Bholi — Practice

Question 1

What was Bholi's real name, and why was she called 'Bholi'?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: her real name was Sulekha; she was called 'Bholi' (simpleton) because she was thought backward, was pockmarked and stammered.

Question 2

How much dowry did Bishamber Nath demand at the wedding?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: five thousand rupees (₹5,000).

Question 3

Why was Bholi sent to school?

Accepted Answer

Because a girls' school opened and the tehsildar urged Ramlal to set an example; Ramlal had no other use for the neglected Bholi and thought she was unlikely to marry.

✦ Answer: to set an example when a girls' school opened, as the family saw no other use for her.

Question 4

Why was Bholi neglected by her family?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — As a baby she fell and possibly damaged her brain, and smallpox left her face pockmarked; she was slow and stammered.

Step 2 — So the family considered her backward and worthless, gave her no love or good clothes, and favoured her prettier sisters.

✦ Answer: because she was considered a slow, ugly 'simpleton', she was neglected in favour of her sisters.

Question 5

How did the teacher help transform Bholi?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — The teacher spoke to Bholi with love and gentleness, unlike anyone at home.

Step 2 — She gave her a colourful picture book and encouraged her, promising she could learn to read, write and even overcome her stammer — giving Bholi hope and confidence.

✦ Answer: through loving encouragement and education, the teacher gave Bholi knowledge, hope and self-confidence.

Question 6

Why did Bholi refuse to marry Bishamber Nath?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — At the wedding, Bishamber greedily demanded a five-thousand-rupee dowry and insulted her family.

Step 2 — The educated, self-respecting Bholi refused to marry such a mean, greedy man at any price, throwing away the garland.

✦ Answer: because he was greedy and demanded a dowry, and she now had the self-respect to refuse such a man.

Question 7

How does education transform Bholi's life and character?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — At first Bholi is a neglected, fearful girl who stammers and is thought worthless.

Step 2 — The school and the loving teacher give her knowledge, encouragement and, above all, confidence and self-respect.

Step 3 — This transformed Bholi finds the courage to reject a greedy groom at her own wedding, standing up for her dignity.

Step 4 — She resolves to serve her parents and teach at her school — becoming the family's most capable, self-respecting member.

✦ Answer: education turns a neglected 'simpleton' into a confident, courageous, self-respecting woman who defends her dignity and chooses a purposeful life.

Question 8

What social messages does the story 'Bholi' convey?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Educate the girl child — education can transform even a neglected girl into a capable, confident woman.

Step 2 — Every child deserves love and encouragement, not neglect based on looks or disability.

Step 3 — The dowry system is an evil that reduces marriage to a greedy bargain and must be rejected.

Step 4 — Self-respect and courage matter more than social pressure to marry.

✦ Answer: the value of girl-child education, love for every child, rejection of dowry, and the importance of self-respect.

Practice — Bholi

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