Crossing the River — Class 8 English (Samacheer Kalvi)
TN State Board (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 8 English, Supplementary 4. A story contrasting simple faith with mere book-learning.
1. About the lesson
Crossing the River is a story that contrasts a learned Pundit's theoretical knowledge with a simple milkmaid's pure faith and devotion.
2. Summary
Moti, a poor milkmaid, supplied milk to the household of a celebrated Pundit (scholar). She usually crossed the river by ferry boat. One day the Pundit needed milk before dawn for a ritual.
The Pundit, an eloquent speaker, told Moti jokingly that one could cross even an ocean by uttering the name of Lord Vishnu. Moti believed him completely and, with simple faith, crossed the river on foot without a boat. When the Pundit later saw her cross the river so easily, he was dumbstruck and nearly fainted — his own learning could only talk about such faith, while Moti's belief actually worked.
In the end the Pundit appreciated Moti for rising early, milking the cow and delivering milk at dawn, and he also thanked the boatman.
3. Theme
The story shows the power of pure faith and devotion over mere theoretical scholarship, and draws a gentle contrast between knowledge of theory and the knowledge that works through faith.
4. Glossary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| milkmaid | a woman who sells/delivers milk |
| Pundit | a learned scholar |
| eloquent | fluent and persuasive in speech |
| jocularly | jokingly |
| dumbstruck | speechless with shock |
5. Book-back questions (Samacheer Kalvi)
A. Read and answer
- Who was Moti? — A poor milkmaid who supplied milk to the Pundit.
- How did Moti usually cross the river? — By a ferry boat, with the boatman's help.
- What did the Pundit jokingly tell Moti? — That she could cross even the ocean by uttering Lord Vishnu's name.
- How did Moti cross the river that day? — On foot, without a boat, through her faith.
- How did the Pundit react when he saw her? — He was dumbstruck and almost fainted.
B. Think and answer 6. What does the story contrast? — The Pundit's theoretical knowledge with Moti's simple, living faith. 7. Whom did the Pundit thank at the end? — Moti and the boatman.
6. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking the Pundit truly believed his own words. Fix: He spoke jokingly; it was Moti's faith that made it real.
- Mistake: Saying Moti was a scholar. Fix: Moti was a simple milkmaid with pure faith.
- Mistake: Missing the theme. Fix: The story shows faith in action outdoing mere book-learning.
7. Quick revision
- Supplementary 4 · Crossing the River (Moti the milkmaid and the Pundit).
- Moti supplies milk and usually crosses by ferry; the Pundit jokingly says Vishnu's name can cross any water.
- Moti believes it and crosses the river on foot; the Pundit is dumbstruck.
- He thanks Moti and the boatman. Theme: pure faith outdoes mere theoretical knowledge.
