🌦️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, his sisters’ sons. The learned men of the court deliberated long. They pondered the reasons behind the ignorance of the creature in question. 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.
The royal scholar received handsome fees and happily went home.
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. Some said, “This is education par excellence.” Others said, “Even if it learns nothing, it has got the cage. What a lucky bird.”
The goldsmith was delighted to get a bagful of money as reward and went home at once.
A teacher came to give lessons to the bird. 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 of various texts until there was a veritable mountain. “Bravo!” exclaimed those who saw it, “There is no room for any more knowledge.”
The scribes loaded their wages onto bullocks and merrily headed home. They would never again want for anything.
The nephews were constantly busy looking after the expensive cage. Repairs were always under way. Anyone who saw the endless dusting, wiping and polishing had to agree that there was “marked improvement.”
A large maintenance crew was needed, and more personnel to supervise them. They all got handsome monthly salaries, which they saved in their wooden chests. Even their cousins came to live with them in cushioned comfort.
4.
The world is short of many things but not detractors. They said, “The cage looks better no doubt, but has anyone taken notice of the bird?”
This was reported to the King. He said to a nephew, “What’s this I hear?”
“Your Majesty,” replied the nephew, “If you wish to hear the truth, summon the goldsmiths, the scholars, the scribes, the maintenance crew and their supervisors. Those who haven’t got a share of the royal bounty are resorting to slander.”
Everything became clear to the King and he rewarded his nephew with a gold chain.
5.
The King wished to see for himself at what an awesome pace the bird’s schooling was going on. One day he turned up at the schoolroom with his friends, counselors and courtiers. At once the musicians at the gate struck up on their many wind and percussion instruments. The teachers shook their sacred tufts of hair as they loudly chanted mantras, and all the workmen, labourers, goldsmiths, scribes and their numerous cousins raised slogans in praise of the King.
A nephew commented, "Your Majesty can see how things are going on." "Astonishing!" replied the King, "the din isn't negligible." "Not only the noise," said the nephew. "The meaning behind it isn't negligible either."
The King was startled and walked out of the gate to mount his elephant when one of the fault-finders, who had been lurking behind the bushes, shouted, "Have you seen the bird, Your Majesty?" The King was startled. He said, "There! I'd forgotten about it. We haven't seen the bird."
He went back and said to the teacher, "We must see the manner in which you conduct the lessons."
A demonstration followed. It pleased the King no end. The manner was so advanced that the bird was hardly visible. It seemed not at all necessary to see the bird. The King was satisfied that there was no flaw in the arrangements. Inside the cage there was neither any grain nor a drop of water. Only reams of texts were being torn and the pieces of paper thrust into the bird's mouth with the point of a quill. Not only had the singing stopped, there wasn't even scope for screeching. It was thrilling to watch.
This time, as the King mounted the elephant he ordered the officer entrusted with twisting the ears of mischief-makers to deal with the fault-finder.
6.
Predictably, the bird weakened with every passing day, and lay half-dead. The tutors considered it a good sign. Still, out of innate bad habit it would look out at the morning light and flutter its wings in a reprehensible manner. In fact, on some days it would try to cut the wires of the cage with its feeble beak. "What impudence!" the Inspector of Police commented.
Then the blacksmith arrived with his furnace, bellows and hammer and anvil. What thunderous hammering began then. A chain was fastened on the bird's foot and its wings were trimmed.
The King's brothers-in-law looked greatly annoyed as they shook their heads and said, "It's not just that the birds in this kingdom are stupid, they are also ungrateful."
Then the teachers, armed with quill in one hand and lance in the other, gave a memorable demonstration of teaching.
The blacksmith's trade flourished to such an extent that gold ornaments bedecked his wife's body. and the Police Inspector's alertness earned him a medal.
7.
The bird died. When it died was not known. Thanks to the godforsaken detractors the rumour went round, "The bird is dead."
The King called his nephew and said," What is this I hear?" "Your Majesty," the nephew replied, "the bird's education has been completed."
The King asked, "Does it hop?" "God forbid," said the nephew. "Does it still fly?" "No."
"Does it still sing?" "No."
"Does it screech if it isn't fed?" "No."
"Bring it to me so that I can see it," said the King. The bird came. Along with it came the Inspector, a guard, a cavalry officer. The King pressed the bird; it made no sound, not even a squeak. Only its stomach let out the rustling noise of dry pieces of paper.
Outside, the green shoots of early spring sighed in the southerly breeze, filling the sky above the budding forest trees with wistful melancholy.
Notes: Click any bold word to open its pop-up. Click elsewhere on the page to close the pop-up.
Unit One, Lesson One: The Parrot's Tale — Word Details
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Unlettered (Adjective) | IPA: /ʌnˈlɛtəd/ | /ʌnˈlɛtərd/ Bengali: অশিক্ষিত; নিরক্ষর Synonyms: Illiterate, Uneducated |
The unlettered man could not read the newspaper. |
| Scripture (Noun) | IPA: /ˈskrɪptʃər/ | /ˈskrɪptʃɚ/ Bengali: ধর্মগ্রন্থ Synonyms: Holy text, Sacred writing |
She read the scripture every morning. |
| Devour (Verb) | IPA: /dɪˈvaʊə/ | /dɪˈvaʊər/ Bengali: গোগ্রাসে খাওয়া; আগ্রহভরে পড়া Synonyms: Consume, Gobble, Read eagerly |
He devoured the novel in a single night. |
| Fruiterer (Noun) | IPA: /ˈfruːtərə/ | /ˈfruːtərər/ Bengali: ফলের ব্যবসায়ী Synonyms: Fruit seller, Greengrocer |
The fruiterer arranged mangoes and apples neatly. |
| Summon (Verb) | IPA: /ˈsʌmən/ | /ˈsʌmən/ Bengali: ডাকা; আহ্বান করা Synonyms: Call, Invite, Convene |
The teacher summoned the student to her desk. |
| Deliberate (Verb) | IPA: /dɪˈlɪbəreɪt/ | /dɪˈlɪbəˌreɪt/ Bengali: আলোচনা করা; বিবেচনা করা Synonyms: Consider, Reflect, Debate |
The committee will deliberate on the proposal tomorrow. |
| Ponder (Verb) | IPA: /ˈpɒndə/ | /ˈpɑːndər/ Bengali: গভীরভাবে চিন্তা করা Synonyms: Think, Reflect, Contemplate |
He pondered the meaning of life in silence. |
| Twig (Noun) | IPA: /twɪɡ/ | /twɪɡ/ Bengali: ডাল; ছোট শাখা Synonyms: Branchlet, Stick, Sprig |
The bird built its nest with twigs. |
| Gilded cage (Noun) | IPA: /ˈɡɪldɪd keɪdʒ/ | /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/ | /ɪkˈskwɪzɪt/ Bengali: চমৎকার; অপূর্ব Synonyms: Beautiful, Elegant, Delicate |
The painting was of exquisite beauty. |
| Pinch of snuff (Noun) | IPA: /pɪntʃ əv snʌf/ | /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/ | /skraɪb/ Bengali: লেখক; কপি-লেখক Synonyms: Writer, Copyist, Clerk |
Ancient scribes preserved important records. |
| Veritable mountain (Noun) | IPA: /ˈvɛrɪtəbəl ˈmaʊntən/ | /ˈvɛrɪtəbəl ˈmaʊntən/ Bengali: একেবারে পাহাড়ের মতো Synonyms: Huge mass, Enormous pile |
He faced a veritable mountain of homework. |
| Cushioned comfort (Noun) | IPA: /ˈkʊʃənd ˈkʌmfət/ | /ˈkʊʃənd ˈkʌmfərt/ Bengali: আরামদায়ক পরিবেশ Synonyms: Soft ease, Cozy comfort |
She enjoyed the cushioned comfort of her sofa. |
| Detractor (Noun) | IPA: /dɪˈtræktə/ | /dɪˈtræktər/ Bengali: নিন্দুক; বিরূপ সমালোচক Synonyms: Critic, Opponent |
Despite his detractors, he continued his work confidently. |
| Resort (Verb/Noun) | IPA: /rɪˈzɔːt/ | /rɪˈzɔːrt/ Bengali: আশ্রয় নেওয়া; অবকাশ কেন্দ্র Synonyms: Turn to, Haven, Retreat |
They had to resort to alternative methods. |
| Slander (Noun/Verb) | IPA: /ˈslɑːndə/ | /ˈslændər/ Bengali: মানহানি; বদনাম করা Synonyms: Defamation, Libel |
He sued the newspaper for slander. |
| Struck up (Phrasal Verb) | IPA: /strʌk ʌp/ | /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/ | /pərˈkʌʃən/ Bengali: তালবাদ্য Synonyms: Drumming, Rhythm instruments |
The band’s percussion section was lively. |
| Tufts of hair (Noun) | IPA: /tʌfts əv heə/ | /tʌfts əv her/ Bengali: চুলের গোছা Synonyms: Locks, Strands, Clumps |
Tufts of hair were scattered on the floor. |
| Startle (Verb) | IPA: /ˈstɑːtl/ | /ˈstɑːrtl/ Bengali: চমকে দেওয়া Synonyms: Shock, Alarm, Surprise |
The loud noise startled the child. |
| Quill (Noun) | IPA: /kwɪl/ | /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/ | /ˈskriːtʃɪŋ/ Bengali: কর্কশ চিৎকার Synonyms: Shrieking, Piercing |
The screeching of tires filled the air. |
| Mischief-maker (Noun) | IPA: /ˈmɪstʃɪf ˌmeɪkə/ | /ˈmɪstʃɪf ˌmeɪkər/ Bengali: দুষ্টুমি কারী; উস্কানিদাতা Synonyms: Troublemaker, Instigator |
He was known as a mischief-maker in school. |
| Reprehensible manner (Noun) | IPA: /ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnsɪbəl ˈmænə/ | /ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnsɪbəl ˈmænər/ Bengali: নিন্দনীয় আচরণ Synonyms: Blameworthy behavior, Offensive conduct |
He spoke in a reprehensible manner to his elders. |
| Impudence (Noun) | IPA: /ˈɪmpjʊdəns/ | /ˈɪmpjʊdəns/ Bengali: দুর্বিনয়; উদ্ধততা Synonyms: Rudeness, Insolence |
The teacher was shocked by his impudence. |
| Furnace (Noun) | IPA: /ˈfɜːnɪs/ | /ˈfɜːrnɪs/ Bengali: চুল্লি; ধাতু গলানোর ভাঁটি Synonyms: Heater, Kiln |
The metal was melted in a furnace. |
| Bellows (Noun) | IPA: /ˈbɛləʊz/ | /ˈbɛloʊz/ Bengali: বাতাস ফেলার যন্ত্র Synonyms: Air pump, Blower |
The blacksmith used the bellows to fan the fire. |
| Anvil (Noun) | IPA: /ˈænvɪl/ | /ˈænvəl/ Bengali: লোহার হাতুড়ির ঘাঁই Synonyms: Iron block, Forge base |
The hammer struck the metal on the anvil. |
| Lance (Noun) | IPA: /lɑːns/ | /læns/ Bengali: বর্শা Synonyms: Spear, Pike |
The knight carried a sharp lance into battle. |
| Godforsaken detractors (Noun) | IPA: /ˈɡɒdfəˌseɪkən dɪˈtræktəz/ | /ˈɡɑːdfərˌseɪkən dɪˈtræktərz/ Bengali: অভিশপ্ত নিন্দুকেরা Synonyms: Despicable critics, Wicked opponents |
He ignored those godforsaken detractors who mocked him. |
| Hop (Verb) | IPA: /hɒp/ | /hɑːp/ Bengali: লাফানো; এক পায়ে চলা Synonyms: Jump, Bounce, Skip |
The bird hopped from branch to branch. |
| Cavalry officer (Noun) | IPA: /ˈkævəlri ˈɒfɪsə/ | /ˈkævəlri ˈɒfɪsər/ Bengali: অশ্বারোহী অফিসার Synonyms: Mounted soldier, Horseman |
The cavalry officer led his troops with pride. |
| Squeak (Verb/Noun) | IPA: /skwiːk/ | /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/ | /ʃuːts əv ˈɜːrli sprɪŋ/ Bengali: বসন্তের কচি অঙ্কুর Synonyms: New growth, Buds |
Shoots of early spring appeared after the snow melted. |
| Budding forest (Noun) | IPA: /ˈbʌdɪŋ ˈfɒrɪst/ | /ˈbʌdɪŋ ˈfɔːrɪst/ Bengali: কুঁড়ি ধরা বন Synonyms: Growing woodland, Emerging forest |
The budding forest was full of fresh life. |
| Wistful melancholy (Noun) | IPA: /ˈwɪstfʊl ˈmɛlənkəli/ | /ˈwɪstfəl ˈmɛlənkɑːli/ 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.