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1. LITTLE GIRLS ARE WISER THAN MEN -LEO TOLSTOY

Leo Tolstoy was a Russian author, a master of realistic fiction and one of the world's greatest novelists.
Tolstoy is best known for his tow loongest works, War and Peace and Anna Karenina.

It was the time of year when the snow started to melt and make a nice mud puddle in the street. Two
girls girls, Malasha and Akoulya meet after church in sunday. Their mothers had dressed them in their
Sunday best. Both of them were wearing new frocks. The little one wore a blue frock and the other a
yellow prinit and both the girls had red kerchiefs on their heads.

There was a muddy puddle, and thr girls just couldn't resist.The elder Akoulya advised Malasha to
remove the shoes and stockings and then enter the puddle. They were careful at first, but eventually
Akoulya splashed on Malasha's dress. Malasha's mother noticed how her dress was dirty and scolded
her.

Malasha blamed Akoulya, so the mother slaapped Akoulya on the back of the head. That made Akoulya
cry, and Akoulya's mother came to her defence. Both mothers argued heatedly.Then the men came out
and joined in the argument. Eventually a whole crowd was arguing, almost coming to blows over this
incident.

An old woman tries to tell them to stop, but she is ignored and practically knocked off her feet.In the
meantime,Akoulya had wiped the mud off her frock and gone back to the puddle. the two little girls
continue to play with the muddy water joyfully follow a piece of wood they put into the muddy stream
they had dug.

The girls followed it; one running wach side of the little stream. The old lady points to the young girls and
tells the people not to bother fighting.The little girls themselves have forgotten about it and are playing
again. And the others should follow their example.

The men looked at the girls and were ashamed and laughing at themselves. Everyone calms down and
goes home. Tolstoy ends his story with a quote from Bible: "Except ye turn, and become as little children,
ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven".

This statement means that unless you change and become like little children, who forget their worries
and refrain from holding grudges, you shall not reach the kingdom of heaven. children readily forgive
and forget, and adults need to do the same .

2. THE LAST CLOCK -JAMES THURBER

James Thurber was an American cartoonist, author, journalist, playwright and celebrated wit. He began
his writing career as a reporter for the Columbus Dispatch from 1921 to 1924. he went on to contributing
both his writing and drawings to The New yorker until 1950s.

The last clock is one of James Thurber's famous humorous short stories.The story is a mild satire relating
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to the follies of our civilization, how we helplessly depend on mechanical, electronic, digital gadgets and
devices.It makesus think seriously about "time".

An ogrein a country of tomorrow, who ates all the clocks and watches in the town. This leads to the
whole community that depends on clocks getting paralysed. All kind of specialist were called in, but the
clock eating ogre didn't come under any specialist's area.

As the days went on, the ogre ate all the clocks in the town; mantel clocks, grandfather clocks, travelling
clocks, stationery clocks, alarm clocks, eight-day clocks, steeple clocks and tower clocks. Sprinkling them
with watches , as if the watches were salt and pepper, until there wereno mor watches. due to too much
clocks oil had turned all his 't' s to 'l' s.

People overslept, and failed dto go to work, or to church, or anyplace else where they had to be on time.
Factories closed down, shopkeepers shut up their shops, schools did not open, train no longer ran and
people stayed at home. The case was taken to the town council andd then the Supreme council. The
town council held an emergency meeting and its member arrived at all hours andd some did not sow up
at all.

The Town Council could not come to a stable conclusion. Three weeks passed by the ogre fell ill and took
to his bed. And the ogress sent for the chief diagnostician of the Medical Academy , a diagnostician
familiar with so many areas totally "The trouble is", said the chieif diagonstician, "we dont know what
the trouble is".

Nobody has ever eaten all clocks before, so it is impossible to tell whether the patient has clockitis,
clockosis, clockoma, or clocktheria. The ogre died and one clock was found but when a specialist deemed
it a museum piece, it was placed unfunctioning in the town museum.

Eventually, the timeless town was buried by sand and year later, explorers from Venus dug it up and
found the clock. They labelled it 'Antique Mechanism -Function uncertain' and took it back to Venus
along with other mysterious relics of the Time of Man on Earth.

3. HOW FAR IS THE RIVER -RUSKIN BOND

Ruskin Bond is Indian author of British descent. Although he wrotes several plays, he is best
known for his short stories. He was awarded 'Padmashri' in 1999 for his contribution to
literature. His stories manifest a deep love of nature and people.

This story describes irresistible desire of a young boy, who had never seen the river in his life.
Once in a village in a mountain valley surrendered by woods lived a young boy with untidy black
hair and shining black eyes; he had fine features and a clear brown skin, but his hands and feet
were riugh and scratched. He was barefooted not because he couldnt afford shoes, but because
he felt in his bare feet, because he liked the feel of warm stones and cool grass.

There was a river which flowed through the mountains some miles away from the village. The
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children of the village had heard about the river. This young boy of 12 has an irresistible desire
to see the river, because he had heard about the fish in the waters, the rocks, currents and
waterfalls. He wanted to touch the flowing water.

So one day when his parents were out and knew that they wouldn't come back home till late in
the evening, he decided to go and take a look at river.He took a loaf of bread from his house and
started his journey to the river. He took the steep path which went round the mountains and
which was frequently used by the villagers- the wood cutters, milkman, mule-drivers ect. It was
a lonely and deserted path.

On his way, he came across a wood cutter who was concerned about the boy when he
expressed his desire to walk 7 miles on his way to the river.Having crossed the dizzy windy path,
he entered into a beautiful valley, where he came across a grass cutter who had a long knife in
her hand. She was dressed in a very traditional way.

She absolutely had no idea about the distance to the river and how much time it might take to
reach there, having walked for an hour.When the boy was sure that he had walked half way he
saw a boy. He was driving a few goats up the path. The boy asked the shepherd for directions to
the river and was told what it was just around the hill.

The boy began to walk with the shepherd. He shared with him the loaf of bread that he had
brought with him till his companion had to go another way.He was left alone again with no river
in the sight and far away from home. He was lost and discouraged. In the middle of nowhere he
walked on the hard, duty and snowy path. Suddenly, the silence was broken by the roaring
sound of the river.

The boy was surprised by the sight of the river.The river which he had longed to see and he ran
into it till he was ankle deep in water and enjoyed the feel of the water flowing through his toes.
Thus with a great determination he could fulfill his desire of seeing and feeling the river.

4. MACBETH -WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Macbeth is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. Set mainly in Scotland, the play dramatises a brave
Scottish General Macbeth receives a phrophecy from a trio of sinister witches and consumed with
'vaulting ambition' to kill king Duccan.

At a military camp near his palace at Forres, King Duccan of Scotland asks a wounded captain for news
about the Scots battle with the Irish invaders. The captain was helping Duccan son Malcolm escape
capture by the Irish, replies that the Scottish general Macbethand Banquo fought with great courage and
violence.

On the heath near the battlefield, thunder rolls and the three witches appears. Macbeth and Banquo on
their way to the king's court at Forres. They also wonders whether they are really women, since they
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have beards like men. The witches also declares that Macbeth will become a king one day.

On hearing this Macbeth presses the witches for more information but they turned their attention to
Banquo telling him that he will never be a king but his children will sit upon the throne and they
vanished into the air. Macbeth amazed that the witches prophecy has come true,asks Banquo if he
hopes his children will be kings.

Banquo replies that devils often tell half-truth in order to "win us to our harm". Macbeth's soliloquy
where he is still has choice between good an evil. He has got two choices, either to leave Duccan and
quite his ambition or kill king Duccan to achieve his 'vaulting ambition'. Plans are made for Duccan to
dine at Macbeth's castle that evening.

The motives that are at work to deter him from commiting the murder are the fear of the consequences
mingled feelings of kinship, loyality and hospitality, admiration for Duccan's goodness. All this got
shattered when Lady Macbeth enters and tell her husband that the king has dind and he has been asking
for Macbeth.

Macbeth declares that he no longer intends to kill Duccan.But Lady Macbeth outraged calls him coward
and questions his manhood. She states that how tender it is to love the babe that milks me: I would
while it was simling in my face, haved plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains
out , had i so sworn as you, have done to this.

She also says that only when he does the deed he could be called as a man. Macbeth asks her what will
happen if they fail in their plan of killing the king. Lady Macbeth assures him that it will never happrn as
she have a plot against it.

Further she tells him her plot to kill Duccan when he is asleep. Then they can smear the blood of Duccan
on the sleeping chamberlains to cast the guilt upon them. Astonished by the brilliant paln of his wife,
Macbeth agrees to proceed with the murder.

5. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE -WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

William Shakespeare has written 37 plays and 157 sonnets. Merchant of Venice is one of hus well-known
comedies while Macbeth and Julius Ceasar are his outstanding tragedies among many more.

Antonio, a merchant of Venice who borrowed money from Shylock, a Jew money lender, for his friend
Bassanio. Shylock lends the money only after getting Antonio's signature in a strange bond. The bond
says that Shylock shall cut a pound of flesh off Antonio's body, if he fails to repay the loan back within
three months.Bassanio marries wealthy Portia and forgets the whole affair. Antonio's ship sinks in the
ocean and he is unable to pay back his loan.

He writes about his plight to Bassanio and faces the trial. Portia, wife of Bassanio, arrives in the guise of
a male lawyer. The trial begins.The Duke enquires if Portia was fully aware of the background of the case.
Portia briefs Shylock that Venetian law cannot oppose his suit. But it was a strange case. She asks
Antonio if he had signed the bond. Antonio confesses that he had signed the bond. As per law, Antonio
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cannot escape from the knife of Shylock.

Portia appeals Shylock to be merciful. The quality of mercy is spontaneous. It is like a gentle rain. The
rain falls unasked on the thirsty lands mercifully. Similarly mercy also springs from one's heart unsought.
Mercy is twice blessed. It blesses both the giver and the receiver. Mercy is seated on the heart of kings.
A strong king who has mercy is deemed the strongest king. A crown may symbolise the glory of a king.

It may inspire awe and majesty but it is short-lived. Mercy does not adorn the crown or the sceptre but
mercy makes a person kingly. The sceptre of a king may inspire awe among the fellow kings. Mercy
commands more respect because it is enthroned in the hearts of kings. It is attribute of God himself. If
God were to try every human being for his or her misdeed, none of us shall get salvation.

That is why we seek not justice but mercy from God. The king who shows mercy becomes God-like.
Mercy is sacred because it bails a person from the jaws of sure death. She advises him to take twice the
money borrowed. But Shylock insists on justice and justice only. Hence, Portia tell Antonio to keep his
bosom ready for Shylock's knife clearly. She asks Shylock if he has knife and balance for the purpose.

Shylock claims that he had everything ready. She suggests he could have a qualified doctor nearby to
arrest beelding and save the life of Antonio. Shylock claims that it is not written in the bond. She pleads
that on charitable grounds he can keep one. But Shylock insists that, he wants only the pound of
flesh.Bassanio becomes restless and offered ten times the money borrowed. But Shylock wants only the
pound of flesh, Portia allows him to proceed.

When Shylock is all about to start his brutal work, Portia stops him. she instructs him to cut only a pound
of flesh and neither more nor less. She cautions that the bond does not say anything about the blood so
he is permitted to cut a pound of flesh without shedding a drop of blood. Suddenly Shylock changes his
stand and ready to take the money offered thrice which he lent.

But Portia says he will have to pay the penalty for plotting the death of a citizen of Venice. After Shylock
leaves, Duke tells Antonio to reward the young law clerk. Bassanio thanks Portia and offered her the
money he brought inorder to pay Shylock but she declines. She asks Antonio for his gloves and Bassanio
for his ring. After they arrive at Belmont portia reveals that she was the lawyer and Nerissa her clerk.

6. JULIUS CAESAR -WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

This is an extract from Shakespeare famous play "Julius Caesar". Julius Caesar kills the most dangerous
private Pompey. Romans worship him for his bravery. But casssius, Brutus and others fear that Caesar
may become a dictator so they plan to kill him. So unsuspectingly, Caesar walks into death trap.

Mark Antony says let him take Caesar's body to the market place. Brutus requests citizens of Rome to
listen to him patiently. He requests them to count on his honour and believe his reasons for killing
Caesar. He plans to play on their sympathy. He illustrates his deep and incomparable love for Caesar. He
claims love for Rome was more than his love for Caesar.

He asks if they would prefer to live as slaves and let Caesar live or live as free men and accept the death
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of Caesar. Brutus says that Caesar had filled the coffers of Rome with the ransom he had collected from
his captives. Brutus says he weeps for his loss. His honour is his valour. He admits that they had kill
Caesar because he was ambitious.

He says, " There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune, honour for hos valour and death for his
ambitious". The mob convinced that Brutus killed Caesar for noble reason. Mark Antony, Caesar's
beloved friend enters the scene. Brutus tells the mob that Antony shall receive the benefits of the death
of caesar. he also assures the citizens that he kill himself with the same dagger if his countrymen wanted
him to die.

The funeral oration delivered by Mark Antony. Mark Antony says the crowd that he has come to bury
Caesar but not to praise him. Throughout his oration, he remain humble. He repeats that Brutus, Cassius
and others who assassinated Caesar are "honourable men". The good is often buried with their bones in
the burial ground and the same is true with Caesar too. People slowly begin to understand truth.

Antony glorifies the ransom Caesar had brought to Rome in exchange of prisoners of war and the
ransom money filled the treasure of Rome. Antony asks the common people if Caesar seemed ambitious
in that act. Caesar wept when the poor wept. and he quote an incident at Lupercal, when Caesar decline
kingly crown which was offered thrice. Antony asks the crowd, if that was ambition.

He politely says he is there to speak what he knows. And he asks the crowd what withholds them from
mourning the death of the leader who they loved so well with the right cause. He pitifully says, " My
heart is in the coffin there with Caesar". Antony's eyes are red with grief, citizens share his sorrow. He
employs words to rouse the fury of Romans against the conspirators of Caesar.

Antony shows a parchment with a seal of Ceasar and he does not intend to read it out because he is
scared of the consequences. He says if they knew the content of that, then they would go and kiss
Caesar's wounds and dip their handkerchief in his sacred blood. Mark Antony points out how Cassius ran
his dagger through. He shows the wounds caused by Caesar's beloved Brutus who stabbed him. Antony
says " This was the most unkindest cu of all".

And let me not stir you up to such sudden flood of mutiny. His real aim is to rouse them in mutiny against
the murderers of Caesar. Antony said that he speaks because "honourable" Brutus and his friends gave
him public permission to speak of the slain leader. Thus he convinced the Romans and proved that
Caesar was not ambitious. Now the Romans are moved to frenzy to avenge the death of Caesar.

1. FIVE AT "THE GEORGE" -STUART READY

Stuart Ready had written number of plays which include Find the Girl, To Settle for Murder and The
Foolish Cobbler. This play was written by Suart Ready and produced by Edward wilkinson.

Foster was a wealthy rich man and had no family. He had lot of friends and Standish was very close to
him. When he wrote a will, Standish was the main legatee of the will. Colonel Foster dies in mysterious
circumstances. Though it was declared that Foster died in heart attack, the doubt lingers in minds of his
friends but there is no conlusive evidence to prove that Foster was murdered.
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Three years later a telegram send to some of his friends were summoned by 'L' to meet at nine thirty
monday night at a place called 'Georges' in Crewsworth, sussex. As captain Standish entered the small
country hotel. He was warmly welcomed by the landlord. Mrs. Vane and Merridew joined him and
discussed the mysterious death of Colonel Foster.

Weir and Elsie Weir wanted to forget the event as Elsie had a very bad shock then. Standish opined that
Foster's old Australian friend who swore to find the murder might have drowned on his way to England.
Mrs.Vane pointed out the absence of motive in Foster's murder. Standish told about his acquaintance
with Foster while in India.

Foster was the commanding officer of Standish's battalion. He had promised to leave ten thousand
pounds in his will if Standish could give up his engagement with the daughter of the Governor of the
province. He had married the girl but hasn't made Standish a legatee. Merridew doubted whether Foster
had been killed by a South American poison that could not traced at all.

The landlord served drinks to all of them and went out. Mrs.Vane said that it was not whisky. Weir
sniffed the glass and called it 'Absinthe'. Merridew doubted whether Foster's australian friend Larner (L)
would have summoned them there. There was a determined knocking at the outer door. Inspector Baird
entered the hotel.

He declared that the 'Geogres' was closed for three weeks and there was no landlord. Merridew showed
the door through which the landlord had left. The inspector explained that it was not a door but a
cupboard. Elsie Weir remarked that death was no barrier to Larner. The inspector raised a glass to his
lips to sip the drink.

Now Standish forgetfully shouted "Donot drink that it is poison!. It killed Foster- tell you it killed Foster!".
He had betrayed himself and crouches back against the wall, guilt written in his face and all the others
stared at him in horror.

2. THE BISHOP'S CANDLESTICKS -NORMAN MCKINNELL

Norman McKinnel was a well known actor and a dramatist. He was known for writing several easily
stageble one-act plays, the most successful of which was "The Bishop's Candlesticks" (1901). The play
revolves around a story that brings forth the themes of Religious virtues like love and redemption.

The Bishop was a kind hearted man who being a true Christian was also an ardent humanist. He was
ready to sacrifice everything to help the needy people. Even after selling all, he had for others, he felt
sorry that the could do so little whereas the world had so much suffering. He sold his saltcellars to help a
poor old woman.

His sister Persome was however a wordly woman, neither as self-less as her brother nor so noble. She
did not like her brother to live for others and not for himself. She thought that people took an unfair
advantage of his charitable nature. But one night when the Bishop was about to go to bed, a convict
entered the house. At the point of his Knife he demanded food from the Bishop. The Bishop was
unruffled.
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He called Persome and asked her to give some supper to the convict. The convict wondered why the
Bishop kept his doors and windows open and whether or not he was afraid of theives and robbers. The
Bishop told them that he was not afraid but he was sorry for them, as they were only poor sufferers. He
treated the convict with all love and respect as he regarded him too as a sufferer. He regarded him as a
fellowman and a friend. His attitude had some effect on the convict.

The convict told him that how he was caught by the police while he stole some food for his ill and
starving wife, Jeanette. He was sentenced to ten years in prison. The authorities did not pat any heed to
the fact. They treated him like a beast for ten years. Then one day he escaped but the society treated
him no better. As he was a prisoner, nobody would give him any job. He was running away from the
police with starving so he stole for food agiain.

Now then he entered the Bishop's house as he was hungry, the kind Bishop was touched and gave him a
bed to sleep on. The Bishop went to sleep. Left alone on his bed. The convict could not resist the
temptation to steal the silver candlesticks of a Bishop. He took them and went out of the house.
Persome got up at the sound and found that he had stolen the silver candlesticks.Persome reacted
violently she shouted and was very upset.

The Bishop was sorry to lose the cndlesticks as they were given to him by his mother. He thought that he
used to value the candlesticks very highly. It is a sin to get addicted to wealth. Lastly the candlesticks
might be of some use to the convict. He was arrested by the police along with the candlesticks. They
recognized the candlesticks of the Bishop and brought him back to him. But the Bishop told that the
accused was his friend.

So the sergeant left him and went away. so now he convinced that the Bishop was kind and loving. He
give his candlesticks as gift and help him to get to Paris. The convict would now believe in the goodness
of life and lead a steady life. He asked him to remember that the body of man is the temple of God. The
convict was already a changed man and promised to remember the Bishop's last words and he went
away.

3. WURZEL FLUMMERY -A.A. MILNE

A.A.Milne is a novelist and playwright who also the editor of the maganize 'Granta'. He has also written
books for children. He wrote light comedies like " The Dover Road". In this play Mine introduces two
main character namely Robert Crawshaw is a member of the Unionist party and Richard belongs to the
Liberal party.

In the beginning one could see that there is a love affair between Viola Crawshaw, daughter of
Crawshaw and Richard who comes to stay with Crawshaw. Crawshaw enters the scene by telling that he
has something important to discuss with his wife Margaret. He tells about a letter he got from the late
Mr. Antony Clifton.

A will of the same with the beneficiary of 50,000 pounds as his legacy with a trifling condition that he
should take the name of Wurzel Flummery. Margaret gets very excited as she could only think of the
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money and planning to buy a second car and movie into the central part of the city. On the other hand,
Crawshaw still seems to be unsure to get the legacy of name.

He decides to ask the suggestion of Richard when he comes. Richard makes fun of Crawshaw by giving
instances such as if a stranger offer 5 pounds will he be ready to part his hair down the middle and to
shave off his moustache. Richard also proudly says how he will never accept such money even if it is
more than this.

But Crawshaw tries to give him explain that fifty thousand pounds can't be declined just because it is
attached with a funny name Wurzel Flummery. Crawshaw also says, he could remember that this name
belongs to the older legacy of England. But Richard never agrees with him but makes fun of him as his
name as Crawshaw is famous, now it will be known as Wurzel Flummery.

Clifton, the solicitor enters and tells aboout the discussion he had with his uncle Antony about the
materalistic people even in the political parties. Antony believed thst one can chsnge their name to the
funniest name if they are benefitted by the money. He wanted to prove this by writing a will and give it
to the famous personalities.

Clifton says that he was the person who suggested the name Wurzel Flummery and also tells that the
benefits attached with that name. Viola on the other hand, makes Richard to agree to get the money as
it will be useful for their marriage. At this insant Crawshaw comes to know about the love affair.

An tells him how indirectly he will also get the name. In the end Crawshaw accepts the name for the sake
of money and viola makes Richard to agree to get the name. Thus both Crawshaw and Richard get the
name and the money which proves the theory of Antony.

4. HEWERS OF COAL - JOE CORRIE

Joe Corrie was a scottish miner, playwright and poet. He was best known for his radical, working class
plays. In Hewers Of Coal, he portrays the pathetic condition of poor miners inside a coal mine.

Billie is a fifteen years old boy. Dick, miner of middle age asks him whether he has finished his meal.
Eating so quickly Billie comments that he has got a stomach that can digest even nails. Requiring no
second bidding, Billie gets a piece of scone from dick and takes larger bite. He remembers his dead
mother who would bake scone for him. He condemns his sister who spends more time in powdering her
face and waving her hair.

He calls her "Tin-opener Trixie" because she always cooks tinned meal. Dick describes his life as a
thoughtless miner who goes home with forty shillings to feed his wife and five children .Billie tells that
his father is all right some times, that too because Billie has got a job. Dick hands over the last piece of
scone to Billie and asks him to give it to Billie's friend Danny. Billie leaves by calling Dick "Public hero
number one".

Peter enters complaining that Billie has but a coupling on twisted that cause that breakaway. Dick
explains that Billie would not have done it intentionally and says that everybody makes mistakes. Dick
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threatens Peter not to complain about Billie to the gaffer as he dosen't want Billie to be fired. Bob, a tall
man wearing short leggings, enters.He tells that their is a loose strand in the haulage rope. Peter hurries
off to do the repair. Bob talks about firing Billie for his mistake.

He says we can't afaired them happening with us. Dick comments that there is shortage of props,
shortage of air but no shortage of gas in coal mine. Bob gets irriates and leaves Peter runs behind him
like a dog at the heels of its master. Joe enters coughing bitterly as he has not brought anything to eat.
Dick takes bread from Peter's bread tin and compels Joe to eat it. Dick tells Peter that rats have taken
away his bread.

Peter gets angry and complains to Bob. A cloud is dust is seen, and all of them are trapped inside the
coal mine. The announcer of the National programme reports that the death toll in the Glendinning pit
disaster as reached forty-two and rescue team is working in relays night and day to find the remaining
miners.The king, the prime minister, the minister of mines have sent messages of sympathi.

A relief fund has been opened for the affected family members and contribution can be sent to the
offices of the miners. The old hard coal heading has no out lead to the world. There is only one lamp
alight. Dick's courage has kept is companions alive. Dick gives Bob and Peter a little water, saving a few
drops for Joe who is very weak. Bob hysterically tells that he will be blamed for the disaster. Dick remarks
that their are all to blame.

If it wasn't greed and selfishness. Thinking only of ourselves and the others could go to hell. Joe exclaims
that his wife Mary and children will get three hundred as compensation if he dies. After writing a note to
his wife Dick thinks about his children. Joe reveals that he hasn't eaten Joe's bread but has put it in a box
for his children. Peter feels sorry for Joe.

The lamp goes down. Joe laments again to divert Billie from seeing the dying Joe, Dick asks everybody to
sing and shout. He shakes Joe to awaken him. Joe is almost dead. To keep the truth from Billie, Dick says
"We will just let him sleep". Bob agrees and the lamp flickers more. Tapping of the rescuers is still heard
at a distance.

5. OLD MAN RIVER -DOROTHY DEMING

Old man river is a fine one-act play in which Dorothy Deming has observed the three unities of time,
place and action. She has dealt with the role of the Red Cross. She has brought out the importance of
helping others in crisis.

It is a late afternoon in March, Amy Marshall, Betty Marshall, her younger sister and Rose Field, a
neighbour of the Marshall's are sitting around the living room table. It has been raining for three days
and it is getting dark. The backyard of the Marshall's has become a small lake. The radio has announced
that the river which was close to their homes was above flood stage that morning.

Adding to this the snow was also melting in the hills in the northern part of state. Jim hall, another
neighbour comes to their house and tells them that the river was rising fast and that the Burnett Dam
gave " way an hour ago". He asks them where their parents are and told that their mother took Dick to
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Dentist and was going to stop at Mrs.Brant's for a recipe on her way home and she was expected any
time to be back gome.

Their father has gone to Chicago on business. As they are talking, the telephone bell rings and Amy
answers the call. The bridge between their home and the town has been submerged in water. The girls
fill fresh water in containers for future use. They also check on food, blankets, coats and lights. The
telephone line has become dead and already they have been cut off from the south side.

The dam has been broken and their houses is in the direct line of the river. Jim soberly says "that's old"
man river himself creepin up to your door. Jim has served in the Junior Red Cross emergency squad
during the war and so he wasable to give proper guidance to the girls. Jim climbs the rooftop and signals
with the flashlight so that any boat will come to rescue them. Sara is heard from the playhouse proch
and Jim brings her on pickaback.

They light three candles and are getting ready to prepare something to do. Sara sleeps in a big chair
covered with a blanket and Betty is trying to read. It is neary eleven but Amy says that she couldn't sleep
a wink. And all the others agree. It is pitch dark and they hear something bumping against the house. It
has a stopped raining. They get ready to move to the attic with whatever they regarded as valuables.

Mr.Peter and Penny Marsh, the Red Cross nurse have come in a boat. They enters the house and Sara has
fallen off the step ladder and hurt herself badly. Rose has dropped the candle and screams are being
heard. Sara has broken her right leg just below the knee. The first-aid kit is brought and Miss.Marsh with
the help of Betty and Rose begins to surrounds Sara's right leg with pillows using an umbrella and cane
along the outside to keep the leg stiff.

Mr.Peters suggests that an extra lantern and a jar of coffee is left for Amy and Jim. He lifts up Sara into a
blanket which is rolled to form stretcher. They take Rose and Betty along with them in the boat. Amy and
Jim are left behind in the house. They wave good-bye to each other. They pour out coffee into two cups
and raises their cups as thugh in a toast. Jim says, "Here's to Red Cross coffee, Red Cross lantern and Red
Cross nurse for emergencies! Thank God for Red Cross.

6. THE TWO CORPORALS -VAL GIELGUD

Adlof Hitler enters the Napoleon's tomb at the invalides. He exclaims that the tomb is very big. The
adjutant replies that the sarcophagus is made of russian granite. Hitler angrily tells that "even after
death Napoleon's enemies have held him fast". Napoleon wishes to be buried in the banks of the Seine.
Against his will, the 'English Governor' orders to be bury him in Saint Helena. Later his tomb is shifted to
the invalides in France.

But the sarcophagus is made of 'Russian Granite'. Hitler knows that Napoleon's family has descended
from minor italian nobility of Tuscan origin. So he complains that the french have tired to adopt the
italian Napoleon as their own. He calls him 'the greatest of all the captains, lawgivers and conquerors'.
When the adjutant remarks that he has failed, Hitler tells that only England and Russian causes his
downfall, and he shall avenge him.
 12

Hitler flings up a hand in his personal version of Nazi salute and greets Napoleon. From the grave,
Napoleon asks, who is speaking. When Hilter tells his name, Napoleon coldly asks if he is the house-
painter and the corporal in the German Army. Hitler does not want to be identified as a corporal. He tells
with dignity that he is the challenger of the third great Reich- conqueror of Europe.

Napoleon whimsically says that he is a corporal too. Hitler sternly says ' I prefer to salute the empire, the
conqueror!'. Napoleon proudly tells that his soldiers prefer to die for him and Hitler says his soldiers have
no choice. Both start boosting their achievements. Hitler tells that Napoleon's Paris is under his heel and
Napoleon replies that he has taken the sword of the great frederic from potsdam in German.

Napoleon speaks about the power of the Engliish navy while Hitler remarks that he is unfortunate as he
has got no airplanes to attack the English Navy. Hitler explians that he will march to Moscow and launch
all Europe against the English. Napoleon tells that it is possibly his idea but an impractical one. Hitler
remarks that Napoleon has no railways, no tanks or efficient staff. Napoleon asks if Hitler's generals could
match his marshals Murat, Berthier, Davoust and Ney.

Napoleon reveals that the winter has destroyed him. Hitler explains that he makes men in his own image
or else destroys them. Napoleon tells that he does not seek an empire of slaves. He would have given all
Europe an effective government as he as given a France the 'code', the world-famous civil legal system.
He acknowledges that men prefer the 'waste an incompetency of freedom' to 'Tyranny' even if it is
enlighted and effective.

Napoleon asks why Hitler has come to his tomb. Hitlera replies that he has come to return his visit to
potsdam and to acknowledge his debt to him. He declares that career is his inspiration. Napoleon
comments Hitler has proved that his education is deffective. Hitler exclaims that he is proud of his
humble origin. Napoleon clarifies that it is not sensible to be proud of what one cannot help; poverty is a
horrible and there is nothing to be proud of it.

As Hitler tells that proverty is the fire that forges character, Napoleon says, "Humbug!" he reveals that
many unsucessful people says that failure is a virtue and money is the root of all evil, yet they pursue
success and money throughout their lives. Hitler declares that lives only for Germany. Napoleon
comments that he does not live at all has he neither drinks wine nor makes love. Two gilrs and four boys
complaints that Hitler's army has destroyed their lives.

Hitler replies that accidents are quite common during war. Hitler describes his dream in detail. Napoleon
exclaims that the English will never realise they are beaten and will never runand it is impossible to
defeat Russia. He warns Hitler to learn from his failure and not from his success.Napoleon advice, Hitler
points out his shortcoming and weaknesses. He remarks that Napoleon is jealous because he shall
succeed where he has failed.

Hitler comments that he has not found the aatmosphere or inspiration form Napoleon's tomb. He orders
the General staff to attack Russia in 48hours. He assures that he will tear the red flag. Napoleon
reappears taking a pinch of snuff realising te utter stupidity of Hitler, he exclaims, "An unpleasant
common little man. Iam glad I shall not see him again"
 13

1. COMRADES -NADINE GORDIMER

The titlte "Comrades" is ironical as the friendship between those two races, Europeans and Africans eas
forbidden during the Apartheid system where the whites and the coloured were separated.

Mrs. Hattie Telford had gone to the university to attend a conference on people's education. The black
youths had also comes as a group to attend the conferece on People's education conducted by the
university. They were the people to be educated. The narrator was not affraid of the youths because she
was one of the committee member of black and white activists.

At the end of the conference the youths were standing near the narrator's car. They wanted to go to the
town ans asked her to give them a lift. They had approached her as she looked from Harrismith, she
calculated mentally that they had come from a distance of 200 kms far.

She kept on questioning them but the youths are hesitant in speaking. She also understood that they
would be hungry as they would have reched late and so invited them to her house. They followed her
into the house through the back gate, slightly shrinking away from the harmless, large dog, through the
kitchen because that was the wat she always entered the house.

She did not take the youths to the living room with sofas and flowers but took them to the dining room,
so that they could sit at the table right away. She went to the kitchen and prepared coffee and then
brought some cold meat and bread and herself carried the heavy tray and served them. She then offered
them some fruits which were available.

She knew they were all youths, a little beyoud childhood. They were all suspended from school for their
involvement in political activities despite their age. When she tired to talk to one of them, he did not
understand English. Another one gave his name as if he was acknowledging the food.

The spokesman wanted the lady to go out of the room so he empties the sugar bowl and sends her out
to refill it. They are not happy or overwhelmed about the hospitality shown by the lady. They take it very
lightly as they are not even aware what they should be doing. They are sitting round the table, silent and
there is no impression that they sholud stop an undertone exchange when they hear her approaching.

They stare at the food but their eyes seem focused on something she can't see. She isn't giving chance to
eat his apple. He swlloes a large bite, shaking his had on its thin, little-boy neck. "I was inside. Detained
from this June for six months". The narrator breaks the silence by talking about an artistic piece of lion.

This changes the ideas in the minds of youths. They realise that whatever that is present in the room is
all on the same level- unreal, imaginary undifferentiated. Only the food what they ate was real and
imaginary.

2. GAMES AT TWILIGHT -ANITHA DESAI

Games At Twilight was written by Anitha Desai. She also written a number of short stories and children's
book. She published her first novel, Cry the Peacock, Voices in the city, Fires and the Mountain.
 14

This story is about a young boy named Ravi who is misunderstood by his fellow comrads which makes
him feel insignificant. The day starts off boiling hot. The garden outside was like a tray made of beaten
brass, flattened out on the red gravel and the stony soil all shades off metal, Aluminium, tin, copper and
brass.

The children desperate to go out that they burst out like seeds from a crakling, over-ripe pod,. They
began tumbling, shoving, pushing against each other. They start their day off by playing games such as
'Hide and Seek.

Raghu, the older brother was the seeker and Ravi was one of the hiders. Ravi hid in a shed, " It was dark,
spooky in the shed, leaking buckets, broken bits of furniture, rat holes, spider webs and Ravi had once
got locked into the linen cupboard and sat there weeping for half an hour.

It grew darker in the shed. He stayed there for a very long time. He was not found but after a while he
realised to win the game you have to touch the Den. He came out of the shed fast and ran and shouted
out, Den, Den, Den. Every one looked at him with amazement.

The mother said "Stop it, Stop it, Stop it, Ravi dont be a baby. Seeing him attended to the children went
back to clasping their hands and chanting "The grass is green and the rose is red". Ravi made himself
think that he won, but no one agreed or did not even bother looking at him.

Then they played another and another, Broken mulberries from the trees and eaten tehm, helping the
driver wash the car when their father returned from work, helped the gardener water the beds till he
roared at them and swore he would complain to thier parents.

He is silenced by a terrible sense of his insignificance. " Causes by the ignominy of being forgotten. Ravi
was looking forward to winning but was heartbroken when the other children left him out."Games At
Twilight" highlights the effects of exclusion towards the people. Ravi is a pariah in the family because the
other children do not see him as being important.

3. THE GATEMAN'S GIFT -R.K.NARAYAN

In this short story, R.K.Narayan reveals how a simple envelop causes so much anxiety and portrays
humorously how the people react to this little incident. Most of his short stories and novels have been
translated into many foreign languages. The author has portrayed an imaginary town called Malgudi
which exists only in the minds the reader of Narayan.

This is a story of a simple and honest watchman of an office called Govind Singh. He was an ex-
serviceman and a good worker. After his retirement he started making clay models as a hobby, to occupy
his spare time.

His backyard gave him plenty of pliant clay, the carpenter's shop next to his friend's shop gave him saw
dust and he bought colours for a few annas. Miniature town take shape beautifully in clay. He remakes
with skill the regular people who had come to the office when he was working there.
 15

Every month he would spruce up and go to the office and report to the Accountant to collect his
pension. After taking up his new hobby , Govind Singh decides to gift a miniature to his boss with whom
he has spoken exactly twice in his 25 years of service.

Once he learns that the boss appreciated the gift, Singh makes it a ritual to hand over a small gift "street
scene" and the next he carried another model called "children play" to the Accountant to be passed on
to the boss every month when he goes to collect the pension.

One day, he receives a registered letter which causes a panic in his mind . He associates it with
something bad and evil snd refuses to sign and accept the letter at first. Govind Singh was directed to the
City X-ray Institute as he wanted to know what was inside the registered letter. So he requested the lady
at the institution and he was told to return back home and take rest for they thought him to be insane.

When he was returning he behaved crankily stopping all the vehicles, telling them the road was not
straight and also hitting the street lamp with a pebble.The village model what he had made was crushed
and given to the donkey to eat.

Then he asks his friends and neighbours if they can guess what the content of the cover could be. They
all tell him to open it and read which he refuses to do. His panic reaches such a level that he is branded
'mad' by the town because of which he feels a kind of freedom and roams free.

He is caught by the policeman when he broke a street light bulb. The Accountant from his office finds
him in this condition and reveals to him that the cover contained a letter of appreciation from the Boss
and a cheque for one hundred.

Once Singh knows what was in the cover he is back to his normal self, but he stops making clay miniature
after that. The next month when the Accountant asks him about his hobby, Singh replies that it was not a
pastime for a 'sane man'.

4. THE OPEN WINDOW -H.H.MUNRO

Hector Hugh Munro was a witty British- Scottish author of the Edwardian era, who published under the
pen name "Saki". It is a most popular short story. Saki dramatizes here the conflict between reality and
imagination, demonstrating how difficult it can be to distinguish between them.

Framton Nuttle, an eccentric hypochondriac, has moved to the country on his doctor's advice to effect a
cure for a nervous condition from which he suffers. His sister has ived in the area he visits and has given
him letters of introduction to his new neighbours. The story concerns his visit to the home of one his
new neighbour, Mrs.Sappleton.

Mr.Nuttle is first met by Mrs.Sappleton's niece Vera who entertains him until her aunt is available. Vera,
apparently bored with her guest is graced with an overactive imagination and a sense of mischief. Once
she determines that Mr. Nuttel knows nothing about the family and is a very literal-mindedfellow.

Vera spins gothic yarn involving her aunt, whom she characterizes as a mentally disturbed widow. Three
 16

years ago, Mr.Sappleton and his two younger brothers-in-law went hunting leaving the house through a
French window which was left open until their return. However all three of them were lost in a bog that
day.

Vera asserts and their bodies were never recovered. The aunt driven to distraction by her grief and loss
left the window open thereafter, anticipating that "they will come back some day" with the "little brown
spaniel that was lost with them and walked in that window as just as they used to do".

When Mrs.Sappleton finally appears, she explains why the windowis open apparently confirming Vera's
story. Mr.Nuttel then tells Mrs.Sappleton about his nervous disorder and his need to avoid any mental
excitement. Mrs.Sappleton is clearly bored but at the very moment she sees her husband and brothers
returning from their hunt.

Vera appears to be horrified by the sight of them. The nervous Mr.Nuttel is therefore terrified and beats
a hasty retreat from the house. The men had only that day gone hunting and Vera's yarn was purely
imaginary. Vera was a habitual liar, dose not explain his odd behaviour to the others instead, Vera invents
another story.

Mr.Nuttel had once been frightened by a pack of pariah dogs in a cemtery on the banks of the Ganges
and apprently had bolted at the sight of the spaniel accompanying the hunters. Thus Mr.Nuttel is
perfectly victimized by the young girl's imagination.

5. SOME WORDS WITH A MUMMY -EDGAR ALLAN POE

Edgar Allan Poe is best known for hie poetry and short shtory, particularly his tales of mystery and
maccbre. He wad the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone.

Doctor Ponnonner invites the narrator to his home to take part in a mummy unwrapping at eleven that
night. The narrator gets dressed and leaves for the doctor's home at once. Upon arriving at the doctor's
house he is met by an excited group of men waiting for the examination to begin which includes
Mr.Gliddon and Mr.Buckingham.

They begin by cuttiing into the first sarcophagus and removing it. At this point they make their first
discovery, the mummy's name, Allamistakeo. They then remove the second and third sacophagi
revealing the body itself, placed in a papyrus sheath and then covered in plaster.

They decorated with painting and gold gilt. After removing this they examine the body. They find it to be
in exceptionally good conodition, although it does not seem to have been embalmed in the normal way
as the skin is red and there are no incisions.

The narrator takes notice of the ti,e as he doctor is laying out his instruments for the dissection and the
men agree to adjourn for the night as it is already past two in the morning until one suggest
experimenting with a Voltaic pile.

The excitement of using electricity on the body of a mummy dead for thousands of years proves too
 17

much of a temptation for the men and they being preparations at once. The amount of electricity
appplied causes the mummy to awaken and condemn the men for their abuse of his person.

Thoroughly chastised the men make their apologies to Allamistakeo and explain to him why they dissect
mummies and the scientific importance of it. Satisfied with the explanation and thier apologies
Allamistakeo shakes hands with the men who then proceed to patch up the damage caused by their
incisions.

They then gather uup proper clothes for Allamistakeo and sit down for cigars and wine. As the men talk,
Allamistakeo begins to explain how he came to be a mummy- ancient Egyptians had a significantly longer
life span than modern men about one thousand years.

They were also able to be embalmed this process arrested the bodily function allowing them to sleep
through hundreds of years only to rise and go on with their lives centuries later. Allamistakeo again
chasties the men for their ignorance of Egyptian history.

He then explians that throughtout time man has always been monotheistic, the pagan gods were
symbols of the various aspects of the one true god. The men also asks him as he is over five thousand
years old, if he knows anything about how the universe was created ten thousand years ago.

Allamistakeo reponds that no one during his time entertained the fantasy that the universe was ever
created but that it always existed although some believed that humans were created by spontaneous
generation. To this Allamistakeo has to accept defeat and in triump, the men disperse.

6. THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER--WILLIAM MAUGHAM

Willaim Maugham was a british playwright, novelist and short story writer.He was among the most
popular writer of his era and reputedly the highest payed author during 1930s.

W.Somerset Maugham's short story is about two pepole with characteristics simliar to those of a
grasshopper and an ant.The grasshopper does not have food for the winter and it starving. He goes to
the ant and asks for food. The ant gives him food and grasshopper learns a lesson that he must work
hard. The story tells of two men, one of whom takes life easy, enjoying all the good it offers.

This man referred to as the grasshopper, never saves anything for rainy day or even considers the future.
He gambles with whatever he has and delights in luxury. The second man, the busy ant-like character
concerns himselves with the difficultly of life, work hard, takes no pleasure, worries about the world and
his family and in turn gains very little happiness from life.

George, the elder brother was a man of sincerity and hard work. He led an honest life. He believed in the
philosophy of action and always tried to buildup his carrier by honest labour.Tom spent money
extravagantly and when his elder brother George ceased to give him money.

Then he began to blackmail him. As Geogre was a respectable lawyer and cared much for family prestige,
he could not bear to see his younger brother serving in a bar or drving a taxi. So he sanctioned for him a
 18

couple of hunderd pounds to stop his mean job.

Idle Tom Ramsay continually borrows from his hard wroking brother George. George later putsup the
Ramsay estate for sale so he can buy out his business partner, despite Tom's protests.George is
approached by car dealer Philip Cronshaw, who notifies him that Tom has stolen one of his automoblies.

To avoid a scandal, George pays for it. However it is a fraud. Cronshaw and Tom split George's money.
while squandering his ill-gotten funds, Tom discovers that Gertrude Wilmot, the third richest woman in
the world staying at the same seaside resort.

He becomes acquainted with her, then frankly admits that he is the scoundrel attracted to her great
wealth. Surprisingly this approach works and they become engaged. She is old enough to be his mother.
And after her death she left him everything she had- half a million pound, a Yacht, a house in London and
a house in the country.

Tom pays George back for all the money he took over the years. When George complains about the
injustice of Tom, not having to work for his good fortune, Tom mention that Gertrude is buying the family
estate. George will be relieved of all his loans.

George was angry at the end because he could not digest the fact that Tom had gained so much property
without doing any work in his life. The story teller burst into a shout of laughter as George told about
Tom. He rolled in his car as George never forgave him. He nearly fell on the floor.
19