Bholi — RBSE Class 10 English (Footprints without Feet)
A little girl who cannot speak without stammering, whose face is scarred by smallpox, is written off by her own family as a "simpleton" — Bholi, the fool. This is the story of how education and one kind teacher wake that girl up, until the day she stands taller than everyone at her own wedding and refuses to be sold. It is a stirring lesson in the power of educating the girl child.
1. Bholi — the neglected child
Sulekha was the youngest daughter of Numberdar Ramlal, a well-off farmer. As a baby she fell off a cot, possibly damaging her brain; then an attack of smallpox left her face deeply pockmarked. She was slow to learn and stammered when she spoke. So the family and village nicknamed her "Bholi" (the simpleton) and treated her as a backward, worthless girl — neglected, poorly dressed, and given no love. Her better-looking, "normal" sisters got all the attention.
2. Sent to school
When a primary school for girls opened in the village, the tehsildar urged Ramlal, as an official, to set an example by sending a daughter. Ramlal, having no use for Bholi at home and unlikely to marry her off easily, decided to send Bholi to school. Bholi was terrified — but a kind, gentle teacher changed everything.
The teacher spoke to her lovingly, gave her a book with colourful pictures, and gently encouraged her, promising that with practice she could read, write, and even speak without stammering. For the first time, Bholi felt valued and hopeful. Over the years, quietly and steadily, education gave her knowledge and confidence.
3. The wedding — and the turning point
Years later, a marriage was arranged for Bholi with Bishamber Nath, a fairly rich, well-off man — but he was middle-aged, lame, and had grown-up children from a previous marriage. The family was only too relieved to marry off the "ugly" Bholi and readily agreed.
At the wedding, as the ceremony proceeded, the greedy groom Bishamber demanded a dowry of five thousand rupees or he would not marry her — insulting the family. The humiliated Ramlal, to save face, was ready to beg and pay, placing the money at the groom's feet.
Then Bholi did the unthinkable: she threw away the garland, refused to marry such a mean, greedy man, and declared she would not marry him at any price. The educated Bholi found her voice and self-respect — she would rather remain unmarried than be sold to a heartless man. Bishamber and his party left in disgrace.
4. Bholi's new purpose
Ramlal feared his daughter would now never marry and be a burden. But Bholi calmly reassured her weeping father: she would look after her parents in their old age and teach at the very school that had transformed her. The neglected "simpleton" had become the family's most capable, self-respecting and useful member.
The teacher, watching from among the crowd, felt proud — her work had borne fruit.
5. Themes
- The importance of educating the girl child — education transforms Bholi from a neglected "simpleton" into a confident, self-respecting woman.
- Self-respect and courage — Bholi's refusal to marry a greedy man shows the dignity education gives.
- The evil of dowry — the story exposes the cruelty and greed of the dowry system.
- The power of a caring teacher — kindness and encouragement can unlock a child's hidden potential.
6. Closing thought
"Bholi" is a quietly revolutionary story. It takes a child everyone has given up on — scarred, stammering, unloved — and shows that what she lacked was never intelligence but opportunity and encouragement. Education does not just teach Bholi to read; it gives her a voice, a will and a sense of worth strong enough to reject a man who tries to buy her. The girl once called a fool becomes the wisest, bravest person in the room. The message is unmistakable: educate the girl child, and you free her.
For the RBSE board, remember why Bholi was neglected, the role of the school and the loving teacher, the dowry demand and Bholi's brave refusal, and the themes of girl-child education, self-respect and dowry. Value-based questions on education and women's empowerment are common.
