THE EYES HAVE IT. English class 8

Summary

This story by Ruskin Bond follows a blind man traveling alone by train, who meets a girl along the way. The man, sensitive to sound and conversation, hides his blindness while engaging in a lighthearted conversation with her. They share thoughts about Mussoorie and the beauty of October in the hills. When she departs, he discovers from the next passenger that the girl was also blind. The story beautifully captures the irony of perception, human connection, and fleeting encounters.

Takeaways

• 📚 Ruskin Bond is an Indian author of British descent and a renowned writer of children's literature.
• 🏆 He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 for his contributions to literature.
• 🏞️ Bond lives with his family in Landour, near Mussoorie, a picturesque hill station in India.
• 🚂 The story revolves around a blind narrator on a train journey, sharing a compartment with a girl.
• 👋 The girl is seen off by her concerned parents, who give her strict instructions for the journey.
• 👂 The narrator, though blind, keenly listens to her voice and the sound of her slippers, developing a connection.
• 🎙️ Their conversation touches on the narrator's love for Mussoorie and the beauty of October in the hills.
• 🕶️ The narrator attempts to hide his blindness during the journey, engaging in playful dialogue.
• 👁️ At the end, a new passenger reveals the twist: the girl was blind, which the narrator did not realize.
• 💭 The brief encounter leaves a lasting impression on the narrator, highlighting themes of perception and human connection.

Q & A

Who is the author of the story and what is notable about him?

The author of the story is Ruskin Bond, an Indian author of British descent. He is renowned for his children's literature and was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999.

Where does the story take place at the beginning?

The story begins in a train compartment where the narrator initially has the space to himself before a girl enters at Rohana.

What physical condition does the narrator have?

The narrator is going blind and can only sense light and darkness but is unable to see any details.

How does the narrator identify certain details about the girl, despite his blindness?

The narrator deduces certain details, such as the girl wearing slippers, by the sound they make when slapping against her heels.

What is the girl's destination, and who is meeting her there?

The girl is getting off at Saharanpur, where her aunt is meeting her.

Why does the narrator comment that 'people with good eyesight fail to see what is right in front of them'?

The narrator, who is blind, suggests that those with good eyesight often overlook simple things because they are distracted by too much visual information, whereas people with limited sight focus more on what they can perceive.

What does the narrator imagine about Mussoorie in October?

The narrator reminisces about Mussoorie in October, describing the hills covered in wild dahlias, quiet roads, the warmth of sitting by a log fire, and enjoying brandy.

How does the narrator try to conceal his blindness from the girl?

The narrator attempts to hide his blindness by not looking directly at the window and pretending to study the landscape, even though he cannot see it.

What notable feature of the girl's appearance does the narrator learn from another passenger after she leaves?

After the girl leaves, a fellow passenger reveals that the girl was blind, though she had beautiful eyes.

What is the central irony in the story?

The central irony is that the narrator, who is blind, does not realize that the girl he was speaking with is also blind.