NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints without Feet

Chapter 8 Bholi

Updated For 2024-2025
Exams

 

READ AND FIND OUT

Q1. Why is
Bholi’s father worried about her?
Answer:
Bholi’s father is worried about her because she neither has good looks nor
intelligence. She suffers from a speech defect, stammering, and her face is
disfigured by pockmarks from a bout of smallpox. He fears that it will be
difficult to find a suitable match for her and that she may never get married.

Q2. For what
unusual reasons is Bholi sent to school?
Answer:
Bholi is sent to school for unusual reasons. Unlike her sisters, who are being
prepared for marriage, Bholi is sent to school because her parents feel there
is little chance of her getting married due to her looks and lack of
intelligence. They believe that by sending her to school, they can fulfill the
Tehsildar’s demand without worrying about ruining her marriage prospects.

READ AND FIND OUT

Q3. Does Bholi
enjoy her first day at school?
Answer:
Initially, Bholi is frightened on her first day at school, as she has no idea
what school is like. However, as the day progresses, she begins to enjoy it.
She is fascinated by the colorful pictures on the wall and is deeply touched by
the kindness of her teacher, who encourages her to speak without fear.

Q4. Does she
find her teacher different from the people at home?
Answer:
Yes, Bholi finds her teacher very different from the people at home. The
teacher is kind, encouraging, and patient with Bholi. Unlike the people at home
who mocked her or ignored her, the teacher shows her compassion and motivates
her to overcome her fear of speaking.

READ AND FIND OUT

Q5. Why do
Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal?
Answer:
Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal because he is a well-to-do
man with a shop, a house, and some money in the bank. Although he is much older
than Bholi and limps, her parents consider him a good match because he does not
ask for any dowry. They fear that if they reject the proposal, Bholi may remain
unmarried for life.

Q6. Why does
the marriage not take place?
Answer:
The marriage does not take place because Bishamber demands a dowry of 5,000
rupees after seeing Bholi’s pockmarked face. When her father reluctantly agrees
to pay the dowry, Bholi refuses to marry Bishamber, declaring that she will not
marry a greedy, contemptible man.

THINK ABOUT IT

Q1. Bholi had
many apprehensions about going to school. What made her feel that she was going
to a better place than her home?
Answer:
Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school, but certain things made her
feel that she was going to a better place. For the first time, she was given
clean clothes, her hair was oiled and combed, and she was bathed. These small
gestures of care made her feel special and gave her the impression that school
was a better place than her home, where she was usually neglected.

Q2. How did
Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life?
Answer:
Bholi’s teacher played a crucial role in changing her life by encouraging her
and showing her kindness. The teacher helped Bholi gain confidence in herself,
motivating her to overcome her stammering and become educated. With her
teacher’s guidance and support, Bholi developed a sense of self-worth and
independence, ultimately refusing to marry a greedy man and deciding to live
life on her own terms.

Q3. Why did
Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the
marriage? What does this tell us about her?
Answer:
Bholi initially agreed to an unequal match because she wanted to protect her
family’s honor and believed it was her duty as a daughter. However, when
Bishamber demanded dowry after seeing her pockmarked face, she rejected the
marriage. This shows that Bholi had developed self-respect and courage. She was
no longer willing to submit to injustice or marry a man who valued money over
character.

Q4. Bholi’s
real name is Sulekha. We are told this right at the beginning. But only in the
last but one paragraph of the story is Bholi called Sulekha again. Why do you
think she is called Sulekha at that point in the story?
Answer:
Bholi is called Sulekha at the end of the story to signify her transformation.
Throughout her life, she was treated as a simpleton (Bholi), but by the end of
the story, she has grown into a confident, self-assured woman who can stand up
for herself. The use of her real name, Sulekha, reflects her new identity and
the respect she has earned.

THINK ABOUT IT

Q5. Bholi’s
story must have moved you. Do you think girl children are not treated at par
with boys? You are aware that the government has introduced a scheme to save
the girl child as the sex ratio is declining. The scheme is called Beti
Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child). Read about the scheme and design
a poster in groups of four and display it on the school notice board.

Answer:
Yes, Bholi’s story highlights how girl children are often not treated equally
compared to boys, especially in conservative societies. Girls like Bholi are
sometimes neglected in terms of education and opportunities, while boys are
given more attention and resources. Schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
are essential to raise awareness about the importance of educating and
empowering girls, ensuring they are given equal rights and opportunities to
succeed in life. This story serves as a reminder that girls deserve the same
treatment, love, and respect as boys.

TALK ABOUT IT

Q1. Bholi’s
teacher helped her overcome social barriers by encouraging and motivating her.
How do you think you can contribute towards changing the social attitudes
illustrated in this story?

Answer:
I can contribute to changing social attitudes by promoting education for girls
and supporting initiatives that encourage equal opportunities for both genders.
Raising awareness in my community about the importance of treating girls with
the same respect and dignity as boys is vital. I can also volunteer for
campaigns that empower girls through education and advocate for equal rights
for all children, regardless of gender. Simple actions like encouraging
classmates to treat each other with kindness and respect, regardless of gender,
can make a big difference in challenging harmful social norms.

Q2. Should
girls be aware of their rights, and assert them? Should girls and boys have the
same rights, duties, and privileges? What are some of the ways in which society
treats them differently? When we speak of ‘human rights,’ do we differentiate
between girls’ rights and boys’ rights?

Answer:
Yes, girls should be aware of their rights and assert them confidently. Girls
and boys should have the same rights, duties, and privileges. However, in many
societies, girls are often treated differently. For example, girls may not have
the same access to education or career opportunities as boys, and they may face
additional pressure to conform to traditional gender roles. Society often
expects girls to focus more on domestic responsibilities, while boys are
encouraged to pursue education and careers. When we talk about human rights,
there should be no differentiation between girls’ and boys’ rights. Both
genders deserve equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in life.

Q3. Do you
think the characters in the story were speaking to each other in English? If
not, in which language were they speaking? (You can get clues from the names of
the persons and the non-English words used in the story.)

Answer:
No, the characters in the story were most likely not speaking in English. The
story is set in a rural Indian village, and the characters, including Bholi’s
family and the villagers, would have been speaking in their native language,
most likely Hindi or a local dialect. Clues like the names of the characters
(e.g., Bholi, Ramlal) and terms like “Tehsildar” and
“Pitaji” suggest that they were conversing in an Indian language.