Class X English

First Flight
Glimpses of India
(Tea from Assam)
Notes
Introduction

‘Tea from Assam’ is an informative story which revolves around the tea gardens of Assam.
Pranjol and Rajvir are classmates who study in a school in Delhi. Pranjol’s father is the manager
of a tea garden in Upper Assam. Pranjol has invited Rajvir to spend his summer vacation with
him in his hometown in Assam. Assam is known as the ‘tea country’. It has the largest
concentration of plantations in the world. During their journey the two friends discuss about the
various ‘legends’ about the origin of tea. The story talks about the popularity of tea as a
beverage.
Detailed Explanation
Rajvir and Pranjol on Their Way to Assam in Train
The two friends Pranjol and Rajvir are all set to go to the former’s hometown in Assam via train.
A tea vendor asks them if they would like to have some freshly made tea. They buy two cups,
just like every other person in their compartment. Pranjol starts reading his detective book while
Rajvir decides to enjoy the scenic beauty.
Rajvir Enjoys the Scenery Outside
There is beautiful greenery everywhere, with soft green paddy fields followed by tea bushes.
Rajvir is very excited on seeing such large plantations of tea but Pranjol is unable to match the
same level because he was brought up on a popularly known tea plantation in Assam and was
used to seeing such a view.
Legends About the Origin of Tea
Rajvir had done a lot of study about the discovery of tea. There were numerous stories about the
origin of tea, the Chinese and the Indian being the most popular ones.
The Chinese Legend
A Chinese emperor discovered tea accidently while he was boiling water for his drinking. A few
twigs which were burning under the pot fell into his water and he liked the taste of it. Those were
the tea leaves.
The Indian Legend
A Buddhist ascetic, Bodhidharma discovered the tea when he cut off his eyelids to get rid of his
sleepiness during meditations. Ten new tea plants grew out of his eyelids. The leaves of these
plants when put in hot water and drunk kept sleep away.
Tea First Consumed in China
Tea was first drunk in China as far back as 2700 BC. The words ‘Chai’ and ‘Chini’ have their
origin in China. The tea was first consumed in China and it reached Europe in the 16th century,
where it became popular for it’s medicinal properties.
Reaching the Destination
 As the two friends were having the discussion on tea, they arrived at Mariani junction, their
destination, where Pranjol’s parents had come to receive them. They drove to Dhekiabari Tea
Estate, the tea garden where Pranjol’s father worked as manager.
Tea Plantation in Sprouting Season at Dhekiabari
They passed a cattle- bridge and entered the Tea Estate. They saw groups of tea- pluckers with
bamboo baskets on their back, wearing plastic aprons and plucking the new leaves from the
plants. They also gave way to a tractor loaded with tea leaves. Rajvir drew everyone’s attention
to the fact that it was the second flush or sprouting period which lasted from May to July. Rajvir,
indeed, had done a lot of study before his visit which impressed Mr. Barua, Pranjol’s father, a
lot.
Vocabulary
steaming- extremely hot
ardent- enthusiastic or passionate
paddy fields- fields where rice is grown
magnificent- extremely beautiful or impressive
backdrop- serving as a background to something
dwarfing- seemingly small or insignificant in comparison
sturdy- strong
amidst- in the middle of
billowing- flowing outwards
twigs- slender woody shoots growing from a branch or stem
concentration- cluster or a large number
scoffed- jeered; an expression of laughter with scorn
legends- myths
ascetic- monk
banished- removed
beverage- a drink other than water
clattered- loud, rattling sound made by the train brakes
veered-moved or changed direction
gravel- small, rounded stones often mixed with sand
pruned- cut or trimmed

Summary

• Rajvir and Pranjol are classmates who study in a Delhi school.

• Pranjol’s father is the manager of a tea garden in Upper Assam.
• Pranjol invites Rajvir to visit his home in Assam during summer vacation.
• Rajvir and Pranjol talk about origin of tea and the popularity of tea as a beverage during their
train journey.
• More than eighty crore cups of tea are consumed everyday all over the world.
• They observe many tea gardens on their way and Rajvir enjoys the beautiful greenery outside.
• The landscape changed and tea bushes took place of paddy fields.
• A sea of tea bushes stretched as far as eyes could see.
• Both discuss the Chinese and Indian legends about the origin of tea.
• As the Chinese legend goes, a Chinese emperor discovered tea when some twigs fell into his
water which he was boiling to drink. The leaves gave a delicious flavor.
• According to the Indian legend, an Indian Buddhist monk cut off his eyelids because he felt
sleepy during his meditation.
• Ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids which had power to banish sleep.
• The friends also talk about the origin of the words ‘chai’ and ‘chini’.
• They reach their destination and get down at Mariani junction.
• They are received by Pranjol’s parents who drive them to Dhekiabari Tea Estate.
• Acres upon acres of tea bushes which are neatly pruned to the same height can be seen.
• Groups of tea-pluckers with bamboo baskets on their backs can be seen plucking the newly
sprouted leaves.
• A tractor can be seen pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves.
• Rajvir asks Pranjol’s father if it is the second flush or sprouting period.
• The sprouting period lasts from May to July and this period yields the best tea.
• Pranjol’s father is impressed by the information collected by Rajvir on tea.
• Rajvir hopes to learn a lot during his stay.