New Era English School

Std X

1.6 The Alchemy of Nature

by Raksha Bharadia

Text Book Page no 37, 38 and 39

About the Author:

Raksha Bharadia is an amazing personality. She is a homemaker turned writer. Her 1 st book ‘Me A Handbook for Life’ was
about why people are the way they are and what makes a winner different. She wrote other books such as ‘Roots and Wings’
and ‘All and Nothing’. She is also the editor of the ‘Chicken Soup Series’ for the Indian Soul which include inspirational true
experiences of the ordinary people. Apart from writing her own books, she also wrote screenplays and shortlisted stories for
the show ‘Lakhon Mein Ek’ which was aired on Star Plus. She is now the founder of the relationship website Bonobology an
interactive platform to discuss and resolve modern day relationships.

Summary of the Lesson:

To see a world in a grain of sand

And a heaven in a wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand

And eternity in an hour

-William Blake

The writer quotes the lines from William Blake’s poem ‘Auguries of Nature’ to convey the message that infinity of the world
could be achieved by the small elements of nature such as beauty of a wild flower provides us a glimpse of celestial grace of
heaven. Even though eternity means endless time span, an hour of purposeful and fruitful living can make a difference in the
eternal time span. It is our deeds and our approach towards life that infinity is limited in our palm and eternity in an hour.

The article reflects on the enriching, nurturing and inspiring role of nature. A tiny grain of sand sparks off our imagination to
enable us grasp greatness of the world. The beauty of a wild flower makes us surmise the divinity of heaven. The infinity of the
space could be limited within the palm of our hands which holds our destiny and eternity of time can e limited within an hour
of our life which is well lived. A hibiscus flower which has a lifespan of a day teaches us to live our life, however short, to the
fullest. The carved rock in the sea coast which has been shaped by the flowing water teaches us that however huge our
problems be, there is a solution if we persist.

The small bits of grass, protruding from the small cracks in the pavement tell us that there is always an opening. The bare tree
adorning itself with green foliage with the arrival o spring prove that all difficulties and hardships will eventually pass.
Numerous elements of nature constantly teach us valuable lessons. When we connect with nature, we are imbued with the
magical power of nature- the alchemy of nature which makes us transformed.

Assignment

Q1) Seen Passage Comprehension:

Read the passage carefully and do the activities that follow:

A1] Complete the web:

……………… ………………
……………… Teachers of Nature ……..
.
………………… ………………
……….. …………..
 Refer to the textbook page 38 and 39:

(To see a world……

….. there’s always an opening)

A2] Match the column by selecting the correct synonyms:

A B
1) huge a) splendour
2)amazement b) wilting
3)drooping c) awe
4) magnificence d) colossal

B
A3] Complete the table:

A B

1. Teachings of Hibiscus flower.

2. Teachings of the small bits of grass.

A4] Do as directed:

1. Nature soothes and nurtures. (Begin with Not only…. but also)
2. Our problems are so colossal. (Rewrite as an Interrogative Sentence)

A5] Who is stronger –water or rocks? Justify your answer.

Q2) Seen Passage Comprehension

Read the following passage and do the activities that follow:

A1] Associate the following creatures with the related objects:

Ant Spider Oyster Caterpillar

a)…………… b)…………… c)…………… d)……………

….. …………. ….. …………

Refer to page 39 of the textbook.

( We saw a tree………

………. become gold ourselves)

A2] State whether the following statements are true or false:

1. The spider’s web are delicate as well as weak.

2. The teamwork and perseverance of the ants were impressive.
3. A rainbow colours the partial sky.
4. Water changes its form according to the dictates of the sun and the wind.
 A3] Vocabulary:

1. Rewrite the sentence replacing the underlined idiom with its meaning.
We thought its chapter was over.
2. Pick out the examples of abstract nouns from the passage.

A4] Do as directed:

1. Clouds take a new shape with every passing moment. ( End with ……. clouds)
2. We touch it and become gold ourselves. ( Rewrite without using ‘and’)

A5] What d you understand by the ‘Alchemy of Nature’?. Do you believe in it?

Grammar based on the entire lesson

Q3) Do as directed:

1. We saw small pieces of grass peeping through the small cracks. ( Form a ‘Wh’ type question using the underlined words as
the answer)
2. We saw a tree bare of all leaves in the cold winter. ( Rewrite using ‘which’)
3. Innumerable stars shine across the infinite sky. ( Add a Q. Tag)
4. It leaves me in complete awe. ( Change the voice)
5. It takes the shape that the water commands. ( Identify the clause and sate it’s kind)
6. The flower comes to life only for a day. ( Make negative)
7. When we see a caterpillar turn into a butterfly we experience the alchemy of nature. ( Rewrite using ‘and’)
8. Spider webs are delicate yet very strong. (Begin – Though….)
9. However, difficult things are right now, they will not remain so forever. (Make affirmative)
10. We saw an army of ants lugging a fly which was at least 10 times the ant’s size. ( Identify the clause and type of
subordinate clause)

Q4) Writing Skill

Compose an imaginary dialogue between a grandparent and a grandchild regarding the environmental changes that have
taken place over the years.