The Story of the Road
About the Story
What it is about: The ROAD itself is TELLING us its story. From early morning when the SUN rises, to night when the MOON shines, the road SEES everything — people, vehicles, animals, and children. The road NEVER sleeps!
The Story
The ROAD begins its story:
'I wake up when the SUN rises. The first ones to use me are the SWEEPERS. They clean me with their BROOMS. Then come the MILKMAN with his cans, the VEGETABLE SELLER with his cart, and the NEWSPAPER BOY on his bicycle.
'As the sun rises higher, SCHOOL CHILDREN walk on me, laughing and talking. OFFICE GOERS rush by on their scooters and cycles. BUSES rumble past me, full of people.
'In the AFTERNOON, I am quieter. A few people walk under my shady trees. A COW chews her cud by the side. A DOG naps in a sunny spot.
'In the EVENING, I come ALIVE again! Children PLAY cricket on me. People return HOME from work. SHOPS on my sides light up.
'At NIGHT, when everyone SLEEPS, the STREET LIGHTS keep me company. I am NEVER truly alone. I am the ROAD — I CARRY everyone, every day, without TIREDNESS.'
The Characters
The Road's Visitors
| Time | Who Uses the Road |
|---|---|
| Early morning | Sweepers, milkman, vegetable seller, newspaper boy |
| Morning | School children, office goers, buses |
| Afternoon | A few people, a cow, a dog |
| Evening | Children playing, people returning home, shoppers |
| Night | Street lights, late-night travellers |
The Road's Feelings
| Time | How the Road Feels |
|---|---|
| Morning | ACTIVE and BUSY |
| Afternoon | QUIET and PEACEFUL |
| Evening | LIVELY and JOYFUL |
| Night | CALM but NEVER ALONE |
Personification
What is Personification?
PERSONIFICATION means giving HUMAN qualities or feelings to NON-HUMAN things.
Examples in This Story
| Non-Human Thing | Human Quality Given |
|---|---|
| The ROAD | 'Wakes up,' 'sees,' 'feels,' 'tells its story' |
| The SUN | 'Rises' — like a person waking |
| The STREET LIGHTS | 'Keep me company' — like a friend |
What We Can Learn
1. Every Thing Has a Story
Even a ROAD has a story to tell. Everything around us — trees, rivers, buildings — has SEEN things and could TELL stories!
2. The Road Connects Us
The road brings people TOGETHER. It helps us travel, meet, and share.
3. Different Times, Different Activities
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 5 AM | Sweepers clean |
| 7 AM | Children go to school |
| 12 PM | People at work |
| 5 PM | Children play |
| 8 PM | Shops are busy |
| 11 PM | Quiet night |
4. Hard Work
The road works ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT, never complaining. It is a symbol of HARD WORK and DEDICATION.
People Who Use the Road
Early Risers
| Person | What They Do | Why Important |
|---|---|---|
| Sweeper | Cleans the road | Keeps our streets clean |
| Milkman | Delivers milk | Gives us fresh milk |
| Vegetable seller | Brings vegetables | We get fresh food |
| Newspaper boy | Delivers papers | We get the news |
Road Safety
| Rule | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Walk on the FOOTPATH | Stay safe from vehicles |
| Look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT before crossing | Check for traffic |
| Cross at the ZEBRA CROSSING | Drivers can see you |
| Do NOT play on busy roads | It is dangerous |
| Wear HELMET on a bicycle or bike | Protect your head |
Activities
Activity 1: Road Observation
Sit near a WINDOW or at your DOOR for 15 minutes. Note what you see:
| Time | Who/What Passed |
|---|---|
| Minute 1-5 | |
| Minute 5-10 | |
| Minute 10-15 |
Activity 2: Draw a Road Scene
Draw a ROAD with:
- A SWEEPER in the morning
- CHILDREN going to school
- A COW resting by the side
- A BUS and a CAR
- STREET LIGHTS at night
Activity 3: Write as a Road
Pretend YOU are a road. Write 3-4 sentences about what you see in a day:
'I am a road in ________. In the morning, I see ________. My favourite time is ________ because ________.'
Words to Learn
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sweeper | A person who cleans roads |
| Broom | A tool used for sweeping |
| Rush | To move quickly |
| Rumble | A low, deep sound |
| Shady | Providing shade from the sun |
| Company | Being with someone, not alone |
Common Mistakes
-
'The road is actually talking.' — No! The road is NOT really talking. The writer is using PERSONIFICATION to make the story interesting.
-
'Roads are dirty and useless.' — No! Roads are IMPORTANT. They connect places and help us travel.
-
'Only people use the road.' — No! Animals also use the road — cows, dogs, cats, birds, and even ants!
-
'The road sleeps at night.' — No! Even at night, the road is used by some travellers and watched over by street lights.
Quick Self-Test
Q1: Who tells the story? A1: The road (the story is told in the first person).
Q2: Who uses the road early in the morning? A2: Sweepers, milkman, vegetable seller, newspaper boy.
Q3: What do children do on the road in the evening? A3: They play cricket (or other games).
Q4: What keeps the road company at night? A4: Street lights.
Q5: What is 'personification'? A5: Giving human qualities to non-human things.
Q6: Name one road safety rule. A6: Look left-right-left before crossing / walk on the footpath / cross at the zebra crossing.
Q7: Why is the road important? A7: It connects places, helps people travel, and brings communities together.
Q8: What time of day is your favourite on the road? Why? A8: (Your own answer!)
