"Chandni's Flight to Freedom: A Tale of Courage and Independence"

Description: Embark on a captivating journey with "Chandni's Flight to Freedom," a compelling narrative adapted from Zakir Husain's timeless story. Dive into the enchanting world of Abbu Khan, an old man in Almora, and his spirited goats, each with a unique name and a desire for freedom.

In this heartwarming tale, witness Abbu Khan's struggle as his beloved goats repeatedly escape to the hills, only to face the threat of an old wolf. Despite Abbu Khan's love and care, the goats yearn for the hills, embodying the universal theme of freedom's irresistible call.

The story takes a poignant turn when Chandni, a young and beautiful goat, becomes Abbu Khan's new companion. Experience the bond between Abbu Khan and Chandni as they share tales under the moonlight, forging a connection that transcends the boundaries of words.

However, Chandni's deep longing for the hills and her pursuit of freedom drive her to make a daring escape. The narrative unfolds as Chandni faces the challenges of the open field, encounters wild goats, and ultimately confronts the dangerous wolf in a battle of courage and determination.

Zakir Husain's adaptation beautifully explores the profound theme that freedom is not just a physical state but a powerful force that can shape destinies. The story delves into the complexities of choice, sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of those who seek liberation.

Join us in celebrating "Chandni's Flight to Freedom," a tale that resonates with readers of all ages. Immerse yourself in the vivid descriptions of the hills, the moonlit nights, and the resilient spirit of Chandni, the brave goat who teaches us that sometimes the pursuit of freedom is worth any risk.

SUMMARY

Once upon a time in Almora, there lived an old man named Abbu Khan, known for keeping goats as pets. Despite his best efforts, his goats often ran away, only to be killed by a wolf in the hills. Abbu Khan made the decision to never keep goats again after experiencing repeated goat losses. However, loneliness overcame him, leading him to purchase a young goat named Chandni.

Chandni was a beautiful white goat with a friendly temperament, and Abbu Khan hoped she would stay with him longer than the others. As years passed, Chandni grew restless, yearning for the freedom of the hills. Despite Abbu Khan's efforts to provide her with tasty food and a longer rope, Chandni became increasingly unhappy and thin.

Eventually, Chandni expressed her desire to go to the hills, even though Abbu Khan warned her of the dangerous wolf. Unswayed, Chandni insisted on her freedom and was confined to a small hut by Abbu Khan. However, he forgot to close a small window, and that night, Chandni escaped to the hills.

Chandni chose to take advantage of her newfound freedom by herself despite coming across a herd of wild goats while playing on the grassy slopes. As night fell, a wolf appeared, and a fierce battle ensued. Chandni displayed courage and determination, but by morning, she lay on the ground, soaked in blood. The wolf, tired but victorious, prepared to devour her.

As the sun rose, an assembly of birds debated the outcome of the fight. Most believed the wolf had won, but a wise old bird confidently declared Chandni the true winner. The adapted story by Zakir Husain highlights the theme of freedom and the inevitable struggles that come with it.

Word Meanings:

1. Almora: a town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.

2. popularly: widely liked, admired, or accepted.

3. juiciest: full of juice; in this context, referring to the most succulent or flavourful.

4. unrestrained: not constrained or restricted; free.

5. intricate: very detailed, complicated, or complex.

6. treacherous: guilty of or involving betrayal or deception.

7. intrinsically: in an essential or natural way; inherently.

8. obstinate: stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action.

9. enveloped: covered or surrounded completely.

10. amuse: to provide entertainment or enjoyment.

11. declaimed: to speak loudly and forcefully.

12. yearning: a deep longing or strong desire.

13. captivity: the state of being imprisoned or confined.

14. succumb: to give in to pressure; yield.

15. ferocious: fierce, violent, or intense.

16. unswayed: not influenced or affected.

17. confinement: the state of being restricted or enclosed.

18. intrigue: arouse the curiosity or interest of; fascinate.

19. jutting: extending out, up, or forward.

20. treacherous: hazardous or dangerous.

21. ungrateful: not showing appreciation or thanks.

22. hut: a small, simple dwelling, often made of wood or other natural materials.

23. enigmatic: difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.

24. bathed: covered or soaked in.

25. palpable: able to be touched or felt; tangible.

26. hilly: full of hills or elevated terrain.

27. decimate: to destroy or kill a large proportion of something.

28. hindrance: an obstacle or impediment.

29. abyss: a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm.

30. deception: the action of deceiving someone; the act of causing someone to believe something that is not true.

Questions from the book

1. Why did the wise old bird say, “Chandni is the winner”?

2. “Death in an open field is better than life in a small hut,” Chandni

said to herself. Was it the right decision? Give reasons for

your answer.

3. Freedom is life. Discuss this with reference to ‘Chandni’ and

‘I Want Something in a Cage’.

Answers:

1. The wise old bird declared, "Chandni is the winner," because despite Chandni's physical defeat in the fight against the wolf, she displayed immense courage and determination. The bird recognized that Chandni chose freedom over captivity, facing the challenges of the open field rather than a confined life in Abbu Khan's small hut. In the eyes of the wise old bird, Chandni's spirit and the pursuit of freedom made her a true victor.

2. According to Chandni, "Death in an open field is better than life in a small hut." Even though it meant facing the threat of the wolf, the open field represented a life free from restrictions and captivity in Chandni's eyes. In her mind, the small hut symbolized a life devoid of the freedom she cherished. Whether it was the right decision depends on one's perspective. From a philosophical standpoint, Chandni prioritized freedom over safety, embracing the risks that came with it.

3. Both "Chandni" and "I Want Something in a Cage" explore the theme that freedom is an essential aspect of life. In "Chandni," the goat chooses to confront the dangers of the open field rather than live a confined life, emphasizing the intrinsic value of freedom. Similarly, "I Want Something in a Cage" portrays the caged bird's yearning for freedom, highlighting the importance of autonomy and the adverse effects of confinement on one's well-being. In both stories, freedom is depicted as vital for a fulfilling and meaningful existence, symbolizing the natural inclination of living beings to seek autonomy and self-determination.

Extra questions:

1. Who was Abbu Khan, and what was he known for in the story?

2. What were the names of some of the goats that Abbu Khan kept as pets, and what happened to them at night?

3. Why did Abbu Khan decide never to keep goats again, and what changed his mind?

4. Describe Chandni, and what was her significance in the story?

5. What was Chandni's attitude toward being confined in Abbu Khan's compound?

6. Why did Chandni express a strong desire to go to the hills, despite Abbu Khan's warnings about the wolf?

7. How did Abbu Khan try to prevent Chandni from leaving, and what was the outcome of his efforts?

8. What did the wise old bird declare after the battle between Chandni and the wolf, and why?

9. Why did Chandni believe that death in an open field was better than life in a small hut?

10. How does the theme of freedom resonate in both "Chandni" and "I Want Something in a Cage"?

Answers to the extra questions:

1. Who was Abbu Khan, and what was he known for in the story?

   • Abbu Khan was an old man in Almora known for keeping goats as pets. He was well-known for the unfortunate events where a wolf would frequently kill his goats when they ran away and were in the hills.

2. What were the names of some of the goats that Abbu Khan kept as pets, and what happened to them at night?

   • Abbu Khan kept goats with names such as Kalua, Moongia, and Gujri. At night, these goats would often pull and break loose from their strings, disappearing into the hills where they would get killed by the wolf.

3. Why did Abbu Khan decide never to keep goats again, and what changed his mind?

   • The repeated loss of his goats to the wolf made Abbu Khan decide never to keep goats again. Loneliness eventually changed his mind, prompting him to buy a young goat named Chandni.

4. Describe Chandni, and what was her significance in the story?

   • Chandni was a young, white goat with a friendly temperament that Abbu Khan purchased after deciding to keep goats again. Her significance lies in her desire for freedom, which becomes a central theme in the story.

5. What was Chandni's attitude toward being confined in Abbu Khan's compound?

   • Chandni disliked being confined in Abbu Khan's compound. She yearned for the hills and freedom, and her dissatisfaction with captivity grew apparent through her refusal to eat, thinning appearance, and moodiness.

6. Why did Chandni express a strong desire to go to the hills, despite Abbu Khan's warnings about the wolf?

   • Chandni expressed a strong desire to go to the hills because she valued freedom over safety. Despite Abbu Khan's warnings about the wolf, Chandni believed that the open field was preferable to a confined life in the small hut.

7. How did Abbu Khan try to prevent Chandni from leaving, and what was the outcome of his efforts?

   • Abbu Khan confined Chandni to a small hut to prevent her from leaving. However, he forgot to close a small window, and Chandni used it to escape to the hills during the night.

8. What did the wise old bird declare after the battle between Chandni and the wolf, and why?

   • The wise old bird declared, "Chandni is the winner," because despite Chandni's physical defeat, her courage and determination to choose freedom over captivity made her a victor in spirit.

9. Why did Chandni believe that death in an open field was better than life in a small hut?

   • Chandni believed that death in an open field was better than life in a small hut because she valued freedom and autonomy. The open field symbolized a life unrestrained by limitations, even if it meant facing the danger of the wolf.

10. How does the theme of freedom resonate in both "Chandni" and "I Want Something in a Cage"?

• In both stories, freedom is depicted as a crucial aspect of life. "Chandni" illustrates a goat's yearning for freedom despite the risks, while "I Want Something in a Cage" portrays a caged bird's desire for liberty, highlighting the universal theme that autonomy is essential for a fulfilling and meaningful existence.