That Sunday Morning – by Savita Singh
Class: 6th Standard | Subject: English | Type: Prose | Syllabus: SCERT New Syllabus (Term III)
About the Author
Savita Singh is an Indian author whose works often feature relatable, everyday incidents told with warmth and humour. Her writing style captures the innocence and adventurous spirit of childhood, making her stories appealing to young readers.
Summary of the Lesson
The story is set in Patna, where the narrator's father has been recently posted. The narrator (a girl) and her brother decide to explore the city on their bicycles one quiet Sunday morning. After cycling for about half an hour, her brother challenges her to a race to a nearby corner, with the loser having to buy the winner a chocolate. The brother had always won their previous races, so the girl is determined to win this time. She pedals furiously, her skirt billowing in the wind, and gradually overtakes her brother.
Just as she is about to celebrate her victory, she spots a lone cow standing in the middle of the road. She jams on the brakes, but while the cycle stops, her momentum carries her over the handlebars and she lands on the back of the startled cow. The terrified cow charges off with the girl clinging on for dear life. As the cow rounds the corner, they encounter two rows of resplendent cavalry officers on magnificent horses — members of the governor's bodyguard. The frightened cow charges straight at the horses, causing a stampede. The horses scatter in panic, and the cow eventually falls into a ditch, dislodging the girl onto the soft earth.
The chaos continues as cavalry horses run in circles, and one rider is thrown into the ditch near the cow. The cow, thinking it is being attacked again, bellows and charges at the fallen officer, who scrambles out tearing his pants at an awkward place. The girl's brother arrives with her bicycle, grinning at the spectacle. Despite being frightened and shaken, the girl haughtily claims she is perfectly fine. When they spot an angry cavalry officer approaching along with the cow's owner, the siblings wisely decide to make a hasty retreat on their bicycles, ending their eventful Sunday morning adventure.
Characters
- The Narrator (Girl): A brave, competitive, and spirited young girl who refuses to admit fear or weakness to her brother.
- The Brother: A playful, somewhat boastful boy who always won races against his sister and finds humour in her misadventure.
- The Father: Mentioned briefly; posted in Patna (the reason the family moved there).
- The Cavalry Officers: Members of the governor's bodyguard, mounted on horses, who become victims of the unexpected stampede.
- The Cow: An unsuspecting animal standing in the middle of the road that becomes the centre of all the chaos.
Glossary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Exploring | Travelling for discovery |
| Imposing | Grand or impressive |
| Invariably | Always |
| Crowed | Boasted |
| Billowed out | To flare out in the wind |
| Blur | Unclear |
| Abruptly | Suddenly |
| Momentum | The force of a moving body |
| Startled | Frightened |
| Resplendent | Brilliant in appearance |
| Cavalry | A unit of the army serving on horseback |
| Magnificent | Grand |
| Stampede | Rush (of frightened animals or people) |
| Dislodged | Freed; removed from a position |
| Bellowed | The cry of a cow |
| Scrambled | To move or climb hurriedly |
| Haughtily | Arrogantly; with proud superiority |
| Scowl | A threatening look |
| Retreat | To move away |
| Unpleasant | Disagreeable |
Themes Covered
- Sibling Rivalry and Bonding: The competitive yet caring relationship between the brother and sister is central to the story.
- Humour in Everyday Life: The chapter emphasizes finding comedy in unexpected, ordinary situations.
- Courage and Pride: The girl refuses to show weakness despite being frightened, showcasing childhood pride and bravery.
- Adventure and Exploration: The children's curiosity to explore a new city leads them into an unforgettable experience.
- Consequences of Recklessness: The race and its aftermath teach the importance of being cautious, especially on public roads.
- Laughter as the Best Medicine: The broader unit theme explores the science and value of laughter, including the field of Gelotology.
Grammar Focus: Adverbs
This lesson also covers adverbs — words that modify verbs by giving information about place, frequency, manner, and time. Examples from the text: invariably, abruptly, haughtily, helplessly, quickly.