Say the Right Thing — Class 7 English (CBSE)
From the current NCERT Poorvi Grade 7 book, Unit 2: Wit and Humour, Chapter 6. A funny little play about good manners and the art of saying the right thing to guests.
1. About the lesson
- Text type: A humorous play (drama).
- Main characters: Mary, her mother Mrs. Shaw, and the guests (Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Lee).
- Main theme: Tact, politeness and warm hospitality — Atithi Devo Bhava (the guest is like God).
2. Summary
In this short, funny play, Mary and her mother Mrs. Shaw are getting ready to welcome some guests for tea. Mrs. Shaw advises Mary to be polite and to "say the right thing" to the visitors. Mary tries very hard to follow this advice, but she becomes so worried about being correct that she ends up saying awkward, funny things at the wrong moments. The comedy comes from her well-meant but clumsy attempts to be polite. In the end, the play gently teaches that good manners and hospitality come from being natural, warm and sincere, not from forcing fancy words.
3. Theme and values
- Politeness and tact — choosing kind, suitable words.
- Hospitality — welcoming guests warmly (Atithi Devo Bhava).
- Sincerity — being natural matters more than fancy phrases.
- Humour — Mary's awkward efforts make us laugh.
4. New words and meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| tact | skill in saying the right thing without hurting anyone |
| hospitality | warm, kind treatment of guests |
| guest | a visitor |
| polite | well-mannered and courteous |
| awkward | clumsy or uncomfortable |
5. Let Us Think (comprehension)
-
What are Mary and her mother preparing for? To welcome guests for tea.
-
What advice does Mrs. Shaw give Mary? To be polite and to "say the right thing".
-
Why does the play become funny? Because Mary tries so hard that she says awkward, wrong things.
-
What does the play teach about good manners? That they should be natural, warm and sincere.
-
Which Indian idea matches this lesson? Atithi Devo Bhava — treat the guest as God.
6. Language and grammar
Reading a play
Notice the stage directions (in brackets) and the character names before each line. Why are they useful?
Polite expressions
List three polite expressions ("Please…", "Would you like…", "Thank you…") and use one in a sentence.
7. Writing and speaking
- Writing: Write a short, polite dialogue (4–6 lines) welcoming a guest to your home.
- Speaking: Act out a small part of the play with a partner.
8. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Reading a play like a story. Fix: Note the speakers' names and stage directions.
- Mistake: Thinking manners mean fancy, hard words. Fix: Good manners are natural and sincere.
- Mistake: One-word answers. Fix: Explain with a detail from the play.
9. Practice set
- Who are the main characters in the play?
- What advice does Mrs. Shaw give Mary?
- Why are Mary's efforts funny?
- What is the lesson of the play?
- Write one polite expression you can use with a guest.
10. Answer key
- Mary, her mother Mrs. Shaw, and the guests.
- To be polite and "say the right thing".
- She tries so hard that she ends up saying awkward, wrong things.
- Good manners should be natural, warm and sincere.
- Answers will vary, e.g., "Would you like some tea?"
11. Quick revision
- Unit 2: Wit and Humour · Chapter 6 · a humorous play.
- Mary and Mrs. Shaw prepare to welcome guests.
- "Say the right thing" → Mary's funny, awkward attempts.
- Lesson: good manners are natural and sincere.
- Indian value: Atithi Devo Bhava.
Unit 2: Wit and Humour
This chapter is part of Unit 2: Wit and Humour. The three chapters in this unit are:
- Chapter 4: Animals, Birds and Dr. Dolittle — a humorous story
- Chapter 5: A Funny Man — a humorous poem
- Chapter 6: Say the Right Thing — a humorous play
