How I Taught My Grandmother to Read
by Sudha Murty
The Big Picture
Lesson Overview & Core Themes
Imagine having all the money you need, but feeling completely helpless simply because you cannot decipher the letters printed on a page.
In Sudha Murty’s heartwarming autobiographical story, we meet Krishtakka, a 62-year-old woman who missed out on formal schooling. Every week, her granddaughter reads aloud the latest installment of a popular novel, Kashi Yatre. But when the granddaughter goes out of town, Krishtakka is left staring blankly at the magazine, unable to read the story she loves.
This moment of acute helplessness sparks a quiet rebellion. Defying her age, Krishtakka decides to learn the Kannada alphabet, proving that with enough determination, it is never too late to gain your independence.
Key Themes to Watch
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Determination The belief that “for learning, there is no age bar.”
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True Independence How literacy transforms vulnerability into self-reliance.
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Cultural Values The inversion of tradition through Guru Dakshina.
RTC Time Attack
Extract Based Questions (Target: 10 Marks)
“For a good cause, if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle. I will work harder than anybody but I will do it. For learning there is no age bar.”
1. Who is the speaker of these lines?
2. What was the “good cause” the speaker is referring to?
3. Find a word in the extract that means ‘a barrier or hurdle’.
Click Start to Unlock
Short Answer Practice
Answer in 40-50 words (Target: 5×2 = 10 Marks). Write your answer before revealing the marking points.
1. Why was the novel ‘Kashi Yatre’ so important to the grandmother?
Required Value Points:
- The story was about an old lady’s strong desire to visit Kashi (Varanasi).
- The protagonist sacrifices her savings for an orphan girl’s wedding instead of going to Kashi.
- Grandmother identified with the protagonist because she too had never been to Kashi.
- It represented her unfulfilled spiritual desires and deeply moved her emotionally.
2. Why did the grandmother touch her granddaughter’s feet on Dasara Pooja?
Required Value Points:
- In Indian culture, touching feet is a sign of ultimate respect usually reserved for elders.
- She touched Sudha’s feet not because she was her granddaughter, but because Sudha was her teacher.
- It symbolized the ancient Indian tradition of guru-dakshina and immense gratitude for being made literate and independent.
3. What made the grandmother realize the true value of being literate?
Required Value Points:
- When Sudha went to attend a wedding, the magazine *Karmaveera* arrived carrying the next episode of *Kashi Yatre*.
- The grandmother opened the magazine but could not decipher a single word.
- She felt incredibly helpless and dependent on others despite having money.
- This sense of extreme helplessness sparked her determination to learn to read.
The Extrapolation Builder
Long Answer Question (Theme / Character / Extrapolation) • 5 Marks
Target Length
120 – 150 Words
Writing Task
Imagine you are the grandmother. Write a diary entry on the day you successfully read the novel yourself.
CBSE 5-Mark Evaluation Rubric
3 Content & Value Points
Did you include these key ideas?
2 Expression & Accuracy
- Logical organization of ideas in a single coherent paragraph.
- Appropriate vocabulary (e.g., determination, helplessness, independent).
- Grammatical accuracy and correct spelling.
Your Word Limit Check:
Pending…