |
| Lance (Noun) |
IPA: /lɑːns/ Bengali: বর্শা Synonyms: Spear, Pike |
The knight carried a sharp lance into battle. |
| Godforsaken detractors (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈɡɒdfəˌseɪkən dɪˈtræktəz/ Bengali: অভিশপ্ত নিন্দুকেরা Synonyms: Despicable critics, Wicked opponents |
He ignored those godforsaken detractors who mocked him. |
| Hop (Verb) |
IPA: /hɒp/ Bengali: লাফানো; এক পায়ে চলা Synonyms: Jump, Bounce, Skip |
The bird hopped from branch to branch. |
| Cavalry officer (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈkævəlri ˈɒfɪsə/ Bengali: অশ্বারোহী অফিসার Synonyms: Mounted soldier, Horseman |
The cavalry officer led his troops with pride. |
| Squeak (Verb/Noun) |
IPA: /skwiːk/ Bengali: চিঁ চিঁ শব্দ; কিঞ্চিৎ আওয়াজ করা Synonyms: Peep, Creak, Chirp |
The mouse made a tiny squeak and ran away. |
| Shoots of early spring (Noun) |
IPA: /ʃuːts əv ˈɜːli sprɪŋ/ Bengali: বসন্তের কচি অঙ্কুর Synonyms: New growth, Buds |
Shoots of early spring appeared after the snow melted. |
| Budding forest (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈbʌdɪŋ ˈfɒrɪst/ Bengali: কুঁড়ি ধরা বন Synonyms: Growing woodland, Emerging forest |
The budding forest was full of fresh life. |
| Wistful melancholy (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈwɪstfʊl ˈmɛlənkəli/ Bengali: বেদনাময় আকাঙ্ক্ষা; বিষণ্ণ আবেগ Synonyms: Sad longing, Nostalgic sorrow |
Her eyes held a wistful melancholy as she gazed into the past. |
1. Multiple Choice Questions
- Why did the King initially decide to have the bird educated?
- It was unlettered and could not recite scripture.
- It devoured fruit from the forest, reducing the profits of fruiterers.
- The Minister suggested it as a good public works project.
- He was startled by its loud, unmannered singing.
- What was the court scholars' key conclusion regarding the bird's initial ignorance, which led to the first major expense?
- The bird lacked innate intelligence.
- The bird's nest of straw and twigs could not hold much knowledge, so a proper cage was needed.
- They determined that the bird was ungrateful for the King's bounty.
- The bird needed a different climate to focus on its studies.
- What happened immediately after the scribes created a "veritable mountain" of texts for the bird's education?
- They remained to administer the lessons.
- They loaded their wages onto bullocks and merrily headed home, never to want for anything again.
- They were promoted to the maintenance crew supervisors.
- The King rewarded them with a gold chain.
- When the detractors complained, "has anyone taken notice of the bird?", how did the King's nephew refute them?
- By producing a meticulously kept record of the bird's lessons.
- By claiming they were slanderers who hadn't gotten a share of the royal bounty.
- By demonstrating the bird's improved reciting ability.
- By showing the exquisite workmanship of the golden cage.
- During the demonstration, what was inside the bird's cage besides the bird and the texts?
- A few grains of corn.
- A small bowl of water.
- Neither grain nor a drop of water.
- A tiny writing desk and inkwell.
- What method did the teachers use to feed the texts to the bird during the demonstration?
- They ground the texts into a powder and mixed it with water.
- They tore the texts and thrust the pieces of paper into its mouth with the point of a quill.
- They forced the bird to swallow scrolls of parchment.
- They used a small spoon to feed it a paste made from the paper.
- What was the King's reaction after the demonstration of the bird's lessons in Section 5?
- He realized the futility of the entire exercise.
- He was satisfied that there was no flaw in the arrangements.
- He immediately fired the teachers for negligence.
- He was pleased with the bird's new ability to recite scripture.
- Who was ordered to "deal with the fault-finder" as the King mounted his elephant this time?
- The Inspector of Police.
- The King's nephew.
- The officer entrusted with twisting the ears of mischief-makers.
- The royal cavalry officer.
- In Section 6, what was the "innate bad habit" the bird exhibited even while half-dead?
- It would look out at the morning light and flutter its wings.
- It continued to screech when not fed.
- It tried to recite scripture incorrectly.
- It pecked at the Inspector of Police.
- What sound did the dead bird's stomach make when the King pressed it?
- A tiny, final squeak.
- The rustling noise of dry pieces of paper.
- A muffled song.
- It made no sound at all.