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In the emerging world scenario, interior decoration has become a passion and a dictum
for healthy living. The art of planting in small pots with its branches neatly trimmed gives
rise to small neat structures of plants. These plants are easy to grow indoors as long as
they have soil, air, light and water. Plants can be grown in the house all year round. Of
late Bonsai have attracted the attention of one and all. Botanists say that bonsai are
ornamental trees or shrubs grown in a pot and artifically prevented from reaching their
normal size. The Japanese specialise in bonsai and Ikebana. The latter flowers are
displayed according to strict rules.
A work from S. CHAND & COMPANY LTD.
Exercise 150
Write a short essay on :-
1. Old Custom. 2. The Kangaroo. 3. School Games. 4. Fairy Tales. 5. Space Travel. 6.
The Pleasures of Reading. 7. Popular Superstitions. 8. The Use and Abuse of Leisure. 9.
Life in a large City : its Advantages and Disadvantages. 10. Advertising: its Uses and
Abuses. 11. The Book you like Best. 12. Travel as a part of Education. 13. My Role
Model. 14. The Best Way of Spending Holidays. 15. The Telephone. 16. The Cell Phone.
17. The Pager. 18. The Narmada 19. Traffic Jams. 20. Your Favourite Hobbies. 21.
Counselling in Schools. 22. The Importance of the Study of Geography. 23. No Man is a
Judge of his own Merits. 24. Safety First. 25. The Use and Abuse of Strikes. 26. Scouting
for Boys. 27. The Uses of Paper. 28. India in the new millennium. 29. Hijacking of an
Aeroplane. 30. My greatest wish. 31. The influence of Cable Television Network in
India. 32. The Cyber Revolution. 33. Nuclear disarmament. 34. A Metro Rail Station. 35.
A Wet Day. 36. The Uses of Rubber. 37. A Visit to a Place of Historic Interest. 38. India
in 2020.
Exercise 151
Write a short essay on :-
1. Should boys leam to cook? 2. Is life for us better than it was for our forefathers? 3. The
Olympic Games. 4. Is life in the city preferable to life in the country? 5. Street hawkers.
6. Should games be compulsory for schoolboys? 7. An important day in my life. 8. How
you hope to continue your education when you leave school. 9. What do you think is the
most enjoyable month of the year? Say why you think so. 10. "Playing the game". 11.
Examination day. 12. Good manners, 13. How to keep fit. 14. The conquest of the air. 15.
Ghosts and ghost stories. 16. An Excursion. 17. The dream I should like to have. 18.
Milk. 19. My greatest wish. 20. Fresh air. 21. Pocket money. 22. My country. 23.
Aeroplanes. 24. The care of the teeth. 25. Our duty to the backward communities in our
country. 26. Some desirable improvements in your home town. 27. An English
dictionary. 28. Walking tours. 29. The influence of the cinema. 30. Electricity in the
service of man. 31. The Influence of Television on our Lives. 32. The value and purpose
of a school debating society. 33. The housing of the working classes. 34. "The man who
will succeed in life is he who can adapt himself easily." 35. Some wonders of modern
science. 36. The educational possibilities of "broadcasting." 37. "Gluttony kills more than
a sword." 38. The fascination of a great city.
CHAPTER 41
AUTOBIOGRAPHIES
A Biography is the history of the life of a person written by someone else (e.g., Southey's
"Life of Nelson," Boswell's "Life of Johnson," etc.). An Autobiography is the history of
the life of a person written by himself (e.g., John Stewart Mill's "Autobiography").
In the following exercises, the pupil is asked to use his imagination by pretending
to be another person, an animal, or an inanimate object, and to invent an autobiography
of him or it. He must consider himself to be the animal or object, and, in the first person.
Write as that particular animal or object might be supposed to tell its own story.
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The story must be made as interesting as possible and told in simple language, Mich as in
every-day talk.
SPECIMENS
1. THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A EURO
As soon as I entered this fascinating world I was looked upon with great expectations.
The world was full of racism yet I was held in high esteem. People from the United States
of America to Antartica looked at me as I soon rolled out from the parentage of
Europeans. Since economists, raging bulls and bears did not know much about me, I
caught the apprehension of my parents, the share market holders, the financial experts,
scholars, students and so on. On my birth I was placed on the lap of my mother the
Federal Bank.
Frankly, my brother Lira, my sister sterling and my extended family members like the
Deutsche Mark the Yen were quite jealous of me. I know my worth I reveal this secret of
mine henceforth. I am a form of money held or traded outside the country, in whose
currency its value is stated. In future I would be globally acceptable by the . members
of all the nations.
I now take pride of place in the Euromarket, a financial market which deals with
European currencies. I do not want to roll over but I'd love to be accepted by the
developing as well as underdeveloped nations.
2. THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A HORSE
Now that I am getting old and stiff in the joints, I like to meditate, while grazing in the
pasture, on my foal days. I think that was the happiest part of my life. I had no work to
do, and could run about after my mother, who was a fine white Arab mare, without any
restraint. Most of my time was spent in the fields, where I nibbled the tender grass and
capered about, while my mother was steadily grazing.
But that could not last for ever. When I was old enough, the trainer came and, to my great
indignation, fastened a long rope to my head, and then began driving me round and round
in circles with his long whip. I was frightened and angry, but he went on till I was so tired
that I could scarcely stand. However, my mother told me that it was no use my resisting,
and to make a long story short, I was at last thoroughly trained as a riding-horse.
I was bought by a young officer as a polo pony, and I soon got to love the game. He was
a kind master, and a good rider; and in the end I would do anything for him, and was
quite proud when his side won the game. But he got into debt, and had to sell me; and I
was bought by a gentleman and a lady who kept a buggy, and was trained to run in shafts.
I haled this work; and I am afraid I gave a lot of trouble, by going as slowly .is I could.
When my driver gave me the whip, I started shying at any object on the road. And then I
found that jibbing was a very good trick, and whenever I was whipped, I simply backed.
My owner got disgusted at last, and sold me to a gentleman who was fond of hunting.
I was delighted to get back to saddle-work; and thoroughly enjoyed my gallops with the
hounds after the jackal in open country. But an accident put a stop to that jolly life; for
one day my master pressed me to a big jump which I knew I could not do. I did my best
but fell short, and fell. My master was thrown and broke his arm, and I badly sprained
one of my legs.
I was in hospital for weeks, and then was sold to a gentleman who wanted a quiet riding-
horse. He was a kind master, and used me well; and I was in his service for a good
number of years. Now I am old, he gives me very little work, and I spend most of my
time grazing in the pasture, and leading a quiet, contented life.
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Exercise 152
Write autobiographies of the following :-
1. A Bee :- (Read up something about the habits of hive-bees; then bring in the various
duties of the worker-bee; feeding and tending larvae (young), strong honey, sweeping
hive, guarding, fetching nectar from flowers to make honey, etc.)
2. An Ant :- (On the same lines.)
3. A St. Bernard Dog :- (Training as a puppy by monks of St. Bernard to rescue travellers
lost in snow; describe the dog; sent out with flask of brandy fastened round its neck;
some of the dog's adventures.)
4. A Sheep Dog :- (Training by the shepherd to look after flock; as young dog, imitates
his mother in her work; learns to understand the shepherd's sign and verbal orders; knows
each sheep, and can pick out and bring whichever the shepherd wants; can separate
certain numbers from others; drives sheep to pastures, and into fold at night; guards flock
against enemies.)
5. An Elephant :- (Wild life in jungle when young; how caught in keddah by decoy;
training; its work: carrying loads, piling logs, drawing carts, carrying hunters in tiger-
shooting, marching in state processions, etc.)
6. A Rose Tree :- [Early cultivation; the first pruning resented; learns later it is necessary
for producing fine flowers; gets rich manure; leams that cultivation makes it
different from wild rose; suffers from disease, like greenfly, blight, etc.; how gardener
cures it; produces splendid red roses; much admired; next year, some blooms gain prize
at Flower Show; cuttings taken (its children), etc.]
7. A Watch :- (Describe.-silver watch; in jeweller's shop; other watches its
companions; e.g., proud gold watch, humble gun-metal watch, repeating watches,
wrist watches, etc. Bought as present for young man; stolen out of his pocket; sold by
thief; put in pawnshop; bought by man; falls sick and goes to hospital, i.e., jeweller's-
new main spring.)
8. A River :-(Rises as spring in mountains, or from a glacier; mountain torrent, rocky bed,
water-falls, tributaries, swollen when snow melts; reaches plains; slow steady river;
cultivated fields on banks; irrigation canals taken off; passes villages and small towns;
flows through a big town; pollution of waters; boats and ships; fall into sea at big port,
etc.)
9. A Kite or Hawk :- (Young in a nest in a tall tree, fed by mother and father; kite; how it
learns to fly; hunting its prey-mice, chickens, small birds;.teased by crows and minas;
chooses mate; builds nest; etc.)
10. A Fish (Salmon) :- (Its youth as a smelt in river; journey to the sea; returns up river
leaping weirs; chooses a mate; grows big; fished for; how it is deceived by bait; nearly
hooked; escapes and vows to take no more baits; its enemies; proud of being king of river
fishes, etc.)
Exercise 153
Write autobiographies of :-
1. A Camel. 2. A Spider. 3. A Donkey. 4. A Tiger. 5. A Seagull 6. A Kingfisher. 7. A
Caterpillar and Butterfly. 8. A computer 9. A robot. 10. A House. 11. A Motorcar. 12. An
Aeroplane. 13. A Crocodile. 14. ACrow. 15. A Steamship. 16. ACobra. 17. A Buffalo.
18. A Tractor. 19. A Child's Toy. 20. A Rifle.
Exercise 154
Tell the life-story of each one of the following as told by it-self-
1. A Piece of Coal. 2. An Owl. 3. A Pariah Dog. 4. A Parrot. 5. A Coconut Tree. 6. A
Banyan Tree.
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CHAPTER 42
DIALOGUE-WRITING
A Dialogue literally means "talk between two people". Dialogue-writing is a useful form
of composition, especially for the Indian student who is trying to gain a command of
spoken English. Under proper guidance, it should introduce him to the colloquial way of
talking English, and train him to express his thoughts in easy and natural constructions.
The spoken English of the Indian school-boy is too often rather stilted and bookish,
owing to the fact that he has not much chance of talking with English people; and
anything that will help him to acquire naturalness and ease in speaking in English is of
value.
To write a dialogue successfully, calls for a little dramatic power; for the writer has not
only to see both sides of a question, but has also to put himself, so to speak, inside two
imaginary persons so as to make them express their opposite opinions naturally and in
keeping with their characters. He has in turn to be each one, and see the point of view of
each on the question.
A written dialogue should be so composed that it appears to be spontaneous or
impromptu. The reader of it should not feel that it is premeditated, stilted and dull.
At the same time, careful preparation is necessary for writing a dialogue, though this
must not appear. The writer must have the art to conceal his art. It is always advisable to
make a plan or outline of the dialogue before beginning to write; otherwise the dialogue
may be rambling and pointless.
METHOD OF PROCEDURE
1. Carefully think over the subject given, and jot down briefly the arguments or opinions
about it which might reasonably be expressed by the imaginary persons who are
supposed to be talking.
2. Arrange these ideas in some logical order, so that one will arise naturally from another
in the course of the conversation. (It is well to write down these points in the form of an
outline, or numbered heads, as a guide to follow in writing the dialogue.)
3. Try to imagine what would be the way in which each character in the dialogue would
express his views. To do this, you must have in your mind a clear idea of the imaginary
persons taking part in the conversation, so as to make them speak in character. (For
instance, in Specimen No. 2, Swarup, the bookish student talks in a different way
from Dulip Singh, the athletic student.)
4. Keep in mind that your dialogue, when completed, should read like a real, spontaneous
conversation. So try to make your imaginary characters talk in an easy, familiar and
natural manner. Avoid stilted
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and bookish phrases. Try to remember how real people talk in friendly conversation, and
reproduce that conversational style as well as you
can.
SPECIAL HINTS
1. (a) Don't let any of your characters monopolize the conver sation, as if he were giving
a public lecture. Give all a chance, and keep the ball rolling. Let the conversation be brisk
and rapid.
(b) Tn real conversation, one person sometimes interrupts the other, or breaks in on what
he is saying. A sparing use of such interruptions in written dialogue is quite permissible,
and adds to its naturalness.
For example :-
A -- "I am perfectly certain he would never do such thing. Why, only the other
day he toid me --"
B -- "I don't care what he told you ! I know for a fact that he did it."
(c) In real conversation, a speaker often answers a question by asking another; or
sometimes, seeing what is coming, he answers a question before it is asked. You may
enliven your dialogue by making your characters do the same now and then.
For example :-
(i) A -- "What will you do if he does not answer your letter?"
B -- "Well, what would you do?"
(ii) D -- "I heard something about you the other day, John."
J -- "I know ! You are going to ask me why I was absent from office last Monday. We]], I
will tell you--etc."
(d) In real conversation, people often use exclamations, surprise (e.g., "My word !"
"Good heavens !" "You don't say so !" "Well" etc.); irritation (e.g., "Bother V "O dear !"
"Confound it'."); pleasure ("How nice !" "Splendid !")-and so on. Such interjections may
be introduced from time to time, sparingly; but the use of them should not be overdone.
(Note.-Slang and profane words should be avoided).
2. The dialogue should begin in an interesting way, so that the reader's attention may be
arrested from the very first. And the conversation should lead up to some definite
conclusion. It should not end abruptly and in the air, so to speak. Special attention should
be paid to the opening sentences and the conclusion.
3. The fact that language should be as far as possible colloquial does not, of course, mean
that it may be ungrammatical. However free- and-easy the style in which the persons in
the dialogue are made to talk, they must talk good English. They must not, for example,
be made to use such expressions as, "He asked my brother and / to tea," or "Can
I give you an advice?'
4. Keeping these points in view, write your dialogue in as natural, interesting and realistic
a manner as possible. The whole conversation should be brief, and the questions and
replies as concise and pointed as possible.
A work from S. CHAND & COMPANY LTD.
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SPECIMENS
1. A conversation between two boys, one of whom is habitually despondent and thinks
that luck is against him, whereas the other is of a more practical turn of mind.
Nasarullah Jan. - Come, Hussain, you are taking your failure too much to heart. I know it
is a great disappointment, and I sympathize with you; but you must not allow it to make
you so unhappy.
Mohd. Hussain.- It is all very well for a lucky chap like you, Nasarullah. You have
passed the first time, and this is my second failure. You would not feel so cheery if you
were in my place.
N.J.- I know; but you must pull yourself together, and make up your mind you will pass
next time. Remember the old saying "If at first you don't succeed, try, tiy, again!"
M.H.- I think the other version of the saying has more sense in it.'Tf at first you don't
succeed, quit, quit, quit, at once !"
N.J.- Oh nonsense ! You'll never do anything if you don't persevere. Now why do you
think you failed?
M.H.- All this year fate has been against me. First, I was ill with enteric, which lost me a
whole term. Then just before my examination, my father died, and that so upset me that I
could not prepare properly.
NJ.- Well, you certainly did have bad luck, I am sorry. But I am sure you will succeed
next time; so you must make up your mind to win through.
M.H.- If s no use. 1 think I was born unlucky. 1 seem to fail in everything 1 touch.'I tried
several times to get a scholarship, but some other boy always got it instead. I shall give it
up.
NJ.- Indeed, you must not. Remember it's the darkest hour before the dawn. Often when
things are at the worst, they begin to improve. I don't believe in all the talk about bad and
good luck. A brave man makes his own luck. You have a year before you; you have
brains, and if you will only pull yourself together and put your heart into your work, you
will win through.
M.H.- I wish I had your disposition. Still, I will take your advice and have another try.
NJ.- That's the style ! And I am sure you will succeed and break your so-called "bad
luck" once for all.
2. An imaginary conversation between a bookish student and an athletic student on the
comparative merits of mental and physical culture.
Dulip Singh.- Hello, Swarup ! Swotting away as usual. Come out, man; shut up your old
books, and come and have a game of tennis.
Swamp.- I am sorry I cannot do that, Dulip. The examination is drawing near, and J want
every hour I can get for study.
Dulip Singh.- Oh! hang all examinations ! I do not worry about mine. What is the use of
them, any way?
Swarup.- Weli, you can't get a degree if you don't pass the examination; and 1 have set
my heart on being a B.A.
Dulip Singh.- And pray what good will B.A. do you? You may get a clerkship in a
government office; but that's all. And there are hundreds of fellows who have got their
degrees, and are no nearer getting jobs of any sort.
Swarup.- That may be so; but I am not studying so much to pass my examination and
obtain my degree, as to store my mind with knowledge and develop my intellectual
faculties.
Dulip Singh.- My word ! How fine you "highbrows" can talk ! "Develop my intellectual
faculties,"! I tell you, all a man wants to get on in the world is some brains, plain
common sense, and plenty of push. And you can't learn these things from books. And
while you are "developing your intellectual faculties," you are spoiling your health You
will soon be a thin, white, narrow-chested, half-blind weakling it'you slick to your
beloved books like this, Look at me broad chest and feel my biceps ! Any way,
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I am developing my physical powers with my games and athletics.
Swamp.- Well, if I have to choose, I would rather have a learned and cultivated mind
than a strong and well-developed body; for the mind is far more important lhan the body.
Dulip Singh.- Oh ! I see ! You mean to say that a man who plays football and hockey and
is as strong as a horse, cannot have any brains?
Swarup.- I did not say that; but you may remember what Kipling said about "muddied
oafs and flannelled fools."
Dulip Singh.- Well, I must say you are very complimentary ! Kipling must have been an
ass if he said that. Anyway I would rather be "a muddied oaf than a whitefaced,
spectacled book-worm, as blind as an owl.
Their teacher (coming in).-Hello! What are you two fellows quarreling about?
[They explained.]
Teacher.- I see. Well, you are both right and both wrong. Swarup, a little more physical
exercise will do you good and will not interfere with your mental culture; and Dulip
Singh, a little more study will not in any way spoil your physical strength. So, go and
have a game of tennis, Swarup; and afterwards you, Dulip, settle down to a few hours'
study.
3. A dialogue between a countryman and a townsman, bringing out the comparative
advantages of town and country life.
Smith.- Good morning. Mr. Jones. It is a long time since I saw you in town. Are yon
staying long?
Jones.- Good morning, No, Mr. Smith, I only came up on business for a few hours, and
hope to get home again this evening.
Smith.- Running away so soon? Why not stay a few days and enjoy yourself?
Jones.- Not me. I don't find much enjoyment in the smoky air of a town, and all its noise
and racket. Give me the clean air, the sunshine, and the quiet of the country.
Smith.- Well, I grant you have the advantage of purer air in the ountry: but as for noise,
you soon get used to it. In fact, I could not stand your quiet-it would drive me crazy. I
like to feel plenty of life and movement about me.
Jones.- Really? Why, I could not get a wink of sleep in a noisy town. And towns are so
ugly - nothing to see but ugly smoke-grimed houses, dreary streets, hideous
advertisements on every hoarding, factory chimneys belching smoke, and a dull, smoky
sky. I have the beauty of the green fields and shady woods and flowery meadows of the
country.
Smith.- Ah ! my friend, but do not forget what Dr. Johnson said : "When you have seen
one green field you have seen all green fields; come with me down Fleet Street and study
man."
Jones.- Well, all I can say is that Dr, Johnson never saw a green field in his life, or he
would have known that there is an infinite variety in nature if you have the eyes to see it.
Smith.- But what in the world do you do with yourself in your village? It must be a very
dull and slow life, with no theatres, no concerts, no cinemas, no public lectures, no
exciting political meetings. You must lead a stupid vegetable life, like a cabbage.
Jones.- Not so stupid and dull as you imagine. I have my garden, which is a great source
of pleasure; and there is fishing, and a little hunting. And then I love tramping over the
hills, and seeing the beautiful scenery. And in the evenings I have my books.
Smith.- Well, every man to his taste; but to me yours would be a dull life.
Jones.- Dull or not, it is much healthier. In the pure country, we do not get the epidemics
and dirt-produced diseases you have in the towns. And our quiet habits give us longer
lives.
Smith.- Yes, you mey live longer in the country. But you don’t get so much out
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of life as we do in town. A short life and a merry one, I say.
4. A dialogue between two boys discussing their hobbies.
George.- I am in luck, Will. My uncle has just sent me a letter from Japan, where he is on
business, with some Japanese stamps. He knows I collect them and often sends me
foreign stamps from the places he visits..
Will.- They look rather nice. Are you going to paste them in your album?
George.- Yes, here it is. I have got quite a nice collection now.
Will.- What a lot ! French, Italian, Dutch, German, American, Turkish. You seem to have
some from almost every country.
George.- Oh ! there are a lot I have not got yet. And some rare ones are very expensive,
and cost pounds of money.
Will.- But what is the use of collecting stamps?
George.- Oh ! Well, it's a hobby. And it teaches you some geography; and sometimes it
brings money.
Will.- How is that?
George.- Why, a really good collection sometimes sells for hundreds of pounds. Why
don't you go in for stamp-collecting?
Will.- I like something more active. My hobby is collecting ferns and wild flowers. And
to get these you have to go long country walks, and explore the woods, and climb the
hills. It is quite an adventure when you find a rare plant or fern in some wild place.
George.- But what do you do with them when you get them?
Will.- I press them, and then mount them neatly on sheets of paper, and name them. I
have got quite a nice collection.
George. - How do you press them?
Will.- I lay the fern or plant between sheets of blotting-paper, and put them in a press, or
under a board with heavy weights. You have to change the blotting-paper every day, and
in about a week the plant is dried and pressed, and will last like that for years.
George.- And what is the good of your hobby?
Will.- Well, it teaches me a lot of botany; and takes me into beautiful country; and does
me good physically, because it means exercise in the open air.
5. A dialogue between a master and a pupil on public speaking.
Master.- Well Ram Narain, I hear you are taking part in the speaking competition.
Pupil.- Yes, Sir; and I came to ask you to give me some hints on the art of the public
speaking.
Master.- With pleasure, Ram Narain. Have you prepared your speech?
Pupil.- Yes, Sir; and now I am learning it by heart.
Master.- Oh ! but that is a great mistake. Always carefully prepare what you want to say,
but never try to learn it off by heart.
Pupil.- But why, Sir?
Master.- Because when you are speaking, you should watch your audience to see whether
they are following what you say. You can see by their faces whether they understand and
are interested; and if they are not, you can then win their attention by adding, or
emphasizing, or changing something. But if your speech is learnt by heart, you can't
alter it.
Pupil.- But it seems so much easier to learn it.
Master.- It is not so in the end. Memorising is a great strain. Also, if you forget one
sentence, you may break down altogether.
Pupil.- Well, I might manage if I could have my notes with me when I speak.
Master.- At first you may take a short note of outline, or main points, of your speech, lets
you forgot; But when you get used to speaking in public, it is best to do without notes
altogether.
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Pupil.- But if I don't use notes, and must not learn my speeches off by heart how can I
remember what to say?
Master.- You must prepare carefully, and Ihink out what you want to say; and learn the
main points, or outline, of your speech. Then, when you get up to speak, you will find
that the words will conic.
Pupil.- But I feel so nervous when I have to speak.
Master.- That is natural, especially at first. But as you get used to speaking in public, you
will overcome that. Even practised speakers often feel very nervous before they begin to
speak; but when they get on to their feet, they forget all about it.
Pupil.- When I am nervous. I think I speak too fast.
Master.- Well, you must practise speaking slowly and distinctly. And don't shout-it
strains your voice and prevents people hearing you; and don't speak too low. Speak
naturally, so that all can hear.
Pupil.- Thank you, Sir, for your hints. I will try to follow them.
6. A dialogue on the choice of a profession-law or medicine.
Jai Dyal.- Thank goodness ! our examinations are over at last.
Sain Das.- What a relief ! I hope I shall pass; for 1 have just got a letter from my father
promising to send me to the Medical College if I get through the F. Sc.
Jai Dyal.- Oh ! are you going to be a doctor?
Sain Das.- Yes; and I am very glad. My father is a doctor, you know, and I have always
wanted to be one too. It seems a very interesting profession. What are you going to do?
Jai Dyal.- My ambition is to be a lawyer; and when I have got my B.A.. 1 am to go to the
Law College to study Tor my LL.B.
Sain Das.- Law ! That never had any attractions for me. Why do you want to be a lawyer?
Jai Dyal.- Well, it is a very respectable profession. One can be a gentleman and hold a
good position, any way.
Sain Das.- So can a doctor. The medical profession is just as respectable as the legal.
Jai Dyal.- Oh ! yes. of course. But I think a lawyer can make more.money than a doctor.
Sain Das.- I am not so sure of that. A few lawyers who get to be leaders of the bar, of
course, do make fortunes. But what about the crowd of pleaders and even barristers who
can scarcely make a living? The law is terribly overcrowded.
Jai Dyal.- Oh ! well, there is always plenty of room at the top, you know.
Sain Das.- What 1 like about the medical profession, apart from its scientific interest, is
that the work is so humanitarian. A doctor is always doing good to his fellows-relieving
suffering, curing diseases, restoring health, and so making folk happy. This makes a
doctor's life a sort of social service.
Jai Dyal.- Well, a lawyer is doing good work too. He is helping to detect and prevent
crime, defending the innocent from false charges, and helping people in distress.
Sain Das.- Yes; but a lawyer's life is full of temptations. He is tempted to defend
criminals for big fees, and to get them off from just punishment. I don't see how a lawyer
can help being a liar, too !
Jai Dyal.- Now you are joking. It is as possible for a lawyer to be an honest man as it is
for a doctor to be a rogue.
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Exercise 155
Compose imaginaiy conversations on the following subjects:-
1. Between a father and his son on thrift.
(Hints :- The son has been wasting his allowance extravagantly and got into debt; his
father rebukes him, and warns him of the danger of extravagance, telling him how to
spend economically, and save for his old age.)
2. Between a temperance advocate and a young man on the evils of intemperance.
(Hints :- The young man sees no harm in drinking; argues it is a jolly social custom,
makes him lively and happy, drowns care, revives him when tired, is a manly habit, etc.
The temperance man warns him against danger of becoming a drunkard; the terrible
power of the drink craving; argues alcoholic drink is a slow poison, and damages health;
appeals to him to set an example to others by signing the pledge,etc.)
3. Between a soldier and a shopkeeper on the merits of their respective occupations.
(Hints :- The soldier argues that his is a noble profession; superior to civilian in rank;
calls for courage and manly qualities; he is the defender of his country; whereas a
tradesman's job is mean and despised; no job for a man, etc. The shopkeeper argues that
the soldier produces nothing; he simply destroys; it is a butcher's job; food for powder,
etc.; whereas the tradesman is a useful member of society, who is doing a public service;
can become rich, while a soldier must always be poor, etc. The dignity of labour.)
4. Between a huntsman and a gardener on their respective pursuits.
(Hints :- The huntsman defends his sport as manly, exciting, and needing courage; tries to
show he benefits others by killing pesls like tigers and bears; says gardening is a tame
and effeminate hobby. The gardener argues hunting is a cruel sport; it means killing and
torturing many of God's innocent creatures; purely destructive, whereas he is productive;
making two blades of grass grow where only one grew before; making the world more
beautiful. (Hints :- The refining effect of gardening.)
Exercise 156
Write a short imaginary conversation :-
1. Between a horse and an ass.
2. Between a cage-bird and a crow.
3. Between a pen and a pencil.
4. Between a pet-dog and a pariah-dog.
5. Between a motor-car and a trap-horse.
6. Between an aeroplane and a railway-train.
7. Between a fountain-pen and a lead pencil.
8. Between an oil-lamp and an electric-lamp.
9. Between a spider and a fly.
10. Between Cinderella and her two sisters just before the ball.
A work from S. CHANP & COMPANY LTD.
Exercise 157
Write in the form of a dialogue :-
1. The president of B.C.C.I, and you.
2. The fable of "The Lion and the Mouse."
3. The fable of “The country Mouse and the Town Mouse†.
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4. The fable of "The Blind Man and the Lame Man."
5. The fable of "The Dog in the Manger,"
6. The fable of "The Ant and the Grasshopper."
7. The fable of "The Wolf and the Lamb."
8. Between ordinary food and fast food
9. A clinic and tele-medicine.
10. A blood bank and multiple organ donor bank.
11. Commerce and e-commerce.
Exercise 158
Write a short dialogue :-
1. Between two friends about dreams.
2. Between a miser and a spendthrift.
3. Between a railway-guard and an engine-driver.
4. Between two class-fellows about the visit of the Inspector..
5. Between two boys discussing their hobbies.
6. Between a credulous man and an impostor.
7. Between two friends on a topic of common interest.
8. Between two friends-the one a believer, and other a disbeliever, in ghost stories.
9. Between two boys about the approaching examination.
10. Between two class-fellows on a poem they have read in the class.
11. Between a hypochondriac and his friend.
12. Between two boys who have just come out of the Examination Hall.
13. Between two friends who have lost their way in a jungle.
14. Between two friends discussing holiday plans.
15. Between two friends about their neighbours.
16. Between two boys caught in a shower on their way from school. One looks on the
Bright side of matters, and the other on the dark side.
17. Between two friends on life in flats.
18. Between two friends discussing the "theatre-manners" of latecomers, who mar
the pleasure of the audience.
19. Fan and an airconditioner.
20. An earthquake and a cyclone.
Exercise 159
Write short dialogues on the following :-
1. The use and abuse of athletics.
2. The advantages and disadvantages of solitude.
3. The uses and abuses of advertisement.
4. The advantages and disadvantages of cheap literature.
5. The pleasures and perils of speed.
6. The pleasures and disadvantages of life in a school hostel.
7. The advantages and disadvantages of life in a great city.
