I

Passage –

When the Kanyakumari Express pulled in at Chennai Central, it took Velu some time to get off. When he finally stood on the platform, his legs felt wobbly, as if he was still on a moving train. “Oy, out of the way!” A porter went by with a loaded trolley. Velu jumped aside.

Word Meanings:

• Pulled in – arrived
• Wobbly – unsteady or shaky
• Porter – a person employed to carry luggage or other heavy loads, especially at railway stations, airports, hotels, or markets
• Platform – the area at a railway station where passengers board or alight from trains
• Trolley – a small cart used to carry luggage or goods

Explanation:

When the Kanyakumari Express arrived at Chennai Central, Velu took a while to gather himself and get off the train. Once he finally stood on the platform, his legs felt shaky and unsteady, almost as if he was still moving along with the train. This sensation, often experienced after a long journey, left him feeling disoriented. Just then, a busy porter, pushing a loaded trolley, called out for Velu to move aside. Startled, Velu quickly jumped out of the porter’s way. The scene reflects Velu’s initial adjustment to the bustling environment of the railway station.

Passage –

He sat on a bench on the platform, putting his small bundle down. In all his eleven years, he had never seen so many people, except once a year at the fair in his village. People walked by, bumping into him with their suitcases. A voice announced something on a loudspeaker. Near him a group of people sat on their luggage, looking at a TV hanging from the roof. The noise was terrible.

Word Meanings:

• Bench – a long seat for multiple people, often found in public places
• Bundle – a small bag or bundle of belongings
• Fair – a large public gathering with entertainment, stalls, and rides, often held annually

Explanation:

Velu found a small bench on the crowded platform and sat down, placing his modest bundle beside him. In his eleven years, he had rarely seen such a bustling crowd, except once a year at his village fair. The constant flow of people, many brushing past and even bumping into him with their heavy suitcases, was overwhelming. Suddenly, a loud announcement echoed through the platform from a loudspeaker, adding to his confusion. Nearby, some passengers sat directly on their luggage, their attention fixed on a TV hanging from the ceiling. The noise and chaos of the station were almost unbearable for Velu, who wasn’t used to such an environment.

Passage –

Velu put his head down on his knees, feeling miserable and exhausted. He had run away from his village two days ago. For two days he had eaten nothing but some peanuts and a piece of jaggery. In his bundle he carried a shirt, a towel and a comb.

He had walked for most of the first day to Kanur and then got on the train to Chennai. Velu had no money for a ticket but luckily the ticket collector didn’t come to the unreserved compartment. He had tried to sleep on the floor near the door. A group of men next to him had played cards and shouted all night.

Word Meanings:

• Miserable – feeling very unhappy or distressed
• Exhausted – extremely tired or worn out
• Jaggery – unrefined sugar, usually made from palm or sugarcane, common in South Asia
• Unreserved compartment – a section in the train where passengers don’t have assigned seats and can travel without a reservation

Explanation:

Velu rested his head on his knees, feeling deeply miserable and utterly exhausted. He had run away from his village two days earlier, surviving on just a handful of peanuts and a piece of jaggery during his journey. His small bundle held only a shirt, a towel, and a comb—his only possessions. On the first day, Velu walked nearly the entire way to Kanur. From there, he managed to board a train bound for Chennai, despite not having any money for a ticket. Fortunately, no ticket collector came to check the unreserved compartment. Velu tried to sleep on the floor near the door, but a group of men nearby were loudly playing cards, keeping him awake with their shouting and noise throughout the night. The passage highlights Velu’s challenging journey and the hardships he faced as he escaped from his village.

Passage –

 “Aiy! What, new to town eh?” called out a rough voice. Velu opened his eyes. There were a lot of people standing around, but nobody was looking at him.

“Here! Aiy!”

He turned around. Behind him was a girl around his own age, wearing a long banian that came down to her knees. Her hair was stiff and brownish and she had a huge sack on one shoulder. She was picking up dirty plastic cups from the floor and stuffing them into her sack. Why is she calling me, thought Velu. And why is a girl wearing a banian?

“No need to stare stupidly. What’s your name?”

“Velu,” muttered Velu, looking away.

“So Mr Velu,” said the girl, looking at his bundle. “Run away from home?”

Word Meanings:

• Sack – a large bag made of strong material, like hessian, thick paper, or plastic, used for carrying goods
• Banian – a sleeveless undershirt, usually worn by men in South Asia
• Muttered – spoke in a low or barely audible voice, often as if to oneself
• Stiff – rigid or hard, lacking flexibility

Explanation:

Velu suddenly heard a rough voice calling out, “Aiy! What, new to town eh?” This startled him, and he opened his eyes, looking around for the source of the voice, but no one seemed to be paying attention to him. Then he heard the voice again, this time coming from behind him. When he turned around, he saw a girl about his age. She wore an oversized banian that almost reached her knees, which surprised Velu, as it was uncommon for girls to wear such clothing. Her hair was stiff and had a brownish tint, and she carried a large sack slung over her shoulder, which she was filling with dirty plastic cups picked up from the floor.

Velu wondered why this girl was speaking to him and found it odd to see her wearing a banian. The girl, noticing his confused stare, told him to stop staring blankly and asked for his name. Velu replied, “Velu,” quietly, avoiding eye contact. Observing the small bundle he was carrying, the girl guessed he had run away from home, directly confronting him with her question. This interaction highlights Velu’s unfamiliarity with the city and his encounter with someone who seemed accustomed to the harsh realities of street life.

Passage –

Velu didn’t answer. He didn’t want to tell some strange girl what he had done. He had run away because he couldn’t stand his father beating him for one more day. His father would snatch away all the money Velu and his sisters earned and spend it on drink.

“Don’t think I don’t know. This place is full of children like you. So what are you going to do here? Become rich?”

She sat down next to him. Velu shifted away slightly.

He felt hunger pinching him and pressed his stomach with a grimace. “Hungry?” asked the girl. “You won’t get food by sitting here glumly, making faces. I can find some if you want.”

Word Meanings:

• Grimace – a twisted facial expression showing pain or discomfort
• Glumly – in a sad or gloomy way
• Snatch away – to take something quickly or forcefully
• Pinching – causing a sharp or tight feeling, often due to hunger or pain
• Shifted – moved slightly

Explanation:

Velu didn’t respond when the girl asked if he had run away. He didn’t feel comfortable sharing his story with a stranger. He had actually run away to escape his father’s beatings, which he could no longer bear. His father would take all the money Velu and his sisters earned, only to spend it on alcohol.

The girl seemed to understand his situation and remarked that the city was full of children like him. She asked what he planned to do in the city—if he thought he’d become rich. Sitting down beside him, she noticed Velu pressing his stomach painfully as hunger “pinched” him. Seeing his grimace, she asked if he was hungry and told him that he wouldn’t find food by sitting there looking glum. She then offered to help him find something to eat, sensing his desperation. This passage highlights Velu’s struggle and the harsh reality he faces as a runaway, met by someone who understands the challenges of life on the streets.

Passage –

She picked up her sack and started to walk away. Velu stayed on the bench. What should he do? Should he follow this girl? Where was she going to take him? She was disappearing into the crowd, so he had to make up his mind quickly. Alright, he decided. Anyway I have no idea where to go. He jumped up and ran after her. She wasn’t even looking back to see where he was.

Explanation:

After finishing their conversation, the girl picked up her sack and began walking away. Velu remained seated on the bench, uncertain whether he should follow her. He didn’t know where she was heading, but he realized he had to decide quickly as she was disappearing into the crowd. With no other options or place to go, Velu made up his mind, jumped up, and ran after her to catch up. She didn’t even glance back to see if he was following, showing her confidence that he would follow on his own.

II

Passage –

He caught up with the girl as she was leaving the station. When they got to the road, Velu found that the vehicles kept coming and never stopped for anyone. Smoke and dust flew at him from all sides, making his head spin. They had to wait for a long time before they could find a gap to run through. Velu kept hesitating and the girl finally dragged him to the other side.

Explanation:

After deciding to follow the girl, Velu caught up with her just as she was leaving the station. Once they reached the road, Velu was overwhelmed by the constant flow of traffic, which didn’t stop for anyone. Smoke and dust filled the air around him, making him feel dizzy. They had to wait for a while until they found a gap in the traffic to cross. Velu hesitated, nervous about crossing through the busy street, but the girl firmly pulled him along, helping him reach the other side safely.

Passage –

“What do you think you’re doing? Grazing cows? If you stand around in the middle of the road like that, you’ll be chutney.”

Velu’s heart was still beating fast. He looked back at Central Station and the traffic speeding by. How had they managed to come through that? They walked along the side of the road under some huge signboards. Velu looked up at the pictures: banians, car tyres, pens, a woman holding a box. The writing was all in English, so he didn’t know what it meant crossing the road

Word Meanings:

• Chutney – a spicy condiment made from fruits, vinegar, and spices, often used in Indian cuisine; in this context, it refers to being crushed or harmed.
• Grazing – feeding on grass or other vegetation; here, it’s used to imply slow, patient movement.

Explanation:

The girl scolded Velu, saying he needed to move faster, comparing standing in the road to grazing cows, which is done slowly and patiently. She warned him that if he lingered in the middle of the road, he would end up as “chutney,” implying he could be crushed by traffic. Velu’s heart raced as he looked back at Central Station, amazed that they had managed to cross the chaotic road alive. As they walked along the roadside, they passed under large signboards displaying pictures of banians, car tires, pens, and a woman holding a box. However, the writing was all in English, which Velu couldn’t understand, leaving him puzzled by the messages around him.

Passage –

The girl turned onto a wide bridge and walked up. Velu stopped and peeped over the railing. Under him, the road ran into the city. In the distance he could see huge buildings and towers and more roads.

“See that big building with the wall around it? If you’re not careful, you’ll soon be counting bars there.” The girl grinned and pointed at a huge building.

Velu squinted and read the Tamil sign, Central Jail.

“Why? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“You don’t have to do anything. Just don’t get caught, that’s all.”

Word Meanings:

• Peeped over – to glance or peer quickly and inconspicuously over the top of something.
• Grinned – to smile broadly, often showing teeth.
• Squinted – to look at something with one or both eyes partly closed to see more clearly or in response to bright light.

Explanation:

As the girl turned onto a wide bridge and walked ahead, Velu paused to peep over the railing. Below, he saw a road leading into the city, with tall buildings, towers, and additional roads visible in the distance. The girl pointed at a large building surrounded by a wall and warned Velu that if he wasn’t careful, he might end up “counting bars” there, grinning as she spoke. Velu squinted to read the Tamil sign that said “Central Jail” and questioned her, asking why he would be sent there if he hadn’t done anything wrong. She replied that it wasn’t about doing something wrong, but rather about being cautious and not getting caught.

Passage –

What does she mean, Velu wondered. Meanwhile the girl was already heading down the bridge with the sack on her shoulder. What was in it? He had seen her putting plastic cups into it at the station.

“What are you carrying in that bag?”

“Things. Bottles, paper.”

Velu wondered what she was doing with them, but he felt shy to ask any more questions.

It was still morning but the sun blasted down on the tar and Velu’s bare feet burned. It was not like walking on a mud road. He was soaked with sweat. He tried hard to walk in the shade and keep up with the girl at the same time. She walked really fast. How far away was the food?

Word Meanings:

• Tar – a dark, thick, flammable liquid distilled from wood or coal, used in road-making and for coating and preserving timber.
• Blasted – to strike with force; here, it refers to the sun shining down intensely.

Explanation:

Velu pondered what the girl meant by her words as she continued down the bridge with her sack slung over her shoulder. He recalled seeing her collect plastic cups at the station and felt curious about what else was inside the bag. When he finally asked her, she replied that it contained things like bottles and paper, leaving Velu wondering about her purpose for collecting them, though he felt too shy to inquire further.

Although it was still morning, the sun blasted down on the tar, causing Velu’s bare feet to burn painfully, unlike walking on a soft mud road. He was drenched in sweat while trying to walk in the shade and keep pace with the girl, who moved quickly. He couldn’t help but wonder how far they had to go before they reached the food.

Passage –

After almost an hour of walking, they stopped in front of a big building. Sri Rajarajeshwari Prasanna Kalyana Mandapam read Velu slowly. A sign with letters made of flowers said, Groom: J. V. Vinayagan, Bride: Rani. Velu stared at the big cars parked outside. One of the cars had a flower garland and roses taped onto it. The girl looked around, pulled one off quickly and stuck it in her hair.

“Come on,” she said.

“Are we going to eat here?” asked Velu, looking at the huge hall and the people inside.

“Hopes!” said the girl shaking her thumb under his nose.

Word Meanings:

• Mandapam – (in southern India) a temple porch; a temporary platform set up for weddings and religious ceremonies.
• Shaking her thumb under his nose – an expression of scorn or ridicule.

Explanation:

After nearly an hour of walking, Velu and the girl arrived at a large building. Velu read the sign slowly: “Sri Rajarajeshwari Prasanna Kalyana Mandapam.” It displayed the names of a couple in floral letters: Groom: J. V. Vinayagan, Bride: Rani. Velu was fascinated by the luxurious cars parked outside, particularly one adorned with roses and a flower garland.

The girl quickly looked around, plucked a flower from the car, and tucked it into her hair. When she said, “Come on,” Velu asked if they were going to eat inside the hall. The girl responded with a smirk, shaking her thumb under his nose to mock his hopeful expectation of dining there.

Passage –

She led him behind the hall. There was a big garbage bin overflowing with rubbish. Two goats were standing on the pile, fighting for a banana leaf. A cloud of flies buzzed around their legs. There was a rotten smell in the air. The girl picked up a squashy banana and held it out to Velu.

“Here’s your food.”

Velu was shocked. “Are we going to eat their leftovers?”

“Chey! What do you think I am? A dog? I only take untouched food. Here, some more, catch!” She threw him a vada. Velu looked at it with distaste.

Word Meaning:

• Squashy – easily crushed or squeezed into a different shape; having a soft consistency.

Explanation:

The girl led Velu to the back of the hall, where they encountered a large garbage bin overflowing with refuse. Two goats were clambering over the trash, fighting for a banana leaf, while a swarm of flies buzzed around their legs, adding to the foul smell in the air. The girl found a squashy banana and offered it to Velu, declaring, “Here’s your food.” Velu was taken aback, questioning whether they were going to eat leftovers. The girl, offended, snapped back, “Chey! What do you think I am? A dog?” She clarified that she only took untouched food, then tossed him a vada. Velu regarded the vada with distaste, repulsed by the situation.

Passage –

 “Come on, hero, eat it! You think I like it? I told you I’ll find you something to eat. Don’t think I have money to buy food for you. You’d better eat what you get until you have your own money.”

Velu hesitated, but his stomach squeezed him again. He gulped down the banana and vada. His stomach felt better immediately. He could have eaten at least ten times more, but the girl could find only one more banana which she ate herself.

Word Meaning:

• Gulped – to swallow (drink or food) quickly or in large mouthfuls, often audibly.

Explanation:

The girl urged Velu to eat, emphasizing that she didn’t enjoy the food either. She reminded him that she would find him something to eat but didn’t have money to buy food for him. She advised him to make do with whatever food he could find until he earned his own money. Velu hesitated for a moment, but hunger squeezed at his stomach, prompting him to gulp down the banana and vada quickly. Almost immediately, he felt better. Despite still being very hungry and capable of eating much more, the girl could only find one more banana, which she ate herself.

Passage –

 “It’s too early, they’ve only eaten tiffin. If you’re still hungry, you’ll have to wait for them to finish lunch. You can wait if you want. I have to work, I’m going.” She picked up a couple of bottles from the heap and threw it into her sack. Then she walked off. Velu panicked. He realised that if the girl left him, he had no idea where he was and what to do. It was better to stick to her, she seemed to know her way around. He ran after her again.

“Aiy!” he called. He did not even know the girl’s name. “Aiy, what is your name?” he asked hurrying behind her.

She stopped and turned around. “Oho! So you’ve been following me around without even knowing my name. Jaya.”

“I’m not following you.”

“What then? Who got you food?”

“Can I come with you? Where are you going?”

“Come if you want. This bag is full, I have to go home to get another one.”

Word Meaning:

• Tiffin: A light meal or snack, especially in India, often eaten in the late morning or early afternoon.
• Panicked: Sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety, often causing wildly unthinking behavior.

Explanation:

The girl explained that they would have to wait until the people inside the building finished their lunch to get more food, as it was still too early and they had only eaten their tiffin. She mentioned that he could wait if he wanted, but she needed to go work. After picking up a few bottles from the garbage pile, she placed them in her sack and started to walk away. Velu panicked at the thought of being left alone, realizing he had no idea where he was or what to do. He felt it was better to stick with her since she seemed to know how to navigate the city. Velu ran after her and called out, asking for her name. She playfully pointed out that he had been following her without knowing it, then introduced herself as Jaya. When Velu denied following her, she asked what he was doing then, reminding him that she was the one who had gotten him food. Velu then asked if he could accompany her and where she was headed. Jaya responded that she was going home to get another bag since hers was full and that he was welcome to come along if he wanted.

III

Passage –

Jaya and Velu walked along the roads for half an hour, until they came to a bridge across a dirty trickle of water. “We are in Triplicane now. See, that’s Buckingham Canal,” said Jaya.

Velu stared. This was a canal? Near some puddles of water was a row of the strangest huts he had ever seen. They were built out of all sorts of things — metal sheets, tyres, bricks, wood and plastic. They stood crookedly and looked as if they would fall any moment.

“Is this where you live? These houses are strange!” said Velu. “In our village, the houses are made of mud and palm leaves.”

Word Meaning:

• Trickle: (of a liquid) to flow in a small stream.
• Triplicane: A neighborhood in Chennai, India, known for its historic significance.
• Puddles: Small pools of liquid, especially of rainwater, that collect on the ground.
• Crookedly: At an irregular or improper angle; not straight.

Explanation:

Jaya and Velu walked for about half an hour until they reached a bridge over a trickle of dirty water. Jaya informed him that they were now in Triplicane and pointed out the Buckingham Canal. Velu stared at the canal, astonished and questioning if this really was a canal. Nearby, he noticed a row of the strangest huts he had ever seen, constructed from an assortment of materials such as metal sheets, tyres, bricks, wood, and plastic. The huts stood crookedly, appearing as if they could collapse at any moment. Velu asked Jaya if she lived there, expressing his surprise at the unusual appearance of the huts. He shared that in his village, houses were made of mud and palm leaves, making this sight particularly foreign to him.

Passage –

Jaya went around to one of the huts and dumped her sack outside. Then she picked up an empty one.

“Let’s go.”

She turned to Velu and gave him a shove. “At least help me now. Here, wear these and come with me.”

She threw him a pair of old shoes without laces and pushed a sack and a stick into his hands.

Word Meaning:

• Shove: To push someone or something roughly.

Explanation:

Jaya approached one of the huts and dumped her sack outside before picking up an empty one. Turning to Velu, she gave him a shove and urged him to help her. She tossed him a pair of old shoes without laces, instructing him to wear them, and handed him a sack along with a stick to carry. This indicated her expectation for Velu to assist her in whatever task lay ahead.

Passage –

Velu was confused. What work did she want him to do with these things? The only work he had ever done was on the landowner’s farm, weeding and taking cows out to graze.

“Are there any farms in the city?” he asked Jaya.

She laughed and thumped her stick on the ground. “Farms! There are no farmers here. We are ragpickers.” “Ragpickers?”

“See my sack? Full of things I collected.”

“Collected? From where?” asked Velu.

“From rubbish bins, where else?”

“You collect rubbish?” Velu had never heard of such a thing

“Ayye, blockhead. It’s not any rubbish. Only paper, plastic, glass, such things. We sell it to Jam Bazaar Jaggu.”

Word Meaning:

• Ragpickers: People who collect and sort through discarded materials, usually from waste or garbage, to salvage recyclable items.

Explanation:

Velu felt confused about what work Jaya expected him to do with the sack and stick, as his previous experience was limited to farm work where he helped with tasks like weeding and grazing cows. Curious if there were any farms in the city, he asked Jaya. She laughed and playfully struck her stick on the ground, explaining that there were no farmers in the city and that they were ragpickers instead. When Velu expressed his confusion over the term, Jaya pointed to her sack and noted it was full of items she had collected. When he inquired about the source of these items, she informed him that they came from rubbish bins. Velu was shocked at the idea of collecting garbage, but Jaya clarified that she only gathered recyclables like paper, plastic, and glass, which she sold to a person named Jam Bazaar Jaggu. This exchange highlighted Velu’s unfamiliarity with city life and the different ways people survive in urban settings.

Passage –

Velu was puzzled. He had heard of people throwing away rubbish. But why would anyone want to buy rubbish?

“Who’s Jam Bazaar Jaggu? Why’s he buying all this?”

“You think he buys it for show? He sells it to a factory. Come on, I don’t have time to waste, like you.”

Velu did not move. He hadn’t run away and come to this new place to dig through garbage bins. Jaya poked at him with her stick.

“Look here!” she shouted. “If someone gets there before us we don’t get anything. Don’t just stand there, posing. Big hero. I’m trying to help you. Who filled your stomach today?”

Velu scratched his head and sighed. I’ll do it for now, he thought, until I find a better job.

Word Meaning:

• Posing: standing or behaving in a way that is intended to impress others, often seen as insincere or pretentious.

Explanation:

Velu was deeply puzzled by the idea of someone buying rubbish, questioning Jaya about Jam Bazaar Jaggu and his reasons for purchasing discarded materials. Jaya explained that Jaggu sells the collected items to a factory, emphasizing that he doesn’t buy them for show. As Jaya hurriedly moved on, she expressed her frustration with Velu’s hesitation, reminding him that if they didn’t act quickly, someone else might get to the valuable items before them. She pointedly reminded him that she had helped him by feeding him earlier that day, reinforcing the importance of working together. Velu, feeling the pressure of his situation, sighed and decided to go along with Jaya’s plan for now, resolving to do this kind of work until he could find something better. This passage illustrates Velu’s internal conflict and his gradual acceptance of his new reality while still holding onto the hope of finding a more suitable job in the future.