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.